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jamishka's review
2.0
I think Skyla did a wonderful job with her debut novel, and while I think many people will enjoy it...it was just a little too weird for me.
This is a YA romance murder mystery with supernatural elements. The characters are endearing, and you can't help but root f9r them in every way. At first, I found Wil annoying but quickly grew on me. She is determined and feisty, and more female characters need to be strong like her. Elwood is sweet and dorky and so misunderstood. His father is the absolute worst, and this triggers a savior complex inside me because all I want is to save him.
The ending is weird but very bittersweet. Overall, I can appreciate the work and imagination that went into this book and I know lots of people will love it. I just wasn't one of them.
This is a YA romance murder mystery with supernatural elements. The characters are endearing, and you can't help but root f9r them in every way. At first, I found Wil annoying but quickly grew on me. She is determined and feisty, and more female characters need to be strong like her. Elwood is sweet and dorky and so misunderstood. His father is the absolute worst, and this triggers a savior complex inside me because all I want is to save him.
The ending is weird but very bittersweet. Overall, I can appreciate the work and imagination that went into this book and I know lots of people will love it. I just wasn't one of them.
toerayy's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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
3.0
Not what I was expecting at all, but it was good
kodarain's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
4.0
julesbarthe10's review
adventurous
emotional
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
4.5
I absolutely loved this story, I think the pace, narration, and plot line is perfect for a YA themed horror mystery. And the author doesn't try to placate the reader by giving them this cookie cutter happy ending where everything works out and everyone gets what they wanted. They don't sacrifice their storyline. Wil's mom has been missing for a year and she suspects her EX best friends family and their weird church/cult. Elwood is the dutiful son who has lived a sad life and finally decides to have one night of fun. That night slowly reveals truths he never could have guessed, and now Elwood and WIl must work together to save Elwood and find the full truth of their town.
ali_fremont's review
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Loved the idea, but a little too slow for my taste. Felt like the potential was there but not fully executed
the_savannahhumphrey's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
kristenhwrites's review
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
itzaalllll's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
3.5 ⭐
My opinions on this book definitely changed throughout reading it. While I did find the narration pretty corny at times, the book was also hauntingly mesmerizing at other times. I think the ending was beautiful, and emotional, and it hurt, but it was exactly how the book should have ended.
My favorite part of this book was the raw side of it. No, Wil's mom didn't miraculously survive. No, Elwood didn't miraculously get away from his father and the cult.
My opinions on this book definitely changed throughout reading it. While I did find the narration pretty corny at times, the book was also hauntingly mesmerizing at other times. I think the ending was beautiful, and emotional, and it hurt, but it was exactly how the book should have ended.
My favorite part of this book was the raw side of it. No, Wil's mom didn't miraculously survive. No, Elwood didn't miraculously get away from his father and the cult.
jkwriting24's review
3.25
This would have been better as a short story. The actual plot was difficult to follow because I think in this length, it lost part of the intended direction.