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baoluong's review
1.0
This was an absolute dumpster fire. I don't know what I detested more: Ivy or the entire message of the book. Let me provide a backdrop to this landfill.
Rowan Glen is a small town with a close knit community. Everyone is practically fucking each other's second cousins but that's not what bothers me. Instead, there's this peculiar cult mentality that no one can leave without negative repercussions or judgement.
Why would anyone want to abandon their home, but that's my main issue. There are beliefs that others hold which I can respect, but the Glen is on another level of ridiculousness. All these spells, charms, and superstitions don't mean shit because a murderer is on the loose. Ivy takes these myths seriously and threatens her friend Heather for not having complete faith. Here are a few examples ranging from harmless to plain impossible. Teas to calm nerves, three hoots from owls that signify death, and acorn necklaces/thread dipped in essential oils to protect you from all danger. No, it wasn't the folk jewelry that protected Ivy but sheer plot armor. Congratulations on being the main protagonist because everyone else is either dead or maimed. I couldn't tell if this was supposed to be magical realism or just poor writing. More than half of the superstitions held zero impact to the plot mainly because they're nonsensical and meant to be lore not fact. To give credit where it's due, this was integral to the world building.
As I mentioned before, dead animals start surfacing and people suspect Birch Markle. A mystical boogyman who people feel no qualms blaming all of their problems on. Oh, your TV remote isn't working. Yeah, that was Birch. You get the feeling that your husband is having an affair. That's because he's in the woods getting it on with Birch.
So while this is going on, the story focuses on Ivy's drifting relationship with Heather. It begins when Ivy sneakily (like the snake she is) follows Heather into the middle of the night to a secret rendezvous. She spots a pair of leather boots and this sets her off because this obviously means that Heather is encroaching on her man Rook. It's the golden rule that when you call dibs on someone, your friend is supposed to avoid them. It's not as if the person you have a crush on has their own feelings and can decide for themselves who they want to love. However, in typical Ivy fashion, she's just jumping to conclusions from flimsy evidence. Ivy has a panic attack and throws a tantrum. She confronts Heather, but for good reason Heather refuses to divulge the mystery person's true identity. Ivy feels betrayed for some petty reason and cuts ties with Heather. She then attempts to talk to Rook but the scene plays out like trying to placid a illogical child who doesn't understand adult interactions. Maybe I'm being harsh and Ivy does have a stunted mental capacity because this doesn't sound like a 17 year old.
For hetero purposes and plot conveniences, Rook returns Ivy's feelings automatically. This leads up to a nasty fight where Ivy doesn't apologize to Heather for wrongly accusing her of being a slut (her words, not mine). No, Ivy has to warn Heather that she saw a ghost projection from the near future where it's clear that Heather is about to be murdered. Like anyone, Heather is properly freaking out and thinks that this is a way for Ivy to beg for attention and I'm on her side. Ivy is a thirsty bitch. She then proceeds to fire back by saying,
Yeah. Ivy is a piece of shit who belongs in first drafts and shouldn't have been cleared for final draft material. She's jealous that Heather is more beautiful, fun, and overall not her. The only way Ivy can even be happy is to bask in Heather's afterglow like having the special privileges of being a 'best friend' affords you. Not for nothing, the best part of the book is when Heather gives a deafening slap to Ivy's hypocritical face. Just to put it into context, Ivy is in a heteronormative romance and even has sex with Rook later on. Of course, Ivy isn't a slut because this is true love with someone in network like the worst health insurance ever.
Instead of being supportive and understanding of Heather's choices to leave the Glen, she guilts Heather for abandoning her. Personally, I hate clingy people who are too dependent and constantly blame you for their unhappiness. People like Ivy are toxic and would rather drag you down to their level than admit that they don't know how to live their lives. Why would Heather reveal that she's in a gay relationship with someone outside of the Glen when Ivy criticizes anything outside of her perfect little bubble.
Unsurprisingly, Heather is murdered. In between, there's numerous stupid red herrings that don't even fool you. In the end, it's a clusterfuck of three murderers who happen to be active as if something in the water is turning the townsfolk homicidal.
