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katischr's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
WOW. Such a strong follow up to the first novel, which I felt didn’t need a sequel but I’m so glad that it exists!! So much that I love about this book ⚠️SPOILERS FOR THE REST OF THE REVIEW⚠️
Simon and Kristin are such fascinating complementary characters. They are fundamentally broken people who want to participate in society and believe that they can help people, but it’s always in service of their own selfish interests. Kristin’s character especially shined for me in this one. At one point she thinks to herself “she knows what her brother is, but she does not wish to see it.” WOWZAS. He hurts her so much and I can almost see her infatuation with him breaking a bit towards the end, so I’m excited to see if that thread gets pulled in the next book!
The slow burn between Emma and Travis! I know some people were mad about it but they’re in their courtly love era idk idc
The more overtly feminist messaging in this book and discussions of evil, entitled men who live “normal” lives around us.
Emma’s breakthrough near the end of the book where she decides that she is worthy of love and healing 🥺
The back and forth between Emma and Simon. I love that she figured him out and had power in that relationship
Things about the story that pissed me off a lil:
There’s A LOT of suspension of disbelief necessary for this plot to work. Not as much as the first book, I don’t think that the real world FBI is letting a 19 year old psych major from THE Ohio State University run around committing vigilant justice on the streets of Pittsburgh like ☠️ Emma’s reckless behavior got really old really fast, especially when she was putting Travis (and herself) through the emotional ringer and in harms way every other day. But also the real life FBI sucks at solving crimes so I guess that that’s accurate. Also WHY THE FUCK DO THEY KEEP TALKING TO SIMON HE LITERALLY CANNOT BE TRUSTED!!! And I’m sorry, but if you have a crush on Simon or want him to get with Emma please seek mental health counseling. He literally watched a video of her getting raped, didn’t tell her that until he used it to purposefully trigger her, and then basically sexually assaulted her when he got his hands on her.
There’s a lot of unnecessary scenes of them driving and/or flying from one location to the next. I love the geography of western Pennsylvania as much as the next guy, but it was giving bus, club, another club, another club, another club, plane, next place.
The woobification of Travis!! Lets my mans catch a break PLEASEEEEE!!!
Overall, super enjoyed this story, and I’m so excited for the last book in this trilogy to come out in February of next year!!
Simon and Kristin are such fascinating complementary characters. They are fundamentally broken people who want to participate in society and believe that they can help people, but it’s always in service of their own selfish interests. Kristin’s character especially shined for me in this one. At one point she thinks to herself “she knows what her brother is, but she does not wish to see it.” WOWZAS. He hurts her so much and I can almost see her infatuation with him breaking a bit towards the end, so I’m excited to see if that thread gets pulled in the next book!
The slow burn between Emma and Travis! I know some people were mad about it but they’re in their courtly love era idk idc
The more overtly feminist messaging in this book and discussions of evil, entitled men who live “normal” lives around us.
Emma’s breakthrough near the end of the book where she decides that she is worthy of love and healing 🥺
The back and forth between Emma and Simon. I love that she figured him out and had power in that relationship
Things about the story that pissed me off a lil:
There’s A LOT of suspension of disbelief necessary for this plot to work. Not as much as the first book, I don’t think that the real world FBI is letting a 19 year old psych major from THE Ohio State University run around committing vigilant justice on the streets of Pittsburgh like ☠️ Emma’s reckless behavior got really old really fast, especially when she was putting Travis (and herself) through the emotional ringer and in harms way every other day. But also the real life FBI sucks at solving crimes so I guess that that’s accurate. Also WHY THE FUCK DO THEY KEEP TALKING TO SIMON HE LITERALLY CANNOT BE TRUSTED!!! And I’m sorry, but if you have a crush on Simon or want him to get with Emma please seek mental health counseling. He literally watched a video of her getting raped, didn’t tell her that until he used it to purposefully trigger her, and then basically sexually assaulted her when he got his hands on her.
There’s a lot of unnecessary scenes of them driving and/or flying from one location to the next. I love the geography of western Pennsylvania as much as the next guy, but it was giving bus, club, another club, another club, another club, plane, next place.
The woobification of Travis!! Lets my mans catch a break PLEASEEEEE!!!
Overall, super enjoyed this story, and I’m so excited for the last book in this trilogy to come out in February of next year!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Death of parent
themysterymaven's review against another edition
2.0
I really, really enjoyed the first novel in this set, None Shall Sleep. The idea of young adults helping the FBI profile and better understand their serial-killing peers was a neat plot approach, ending with me actually rooting for one murderer over another (iykyk: Team Simon
_wordsididntsay_'s review against another edition
5.0
THIS BOOK was the perfect sequel to None Shall Sleep, and it fits into my personal favorite niche genre of books, which is of course the-fbi-needs-teenagers-to-help-them-solve-the-case. And this series in particular is fascinating to me because of Simon. He's terrifying...but also kind of alluring? Idk, maybe I'm insane for thinking like that, but he really is fascinating. The way he's described physically is just so contrary to how most killers are described, even the other ones in this book. And his curiosity with Emma is intriguing too. You really never know what he's going to do next, but reading about him with Kristen almost makes me forget he's a killer. He's so delicate and soft with her that I almost don't remember he's killed 15+ people. I mean, he's only 20, he's just a baby, but boy, is he scary. The other killers just disgust me, so why is Simon different? That's the question this book made me ask myself over and over and over.
