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ibeforem's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? Yes
4.0
Why didn't anyone warn me that this book has no real resolution? I know it's part of a trilogy, but I expected the present-day mystery to at least get wrapped up. Instead, everything is still up in the air.
Regardless, I enjoyed the book. The Ellingham school is an interesting concept, and Stevie was a good main character. The isolated location causes problems, past and present. The different cliques of students felt realistic, as did Stevie's anxiety and panic attacks. But there are so many strings left hanging. What was the deal with the letter Stevie saw? What really happened in the tunnel? Where is the one who ran away?
I'm just curious enough that I'll probably try to work the second book into my reading in the next few months.
Regardless, I enjoyed the book. The Ellingham school is an interesting concept, and Stevie was a good main character. The isolated location causes problems, past and present. The different cliques of students felt realistic, as did Stevie's anxiety and panic attacks. But there are so many strings left hanging. What was the deal with the letter Stevie saw? What really happened in the tunnel? Where is the one who ran away?
I'm just curious enough that I'll probably try to work the second book into my reading in the next few months.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Kidnapping, and Murder
rakizaka's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping
Moderate: Murder
mini_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
I really enjoyed this book, it wasn’t anything majorly outstanding, but it was a good and fast read. It did really get you into your personal Sherlock Holmes way of thinking, not just while reading. I really liked the way the reader can try as well to follow all the hints to try and get a solution in the mysteries. I really enjoyed the setting of it, it’s a kind of boarding school and you get introduced to a lot of characters briefly who all have their main interest, which gave them their place at this elite boarding school in the mountains of Vermont.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Kidnapping, and Murder
bri_fabiano's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Kidnapping, Grief, and Murder
sarahsbookss's review against another edition
adventurous
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? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Kidnapping, and Alcohol
roncanread's review against another edition
adventurous
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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Kidnapping, and Murder
Moderate: Suicide and Alcohol
Minor: Child death
cherry__tomatoes's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
I loved the character and the slow burn romance. I loved the world building and the mysterious question, of who is truly devious? I just felt like the book focused on the character growth of the main character and not really on the details or the real mystery at hand. If you compare this book to other books in the same genre and tropes it doesn't really compare to them such as books like, A Good Girl's Guide To Murder, The Inheritance Games, and Ace Of Spades. If you take the time with these books there's enough evidence in them to solve the murder yourself, where as in this book it felt like the mystery was just an afterthought and the main character and her life were more important. To sum it up, this book as a murder mystery book doesn't do it for me, but as a book following the life of a teenager moving to a new, mysterious school then it really does it for me. I have high hopes that hopefully the second book in this series is more murder-mystery based now that we know a lot about the main and supporting characters. Another plus I liked about this book, was the plot twists, the surprise deaths and revisiting of dead people. Like I said, compared to other books this one just doesn't compare, but on its own its quite a good read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Suicide attempt, and Murder
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
esus's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Kidnapping, and Murder
grimviolins's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Kidnapping, and Grief
Minor: Gaslighting
armontheroad's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
There is obviously a reason why this book is so popular across all bookish platforms! The writing is beautiful and pulls you in from the first sentence. The setting is incredibly spooky and atmospheric! This reminded me of a creepier, Young Adult version of Every Heart A Doorway. Johnson knows how to write three dimensional characters. I do wish that we got more about the school’s mystery, seeing as how that was the entire reason Stevie was accepted into the school. I also despise the only Latine character (that I can remember) was murdered . My final critic, there was no reason for the Harry Potter reference. Overall, I still recommend this.
TWs/CWs: Harry Potter reference, death, kidnapping, anxiety disorder, grief, etc.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Kidnapping, and Grief