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katy7648's review
2.0
I think this book has a very interesting concept and had a lot of potential, but the characters felt very flat. The writing felt like it was trying very hard to be relatable to younger readers.
I knew the romance plot was going to be “insta love” going in and I somehow convinced myself that I would like it. I didn’t. Nick and Sarah have like 2 conversations and then start kissing? And are in love? I feel like there should have been more pushback, especially since forming an attachment while you’re trying to move on is like the opposite of what you want to do. Also the almost-sex scene at the end felt not right. I don’t think it serves a point in the narrative at all, and the conversation that happens during it would have been just as effective if the two were just sitting somewhere talking, like back in the aquarium maybe? I think it was trying to be relatable to teens, but it just felt like it was shoved into the plot.
Sarah’s murder is so cliche, and I wish we could’ve seen what happened with Karen (appropriate name) and her dad. I do think having Declan be the one who served her the food was a good twist, and I wanted to see more of his and Karen’s relationship.
What was the point of introducing Sarah’s mind powers? I feel like they played too small a role in the beginning and middle, to suddenly being like the star player at the end. I also don’t understand the correlation between her “knowing” and her having an influence over dreams.
I did not like how the book ended. For someone who had to literally be pulled back by her hair to the mall, I find it strange that she would give up the chance to return to a life. It definitely feels like she was just staying there because of Nick, who I don’t understand staying because he also had to be literally pulled back. I know it’s fiction, but she’s also not qualified either? Like, she broke how many rules? Disobeyed Bertha how many times? And now she’s in charge?
I found Lacey, Alice, and Harry to be much more compelling and interesting characters despite being poorly written. Their murders were just so much more interesting. Harry’s in particular was heartbreaking.
I knew the romance plot was going to be “insta love” going in and I somehow convinced myself that I would like it. I didn’t. Nick and Sarah have like 2 conversations and then start kissing? And are in love? I feel like there should have been more pushback, especially since forming an attachment while you’re trying to move on is like the opposite of what you want to do. Also the almost-sex scene at the end felt not right. I don’t think it serves a point in the narrative at all, and the conversation that happens during it would have been just as effective if the two were just sitting somewhere talking, like back in the aquarium maybe? I think it was trying to be relatable to teens, but it just felt like it was shoved into the plot.
Sarah’s murder is so cliche, and I wish we could’ve seen what happened with Karen (appropriate name) and her dad. I do think having Declan be the one who served her the food was a good twist, and I wanted to see more of his and Karen’s relationship.
What was the point of introducing Sarah’s mind powers? I feel like they played too small a role in the beginning and middle, to suddenly being like the star player at the end. I also don’t understand the correlation between her “knowing” and her having an influence over dreams.
I did not like how the book ended. For someone who had to literally be pulled back by her hair to the mall, I find it strange that she would give up the chance to return to a life. It definitely feels like she was just staying there because of Nick, who I don’t understand staying because he also had to be literally pulled back. I know it’s fiction, but she’s also not qualified either? Like, she broke how many rules? Disobeyed Bertha how many times? And now she’s in charge?
I found Lacey, Alice, and Harry to be much more compelling and interesting characters despite being poorly written. Their murders were just so much more interesting. Harry’s in particular was heartbreaking.
pagesplotsandpints's review
2.0
Initial Impressions 8/8/18: 2.5 stars
This wasn't a BAD book but it really could have been so much better in so many ways, so that's where my feelings and review end up. I was hoping for dark comedy, black humor, ghostly sort of story. It turned out to be a little too cheesy, a little too immature, and I didn't like the ending. It just felt very typical YA and too tropey.
All of the main characters in this book ended up at the Mall of America after their death, all came from New York. But... why? Because the Mall of America is a big and a lot of people get murdered in New York...? Even if there was logic there, it wasn't worth making that connection and there really wasn't a reason for the mall concept except to make a mall walker joke and associate dormitories with stores. It added a certain cheesiness to the story that I didn't find cute and I felt like it could have been a lot more meaningful in a different setting instead of creating a silly atmosphere.
I also never really understood why Sarah was murdered and the details of her murder were... odd. It all made sense, all was revealed, but the motive was just so flimsy and too obvious. For that to be the whole reason behind the WHOLE BOOK? Eh. Overdone. Come up with something new.
