Scan barcode
ludacrystal414's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. I enjoyed it. The ending was rushed, but everything was wrapped up. Good debut novel. Looking forward to the next book by Krysten Ritter.
djshire's review against another edition
2.0
Two stars but I didn’t finish. I just couldn’t get into it.
starthelostgirl's review
2.0
This is not a good book. I wanted to love it so badly, because the talent is there, but it just fell flat in every way. I did not care at all about a single character in this book. They were all flat and dull. Abby is messed up over a weird thing that happened in high school and it is never explained why she cares so much. She immediately ends up in romantic situations with two guys for no apparent reason. Abby conveniently recalls crucial details of a twenty-year-old incident that she apparently embedded into her psyche, despite not remembering them until now. The main mystery is honestly very boring and not fun to read about. They are investigating whether a local company is polluting the water and then no one cares at all when they prove that to be true. The real mystery is so convoluted, contrived, and ludicrous that even the best suspension-of-disbelief could not get me to swallow it. There are so many semicolons in this book (sometimes up to a dozen per page) that it actually distracted me.
The climax was incredibly exciting and had me on the edge of my seat, but the total disregard for anything resembling realism left me feeling disappointed when I had turned the last page. I think Ritter can do so much better with a solid plot, some character development, and a better editor.
The climax was incredibly exciting and had me on the edge of my seat, but the total disregard for anything resembling realism left me feeling disappointed when I had turned the last page. I think Ritter can do so much better with a solid plot, some character development, and a better editor.
chaosandbooks's review against another edition
4.0
I was pleasantly surprised when I found out Krysten Ritter was writing a book. I love her as an actress and think her skills and comedic timing are perfect, plus she has a strong voice during interviews I've watched her in. So naturally, I was interested to see what she would bring to the table as an author. I can happily report I hope she begins a future in some directing and scriptwriting because I think she would be very talented at it.
Bonfire was an intense thriller, a genre I usually avoid because they either bore or irk me to no end. I know my interests lie in fantasy and that's where I tend to stay, but lately I've been trying to branch out. In places, I think Bonfire did have a pacing that was a bit slow but the plot itself made up for it.
The main character finds herself going back to her hometown to investigate a shady company and uncovers a plot deeper than she imagined that ties into her experiences with bullying in high school. Ritter brings a lot of deep and important themes to the table and doesn't disappoint in her messages. She also creates the same strong and rough-around-the-edges female lead that I could picture her playing in a role. In fact, if this ever became a mini-series (which I think it would do well in maybe eight parts) she would be the perfect casting choice. Full of the snark reminiscent of Jessica Jones, this book was delightful and wicked in that aspect.
The thriller lived up to its genre and included a serious plot twist I didn't see coming. While a bit confusing with the occasional backflashes, I'm glad it all tied up nicely and wrapped up the loose ends. This was a great debut novel and I think Ritter might have a future in writing should she pick up the pen again.
Bonfire was an intense thriller, a genre I usually avoid because they either bore or irk me to no end. I know my interests lie in fantasy and that's where I tend to stay, but lately I've been trying to branch out. In places, I think Bonfire did have a pacing that was a bit slow but the plot itself made up for it.
The main character finds herself going back to her hometown to investigate a shady company and uncovers a plot deeper than she imagined that ties into her experiences with bullying in high school. Ritter brings a lot of deep and important themes to the table and doesn't disappoint in her messages. She also creates the same strong and rough-around-the-edges female lead that I could picture her playing in a role. In fact, if this ever became a mini-series (which I think it would do well in maybe eight parts) she would be the perfect casting choice. Full of the snark reminiscent of Jessica Jones, this book was delightful and wicked in that aspect.
The thriller lived up to its genre and included a serious plot twist I didn't see coming. While a bit confusing with the occasional backflashes, I'm glad it all tied up nicely and wrapped up the loose ends. This was a great debut novel and I think Ritter might have a future in writing should she pick up the pen again.
labunnywtf's review against another edition
4.0
Read for Book Roast's Charms Extra Credit Readathon. Spell: Incendio - 'Fire' in the title
Kaycee was the leader. So when she got sick, we, the senior girls of Barrens High, weren't horrified or disturbed or worried.
