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victoriarey's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
finleyworm's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
snaillydia's review
4.0
I'll admit, I didn't know much about Watch Over Me before I cracked it open. After We Are Okay, Nina LaCour has my trust. I hand my heart over to her every time I start another of her novels.
She has yet to disappoint me.
This one follows our orphan main character Mila as she moves into a farm for work after aging out of the foster care system. What is supposed to be a new start brings her face-to-face with the ghosts of her past. Skimming over the blurb, I did not know those ghosts were literal.
It's no ordinary ghost story. The phantoms don't knock stuff off shelves or slam doors shut. They haunt our characters all the same. I can't go into it more without spoiling, so I'll just say I enjoyed the quiet eeriness they brought into the story.
When I read We Are Okay, I was hooked from the first word as thoughts that have been through my head appeared on paper, out of someone else's brain. In Watch Over Me, while I did not relate to the main character's inner monologue as strongly, that's not a bad thing. LaCour shows that she can write characters of similar age, experiencing grief and solitude, and still give them individual voices. For the bulk of this novel, I thought something was missing from the prose, something that was important to replicate the impact We Are Okay had on me. I was wrong. Nothing was missing. LaCour was simply patiently building an emotional house of cards. In the last fifty pages, she blows onto the house and brings it down, a dramatic yet gentle fall. It packs a punch. I teared up.
If you liked We Are Okay as much as I did, I doubt this one will disappoint you.
P.S. The most unrealistic part of this novel is that Terry and Julia aren't weird non-denominational Christian fundamentalists.
She has yet to disappoint me.
This one follows our orphan main character Mila as she moves into a farm for work after aging out of the foster care system. What is supposed to be a new start brings her face-to-face with the ghosts of her past. Skimming over the blurb, I did not know those ghosts were literal.
It's no ordinary ghost story. The phantoms don't knock stuff off shelves or slam doors shut. They haunt our characters all the same. I can't go into it more without spoiling, so I'll just say I enjoyed the quiet eeriness they brought into the story.
When I read We Are Okay, I was hooked from the first word as thoughts that have been through my head appeared on paper, out of someone else's brain. In Watch Over Me, while I did not relate to the main character's inner monologue as strongly, that's not a bad thing. LaCour shows that she can write characters of similar age, experiencing grief and solitude, and still give them individual voices. For the bulk of this novel, I thought something was missing from the prose, something that was important to replicate the impact We Are Okay had on me. I was wrong. Nothing was missing. LaCour was simply patiently building an emotional house of cards. In the last fifty pages, she blows onto the house and brings it down, a dramatic yet gentle fall. It packs a punch. I teared up.
If you liked We Are Okay as much as I did, I doubt this one will disappoint you.
P.S. The most unrealistic part of this novel is that Terry and Julia aren't weird non-denominational Christian fundamentalists.
literaryk's review
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I feel like LaCour reads better when you're in a sad/depressive state already. Her voice is a haunting murmur, which was perfect for her take at a ghost story. I appreciated her metaphor for trauma, grief, and healing.
izzys_internet_bookshelf's review against another edition
2.0
2/5
I was excited about this book by the cover alone. The book itself was a let down to me.
I was excited about this book by the cover alone. The book itself was a let down to me.
alaskanbookwyrm's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
marieintheraw's review
4.0
Overall, despite the abrupt ending, Nina LaCour brings it in yet another unique story.
I received an ecopy of this book through Penguin Teen via Netgalley; however, my opinions are my own.
I received an ecopy of this book through Penguin Teen via Netgalley; however, my opinions are my own.
octobergirlyyy's review
5.0
This book is beautiful— Nina Lacour might be my favorite author find this year :’) The writing is poetic and makes you think about all the things ! a very soft lovely story <3