lolyreads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
apirlsflower's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
cocoxahn's review
5.0
We all grew up with the phrase ‘Don’t judge a book by its cover”. Now, in many cases that is true, but with “The Girl I Used to Be”, the cover says it all. It’s suspenseful, mysterious, tentional, and emotional. Through Henry’s beautiful eloquence, I was immediately able to empathize with Olivia (aka Ariel), travelling with her every step of her treacherous journey to find out what happened to her parents.
When new evidence of her mom’s murder surfaces, Olivia’s previously accused father, missing for fourteen years, is now presumed innocent...and dead. As Olivia embarks on her journey, she learns to open up to others and connect with them. But is it enough to save her from her parents’ murderer?
April Henry has done it again. She is able to artistically reveal so many things about character, setting, and emotions, and yet we are still on the edge of our seat, wondering what’s going to happen next. The book opens with a prologue scene of Olivia running through the woods from an unidentified group. The scene is then revisited later, when the real murderer of Olivia’s parents is revealed, and we are left in shock. You might be looking for another page-turner, or you might not be. What I say is, read “The Girl I Used to Be” anyway, because it’s not something you will regret.
When new evidence of her mom’s murder surfaces, Olivia’s previously accused father, missing for fourteen years, is now presumed innocent...and dead. As Olivia embarks on her journey, she learns to open up to others and connect with them. But is it enough to save her from her parents’ murderer?
April Henry has done it again. She is able to artistically reveal so many things about character, setting, and emotions, and yet we are still on the edge of our seat, wondering what’s going to happen next. The book opens with a prologue scene of Olivia running through the woods from an unidentified group. The scene is then revisited later, when the real murderer of Olivia’s parents is revealed, and we are left in shock. You might be looking for another page-turner, or you might not be. What I say is, read “The Girl I Used to Be” anyway, because it’s not something you will regret.
chaoscreature's review
2.0
The concept for this story, albeit a tad overused, was great. Just the execution and overall pacing felt off. A solid 80% of the book is buildup, just Olivia/Ariel snooping around her old hometown and having a few unsavory encounters with its residents. All of the action is packed into the last 30ish pages and moves at an extremely fast pace compared to the rest of the book.
The whole concept of someone trying to stop her throughout the investigation doesn't show at all until the end. "But the killer is even more determined to stop her." Yeah, that didn't happen until he decided to throw her name into the police records and oh, would you look at that, she's actually the kid of the people you murdered and now it's a problem. This idea really should have been explored much earlier with active attempts to throw her off the trail.
Basically, good concept with bad execution. I understand now why this book was only $3 at my local used bookstore.
The whole concept of someone trying to stop her throughout the investigation doesn't show at all until the end. "But the killer is even more determined to stop her." Yeah, that didn't happen until he decided to throw her name into the police records and oh, would you look at that, she's actually the kid of the people you murdered and now it's a problem. This idea really should have been explored much earlier with active attempts to throw her off the trail.
Basically, good concept with bad execution. I understand now why this book was only $3 at my local used bookstore.
kittyg_23's review
5.0
Great book.
This is the first book I've read of April Henry and it didn't disappoint.
Olivia is a girl who's mother was murdered when she was a child. She finds out her dad was also murdered at the same time and goes on a quest for information to who killed them.
Olivia was interesting from the beginning and I kept guessing who the killer was because of a few twists.
I received this as an ARC from Netgally for my review and I'll be looking for more of Aprils books to purchase.
This is the first book I've read of April Henry and it didn't disappoint.
Olivia is a girl who's mother was murdered when she was a child. She finds out her dad was also murdered at the same time and goes on a quest for information to who killed them.
Olivia was interesting from the beginning and I kept guessing who the killer was because of a few twists.
I received this as an ARC from Netgally for my review and I'll be looking for more of Aprils books to purchase.
latelykelsey's review
3.0
It wasn't my favorite YA thriller but it was a nice read. I could definitely see recommending this to a reluctant reader.
rea321's review
5.0
I first read it a few years ago, and it was one of my favorite books back then, but rereading it now, it wasn't the greatest. It was still good, but it wasn't as developed as I remembered.
laurenevlyn's review
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gun violence, Mental illness, Death, Kidnapping, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Violence, and Death of parent
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Toxic relationship, Eating disorder, Animal death, Domestic abuse, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Drug use, and Grief
01hannah10's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5