Also, Emma and Travis are precious, and while they certainly like each other, I wouldn't call this a romance, unless it's maybe the slowest slow-burn of all time. I mean it's obvious they're set up for each other, but the book is really focused on the case itself and not Emma and Travis' feelings for each other. I didn't mind that actually, and I definitely wouldn't change that, even though I am a big romance girlie. Maybe it's cause I have a severe case of I-can-fix-him disease, and I really want Emma to "fix" Simon. Anyway, the third book comes out in February, and best believe I am chomping at the bit
Also, Emma and Travis are precious, and while they certainly like each other, I wouldn't call this a romance, unless it's maybe the slowest slow-burn of all time. I mean it's obvious they're set up for each other, but the book is really focused on the case itself and not Emma and Travis' feelings for each other. I didn't mind that actually, and I definitely wouldn't change that, even though I am a big romance girlie. Maybe it's cause I have a severe case of I-can-fix-him disease, and I really want Emma to "fix" Simon. Anyway, the third book comes out in February, and best believe I am chomping at the bit
rinasleclerc's review against another edition
4.0
i keep predicting the plot twists and i literally predicted what book 3 was gonna be about at the end of book 1 BUT the books are so fun i actually don't care.
i don't play about emma and travis which is why they need to stop putting themselves in danger, especially emma, like? how does this shit happen to you THRICE.
i don't play about emma and travis which is why they need to stop putting themselves in danger, especially emma, like? how does this shit happen to you THRICE.
l_avaa's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
greene_house_gases's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
nobletiefling's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
megansreading's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
5.0
Wow--this took everything I loved from the first book and dialed it up. I am obsessed!
This book was filled with such clever setup and payoff. The foreshadowing and tension built into a perfect climax--I kept thinking about the book whenever I couldn't read it. The characters are authentic, and the romance is delightful. I'm continually fascinated by the serial killer characters and how the FBI functions. If you enjoyed the relationships, high-stakes, and thriller vibes of the first book, you will want to pick this up!
This book also has such a fascinating style. The first-person present tense makes everything feel immediate and intimate. At the same time, the directness and stark prose make it feel detached like a police briefing. I adore it. It's unlike anything I've read before and speaks to the author's strategic use of language.
I also wanted to note that I find it incredibly difficult to read anything with sexual @ssult, but I could handle this book. The author handles the topic with respect and empathy. There is nothing on-page and the @ssult is in the past but content is heavily implied in 2-3 places. Be aware of your own triggers and preferences.
I'm so glad the author is releasing the third book next year. I read these books borrowed, but I'm starting to think I need copies on my shelves.
Some favorite quotes (spoilers):
"Stay by me, okay? I mean it. I don't wanna lose you in the crowd, that would be...That would freak me out."
Why, Travis thinks, why why why would anyone find any pleasure in seeing women hurt, when it's a billion times more pleasurable to see them happy?
Emma has to keep blinking tears away. Nobody gave her those words when she needed them. But she can give them now to another girl, and feel them unfurl inside, feel them take root.
"Will you make the same mistake as he? Will you offer to take dear Emma's place and--" "Yes," Travis cuts in immediately, and Emma's heart breaks into a million pieces.
This book was filled with such clever setup and payoff. The foreshadowing and tension built into a perfect climax--I kept thinking about the book whenever I couldn't read it. The characters are authentic, and the romance is delightful. I'm continually fascinated by the serial killer characters and how the FBI functions. If you enjoyed the relationships, high-stakes, and thriller vibes of the first book, you will want to pick this up!
This book also has such a fascinating style. The first-person present tense makes everything feel immediate and intimate. At the same time, the directness and stark prose make it feel detached like a police briefing. I adore it. It's unlike anything I've read before and speaks to the author's strategic use of language.
I also wanted to note that I find it incredibly difficult to read anything with sexual @ssult, but I could handle this book. The author handles the topic with respect and empathy. There is nothing on-page and the @ssult is in the past but content is heavily implied in 2-3 places. Be aware of your own triggers and preferences.
I'm so glad the author is releasing the third book next year. I read these books borrowed, but I'm starting to think I need copies on my shelves.
Some favorite quotes (spoilers):
Why, Travis thinks, why why why would anyone find any pleasure in seeing women hurt, when it's a billion times more pleasurable to see them happy?
Emma has to keep blinking tears away. Nobody gave her those words when she needed them. But she can give them now to another girl, and feel them unfurl inside, feel them take root.
"Will you make the same mistake as he? Will you offer to take dear Emma's place and--" "Yes," Travis cuts in immediately, and Emma's heart breaks into a million pieces.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, Blood, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual violence
Minor: Death
kazhaya's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0