Anyways, the moral is that if you're gay, be prepared to die in every YA. Sorry, but authors still use this tired trope because gay characters only exist in fiction for the sake of transforming the straight protag. Fuck this book.
Cover Review:
Surprisingly competent with an eerie photography that cleverly calls back to the Glen's lore. The faded treatment gives the black a certain coldness that I like. The hand lettered title is appropriate for the tone but I prefer the fuchsia pink rather than a gradient. I just can't believe how much the cover deceived me because the content is a shit show.
B L O G 🐕
Rowan Glen is a small town with a close knit community. Everyone is practically fucking each other's second cousins but that's not what bothers me. Instead, there's this peculiar cult mentality that no one can leave without negative repercussions or judgement.
Why would anyone want to abandon their home, but that's my main issue. There are beliefs that others hold which I can respect, but the Glen is on another level of ridiculousness. All these spells, charms, and superstitions don't mean shit because a murderer is on the loose. Ivy takes these myths seriously and threatens her friend Heather for not having complete faith. Here are a few examples ranging from harmless to plain impossible. Teas to calm nerves, three hoots from owls that signify death, and acorn necklaces/thread dipped in essential oils to protect you from all danger. No, it wasn't the folk jewelry that protected Ivy but sheer plot armor. Congratulations on being the main protagonist because everyone else is either dead or maimed. I couldn't tell if this was supposed to be magical realism or just poor writing. More than half of the superstitions held zero impact to the plot mainly because they're nonsensical and meant to be lore not fact. To give credit where it's due, this was integral to the world building.
As I mentioned before, dead animals start surfacing and people suspect Birch Markle. A mystical boogyman who people feel no qualms blaming all of their problems on. Oh, your TV remote isn't working. Yeah, that was Birch. You get the feeling that your husband is having an affair. That's because he's in the woods getting it on with Birch.
So while this is going on, the story focuses on Ivy's drifting relationship with Heather. It begins when Ivy sneakily (like the snake she is) follows Heather into the middle of the night to a secret rendezvous. She spots a pair of leather boots and this sets her off because this obviously means that Heather is encroaching on her man Rook. It's the golden rule that when you call dibs on someone, your friend is supposed to avoid them. It's not as if the person you have a crush on has their own feelings and can decide for themselves who they want to love. However, in typical Ivy fashion, she's just jumping to conclusions from flimsy evidence. Ivy has a panic attack and throws a tantrum. She confronts Heather, but for good reason Heather refuses to divulge the mystery person's true identity. Ivy feels betrayed for some petty reason and cuts ties with Heather. She then attempts to talk to Rook but the scene plays out like trying to placid a illogical child who doesn't understand adult interactions. Maybe I'm being harsh and Ivy does have a stunted mental capacity because this doesn't sound like a 17 year old.
For hetero purposes and plot conveniences, Rook returns Ivy's feelings automatically. This leads up to a nasty fight where Ivy doesn't apologize to Heather for wrongly accusing her of being a slut (her words, not mine). No, Ivy has to warn Heather that she saw a ghost projection from the near future where it's clear that Heather is about to be murdered. Like anyone, Heather is properly freaking out and thinks that this is a way for Ivy to beg for attention and I'm on her side. Ivy is a thirsty bitch. She then proceeds to fire back by saying,
"Runnin' around the st-stable with someone at night, slutting off to the trailer...".
Yeah. Ivy is a piece of shit who belongs in first drafts and shouldn't have been cleared for final draft material. She's jealous that Heather is more beautiful, fun, and overall not her. The only way Ivy can even be happy is to bask in Heather's afterglow like having the special privileges of being a 'best friend' affords you. Not for nothing, the best part of the book is when Heather gives a deafening slap to Ivy's hypocritical face. Just to put it into context, Ivy is in a heteronormative romance and even has sex with Rook later on. Of course, Ivy isn't a slut because this is true love with someone in network like the worst health insurance ever.
