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ren's review
4.0
It's a shame so many of the reviews skew negative due to issues with the ARC, something that any new readers wouldn't have any issue with. I almost didn't pick up this book due to that, so if you're hesitating - give it a go!
I really enjoyed this one, and while I for once actually guessed the suspect quite early on I kept thinking I was wrong the whole time whenever new information was given!
Very suspenseful and exciting.
It is a little confusing that the elizabeth letters are set in the future, but you can work it out from the month dates (which are given every chapter) May and June. It definitely could have been made clearer but part of the fun for me was figuring out if the letters from Aulus were written just after he got kidnapped or 1 year later.
I think the ending was satisfying, I have maybe 1 or two questions which is pretty good for a whodunnit.
I read this one by audiobook and there's an extra 'interview' with Stancy and Tank which was enjoyable - but only gave me more questions! So I'm sad I didnt get to experience the drawings and diagrams made by Aulus, hope I can pick up the paper copy one day.
It was narrated well, I thought Aulus' voice was way, way too deep at first but by the end it had grown on me and was just 'his voice'.
I really enjoyed this one, and while I for once actually guessed the suspect quite early on I kept thinking I was wrong the whole time whenever new information was given!
Very suspenseful and exciting.
It is a little confusing that the elizabeth letters are set in the future, but you can work it out from the month dates (which are given every chapter) May and June. It definitely could have been made clearer but part of the fun for me was figuring out if the letters from Aulus were written just after he got kidnapped or 1 year later.
I think the ending was satisfying, I have maybe 1 or two questions which is pretty good for a whodunnit.
I read this one by audiobook and there's an extra 'interview' with Stancy and Tank which was enjoyable - but only gave me more questions! So I'm sad I didnt get to experience the drawings and diagrams made by Aulus, hope I can pick up the paper copy one day.
It was narrated well, I thought Aulus' voice was way, way too deep at first but by the end it had grown on me and was just 'his voice'.
readingcaffeinated's review
4.0
The Gemini Thief could be anyone. Your father, your mother, your best friend’s crazy uncle. Some country music star’s deranged sister. Anyone.
Confrontational and enlightening, this story gave me chills. Forced to see a side of society we so often deny exist, the story had me thankful that my husband and brothers never had to endure this kind of trauma. This book is an eye opener in so many ways.
Some stories have to be told.
Thank you to Thomas Nelson for gifting me a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Firstly, let me say, before you pick up this book make sure you are ready. It’s a fast paced, highly intense read centred around some very serious topics. I highly recommend reading it, but if you are a sensitive reader (like I am) prepare yourself for some severe anxiety. The writing is that good.
Following the story of Thea and her missing cousin Aulus, this story throws you straight into the thick of things. Every year on the first of June, boys go missing. And you never think it will happen to you. Until it does. When Aulus disappears the police insists he is not a June Boy, but Thea does not give up hope. Along with her friends, she does her own investigation to find Aulus. Alive. She will not admit defeat. She will bring him home.
Lovers of mystery and thrillers will live for this story. This book is structured to include the Elizabeth letters from Aulus McClagen to Elizabeth Smart, who was abducted June 5, 2002 and rescued nine months later on March 12, 2003 in between the chapters. This story is built around these letters and is absolutely mind-blowing. Alternating Point of Views (POV’s) gives you the opportunity to experience both sides of this tale with such intensity. And honestly I had chills.
I was absolutely, thoroughly hooked on this writing style. Breathing life into this story with a dark and twisty atmosphere, the unconventional metaphors and symbolism was striking. This book also deals with intense topics like racial prejudice, abduction and PTSD, trust, abuse and mental health. Duality of humanity is such a powerful theme, and although quite commonly found in the YA genre, I felt this book took it to a whole new level, forcing you to ask yourself what would you do in this situation. Grief and loss are also two other major themes in this book. Especially different kinds of loss. The impact of dealing with this loss in secret can have on the people around you. If you are a parent of a high school child, I recommend reading this before you give it to your kid. But I do feel like every kid should read this. In a world flooded with social media and information, this book highlights the risk you can face every day. Being informed is key. Parents, please, please read this book!
I highly recommend this book for anyone who loved What She Found In The Woods and Pretty Little Liars. This suspense and mystery in this book is gripping and addictive.
Trigger warnings for abuse and abduction victims. Although I absolutely love this story, I would urge you to consider carefully. The writing is intensely captivating.
Confrontational and enlightening, this story gave me chills. Forced to see a side of society we so often deny exist, the story had me thankful that my husband and brothers never had to endure this kind of trauma. This book is an eye opener in so many ways.
Some stories have to be told.
