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knittyreader's review
3.0
'The Message on the 13th Floor' is a nice book in my opinion. I enjoyed reading it, the pace was good, and the characters were likable. It started great even in showing Meghan's life and making it very believable that even with a mother like hers, she and her sisters still loved their mom (like practically all kids do, even with bad parents), and that their mom loved them despite making the wrong decisions.
Of course there were some bits that could have been better. It would've been better without the instalove, and I would have loved the paranormal activities and spookiness to be paced out better. Now it felt more hurried in the end, as if the thought 'oh right, I started something with that, now I have to finish that storyline' appeared around 85% in. The bits of paranormal and spookiness that were in there were great though, and more of that would have been nice.
This would be a great read in the holiday season, either in a hotel (duh) or at the porch next to a lake.
I received a free copy to review. My opinions are my own.
Of course there were some bits that could have been better. It would've been better without the instalove, and I would have loved the paranormal activities and spookiness to be paced out better. Now it felt more hurried in the end, as if the thought 'oh right, I started something with that, now I have to finish that storyline' appeared around 85% in. The bits of paranormal and spookiness that were in there were great though, and more of that would have been nice.
This would be a great read in the holiday season, either in a hotel (duh) or at the porch next to a lake.
I received a free copy to review. My opinions are my own.
faerietears's review
mysterious
medium-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? No
4.25
This is my third Winter Lawrence book. I read her Gamer series and loved her writing style. So of course I HAD to read this one!
The Message on the 13th Floor starts off reading like a contemporary mystery as Megan tries to discover what has happened to her missing mother, Maggie May. But when messages, seemingly from beyond begin to appear, for Megan’s eyes only, things start to get weird.
I have to admit I started to get a little bored with the “contemporary mystery” portion of the book. There weren’t enough clues to hold my interest and drive the story forward. BUT when the paranormal came to light, I was HOOKED! And even as I was slightly bored with that middle portion, the writing was still great! I just wasn’t digging that part of the story.
The ending was perfect though. I’m not sure it could’ve ended any other way. Props to Winter for creating another wonderful, character driven story.
* Note: I do work for the publisher and designed the cover.
The Message on the 13th Floor starts off reading like a contemporary mystery as Megan tries to discover what has happened to her missing mother, Maggie May. But when messages, seemingly from beyond begin to appear, for Megan’s eyes only, things start to get weird.
I have to admit I started to get a little bored with the “contemporary mystery” portion of the book. There weren’t enough clues to hold my interest and drive the story forward. BUT when the paranormal came to light, I was HOOKED! And even as I was slightly bored with that middle portion, the writing was still great! I just wasn’t digging that part of the story.
The ending was perfect though. I’m not sure it could’ve ended any other way. Props to Winter for creating another wonderful, character driven story.
* Note: I do work for the publisher and designed the cover.
robynthereader's review
4.0
Such a great YA thriller! I've already got a copy on order for my 7th grade classroom, as I know my horror-obsessed middle schoolers will LOVE this one! I thought I had it all figured out, but was pleasantly surprised to find out I had no idea what was actually happening! I loved the supernatural vibes, and can't wait to hand this off to some spooky-loving readers!
booksmakemyheartgofast's review
3.0
5/5⭐️ and 1/5⭐️
Yes, it’s as confusing as it sounds.
This book is about an almost-18 year old girl named Meghan. Her mother is a bit of a… mess. With her fair shares of mental illnesses and substance(s) abuse. All the pressure of being a mother is being put on Meghan. But when her mother disappears, her troubles only worsen.
(Honestly the best way to understand is to look at my reading activity. Be prepared though, it was one hell of a rant—not like this review isn’t. I get very upset when a book i love (in the beginning) spirals down into… this)
So simply put, i loved, loved, loooved the first 40% where nothing paranormal happens. Just a girl taking care of her family and looking after clues to find her mother. God, this was fun to read! 5/5⭐️ no doubt.
But then the paranormal stuff happens.
I’ve seen it before. A really good build-up, and then it all kinda crumbles down. Surprisingly so, that didn’t happen. The first paranormal thing that happened was actually wonderfully written and so much fun to read.
