klmeyers's review against another edition
2.0
I really thought I would like this, but it was a chore to finish. I wasn’t invested in the story and the supernatural elements felt too whimsical to have any real impact.
thegodmachine393's review against another edition
3.0
Loved the idea of this book but character development and depth weren’t there for me.
marmoset737's review against another edition
4.0
Well-plotted and great book for teens (particularly teenage boys).
heatherbermingham's review against another edition
5.0
I *loved* this book. One of my favorites in a while.
andrewrmart's review against another edition
1.0
Here are some words or phrases that have been improperly attributed to this book:
thrilling
tense
riveting
mesmerizing
a home run
great
very creepy
very moving
The trouble with writing a mystery novel is that the mystery you come up with has to be remotely interesting. Also, more than one single character involved in that mystery needs to be compelling. Somewhere along the line, those important points didn't get conveyed to the author. I wish I could keep this in my classroom library just for the beautiful cover, but I won't even be doing that.
thrilling
tense
riveting
mesmerizing
a home run
great
very creepy
very moving
The trouble with writing a mystery novel is that the mystery you come up with has to be remotely interesting. Also, more than one single character involved in that mystery needs to be compelling. Somewhere along the line, those important points didn't get conveyed to the author. I wish I could keep this in my classroom library just for the beautiful cover, but I won't even be doing that.
dessa's review against another edition
2.0
I really liked the plot summary on the inside cover, but I would have liked it more if David Mitchell wrote it.
froggylibrarian1's review against another edition
4.0
Wow, this book was something. In a way it reminded me of Kensuke's Kingdom but then again not so much. This book alternates between events that happen now - the death of Evan's father, the arrival of his grandfather Griff, and a mysterious book. The book tells the story of a Japaneses soldier stranded on an island, an American soldier also stranded on the island, and Evan's grandfather Griff. What really happened on the island that Griff doesn't want people to find out about?
With a mix of ghosts, zombies, war, and regret this was a really powerful book. I thoroughly enjoyed it except for the f-bombs. Because of the searing I will not have this in my library and I don't feel I can recommend it for MSBA but I would recommend it to young adult readers.
With a mix of ghosts, zombies, war, and regret this was a really powerful book. I thoroughly enjoyed it except for the f-bombs. Because of the searing I will not have this in my library and I don't feel I can recommend it for MSBA but I would recommend it to young adult readers.
annabelledejesus's review against another edition
2.0
Decent but not comparable to some of the titles I've read this year.
l1brarygirl's review against another edition
5.0
really enjoyed. had some paranormal elements along with it being both historical and a mystery. had a good ending too.
"the truth is bigger than the stories people tell themselves and bigger than the lies they live with." pg. 310 -Griff
jengennari's review against another edition
5.0
A story within a story, a war real and between father and son. Wonderful.