Thank you to Thomas Nelson for gifting me a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Firstly, let me say, before you pick up this book make sure you are ready. It’s a fast paced, highly intense read centred around some very serious topics. I highly recommend reading it, but if you are a sensitive reader (like I am) prepare yourself for some severe anxiety. The writing is that good.
Following the story of Thea and her missing cousin Aulus, this story throws you straight into the thick of things. Every year on the first of June, boys go missing. And you never think it will happen to you. Until it does. When Aulus disappears the police insists he is not a June Boy, but Thea does not give up hope. Along with her friends, she does her own investigation to find Aulus. Alive. She will not admit defeat. She will bring him home.
Lovers of mystery and thrillers will live for this story. This book is structured to include the Elizabeth letters from Aulus McClagen to Elizabeth Smart, who was abducted June 5, 2002 and rescued nine months later on March 12, 2003 in between the chapters. This story is built around these letters and is absolutely mind-blowing. Alternating Point of Views (POV’s) gives you the opportunity to experience both sides of this tale with such intensity. And honestly I had chills.
I was absolutely, thoroughly hooked on this writing style. Breathing life into this story with a dark and twisty atmosphere, the unconventional metaphors and symbolism was striking. This book also deals with intense topics like racial prejudice, abduction and PTSD, trust, abuse and mental health. Duality of humanity is such a powerful theme, and although quite commonly found in the YA genre, I felt this book took it to a whole new level, forcing you to ask yourself what would you do in this situation. Grief and loss are also two other major themes in this book. Especially different kinds of loss. The impact of dealing with this loss in secret can have on the people around you. If you are a parent of a high school child, I recommend reading this before you give it to your kid. But I do feel like every kid should read this. In a world flooded with social media and information, this book highlights the risk you can face every day. Being informed is key. Parents, please, please read this book!
I highly recommend this book for anyone who loved What She Found In The Woods and Pretty Little Liars. This suspense and mystery in this book is gripping and addictive.
Trigger warnings for abuse and abduction victims. Although I absolutely love this story, I would urge you to consider carefully. The writing is intensely captivating.
jjames_mal's review
Way too many characters and it’s not so much a who dunnit but a did this person dunnit or not, which kills all the mystery and intrigue
mandalynreads's review
2.0
The June Boys was a tale of a serial kidnapper, where we followed the cousin of one of the kidnapped boys as she tries to find the kidnapper and prover her family's innocence. Through the story we get glimpses into the kidnapped boys perspective through letter that he wrote in the bunker (these letter are based on actual real letter found after saving a boy).
All of that together sounds really good, but I think the book fell a bit short. I am not totally sure where it can be brought back to but there was nothing pulling me into the story enough to care about what was going on. By the 35% mark I was tired of the repetitiveness of the writing and was so ready for the book to be over. The main character didn't bring much to the table, and couldn't care the story. I was tired of her blind trust in people who had wronged her in the past, and how quickly she seemed to be able to find clues and continue on the plot. I also hated how she used way too many adjectives to describe everything.
Beyond that the story wasn't bad. I enjoy reading a lot of mysterious around murders, so this was a nice change to be about a kidnapping instead. If you are a fan of crime podcasts this might be a good one for you to pick up, although I will have to say that JUST because you like crime podcasts does not mean you will like this book (see above complaints).
Thanks to Netgalley for giving me a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
All of that together sounds really good, but I think the book fell a bit short. I am not totally sure where it can be brought back to but there was nothing pulling me into the story enough to care about what was going on. By the 35% mark I was tired of the repetitiveness of the writing and was so ready for the book to be over. The main character didn't bring much to the table, and couldn't care the story. I was tired of her blind trust in people who had wronged her in the past, and how quickly she seemed to be able to find clues and continue on the plot. I also hated how she used way too many adjectives to describe everything.
Beyond that the story wasn't bad. I enjoy reading a lot of mysterious around murders, so this was a nice change to be about a kidnapping instead. If you are a fan of crime podcasts this might be a good one for you to pick up, although I will have to say that JUST because you like crime podcasts does not mean you will like this book (see above complaints).
Thanks to Netgalley for giving me a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
lovefromhannah's review
3.0
I don't read mystery books very often but I found this one quite enjoyable.
relodwick's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
steel_city_peach's review
4.0
Worth Reading
The story felt a little disjointed and confusing at first. I had a hard time keeping up with the characters. I kept pushing, because I wanted to solve the mystery. The story got much better and I became so invested in the outcome. It was a sad story, but very interesting.
The story felt a little disjointed and confusing at first. I had a hard time keeping up with the characters. I kept pushing, because I wanted to solve the mystery. The story got much better and I became so invested in the outcome. It was a sad story, but very interesting.