But then around 50% of the book (at chapter 13 to be exact), it all did crumble down.
We’re introduced to some random man. A man which i thought would be some kind of ghost, or creep. But it ended up being a man cheating on his wife with Meghan’s mother. He had no character whatsoever and the only thing he was good for was fixing her money problem. He just gave her a shitload of money and that’s it. Great.
There also was a problem about one of her half sisters’ father returning and taking the girls away. This was made into a whole thing, but then ended up being basically nothing. Great!
Eventually they went to some random hotel that was “haunted”. This was the point where the book really lost me.
The freaking love interest.
He was described as a basic white boy who is “six feet tall, slim but muscular.” Wow, that has never been done before! Good job!
Yeah, anyways, i really didn’t like him. Mainly because introducing him—a boy with zero personality—made Meghans personality crumble too. It was so not her to fall head over heels for a guy she just met with HER MOTHER MISSING.
To be honest, i didn’t really pay attention after that. It was boring, i was sad and disappointed… and honestly just skipped chapters upon chapters to go back to the search on Meg’s mother.
Which finally happened, by the way. But in a way i’m not even sure I read right. Okay, i’m going to try and put this as nice as possible.
***spoiler alert***
The love interest (didn’t remember his name) introduces Meghan to some girl (who is made clear to be gay. Because no, we can’t have the love interest be friends with a girl and them just being platonic). A girl who apparently knows what happened to her mother. It was something along the lines of “a random girl once jumped off the roof of this hotel. She made a deal with the devil. That’s why there is a portal to hell on the 13th floor of this hotel.”
Yup, makes total sense. Thanks.
sigh
So eventually Meg finds her mother and the whole reason this is happening is because she hit her head and died! THAT’S IT.
***spoilers done***
I’m gonna give it 3 stars just for the beginning and because i think others could like it—since i’ve seen other reviews, and they really like it. I would definitely recommend to read those and just keep this in mind. Don’t let it ruin the book for you.
Pfff, anyways.
I need a break from this one…
(thanks, NetGalley)
Yes, it’s as confusing as it sounds.
This book is about an almost-18 year old girl named Meghan. Her mother is a bit of a… mess. With her fair shares of mental illnesses and substance(s) abuse. All the pressure of being a mother is being put on Meghan. But when her mother disappears, her troubles only worsen.
(Honestly the best way to understand is to look at my reading activity. Be prepared though, it was one hell of a rant—not like this review isn’t. I get very upset when a book i love (in the beginning) spirals down into… this)
So simply put, i loved, loved, loooved the first 40% where nothing paranormal happens. Just a girl taking care of her family and looking after clues to find her mother. God, this was fun to read! 5/5⭐️ no doubt.
But then the paranormal stuff happens.
I’ve seen it before. A really good build-up, and then it all kinda crumbles down. Surprisingly so, that didn’t happen. The first paranormal thing that happened was actually wonderfully written and so much fun to read.
But then around 50% of the book (at chapter 13 to be exact), it all did crumble down.
We’re introduced to some random man. A man which i thought would be some kind of ghost, or creep. But it ended up being a man cheating on his wife with Meghan’s mother. He had no character whatsoever and the only thing he was good for was fixing her money problem. He just gave her a shitload of money and that’s it. Great.
There also was a problem about one of her half sisters’ father returning and taking the girls away. This was made into a whole thing, but then ended up being basically nothing. Great!
Eventually they went to some random hotel that was “haunted”. This was the point where the book really lost me.
The freaking love interest.
He was described as a basic white boy who is “six feet tall, slim but muscular.” Wow, that has never been done before! Good job!
Yeah, anyways, i really didn’t like him. Mainly because introducing him—a boy with zero personality—made Meghans personality crumble too. It was so not her to fall head over heels for a guy she just met with HER MOTHER MISSING.
To be honest, i didn’t really pay attention after that. It was boring, i was sad and disappointed… and honestly just skipped chapters upon chapters to go back to the search on Meg’s mother.
Which finally happened, by the way. But in a way i’m not even sure I read right. Okay, i’m going to try and put this as nice as possible.
