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jjames_mal's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This YA thriller follows Stevie, a girl who enrols in a school to solve the murders that occurred there decades before.
This one was kind of hard to review. As far as the plot goes, I really liked it, but I’m really struggling getting behind a book series of thrillers where there’s an overarching plot. I feel like you’ll only like this book if you don’t need closure at the end because there is none. That being said I’m interested in finding the answers so I will be picking up the next book in the series ASAP.
This one was kind of hard to review. As far as the plot goes, I really liked it, but I’m really struggling getting behind a book series of thrillers where there’s an overarching plot. I feel like you’ll only like this book if you don’t need closure at the end because there is none. That being said I’m interested in finding the answers so I will be picking up the next book in the series ASAP.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Murder
Minor: Death of parent, Alcoholism, and Toxic relationship
dylpickles's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-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
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Alcoholism, Alcohol, and Classism
lanies's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
This is basically going to be a review of the whole trilogy. I enjoyed this series; it was fun, engaging, and a decent balance of trope-y and self aware.
The characters were a bit one-dimensional and sometimes frustrating but overall likeable. I never felt that the plot was lagging. The series is essentially one long book broken down into three parts, and I’m glad I waited until all three books were out so that I could read one straight after another.
I don’t love when authors throw a bunch of current pop culture references in, because they just strike me as cringey sometimes (yes, this is about the reference to “sexy” BBC Sherlock), but this series didn’t have too many of them.
As a person with an anxiety disorder, the discussion of Stevie’s anxiety didn’t really bother me, but if you are triggered in any way by in-depth discussion of anxiety/panic attacks, I would exercise caution.
The one real gripe I have with this series is only an issue in the first book. Early in the book, Janelle informs Stevie that Vi uses they/them pronouns, but everywhere else in the book, the author uses she/her pronouns for Vi. I’m guessing that Vi being non-binary was probably a detail added after most of the book was written and no one remembered to go back in and change the pronouns (as opposed to deliberate misgendering), but either way it was disappointing to see it throughout the book. In the 2nd and 3rd books, they/them pronouns are used consistently for Vi.
The characters were a bit one-dimensional and sometimes frustrating but overall likeable. I never felt that the plot was lagging. The series is essentially one long book broken down into three parts, and I’m glad I waited until all three books were out so that I could read one straight after another.
I don’t love when authors throw a bunch of current pop culture references in, because they just strike me as cringey sometimes (yes, this is about the reference to “sexy” BBC Sherlock), but this series didn’t have too many of them.
As a person with an anxiety disorder, the discussion of Stevie’s anxiety didn’t really bother me, but if you are triggered in any way by in-depth discussion of anxiety/panic attacks, I would exercise caution.
The one real gripe I have with this series is only an issue in the first book. Early in the book, Janelle informs Stevie that Vi uses they/them pronouns, but everywhere else in the book, the author uses she/her pronouns for Vi. I’m guessing that Vi being non-binary was probably a detail added after most of the book was written and no one remembered to go back in and change the pronouns (as opposed to deliberate misgendering), but either way it was disappointing to see it throughout the book. In the 2nd and 3rd books, they/them pronouns are used consistently for Vi.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Kidnapping, Murder, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Alcoholism, Drug use, and Fire/Fire injury
repunzee's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I adored this book. I thought the mystery was really good and I loved the characters. I also really like the perspectives going back and forth form Stevie and the past.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Child death, and Kidnapping
Minor: Alcoholism
liviilivs's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcoholism and Death
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