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3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
"If I can't feel the good things anymore, then doing a few bad ones shouldn't hurt a bit.
And they are long overdue."
I got this book in a box from The Bookish Box a long time ago, before I was actually subscribed to get them every month. I had just ordered the box this particular month, enjoyed the goodies and placed the book on my shelf. In my desperate attempt to read all of the books on my shelf that I haven't read yet, I decided to pick this one up.
Let me start by saying I have been impressed with every book I have read from The Bookish Box so far. They clearly take the time to make sure the books they are choosing are not only beautiful special editions but also quality and entertaining literature as well. So if you haven't already guessed, I really enjoyed this book.
In this Edgar Allen Poe retelling, Tress and Felicity are from different sides of the tracks, and former friends. Felicity was there the night that Tress's parents mysteriously disappeared, and thinking Felicity knows more than she's letting on, Tress decides to get to the bottom of it in whatever way she can...
This book kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. Every single character is flawed and unlikeable, but I can really respect a book like that. It makes them all seem much more well-rounded and realistic, but it definitely doesn't leave you with warm-fuzzy feelings, so if that's what you're looking for this book is definitely not for you. But the thriller/horror aspect of this book was so engaging and disturbing in the best way.
My only complaint is that I didn't think the "chapters" from the panther's point of view were necessary at all. I'm not that familiar with Poe's work, so perhaps it's a nod to that, but I found it to be weird and confusing and didn't really add much to the story at all, except for I suppose an ominous lingering presence.
But other than that, I really enjoyed this book and was shocked when it ended on a cliffhanger. I read the majority of this book in one day, so I was definitely excited to pick up the sequel!
And they are long overdue."
I got this book in a box from The Bookish Box a long time ago, before I was actually subscribed to get them every month. I had just ordered the box this particular month, enjoyed the goodies and placed the book on my shelf. In my desperate attempt to read all of the books on my shelf that I haven't read yet, I decided to pick this one up.
Let me start by saying I have been impressed with every book I have read from The Bookish Box so far. They clearly take the time to make sure the books they are choosing are not only beautiful special editions but also quality and entertaining literature as well. So if you haven't already guessed, I really enjoyed this book.
In this Edgar Allen Poe retelling, Tress and Felicity are from different sides of the tracks, and former friends. Felicity was there the night that Tress's parents mysteriously disappeared, and thinking Felicity knows more than she's letting on, Tress decides to get to the bottom of it in whatever way she can...
This book kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. Every single character is flawed and unlikeable, but I can really respect a book like that. It makes them all seem much more well-rounded and realistic, but it definitely doesn't leave you with warm-fuzzy feelings, so if that's what you're looking for this book is definitely not for you. But the thriller/horror aspect of this book was so engaging and disturbing in the best way.
My only complaint is that I didn't think the "chapters" from the panther's point of view were necessary at all. I'm not that familiar with Poe's work, so perhaps it's a nod to that, but I found it to be weird and confusing and didn't really add much to the story at all, except for I suppose an ominous lingering presence.
But other than that, I really enjoyed this book and was shocked when it ended on a cliffhanger. I read the majority of this book in one day, so I was definitely excited to pick up the sequel!
Thanks to edelweiss and NetGalley and the publisher for copies of this (I got overexcited and requested on both sites oops :’))
I want to give this 5 stars but I just don’t know how I feel right now. Mindy McGinnis knows how to mf WRITE. And she knows how to write some fucked up shit that’ll make your stomach hurt. Trigger central.
And she’s really gone and done it this time since this is book one in a duology - and book one leaves off on a VERY time sensitive matter. And book two like... doesn’t even have a publication date right now. So I’m a bit stressed about holding this story in my brain for a year.
Essentially, Tress and Felicity live in a small town where your family name is important. They were best friends until one night when Tress’s parents and Felicity went missing together and only Felicity came back. Felicity doesn’t remember what happened, and Tress falls from grace pretty quickly as she goes to live with her weird and drunk grandfather. He has some exotic animals on his farm and Tress becomes almost sort of feral in a way from the lack of nurture and the farm work. There’s just a lot of factors that ended in their friendship ending.
Tress has no clue what happened to her parents but she really thinks Felicity does. Of course, Felicity can’t remember, but Tress thinks under certain circumstances, it’ll all come back to Felicity.
Well, there’s going to be one last party at an old house in town before it gets torn down and everyone is going. Tress and Felicity meet up and something stressful goes down - I forgot to reread the synopsis before going in so I had no clue what was going to happen so I highly recommend just diving in blindly if you can!!
Also, this story is based on some works of Edgar Allan Poe, but I’m tragically unfamiliar other than recognizing the names Usher and Amontillado. I want to say that might give you a hint at the tone of the story, but genuinely it’s probably worse. If you’re sensitive, this might not be the story for you, or else tread lightly. It gets pretty graphic at times.
The characters have realistic reactions to things around them, there’s a pretty realistic representation of class struggle, and none of the characters are morally black or white at all. It’s hard to know if you like a character in this story, for sure. But even though the story LARGELY centers on Tress and Felicity, there’s a few fully fleshed out supporting characters that add to the atmosphere.
