southernbibliomom 's review for:

As Good As Dead by Holly Jackson

4.25

dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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I think this is my favorite of the trilogy. Pip is still dealing with what happened in the last book. Struggling to move past it, she turns to unhealthy coping. Max is free. Stanley is dead and no one mourns him but her. Charlie is still on the run. But as a darker shadow rises, Pip begins to understand that it’s all been a circle and that in order to save herself she must first save herself. While this is my favorite because it is darker and grittier and I think deals more realistically with a teen being in these dangerous situations, I also thought one aspect was predictable. In this story Pip begins researching a serial killer in the area. Everyone thinks they caught him and he’s in jail, but Pip begins to suspect he’s not gone and is in fact after her. Not gonna lie, I knew who it was from the moment we learn of his existence. So much so that it was frustrating for me to watch her not see it. But when it is revealed and there’s still half a book left? I couldn’t figure out what on earth was left of the story. And that’s where I was wrong and taken for a wild ride. It really did come full circle. My heart was pounding at times. I was terrified for Pip at times. And relieved and then terrified again. And oh my stars we all need a Ravi. Highly recommend! But you do need to read the first two books first.