I didn't hate the book -- I finished it and I didn't stop reading -- but this could have been something delightfully campy and/or dark but either way, a whole lot of fun. Instead I feel like it was underdeveloped for the sake of being "fun" and it lacked the cleverness that it could have had.
This wasn't a BAD book but it really could have been so much better in so many ways, so that's where my feelings and review end up. I was hoping for dark comedy, black humor, ghostly sort of story. It turned out to be a little too cheesy, a little too immature, and I didn't like the ending. It just felt very typical YA and too tropey.
All of the main characters in this book ended up at the Mall of America after their death, all came from New York. But... why? Because the Mall of America is a big and a lot of people get murdered in New York...? Even if there was logic there, it wasn't worth making that connection and there really wasn't a reason for the mall concept except to make a mall walker joke and associate dormitories with stores. It added a certain cheesiness to the story that I didn't find cute and I felt like it could have been a lot more meaningful in a different setting instead of creating a silly atmosphere.
I also never really understood why Sarah was murdered and the details of her murder were... odd. It all made sense, all was revealed, but the motive was just so flimsy and too obvious. For that to be the whole reason behind the WHOLE BOOK? Eh. Overdone. Come up with something new.
I didn't hate the book -- I finished it and I didn't stop reading -- but this could have been something delightfully campy and/or dark but either way, a whole lot of fun. Instead I feel like it was underdeveloped for the sake of being "fun" and it lacked the cleverness that it could have had.
lmohhhh's review against another edition
3.0
Was looking for something easy to read whilst in international transit, I guess I got it, easy, not too much to take in, a little childish but did the job.
Would have liked more detail, would have liked more development but for me it set out to do what it needed and i could visualise everyone and i didnt ever feel lost in the story.
Would have liked more detail, would have liked more development but for me it set out to do what it needed and i could visualise everyone and i didnt ever feel lost in the story.
mystic_dclouds's review against another edition
3.0
A unique premise and depth where each story is touching and relatable.
Our story starts off with Sarah waking up dead at the mall in her mango chiffon dress. There she meets her death coach, Bertha who let’s her know she’s been murdered. Reluctant to believe she’s been murdered, Sarah goes on a search for what happened and ultimately finds someone she loves is in danger. In her quest to save her loved ones, stories are told, lives are saved, peace is found and she comes to accept herself.
The writing style is easy and the premise is unique. It grabs the reader’s attention as if it were a black hole. But that’s about all it does. As the story gets started it falls into heavy stereotypes defining new characters and there’s not one but two insta-love stories. I would have enjoyed the story more if the characters weren’t stereotyped. They each had a lot of depth and their murder stories were just as heartbreaking and important.
There were times I didn’t like our main character, Sarah. A lot of her feelings were clear but she lacked empathy. I understand that Sarah wanted to save her loved one in danger, but that doesn’t give her the right to be rude. Sarah seemed selfish and bratty making me wonder why she got the ending she did or why she had a special ability to begin with.
There were only three characters who stood out for me that I sort of liked. Nick, Lacey and Harry. Their stories were clear and they each had a lot of empathy under their covers. Nick really cared for his mom and put aside his own personal desires and happiness to help and watch over others. Lacey, at first seemed a bit mean and bratty but did she ever pull through. Lacey had the biggest growth and is not to be undermined. Harry was a good and lovable character. I was saddened by his story but was happy to see him being so mature and understanding about his circumstances. Seriously, Harry is a person we all should treasure.
Overall, this book was a quick read yet an emotional roller coaster. I enjoyed certain parts of this book but also equally disliked other parts. The premise was really interesting and a lot of the ideas were good but it lacked an interesting and caring main lead which this book deserved. This book reads at times like a TV show and the character’s voices come alive in their stories. There’s a hint of mystery, a touch of comedy and a cup of emotions in this book!
Read more reviews @ Mystic's Review Shelf
Our story starts off with Sarah waking up dead at the mall in her mango chiffon dress. There she meets her death coach, Bertha who let’s her know she’s been murdered. Reluctant to believe she’s been murdered, Sarah goes on a search for what happened and ultimately finds someone she loves is in danger. In her quest to save her loved ones, stories are told, lives are saved, peace is found and she comes to accept herself.
