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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!
cynthiaswanson's review against another edition
5.0
A page-turning mystery set in a small town in Pennsylvania, this is a solid whodunnit with a cast of engaging characters. Moretti gives an insightful glance into decaying small town life and the long-reaching repercussions when most of the town's inhabitants lose their livelihood. The family at the core of the crisis, as well as the troubled teenage girl whose disappearance starts the cascade of events, are memorably and sympathetically drawn. Recommended!
krissyl's review
3.0
This was the perfect book to read this time of year. Kind of creepy, kind of atmospheric, and definitely intriguing. I haven't read Moretti's previous bestselling The Vanishing Year, so I was able to go into this novel without any expectations. This novel is told from four points of view, Nate (the accused), Alecia (Nate's wife), Bridget (Nate and Alecia's friend, and also Nate's co-worker), and Lucia (the missing teen), which means it is very character-driven. Personally, I love character-driven books. I love being able to get inside a character's head, and try to figure out why they act the way they do. I think it allows a unique perspective into the plot, as well.
More here: http://wanderlustbooksandtea.blogspot.ca/2017/10/review-blackbird-season-by-kate-moretti.html
More here: http://wanderlustbooksandtea.blogspot.ca/2017/10/review-blackbird-season-by-kate-moretti.html
mcdawn73's review against another edition
4.0
The Blackbird Season was my first read by Kate Moretti courtesy of NetGalley and Atria Books. 4 stars for me and I'll be looking for more from this author.
The story grabbed me right from the beginning when we see Nate in his car, he stops because he sees "her" but he says he can't let her in his car. What is this all about? That's what is going on in my head. So the story goes a little back and forth in time and each time it references "the day the birds fell" or this many days before the birds, etc. And the birds by themselves are a strange event. Out of the blue all these starlings just fall from the sky. What a crazy thing.
The story is told from our four main characters point of view, Nate, Alecia, Lucia and Bridget. So we have Nate Winters, a loved teacher and baseball coach who is accused of sleeping with a student. Said student, Lucia, disappears one night. Accusations are made that Nate has done something to her but also there's rumors she's just run off to be alone. She doesn't have a great home life and not many friends. Nate's wife, Alecia, wants to believe him when he says he had nothing to do with Lucia's disappearance but Alecia keeps finding so many things to make her question her husband. She's also struggling to care for their autistic son whom Nate doesn't seem to have much interest in. Bridget, who is their friend and also Nate's co-worker, believes him even though their are a few things she's unsure of. She tries to help him several times, even putting herself in danger. And Lucia, the poor lonely student to reads tarot cards and draws black birds that she sees, is she in danger or is she playing a game with everyone and hiding out.
Tensions build and the ending was not one I saw coming, yes a few parts of it I saw, but the main thing I missed until it was right there happening. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me this opportunity.
This review as well as some of my others can be found at: https://mcdawnreviews.wordpress.com/2017/09/24/the-blackbird-season
The story grabbed me right from the beginning when we see Nate in his car, he stops because he sees "her" but he says he can't let her in his car. What is this all about? That's what is going on in my head. So the story goes a little back and forth in time and each time it references "the day the birds fell" or this many days before the birds, etc. And the birds by themselves are a strange event. Out of the blue all these starlings just fall from the sky. What a crazy thing.
The story is told from our four main characters point of view, Nate, Alecia, Lucia and Bridget. So we have Nate Winters, a loved teacher and baseball coach who is accused of sleeping with a student. Said student, Lucia, disappears one night. Accusations are made that Nate has done something to her but also there's rumors she's just run off to be alone. She doesn't have a great home life and not many friends. Nate's wife, Alecia, wants to believe him when he says he had nothing to do with Lucia's disappearance but Alecia keeps finding so many things to make her question her husband. She's also struggling to care for their autistic son whom Nate doesn't seem to have much interest in. Bridget, who is their friend and also Nate's co-worker, believes him even though their are a few things she's unsure of. She tries to help him several times, even putting herself in danger. And Lucia, the poor lonely student to reads tarot cards and draws black birds that she sees, is she in danger or is she playing a game with everyone and hiding out.
Tensions build and the ending was not one I saw coming, yes a few parts of it I saw, but the main thing I missed until it was right there happening. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me this opportunity.
