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lisagray68's review against another edition
emotional
sad
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? Yes
3.75
pickyreader23's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Two roads diverged into one and I took the one where 25% into the book I rushed to see the review of the book to see the end because it was dragging too much.
Even the pacing frustrated me and I ruined the end for myself by reading reviews, I did enjoy the read.
Even the pacing frustrated me and I ruined the end for myself by reading reviews, I did enjoy the read.
wtfbrii's review against another edition
4.0
This book seriously had me re-thinking my life and its purpose it had a lot of unexpected twist, well one where it turned out ret, ellory's best friend had actually died and Ellory was tacking to a goest she had made up to made what she did - fighting over a boy and become so jealous to the point she pushes her down the stairs. This book reminds me alot of 'one of us is lying' I would recommend 4/5 stars
ivannna_u's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
emtay93's review against another edition
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
alidy's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
2.5
lornforr's review against another edition
3.0
The story was compelling, and I enjoyed the protagonist. However, given its similarities to other psychological/mystery YA novels, it was predictable. The ending, while well written, was not the huge plot twist I hoped for.
zanybibliophile's review against another edition
3.0
A story of Then and Now showing just how much has changed in a year and how one's actions can have a lasting impact.
Ellory Holland is a rather reserved teenager who lives a simple life by following her friend Ret's lead. She was meek Then but it most certainly awkward and reserved Now and the other girl's lives have all changed from one year to the next.
Jenni Randall is Ret's oldest friend and is not fond of Ellory. Jenni is the type who dreams of being a wife and mother - the exact opposite of Ret.
Bex is headstrong, free-willed and the newest addition to the group. She does not seem to be as dependent on Ret as the other two, but still seeks her approval.
Margaret 'Ret' Johnston, the 'sun' they all revolve around and a rather controlling young woman. She is the one they all follow and she seems to live for their devotion.
The story flicks between time, the Then and Now, making it a little difficult to follow. I personally think it is best to read in one this book in one sitting, especially if you are one who loses track of the plot easily. I thought the writing was good but the plot was, in my opinion, somewhat bland. It was similar to other contemporary YA books in that the bully/problem character is one of the main character's friends but they do not see that what their bully/problem friend is wrong until it is made obvious. It was clear from the first page that Ret was going to be the "problem" character, I just did not yet know in what way.
I was actually thrown off by the ending. Thinking back over the story now, the signs were all there but I did not see it coming. However, I did not like it. I can understand why it was done that way and I suppose it does sort of fit the story, it is just not how I was expecting it to go and I did not like how it wrapped up the drama of the book.
Overall, I liked the book but I was not overly keen on all the story elements. I will say it is worth reading as I think my not-so-positive feelings towards the book are more personal rather than a reflection on the quality of the book.
Ellory Holland is a rather reserved teenager who lives a simple life by following her friend Ret's lead. She was meek Then but it most certainly awkward and reserved Now and the other girl's lives have all changed from one year to the next.
Jenni Randall is Ret's oldest friend and is not fond of Ellory. Jenni is the type who dreams of being a wife and mother - the exact opposite of Ret.
Bex is headstrong, free-willed and the newest addition to the group. She does not seem to be as dependent on Ret as the other two, but still seeks her approval.
Margaret 'Ret' Johnston, the 'sun' they all revolve around and a rather controlling young woman. She is the one they all follow and she seems to live for their devotion.
The story flicks between time, the Then and Now, making it a little difficult to follow. I personally think it is best to read in one this book in one sitting, especially if you are one who loses track of the plot easily. I thought the writing was good but the plot was, in my opinion, somewhat bland. It was similar to other contemporary YA books in that the bully/problem character is one of the main character's friends but they do not see that what their bully/problem friend is wrong until it is made obvious. It was clear from the first page that Ret was going to be the "problem" character, I just did not yet know in what way.
I was actually thrown off by the ending. Thinking back over the story now, the signs were all there but I did not see it coming. However, I did not like it. I can understand why it was done that way and I suppose it does sort of fit the story, it is just not how I was expecting it to go and I did not like how it wrapped up the drama of the book.
Overall, I liked the book but I was not overly keen on all the story elements. I will say it is worth reading as I think my not-so-positive feelings towards the book are more personal rather than a reflection on the quality of the book.
kpbq81's review against another edition
2.0
Normally I enjoy the mean girl high school stories. But these characters were pretty one-dimensional and not even interestingly unlikeable. None of them developed over time, or had depth. And not much happened in the story either. Most of the actual events happened in the last 40 pages.