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holly__'s review against another edition
3.0
The concept was really cool and always had you wondering. However, I found the writing style to be a little difficult to follow sometimes. Progression of time wasn’t always portrayed and I had to re-read sentences to fully grasp what was happening. Overall I don’t regret reading.
marieintheraw's review
4.0
why do blurbs feel like they need to describe half the story?
review: https://amberinoface.wordpress.com/2016/07/20/the-may-queen-murders-by-sarah-jude-review/
I received an Arc of this through a Goodreads giveaway; however all opinions are my own.
review: https://amberinoface.wordpress.com/2016/07/20/the-may-queen-murders-by-sarah-jude-review/
I received an Arc of this through a Goodreads giveaway; however all opinions are my own.
ambeesbookishpages's review
4.0
The full review + more can be found at The Book Bratz
First off, can we just look at the cover. The colors, typography, the darkness of it. It screams mystery. I am obsessed with it. The moment I discovered this book (Of course, I see the cover and had to see what it was about) I knew I would have to read it one day. The May Queen Murders, was interesting, thrilling, and left me on the edge of my seat for what was going to happen next.
Ivy was a likable character, she loves how superstitious things are and is content with the life Heather, her cousin and best friend have. Heather isn't so content though. Ivy was at a lost for words when Heather starting pulling away from her, keeping secrets, making hasty decisions, it wasn't the girl Ivy was use too. Then Heather goes missing and Ivy learns all new things about the life she thought she was living, the people she is living among, and her best friend. Though, there were moments where I found Ivy to be incredibly stupid. Girl, there is a curfew for a reason. Follow it. Don't get your self killed. It isn't that hard.
I really love the setting of this book. I could only imagine the beauty of the sites of the Missouri Ozarks, where the Glen is located. I just enjoyed the simpleness of their life. Society is so wrapped up in technology and ways to make things simpler, and these people didn't succumb to the hustle and bustle of it. They stuck with themselves and thrived in a modern day society. In a sense they reminded me of the Amish, only less Amish. (If that makes sense?)
In my opinion the mystery was done well in this book. I liked that the further you went in the book the more you learned about Heather. I found the murder of the animals to be bone chilling and an eerie touch to a community that was already on the edge with superstition. The climax of the story was the real shocker. There are three people who are involved in this murder, and one that was committed nearly 25 years earlier. Jude did a good job at balancing several different mysteries, to wrap up the biggest mystery of all.
Overall I really liked The May Queen Murders. Jude managed to balance all the elements of the story out, to keep is running smooth. It was thrilling, mysterious and eerie all wrapped into one.
First off, can we just look at the cover. The colors, typography, the darkness of it. It screams mystery. I am obsessed with it. The moment I discovered this book (Of course, I see the cover and had to see what it was about) I knew I would have to read it one day. The May Queen Murders, was interesting, thrilling, and left me on the edge of my seat for what was going to happen next.
Ivy was a likable character, she loves how superstitious things are and is content with the life Heather, her cousin and best friend have. Heather isn't so content though. Ivy was at a lost for words when Heather starting pulling away from her, keeping secrets, making hasty decisions, it wasn't the girl Ivy was use too. Then Heather goes missing and Ivy learns all new things about the life she thought she was living, the people she is living among, and her best friend. Though, there were moments where I found Ivy to be incredibly stupid. Girl, there is a curfew for a reason. Follow it. Don't get your self killed. It isn't that hard.
I really love the setting of this book. I could only imagine the beauty of the sites of the Missouri Ozarks, where the Glen is located. I just enjoyed the simpleness of their life. Society is so wrapped up in technology and ways to make things simpler, and these people didn't succumb to the hustle and bustle of it. They stuck with themselves and thrived in a modern day society. In a sense they reminded me of the Amish, only less Amish. (If that makes sense?)
In my opinion the mystery was done well in this book. I liked that the further you went in the book the more you learned about Heather. I found the murder of the animals to be bone chilling and an eerie touch to a community that was already on the edge with superstition. The climax of the story was the real shocker. There are three people who are involved in this murder, and one that was committed nearly 25 years earlier. Jude did a good job at balancing several different mysteries, to wrap up the biggest mystery of all.
Overall I really liked The May Queen Murders. Jude managed to balance all the elements of the story out, to keep is running smooth. It was thrilling, mysterious and eerie all wrapped into one.
saschabookishowl's review
4.0
Honestly, this book was a cover buy and I didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I did. Yes, there were some flaws to this book, but it is a debut novel.
What I enjoyed the most was the setting. I was looking for this really creepy story that takes place in a small secluded town/community, and that is exactly what I got. Sometimes, to me, the creepy small town isn't that creepy or doesn't give me this feeling that it is a really interesting community, but this one did. I also liked the naming system they used in the town, the setting with the water and the forest, and the distinction between the Glen folk and other people (also in the school).
Beside the setting I really enjoyed the mystery itself. A lot of times in YA, I find the mystery very predictable or not that interesting. But here there were a lot of twists and turns that I didn't see coming. The goriness of what was going on and the superstition of the Glen folk made the mystery even more appealing to me. I was hooked and read it almost in one sitting.
The characters were OK for me, given that it is quite a short and plot driven book, leaving not so much space to develop the characters (although the main character Ivy was my least favorite character).
