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mj_onthe_moon's review against another edition
4.0
Great book, finished in one setting. Not only does this deal with the mystery but also challenges the reader to think about how social media controls our lives
steph1rothwell's review against another edition
4.0
The last time I received a book by Kate Moretti ( The Vanishing Year) it came with a lily in a gift box. The Blackbird Season arrived with a handful of black feathers.
I love watching birds and I can’t even begin to imagine a scene where 1000 birds are dead on a school playing field. When the press descend on the area they witness something that manages to take their focus away from what they were meant to be investigating. A teacher and student embracing. When the student then disappears Nate is in danger of losing his family, career and his good name.
When I first started to read the novel I disliked one of the characters, Alecia, immediately. She was Nate’s wife and I should have had sympathy for her but I found her cold and unapproachable. By the time I had finished it, the only character I liked was Bridget. She was the only one who showed any compassion to the student Lucia. It takes place in a town that has nothing left to offer. The mill, which was the main employer had closed and it was no longer a close-knit community. All of the students who were in Lucia’s group were desperate to escape and live their life elsewhere.
I couldn’t work Nate out, was he an innocent Mr Nice Guy who the students could turn to for support or was he somebody who had an unhealthy obsession with his students. My inclination was to go with the latter, if only because of his social media habits.
Bridget, however, grieving the loss of her husband wants to know the truth but knows she needs to maintain her integrity by keeping some distance. She understood a teenage mind a lot better than Nate did.
All of the teenagers were believable. They made me think of a pack of animals circling their prey, looking for a way to cause humiliation or harm. Even though Lucia didn’t make life easy for herself I did feel sorry for her. She did have an intimidating personality though.
I enjoyed reading the previous book The Vanishing Year and even though this book is different I think I prefered it. The author is skilled at creating characters that are difficult to like and in keeping her reader gripped. There were a few times that I thought knew what happened and then something else would be revealed. Just a little at a time, to keep the reader guessing.
With thanks to the publisher for the copy received.
I love watching birds and I can’t even begin to imagine a scene where 1000 birds are dead on a school playing field. When the press descend on the area they witness something that manages to take their focus away from what they were meant to be investigating. A teacher and student embracing. When the student then disappears Nate is in danger of losing his family, career and his good name.
When I first started to read the novel I disliked one of the characters, Alecia, immediately. She was Nate’s wife and I should have had sympathy for her but I found her cold and unapproachable. By the time I had finished it, the only character I liked was Bridget. She was the only one who showed any compassion to the student Lucia. It takes place in a town that has nothing left to offer. The mill, which was the main employer had closed and it was no longer a close-knit community. All of the students who were in Lucia’s group were desperate to escape and live their life elsewhere.
I couldn’t work Nate out, was he an innocent Mr Nice Guy who the students could turn to for support or was he somebody who had an unhealthy obsession with his students. My inclination was to go with the latter, if only because of his social media habits.
Bridget, however, grieving the loss of her husband wants to know the truth but knows she needs to maintain her integrity by keeping some distance. She understood a teenage mind a lot better than Nate did.
All of the teenagers were believable. They made me think of a pack of animals circling their prey, looking for a way to cause humiliation or harm. Even though Lucia didn’t make life easy for herself I did feel sorry for her. She did have an intimidating personality though.
I enjoyed reading the previous book The Vanishing Year and even though this book is different I think I prefered it. The author is skilled at creating characters that are difficult to like and in keeping her reader gripped. There were a few times that I thought knew what happened and then something else would be revealed. Just a little at a time, to keep the reader guessing.
With thanks to the publisher for the copy received.
answertherairai's review against another edition
2.0
Hmmmmm, this was heading along to a 3.5 star read, but I'm knocking it down to 2.5 based on the ending.
I liked this, and Kate Moretti clearly knows how to string a sentence together, however I found the ending abrupt and unsatisfying. I've thoroughly enjoyed endings to novels that are challenging, but I found this one just puzzling.
I enjoyed the journey, just not the destination.
I liked this, and Kate Moretti clearly knows how to string a sentence together, however I found the ending abrupt and unsatisfying. I've thoroughly enjoyed endings to novels that are challenging, but I found this one just puzzling.