This review as well as some of my others can be found at: https://mcdawnreviews.wordpress.com/2017/09/24/the-blackbird-season
kaylareadsallthetime's review against another edition
4.0
Really good book. Kate Moretti has yet to disappoint me with one of her books. This one does touch on some pretty disturbing topics.
mackenzierm's review against another edition
4.0
First line: "The day the birds fell, I dealt the tower card."
This was an interesting novel, although I found it took me awhile to really get into it.
The characters were compelling with interesting backstories. I had many feelings of mistrust of certain characters, and annoyance or disappointment in others. There were also moments of happiness and hope.
I saw the major twist coming just before it began to unfold, but seeing the reasoning behind it all added more allure.
In reality, I would like to give this novel a 3.5 star rating, firstly, because of how long it took for me to really get into the story. Secondly, I really enjoyed the aspects of superstition and its symbolism, tarot cards, etc. and I would have liked to learn more about that. Regardless, I did enjoy reading this novel and would consider reading more of Moretti's work.
I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher of this novel for allowing me to read this advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review!
This was an interesting novel, although I found it took me awhile to really get into it.
The characters were compelling with interesting backstories. I had many feelings of mistrust of certain characters, and annoyance or disappointment in others. There were also moments of happiness and hope.
I saw the major twist coming just before it began to unfold, but seeing the reasoning behind it all added more allure.
In reality, I would like to give this novel a 3.5 star rating, firstly, because of how long it took for me to really get into the story. Secondly, I really enjoyed the aspects of superstition and its symbolism, tarot cards, etc. and I would have liked to learn more about that. Regardless, I did enjoy reading this novel and would consider reading more of Moretti's work.
I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher of this novel for allowing me to read this advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review!
beansbooks912's review against another edition
2.0
I debated on either a 2 or 3 star rating. Its not like this book was horrible, but there isn't much to any of the characters (didn't particularly like or dislike any of them) and the story is just not that interesting. This book missed the mark for me.
jcm's review against another edition
1.0
I must have put this book on my list to read because I read a good review of it somewhere. I wish I knew where so I could be skeptical of the source next time.
This was labeled as a mystery or thriller, and it was neither. Moretti took a serious issue, teachers taking advantage of their students sexually, and turned it into a stereotypical excuse to pummel the poor white-trash girl, while the frat-boy teacher suffers no real consequences.
Quite frankly, writing a novel that basically says “see, women lie!” about sex or rape should be beneath any woman. It’s hardly news that women have a hard enough time getting people to believe them...unless it’s against a movie star/producer people hate. Especially poor, abused women who society already thinks is trash.
Lucia, our victim, is dangerously poor, abused physically and mentally, been abandoned first by her mother and than years later by her father and forced to live with her junkie, abusive brother.
Nate is the hometown golden-frat-boy who needs teenagers to think he is cool, and gets stupidly close and steps way over the line with the troubled Lucia.
Alecia is his put-upon, struggling wife who is essentially left alone to raise their autistic son. She’s rightfully pissed, and suspicious of her man-child husband’s motives and lies.
Bridget is friends with both Nate (a fellow teacher) and Alecia. Moretti tries to tell us that the women are BFF’s, but does a very poor job proving it. The backstory is so superficial and so I didn’t believe in the relationship, so I really didn’t believe how they came to odds. Bridget is essentially the woman who will stand by and let a man she knows abuse his power and never once believe his accuser in the face of mounting evidence. Not the kind of woman another woman should be BFF’s with. Oh, and she’s openly hostile to the troubled girl.
I won’t even bother naming the stereotypical teenagers. Their motives and allegiances can be seen from so far out it’s a wonder that anyone would call this a mystery.
Each character, save Lucia and Alecia, are down rate awful. No nuance, no mitigating factors for their behaviors, and certainly no originality to their stories.
The ending was predictable and laughable. There was zero tension, no surprises, and it went nowhere.
This was labeled as a mystery or thriller, and it was neither. Moretti took a serious issue, teachers taking advantage of their students sexually, and turned it into a stereotypical excuse to pummel the poor white-trash girl, while the frat-boy teacher suffers no real consequences.
Quite frankly, writing a novel that basically says “see, women lie!” about sex or rape should be beneath any woman. It’s hardly news that women have a hard enough time getting people to believe them...unless it’s against a movie star/producer people hate. Especially poor, abused women who society already thinks is trash.
