cathlin's review against another edition
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
teffin's review against another edition
4.0
Really beautiful writing and good plot, looking forward to finding more books by Tanya Byrne
jerihurd's review against another edition
3.0
That's a generous three, because it certainly kept me reading, as long as I didn't stop to think too much about the plot, which was some odd combination of Gaslight meets every teen revenge book you've ever read. At best it pushes incredulity to the breaking point: A teenage daughter of gangster father, who has been Polly Purebred to this point suddenly, due to (unmentioned spoiler) turns Tony Soprano?
Moreover, people who declare this is a study of sociopathy/psychopathy seriously need to look up the definition. She's not even close, given she was TOTALLY NORMAL up to the *the event*.
And I won't even get to said event, which was so heavily signaled, it was completely underwhelming once it happened.
But, then, my old-fart HS librarian self is not the intended audience; I doubt my older, more discerning readers would enjoy this all that much; but 9th and 10th graders? Probably so.
Moreover, people who declare this is a study of sociopathy/psychopathy seriously need to look up the definition. She's not even close, given she was TOTALLY NORMAL up to the *the event*.
And I won't even get to said event, which was so heavily signaled, it was completely underwhelming once it happened.
But, then, my old-fart HS librarian self is not the intended audience; I doubt my older, more discerning readers would enjoy this all that much; but 9th and 10th graders? Probably so.
snowflaked23's review against another edition
4.0
I didn't expect this book to be so gripping, I read it on holiday and it was really really really good. I loved the depth of Emily's character, the description of her life falling apart and he innocence being ripped from her. I didn't expect where it was going, so that was a nice surprise. Well, maybe not *nice* but still.
8/10, would recommend.
8/10, would recommend.
sjklass's review
3.0
18yr old Emily Koll has done something very bad and she's in a London prison for serious juvenile offenders, awaiting trial. Through her sessions with her counsellor and flash-backs of events, the nature of her crime is slowly revealed. A dark, tense thriller.
neenor's review against another edition
4.0
This book was so good - I cried like a baby, especially towards the end. I can't believe I've never read any of her books before. Emily was the perfect blend between Alaska Young, Katniss Everdeen, and Sam from Perks.
readwithjordss's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
marryallthepeople's review against another edition
1.0
Can't get into it. I liked the back story but hte story about the girls in the ward seemed to jump all over the place too much for me.
katiejreads's review against another edition
4.0
I want to give this book 5 stars, but for some reason I can't.
so 4.5 stars.
It was SO easy to read, (it took me two or so hours) and yet uncomfortable to read all at the same time. I loved Emily, loved her. And I wanted her to "get better" but then I was never sure she wanted to get better.
I wanted her to leave Emily behind and be Rose and be friends with Nancy but part of me wanted to see her get revenge on Juliet.
A very good read.
so 4.5 stars.
It was SO easy to read, (it took me two or so hours) and yet uncomfortable to read all at the same time. I loved Emily, loved her. And I wanted her to "get better" but then I was never sure she wanted to get better.
I wanted her to leave Emily behind and be Rose and be friends with Nancy but part of me wanted to see her get revenge on Juliet.
A very good read.
bibliobethreads's review against another edition
4.0
I’ve been meaning to read this book for so long after it came with an extremely high recommendation from my sister and fellow blogger Chrissi Reads. It was fitting therefore that it should be the first book that I read for June 2014 – Chrissi Cupboard Month – please see my previous post HERE. It tells the story of a young woman called Emily Koll who is incarcerated prior to her trial in Archway Young Offenders Institution in London for committing a horrific crime. Whilst on the unit she begins to keep a journal, providing us with juicy snippets about who she is and how she came to be in the unenviable position she now finds herself. A the beginning of the novel Emily is writing a letter to the wronged party, a girl called Juliet, yet she makes it quite clear that she is not apologising for her actions but merely expressing her viewpoint.
We are never given the full details about what she did but the author builds detail upon detail, ramping up the pace exponentially until the dramatic finale when the truth about what happened is revealed. Or is it? Emily’s story is both gritty and compelling yet reader be warned, she appears to be quite an unreliable narrator convincing another girl at the institution that she shouldn’t believe everything she read while she directly addresses us with: “You shouldn’t either, by the way.” So, what do we know? The bare bones of the plot involves Emily’s father who she places high on a pedestal despite his shady connections with the criminal underworld. During a burglary instigated by Emily’s father, he attacks a police officer whom is Juliet’s father. Juliet is present at the incident and retaliates by stabbing Emily’s father and although he survives, he is put behind bars leaving Emily to fend for herself and seek revenge for the ruin that she believes her and her father’s life to now be. Claiming a new identity, Emily be-friends Juliet and her mission to destroy her begins in earnest.
Emily’s journal is a way for her to tell her side of the story. She has been vilified and hounded by the press, referred to as evil and a monster, and must undergo daily therapy sessions which attempts to get to the root of her issues. One of the things I loved most about this book was the way in which the author managed to create a character that although she may be the villain of the piece, moves the reader to feel sorry for her predicament and while not condoning her actions, somewhat understand why she did what she did. The writing was phenomenal, intense yet incredibly beautiful and the power of Emily’s emotions and her complexity as a character was a complete joy to read. By the conclusion, I was literally on the edge of my seat as the reader discovers the event that led to Emily’s imprisonment and believe me, it’s a nail-biter! In fact, I had to remind myself constantly that this was a debut novel, the story is both unique and outstanding and there is no doubt that Tanya Byrne is a talented addition to the YA market. There are also a lot of important issues like mental health running throughout the novel which the author dealt with in a dignified manner. After this complete gem of a story, I am really excited to read her second novel, Follow Me Down and predict huge things for this author in the future.
Please see my full review at http://www.bibliobeth.com
We are never given the full details about what she did but the author builds detail upon detail, ramping up the pace exponentially until the dramatic finale when the truth about what happened is revealed. Or is it? Emily’s story is both gritty and compelling yet reader be warned, she appears to be quite an unreliable narrator convincing another girl at the institution that she shouldn’t believe everything she read while she directly addresses us with: “You shouldn’t either, by the way.” So, what do we know? The bare bones of the plot involves Emily’s father who she places high on a pedestal despite his shady connections with the criminal underworld. During a burglary instigated by Emily’s father, he attacks a police officer whom is Juliet’s father. Juliet is present at the incident and retaliates by stabbing Emily’s father and although he survives, he is put behind bars leaving Emily to fend for herself and seek revenge for the ruin that she believes her and her father’s life to now be. Claiming a new identity, Emily be-friends Juliet and her mission to destroy her begins in earnest.
Emily’s journal is a way for her to tell her side of the story. She has been vilified and hounded by the press, referred to as evil and a monster, and must undergo daily therapy sessions which attempts to get to the root of her issues. One of the things I loved most about this book was the way in which the author managed to create a character that although she may be the villain of the piece, moves the reader to feel sorry for her predicament and while not condoning her actions, somewhat understand why she did what she did. The writing was phenomenal, intense yet incredibly beautiful and the power of Emily’s emotions and her complexity as a character was a complete joy to read. By the conclusion, I was literally on the edge of my seat as the reader discovers the event that led to Emily’s imprisonment and believe me, it’s a nail-biter! In fact, I had to remind myself constantly that this was a debut novel, the story is both unique and outstanding and there is no doubt that Tanya Byrne is a talented addition to the YA market. There are also a lot of important issues like mental health running throughout the novel which the author dealt with in a dignified manner. After this complete gem of a story, I am really excited to read her second novel, Follow Me Down and predict huge things for this author in the future.
Please see my full review at http://www.bibliobeth.com