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3.29 AVERAGE
3.29 AVERAGE
Another dark academia that could’ve been awesome but the ending killed it.
You’re telling me that these students who have literally known each other their entire lives, gone to the same schools, Chinese school after school, high school etc… couldn’t recognize that their new student happened to look awfully similar to the girl who had been killed freshmen year? Sorry, but if one of my friends “died” but then someone showed up at school the next year looking like a slimmer version of my friend, but with a nose job, I’m pretty sure I’d realize something funky was going on. Puh-lease
You’re telling me that these students who have literally known each other their entire lives, gone to the same schools, Chinese school after school, high school etc… couldn’t recognize that their new student happened to look awfully similar to the girl who had been killed freshmen year? Sorry, but if one of my friends “died” but then someone showed up at school the next year looking like a slimmer version of my friend, but with a nose job, I’m pretty sure I’d realize something funky was going on. Puh-lease
Jamie Ruan is the top junior at Sinclair Prep. She’s the most popular girl that everyone wants to be friends with and nobody wants to have as their enemy. She is also Nancy Luo’s former best friend.
When one day Jamie is reported missing and then later found dead everyone has guesses as to who could have killed her. Someone named “The Proctor” begins to post on the school gossip app (Tip Tap) that Nancy and her friends Alexander, Krystal, and Akil are the prime suspects in Jamie’s death
They were all a close friend group once who knew each others darkest secrets. Now that the proctor knows their secrets too and exposes them to the school Nancy begins to suspect that her friends have been keeping secrets from her too.
My Thoughts: this one reminded me of One of us is Lying. I enjoyed that one and I enjoyed this one too. I wasn’t expecting who the Proctor would be I had guessed but I didn’t figure it out which I like in a mystery. I liked the plot and the characters and can’t wait to read the second book when it comes out.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book is heavy on the tell not show. It’s also surprisingly annoying. The whole book the main characters keep mentioning ‘the incident’ .There’s so much build up to finding out what the incident refers to that by the time the book reaches the big reveal it falls flat.
This book has a great premise and great descriptors: dark academia, Gossip Girl meets Crazy Rich Asians meets One of Us is Lying — sign me up. Unfortunately, it fell flat for me and was a bit of a slog to finish. The characters all felt very one-dimensional and there was very little suspense, despite repeated mentions of “The Incident” that sent them all on this path of betrayal. The final reveal was some straight up 80s soap opera business that felt sloppy and ridiculous. I think this is going to be the right book for some readers, but it was not a good one for me.
* Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury YA for the review copy. Available 8/17/21.
* Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury YA for the review copy. Available 8/17/21.
sad
tense
medium-paced
this was... *vague hand gestures*
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
3.5 starts, Pretty good book, not too exciting but I still wanna read the next one of it comes out. I sort of predicted the ending but still interesting plot! Similar to one of us is lying
Twisty, brutal, and dark -- HOW WE FALL APART by Katie Zhao does not disappoint as a YA academia thriller serving up a generous helping secrets and lies. I love a fast-paced thriller set amid a prep school background with high-achieving students. It's all there. Betrayal, angst, romance, abuse, toxic relationships, and more. If you liked Pretty Little Liars or One of Us is Lying, Katie Zhao's HOW WE FALL APART takes it to the next level. I loved the book, read it quickly because I couldn't put it down, and I totally recommend it.