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3.13 AVERAGE
3.13 AVERAGE
I bought it for the plot, which reminded me of Bloody New Year (1987), but honestly I was expecting more from April Henry. While most of her "YA" books that I've read do tend to lean more middle grade there have been some stand outs. This, unfortunately, is not one of them.
The subjects are juniors/seniors but the writing style is much more simple and juvenile than most YA novels for that age group. It's a rushed story and most things either aren't explained or are extremely obvious. The characters are all extremely one dimensional and crushes come and go without rhyme or reason. Also a college aged student teacher KISSES a student (because the student had never been kissed before) and a thought briefly crosses our main character's mind as "oh, he could really get into trouble for that" and then it's never spoken of or thought about again.
Henry throws a lot out of ideas out of left field here, including, but not limited to, ghosts, killers
I wish someone else had written this book because it had the potential to be a fun slasher, but only ends up disappointing. And I hope I learned my lesson with April Henry novels, no matter how interesting the plot sounds.
The subjects are juniors/seniors but the writing style is much more simple and juvenile than most YA novels for that age group. It's a rushed story and most things either aren't explained or are extremely obvious. The characters are all extremely one dimensional and crushes come and go without rhyme or reason. Also a college aged student teacher KISSES a student (because the student had never been kissed before) and a thought briefly crosses our main character's mind as "oh, he could really get into trouble for that" and then it's never spoken of or thought about again.
Henry throws a lot out of ideas out of left field here, including, but not limited to, ghosts, killers
Spoiler
bank robbery, ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS AND HUMAN SMUGGLING (WTF was with that 'they were good immigrants so they got to stay' vibe BS) and a serial killer!I wish someone else had written this book because it had the potential to be a fun slasher, but only ends up disappointing. And I hope I learned my lesson with April Henry novels, no matter how interesting the plot sounds.
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
mysterious
fast-paced
A group of theater kids on their way to a competition have to pull off into a creepy motel due to a worsening snow storm. Soon, another group of teens joins them followed by a few adult stragglers. As the teens set up in the common room to get to know each other, the janitor Travis, reveals that 20 years ago there was a double murder in the motel. As this puts the teens on edge, a few more creepy instances further unsettle them. Is the killer back or is it imaginations running wild?
So I will admit I am picky about YA novels, but this one was sooo fun! The dynamic of the kids together in the common room was so great; of course they all immediately pair off and start flirting with each other, which is truly exactly what would happen. There was a really great twist that I did not see coming, then there was one that I did. I gave 4 stars because I kept getting confused with who all of the adults were, and I felt like they were added as red herrings just to confuse me. Overall, I really like April Henry’s ability to write how teenagers are feeling, I was enthralled and read this book in 2 days.
So I will admit I am picky about YA novels, but this one was sooo fun! The dynamic of the kids together in the common room was so great; of course they all immediately pair off and start flirting with each other, which is truly exactly what would happen. There was a really great twist that I did not see coming, then there was one that I did. I gave 4 stars because I kept getting confused with who all of the adults were, and I felt like they were added as red herrings just to confuse me. Overall, I really like April Henry’s ability to write how teenagers are feeling, I was enthralled and read this book in 2 days.
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
dark
mysterious
tense
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
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated