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jlorusso's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
Enjoyed the pacing, felt like a nice quick read
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Animal death
samflowerv6's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
He lifts his hand, strokes a finger down her cheek. Emma feels it like a crackle of lightning.
"You, I did not anticipate." His eyes travel over her face. "How interesting. Come and visit me again sometime, Emma. We'll have croissants."
"I killed for transcendence. But I don't think you know what transcendence means. You probably don't even know how to spell it.”
I really enjoyed this!!! Final girl Emma Lewis is recruited by the FBI to interview juvenile offenders behind bars alongside Travis Bell, a Texas born teen. They bond and train at Quantico. They get tied up in an active case where Emma interviews Simon, a teenage sociopath who’s locked up in a mental institution. He’s known for being charming, brutal and manipulative. HE CHARMED ME I ADMIT IT! Icily beautiful Simon is intrigued by Emma and she shares more than she should with him all the while, trying to solve an active case he has information on. Over the book, Emma grapples with her trauma regarding escaping a serial killer in her teens and what that really means for her life now and who she’s become. Simon weirdly helps her with those thoughts as well as Travis. They have a beautiful connection and interesting dynamic (both with Emma but mostly Travis and Emma). I found myself loving Simon, Emma and Travis so much. Even Kristin was a wildly interesting character. This was such a great find and god I know Simon is insane but I think I fell in love with his crazy a bit. Also in love with Travis. So fast paced and interesting. I will be reading the second book and the new one whenever it comes out. I NEED MORE SIMON AND EMMA AND TRAVIS AND EMMA AND JUST IN GENERAL MORE BOOKS :)) I know it’s not a romance but the vibes were vibing. I love the slow burn of Travis and Emma.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Gun violence, Body horror, Violence, Blood, Classism, Cursing, Death, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Alcohol, Animal death, and Kidnapping
whatsounddoesagunmake's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This was a book club read so it gets a full review!! Beware of spoilers if the book club girlies are reading this review 😌
The main reason I rated this book what I did is because it does a very good job at selling what it is - which is ultimately, a YA thriller. YA being the key here - I did not expect this book to have a plot as well constructed or covered as an adult thriller would, which is why I am more lenient with it.
Parts of the book I enjoyed:
- Writing style and pacing. This will be different for everyone, but in my personal opinion, I prefer medium/fast paced books to slow ones (I HATE slow books :) ) and Marney's writing style complements the pace of the book really well - I wasn't bored throughout the book and managed to finish it much quicker than I had initially expected
- I'm no expert on these FBI terms and such so I did have to research a lot of the language and jargon used, but from my (note: meagre) research, it seems like the investigative aspect of the novel seems fairly accurate to what you would at least see in crime shows like Criminal Minds
- the ending! Usually, with tense books like these, the ending is what will disappoint me. However, I would argue that the end of this novel was well done - it was honestly just as dramatic and insane as I expected it. It did end rather quick (you could argue "rushed") but I honestly think it's pretty accurate to how Emma would have been feeling in those final scenes - with the rush of all those final events happening.
- surprising detailed gore for a YA book!
Parts of the book I did not enjoy:
- I did not care too much for any character, really. At most, I really started to like Cooper, and then he was killed so at the end, I finished the book with no real attachment or fondness for anyone. But considering that I would say this is more of a plot-driven book than a character-driven one, I'll let it slide.
- it's so incredibly unrealistic. Look, I'm no FBI expert, but I don't think they would ever let a pair of teenagers investigate and interact with perpetrators while breaking several rules to do so. But I guess all is possible in Emma's world.
- speaking of Emma, girl had it WAY TOO EASY. I swear everytime she hit a challenge, it ALWAYS worked out for her and she barely fights for it - for some reason, many authority figures just allow her to do several things she realistically shouldn't be allowed to do. A story is more enjoying when your main character doesn't get everything handed to them on a silver platter - and they actually have to fight for it.
- the time setting is so irrelevant tbh. The only reason it's set in 1982 is probably so that technology isn't as advanced and hence Hoyt couldn't be caught faster. But other than the models of the cars (I'm assuming - I am not a car person), you could've told me this was set in 2012 and it would still read the same.
Anyway, overall, despite the flaws I did really enjoy the book, and once again it delivers itself well as a YA thriller.
The main reason I rated this book what I did is because it does a very good job at selling what it is - which is ultimately, a YA thriller. YA being the key here - I did not expect this book to have a plot as well constructed or covered as an adult thriller would, which is why I am more lenient with it.
