Reviews

Black by Fleur Ferris

willowmae's review

Very tired and busy
Will reread another time as it’s a fave 

luci_08's review

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

sam_hartwig's review against another edition

3.0

Wow! This wasn't what I was expecting, it was so much better than I thought it would be. I read Fleur's other book 'Risk' and thought that it was an ok read, but she's really ramped things up in this book.

To start with I was feeling like it might fall a bit flat, but after a few chapters I was hooked. I read this in one sitting, those pages were flying through my hands. And that last part was intense!!

I really wish Goodreads had half star ratings as I would've given this 3.5. I liked this more than other 3 star rated books but not enough to give it 4 stars.

If you like books with mystery, romance and a whole lot of creep factor then pick this one up!!

laurenkara's review against another edition

4.0

Was this perfect? No. Did it have a lot of tropes and cliches? Yeah.

Did I care? NOPE!!! (Well... I maybe cared about the slightly annoying love triangle that didn't make a whole lot of sense, BUT THAT IS BESIDES THE POINT!!!)

I had so much fun reading this. I LOVE YA THRILLERS. I read it in like 3-4 hours. It was so fast paced and at times really intense. I literally couldn't put it down. I loved the small town feel!!

Is this for everyone? Probably not. However, this book reminded me why I need to stop being swept away by hype and go back to my thriller/horror roots. This genre will always be my favourite.

reneeshantel's review against another edition

3.0

It certainly was refreshing to read something by an Australian author for once, even if it wasn't something I would usually read.

I enjoyed this story, though at times I felt it was rushed and somewhat predictable. Aiden's character is highly likeable; Ed got on my nerves, though I suspect that might be because he gets in the way of certain things.

I am very much looking forward to reading Ferris's other novel, Risk.

crankie36's review against another edition

4.0

Not one of my favourite but still freaking good! I think Risk, by Fleur Ferris is still my leading favourite. Regardless, this one was still pretty darn good!
I read it in a night and was really into the story. (I’m a sucker for thriller novels!) This author really knows how to write a story, and you have to believe it’s realistic, as she was a cop before being an author.
Definitely give this one a go, I absolutely loved it!

lozzyd's review against another edition

5.0

Wow. It's been a while since I've devoured a book quite so quickly and had one that got under my skin as much as Black! This book is a rollercoaster and a page turner with characters who quickly feel like your best friends! I think I'm going to have to go back now and re-read this again slower to let it sink in!

someonetookit's review against another edition

5.0

Was kind of disappointed with the beginning, thinking it would be the usual
*boy meets girl*
*girl swoons*
*kissy face*
*happy ending*

But then... a wild wooden plank appeared!

Definitely got better in the final half. I can't reasonably give it a 4 star rating. 4.5 overall.

superficialowl's review against another edition

3.0

I enjoyed Risk more then this one as to many story elements were a bit to far fetched on this one. It was still very well written and kept my attention.

thereaderdragon's review against another edition

4.0

Holy shit, this book was SO. DAMN. GOOD. For such a quick read, this novel is so dark! (and I'm not just referencing the title).

Ebony 'Black' Marshall in an outcast. She's only young, but has experienced so much grief and heartache. On three separate occasions, she's lost three friends.First was Jess, her best friend since kindergarten, who was hit by a car whilst crossing the road after school. Next was Black's first boyfriend, Louis, who fell to his death from the roof where they shared their first kiss. And most recently was her boyfriend Oscar, who died in a car accident.

As a result of these events, Black is thought to be cursed, turning her once-endearing nickname into a foreboding brand of malevolence. Father Ratchet and his religious cult - The Pure Apostles - believe that Black is possessed by the devil, and that it's their duty to exorcise the demon before it grows too strong. In an effort to prevent the town from suffering another tragic loss, the anonymous group of Whisperers monitor Black's every move, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. And that moment is coming...

When the new boy in school, Aiden Sweet, ends up in intensive care after taking a liking to Black, it's not long before the campaign of the Pure Apostles starts to become aggressive.

With danger lurking around every corner, and in a town full of potential enemies, Black turns to the only person she can trust: her colleague and only friend, Ed. And it's not long before the pair begin to uncover the truth, and secrets her parents have kept from her begin to unravel. Secrets that might hold the answer to everything.

Like holy shitballs, this novel is really disturbing. It honestly gives me goosebumps to think that there are probably actual people out there just like The Whisperers of The Pure Apostles. They could be your local grocer. They could be your neighbour. THEY COULD BE YOU. (wut?) No but seriously, the fact that there are probably people out their taking matters into their own hands to cleanse some poor victim of a possession is honestly really horrifying because they probably don't care about the welfare of the host.

I love love LOVE that you have no clue as to whether or not Black is actually cursed or possessed, or if The Whisperers were just a bunch of delusional CRAaziES. This was one of the big reasons that I absolutely ate this book up. I absolutely l o v e paranormal horror, so I just had to know if this was indeed one or not. AND GUESS WHAT??? (lol read it to find out for yourself! seriously. in the words of our lord and saviour shia labeouf: JUST DO IT)

Also, a really quick shoutout to Ebony for being an amazing character! Not only has she suffered immeasurable amounts of heartache, but she's also had to put up with the taunts and torment from her fellow peers and townsfolk, all because she's been unfortunate enough to have lost her friends in random freak accidents. Despite all of this though, she still keeps her head held high, and I greatly admire her resilience.

Aiden, on the other hand, I didn't feel much for. I understand that he was needed to kickstart the whole story, but the relationship that he shared with Black felt a little too forced and rushed. A little too insta-love, if you ask me. Like I honestly cringed a bit whilst reading the first couple of pages (you'll understand once you read it). Buuuut in saying that, you'll get past it really quick, and you'll probably forget that it ever happened.

Besides the insta-love, I do have one other complaint: it wrapped up too quickly. As the end of the book was nearing, there were these really intense scenes. Like holy crap, I couldn't bear to put the book down. But then everything was sort of resolved in about the blink of an eye. I would have loved those intense moments to have lasted just a little bit longer.

Black is a disturbing, unsettling, riveting, and most importantly AMAZING novel that will keep you up way past your bedtime and long into the night. It's the novel that every fan of Young Adult thriller needs in their life!