ashhanna's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
jenbsbooks's review
2.0
2.5 stars ... it was okay. There were a few things that simply drove me cRazy as I read this book!
I'm a little more into the supernatural/fantasy/sciencefiction/dystopian stuff. When it's already so "out there" I think I'm much more willing to suspend my disbelief. But when it's "realistic fiction" ... I'm much more skeptical of these things actually happening. The kids just happen to witness a murder? The perpetrators know who they are to stalk them, the FBI involvement ... things that make you go "hmmmmm"
Those things that drove me crazy? The main character crushing on the boys. She was such a flake! She likes one, then the other and she TINGLES when they approach. I swear, if I had to read "tingles" or blood racing, or insides a buzz ... she's so down on herself at times (I can't believe any boy would like me, much less TWO of the greatest guys who now do) and then so full of herself other times (my delivery was flawless, why did I have to be such a great speaker? I just help myself from being so smart!) She seemed a little obsessed with food too.
There were several religious references ... she's a good church going girl, humming a song she learned in church to herself, saying a prayer, completely stressing out about taking a drink of alcohol, listening to "that voice inside" ... it was all a little familiar so I double checked. Yes, the author is LDS.
It was free at least :)
I'm a little more into the supernatural/fantasy/sciencefiction/dystopian stuff. When it's already so "out there" I think I'm much more willing to suspend my disbelief. But when it's "realistic fiction" ... I'm much more skeptical of these things actually happening. The kids just happen to witness a murder? The perpetrators know who they are to stalk them, the FBI involvement ... things that make you go "hmmmmm"
Those things that drove me crazy? The main character crushing on the boys. She was such a flake! She likes one, then the other and she TINGLES when they approach. I swear, if I had to read "tingles" or blood racing, or insides a buzz ... she's so down on herself at times (I can't believe any boy would like me, much less TWO of the greatest guys who now do) and then so full of herself other times (my delivery was flawless, why did I have to be such a great speaker? I just help myself from being so smart!) She seemed a little obsessed with food too.
There were several religious references ... she's a good church going girl, humming a song she learned in church to herself, saying a prayer, completely stressing out about taking a drink of alcohol, listening to "that voice inside" ... it was all a little familiar so I double checked. Yes, the author is LDS.
It was free at least :)
caterwaul's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I wouldn't pick this story up now. The characters are teenagers who don't quite understand just how young they are, and the main character would definitely qualify as a Mary Sue. Also, lots of emphasis on her being a 'good Christian girl' and a heavy dose of American nationalism in there. However, I remember being moderately obsessed with this book as a kid, and I've never come across a plot quite like this one. So it's a nostalgia read when I feel the need to read this specific plot again. So like, it's garbage, but I'm also a bit of a racoonÂ
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Violence
Middle Eastern terrorist stereotype, moderately to very graphic executionoffictionandfantasy's review against another edition
2.0
I met the author of this at the store and decided to read this.
The book needs another run through for grammar errors. There were so many sentences where a character was talking and there was no ending quotation mark and so on. It was confusing and stopped me from actually getting into the book.
It also bugged me with the way the love triangle was handled. Does every Utah book have to be like Twilight?
Also, this girl hates herself pretty much, but is like, "Oh my speeches are flawless I'm so perfect when speeching everyone loves me~"
No. Just... No.
The book needs another run through for grammar errors. There were so many sentences where a character was talking and there was no ending quotation mark and so on. It was confusing and stopped me from actually getting into the book.
It also bugged me with the way the love triangle was handled. Does every Utah book have to be like Twilight?
Also, this girl hates herself pretty much, but is like, "Oh my speeches are flawless I'm so perfect when speeching everyone loves me~"
No. Just... No.
mandalackey's review against another edition
2.0
I was really disappointed. I realize this girl is only 15, but her immaturity and constant over-analyzing got really old really fast. On the parts that were supposed to be intense and exciting, there wasn't enough detail for me to fully understand what was happening. I think there was a lot of potential with this story, but I thought it was poorly written.
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