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3.35 AVERAGE
3.35 AVERAGE
I'm usually pretty excited to read April Henry's books. They're short thrillers that you get pulled into because of the mystery and excitement. Sure, the romance is sometimes (usually always) unnecessary but whatever. But this one? I just couldn't get into this book. Which sucks cause 'girl can see dead people and helps solve crimes' is kinda my jam. I didn't like Adele that much and the writing was ehhh. It just felt boring? predictable ? all of the above ??
Well written and a very quick read, but a bit predictable tbh. Maybe I’ve just been reading too many YA mystery novels but I kind of already knew who the killer was.
How the novel addressed mental illness. Was reading this to put in my classroom and that is not something I want my kids misunderstanding.
I have so many emotions towards this book so excuse the mess that is this review.
Okay first of all, it was so obvious who killed Tori. Like maybe it's because I watch detective shows and read mysteries but the first suspect is always the boyfriend. So throughout the whole 100 pages while she was trying to figure out who killed Tori, it never crossed her mind Luke did it? Luke has shown he can't control his anger or rather gets into fights a lot and it was known Tori got a little close to other boys. The minute he punched the lockers, it was obvious he was the murderer. The author tried to put other characters in there like the creepy neighbor, abusive father, friends of Tori. The main character, Adele, even questioned herself and wondered if she killed Tori but not once was it did Luke kill her.
Then there's Charlie. I feel like the only reason his character is there is to be a love interest for Adele. And the person to clear her name. Those are the only reasons his character was there. He was also there to hear Luke admitting he was going to kill Adele on her recorder thingy. The recorder was brought into the story when Adele went and asked the people she thought killed Tori, if they killed Tori.
Another thing I hate is the stuff with the cops. You're telling me she was dragged into questioning not once but twice and didn't think to leave or I don't know, call her grandfather? The detectives said if she wants to leave she can. And then when they had a warrant for stuff and went into her apartment, her grandfather didn't even have her back. Like she is your last living relative.
There was also this fight scene is the hallway and Adele pretty much got attacked by people but got 5 days of out of school suspension? That isn't how it works anymore but ok. That's one thing I hate about reading young adult books placed in school settings. I'm not saying Adele wouldn't have gotten suspended but it would've been split between at school suspension and out of school. And since she was the one who was attacked she would've gotten 2 in school and 1 out of school. At least that's what it's like where I live.
The ending also just felt rushed. Like we had the whole Luke attempts to kill Adele in the graveyard and we have this whole fight scene kind of. And then there's this whole she knocks him on the head, he falls into an open grave, Charlie calls out her name and Adele gets distracted, Luke grabs Adele's ankle then end of chapter. We then fast forward three weeks later. Ummmmmm, WHAT? There was this quick summary of what happened afterward and I'm like I want to see the real life teaaaaaa.
One question I do have is did she ever go to her parents' grave to speak to them? Like her mother could've helped her.
Okay first of all, it was so obvious who killed Tori. Like maybe it's because I watch detective shows and read mysteries but the first suspect is always the boyfriend. So throughout the whole 100 pages while she was trying to figure out who killed Tori, it never crossed her mind Luke did it? Luke has shown he can't control his anger or rather gets into fights a lot and it was known Tori got a little close to other boys. The minute he punched the lockers, it was obvious he was the murderer. The author tried to put other characters in there like the creepy neighbor, abusive father, friends of Tori. The main character, Adele, even questioned herself and wondered if she killed Tori but not once was it did Luke kill her.
Then there's Charlie. I feel like the only reason his character is there is to be a love interest for Adele. And the person to clear her name. Those are the only reasons his character was there. He was also there to hear Luke admitting he was going to kill Adele on her recorder thingy. The recorder was brought into the story when Adele went and asked the people she thought killed Tori, if they killed Tori.
Another thing I hate is the stuff with the cops. You're telling me she was dragged into questioning not once but twice and didn't think to leave or I don't know, call her grandfather? The detectives said if she wants to leave she can. And then when they had a warrant for stuff and went into her apartment, her grandfather didn't even have her back. Like she is your last living relative.
There was also this fight scene is the hallway and Adele pretty much got attacked by people but got 5 days of out of school suspension? That isn't how it works anymore but ok. That's one thing I hate about reading young adult books placed in school settings. I'm not saying Adele wouldn't have gotten suspended but it would've been split between at school suspension and out of school. And since she was the one who was attacked she would've gotten 2 in school and 1 out of school. At least that's what it's like where I live.
