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3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
Could not really get into this novel. Way too much inappropriate language even though the main characters are high school students. I think the story would have been sustainable if the language, especially the use of "F..." was not used so prolifically in just the first 60 pages. Very disappointed as I thought the storyline was very interesting and would appeal to students.
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book is okay- One thing I like is how it is easy to read this book and the concept is very compelling. I also really liked Ti and Tammy. I do have many things I dislike about it such as Flynn being generally unlikable and having a complex. Everybody felt more interesting than him, I was very invested into learning more about Anton, Tammy, Micah, January, her step-father. So when I learned nothing new, it felt disappointing. It felt strange for Flynn to flirt and begin a new relationship even though January is missing or possibly dead.
Throughout the book it felt like there was no development between characters even within themselves and the mystery was not suspenseful or mysterious. The characters felt as if they share one voice.
Like many others said, the adults in the book felt stupid: The cops, the drama teacher, and the parents. Flynn desperately needs supervision and the cops need to be fired. I wish he gave his worried parents some slack.
Although, probably an unpopular opinion, I felt very sorry for Anton and January. Both of them need a better upbringing and professional help.
Still, despite its flaws, I felt engaged in the story. And I thank the author for writing it.
Throughout the book it felt like there was no development between characters even within themselves and the mystery was not suspenseful or mysterious. The characters felt as if they share one voice.
Like many others said, the adults in the book felt stupid: The cops, the drama teacher, and the parents. Flynn desperately needs supervision and the cops need to be fired. I wish he gave his worried parents some slack.
Although, probably an unpopular opinion, I felt very sorry for Anton and January. Both of them need a better upbringing and professional help.
Still, despite its flaws, I felt engaged in the story. And I thank the author for writing it.
Honestly I really like the book, the mystery was decent but I really thought that the coming of age story really shines.
So I've FINALLY found a good YA mystery this year!
#1 - This is an actual honest-to-goodness mystery. It has clues, red herrings, and suspects that aren't too obvious or too evil, plus the necessary twist at the end.
#2 - It balances a fantastic contemporary coming-of-age story alongside the mystery. And even though the MC gets a lot of feels, his emotions don't make him conveniently forget the danger or horror of his current situation.
#3 - Loved how Flynn slowly uncovered his girlfriend's secrets, and that nothing/nobody was quite what he originally assumed it/them to be.
#4 - Flynn isn't a super sleuth, he's just a teenager, and he investigates like a teenager. I enjoy this much more than teen protagonists who are too good at sleuthing, like they have decades of detective experience, or protagonists who rely on coincidence after coincidence, or protagonists who have unexplained access to information and resources no teenager would ever have. Flynn wasn't like that. He actually did what a teenager could do in this situation - talk to people and follow up by talking to more people. That makes it sound boring, but it wasn't, because the people were interesting and always gave Flynn something he wasn't expecting.
I will be adding this one to my hard copy book shelf. :)
#1 - This is an actual honest-to-goodness mystery. It has clues, red herrings, and suspects that aren't too obvious or too evil, plus the necessary twist at the end.
#2 - It balances a fantastic contemporary coming-of-age story alongside the mystery. And even though the MC gets a lot of feels, his emotions don't make him conveniently forget the danger or horror of his current situation.
#3 - Loved how Flynn slowly uncovered his girlfriend's secrets, and that nothing/nobody was quite what he originally assumed it/them to be.
#4 - Flynn isn't a super sleuth, he's just a teenager, and he investigates like a teenager. I enjoy this much more than teen protagonists who are too good at sleuthing, like they have decades of detective experience, or protagonists who rely on coincidence after coincidence, or protagonists who have unexplained access to information and resources no teenager would ever have. Flynn wasn't like that. He actually did what a teenager could do in this situation - talk to people and follow up by talking to more people. That makes it sound boring, but it wasn't, because the people were interesting and always gave Flynn something he wasn't expecting.
I will be adding this one to my hard copy book shelf. :)
It felt like it took forever to get started and the characters were kind of annoying at the beginning.
The book would have been better just as a coming out story to be honest. I felt that the mystery part of it was almost forced on the overall story line.
Took me a while to get through this one due to working on my own manuscript, but it was a great thriller to get caught up in, and a fantastic fall read! My only gripe is that the main character, Flynn, has a complex vocabulary that sort of defies who he is as a character. There isn’t really any indication that he’s this super-studious, highly-intelligent fifteen-year-old with the vocabulary of a Ph.D candidate.
Beyond that, the pacing is frenetic and AWESOME, especially in the last third of the book. I love that the “reveal” of the story was not exactly in line with what you’d expect, and I don’t want to give anything way, so I’ll just say...the last 20 or so pages, after you think everything is more or less wrapped up in a neat bow, you get thrown for a TOTAL loop.
Definitely would recommend this to anyone looking for a fun, thrilling read! Loved the mix of a thriller and an LGBT coming-out story. I stan Flaz!
Beyond that, the pacing is frenetic and AWESOME, especially in the last third of the book. I love that the “reveal” of the story was not exactly in line with what you’d expect, and I don’t want to give anything way, so I’ll just say...the last 20 or so pages, after you think everything is more or less wrapped up in a neat bow, you get thrown for a TOTAL loop.
Definitely would recommend this to anyone looking for a fun, thrilling read! Loved the mix of a thriller and an LGBT coming-out story. I stan Flaz!
Spoiler
There were so many aspects of this book I liked and would have enjoyed if not for literally everything that happened to January. The narrative around her got so gross, so many people in her direct household sexualised her beyond reason, there was a scene where her stepbrother rifles through her underwear right after finding her bloodsoaked clothes. And her ending is that because she was headstrong enough she faked her own death and ran away, at fifteen, traumatised by being raped and pregnant from that attack? What? How is that a good ending? She needs help, I don't care how supposedly strong she is. I'm happy for Flynn. But mostly I'm kinda left horrified. Back to contemporary and fantasy stuff I guess.
This book is very amazing. The thing I loved most, besides the intrigue, emotion, and fast pace of the story itself, was the vibrant word choice and strong descriptions. Literary devices painted an even more descriptive picture, so I could see exactly what was happening or how something looked in my head. The funny moments and dramatic twists made for a great story. I liked the combination of mystery and self-discovery themes. Caleb Roehrig is a superb writer, and I can't wait for more.
The emotion in this book was both haunting and moving; I don't remember the last time a book gave me so many goosebumps. :)
The emotion in this book was both haunting and moving; I don't remember the last time a book gave me so many goosebumps. :)
4 stars for the coming of age / self discovery aspects of the story. 1 star for the overwrought mystery and ridiculous scooby doo level reveal.