The writing style is easy and the premise is unique. It grabs the reader’s attention as if it were a black hole. But that’s about all it does. As the story gets started it falls into heavy stereotypes defining new characters and there’s not one but two insta-love stories. I would have enjoyed the story more if the characters weren’t stereotyped. They each had a lot of depth and their murder stories were just as heartbreaking and important.
There were times I didn’t like our main character, Sarah. A lot of her feelings were clear but she lacked empathy. I understand that Sarah wanted to save her loved one in danger, but that doesn’t give her the right to be rude. Sarah seemed selfish and bratty making me wonder why she got the ending she did or why she had a special ability to begin with.
There were only three characters who stood out for me that I sort of liked. Nick, Lacey and Harry. Their stories were clear and they each had a lot of empathy under their covers. Nick really cared for his mom and put aside his own personal desires and happiness to help and watch over others. Lacey, at first seemed a bit mean and bratty but did she ever pull through. Lacey had the biggest growth and is not to be undermined. Harry was a good and lovable character. I was saddened by his story but was happy to see him being so mature and understanding about his circumstances. Seriously, Harry is a person we all should treasure.
Overall, this book was a quick read yet an emotional roller coaster. I enjoyed certain parts of this book but also equally disliked other parts. The premise was really interesting and a lot of the ideas were good but it lacked an interesting and caring main lead which this book deserved. This book reads at times like a TV show and the character’s voices come alive in their stories. There’s a hint of mystery, a touch of comedy and a cup of emotions in this book!
Read more reviews @ Mystic's Review Shelf
missmonograph_creative's review against another edition
5.0
A super fun but surprisingly touching book! The writing was nothing super special but the concept was cool. 100% would read again- a favourite!
asunnybooknook's review
2.0
This book has annoying YA contemporary vibes all over it. The magical realism was a bit cringey, as were a lot of the characters (who all were very flat and archetypical), and the love subplot was kind of stupid. However, the humor and little "stories" it was interjected with made it BEARABLE to read. It wasn't necessarily an AWFUL book, just a bit less than mediocre. I'm definitely going to make a review video on it soon, so that'll be moron-depth than this.
autumn_7389's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.5
clarareadsandwatchesnetflix's review
5.0
GO READ RIGHT NOW!!!! CRIMINALY UNDERRATED!!!! EVERYONE NEEDS TO READ THIS IN THEIR LIFETIME!! IF U ARE IN A READING SLUMP, READ IT!! IF U DON'T LIKE READING, READ IT!! I WISH I BOUGHT THE PHYSICAL COPY INSTEAD OF USING THE LIBRARY BUT THAT ADDS TO THE MAGIC OF IT!! AMAZING, STUNNING AND GRIPPING WRITTING. I ATE IT UP!! THIS IS THE TYPE OF BOOK I NEEDED TO READ, IT REMINDS ME WHY I LOVE READING!!!
shilohday's review
4.0
This book surprised me in all of the best ways.
The only thing that I wish is that the relationship between Sarah/Nick was a little more developed, but other than that, I really enjoyed it. The concept was fresh and new and I really enjoyed Sarah as a character.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking to read something different.
The only thing that I wish is that the relationship between Sarah/Nick was a little more developed, but other than that, I really enjoyed it. The concept was fresh and new and I really enjoyed Sarah as a character.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking to read something different.
nuevecuervos's review
3.0
I didn't realize this was YA when I put it on my paperbackswap wishlist, so when it arrived on my doorstep I was surprised. :) still, I don't have much (read: any legit) time to read at the moment so the larger volumes I've been trying to get through have not seen any progress. This book on the other hand was two-ish easy hours (maybe) total to read through between the hours I spent this weekend studying, hosting and momming.
All told, it's a cute little story told well with not much in the way of surprises. I'm definitely not the target demographic, though there was enough there that I crunched through it like a bag of oven baked chips, but not nearly enough that I'd want to rave about it and hand it to every tween I know. The idea of purgatory as a mall is kind of hilarious and creative, but again, there were no surprises, no genre- transforming moments here.
All told, it's a cute little story told well with not much in the way of surprises. I'm definitely not the target demographic, though there was enough there that I crunched through it like a bag of oven baked chips, but not nearly enough that I'd want to rave about it and hand it to every tween I know. The idea of purgatory as a mall is kind of hilarious and creative, but again, there were no surprises, no genre- transforming moments here.