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hobbithopeful's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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? No
3.0
Blackmail, secrets, and so many drugs! The Legacies was a tense and thrilling book that I devoured, eager to find out what had happened and who was the one who was murdered.
It took me a moment to gain my footing, it really dropped me right into the story at the beginning, I had to take a minute to be like...wait? What's happening? I soon became immersed in the opulent world of the rich and powerful, rich kids and murder really pair well together.
I really loved the Jewish representation, and how some characters had their heads on straight.
I felt like I spent so much of the book waiting for action, or waiting for a reveal. When the reveal did happen at the end it felt....like a let down? It was revealed as if it was a big twist and a huge shock, but I just didn't find myself that into it.
This is one of those stories where everything could have been avoided with communication and one conversation, which makes it a bit frustrating to endure.
There were quite a few characters in this book, and it just felt there were so many at times in order to drag the story out a big longer. It just felt like none of them had any depth. Not in a "shallow/rich" way, but in a one dimensional character kind of way. I didn't really feel like they were in any danger, nor did I care what happened to them at all. They just spent all their time partying and that was it?
Everything regarding Bernies' Mom just felt...meh.
I ended up loving Isobels' POV the most, as she spiraled deeper into addiction the writing really conveyed her mood and unstableness.
I don't know if part of the story was meant to criticize, or be a bit of a metaphor for classism, and what gossip and power does to people. If it was then I don't think it should have ended the way it did. Or maybe showing that rich people can get away with anything was the point of the book.
I liked the concept a lot, but I feel the execution could have been better. It didn't really feel like a murder mystery to me.
If you really like YA Thrillers, then give this a read. If you are on the fence about this book, maybe check out some reviews before delving in.
It took me a moment to gain my footing, it really dropped me right into the story at the beginning, I had to take a minute to be like...wait? What's happening? I soon became immersed in the opulent world of the rich and powerful, rich kids and murder really pair well together.
I really loved the Jewish representation, and how some characters had their heads on straight.
I felt like I spent so much of the book waiting for action, or waiting for a reveal. When the reveal did happen at the end it felt....like a let down? It was revealed as if it was a big twist and a huge shock, but I just didn't find myself that into it.
This is one of those stories where everything could have been avoided with communication and one conversation, which makes it a bit frustrating to endure.
There were quite a few characters in this book, and it just felt there were so many at times in order to drag the story out a big longer. It just felt like none of them had any depth. Not in a "shallow/rich" way, but in a one dimensional character kind of way. I didn't really feel like they were in any danger, nor did I care what happened to them at all. They just spent all their time partying and that was it?
Everything regarding Bernies' Mom just felt...meh.
I ended up loving Isobels' POV the most, as she spiraled deeper into addiction the writing really conveyed her mood and unstableness.
I don't know if part of the story was meant to criticize, or be a bit of a metaphor for classism, and what gossip and power does to people. If it was then I don't think it should have ended the way it did. Or maybe showing that rich people can get away with anything was the point of the book.
I liked the concept a lot, but I feel the execution could have been better. It didn't really feel like a murder mystery to me.
If you really like YA Thrillers, then give this a read. If you are on the fence about this book, maybe check out some reviews before delving in.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug use, Toxic friendship, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Bullying, Drug abuse, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Death of parent
mishale1's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I have loved all of this author’s books and was super excited for this one too. Like so excited that I stayed up till midnight to grab it with my BookishFirst points. I enjoyed the book but it felt slower to kick in than her other books. There was literally a mysterious dead body mentioned on page one, so it’s not that it didn’t start with a bang. But maybe pulling back to the timeline that started a few days before the death slowed the storyline’s pace a bit. I can’t put my finger on it, I’m only trying to explain why this earned a lower star rating from me. Beyond saying it took a little while to get into the plot, I’m not sure what to add. Perhaps it was a bit less exciting.
Anyway. Onward and upward. It was still an enjoyable book.
When a book starts with a mystery dead body we immediately have two questions as the reader:
1)Who died?
2)What happened?
This book centers around a short exclusive, very elite club called The Legacy Club.
If you make it into the Legacy club you’re basically set for life. The irony being, most people who get selected are already set for life.
This year is different. This year an “outsider” has been selected.
Meet three newly selected members and our main characters:
Bernie-the daughter of Esther and Rafe Kaplan. Very wealthy. Always gives off the right impression.
Isobel-the angsty artist. Also wealthy, best friends with Bernie and a bit of a wild card due to her substance issues.
Tori-daughter of diner owners. Not wealthy. The scholarship student.
This year, things are different when the scholarship student gets chosen. Tori is the only one who actually needs to win the $25,000 prize given to one new member.
There are secrets basically everywhere in this book. Where is Bernie’s mom? Why has she disappeared? What’s happened to change Isobel to much? Why did Tori get picked? Who picked Tori?
Lots of secrets to unravel throughout the story.
The ultimate reveal of who died and why might have been a little anticlimactic but I was glad that it wasn’t a character that I liked more :)
Will be looking forward to thus author’s next book.
Anyway. Onward and upward. It was still an enjoyable book.
When a book starts with a mystery dead body we immediately have two questions as the reader:
1)Who died?
2)What happened?
This book centers around a short exclusive, very elite club called The Legacy Club.
If you make it into the Legacy club you’re basically set for life. The irony being, most people who get selected are already set for life.
This year is different. This year an “outsider” has been selected.
Meet three newly selected members and our main characters:
Bernie-the daughter of Esther and Rafe Kaplan. Very wealthy. Always gives off the right impression.
Isobel-the angsty artist. Also wealthy, best friends with Bernie and a bit of a wild card due to her substance issues.
