laurenjodi's review against another edition
4.0
Hotwire
3.5 Stars
As with most of the recent books in the Maggie O'Dell series, the basic premise is excellent but the execution is only so-so.
The writing is fast paced (not surprising given the relatively short chapters) and the story is compelling enough to keep you turning the pages. Nevertheless, the various plot threads, including the attack on the teenagers in the forest, the food contamination and the government conspiracy, are all treated rather superficially and end up being a bit of a mish-mash.
Moreover, there is only some meager character development with regard to the personal lives of Ben Platt and Julia Racine rather than Maggie, which is disappointing.
It looks like the spark of brilliance that characterized the first few books in this series has gone out but I keep hoping that it will return.
3.5 Stars
As with most of the recent books in the Maggie O'Dell series, the basic premise is excellent but the execution is only so-so.
The writing is fast paced (not surprising given the relatively short chapters) and the story is compelling enough to keep you turning the pages. Nevertheless, the various plot threads, including the attack on the teenagers in the forest, the food contamination and the government conspiracy, are all treated rather superficially and end up being a bit of a mish-mash.
Moreover, there is only some meager character development with regard to the personal lives of Ben Platt and Julia Racine rather than Maggie, which is disappointing.
It looks like the spark of brilliance that characterized the first few books in this series has gone out but I keep hoping that it will return.
ennime713's review against another edition
3.0
I really liked this one in the Maggie O'Dell series but it felt a little like it ended in the middle of the story. The end was very sudden and left a lot open. But the story itself kept me turning pages and I really liked Lucy. I think I mixed up the order of the books and read this one before the previous in the series but it didn't seem to matter that much. Guess I'll catch up and read that one next. I would give it 3.5 stars if I could.
cnorbury's review against another edition
3.0
My first foray into Kava's work. She writes in a smooth, clean, professional style and her characters are memorable although a few might lean toward stereotypes (e.g.--the manipulative alpha girl in the high school, her football jock boyfriend, the small-town LEOs reluctantly cooperating with the federal agent (Maggie O'Dell).
The plot was fresh and timely for the time period in which it was written (2011). It suffered from a lack of depth, which means it could have been longer and done more with character development and description. But compared to boringly long, under edited novels by national bestselling authors in this day and age, lean and sparse is more of a compliment.
Thanks to short chapters and constant tension and suspense building, the pages flew by. It could be easily read in one or two long sittings.
The plot was fresh and timely for the time period in which it was written (2011). It suffered from a lack of depth, which means it could have been longer and done more with character development and description. But compared to boringly long, under edited novels by national bestselling authors in this day and age, lean and sparse is more of a compliment.
Thanks to short chapters and constant tension and suspense building, the pages flew by. It could be easily read in one or two long sittings.
yourgotogoat's review
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
1.0
drew5287's review
dark
sad
tense
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? Yes
5.0
bookworm_enni's review against another edition
3.0
I really liked this one in the Maggie O'Dell series but it felt a little like it ended in the middle of the story. The end was very sudden and left a lot open. But the story itself kept me turning pages and I really liked Lucy. I think I mixed up the order of the books and read this one before the previous in the series but it didn't seem to matter that much. Guess I'll catch up and read that one next. I would give it 3.5 stars if I could.
jonetta's review
3.0
Maggie O'Dell takes a side trip from her conference in Denver to Nebraska where she's looking into some strange cattle deaths. Unfortunately, she stumbles into something much bigger and more sinister. Meanwhile, Benjamin Platte is called to assist the CDC's head of special responses when two schools are suddenly in the midst of a deadly outbreak.
As usual, the story begins with two puzzling but interesting cases that feel as if they will converge at some point but don't. Unfortunately, it's also afflicted again with a disappointing end where loose ties are left dangling. I find that frustrating and a tiresome approach to continue using. And, the author's politics seem to permeate each story: government is bad, private enterprise is always the white knight.
Even though the story moved at a really fast pace, it's not enough to overcome these unsatisfying conclusions. And yet, again, not any real profiling going on and Maggie's in another life threatening situation. Yawn.
As usual, the story begins with two puzzling but interesting cases that feel as if they will converge at some point but don't. Unfortunately, it's also afflicted again with a disappointing end where loose ties are left dangling. I find that frustrating and a tiresome approach to continue using. And, the author's politics seem to permeate each story: government is bad, private enterprise is always the white knight.
Even though the story moved at a really fast pace, it's not enough to overcome these unsatisfying conclusions. And yet, again, not any real profiling going on and Maggie's in another life threatening situation. Yawn.