The ending also just felt rushed. Like we had the whole Luke attempts to kill Adele in the graveyard and we have this whole fight scene kind of. And then there's this whole she knocks him on the head, he falls into an open grave, Charlie calls out her name and Adele gets distracted, Luke grabs Adele's ankle then end of chapter. We then fast forward three weeks later. Ummmmmm, WHAT? There was this quick summary of what happened afterward and I'm like I want to see the real life teaaaaaa.
One question I do have is did she ever go to her parents' grave to speak to them? Like her mother could've helped her.
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I received a free copy through a Goodreads giveaway.
Adele has the ability to see and speak to ghosts, just like her mother and grandmother did. On her way home from school, Adele finds the body of her former best friend in a shallow grave with Tori’s ghost sitting on top. She tries to deny that she is speaking to Tori’s ghost, calling her a hallucination brought on by her mental illness. But, after she reports the body, she is thrust into a mystery revolving around the death of Tori and endangering her own life.
I was uncomfortable with how mental illness was presented in this book. The way that schizophrenia was explained didn’t feel quite right and the medication that Adele took prior to the murder was shown as bad for her. It was described as making her feel less alive.
Tori was difficult to like, due to her awful behavior during her life and I just couldn’t feel any sympathy for her. She was a bully and never understood even when her behavior was pointed out to her that her teasing and insults affected and hurt others. There were other incidences, such as abuse, mentioned that seemed to just be breezed over and never really expanded on.
There was a major lack of character development throughout the book. The characters felt flat and seemed overly dramatic at certain parts. It didn’t feel that there was much of a mystery and I had guessed the identity of the murderer very early on. I also didn’t feel much suspense. However, it was fast paced and interesting. I really would have liked to know more about Adele’s powers and how they affected her.
Adele has the ability to see and speak to ghosts, just like her mother and grandmother did. On her way home from school, Adele finds the body of her former best friend in a shallow grave with Tori’s ghost sitting on top. She tries to deny that she is speaking to Tori’s ghost, calling her a hallucination brought on by her mental illness. But, after she reports the body, she is thrust into a mystery revolving around the death of Tori and endangering her own life.
I was uncomfortable with how mental illness was presented in this book. The way that schizophrenia was explained didn’t feel quite right and the medication that Adele took prior to the murder was shown as bad for her. It was described as making her feel less alive.
Tori was difficult to like, due to her awful behavior during her life and I just couldn’t feel any sympathy for her. She was a bully and never understood even when her behavior was pointed out to her that her teasing and insults affected and hurt others. There were other incidences, such as abuse, mentioned that seemed to just be breezed over and never really expanded on.
There was a major lack of character development throughout the book. The characters felt flat and seemed overly dramatic at certain parts. It didn’t feel that there was much of a mystery and I had guessed the identity of the murderer very early on. I also didn’t feel much suspense. However, it was fast paced and interesting. I really would have liked to know more about Adele’s powers and how they affected her.
I wanted to like it, but it was terrible. The main character’s inner monologue was monotonous. You can see what’s coming a mile away. The other thing that was super-annoying was the *constant* revelations about the effects that alcohol has on a person. This is the first time I’ve ever thrown away a book, but because of the issue with the medications it doesn’t seem appropriate to pass it on for teens to read. Also, this is probably an overreaction but the fact that the health teacher was telling the female students that if they drink at a party and are raped it would be their fault blew me away. It’s good to be proactive by being aware of how much you’re drinking. However, it is 100% of the guy’s fault if he rapes someone. Telling young women that it’s their fault just reinforces the stereotype that “she was asking for it”.
I was pretty intrigued by the synopsis and I was interested the first bit of the book, but was just annoyed the whole last half of the book. It was so obvious to the point that I just felt like the main character was an idiot. It was so frustrating. It ruined that whole last half of the book for me.
This one is just a side note, but I’m not sure the mental illness rep was very good? I’m not sure, though.
This one is just a side note, but I’m not sure the mental illness rep was very good? I’m not sure, though.
Unfortunately, I read this.
I'm sorry to say this so bluntly, but this sucked.
It read like an early-middle grade and not YA. The writing is lazy, and the characters are dull and undeveloped. The story was not fleshed out well, and the characters' reactions were absolutely unrealistic. It was very plain and simple which is disappointing because it had so much potential. I only kept reading because the story was about ghosts. I used to write stories and poems many years ago, and I've had a few ideas for books but I'm hesitant to write one for fear it will turn out like this.
I'm sorry to say this so bluntly, but this sucked.
It read like an early-middle grade and not YA. The writing is lazy, and the characters are dull and undeveloped. The story was not fleshed out well, and the characters' reactions were absolutely unrealistic. It was very plain and simple which is disappointing because it had so much potential. I only kept reading because the story was about ghosts. I used to write stories and poems many years ago, and I've had a few ideas for books but I'm hesitant to write one for fear it will turn out like this.