gareindeedreads's review against another edition
4.0
I knew I was in trouble the minute I began this read. Kukafka has written an isolating and beautifully crafted, complex novel about a dead high school student. This novel is told from three different people. The boy who loved her the most, the girl who hated her the most, and the police officer just trying to piece it all together.
What I enjoyed about this read was how even though the plot really is centralized by the death of Lucinda Hayes, the three main characters are really the ones we get to know and at some points, I found myself wandering from her death all together and instead bonding with these three people who's lives change in such dramatic and tragic ways after she dies. I wasn't rushing through the pages to find out how she died or what really happened that night. I was embracing these three beautifully written and authentic characters and their own storylines. What I really enjoyed was how they were connected through the past and present. How things come to light is really a blessing for a reader with this read and the characters take you on such a realistic journey that I was happily surprised to find out that this was the authors debut novel. Bouncing back and forth between liking and not liking some characters was really interesting as you got a feel of them through other characters perspectives and then how they viewed themselves. Kukafka effortlessly made each perspective unique in their own ways and stomped through this novel creating perfectly woven voices for not only a male and female teenager, but also a middle-aged man.
This is by no means a light read. While, I could see this being appropriate for a high school student, the subject matter is not only dark and twisted, but it also deals with some really heavy social issues such as depression and abuse. With both small and large revelations sprinkled throughout, Kukafka wrote a story that is not only a domestic thriller, but a sad and beautifully crafted tale about loss, love, and the poison that secrets hold. She then ended it with not only a twist I didn't see coming, but left the characters onto three separate journeys that were not only tragic, but brilliantly bittersweet. Watch out for this one, she's onto great things.
What I enjoyed about this read was how even though the plot really is centralized by the death of Lucinda Hayes, the three main characters are really the ones we get to know and at some points, I found myself wandering from her death all together and instead bonding with these three people who's lives change in such dramatic and tragic ways after she dies. I wasn't rushing through the pages to find out how she died or what really happened that night. I was embracing these three beautifully written and authentic characters and their own storylines. What I really enjoyed was how they were connected through the past and present. How things come to light is really a blessing for a reader with this read and the characters take you on such a realistic journey that I was happily surprised to find out that this was the authors debut novel. Bouncing back and forth between liking and not liking some characters was really interesting as you got a feel of them through other characters perspectives and then how they viewed themselves. Kukafka effortlessly made each perspective unique in their own ways and stomped through this novel creating perfectly woven voices for not only a male and female teenager, but also a middle-aged man.
This is by no means a light read. While, I could see this being appropriate for a high school student, the subject matter is not only dark and twisted, but it also deals with some really heavy social issues such as depression and abuse. With both small and large revelations sprinkled throughout, Kukafka wrote a story that is not only a domestic thriller, but a sad and beautifully crafted tale about loss, love, and the poison that secrets hold. She then ended it with not only a twist I didn't see coming, but left the characters onto three separate journeys that were not only tragic, but brilliantly bittersweet. Watch out for this one, she's onto great things.
mariposa_ca's review against another edition
4.0
Wonderful mystery told from the We perspective of three unique narrators, Cameron the unreliable one, Jade the anxty teen, and Russ the sullen police officer. The book starts out as a simple whodunit but it's really the personal growth of the characters that drives the action. I was struck how each story teller struggled to eradicate themselves from the shadow of their families and the different approaches they took in that process.
Overall it's an excellent debut novel. I look forward to reading more from Kukafka.
Overall it's an excellent debut novel. I look forward to reading more from Kukafka.
kle105's review against another edition
3.0
I struggle with this as the writing of this book was beautifully strung together. The story however was very confusing and broken. So many of the stories ended without any resolution and seemed to have been pointless for having ever been brought up in the first place. Russ' story particularly, the cop assigned the case of a girl (Lucinda) who ends up dead at a middle school. Cameron was obsessed with Lucinda, and not so subtly stalked her, and loses time.
Jade is a rebellious teenager who also lost her best friend/love interest to Lucinda. She believes Cameron is innocent and tries to spark a friendship with him.
Russ was partner's with Cameron's father until he ran after being charged with beating a woman almost to death. Russ promised to look after Cameron and keep him safe.
All the stories weave together and the killer is revealed it just didn't keep my interest.
i received a free copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Jade is a rebellious teenager who also lost her best friend/love interest to Lucinda. She believes Cameron is innocent and tries to spark a friendship with him.
Russ was partner's with Cameron's father until he ran after being charged with beating a woman almost to death. Russ promised to look after Cameron and keep him safe.