Lucia, our victim, is dangerously poor, abused physically and mentally, been abandoned first by her mother and than years later by her father and forced to live with her junkie, abusive brother.
Nate is the hometown golden-frat-boy who needs teenagers to think he is cool, and gets stupidly close and steps way over the line with the troubled Lucia.
Alecia is his put-upon, struggling wife who is essentially left alone to raise their autistic son. She’s rightfully pissed, and suspicious of her man-child husband’s motives and lies.
Bridget is friends with both Nate (a fellow teacher) and Alecia. Moretti tries to tell us that the women are BFF’s, but does a very poor job proving it. The backstory is so superficial and so I didn’t believe in the relationship, so I really didn’t believe how they came to odds. Bridget is essentially the woman who will stand by and let a man she knows abuse his power and never once believe his accuser in the face of mounting evidence. Not the kind of woman another woman should be BFF’s with. Oh, and she’s openly hostile to the troubled girl.
I won’t even bother naming the stereotypical teenagers. Their motives and allegiances can be seen from so far out it’s a wonder that anyone would call this a mystery.
Each character, save Lucia and Alecia, are down rate awful. No nuance, no mitigating factors for their behaviors, and certainly no originality to their stories.
The ending was predictable and laughable. There was zero tension, no surprises, and it went nowhere.
bookprocrastinator85's review against another edition
3.0
Review found on The Life & Times of a Book Addict Blog.
Publication: September 26, 2017
Publisher: Atria Books
Source: Publisher.
REVIEW:
Married couple, Nate and Alecia have a good life. Living in a small Pennsylvania town, Nate is a math teacher who also coaches basketball and Alecia takes care of their 5 year old autistic son. By all accounts, they have a seemingly perfect marriage. But things aren’t always as neat and tidy as they seem on the outside. And once the blackbirds fall to their death on the baseball field, things are never the same again.
This book made me feel like I was living in Mount Oanoke. The author did a really good job of capturing that small town feeling. And in a small town where everyone knows everyone, your reputation can be everything. Nate holds on to his reputation with pride. People respect and admire him. That is until he is accused of having an affair with Lucia, an 18 year old student, that soon goes missing afterwards.
But Nate wouldn’t do such a thing would he? And even if he did have an affair with Lucia, that doesn’t mean he hurt her….Right?
Told from multiple POV’s, The Blackbird Season will have you second guessing Nate’s self-proclaimed innocence and the townspeople around him.
The Blackbird Season is a compelling book that slowly pulls you in page after page and leaves you wanting more. It was a fun and immersive read. I liked how the mystery and suspense gradually builds, the more I delved into the story. I have been a fan of Kate Moretti, every since I read The Vanishing Year. She has such a way with words and unique characters/situations. I look forward to her next story.
RATING: 3 out of 5
Publication: September 26, 2017
Publisher: Atria Books
Source: Publisher.
REVIEW:
Married couple, Nate and Alecia have a good life. Living in a small Pennsylvania town, Nate is a math teacher who also coaches basketball and Alecia takes care of their 5 year old autistic son. By all accounts, they have a seemingly perfect marriage. But things aren’t always as neat and tidy as they seem on the outside. And once the blackbirds fall to their death on the baseball field, things are never the same again.
This book made me feel like I was living in Mount Oanoke. The author did a really good job of capturing that small town feeling. And in a small town where everyone knows everyone, your reputation can be everything. Nate holds on to his reputation with pride. People respect and admire him. That is until he is accused of having an affair with Lucia, an 18 year old student, that soon goes missing afterwards.
But Nate wouldn’t do such a thing would he? And even if he did have an affair with Lucia, that doesn’t mean he hurt her….Right?
Told from multiple POV’s, The Blackbird Season will have you second guessing Nate’s self-proclaimed innocence and the townspeople around him.
The Blackbird Season is a compelling book that slowly pulls you in page after page and leaves you wanting more. It was a fun and immersive read. I liked how the mystery and suspense gradually builds, the more I delved into the story. I have been a fan of Kate Moretti, every since I read The Vanishing Year. She has such a way with words and unique characters/situations. I look forward to her next story.
RATING: 3 out of 5