A review by kristy_lyn
Good Neighbors by Sarah Langan

dark emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

This book was not what I was expecting and I'm still not sure exactly how to rate it. But after closing the cover I still can't stop thinking about it so I'll settle on 3.5 stars. 

The story takes place in the not-so-distant future and follows the events that occur in one particular cul-de-sac and the lives of the families who live there. We meet up with the Wilde family at the beginning of the book and immediately get the impression they are somewhat outcast from the rest of the neighbours. As the story unfolds it begins to centre around two main families and the conflict that arises between them. I was left with an uncomfortable feeling of unease through the duration of this book as I felt it hit a little too close to our modern day world despite being set in the future. There are implications towards global warming with the forming of the sink hole, and a rather bleak look into mob mentality and the dangers that arise when frustrations and hostility begin to grow within society. Even in the small scale study that is Maple Street. I found myself turning page after page eager to see where the story was going and repeatedly found it was not where I expected. Although it was slow to start, I enjoyed the news articles scattered throughout which kept you guessing right up until the end. 

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