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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
Jessica Goodman knows how to write a solid YA thriller, but this was my least favorite of her three novels so far (I ADORED her first two books). The protagonist Goldie Easton is a Roxwood, Vermont local who looks forward to her summers at Camp Alpine Lake, a ritzy sleepaway camp. She's particularly looking forward to reuniting with her closest friends Ava and Imogen after a tragic accident during the school year leaves her shunned by all of her classmates and a semester behind in school.
I thought Goldie was spineless, and thus, I found it sometimes difficult to relate to her as a protagonist. She's obsessed with her high school boyfriend Heller, who frames her for his own selfish reasons after he hurts one of their fellow classmates in a drunk driving accident. It was absolutely infuriating that Goldie took the blame for Heller. I also found it ironic that she mocked Ava and Imogen for their romantic interests when her taste in guys was, frankly, garbage. I also appreciated that Goodman's past female protagonists had more ambition and were more motivated by school.I found Goldie's lack of ambition less relatable. All teenagers have insecurities, but Goldie took it to new heights.
The Counselors is a fun, twisty read—even if it could use a trim! I read it quickly, and Jessica Goodman knows how to put together a good narrative that keeps the reader invested in what's next. I look forward to her next book!
I thought Goldie was spineless, and thus, I found it sometimes difficult to relate to her as a protagonist. She's obsessed with her high school boyfriend Heller, who frames her for his own selfish reasons after he hurts one of their fellow classmates in a drunk driving accident. It was absolutely infuriating that Goldie took the blame for Heller. I also found it ironic that she mocked Ava and Imogen for their romantic interests when her taste in guys was, frankly, garbage. I also appreciated that Goodman's past female protagonists had more ambition and were more motivated by school.I found Goldie's lack of ambition less relatable. All teenagers have insecurities, but Goldie took it to new heights.
Spoiler
Of course, later on in the book, we find out Heller has some redeeming qualities—but only after he's murdered and only after we learn that other characters in the book must be even worse. I also thought the motive for said murders to kill Heller was less compelling than motives in Goodman's past books. Tax evasion? Meh.The Counselors is a fun, twisty read—even if it could use a trim! I read it quickly, and Jessica Goodman knows how to put together a good narrative that keeps the reader invested in what's next. I look forward to her next book!
Fun and pretty straightforward mystery. A townie's dead body washes up on the lakeshore of a very wealthy, very prestigious summer camp. One of the counselors, a townie herself who has crossed over into the land of the exclusive camp through nepotism, is determined to get to the bottom of the case.
The Counselors is a slow-burn murder mystery that reads a bit too much like a contemporary instead of a thriller. Despite this, Goodman still packs some entertaining twists and turns.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-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
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
this book was ass
it was so slow and the ending was a total let down
it was so slow and the ending was a total let down
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
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
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a story about a swanky sleepaway camp in a small town. Goldie is a local from town and her camp besties come from families with money, they are now counselors. Goldie takes the fall for a crime that her boyfriend actually committed, and then he turns up dead at the camp the day before it started….who did it and why? This was a lot of fun especially reminiscing sleepaway camp days!