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k_wazlib's review against another edition
3.0
I was excited to read this book. From the description, I believed that the story would be cute and interesting. While it was indeed both of these things, there were other small problems that I had with this book. I feel like I've grown into such a harsh book rater. My overall rating of this book kind of fluctuates between a three and a four, so don't be surprised if I up the rating or drop it back down.
Since her mother's passing, Kait Lenox has begun to cope in a different way than most. Funeral crashing has become her new pastime and she's managed to keep it hidden from most until she crashes the funeral of the most popular guy in school's sister's funeral. After he recognizes and questions her, they both somehow find themselves engaged in a murder mystery that could possibly end sour for the both of them.
As I've said, the story was interesting enough to keep me reading. Pacing-wise I don't see many problems. The writing kind of peeved me there in the beginning, as it seemed more like I was reading a boppy teenage girl's diary rather then an actual story. However, once you get used to this fact then it appears to be smooth sailing until the end.
The characters in this book just weren't for me. Sure, Kait read like an average teenage girl who has average teenage thoughts, but I couldn't help but feel like she contradicted herself throughout the story. In the beginning she talked about being the outcast weirdo that nobody talked to, and the fact that she couldn't really even talk to anyone, much less the next lowest on the totem pole; her lab partner. However, many pages later she's questioning everybody, including having seemingly friend-esque conversations with said lab partner about asking a certain person to Homecoming. I don't know, maybe she grew more confident after hanging out with Ethan?
Then, I love pop culture references as much as the next reference nerd, but this story is so full to the brim of them that I felt like my head was going to explode. I get that you want your character to appear well-read and watched, but that doesn't mean that we need to see Jane Austen novels (or even Twilight ones) splattered all throughout the story. I personally just don't see the need, but that's only my opinion.
Also, Kait always talks about her ex-best friend who ditched her for the popular crowd, and we never really uncover much about this. Sure, it wasn't the central focus of the plot, but I'd at least like to know why we hate Ariel so much besides how weird and awkwardly she talks to everybody.
Ethan was an alright character. I didn't see any extraordinary in him, but I had no problems with him either. As far as the other characters, most of them didn't have very much depth or background stories for me to really care much about them.
The main thing that confused me with this book was the near automatic acceptance that Ethan's sister was murdered. Also, that they were both going to play detective and actually find the murderer. I had a hard time believing that it was actually happening. It didn't feel very developed and I was continually flabbergasted when they kept uncovering new things. I don't know, I suppose that I should give credit to Kait and her fantastic deductive skills, but I was too busy spending the entire book trying to convince myself that it was legitimately happening.
I mean, I read the description and knew that that was what it was going to amount to, but I just didn't feel like it was developed enough in my mind. Or, maybe I just went into this book with an open mind and just froze up when my internal realism told me differently.
Also, while the book appeared to be mainly about funeral crashing, we don't really see much of it besides two times.
Finally, the ending.
Is it sad that I almost laughed throughout the entire thing? It was so rushed and crazy and strange that I didn't even know what was happening. I kept accidentally skipping lines and having to go back because I wasn't taking it seriously.
I guess that it could possibly happen, because hey, psychopaths are psychotic, but still.
Overall, Adventures in Funeral Crashing was an okay book. Getting to the end of this review finally solidified my choice of three stars for its rating. Even though it was interesting and a tad bit cute, the characters and ending were its downfall in my mind. As far as the next book, I may or may not pick it up.
☆☆☆/5
Recommend?: If you want an interesting quick read.
If the thought of funeral crashing or YA murder cases interest you.
Since her mother's passing, Kait Lenox has begun to cope in a different way than most. Funeral crashing has become her new pastime and she's managed to keep it hidden from most until she crashes the funeral of the most popular guy in school's sister's funeral. After he recognizes and questions her, they both somehow find themselves engaged in a murder mystery that could possibly end sour for the both of them.
As I've said, the story was interesting enough to keep me reading. Pacing-wise I don't see many problems. The writing kind of peeved me there in the beginning, as it seemed more like I was reading a boppy teenage girl's diary rather then an actual story. However, once you get used to this fact then it appears to be smooth sailing until the end.