Instead of being supportive and understanding of Heather's choices to leave the Glen, she guilts Heather for abandoning her. Personally, I hate clingy people who are too dependent and constantly blame you for their unhappiness. People like Ivy are toxic and would rather drag you down to their level than admit that they don't know how to live their lives. Why would Heather reveal that she's in a gay relationship with someone outside of the Glen when Ivy criticizes anything outside of her perfect little bubble.
Unsurprisingly, Heather is murdered. In between, there's numerous stupid red herrings that don't even fool you. In the end, it's a clusterfuck of three murderers who happen to be active as if something in the water is turning the townsfolk homicidal.
Spoiler
Also, the twist involves a cover up from local law enforcement and a conspiracy years in the making. As it turns out, Marsh (Heather's step-father) killed Terra, the first victim. Except, Rook's father who's also the sheriff covers up the crime and frames Birch Markle who actually is mentally ill and probably has no idea that someone is dragging him? All of this is not only tragic but utter nonsense. The worse part is Ivy blames Heather for 'getting herself killed'. She honestly thinks that and I wish I was joking. Violet is another victim who was killed by her boyfriend August after she felt remorse for the both of them poisoning Heather because Violet wanted to be better friends with Ivy? Do you see why I'm frustrated and high key think that it's completely justified for everyone to regard the Glen as backwards.Anyways, the moral is that if you're gay, be prepared to die in every YA. Sorry, but authors still use this tired trope because gay characters only exist in fiction for the sake of transforming the straight protag. Fuck this book.
Cover Review:
Surprisingly competent with an eerie photography that cleverly calls back to the Glen's lore. The faded treatment gives the black a certain coldness that I like. The hand lettered title is appropriate for the tone but I prefer the fuchsia pink rather than a gradient. I just can't believe how much the cover deceived me because the content is a shit show.
B L O G 🐕
kkoerth613's review
2.0
I actually give this book more of a 2.5 stars. It just wasn't my thing, gothic horror. The slow build killed me more than the characters that actually died. There was nothing interesting until the last 50 pages of a 300 pages book. But if you're into that sort of gothic horror mystery kind of book, then check this one out.
holly__'s review
3.0
The concept was really cool and always had you wondering. However, I found the writing style to be a little difficult to follow sometimes. Progression of time wasn’t always portrayed and I had to re-read sentences to fully grasp what was happening. Overall I don’t regret reading.
marieintheraw's review against another edition
4.0
why do blurbs feel like they need to describe half the story?
review: https://amberinoface.wordpress.com/2016/07/20/the-may-queen-murders-by-sarah-jude-review/
I received an Arc of this through a Goodreads giveaway; however all opinions are my own.
review: https://amberinoface.wordpress.com/2016/07/20/the-may-queen-murders-by-sarah-jude-review/
I received an Arc of this through a Goodreads giveaway; however all opinions are my own.
ambeesbookishpages's review against another edition
4.0
The full review + more can be found at The Book Bratz
First off, can we just look at the cover. The colors, typography, the darkness of it. It screams mystery. I am obsessed with it. The moment I discovered this book (Of course, I see the cover and had to see what it was about) I knew I would have to read it one day. The May Queen Murders, was interesting, thrilling, and left me on the edge of my seat for what was going to happen next.
Ivy was a likable character, she loves how superstitious things are and is content with the life Heather, her cousin and best friend have. Heather isn't so content though. Ivy was at a lost for words when Heather starting pulling away from her, keeping secrets, making hasty decisions, it wasn't the girl Ivy was use too. Then Heather goes missing and Ivy learns all new things about the life she thought she was living, the people she is living among, and her best friend. Though, there were moments where I found Ivy to be incredibly stupid. Girl, there is a curfew for a reason. Follow it. Don't get your self killed. It isn't that hard.
I really love the setting of this book. I could only imagine the beauty of the sites of the Missouri Ozarks, where the Glen is located. I just enjoyed the simpleness of their life. Society is so wrapped up in technology and ways to make things simpler, and these people didn't succumb to the hustle and bustle of it. They stuck with themselves and thrived in a modern day society. In a sense they reminded me of the Amish, only less Amish. (If that makes sense?)
