astridegtvedt's review against another edition
4.0
The characters I hated in the previous books are still here, although less hateable. I don’t know if it’s because I’ve grown fonder of them or if the author stepped up their game. Also!!! Very happy about non binary representation that isn’t a huge deal!! Vi is a minor character, but they are dating one of Stevie’s friends, and we see more of them in this book. Very good!!
The mystery is solved. It’s not a groundbreaking revelation by any measure (this book falls into a lot of cliches) but I thought it was well done. I enjoyed this book and this series as a whole immensely.
The mystery is solved. It’s not a groundbreaking revelation by any measure (this book falls into a lot of cliches) but I thought it was well done. I enjoyed this book and this series as a whole immensely.
majaluciabekker13's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
readwithsuzanna's review
mysterious
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Death and Murder
jtbolscher's review against another edition
3.0
the inevitable ending to the trilogy coming from a mile away, the book less a book than an act three to a longer novel. my main issues with this book are on a writer-technical level, which feels both very presumptuous and hypocritical coming from me (person noted for never having completed a full draft of a novel, let alone someone who could live off of their writing). nevertheless, i can't ignore that this feels so much like a paint-by-numbers trilogy, starring contrivances that lead to stilted scenes meant to fulfill a very specific purpose, an endless parade of cliched characters (including my absolute least favorite incarnated in the form of david) and the most tell-not-show approach to storytelling this side of veronica roth.
and yet, despite my many annoyances and the very industry-line feel, the sheer competence of it all is undeniable. it's plotted well, the writing flows, the main characters do (eventually) have full arcs, the mystery is resolved in a satisfying way, and it leaves nothing hanging while obviously leaving room for more (as evidenced by the release of box in the woods). maureen johnson is clearly a very experienced writer, some might say even good, but i have to say i did hope for even a touch more.
and yet, despite my many annoyances and the very industry-line feel, the sheer competence of it all is undeniable. it's plotted well, the writing flows, the main characters do (eventually) have full arcs, the mystery is resolved in a satisfying way, and it leaves nothing hanging while obviously leaving room for more (as evidenced by the release of box in the woods). maureen johnson is clearly a very experienced writer, some might say even good, but i have to say i did hope for even a touch more.
serpentslasher869's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
emily_brekker's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.75
4.5-4.75/5
The third book was a great continuation of the series and finally revealed the mystery around the Ellingham case. It was suspenseful as well as mysterious, and especially the ending had me gripped and on the edge of my seat. I had no idea on who to trust, but the ending makes sense.
The third book was a great continuation of the series and finally revealed the mystery around the Ellingham case. It was suspenseful as well as mysterious, and especially the ending had me gripped and on the edge of my seat. I had no idea on who to trust, but the ending makes sense.
cleverbean's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this much more than the first two books, I think it was the end when Stevie was revealing it all that did it for me.
I didn't predict the whodunnit of the present murders or how the past and present were intertwined, but I think some parts were unnecessary or unreasonable. One of those unreasonable things was why the murderer killed Hayes, Ellie, and Fenton, it just felt like it could've been for a better reason. I also think it was unnecessary for the person at the end of the book to die.
Of course, I still hate David, their relationship doesn't make sense and he's manipulative and not good to Stevie.
Besides these things, I did enjoy the story and how it kept me guessing
I didn't predict the whodunnit of the present murders or how the past and present were intertwined, but I think some parts were unnecessary or unreasonable. One of those unreasonable things was why the murderer killed Hayes, Ellie, and Fenton, it just felt like it could've been for a better reason. I also think it was unnecessary for the person at the end of the book to die.
Of course, I still hate David, their relationship doesn't make sense and he's manipulative and not good to Stevie.
Besides these things, I did enjoy the story and how it kept me guessing
shaelinsans's review against another edition
4.0
again, would’ve given it a 5 star if it wasn’t for david
stefanieleigh's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
5.0