belava's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Stalking, Grief, and Mental illness
Minor: Physical abuse
effy's review
2.25
I enjoyed this book enough to continue reading and see where the story would take me but overall it just seemed to miss the mark.
Unfortunately I think chekhov's gun was just way too obvious to me. The moment that it was mentioned that I felt as though I knew what had happened. When it was revealed I felt as though my suspicions were just confirmed.
I essentially felt as though I went though the whole of this book hoping that the story wasn't going to be ascenario and doing mental gymnastics for other scenarios. I somewhat appreciated that the book recognised what it was doing to the extent that one of the chapters / parts was called but it just left me feeling unsatisfied.
I am unsure if the intention was for the reader to understand what had happened with Amelia throughout and were just looking and waiting for the motivation to be revealed. I think it would be the generous position to take and would help to explain why it seemed so transparent. If that was the case, I think the book could have been structured better with Harper, Amelia, and Mignon's chapters interspersed earlier and evenly so that hints and misdirects could have been introduced earlier.
I think there was a little logic absent in the story, especially surrounding
I also didn't like that the ending seemed to have some teeth then changed its mind at the last minute.
I suspect the flaws that I found with this book are because I am not the intended readership of this book. This may be a disservice to young adult readers to say that they may not have picked up on the breadcrumbs that were more like loaves of bread. And maybe they wouldn't be as familiar with But that is really the only way I can see this book having been so well-received initially.
Favourite quotes:
Unfortunately I think chekhov's gun was just way too obvious to me. The moment that it was mentioned that
Spoiler
Josh didn't pack his own suitcase,Spoiler
that the police had found blood in Josh's suitcase, knowing that he hadn't packed his own suitcase,I essentially felt as though I went though the whole of this book hoping that the story wasn't going to be a
Spoiler
Gone GirlSpoiler
"Girl, gone"I am unsure if the intention was for the reader to understand what had happened with Amelia throughout and were just looking and waiting for the motivation to be revealed. I think it would be the generous position to take and would help to explain why it seemed so transparent. If that was the case, I think the book could have been structured better with Harper, Amelia, and Mignon's chapters interspersed earlier and evenly so that hints and misdirects could have been introduced earlier.
I think there was a little logic absent in the story, especially surrounding
Spoiler
Harper's role in the plan as it simultaneously seemed like Amelia needed Harper to reveal the information to the police but it also wasn't part of the plan? If Amelia was relying on the police to connect the dots between Josh and Bennet, that didn't fit her character as she seemed to have lost faith in their ability? Also, Wendy Darling? Really?I also didn't like that the ending seemed to have some teeth then changed its mind at the last minute.
I suspect the flaws that I found with this book are because I am not the intended readership of this book. This may be a disservice to young adult readers to say that they may not have picked up on the breadcrumbs that were more like loaves of bread. And maybe they wouldn't be as familiar with
Spoiler
the twist of Gone Girl?Favourite quotes:
Spoiler
Dying now wouldn't be the worst thing that could happen to her. The worst had already happened.
Spoiler
When I die, hopefully sometime far in the future, I wouldn't mind being buried here among the watchers of Club Nightmare. Place my skeletal remains among the masses, let me become the six million and one. Scatter my bones to lead the way for future travellers, roaming the path between life and death, let my hands hold a candelabra, let my spine support the chandelier, let my skull smile at those who smile back.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Grief, Stalking, Murder, and Racism
evieheartsbooks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Mental illness, and Kidnapping
elisabeth_li's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Murder, Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Blood, Death, Violence, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Drug use, Kidnapping, Abandonment, Panic attacks/disorders, and Cursing
leanniefae's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This was an incredible book. I got a physical arc from yallfest and buddy read it with my coworker. We both read it in about 2 days. I legit stayed up until 5am to finish this book because I HAD to know how it ended. And oh that ending! What a wild ride! I suggest you don't even read the blurb; go in as blind as you can because it's going to grab you from page 1.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Death, Child death, Violence, Grief, Racism, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Physical abuse
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