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jax00's review
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I was really enjoying it until the end. The main character was "not like other girls" and constantly brought it up. The cops were also pointless throughout the book. However, I liked the Strangers on a Train plot. The fact the main character was bi, also seemed like it was forced and not just a character trait.
Why was it incest? It would have been 4 stars if it was just two siblings. Technically they're not related, but they grew up together.
Why was it incest? It would have been 4 stars if it was just two siblings. Technically they're not related, but they grew up together.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Gun violence, Bullying, Mental illness, Sexual assault, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Incest and Car accident
hayleyos's review
2.75
Definitely a very different kind of ya mystery/suspense than I have read. I was definitely engaged in the plot the whole time even if some of the details weren't lining up perfectly for me. The characters were a bit rough at times, and maybe not as fleshed out as they could have been. The interesting plot and premise were great though, and the ending was a shock for sure! Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
mfeibel's review against another edition
4.0
I knew Javier had to be involved but I also loved it. I just had a great time with this and will always appreciate McNeil's dark YA stuff!
klara42's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
cosmic's review
2.0
1.75 ⭐
This was rough. There's so much I didn't enjoy about it, and little that I liked. I wasn't a fan of the main character, Neve. She was extremely judgmental, lacked awareness, and thought she was better than everyone else. There was a lack of plot development and character growth. The plot that did exist made little to no sense, and this entire book was unrealistic. Not the good kind of unrealistic that makes you tell all your friends to read the book so you can talk about it together, no. The kind of unrealistic that makes you warn your friends not to waste their time. I liked all the film noir references, and it was a fast read; that's about all I got in terms of things I enjoyed.
This was rough. There's so much I didn't enjoy about it, and little that I liked. I wasn't a fan of the main character, Neve. She was extremely judgmental, lacked awareness, and thought she was better than everyone else. There was a lack of plot development and character growth. The plot that did exist made little to no sense, and this entire book was unrealistic. Not the good kind of unrealistic that makes you tell all your friends to read the book so you can talk about it together, no. The kind of unrealistic that makes you warn your friends not to waste their time. I liked all the film noir references, and it was a fast read; that's about all I got in terms of things I enjoyed.
payaubree21's review
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
mmmcookies's review
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
anthama's review
dark
mysterious
tense
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? No
4.0
lpcoolgirl's review
5.0
This was a really fantastic read, I love this concept, and I loved the twists and turns and it was fantastic!
antimony's review
- Loveable characters? No
3.5
this was fun!! i enjoyed reading it and i do love the murder swapping plot (i wish it was a common trope rather than specifically referencing strangers on a train bc i enjoyed it here and in you owe me a murder). the twist at the end first seemed kinda unbelievable but it was still fun. which is what matters.
however i did kind of have issues with the characters. neve was in turns fun and annoying (i liked her sometimes? but she acted like a 15 yr old not a 17 yr old). inara's unexplained refusal to use "i" and "you" got on my nerves. like what was the point of it at all....? i did not like how much lying about sexual harassment there was (from both diane and javier). and charlotte...i could not STAND charlotte. why was she so cryptic all the time? i would have liked her to at least say ONE useful thing to neve.
overall those kinda cancel out and average to a mediocre 3 stars. so if you don't care about annoying characters and like fun murder plots you will enjoy this!!
however i did kind of have issues with the characters. neve was in turns fun and annoying (i liked her sometimes? but she acted like a 15 yr old not a 17 yr old). inara's unexplained refusal to use "i" and "you" got on my nerves. like what was the point of it at all....? i did not like how much lying about sexual harassment there was (from both diane and javier). and charlotte...i could not STAND charlotte. why was she so cryptic all the time? i would have liked her to at least say ONE useful thing to neve.
overall those kinda cancel out and average to a mediocre 3 stars. so if you don't care about annoying characters and like fun murder plots you will enjoy this!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Toxic friendship
Minor: Incest