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4.24 AVERAGE
4.24 AVERAGE
medium-paced
Not as good as Allegedly. This was an involving read, I was very drawn into the story and the main character was not stereotypical main-character material, so that was a big win. I refuse to believe the MC was as clueless about what was going on with her friend, though, and the biggest plot twist was awkward and unnecessary. I think this had the potential to be great, but it felt rushed and the plot became a confusing mess with the timeline about 3/4ths of the way through. It got it together for the ending.
What really saved this book for me was that I have an inherent mistrust for this author’s characters after reading Allegedly, and she dropped enough breadcrumbs that I wondered if all the characters were shady and underhanded by the end of the book. I think the author nicely captures the duplicitous nature of human beings; we are all somewhere on the naughty vs. nice continuum. Probably closer to a 3.5 stars for me despite my complaints above.
What really saved this book for me was that I have an inherent mistrust for this author’s characters after reading Allegedly, and she dropped enough breadcrumbs that I wondered if all the characters were shady and underhanded by the end of the book. I think the author nicely captures the duplicitous nature of human beings; we are all somewhere on the naughty vs. nice continuum. Probably closer to a 3.5 stars for me despite my complaints above.
dark
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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
Gave me goosebumps. I love the way Tiffany Jackson wrote and captured Claudia’s anxiety, hurt, determination, grief in this story. I haven’t read an urban contemporary book that really gave me goosebumps since Moth to a Flame
The reveal was a lot simpler than I thought but the message still hit home. Still some potential to answer the unanswered but this was a good book
The reveal was a lot simpler than I thought but the message still hit home. Still some potential to answer the unanswered but this was a good book
This book really messed with me. The back and forth between the before and after and the years before the before were confusing. It wasn’t until I got to about page 300 of this book when my mind finally figured out what was happening and it was terribly sad.
This book is about a young girl in middle school who’s best friend goes missing. Once again, Tiffany D. Jackson highlights a gamut of issues that tap into your emotions: missing black girls, bullying, abuse, slut shaming, and other coming of age issues. And once again, I was captivated and couldn’t wait to finish the book. Very well done!
This book is about a young girl in middle school who’s best friend goes missing. Once again, Tiffany D. Jackson highlights a gamut of issues that tap into your emotions: missing black girls, bullying, abuse, slut shaming, and other coming of age issues. And once again, I was captivated and couldn’t wait to finish the book. Very well done!
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Racism
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
The feeling of loss (especially with what was uncovered towards the end of the book with Claudia’s memories) had such an impact on me. This book explores friendship, learning difficulties, the struggles of coping with loss and child abuse. You are with Claudia while she discovers how cruel the world can be and how we can be let down by others but also by our own brain. I had so many emotions during this book, it’s the first book to bring me to tears in a VERY long time. This is the second book I have read from this author within a week and I am finding myself pleasantly surprised that while these are YA books I am not finding that this is being highlighted for me - this is likely due to the subject choices within both books. I appreciate that this author really highlights the struggle unfortunately seen in real life situations. I am looking forward to reading another book of hers! And don’t forget…always leave breadcrumbs folks 💕
Quotes:
“Rumors are born with legs that can run a mile in less than a minute. Rumors eat up dreams without condiments. Rumors do not have expiration dates. Rumors can be deadly. Rumors can get you killed.”
“She didn't see the thorns sticking out of her sweet actions. Not like I did"
“But when help isn’t invited, it ain’t nothing but an unwanted houseguest.”
“Ain't nothing wrong with checking in so someone knows where you are. Breadcrumbs. Always good to leave breadcrumbs.”
Quotes:
“Rumors are born with legs that can run a mile in less than a minute. Rumors eat up dreams without condiments. Rumors do not have expiration dates. Rumors can be deadly. Rumors can get you killed.”
“She didn't see the thorns sticking out of her sweet actions. Not like I did"
“But when help isn’t invited, it ain’t nothing but an unwanted houseguest.”
“Ain't nothing wrong with checking in so someone knows where you are. Breadcrumbs. Always good to leave breadcrumbs.”
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
slow-paced
This was so sad.
Your following Claudia trying to find her friend, Monday, but no one seems to care. It felt slow but the anxiety I felt just waiting for everything to happen had a hold on me. You obviously know what happens but the extent of it will break your heart.
Your following Claudia trying to find her friend, Monday, but no one seems to care. It felt slow but the anxiety I felt just waiting for everything to happen had a hold on me. You obviously know what happens but the extent of it will break your heart.