I enjoyed the journey, just not the destination.
jlfred's review against another edition
2.0
I thought I would like this book, because I really liked The Vanishing Year. And, I usually like non-sequential timelines, and occasionally like unlikable characters. But this one was too convoluted, too confusing, had too many unlikable characters who were also too boring to be unlikable in interesting ways. There were too many loose ends and tangents that went nowhere. And, I really can't stand stupid people, and this book has some seriously stupid people who repeatedly make stupid choice after stupid choice. Still, I gave it 2 stars because at least the language itself was beautiful.
kybookgirl's review against another edition
3.0
I expected more...
Good story but very predictable. I was kind of disappointed to figure it out so early but overall, it's between 3-4 stars.
Good story but very predictable. I was kind of disappointed to figure it out so early but overall, it's between 3-4 stars.
bookishgurl's review
4.0
I received a complimentary ARC copy of The Blackbird Season by Kate Moretti from NetGalley in order to read and give an honest review.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading "The Blackbird Season" by Kate Moretti. This is a unique well-written, atmospheric read that is character driven and although it has a familiar plot, the author still manages to surprise you at the end.
It starts with a mysterious incident where blackbirds begin falling from the sky, which, seems to have little to do with the plot that unfolds but instead acts as a lead into a bigger event. A widowed teacher, Brigit, her old friend Nate, and his troubled family life captivate the first part of the book. Nate, a fellow teacher is trying to cope with an unhappy spouse while she struggles to care for their autistic son. Nate a very respected and adored teacher known for going above and beyond for his students becomes prime suspect when a student, Lucia, goes missing. Lucia due to years of abuse and absentee parents is different from other girls, dark and melancholic and considered an outcast to peers. When Lucia turns to Nate for help his world is turned upside down and he goes from being well-respected to becoming the town pariah.
The best part for me was the authentic characters who were written in such a compelling way. The characters viewpoint change chapter to chapter which in my opinion gives an interesting perspective to the plot. Just when you think you understand what’s happening another viewpoint sheds a different light on events making the reader second guess.
This is the first book I've read by Kate Moretti but I have become a fan and will definitely be reading all of her work!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading "The Blackbird Season" by Kate Moretti. This is a unique well-written, atmospheric read that is character driven and although it has a familiar plot, the author still manages to surprise you at the end.
It starts with a mysterious incident where blackbirds begin falling from the sky, which, seems to have little to do with the plot that unfolds but instead acts as a lead into a bigger event. A widowed teacher, Brigit, her old friend Nate, and his troubled family life captivate the first part of the book. Nate, a fellow teacher is trying to cope with an unhappy spouse while she struggles to care for their autistic son. Nate a very respected and adored teacher known for going above and beyond for his students becomes prime suspect when a student, Lucia, goes missing. Lucia due to years of abuse and absentee parents is different from other girls, dark and melancholic and considered an outcast to peers. When Lucia turns to Nate for help his world is turned upside down and he goes from being well-respected to becoming the town pariah.
The best part for me was the authentic characters who were written in such a compelling way. The characters viewpoint change chapter to chapter which in my opinion gives an interesting perspective to the plot. Just when you think you understand what’s happening another viewpoint sheds a different light on events making the reader second guess.
This is the first book I've read by Kate Moretti but I have become a fan and will definitely be reading all of her work!
laceyslibrarybooksta's review
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley, Kate Moretti, and Atria Books for allowing to read this before the publication date in exchange for an honest review.
I will be completely honest, I picked this book solely from the cover. The spooky and mysterious cover dragged me to it right away. I had a feeling that this would be a good one.
The beginning of this book will leave you with a sense of "what is going to happen next". From the last page of the prologue, I was hooked. There was something fishy going on, and there is a wonder of what will go on in the following chapters. Or will you have to wait until the end?
The characters were interesting to say the least. My favorite character had to be Alecia. My mother is a special education teacher so I see the struggles that an autistic child and their mother has to go through. I feel like the author did a phenomenal job with making both characters real and relatable. All of the characters really developed, especially Bridget. Bridget was another character that I really felt that connected well with the reader. There were times where I feel like I would have to go back and read because there are four different characters going on at the same time, but that's okay sometimes. Each character gave more to this story.
