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rachelreadthese's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I LOVED this ghost story.
It completely unsettled me in the best way. I had goosebumps as the story unfurled. The compelling mystery at the center of the story was made even better by the addition of supernatural elements, dual timelines, and powerful female friendships.
It was fantastic.
It completely unsettled me in the best way. I had goosebumps as the story unfurled. The compelling mystery at the center of the story was made even better by the addition of supernatural elements, dual timelines, and powerful female friendships.
It was fantastic.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Child death, Death, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexism, and Violence
patch's review
dark
mysterious
tense
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism
coolbeans's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Well, well, well, what have we here? A mystery/psychological/supernatural mashup with relatable characters and an atmosphere you can sink your teeth into? You bet. I had read The Broken Girls by Simone St. James when it came out a couple of years ago. It had that same supernatural mystery type vibe as well. I liked it well enough and thought it was a solid story. The Sun Down Motel swoops past that story and soars off into the shadowy sunset by far for me.
With similar tools as her previous novel, this story alternates between two timelines, one in the 80s and one in 2017. In the 80s, Vivian is hitching her way to New York when she finds herself in Fell, New York working at The Sun Down Motel. Aptly titled because the place gets much of it's business and attention in our narrative during the dark shadows of the night. Viv hears about the strange murders of local women that have happened in the town across the years and decides to do some amateur sleuthing while working the night shift at the motel. In 2017, Carly, Viv's niece, rolls into town to amateur sleuth her way into another mystery, someone's disappearance all those decades ago. You guessed it, her Aunt Viv.
As the timelines alternate and slowly converge into each other, the lights start to turn on in your head and you see just how all of the elements the author threaded through the plot work to give you a haunting but powerful story. Of the seen and unseen. This story had great relatable main characters. Strong main and supporting characters that felt normal and real. Like you could pass them on the street. These heroines weren't superhuman sleuths or helpless princesses. Just normal young women pursuing a fault line that life had opened up at their feet. The setting and atmosphere were also wonderfully dreary and foreshadowing. All elements worked together well.
Spooky, mysterious, unsettling, and tense at times. Loved it. Didn't see a certain major plot piece when it hit the board and it was a game changer for my rating this book even higher. Would recommend if like Scooby Doo, you like your mysteries to be supernatural but also reveal the scary fact that sometimes the true monsters you should be afraid of are still alive and breathing. Blew up my expectations in a good way. Would read more of her books without blinking. 5 out of 5 stars.
I would like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for an e-ARC of this book.
With similar tools as her previous novel, this story alternates between two timelines, one in the 80s and one in 2017. In the 80s, Vivian is hitching her way to New York when she finds herself in Fell, New York working at The Sun Down Motel. Aptly titled because the place gets much of it's business and attention in our narrative during the dark shadows of the night. Viv hears about the strange murders of local women that have happened in the town across the years and decides to do some amateur sleuthing while working the night shift at the motel. In 2017, Carly, Viv's niece, rolls into town to amateur sleuth her way into another mystery, someone's disappearance all those decades ago. You guessed it, her Aunt Viv.
As the timelines alternate and slowly converge into each other, the lights start to turn on in your head and you see just how all of the elements the author threaded through the plot work to give you a haunting but powerful story. Of the seen and unseen. This story had great relatable main characters. Strong main and supporting characters that felt normal and real. Like you could pass them on the street. These heroines weren't superhuman sleuths or helpless princesses. Just normal young women pursuing a fault line that life had opened up at their feet. The setting and atmosphere were also wonderfully dreary and foreshadowing. All elements worked together well.
Spooky, mysterious, unsettling, and tense at times. Loved it. Didn't see a certain major plot piece when it hit the board and it was a game changer for my rating this book even higher. Would recommend if like Scooby Doo, you like your mysteries to be supernatural but also reveal the scary fact that sometimes the true monsters you should be afraid of are still alive and breathing. Blew up my expectations in a good way. Would read more of her books without blinking. 5 out of 5 stars.
I would like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for an e-ARC of this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism
Moderate: Rape and Violence
Minor: Cancer, Child death, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Infidelity, and Grief
shahana_bookquoting's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
this had a supernatural element to it which i really dig. YA thrillers are not something i pick up often but this was good, fast paced, decent twist, a good nicely wrapped up ending. gave me a bit of sadie vibes in the beginning but sadie is superior. like way superior & also way darker. (shouldn't be comparing but still🤷♀️)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, and Violence
Moderate: Sexism
Minor: Cancer and Mental illness
jesspages's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
While there were some things I saw coming, the suspense and the story were so enthralling that I was hooked until the end
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexism, and Violence
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child death, Racism, and Rape
Minor: Cancer and Mental illness