The characters in this book just weren't for me. Sure, Kait read like an average teenage girl who has average teenage thoughts, but I couldn't help but feel like she contradicted herself throughout the story. In the beginning she talked about being the outcast weirdo that nobody talked to, and the fact that she couldn't really even talk to anyone, much less the next lowest on the totem pole; her lab partner. However, many pages later she's questioning everybody, including having seemingly friend-esque conversations with said lab partner about asking a certain person to Homecoming. I don't know, maybe she grew more confident after hanging out with Ethan?
Then, I love pop culture references as much as the next reference nerd, but this story is so full to the brim of them that I felt like my head was going to explode. I get that you want your character to appear well-read and watched, but that doesn't mean that we need to see Jane Austen novels (or even Twilight ones) splattered all throughout the story. I personally just don't see the need, but that's only my opinion.
Also, Kait always talks about her ex-best friend who ditched her for the popular crowd, and we never really uncover much about this. Sure, it wasn't the central focus of the plot, but I'd at least like to know why we hate Ariel so much besides how weird and awkwardly she talks to everybody.
Ethan was an alright character. I didn't see any extraordinary in him, but I had no problems with him either. As far as the other characters, most of them didn't have very much depth or background stories for me to really care much about them.
The main thing that confused me with this book was the near automatic acceptance that Ethan's sister was murdered. Also, that they were both going to play detective and actually find the murderer. I had a hard time believing that it was actually happening. It didn't feel very developed and I was continually flabbergasted when they kept uncovering new things. I don't know, I suppose that I should give credit to Kait and her fantastic deductive skills, but I was too busy spending the entire book trying to convince myself that it was legitimately happening.
I mean, I read the description and knew that that was what it was going to amount to, but I just didn't feel like it was developed enough in my mind. Or, maybe I just went into this book with an open mind and just froze up when my internal realism told me differently.
Also, while the book appeared to be mainly about funeral crashing, we don't really see much of it besides two times.
Finally, the ending.
Is it sad that I almost laughed throughout the entire thing? It was so rushed and crazy and strange that I didn't even know what was happening. I kept accidentally skipping lines and having to go back because I wasn't taking it seriously.
I guess that it could possibly happen, because hey, psychopaths are psychotic, but still.
Overall, Adventures in Funeral Crashing was an okay book. Getting to the end of this review finally solidified my choice of three stars for its rating. Even though it was interesting and a tad bit cute, the characters and ending were its downfall in my mind. As far as the next book, I may or may not pick it up.
☆☆☆/5
Recommend?: If you want an interesting quick read.
If the thought of funeral crashing or YA murder cases interest you.
sonshinelibrarian's review against another edition
3.0
This was a cute, easy read. I enjoyed that the main character didn't sound like a 20 year old in a 16 year old's body, but at times she did sound a little young. The narration at the beginning was a bit too stream-of-consciousness for my liking, but it evened out as the story progressed. There were some good twists and turns in the mystery and, especially considering the relatively short length of the book, some good character development.
moondance120's review against another edition
3.0
Teenage girl becomes obsessed with funerals after her mother's death. Kait runs into a popular boy from school while crashing his sister's funeral. The two devise a plan to prove that his sister and several other girls were murdered. Cute book. 3.5 stars
one_lectiophile's review against another edition
4.0
Super quick read! While this book was firmly on the YA genre and, therefore, very high school focused, it had a great flow, cute humor, and just enough suspense to keep the reader engaged. A few things were predictable (in typical YA fashion), but it kept me guessing enough that I wanted to keep reading. While I got this free on recommendation from The Fussy Librarian, I will gladly pay for the next book in the series.
maraudererin's review against another edition
2.0
Eh. This was just not good. The narration drove me up the wall.
booshy's review against another edition
3.0
This had so much potential! Funeral crashing is such an interesting plot idea and I wish the book had focused more on that. Oh, and I don't think the author made it clear enough that Kait really, really loves peanut butter banana milkshakes (they're heaven on earth). She was only talking (thinking?) about them in like every chapter. If Milda Harris had a better editior this could have been really good. Unfortunately it felt a bit like I was reading a not yet final draft of a story.
bkwrm22's review against another edition
5.0
Pleasantly surprised! It was awesome. Can't wait for the next one.
julieputty's review against another edition
I'm giving up on several books that have been in my currently reading list for months. This one just never caught me. The narrator just didn't ring true and the police were too stupid.
sarams's review against another edition
I had gotten this book for free. I won't up and couldn't fall back asleep and thought I'd give it a try. I enjoyed it! It was a quick read with an interesting mystery.
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