salinabear's review
3.0
"What I felt, though, deep, deep down in the darkest dark of my heart, was that I didn't give a damn if River was evil. I still liked him. Maybe I even kind of loved him. And maybe that made me evil too."
(I went back and forth between giving this book three or four stars...I wish there was a half star.)
I was pleasantly surprised by this book; sure, it had its issues, but it was one heck of a ride. I loved the setting of the seaside town of Echo, and the mansion called Citizen Kane. The background descriptions of the settings were very reminiscent of Daphne du Marier.
I loved that the story had just the right air of Gothic in all the right places; the graveyard settings, the overgrown mansions, the old families. However, at the same time, the story wasn't too gory, which I enjoyed. It had just enough of a creepy edge to keep me curious, but not to the point where I was grossed out.
I loved all of the characters, though at some points I felt that the dialogue was... incongruous. Characters often said things that didn't seem perfectly in line with their characters.
This book also raised some interesting moral questions that I'm not used to in YA books. Can you love someone even if they do horrible things? Where is the line between good and evil, and can individual people decide that for themselves? Are there sins worse than others?
Overall, this was a pretty good read, and I'm excited for the next book to come out in August. Long live the Gothic genre!
(I went back and forth between giving this book three or four stars...I wish there was a half star.)
I was pleasantly surprised by this book; sure, it had its issues, but it was one heck of a ride. I loved the setting of the seaside town of Echo, and the mansion called Citizen Kane. The background descriptions of the settings were very reminiscent of Daphne du Marier.
I loved that the story had just the right air of Gothic in all the right places; the graveyard settings, the overgrown mansions, the old families. However, at the same time, the story wasn't too gory, which I enjoyed. It had just enough of a creepy edge to keep me curious, but not to the point where I was grossed out.
I loved all of the characters, though at some points I felt that the dialogue was... incongruous. Characters often said things that didn't seem perfectly in line with their characters.
This book also raised some interesting moral questions that I'm not used to in YA books. Can you love someone even if they do horrible things? Where is the line between good and evil, and can individual people decide that for themselves? Are there sins worse than others?
Overall, this was a pretty good read, and I'm excited for the next book to come out in August. Long live the Gothic genre!
arianawrites's review
Uh, love love love. There are a few flaws here and there, but honestly I was so high on all of the pretty boys with crooked smiles and good hair and nice clothes (all splattered with blood!) that I want to rate this five stars. Enjoyable and fun and gruesome.
morgana_fae_'s review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Definitely was a good read!
Is a tiny bit hard to get into but when you start to understand and get more into it, it does become more clearer and more understandable
Is a tiny bit hard to get into but when you start to understand and get more into it, it does become more clearer and more understandable
littlebookmunchkin's review against another edition
3.0
I just don't know how to rate this book...the plot seemed promising but there is just something about it that makes me feel frustrated alot of the times and...whilst I will be reading the second book, i can say that it won't be one of my favourite series and that is sad because it really could have been....
viviette's review
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I found something in this book. It felt like a battle between addiction and balancing relationships like everything is fine when it’s not. It sort of made me think of some personal things I’ve experienced recently as well as my ex-best friend… I don’t know, it really just made me think about stuff until the stupid ending. The book was absolutely ruined at the end. It would’ve been five stars if it weren’t for that but still, it was a memorable read. I loved the first 3/4 but that end was just terrible, terrible, terrible…
janessaalexis's review
2.0
Actual rating: 3.5
This book was so unbelievably frustrating. I honestly don't know if I like it or not.
But I guess it's because it stirs in me so many conflicting and confusing feelings that I enjoyed it.
Looking forward to the sequel.
This book was so unbelievably frustrating. I honestly don't know if I like it or not.
But I guess it's because it stirs in me so many conflicting and confusing feelings that I enjoyed it.
Looking forward to the sequel.
lissherondale's review
SO BORING and stupid, the characters are just.. meh.. the plot, the place.. Don't like it. It was very disappointing
reasonpassion's review
4.0
Given how the typical trend has been to have fantasy creatures come out into the modern world and in some capacity be accepted and mainstreamed, the experience of this world was refreshing. Magic exists and with it came the collapse of government as society freaked out and instituted a dictatorial regime to control the chaos, with all who are believed to be practicing placed on a Registry and relegated to second-class status. That there exists another movement goes without saying and it offers some interesting dialogue, along with the presence of a powerful organization operating counter to the new government making life interesting for those it finds useful. Enter the heroine and her ability to see dead people, quick on her feet, mature in her mind and still cares for people. No wilting damsel, no hard as nails warrior, just a well-rounded female character. The bumps of the narrative are easily forgiven for a world and central character well done.
lizzy_22's review
3.0
Idk, I think this was trying a little too hard. Entertaining at the end tho if a little melodramatic.