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julies_reading 's review for:
She's Too Pretty to Burn
by Wendy Heard
Veronica is a photographer. Mick hates getting her picture taken. When they meet, sparks fly, and they soon get into an intense relationship that may not be entirely healthy as they encounter an underground illegal art scene that may be more than they bargained for.
My full thoughts for this will be in an upcoming vlog before the year is out, so if you don't want to be spoiled for my thoughts, read no further!
What did I think of this? I'm definitely conflicted. Let's start with what I loved, before I go onto what I didn't love and what I'm unsure about. First off, I was really into the writing. I loved how all of the art stuff was described, it really painted a picture (wink, wink) in your mind that will stand out for a long time. I love books that have to do with art, and I'm really interested in the side of the art scene that is disruptive or activist or somewhat performed. This was also one of the most digestible books I've read in a long time; I was absolutely flying through the pages like they were air, never once getting distracted or looking at the page count. I loved the high stakes of this. This felt pretty no-holds-barred in terms of what could happen to the characters. The pacing and plot were solid, even if I'm less sure about the ending.
Next, what I disliked. Mick and Veronica's relationship is at the center of this story. I get why they are into each other, but they seem to actually develop the relationship off the page. That really bothered me. I need to have a reason to be invested in this relationship.
Last, what I'm conflicted about. And that's quite a bit. I'm not sure I loved how this relationship was portrayed? Is it supposed to be a loving relationship - in which case it missed the mark because we see them argue too much for that - or is it supposed to be a toxic one - in which case the ending in regards to the relationship makes no sense, they don't feel like they've changed their patterns. Then there's the fact that this is inspired by The Picture of Dorian Gray. I thought this was going to be more of a retelling, but it really was more like a starting point for the rest of it and the archetypes/dynamics of our three main characters. I was expecting more themes that would be similar to those in the original, and I didn't think this had that; I'm conflicted on whether I should fault the book for that?
Overall, this was a fun and fast paced YA thriller that I absolutely blasted through. I'm not sure about how some non-thriller things were executed, but I definitely would trust the writing and the thriller aspects from this author again. I'll definitely be looking into her adult titles.
Mini spoiler thoughts because I can't do this review without alluding to it:
My full thoughts for this will be in an upcoming vlog before the year is out, so if you don't want to be spoiled for my thoughts, read no further!
What did I think of this? I'm definitely conflicted. Let's start with what I loved, before I go onto what I didn't love and what I'm unsure about. First off, I was really into the writing. I loved how all of the art stuff was described, it really painted a picture (wink, wink) in your mind that will stand out for a long time. I love books that have to do with art, and I'm really interested in the side of the art scene that is disruptive or activist or somewhat performed. This was also one of the most digestible books I've read in a long time; I was absolutely flying through the pages like they were air, never once getting distracted or looking at the page count. I loved the high stakes of this. This felt pretty no-holds-barred in terms of what could happen to the characters. The pacing and plot were solid, even if I'm less sure about the ending.
Next, what I disliked. Mick and Veronica's relationship is at the center of this story. I get why they are into each other, but they seem to actually develop the relationship off the page. That really bothered me. I need to have a reason to be invested in this relationship.
Last, what I'm conflicted about. And that's quite a bit. I'm not sure I loved how this relationship was portrayed? Is it supposed to be a loving relationship - in which case it missed the mark because we see them argue too much for that - or is it supposed to be a toxic one - in which case the ending in regards to the relationship makes no sense, they don't feel like they've changed their patterns. Then there's the fact that this is inspired by The Picture of Dorian Gray. I thought this was going to be more of a retelling, but it really was more like a starting point for the rest of it and the archetypes/dynamics of our three main characters. I was expecting more themes that would be similar to those in the original, and I didn't think this had that; I'm conflicted on whether I should fault the book for that?
Overall, this was a fun and fast paced YA thriller that I absolutely blasted through. I'm not sure about how some non-thriller things were executed, but I definitely would trust the writing and the thriller aspects from this author again. I'll definitely be looking into her adult titles.
Mini spoiler thoughts because I can't do this review without alluding to it: