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norassick's review against another edition
4.0
This? is? So? Good? I LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF THIS. this is a great book? It has romance (wlw for the win), supernatural themes, italians? I don't know it felt so grand. This is a book i would definitely recommend to friends <3
Also the cover? Gorgeous.
Also the cover? Gorgeous.
harrowhcrk's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you to Netgalley and Little, Brown Books for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!
Six years after three murders rocked their sleepy town, former friends Mina and Evelyn find themselves brought back together when the literal ghosts of their past come back to haunt them.
There are some strong bones to this story, and there were some bits that I really loved. I particularly appreciated how, despite having all these paranormal and haunting themes, the story wasn't particularly dark, and that character growth featured just as heavily as the mystery itself. Plus, it's just such an interesting take on ghosts--I think it was so cool how the author tied in global warming and pollution so effectively into the lore. It's such a unique take and I think it was carried out very well. And, of course, it's always so nice to see that bi rep. :)
While I actually really enjoyed the middle of this book, the first and last 25% definitely missed the mark for me. For the first 25%, the writing itself felt a lot sloppier, and the pacing of the intro was pretty all over the place. The last 25%, on the other hand, had a convoluted and underwhelming climax and ending that left me disappointed. Beyond this, throughout the book the author really falls into the hole of telling instead of showing--with pretty much everything. While some of this telling was beautifully written, it doesn't negate the fact that I would've much rather seen the characters change instead of merely being told they had. Overall, too, a lot of the descriptions were worded kind of weird to me--I don't know how else to say it, but there were plenty of little bits scattered throughout that just felt off to me. And, plotwise, having the primary event happen when the girls were 10 years old didn't quite work either.
Six years after three murders rocked their sleepy town, former friends Mina and Evelyn find themselves brought back together when the literal ghosts of their past come back to haunt them.
There are some strong bones to this story, and there were some bits that I really loved. I particularly appreciated how, despite having all these paranormal and haunting themes, the story wasn't particularly dark, and that character growth featured just as heavily as the mystery itself. Plus, it's just such an interesting take on ghosts--I think it was so cool how the author tied in global warming and pollution so effectively into the lore. It's such a unique take and I think it was carried out very well. And, of course, it's always so nice to see that bi rep. :)
While I actually really enjoyed the middle of this book, the first and last 25% definitely missed the mark for me. For the first 25%, the writing itself felt a lot sloppier, and the pacing of the intro was pretty all over the place. The last 25%, on the other hand, had a convoluted and underwhelming climax and ending that left me disappointed. Beyond this, throughout the book the author really falls into the hole of telling instead of showing--with pretty much everything. While some of this telling was beautifully written, it doesn't negate the fact that I would've much rather seen the characters change instead of merely being told they had. Overall, too, a lot of the descriptions were worded kind of weird to me--I don't know how else to say it, but there were plenty of little bits scattered throughout that just felt off to me. And, plotwise, having the primary event happen when the girls were 10 years old didn't quite work either.
naphoeleon's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you to Netgalley and Little, Brown Books for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!
Six years after three murders rocked their sleepy town, former friends Mina and Evelyn find themselves brought back together when the literal ghosts of their past come back to haunt them.
There are some strong bones to this story, and there were some bits that I really loved. I particularly appreciated how, despite having all these paranormal and haunting themes, the story wasn't particularly dark, and that character growth featured just as heavily as the mystery itself. Plus, it's just such an interesting take on ghosts--I think it was so cool how the author tied in global warming and pollution so effectively into the lore. It's such a unique take and I think it was carried out very well. And, of course, it's always so nice to see that bi rep. :)
While I actually really enjoyed the middle of this book, the first and last 25% definitely missed the mark for me. For the first 25%, the writing itself felt a lot sloppier, and the pacing of the intro was pretty all over the place. The last 25%, on the other hand, had a convoluted and underwhelming climax and ending that left me disappointed. Beyond this, throughout the book the author really falls into the hole of telling instead of showing--with pretty much everything. While some of this telling was beautifully written, it doesn't negate the fact that I would've much rather seen the characters change instead of merely being told they had. Overall, too, a lot of the descriptions were worded kind of weird to me--I don't know how else to say it, but there were plenty of little bits scattered throughout that just felt off to me. And, plotwise, having the primary event happen when the girls were 10 years old didn't quite work either.
Six years after three murders rocked their sleepy town, former friends Mina and Evelyn find themselves brought back together when the literal ghosts of their past come back to haunt them.
There are some strong bones to this story, and there were some bits that I really loved. I particularly appreciated how, despite having all these paranormal and haunting themes, the story wasn't particularly dark, and that character growth featured just as heavily as the mystery itself. Plus, it's just such an interesting take on ghosts--I think it was so cool how the author tied in global warming and pollution so effectively into the lore. It's such a unique take and I think it was carried out very well. And, of course, it's always so nice to see that bi rep. :)
While I actually really enjoyed the middle of this book, the first and last 25% definitely missed the mark for me. For the first 25%, the writing itself felt a lot sloppier, and the pacing of the intro was pretty all over the place. The last 25%, on the other hand, had a convoluted and underwhelming climax and ending that left me disappointed. Beyond this, throughout the book the author really falls into the hole of telling instead of showing--with pretty much everything. While some of this telling was beautifully written, it doesn't negate the fact that I would've much rather seen the characters change instead of merely being told they had. Overall, too, a lot of the descriptions were worded kind of weird to me--I don't know how else to say it, but there were plenty of little bits scattered throughout that just felt off to me. And, plotwise, having the primary event happen when the girls were 10 years old didn't quite work either.
sophiabasham's review against another edition
fast-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? Yes
1.0
tiredbookworm206's review
mysterious
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? Yes
3.75
lizyrh's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
figandturtle's review
adventurous
hopeful
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
This was surprisingly good queer rep while the horror element worked pretty well on its own, too. The main characters were both distinct and nuanced, and the final twists here worked well. The constant seaside metaphors and imagery got a bit tiresome, along with near-impossible to understand mechanics of how the ghost mediums worked. Once you put aside the details, this was fun and a good addition to the growing collection of YA queer horror.
february_friday's review against another edition
I'll pick it up eventually, just not in the mood right now 😔
kristen_eden's review against another edition
3.0
This was fun-ish and cute but not what I was expecting.