cassidy_swanson's review against another edition
5.0
An absolutely brilliant novel. I was so emotionally spent once I finished it. The author does a fantastic job at taking you through a wide array of emotions. At times the novel felt like a love story, at other times a ghost story, and at the heart of it, a psychological thriller. It’s even more brilliant when you finish the novel and read the author’s note.
elizabethgoddard92's review against another edition
4.0
There was what felt like quite a lot going on in this book, but I never found myself confused. The plot lines made sense, even the strange ones, and it all came together beautifully at the end. There were a few twists I didn’t expect and I really felt like I was going through this journey with the main character.
A plus for me is that the ghosts are all based on real people and real things that happened. I didn’t realize that until the end of the book but it absolutely made me appreciate it even more.
My only critique is that I felt the end of her hearing the voices was a bit abrupt. I understand why and how, but it felt a bit forced and out of nowhere for me. I got to the last 100 pages or so and thought to myself “how is this going to wrap up smoothly in a short set of pages” and unfortunately I think the voices coming to an end for her is where space was cut.
A plus for me is that the ghosts are all based on real people and real things that happened. I didn’t realize that until the end of the book but it absolutely made me appreciate it even more.
My only critique is that I felt the end of her hearing the voices was a bit abrupt. I understand why and how, but it felt a bit forced and out of nowhere for me. I got to the last 100 pages or so and thought to myself “how is this going to wrap up smoothly in a short set of pages” and unfortunately I think the voices coming to an end for her is where space was cut.
sasisaskia's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
nglofile's review against another edition
2.0
Timing may well be a factor, but this was a relative miss for me. The very feature that others find compelling - the mix of campus tale, ghost story, family drama, mystery, and coming of age(-ish) journey - instead struck me as overambitious and unfocused. The explorations of grief and of mental illness held surprising degrees of texture, invoking rings of authenticity in the family's trauma experiences - not only in their own processing but also in how poorly others are equipped to respond appropriately. These passages were uncomfortable, but that was rather the point.
It's appropriate, even desirable, to have other storylines and tones to counterbalance these weighty themes; however, those elements need to complement each other, and throwing SO much in undermines the very intent. Also, it would have been preferable to invest more deeply in her roommates and female friendships than in multiple flirtations.
I may have been more sanguine if the writing were elevated, but the jejune style kept bringing me out of the story rather than offering immersion. The sheer length didn't help, nor did the unearned ending, but I'm wrangling with the fact that nearly everyone in my circles has a much more favorable opinion. So, book, it's not you, it's me?
It's appropriate, even desirable, to have other storylines and tones to counterbalance these weighty themes; however, those elements need to complement each other, and throwing SO much in
Spoiler
[but wait, there's more: now espionage, too!]I may have been more sanguine if the writing were elevated, but the jejune style kept bringing me out of the story rather than offering immersion. The sheer length didn't help, nor did the unearned ending, but I'm wrangling with the fact that nearly everyone in my circles has a much more favorable opinion. So, book, it's not you, it's me?
catreader18's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing first novel! I can’t wait to read more from this author.
katekate_reads_'s review against another edition
4.0
Cady’s brother was a junior at Harvard when he died by suicide last year after struggling with schizophrenia. She decides to also attend Harvard - and is hoping to learn more about her brother.
Shortly after arriving, Cady starts hearing voices. She doesn’t know if she’s truly communicating with spirits on campus or if they are signs that she’s also experiencing mental illness.
I was compelled to keep reading and interested to see where things would lead - but not sure how I feel about the answers that were ultimately revealed.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the advance reading copy.
Shortly after arriving, Cady starts hearing voices. She doesn’t know if she’s truly communicating with spirits on campus or if they are signs that she’s also experiencing mental illness.
I was compelled to keep reading and interested to see where things would lead - but not sure how I feel about the answers that were ultimately revealed.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the advance reading copy.
roseangel2's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jodikay's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
asyaqub's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this book; it was hard to put down because I wanted to know what was going to happen and how it would all end. I would have liked to know what happened to some of the other characters at the end. I really want more explanation of the voices- were they real or just in the characters' heads?- but maybe too much explanation would have detracted from the mysteriousness of the story. 4/5 stars because i still had a lot of questions at the end, but overall a great book.