All the stories weave together and the killer is revealed it just didn't keep my interest.
i received a free copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
amanda1620's review against another edition
2.0
The book is slow moving and it doesn't seem like the characters are trying to find who is the one who murdered the girl. I kinda lost interest in the book around halfway through.
throwmeabook's review against another edition
2.0
Touted as a mystery/thriller, this book reads more like a lack lustre YA novel about three unappealing main characters, Cameron, Jade and Russ. A painfully slow moving, action-less storyline providing the bare minimum of interest. There may be an audience out there for this book but unfortunately it was not me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for providing a digital copy in return for an honest, unbiased review.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for providing a digital copy in return for an honest, unbiased review.
mcerrin's review against another edition
4.0
This is not a thriller. This is not suspense. The murder mystery is secondary to the character study and development of three living persons surrounding Lucinda and the case. But it is beautiful! A depressingly beautiful set of characters.
malenahaarhaus's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
ameljbost's review against another edition
2.0
1 1/5 stars from me.
The characters were so severely annoying and unlikable. I get that they all had different traumas that influenced them to be how they are but I do not think they were presented well enough for readers to like. And they weren't even unlikable in a good way. Just unlikable in a bad way!
The characters were so severely annoying and unlikable. I get that they all had different traumas that influenced them to be how they are but I do not think they were presented well enough for readers to like. And they weren't even unlikable in a good way. Just unlikable in a bad way!
xokristim's review against another edition
4.0
ACTUAL RATING: 3.5
This book followed the point of view of three different people, which I love in a thriller. Cameron, Jade and Russ are all completely different. Cameron was extremely lonely and misunderstood, he was stalking Lucinda. Jade used to be friends with Lucinda, but now hated her. She has a rough family life in the way of her mother not understanding her. Russ was the policeman set to take on the case. I loved that you got a ton of internal dialogue through each point of view, it really helped you to understand each characters actions.
This book was very mysterious. For this reason I read it in one sitting, because I just had to know what was going to happen and what happened to Lucinda. I thought the writing flowed beautifully and each character’s point of view added a lot to the story. I did think the story dragged a bit, throughout the middle, which I find a lot in mystery/thriller books.
Overall I was interested in each character a lot, especially Lucinda. I thought the story was told in very unique way, but was not so much an extremely unique story. I would recommend this book if you enjoy books told in multiple point of views, with gorgeous writing, and a large air of mystery throughout.
This book followed the point of view of three different people, which I love in a thriller. Cameron, Jade and Russ are all completely different. Cameron was extremely lonely and misunderstood, he was stalking Lucinda. Jade used to be friends with Lucinda, but now hated her. She has a rough family life in the way of her mother not understanding her. Russ was the policeman set to take on the case. I loved that you got a ton of internal dialogue through each point of view, it really helped you to understand each characters actions.
This book was very mysterious. For this reason I read it in one sitting, because I just had to know what was going to happen and what happened to Lucinda. I thought the writing flowed beautifully and each character’s point of view added a lot to the story. I did think the story dragged a bit, throughout the middle, which I find a lot in mystery/thriller books.
Overall I was interested in each character a lot, especially Lucinda. I thought the story was told in very unique way, but was not so much an extremely unique story. I would recommend this book if you enjoy books told in multiple point of views, with gorgeous writing, and a large air of mystery throughout.
beautynherbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Well, I don't know where to start with this review. The book took me COMPLETELY by surprise and for the author's first book?! I loved it! The cover grips you in, staring you down, making you feel the pain that the characters experience.
The story revolves around 3 main people:
Cameron: The Stalker
Jade: The Outcast Russ:
The Investigating Officer
And of course, Lucinda, who was murdered.
Everyone has a backstory that connects them all and it is up to the reader to piece it all together.
There were some points that did drag on and I may have skimmed read very quickly, but it did keep my attention. I love stories that had different POV in every chapter because I feel that as a reader, we are able to connect to the characters more than if it were told from a first-person or third-person POV.
The ending did catch me off guard because it was not what I had expected of the so-called "good girl". And to top it off, no one else had suspected it either, which is how all the best stories are written.
As always, I highly recommend this book, but not as a summer beach read. This story will have you wanting to find out what happens next, whether it be good or bad...
The story revolves around 3 main people:
Cameron: The Stalker
Jade: The Outcast Russ:
The Investigating Officer
And of course, Lucinda, who was murdered.
Everyone has a backstory that connects them all and it is up to the reader to piece it all together.
There were some points that did drag on and I may have skimmed read very quickly, but it did keep my attention. I love stories that had different POV in every chapter because I feel that as a reader, we are able to connect to the characters more than if it were told from a first-person or third-person POV.
The ending did catch me off guard because it was not what I had expected of the so-called "good girl". And to top it off, no one else had suspected it either, which is how all the best stories are written.
As always, I highly recommend this book, but not as a summer beach read. This story will have you wanting to find out what happens next, whether it be good or bad...