Take a photo of a barcode or cover
forgedopulence 's review for:
Dark and Shallow Lies
by Ginny Myers Sain
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
La Cachette is for the ghosts.
This book is very much Young Adult, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Overall, it was a great story and held my interest, but I really wanted more depth from basically everything - the magic, lore, relationships, and the final resolution. The sub-plot was very well done, however. I also enjoyed the "full circle" feeling of all lose ends being tied up with such finality.
Unfortunately, we never got to know most of the supporting characters enough for the main twist to be as impactful as it should have been. I'm glad those two died, and I don't think that was the intention.
Incest being used as a plot device is also weird for a YA book and everything in me wishes the author had picked a different reason.
This book is very much Young Adult, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Overall, it was a great story and held my interest, but I really wanted more depth from basically everything - the magic, lore, relationships, and the final resolution. The sub-plot was very well done, however. I also enjoyed the "full circle" feeling of all lose ends being tied up with such finality.
Unfortunately, we never got to know most of the supporting characters enough for the main twist to be as impactful as it should have been. I'm glad those two died, and I don't think that was the intention.
Incest being used as a plot device is also weird for a YA book and everything in me wishes the author had picked a different reason.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship
Moderate: Suicide, Death of parent
Minor: Incest