There were two reasons why I couldn't give this five stars. First, in the first 50 pages or so I couldn't really get into it because of the writing style. Some words/slang I didn't understand at first because the author didn't explain it or I missed it (like the 'rollers'). Also, I had to go back a couple of sentences from time to time because I felt like I missed something, or because there was this weird jump in the story. However, once I got used to the writing style I did find it quite beautiful and suited to describe this superstitious community.
The second negative point was the illogical behavior of the characters, especially the main character. For example, in the beginning, it is described that the kids from the Glen don't fit in at school and are bullied and physically abused by the other kids, so the kids from the Glen never roam the school alone. What does the main character Ivy do? She goes into a deserted stairwell, alone...Then she hears someone coming, does she exit the staircase? No. She just stands there.. As soon as animals start getting killed and people are warned not to go out alone, what does Ivy do? She walks around alone. Sure, she has some issues with her best friend and cousin Heather, but there are other kids of her age in the Glen to walk to school with and in general wandering around alone in the woods is a bad idea at this point.
Also, at some point Ivy sees things and finds out things related to the mystery. Does she tell her parents of what she suspects? No. She thinks she is in danger, she sees someone at her window. Does she tell her parents, anyone? No. This consistent illogical or maybe just dumb behavior started to annoy me after a while.
But like I said, overall I really enjoyed the mystery and the setting of this fast paced book.
What I enjoyed the most was the setting. I was looking for this really creepy story that takes place in a small secluded town/community, and that is exactly what I got. Sometimes, to me, the creepy small town isn't that creepy or doesn't give me this feeling that it is a really interesting community, but this one did. I also liked the naming system they used in the town, the setting with the water and the forest, and the distinction between the Glen folk and other people (also in the school).
Beside the setting I really enjoyed the mystery itself. A lot of times in YA, I find the mystery very predictable or not that interesting. But here there were a lot of twists and turns that I didn't see coming. The goriness of what was going on and the superstition of the Glen folk made the mystery even more appealing to me. I was hooked and read it almost in one sitting.
The characters were OK for me, given that it is quite a short and plot driven book, leaving not so much space to develop the characters (although the main character Ivy was my least favorite character).
There were two reasons why I couldn't give this five stars. First, in the first 50 pages or so I couldn't really get into it because of the writing style. Some words/slang I didn't understand at first because the author didn't explain it or I missed it (like the 'rollers'). Also, I had to go back a couple of sentences from time to time because I felt like I missed something, or because there was this weird jump in the story. However, once I got used to the writing style I did find it quite beautiful and suited to describe this superstitious community.
The second negative point was the illogical behavior of the characters, especially the main character. For example, in the beginning, it is described that the kids from the Glen don't fit in at school and are bullied and physically abused by the other kids, so the kids from the Glen never roam the school alone. What does the main character Ivy do? She goes into a deserted stairwell, alone...Then she hears someone coming, does she exit the staircase? No. She just stands there.. As soon as animals start getting killed and people are warned not to go out alone, what does Ivy do? She walks around alone. Sure, she has some issues with her best friend and cousin Heather, but there are other kids of her age in the Glen to walk to school with and in general wandering around alone in the woods is a bad idea at this point.
Also, at some point Ivy sees things and finds out things related to the mystery. Does she tell her parents of what she suspects? No. She thinks she is in danger, she sees someone at her window. Does she tell her parents, anyone? No. This consistent illogical or maybe just dumb behavior started to annoy me after a while.
But like I said, overall I really enjoyed the mystery and the setting of this fast paced book.
Spoiler
It really reminded me of my favorite horror movie, The Village.sel21's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
brokenchell's review
2.0
I really liked the concept of this storyline and it had major potential. Reading it was a struggle, it took a very long time to figure out the time period, it got very confusing. Thoughts were jumbled and ran on at times taking from the story. I really wanted to like it more but I just couldn't get into it, this was not a story for me.
erincataldi's review
3.0
Cool concept, slightly creepy, and amazing setting, but this wasn't a slam dunk for me. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed it and read it mostly in one sitting, but the ending was too intricate and over-involved for my taste. Rowan's Glen is an odd little community, almost cultish in their old beliefs and attitudes, but really, more old world and secluded. Ivy and her best friend Heather, have never had any secrets between them, but overnight that practically changes. Heather starts seeing someone and sneaking off with townies and Ivy gets concerned. Especially when mutilated animal corpses are becoming a common occurrence and the legend of Birch Markle re-surges. Many years ago the May Day queen was viciously murdered by the unstable madman Birch, and for years Glen folks have thought he had retreated into the woods for good. But when the mutilated animal carcasses appear, bad omens come, and Heather disappears, many believe he has come back for good. Ivy is determined to figure out what's going on, save her friend, and stay alive. Dark and creepy, this was a fun book to read at night. I wish I loved it more.
justlily's review
3.0
I really enjoyed this and if you are looking for a good, atmospheric read to get you going with your fall reading, this could do it. The story moves quickly, pulls you in from the very start. The background superstitions and stories of the Ozark's add so much feeling to it.
Also can we talk about this cover? Holy underrated. I like it more every time I look at it.
The biggest disappointment for me was going to Sarah Jude's page afterwards and seeing that she hasn't published any more books. She's definitely an author I'll keep my eye out for after this.
Also can we talk about this cover? Holy underrated. I like it more every time I look at it.
The biggest disappointment for me was going to Sarah Jude's page afterwards and seeing that she hasn't published any more books. She's definitely an author I'll keep my eye out for after this.