Parts of the book I enjoyed:
- Writing style and pacing. This will be different for everyone, but in my personal opinion, I prefer medium/fast paced books to slow ones (I HATE slow books :) ) and Marney's writing style complements the pace of the book really well - I wasn't bored throughout the book and managed to finish it much quicker than I had initially expected
- I'm no expert on these FBI terms and such so I did have to research a lot of the language and jargon used, but from my (note: meagre) research, it seems like the investigative aspect of the novel seems fairly accurate to what you would at least see in crime shows like Criminal Minds
- the ending! Usually, with tense books like these, the ending is what will disappoint me. However, I would argue that the end of this novel was well done - it was honestly just as dramatic and insane as I expected it. It did end rather quick (you could argue "rushed") but I honestly think it's pretty accurate to how Emma would have been feeling in those final scenes - with the rush of all those final events happening.
- surprising detailed gore for a YA book!
Parts of the book I did not enjoy:
- I did not care too much for any character, really. At most, I really started to like Cooper, and then he was killed so at the end, I finished the book with no real attachment or fondness for anyone. But considering that I would say this is more of a plot-driven book than a character-driven one, I'll let it slide.
- it's so incredibly unrealistic. Look, I'm no FBI expert, but I don't think they would ever let a pair of teenagers investigate and interact with perpetrators while breaking several rules to do so. But I guess all is possible in Emma's world.
- speaking of Emma, girl had it WAY TOO EASY. I swear everytime she hit a challenge, it ALWAYS worked out for her and she barely fights for it - for some reason, many authority figures just allow her to do several things she realistically shouldn't be allowed to do. A story is more enjoying when your main character doesn't get everything handed to them on a silver platter - and they actually have to fight for it.
- the time setting is so irrelevant tbh. The only reason it's set in 1982 is probably so that technology isn't as advanced and hence Hoyt couldn't be caught faster. But other than the models of the cars (I'm assuming - I am not a car person), you could've told me this was set in 2012 and it would still read the same.
Anyway, overall, despite the flaws I did really enjoy the book, and once again it delivers itself well as a YA thriller.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Gore, and Murder
Moderate: Kidnapping
Minor: Animal cruelty, Sexual assault, and Animal death
aseel_reads's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Finally a good crime audiobook. While I've read the silence of the lambs, this didn't follow it completely, so it was still a pretty gripping crime thriller.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Death, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Blood, Confinement, and Vomit
Minor: Animal death
ross_emm's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Had me 100% from the beginning! Emma and Travis are great characters and I love their relationship dynamic throughout the book, their bond is very strong and it becomes that way quite quickly. Simon is such an interesting character to me and I relished watching him go absolutely batshit on Anthony during their final battle. I liked having a few chapters from the butchers perspective, but having information that the characters don't possess did drive me a little crazy (in a good way)
Definitely interested in reading more from Ellie Marney!
Definitely interested in reading more from Ellie Marney!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Medical content, and Murder
Moderate: Gore and Sexual assault
Minor: Animal death and Animal cruelty
flip_chester's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Blood, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Torture, Gun violence, Gore, Gaslighting, and Kidnapping
Minor: Sexism, Racial slurs, Medical content, Animal death, Racism, Death of parent, Rape, Animal cruelty, and Misogyny
luveloise3's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Kidnapping
Minor: Animal cruelty and Animal death
mariekew's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Torture, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Kidnapping and Death
Minor: Animal death and Vomit
pspude's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was so good! Book hangover worthy!
I loved the concept - two teens brought in to interview serial killers to catch an active serial killer. Bell was the son of a murdered officer, and Lewis was held captive by a serial killer. I thought all of the characters were interesting and well written in their traumas including the killers. It felt very Criminal Minds meets Hannibal meets Split. I also felt like the book was wrapped up nicely which is hard to do sometimes in a standalone novel. It was very Satanic panic era vibe which I always appreciate. Would read again!
Criminal Minds S6E10
I loved the concept - two teens brought in to interview serial killers to catch an active serial killer. Bell was the son of a murdered officer, and Lewis was held captive by a serial killer. I thought all of the characters were interesting and well written in their traumas including the killers. It felt very Criminal Minds meets Hannibal meets Split. I also felt like the book was wrapped up nicely which is hard to do sometimes in a standalone novel. It was very Satanic panic era vibe which I always appreciate. Would read again!
Criminal Minds S6E10
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Murder, Kidnapping, Violence, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death and Animal death
theunfinishedbookshelf's review against another edition
challenging
dark
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? It's complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Violence, Grief, Blood, Murder, and Animal cruelty