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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
*SLIGHT SPOILERS*
I expected this book to be SO much better than Body in the Woods, and it absolutely was. This book was a roller coaster from start to finish, and I absolutely loved it. But like with Body in the Woods and Girl I Used To Be both, I just wish it had done MORE. April Henry's books so far are just missing that extra umph. The beginning and the middle are both EXCELLENTLY done, and then the climax happens (and it's always a bit confusing, but maybe that's just because I don't understand science-y mystery stuff), and then the resolution soon after. Body in the Woods didn't really have that fully fleshed-out resolution, but I did give it as pass because I knew there was going to be a second book. Here, it's just like... "That's it? Now the series is over, and I still feel like there could've been more."
What also irks me slightly is just the romance aspect. These books always have just the slightest splash of romance, which I appreciate. It was absolutely well-done in Girl I Used To Be with Ariel/Olivia and Duncan. It was moderately well-done in Body in the Woods with Alexis and Brandon, and even with Nick in some aspects. I expected Alexis and Brandon's relationship to be more fleshed-out in the second book, and they did have that distance at the start, but then they get over it, and he NEVER APPEARS AGAIN. He's mentioned briefly, when Nick is pining and having a pity party, but he doesn't have a single other scene in this book. And another thing, with the love triangle? I was for Alexis and Brandon the entire time, because he just seems right for her. With all of Alexis's baggage with her mom, she needs that person to talk to and be there for her. And though Nick DOES have his parent issues (which are ONLY revealed in this book), I just don't think it's enough that I am convinced they are meant to be together. AND with all of the Brandon-Alexis-Nick stuff, RUBY GETS COMPLETELY TOSSED OVER. I had hoped for an ending where, in the realization that Alexis does not feel the same way about him, Nick and Ruby maybe start gravitating towards each other. BUT THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN. HE STILL WANTS ALEXIS. Like, she is a taken girl, and you KNOW this, and we KNOW you love her, but dude, there is a beautiful, intelligent redhead RIGHT THERE. With this love triangle, Ruby just gets left behind.
OTHER than all of that stuff, I love this book. April Henry's books do have their flaws, but I admittedly always have good times reading them.
I expected this book to be SO much better than Body in the Woods, and it absolutely was. This book was a roller coaster from start to finish, and I absolutely loved it. But like with Body in the Woods and Girl I Used To Be both, I just wish it had done MORE. April Henry's books so far are just missing that extra umph. The beginning and the middle are both EXCELLENTLY done, and then the climax happens (and it's always a bit confusing, but maybe that's just because I don't understand science-y mystery stuff), and then the resolution soon after. Body in the Woods didn't really have that fully fleshed-out resolution, but I did give it as pass because I knew there was going to be a second book. Here, it's just like... "That's it? Now the series is over, and I still feel like there could've been more."
What also irks me slightly is just the romance aspect. These books always have just the slightest splash of romance, which I appreciate. It was absolutely well-done in Girl I Used To Be with Ariel/Olivia and Duncan. It was moderately well-done in Body in the Woods with Alexis and Brandon, and even with Nick in some aspects. I expected Alexis and Brandon's relationship to be more fleshed-out in the second book, and they did have that distance at the start, but then they get over it, and he NEVER APPEARS AGAIN. He's mentioned briefly, when Nick is pining and having a pity party, but he doesn't have a single other scene in this book. And another thing, with the love triangle? I was for Alexis and Brandon the entire time, because he just seems right for her. With all of Alexis's baggage with her mom, she needs that person to talk to and be there for her. And though Nick DOES have his parent issues (which are ONLY revealed in this book), I just don't think it's enough that I am convinced they are meant to be together. AND with all of the Brandon-Alexis-Nick stuff, RUBY GETS COMPLETELY TOSSED OVER. I had hoped for an ending where, in the realization that Alexis does not feel the same way about him, Nick and Ruby maybe start gravitating towards each other. BUT THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN. HE STILL WANTS ALEXIS. Like, she is a taken girl, and you KNOW this, and we KNOW you love her, but dude, there is a beautiful, intelligent redhead RIGHT THERE. With this love triangle, Ruby just gets left behind.
OTHER than all of that stuff, I love this book. April Henry's books do have their flaws, but I admittedly always have good times reading them.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Murder
Minor: Gore, Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Kidnapping, Alcohol, War
Review:
First off, I was a bit weary of getting this book, as I had done one of my first reviews of the first book of this series and I was not overly fond of it. But seeing as own all of the other April Henry novels, I was willing to give her another chance, and I was not disappointed!
This novel takes up right where the last one left off. It is still the same cast, and they are still a part of the same SAR (search and rescue) program. As the other one, there is a missing person in which the team is called out and sent to search for the missing person.
Right away, the first case does not go over well, and I feel that I can relate the most to Nick. He believes that by being a part of this, he should be set up for the army. The same way I feel that if I watch enough CSI and Criminal Minds, the sight of a dead body or blood will no longer affect me. But, Nick ends up getting sick at the scene, which starts a whole spiral that ends up connecting him to a murder that he was not even close to being connected to.
The thing that bugged he is the police. Right away, when they had the tiniest bit of evidence connecting Nick to the murder, they cuffed him and dragged him down to the station. The officers don’t even try to look for other evidence that can connect him to the scene besides this little bit of evidence. If it was not for one of Nick’s friends, he would have been convicted of the crime that he did not commit.
Filled with mystery and mayhem, we are given the different perspectives between the three friends, and the views of the actual killer. It is strange to get into the minds of the killer, but I feel that it is a much need necessity in mystery novels, as it gives the readers a bit more information to the characters.
Overall I did enjoy this one much better than the first one. As well, I noticed that the 3rd novel of this series has come out, so I will defiantly be purchasing it sometime in the future.
Read On Darlings!
First off, I was a bit weary of getting this book, as I had done one of my first reviews of the first book of this series and I was not overly fond of it. But seeing as own all of the other April Henry novels, I was willing to give her another chance, and I was not disappointed!
This novel takes up right where the last one left off. It is still the same cast, and they are still a part of the same SAR (search and rescue) program. As the other one, there is a missing person in which the team is called out and sent to search for the missing person.
Right away, the first case does not go over well, and I feel that I can relate the most to Nick. He believes that by being a part of this, he should be set up for the army. The same way I feel that if I watch enough CSI and Criminal Minds, the sight of a dead body or blood will no longer affect me. But, Nick ends up getting sick at the scene, which starts a whole spiral that ends up connecting him to a murder that he was not even close to being connected to.
The thing that bugged he is the police. Right away, when they had the tiniest bit of evidence connecting Nick to the murder, they cuffed him and dragged him down to the station. The officers don’t even try to look for other evidence that can connect him to the scene besides this little bit of evidence. If it was not for one of Nick’s friends, he would have been convicted of the crime that he did not commit.
Filled with mystery and mayhem, we are given the different perspectives between the three friends, and the views of the actual killer. It is strange to get into the minds of the killer, but I feel that it is a much need necessity in mystery novels, as it gives the readers a bit more information to the characters.
Overall I did enjoy this one much better than the first one. As well, I noticed that the 3rd novel of this series has come out, so I will defiantly be purchasing it sometime in the future.
Read On Darlings!
Such an interestingly scientific perspective to this mystery! I always love April Henry :)
mysterious
medium-paced
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Way to many unnecessary plot twists for my liking! Enjoyed the first book of the series much more.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I truly enjoyed this book. The only reason it didn't get four stars was because I was thrown off at the very beginning because it didn't match up and wasn't explained. Maybe just something that was forgotten about?