Without giving too much away, this story is about the seemingly small transgressions that Tress has perceived from Felicity, and then Felicity’s side of the story proving that intentions or reality was at times much different. It brings the question - what’s more important, intention or perception? If you hurt someone’s feelings but didn’t mean to, how off the hook are you? At what point is it accidental enough that you’re not morally responsible at all? Does it at some point just become the other person’s fault because they can’t just let things go? Yeah, these girls’ dynamic is a really interesting one and this story is really just a head shaker when you think about it all when it’s over.
Basically I don’t know what I’ve just read, and I don’t know how I’ll cope with the wait for book two. I’m not sure who I’d recommend this to - it’s sort of white trash gothic sort of Shameless-esque mixed with high school drama a la The Clique series. It’s a quick read, so if it sounds intriguing definitely give it a shot! But for real, if you’re sensitive to reading graphic things, including things involving pets, make sure you’re prepared when you go in.
I want to give this 5 stars but I just don’t know how I feel right now. Mindy McGinnis knows how to mf WRITE. And she knows how to write some fucked up shit that’ll make your stomach hurt. Trigger central.
And she’s really gone and done it this time since this is book one in a duology - and book one leaves off on a VERY time sensitive matter. And book two like... doesn’t even have a publication date right now. So I’m a bit stressed about holding this story in my brain for a year.
Essentially, Tress and Felicity live in a small town where your family name is important. They were best friends until one night when Tress’s parents and Felicity went missing together and only Felicity came back. Felicity doesn’t remember what happened, and Tress falls from grace pretty quickly as she goes to live with her weird and drunk grandfather. He has some exotic animals on his farm and Tress becomes almost sort of feral in a way from the lack of nurture and the farm work. There’s just a lot of factors that ended in their friendship ending.
Tress has no clue what happened to her parents but she really thinks Felicity does. Of course, Felicity can’t remember, but Tress thinks under certain circumstances, it’ll all come back to Felicity.
Well, there’s going to be one last party at an old house in town before it gets torn down and everyone is going. Tress and Felicity meet up and something stressful goes down - I forgot to reread the synopsis before going in so I had no clue what was going to happen so I highly recommend just diving in blindly if you can!!
Also, this story is based on some works of Edgar Allan Poe, but I’m tragically unfamiliar other than recognizing the names Usher and Amontillado. I want to say that might give you a hint at the tone of the story, but genuinely it’s probably worse. If you’re sensitive, this might not be the story for you, or else tread lightly. It gets pretty graphic at times.
The characters have realistic reactions to things around them, there’s a pretty realistic representation of class struggle, and none of the characters are morally black or white at all. It’s hard to know if you like a character in this story, for sure. But even though the story LARGELY centers on Tress and Felicity, there’s a few fully fleshed out supporting characters that add to the atmosphere.
Without giving too much away, this story is about the seemingly small transgressions that Tress has perceived from Felicity, and then Felicity’s side of the story proving that intentions or reality was at times much different. It brings the question - what’s more important, intention or perception? If you hurt someone’s feelings but didn’t mean to, how off the hook are you? At what point is it accidental enough that you’re not morally responsible at all? Does it at some point just become the other person’s fault because they can’t just let things go? Yeah, these girls’ dynamic is a really interesting one and this story is really just a head shaker when you think about it all when it’s over.
Basically I don’t know what I’ve just read, and I don’t know how I’ll cope with the wait for book two. I’m not sure who I’d recommend this to - it’s sort of white trash gothic sort of Shameless-esque mixed with high school drama a la The Clique series. It’s a quick read, so if it sounds intriguing definitely give it a shot! But for real, if you’re sensitive to reading graphic things, including things involving pets, make sure you’re prepared when you go in.
Poe-inspired friendship gone wrong in a town where your name means everything or nothing. And the secrets run deep.
This one started slow, but once the pace picked up, I was definitely hooked. But.....I am left with soooooooo many questions, and I do not like that. I can't list the questions, because......spoilers, but if you read this one, please reach out to discuss. I see now that this is a duology so maybe some of my questions will be answered in the next book? It just feels like this should be a standalone with no questions left remaining.....
Edgar Allen Poe walked so Mindy McGinnis could run, and she sure did run with this book
Nastassja’s review nails this book, basically.
I would like to add: WHAT is up with the cat part, didnt even read those bits.
I wouldn’t have even finished this book if i wasnt interested in the end and thankfully thats where it actually got good! So ill be reading the sequel. Otherwise just skip it, aint worth it.
I would like to add: WHAT is up with the cat part, didnt even read those bits.
I wouldn’t have even finished this book if i wasnt interested in the end and thankfully thats where it actually got good! So ill be reading the sequel. Otherwise just skip it, aint worth it.
Definitely not what I thought it would be. This is way more creepy than what I thought it would be. I was confused through part of it but when I was understanding it I liked it
oh my god???? i haven't read whichever edgar allan poe story this is a retelling of, so i can't speak to its accuracy and what not, but oh. my. god?!?!? i could not put this book down. wish i had the sequel already
I think there are some younger teens who would like this, but for me, it didn’t transcend to an adult audience. I also felt like I didn’t “get” the poetry in between the story...but that might be reader error. Overall, I think I came in with high expectations and was disappointed.
Another good one by Mindy McGinnis! I can’t wait for the sequel. All of her stuff rocks!