Reviews tagging 'Gun violence'

Not Quite Dead Yet by Holly Jackson

62 reviews

dark emotional funny mysterious sad fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Ouch, this one hurt. 
I loved Jet so so much. Going into this book, you know what's coming. I still couldn't help myself hoping for another outcome.

I enjoyed this book so much and probably won't stop thinking about it for a while. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
dark emotional mysterious reflective sad 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

As a person who hates sad books was I stressed about reading a book that ends in tragedy? Yes. But honestly this book was entertaining while remaining appropriately level-headed about the whole thing. Our main character Jet is attacked while home alone, but survives the attempt on her life… temporarily. Unfortunately, due to a complication stemming from a preexisting condition, the attack will cause a fatal aneurism in about a week. Sick of never finishing anything in her life (relatable), Jet decides she’s going to solve her own murder with the help of her childhood friend Billy. 

For the most part I liked the characters. Yes, Jet makes plenty of jokes about dying and uses that fact to make others uncomfortable, but I honestly think it’s pretty realistic if you have that sense of humor. Billy seems a little too good to be true, but what do I know about men. Honestly Jet’s mother really irritated me bc she felt like a charicature, but I’m sure there are real moms like her out there too. The writing style was good, and though it took me a minute to get into the first chapter, the pacing was much better than Holly’s last book imo. It didn’t really drag at any points and was a quick read. I did think her previous YA books were a little “who is allowing these children to do this,” but this being about adults makes more sense. Jet is kinda a mess and acts younger than her late 20s, but girl I’ve been there too. 

The only small downsides for me were the loose end feeling and ending. There are some points with Jet’s sister in law that felt unfinished, as well as with Andrew/Nina and Jet’s brother. Not plot holes, just things I would’ve liked a better resolution to. The ending was also just kinda wild. No spoilers, but idk if I liked it. Seemed overly dramatic for no good reason. Also seemed like it was going in one way, then completely switched it up on the last 2 pages. 

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC of this book!

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious sad tense medium-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

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
dark emotional funny reflective sad tense 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

I wasn’t sure I was going to like this one when I first started. I thought it was a little dark for my tastes because why do I want to read a book, fall in love with the main character only to know she can’t possibly have a happy ending??
In spite of all of that, Holly Jackson somehow made this dark, heart-breaking story have some of the best dry humor and comedy along with the most tender thoughtful moments I’ve ever read in a thriller. I raced through this book in under 48 hours & I was constantly annotating funny and sweet moments…all while the FMC is slowly dying & trying to solve her murder? 😅
This was definitely a super unique story and it was full of all of the interesting twists and turns you know and love from Holly Jackson. However, my favorite part was Jet. She was such a vibrant character, so funny and at times mean & brash (but who wouldn’t be while coping w/ that fate) and following her and Billy while they go on this journey together & have these small moments of living were the best pieces to this well-crafted roller coaster ride of a murder mystery.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
dark emotional funny mysterious tense 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

Seven Days. The main character has SEVEN DAYS to solve her own murder before she dies. Talk about a tense mystery with really high stakes! Holly Jackson packed this thing with so many twists and turns and secrets that I simply HAD to keep turning pages! You will grow so attached to these characters that you're not going to want to put this book down. It's Holly Jackson's first adult novel, and she knocked it out of the park! I mean, how often do we get to see the murder victim try and solve their own murder?! 

QUOTES: 
"But how were we ever going to win, competing with a ghost?" p.354
"But, was it really a waste of time, if I loved every minute of it?" p. 361
(I really want to quote it, but I won't. The letter to Sophia gagged me haha. Jet said what she said.) 

ARC Copy

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adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous emotional funny hopeful mysterious tense 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

Holly Jackson obviously did it again. Although will see i figured out who killed jet early on just didn’t have all the either details 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
challenging dark emotional sad tense 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

Holly Jackson does it again. I’m crying on the train. 
So many intriguing stories that line up at the end. A big twist to finish it off. A heartbreaking final chapter to finish me off. I’ll never get sick of her writing. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense medium-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: Complicated

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Full review to come!  

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