There was a lot of book that was answered, but there was a lot also left unanswered. There were interesting things about this because I liked the fact that I could think about what could've happened. This is where Kate Moretti did a great job making this not only a mystery, but a psychological thriller as well.
Overall, this book was very good. Kate Moretti's writing style is absolutely something I can get into with other stories of hers. I think I will take the time to pick another one of hers up!
I will be completely honest, I picked this book solely from the cover. The spooky and mysterious cover dragged me to it right away. I had a feeling that this would be a good one.
The beginning of this book will leave you with a sense of "what is going to happen next". From the last page of the prologue, I was hooked. There was something fishy going on, and there is a wonder of what will go on in the following chapters. Or will you have to wait until the end?
The characters were interesting to say the least. My favorite character had to be Alecia. My mother is a special education teacher so I see the struggles that an autistic child and their mother has to go through. I feel like the author did a phenomenal job with making both characters real and relatable. All of the characters really developed, especially Bridget. Bridget was another character that I really felt that connected well with the reader. There were times where I feel like I would have to go back and read because there are four different characters going on at the same time, but that's okay sometimes. Each character gave more to this story.
There was a lot of book that was answered, but there was a lot also left unanswered. There were interesting things about this because I liked the fact that I could think about what could've happened. This is where Kate Moretti did a great job making this not only a mystery, but a psychological thriller as well.
Overall, this book was very good. Kate Moretti's writing style is absolutely something I can get into with other stories of hers. I think I will take the time to pick another one of hers up!
laceyslibrarybooksta's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley, Kate Moretti, and Atria Books for allowing to read this before the publication date in exchange for an honest review.
I will be completely honest, I picked this book solely from the cover. The spooky and mysterious cover dragged me to it right away. I had a feeling that this would be a good one.
The beginning of this book will leave you with a sense of "what is going to happen next". From the last page of the prologue, I was hooked. There was something fishy going on, and there is a wonder of what will go on in the following chapters. Or will you have to wait until the end?
The characters were interesting to say the least. My favorite character had to be Alecia. My mother is a special education teacher so I see the struggles that an autistic child and their mother has to go through. I feel like the author did a phenomenal job with making both characters real and relatable. All of the characters really developed, especially Bridget. Bridget was another character that I really felt that connected well with the reader. There were times where I feel like I would have to go back and read because there are four different characters going on at the same time, but that's okay sometimes. Each character gave more to this story.
There was a lot of book that was answered, but there was a lot also left unanswered. There were interesting things about this because I liked the fact that I could think about what could've happened. This is where Kate Moretti did a great job making this not only a mystery, but a psychological thriller as well.
Overall, this book was very good. Kate Moretti's writing style is absolutely something I can get into with other stories of hers. I think I will take the time to pick another one of hers up!
I will be completely honest, I picked this book solely from the cover. The spooky and mysterious cover dragged me to it right away. I had a feeling that this would be a good one.
The beginning of this book will leave you with a sense of "what is going to happen next". From the last page of the prologue, I was hooked. There was something fishy going on, and there is a wonder of what will go on in the following chapters. Or will you have to wait until the end?
The characters were interesting to say the least. My favorite character had to be Alecia. My mother is a special education teacher so I see the struggles that an autistic child and their mother has to go through. I feel like the author did a phenomenal job with making both characters real and relatable. All of the characters really developed, especially Bridget. Bridget was another character that I really felt that connected well with the reader. There were times where I feel like I would have to go back and read because there are four different characters going on at the same time, but that's okay sometimes. Each character gave more to this story.
There was a lot of book that was answered, but there was a lot also left unanswered. There were interesting things about this because I liked the fact that I could think about what could've happened. This is where Kate Moretti did a great job making this not only a mystery, but a psychological thriller as well.
Overall, this book was very good. Kate Moretti's writing style is absolutely something I can get into with other stories of hers. I think I will take the time to pick another one of hers up!