In my opinion the mystery was done well in this book. I liked that the further you went in the book the more you learned about Heather. I found the murder of the animals to be bone chilling and an eerie touch to a community that was already on the edge with superstition. The climax of the story was the real shocker. There are three people who are involved in this murder, and one that was committed nearly 25 years earlier. Jude did a good job at balancing several different mysteries, to wrap up the biggest mystery of all.
Overall I really liked The May Queen Murders. Jude managed to balance all the elements of the story out, to keep is running smooth. It was thrilling, mysterious and eerie all wrapped into one.
First off, can we just look at the cover. The colors, typography, the darkness of it. It screams mystery. I am obsessed with it. The moment I discovered this book (Of course, I see the cover and had to see what it was about) I knew I would have to read it one day. The May Queen Murders, was interesting, thrilling, and left me on the edge of my seat for what was going to happen next.
Ivy was a likable character, she loves how superstitious things are and is content with the life Heather, her cousin and best friend have. Heather isn't so content though. Ivy was at a lost for words when Heather starting pulling away from her, keeping secrets, making hasty decisions, it wasn't the girl Ivy was use too. Then Heather goes missing and Ivy learns all new things about the life she thought she was living, the people she is living among, and her best friend. Though, there were moments where I found Ivy to be incredibly stupid. Girl, there is a curfew for a reason. Follow it. Don't get your self killed. It isn't that hard.
I really love the setting of this book. I could only imagine the beauty of the sites of the Missouri Ozarks, where the Glen is located. I just enjoyed the simpleness of their life. Society is so wrapped up in technology and ways to make things simpler, and these people didn't succumb to the hustle and bustle of it. They stuck with themselves and thrived in a modern day society. In a sense they reminded me of the Amish, only less Amish. (If that makes sense?)
In my opinion the mystery was done well in this book. I liked that the further you went in the book the more you learned about Heather. I found the murder of the animals to be bone chilling and an eerie touch to a community that was already on the edge with superstition. The climax of the story was the real shocker. There are three people who are involved in this murder, and one that was committed nearly 25 years earlier. Jude did a good job at balancing several different mysteries, to wrap up the biggest mystery of all.
Overall I really liked The May Queen Murders. Jude managed to balance all the elements of the story out, to keep is running smooth. It was thrilling, mysterious and eerie all wrapped into one.
saschabookishowl's review against another edition
4.0
Honestly, this book was a cover buy and I didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I did. Yes, there were some flaws to this book, but it is a debut novel.
What I enjoyed the most was the setting. I was looking for this really creepy story that takes place in a small secluded town/community, and that is exactly what I got. Sometimes, to me, the creepy small town isn't that creepy or doesn't give me this feeling that it is a really interesting community, but this one did. I also liked the naming system they used in the town, the setting with the water and the forest, and the distinction between the Glen folk and other people (also in the school).
Beside the setting I really enjoyed the mystery itself. A lot of times in YA, I find the mystery very predictable or not that interesting. But here there were a lot of twists and turns that I didn't see coming. The goriness of what was going on and the superstition of the Glen folk made the mystery even more appealing to me. I was hooked and read it almost in one sitting.
The characters were OK for me, given that it is quite a short and plot driven book, leaving not so much space to develop the characters (although the main character Ivy was my least favorite character).
There were two reasons why I couldn't give this five stars. First, in the first 50 pages or so I couldn't really get into it because of the writing style. Some words/slang I didn't understand at first because the author didn't explain it or I missed it (like the 'rollers'). Also, I had to go back a couple of sentences from time to time because I felt like I missed something, or because there was this weird jump in the story. However, once I got used to the writing style I did find it quite beautiful and suited to describe this superstitious community.
The second negative point was the illogical behavior of the characters, especially the main character. For example, in the beginning, it is described that the kids from the Glen don't fit in at school and are bullied and physically abused by the other kids, so the kids from the Glen never roam the school alone. What does the main character Ivy do? She goes into a deserted stairwell, alone...Then she hears someone coming, does she exit the staircase? No. She just stands there.. As soon as animals start getting killed and people are warned not to go out alone, what does Ivy do? She walks around alone. Sure, she has some issues with her best friend and cousin Heather, but there are other kids of her age in the Glen to walk to school with and in general wandering around alone in the woods is a bad idea at this point.