***spoiler alert***
The love interest (didn’t remember his name) introduces Meghan to some girl (who is made clear to be gay. Because no, we can’t have the love interest be friends with a girl and them just being platonic). A girl who apparently knows what happened to her mother. It was something along the lines of “a random girl once jumped off the roof of this hotel. She made a deal with the devil. That’s why there is a portal to hell on the 13th floor of this hotel.”
Yup, makes total sense. Thanks.
sigh
So eventually Meg finds her mother and the whole reason this is happening is because she hit her head and died! THAT’S IT.
***spoilers done***
I’m gonna give it 3 stars just for the beginning and because i think others could like it—since i’ve seen other reviews, and they really like it. I would definitely recommend to read those and just keep this in mind. Don’t let it ruin the book for you.
Pfff, anyways.
I need a break from this one…
(thanks, NetGalley)
chelle934's review
4.0
I was drawn to this book by the title and the cover. After reading The Message on the 13th floor I can say I was hooked! Meg is the only one at first who is concerned when her mother goes missing. For everyone else, it is just another one of her mothers disappearing for a few days bit. Her investigation leads Meg to the Bowery hotel where she finally gets answers about what happened to her mother. This was well written and I highly recommend this novel. I have nothing negative to say.
vaniavela's review
3.0
“I love you M &M.”
I wanted to read this book since I read the title and see the cover. The synopsis of this book seemed quite interesting to me: an irresponsible and disappearing mother, suddenly disappears for real and her daughter decides to look for her after receiving mysterious messages about where she possibly is.
The first part of the book had a good pace. I liked the way they showed the dynamics of the home and the reality of what it affects to be the daughters of an irresponsible mother. The first mystery messages seemed interesting to me and I was pleased to see how despite coming from an unstable home, the Meghan was able to succeed.
I think the problem was that they kept the same pace from start to finish. I would have liked to see more messages, not only in quantity but in variety. The elements of the elevator and the story behind it seemed somewhat convenient and bizarre. what was the possibility that everything will happen with the ex-girlfriend of the hotel worker? I got a little confused in that part
I would have liked to see a little more depth in the characters. Meghan's love interest was very empty in terms of personality: we did not know much about his relationships with others, hobbies, his activities outside the hotel, etc. I know that he tells Meghan and that she knows but unfortunately we are not Meghan and we do not get to know him as she did.
The last moment between the mother and Meghan seemed emotional to me although I could never fully understand how it ended in that situation. Also, I didn't like the final plotwist very much, I never imagined that that would happen and i know that's a plotwist but i was a bit surprised. I would have liked the culprit to pay for the crime but unfortunately we do not see it happen, so it was a bittersweet ending for me.
I thank NetGalley for this book and giving me the opportunity to read it. My final rate: 3.75/5
I wanted to read this book since I read the title and see the cover. The synopsis of this book seemed quite interesting to me: an irresponsible and disappearing mother, suddenly disappears for real and her daughter decides to look for her after receiving mysterious messages about where she possibly is.
The first part of the book had a good pace. I liked the way they showed the dynamics of the home and the reality of what it affects to be the daughters of an irresponsible mother. The first mystery messages seemed interesting to me and I was pleased to see how despite coming from an unstable home, the Meghan was able to succeed.
I think the problem was that they kept the same pace from start to finish. I would have liked to see more messages, not only in quantity but in variety. The elements of the elevator and the story behind it seemed somewhat convenient and bizarre. what was the possibility that everything will happen with the ex-girlfriend of the hotel worker? I got a little confused in that part
I would have liked to see a little more depth in the characters. Meghan's love interest was very empty in terms of personality: we did not know much about his relationships with others, hobbies, his activities outside the hotel, etc. I know that he tells Meghan and that she knows but unfortunately we are not Meghan and we do not get to know him as she did.
The last moment between the mother and Meghan seemed emotional to me although I could never fully understand how it ended in that situation. Also, I didn't like the final plotwist very much, I never imagined that that would happen and i know that's a plotwist but i was a bit surprised. I would have liked the culprit to pay for the crime but unfortunately we do not see it happen, so it was a bittersweet ending for me.
I thank NetGalley for this book and giving me the opportunity to read it. My final rate: 3.75/5
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