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lazstearns's review
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The Legacies is, unfortunately, not Goodman’s strongest work, with its “twists” playing out fairly predictably. It touches lightly on social class issues, but overall stays firmly a shallow teen mystery.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Drug abuse
Moderate: Murder, Death of parent, Blood, Death, and Classism
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Toxic relationship, Suicide, Toxic friendship, and Vomit
shaunatalbot's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
jojo_'s review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review
4.0
I have to admit that I still have to read the previous Jessica Goodman. I don't know why it's still on the shelves. I loved both her first two books a lot. I think it's the setting. For some reason the setting of the previous book doesn't really speak to me. However, the setting of this book totally did. If there's one genre I just crave once in a while it's rich people drama. Especially the kind where 99% of the drama is of their own making. So, I ordered my copy and dived in as soon as it arrived.
This is exactly the kind of rich people drama I love and wanted. It reminded me a lot of The Thousandth Floor. The book takes its time to introduce all the characters to us. We get to see their daily life, we meet their family members, we find out what issues they're dealing with, who is friends with whom and what secrets they are keeping from each other. And while we're becoming more and more part of their lives, the tension starts building.
Throwing in the snippets of what has happened at the ball is genius. We know one of the characters we meet will die. It's a matter of finding out how, why and who killed them. While reading I had come up with a lot of theories, but Goodman eventually very positively surprised me without throwing in twists coming out of nowhere. What happens is the result of all the building up, all the drama and all the reveals.
What I love most about rich people drama like this though is that characters are allowed to be and behave ugly. These characters are meant to be deeply flawed, almost disturbingly flawed. These people believe themselves to be kings and queens and think nothing below them can touch them. That's reflected in their behavior. And yet, for some strange reason, you also start caring about these characters in a way.
I hope to pick up the one YA thriller by this author I haven't read yet soon!
This is exactly the kind of rich people drama I love and wanted. It reminded me a lot of The Thousandth Floor. The book takes its time to introduce all the characters to us. We get to see their daily life, we meet their family members, we find out what issues they're dealing with, who is friends with whom and what secrets they are keeping from each other. And while we're becoming more and more part of their lives, the tension starts building.
Throwing in the snippets of what has happened at the ball is genius. We know one of the characters we meet will die. It's a matter of finding out how, why and who killed them. While reading I had come up with a lot of theories, but Goodman eventually very positively surprised me without throwing in twists coming out of nowhere. What happens is the result of all the building up, all the drama and all the reveals.
What I love most about rich people drama like this though is that characters are allowed to be and behave ugly. These characters are meant to be deeply flawed, almost disturbingly flawed. These people believe themselves to be kings and queens and think nothing below them can touch them. That's reflected in their behavior. And yet, for some strange reason, you also start caring about these characters in a way.
I hope to pick up the one YA thriller by this author I haven't read yet soon!
marissareids's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
izzys_internet_bookshelf's review
3.0
3.5/5
I enjoyed this book. I liked reading about the characters and watching the plot unfold. Though my two problems with the story was the many different POVs and the way the plot jumped from the murder to after.
I enjoyed this book. I liked reading about the characters and watching the plot unfold. Though my two problems with the story was the many different POVs and the way the plot jumped from the murder to after.