Also, at some point Ivy sees things and finds out things related to the mystery. Does she tell her parents of what she suspects? No. She thinks she is in danger, she sees someone at her window. Does she tell her parents, anyone? No. This consistent illogical or maybe just dumb behavior started to annoy me after a while.
But like I said, overall I really enjoyed the mystery and the setting of this fast paced book.
What I enjoyed the most was the setting. I was looking for this really creepy story that takes place in a small secluded town/community, and that is exactly what I got. Sometimes, to me, the creepy small town isn't that creepy or doesn't give me this feeling that it is a really interesting community, but this one did. I also liked the naming system they used in the town, the setting with the water and the forest, and the distinction between the Glen folk and other people (also in the school).
Beside the setting I really enjoyed the mystery itself. A lot of times in YA, I find the mystery very predictable or not that interesting. But here there were a lot of twists and turns that I didn't see coming. The goriness of what was going on and the superstition of the Glen folk made the mystery even more appealing to me. I was hooked and read it almost in one sitting.
The characters were OK for me, given that it is quite a short and plot driven book, leaving not so much space to develop the characters (although the main character Ivy was my least favorite character).
There were two reasons why I couldn't give this five stars. First, in the first 50 pages or so I couldn't really get into it because of the writing style. Some words/slang I didn't understand at first because the author didn't explain it or I missed it (like the 'rollers'). Also, I had to go back a couple of sentences from time to time because I felt like I missed something, or because there was this weird jump in the story. However, once I got used to the writing style I did find it quite beautiful and suited to describe this superstitious community.
The second negative point was the illogical behavior of the characters, especially the main character. For example, in the beginning, it is described that the kids from the Glen don't fit in at school and are bullied and physically abused by the other kids, so the kids from the Glen never roam the school alone. What does the main character Ivy do? She goes into a deserted stairwell, alone...Then she hears someone coming, does she exit the staircase? No. She just stands there.. As soon as animals start getting killed and people are warned not to go out alone, what does Ivy do? She walks around alone. Sure, she has some issues with her best friend and cousin Heather, but there are other kids of her age in the Glen to walk to school with and in general wandering around alone in the woods is a bad idea at this point.
Also, at some point Ivy sees things and finds out things related to the mystery. Does she tell her parents of what she suspects? No. She thinks she is in danger, she sees someone at her window. Does she tell her parents, anyone? No. This consistent illogical or maybe just dumb behavior started to annoy me after a while.
But like I said, overall I really enjoyed the mystery and the setting of this fast paced book.
Spoiler
It really reminded me of my favorite horror movie, The Village.sel21's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
brokenchell's review against another edition
2.0
I really liked the concept of this storyline and it had major potential. Reading it was a struggle, it took a very long time to figure out the time period, it got very confusing. Thoughts were jumbled and ran on at times taking from the story. I really wanted to like it more but I just couldn't get into it, this was not a story for me.
erincataldi's review against another edition
3.0
Cool concept, slightly creepy, and amazing setting, but this wasn't a slam dunk for me. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed it and read it mostly in one sitting, but the ending was too intricate and over-involved for my taste. Rowan's Glen is an odd little community, almost cultish in their old beliefs and attitudes, but really, more old world and secluded. Ivy and her best friend Heather, have never had any secrets between them, but overnight that practically changes. Heather starts seeing someone and sneaking off with townies and Ivy gets concerned. Especially when mutilated animal corpses are becoming a common occurrence and the legend of Birch Markle re-surges. Many years ago the May Day queen was viciously murdered by the unstable madman Birch, and for years Glen folks have thought he had retreated into the woods for good. But when the mutilated animal carcasses appear, bad omens come, and Heather disappears, many believe he has come back for good. Ivy is determined to figure out what's going on, save her friend, and stay alive. Dark and creepy, this was a fun book to read at night. I wish I loved it more.