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cassandrareadsbooks's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Eulabee and her family are quite likable and I think it’s due to the fact that they live in an extremely wealthy neighborhood but don’t come from money. Both parents had to work for their money and status in society. Other characters are descendants of the Mayflower or heiress to fortunes. Eulabee’s mother is from Sweden and her dad is American (Hungarian descent).
Eulabee remains true to herself always. She isn’t defiant or overly rebellious, and is rather an honest and truthful person who is not easily swayed by the affluent people in her town. She is a thirteen year old girl who attends an all girls private school, so there is some naivety that comes with that kind of upbringing. However, she’s much more smarter than people perceive her to be. Perhaps it’s the real reason why she’s ostracized. Her suspicions about the kidnapping are true.
Everything surrounding Maria Fabiola and her disappearance comes full circle in the last chapter. She lies for attention and she lies because something deep inside of her feels she is lacking. All the money doesn’t matter if you can’t be your true self.
Expectations for this novel: enjoy the story and enjoy the characters. Do not expect a plot twist or to have a visceral reaction.
I feel like this book was going to be like season 1 of the Hulu show Cruel Summer but it did not have that plot twist I was looking for. There was no tension building.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Alcohol, Blood, Body shaming, Miscarriage, Bullying, Adult/minor relationship, Kidnapping, Pregnancy, Death, and Death of parent
raelin's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I would love a good discussion on this book, because I can definitely see great conversations coming out of it. But I did not particularly like Eulabee, although I could definitely relate to her quite a bit with the teenage angst and problems that feel gigantic at the end of middle school but are not in the scope of a longer life. I ached for her wanting to stay or return to the orbit around Maria Fabiola. It was a sad reminder of the terrible cliches and popularity seeking that happen in the dreaded middle school years.
It was very slow moving and the plot seemed secondary to the story of growth we suppose Eulabee gets out of it. From the description I was expecting a lot more plot and mystery, I did not find much. I think if I had gone into without that preconceived notion I would have enjoyed the story a lot more.
I was happy we got a flash forward to 2019 to see what had become of all the kids. I wish we had heard about web toed Keith though. The sad state of Maria was unsurprising but satisfying. And I was happy Eulabee was able to make a bright future for herself. It made for a tidy ending for the book. Although I wish she had told Maria’s husband a little about her trouble making past because I felt sad for the reality of his life with Maria.
It was very slow moving and the plot seemed secondary to the story of growth we suppose Eulabee gets out of it. From the description I was expecting a lot more plot and mystery, I did not find much. I think if I had gone into without that preconceived notion I would have enjoyed the story a lot more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Vomit, Pedophilia, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Body shaming, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Murder, Pregnancy, Sexism, and Death of parent
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