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3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
A great thriller with a good balance of romance. I liked the bi representation and felt the pacing and mystery was well executed!
Many thanks to Julie at Jimmy Patterson Presents for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review
"Flora, I need your help. Come fast."
This book was 100 pages too long.
So, what's this book about?
Flora Calhoun has a reputation for sticking her nose where it doesn't belong. After stumbling upon a classmate's body years ago, the trauma of that discovery and the police's failure to find the killer has haunted her ever since. One night, she gets a midnight text from Ava McQueen, the beautiful girl who had ignited Flora's heart last summer, then never spoke to her again.
Just in time to witness Ava's death from a gunshot wound, Flora is set on a path of rage and vengeance for all the dead girls whose killer is never found. Her tunnel-visioned sleuthing leads to valuable clues about a shocking conspiracy involving her school and beyond, but also earns her sinister threats from the murderer. She has a choice---to give up the hunt for answers, or keep digging and risk her loved ones' lives. Either way, Flora will regret the consequences. Who's next on the killer's list?
I didn't not enjoy this book. It had a cold open which I loved and it was fast at first but I felt that it was drawn out for a bit too long. This book would definitely be shortened a little bit. I did enjoy the ending as it was decently fast.
Overall, this book was bad and I recommend giving it a chance when it comes out.
Happy reading!
Side note - These opinions are based on the ARC I read. I don't know how different the finished copy will be but, considering the drastic changes in page numbers and release date, I'm hoping edits were made.
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Review to come
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Yes! YES! YASSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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A gripping, well-written debut from an author who shows a tons of promise. I. Could. Not. Put. This. Down. Mega props for the queer Veronica Mars vibes.
That said, the more I think about this book the less comfortable I am with it. Specifically wrt race. As one reviewer notes: "it has to be said that the death of a black queer character becomes the catalyst for a white MCs story" - and that's 100% it.
So 4/5 for pacing and 2/5 for the big issues.
Also props to the author for the trigger warning below, which I totally missed:
There's an interview with the author here in which she mentions her rationale for taking this approach (along with the ending). If this book affected you the way it did me, then I would recommend listening to it.
TL;DR: not a perfect book, but certainly a brave one. I am looking forward to reading what this author does next.
That said, the more I think about this book the less comfortable I am with it. Specifically wrt race. As one reviewer notes: "it has to be said that the death of a black queer character becomes the catalyst for a white MCs story" - and that's 100% it.
So 4/5 for pacing and 2/5 for the big issues.
Also props to the author for the trigger warning below, which I totally missed:
"YOU’RE NEXT contains depictions of violence–including gun violence, and the murder of a Black, queer teenage girl–as well as mentions of “off screen” child abuse & domestic violence. If that means this book is not for you, you have all my respect & love."
There's an interview with the author here in which she mentions her rationale for taking this approach (along with the ending). If this book affected you the way it did me, then I would recommend listening to it.
TL;DR: not a perfect book, but certainly a brave one. I am looking forward to reading what this author does next.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I didnt like the main character and a lot of the intro felt like throwing a bunch of things that will be relevant much later at you in an attempt to not introduce them late in the story. It was poorly handled and I felt no attachment to the characters introduced
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
NOOOO VT NOOOOOOO WHY
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Started this the same day it was published (English language, but bought in Germany, EPub from ebook.de), had this pre-ordered.
Starts good.
Starts good.
I would have enjoyed this book more if it hadn't been such a blatant Veronica Mars rip-off. Also docked a star for the crap ending. Great narrator on the audiobook!