Scan barcode
amandadevoursbooks's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
The promise of this book is great. Queer monster Thelma and Louise as a YA novel. YES. YES. YES. With a dog. YES. I love all these things. The writing is tight, fast-paced, and it pushed me through the novel beautifully.
Riley's mom is at work. Her classmates at her new school are at homecoming, and Riley is home with her dog. Suddenly, the town catches fire and Riley hops in the car with her dog and evacuates. On the way she picks up a mysterious hot class mate. As they drive across the US, they are chased by mysterious figures, and not is all what it seems. It's a classic road trip, coming of age story that focuses on who the real monsters are.
There was a bit of pacing issues right at the end. It short changed the relationship between the dad and daughter. My biggest issue was mid-book there was just some blatant fat phobia and diet culture that I wish had been handled differently.
If you like YA fantasy, monsters, road trips, forced proximity, bad parents, and the good guys being chased, check this out. You might like it.
If towns going up in flames and killing thousands of people is too much right now, I would suggest skipping this.
Riley's mom is at work. Her classmates at her new school are at homecoming, and Riley is home with her dog. Suddenly, the town catches fire and Riley hops in the car with her dog and evacuates. On the way she picks up a mysterious hot class mate. As they drive across the US, they are chased by mysterious figures, and not is all what it seems. It's a classic road trip, coming of age story that focuses on who the real monsters are.
There was a bit of pacing issues right at the end. It short changed the relationship between the dad and daughter. My biggest issue was mid-book there was just some blatant fat phobia and diet culture that I wish had been handled differently.
If you like YA fantasy, monsters, road trips, forced proximity, bad parents, and the good guys being chased, check this out. You might like it.
If towns going up in flames and killing thousands of people is too much right now, I would suggest skipping this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, and Gore
Moderate: Gun violence and Violence
Minor: Body shaming and Sexual harassment
kuurankero's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Body horror, Death, and Vomit
Moderate: Grief and Sexual harassment
More...