We were jealous.
We all secretly hoped we'd be next.
This is pretty standard mystery stuff here. A woman returns to her hometown, where adolescent trauma happened in full effect. Now she's a successful lawyer, investigating possible environmental crimes dating back to her high school years.
But beyond the environmental mumbo jumbo that I wasn't really looking forward to is something a lot deeper, a lot darker, and definitely a lot more sinister. While coming to terms with what happened to her all those years ago, and what is still happening, our protagonist Abby uncovers a hell of a lot more than she was prepared for.
I probably wouldn't have picked this up if it weren't for the author, truth be told. I saw it on display at my library and did a double take, wondering if it was the same Krysten Ritter. And props to her, because this is extremely well written. There's no doubt in my mind that she's a force to be reckoned with creatively. I wouldn't object to seeing this in movie form.
There are issues, certainly. There's a steady recurring theme of Abby being broken and toxic, and while it's a fantastic metaphor, it gets really redundant after awhile.
But I found the big reveals very well done, and very pointed commentary on the world. I would absolutely recommend this for people who enjoy a good strong mystery. Better than most.
Kaycee was the leader. So when she got sick, we, the senior girls of Barrens High, weren't horrified or disturbed or worried.
We were jealous.
We all secretly hoped we'd be next.
This is pretty standard mystery stuff here. A woman returns to her hometown, where adolescent trauma happened in full effect. Now she's a successful lawyer, investigating possible environmental crimes dating back to her high school years.
But beyond the environmental mumbo jumbo that I wasn't really looking forward to is something a lot deeper, a lot darker, and definitely a lot more sinister. While coming to terms with what happened to her all those years ago, and what is still happening, our protagonist Abby uncovers a hell of a lot more than she was prepared for.
I probably wouldn't have picked this up if it weren't for the author, truth be told. I saw it on display at my library and did a double take, wondering if it was the same Krysten Ritter. And props to her, because this is extremely well written. There's no doubt in my mind that she's a force to be reckoned with creatively. I wouldn't object to seeing this in movie form.
There are issues, certainly. There's a steady recurring theme of Abby being broken and toxic, and while it's a fantastic metaphor, it gets really redundant after awhile.
But I found the big reveals very well done, and very pointed commentary on the world. I would absolutely recommend this for people who enjoy a good strong mystery. Better than most.
icarussfalls's review
4.0
Really 3.5 stars but I accept the rest of the other half. A cliche thriller of a small town girl coming back to her roots. Still - it had that Ritter flare when it came to the well developed Abby. And I couldn’t help but force myself to stop thinking her as a soft Jessica Jones with each page I quickly turned to continue on.
alexandrafren's review against another edition
Bad writing, poor pacing, just a mess.
herm333s's review against another edition
2.0
*exhales* I was really rooting for this one.
Krysten Ritter’s writing was quite enjoyable and her frequent use of similes worked rather well with what at first seemed a darker story.
I was expecting so much more from this plot and from the build up, to then read The Girl on the Train’s messy ending all over again— this time in a boat.
Those last pages felt as if they were written by someone else. Abby Williams’s arc felt promising at the beginning and her straightforwardness made me think that Ritter was bringing new dimensions to the already exploited archetype in the thriller genre. But of course, drugs and alcohol: no easier plot device.
And what happened to the whole pages spent on the environmental aspect of the story? This could have been an excellent and relatable discussion to explore even further.
Krysten Ritter’s writing was quite enjoyable and her frequent use of similes worked rather well with what at first seemed a darker story.
I was expecting so much more from this plot and from the build up, to then read The Girl on the Train’s messy ending all over again— this time in a boat.
Those last pages felt as if they were written by someone else. Abby Williams’s arc felt promising at the beginning and her straightforwardness made me think that Ritter was bringing new dimensions to the already exploited archetype in the thriller genre. But of course, drugs and alcohol: no easier plot device.
And what happened to the whole pages spent on the environmental aspect of the story? This could have been an excellent and relatable discussion to explore even further.
brookemaarie's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0