Reviews tagging 'Death'

Truly, Devious by Maureen Johnson, Maureen Johnson

162 reviews

z_thatsit's review against another edition

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challenging mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

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elsaemmalise's review against another edition

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adventurous funny mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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bookishlysophie's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I absolutely adore this series. Stevie is an excellent protagonist and the layers of clues in this book means you’ll likely miss something first time around like I did. This is definitely just the start of the series but it’s so worth reading for context. I’d highly recommend.
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allie_schick's review against another edition

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adventurous funny mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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sierrabowers's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

This was a great mystery read. I was not bored and it had me guessing until the very end. I did not like that I have to read another book to figure out what happens, but I guess that’s how they get you! I am curious as to
who killed Hayes. I think it was David, but what do I know…
 
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charliethebooklover's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

This book made me happy, angry, curious, sad, shocked- I could go on! The characters were fun, the plot was interesting, and it left me not trusting anyone, yet loving everyone at the same time. It was such a wild ride and I have the next book on hold, so I'm ecstatic to continue reading this series. Maureen Johnson never disappoints! The one thing I wish I had more of was more fleshing out of the side characters, like Nate and Janelle. Nate is my favorite character, and I wasn't to know more of his story. Other than that, I didn't have many problems with this book!
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the_book_cat's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional funny mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

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readerette's review against another edition

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emotional mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

So I'll read the next in the series to see if this plot can keep its footing, because it has potential. Stevie is relatable in her anxiety and hobbies. Her friends and schoolmates are not always relatable, but certainly intriguing (in a mystery book sort of way, since we see them through Stevie's true-crime-loving eyes). Harry Potter vibes without the magic, original Nancy Drew vibes including the recklessness of the heroine, and Agatha Christie vibes with just a little off-kilter application of drama (too much at the wrong times). 

The characters are not excessively whiny or inept, which is a pleasant change for me in my experience with YA. However, the relationship between David and Stevie is borderline alarmingly toxic for a YA novel. It's not abusive or anything, but as you find out more about him it can't really be a healthy relationship.

I don't think this needed to be a multi-book series, and if the author had kept it to only one or two books, I imagine I would have been more inclined to rate at a 5 because it would have been more concise and well-paced without so much meandering in the plot or in Stevie's mind and relationships. Instead this is going to be drawn out, and I can only hope Stevie remains believable and that this doesn't become a case of drawing out a plot for the sake of book sales.
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rainerasnic's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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anonymous_biblioholic's review against another edition

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adventurous funny mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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