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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-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
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Im sorry to say I didn't really enjoy this book. I didn't find the characters very interesting, even with Raquel seeming to have supernatural powers, but I'm not a teenager anymore so maybe it's just that. The mystery of the echo was interesting enough to keep me going. But not enough to hold my attention, to be honest. I actually was most intrigued by the corduroy jacket guy than literally anyone and anything else.
I wasn't really sold on the characters. I would have liked to have seen more of their relationships together. I just felt like there wasn't enough to show the heart of their relationships. And, as a usual pet peeve of mine, these kids were thinking too much about wanting to date Charlize while she's worried about her missing cousin. Really?? There was a scene wherethey're all together about finding Francisco and Aaron is just seeing this as a potential double date .
I wasn't really sold on the characters. I would have liked to have seen more of their relationships together. I just felt like there wasn't enough to show the heart of their relationships. And, as a usual pet peeve of mine, these kids were thinking too much about wanting to date Charlize while she's worried about her missing cousin. Really?? There was a scene where
“Raquel & her friends team up to save their city,” the Bronx, from the Echo Game, which may or may not be an urban legend.
The premise - the Echo Game - takes people from the subway back to a past significant time in their community’s past. Social commentary - Bronx in the 1970s - good info, good use of history. Portrayal of Raquel’s dad & his belief/practice of Santeria.
Some character interactions didn’t seem authentic. “Slum lord” - hard to believe these kids didn’t know what this term means. Pace was a bit slow in places.
Good suspense - verges on horror when in the Echo Game. I would recommend & would read another book by Tirado.
The premise - the Echo Game - takes people from the subway back to a past significant time in their community’s past. Social commentary - Bronx in the 1970s - good info, good use of history. Portrayal of Raquel’s dad & his belief/practice of Santeria.
Some character interactions didn’t seem authentic. “Slum lord” - hard to believe these kids didn’t know what this term means. Pace was a bit slow in places.
Good suspense - verges on horror when in the Echo Game. I would recommend & would read another book by Tirado.
3.5– Loved how the book sucked me in right away with a missing cousin, a mom in coma with black mold growing on her, and dreams of the Bronx burning and some unexplained evil. This book read like one of those PG-13 horror movies like Countdown or Truth or Dare or Ouija meets Candyman with some extra evil stuff and social commentary on gentrification and racism. Raquel was a great main character. The Bronx was a character in of itself that read so richly. The urban legend of the Echo was still confusing by the end of it all though and the book did slow down in the middle and then kind of rushed the ending. Still an enjoyable horror read!
Maybe should not give up so early but just finding it hard to find interest right now. Hope to retry at a later date.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
adventurous
dark
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:
No
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The theme and messaging was a bit heavy handed and I believe would've been more impactful if the creatures would've been a bit more abstract in their representation. I also felt Raquel had some odd character moments that left me scratching my head - probably not worth going into detail as I'm fairly certain no one will ever actually see this review, lol. I wish the connection with her mother and some of her powers were fleshed out a bit as it felt a bit rushed in that regards.
Despite not being the target demographic, I still had an alright time with this one. The mystery was intriguing enough to keep me interested and the experience was a unique one.
Despite not being the target demographic, I still had an alright time with this one. The mystery was intriguing enough to keep me interested and the experience was a unique one.
adventurous
dark
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated