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A review by simplypheyie
Half-Truths by Claire Contreras
2.0
This book started out like it would be a dark, gripping thriller but quickly lost its direction (IMO). The plot kept circling without progressing. Even at 66%, nothing meaningful had happened. The secret societies are supposed to be central, yet their purpose is so unclear. They donate to charity and do good things, but then they’re stealing, drugging people, hosting chaotic parties and orgies, and it seems there were alumnis still involved with the society and the students even after they had graduated up to the extent of having their own children in the society and while not actively working in the campus, they still meet up with younger girls in the society. It just didn't make sense to me. I don’t understand how that makes them “good” and the story never clarifies what they’re really about.
Amelia is frustratingly passive. Even though she’s written as curious and observant, she never actively investigates her brother’s disappearance or the other mysteries. She just drifts along. The romance between Amelia and Logan also didn’t work for me. Their connection felt rushed and overhyped given how little had happened between them. It didn’t feel believable, especially since Amelia was so cautious around him at first.
The setting wasn’t helpful either. It takes place at a university, but the descriptions are vague and disjointed. I felt lost, I usually read fantasy without needing a map, but here I needed one just to picture the scenes.
Then the ending happened. The reveal that Hailey is psychotic might have worked if it had tied more directly into the secret society plot, especially if she was linked to the other society they mentioned or been built up gradually with appearances in questionable places. Instead, it appeared suddenly and didn’t fit with anything that came before. It felt disconnected from the rest of the story. I know they set her up as being suspicious but it wasn't tied in well. Those other society ended up not contributing anything to the story.
If I took a shot every time "... your groupies.." was used in this book, I’d be in a coma by now.
This book had potential, but it fell flat for me. The characters felt underdeveloped, the plot was scattered, and the suspense never landed. Maybe I would have enjoyed it more at eighteen, but right now, it just didn’t work for me. I feel like i was being generous for giving it 2stars
Amelia is frustratingly passive. Even though she’s written as curious and observant, she never actively investigates her brother’s disappearance or the other mysteries. She just drifts along. The romance between Amelia and Logan also didn’t work for me. Their connection felt rushed and overhyped given how little had happened between them. It didn’t feel believable, especially since Amelia was so cautious around him at first.
The setting wasn’t helpful either. It takes place at a university, but the descriptions are vague and disjointed. I felt lost, I usually read fantasy without needing a map, but here I needed one just to picture the scenes.
Then the ending happened. The reveal that Hailey is psychotic might have worked if it had tied more directly into the secret society plot, especially if she was linked to the other society they mentioned or been built up gradually with appearances in questionable places. Instead, it appeared suddenly and didn’t fit with anything that came before. It felt disconnected from the rest of the story. I know they set her up as being suspicious but it wasn't tied in well. Those other society ended up not contributing anything to the story.
If I took a shot every time "... your groupies.." was used in this book, I’d be in a coma by now.
This book had potential, but it fell flat for me. The characters felt underdeveloped, the plot was scattered, and the suspense never landed. Maybe I would have enjoyed it more at eighteen, but right now, it just didn’t work for me. I feel like i was being generous for giving it 2stars