Tori-daughter of diner owners. Not wealthy. The scholarship student.
This year, things are different when the scholarship student gets chosen. Tori is the only one who actually needs to win the $25,000 prize given to one new member.
There are secrets basically everywhere in this book. Where is Bernie’s mom? Why has she disappeared? What’s happened to change Isobel to much? Why did Tori get picked? Who picked Tori?
Lots of secrets to unravel throughout the story.
The ultimate reveal of who died and why might have been a little anticlimactic but I was glad that it wasn’t a character that I liked more :)
Will be looking forward to thus author’s next book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Alcohol, and Drug use
Minor: Death and Death of parent
julienicole1106's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin for the ARC of this book.
I was pulled in by the cover and title and the description solidified that it was a book I needed to read! (please also note that the version I read was an uncorrected text)
This one pulled me in quick. It is a fun setting taking place amongst a high society elite club that members need to be nominated into. They then participate in a week of events prepping them for the final event- The Legacy Ball.
Throughout the legacy week the members and new inductees anticipate luxurious attire, an opulent ballroom and sumptuous food. No one expected a death.... or worse.... possibly a murder?
Everyone is doing their best to appear deserving of their nominated spot. Who will have secrets revealed? Who can each member truly trust? This story was a quick easy read. It kept me wanting to know what would happen next.
Definitely would recommend. =]
I was pulled in by the cover and title and the description solidified that it was a book I needed to read! (please also note that the version I read was an uncorrected text)
This one pulled me in quick. It is a fun setting taking place amongst a high society elite club that members need to be nominated into. They then participate in a week of events prepping them for the final event- The Legacy Ball.
Throughout the legacy week the members and new inductees anticipate luxurious attire, an opulent ballroom and sumptuous food. No one expected a death.... or worse.... possibly a murder?
Everyone is doing their best to appear deserving of their nominated spot. Who will have secrets revealed? Who can each member truly trust? This story was a quick easy read. It kept me wanting to know what would happen next.
Definitely would recommend. =]
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gaslighting, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Infidelity, Death of parent, Death, Grief, Toxic relationship, Drug abuse, Addiction, Drug use, Cursing, Alcoholism, and Bullying
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Blood
caffeineandcatnapsreads's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The Legacies, by Jessica Goodman.
3/5⭐️⭐️⭐️
TRIGGER WARNINGS-
.
.
.
Murder, drinking, drugs, death
Past alumni members to the exclusive Legacy Club in New York City, (where you get a life time supply of power and wealth), get to nominate new members every year. Each year these high school seniors get a chance to win the $25,000 cash prize on the night of the Legacy Ball. This year friends Bernie, Isobel, Skyler, Lee and Kendall are nominated from Excelsior Prep along with a new face, Tori. This year is different though as secrets start to emerge, relationships are rattled and on the night of the Legacy Ball there's been a murder.
I was so confused for the longest while on the whole legacy thing and how the schools worked. Like are there multiple schools involved? Only one school? How are all the schools connected? I think I managed to figure it out in the middle.
The story is told from the POV of three of the characters. It's told in the setting of before the ball and after the ball.
It's written a bit different because not only do you obviously not know who the killer is you also don't even know who was killed till almost the end.
It does drag on a bit-the beginning and end were good, but the middle had some long draggy parts.
I'm familiar with her writing, having read her other three novels, and since she writes all her books the same way I know her style so, I know that the obvious isn't always the answer and that there's twists and turns coming so it kind of gives the element of surprise away.
Thank you to Razorbill and NetGalley for giving me an E-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
3/5⭐️⭐️⭐️
TRIGGER WARNINGS-
.
.
.
Murder, drinking, drugs, death
Past alumni members to the exclusive Legacy Club in New York City, (where you get a life time supply of power and wealth), get to nominate new members every year. Each year these high school seniors get a chance to win the $25,000 cash prize on the night of the Legacy Ball. This year friends Bernie, Isobel, Skyler, Lee and Kendall are nominated from Excelsior Prep along with a new face, Tori. This year is different though as secrets start to emerge, relationships are rattled and on the night of the Legacy Ball there's been a murder.
I was so confused for the longest while on the whole legacy thing and how the schools worked. Like are there multiple schools involved? Only one school? How are all the schools connected? I think I managed to figure it out in the middle.
The story is told from the POV of three of the characters. It's told in the setting of before the ball and after the ball.
It's written a bit different because not only do you obviously not know who the killer is you also don't even know who was killed till almost the end.
It does drag on a bit-the beginning and end were good, but the middle had some long draggy parts.
I'm familiar with her writing, having read her other three novels, and since she writes all her books the same way I know her style so, I know that the obvious isn't always the answer and that there's twists and turns coming so it kind of gives the element of surprise away.
Thank you to Razorbill and NetGalley for giving me an E-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, Death of parent, Drug use, and Alcoholism
trippyotter's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
After finishing the book, I immediately told a friend, "It's a Gossip Girls and Desperate Housewives mashup!"
It's intense, mysterious, full of betrayal… By the last page, I was blown away by the extent of gaslighting and deceit the characters will achieve is crazy! But that's also what makes the story so amazing and complex.
The Legacies was my first experience with Jessica Goodman, and I can't wait to read the rest of her books.
It's intense, mysterious, full of betrayal… By the last page, I was blown away by the extent of gaslighting and deceit the characters will achieve is crazy! But that's also what makes the story so amazing and complex.
The Legacies was my first experience with Jessica Goodman, and I can't wait to read the rest of her books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Sexual content, Mental illness, Gaslighting, Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Murder, Grief, Death, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Self harm, and Injury/Injury detail
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