hilaryistired's review against another edition
3.0
I received an advance copy of this book from Simon & Schuster Canada in exchange for an honest review.
When I first picked this book up, I really didn't know what was going to come of it. Murder mystery and crystalline prose seemed like two things that just didn't really fit together, so I wasn't sure how that was going to work when it came down to it, especially once you factored the three characters mentioned in the synopsis into it.
But despite it's strange sort of sound, it ended up being pretty good. There was some really strange stuff that happened in this book, and some even weirder spots in the writing, but the story was good, the characters were interesting, and it was a generally enjoyable read. It's not the thriller that you might expect, with the 'girl title' trend we've been seeing lately (fun fact: despite this, it's actually a girl who gets killed in this one and not a woman!), but rather a character driven story with a murder backdrop.
The Good Points of Girl in Snow:
I loved how complex the characters in this book were, and how all the intricacies of their lives played into how they reacted to Lucinda's death and how they handled everything afterwards. Even the minor characters felt complex and well developed, which is not something we often see in books.
Though I'm typically not a fan of changing points of views, I did like how this one told the different sides of the story, and how I always felt like I was wanting more from each character when we switched to a different character. Somehow Kukafka pulled it off beautifully.
Kukafka is a wonderful storyteller. There were quite a few aspects of this book I wasn't particularly fond of, but I was so in love with how the story was being told that I couldn't even entertain the thought of not finishing it. She's got a way with words, and this book is worth reading for that alone.
The Downsides of Girl in Snow:
I was really not a fan of the way that Kukafka described people in the book. There was a weird fascination the characters or the author had with hair and acne, and the descriptions really turned me off. I'm not saying that the author should have described everyone as beautiful, but I don't want to know if the kid's acne is gonna burst and how you know that. You can just say he has acne. I've had it, I know what it's like.
This book was slow. And character driven books often are, but I spent so much of this book waiting for something to happen. It's a real slow burn of a book, and by the time you get to the end, you're kind of over it.
This is totally just me, but I wasn't big on the ending. It was predictable, and what happened to Lucinda was fairly cliched. But I've read/seen a lot of murder mysteries, so I'm usually not pleased with how they turn out.
Aside from a couple of sexual references, this didn't really feel like adult fiction, and not just because it predominantly features teens. It just seemed simple and really focused on the coming-of-age side of things, but not in a complex enough way to make it feel adult. A high schooler wouldn't struggle with this book in the least.
All in all, Girl in Snow is beautifully written and has some great characters. I did have some issues with it, but it was a good read, and I'm glad it didn't turn out to be yet another 'girl book' thriller. If you like beautiful writing, character driven stories, and less graphic murder mysteries, you should definitely give Girl in Snow a go!
When I first picked this book up, I really didn't know what was going to come of it. Murder mystery and crystalline prose seemed like two things that just didn't really fit together, so I wasn't sure how that was going to work when it came down to it, especially once you factored the three characters mentioned in the synopsis into it.
But despite it's strange sort of sound, it ended up being pretty good. There was some really strange stuff that happened in this book, and some even weirder spots in the writing, but the story was good, the characters were interesting, and it was a generally enjoyable read. It's not the thriller that you might expect, with the 'girl title' trend we've been seeing lately (fun fact: despite this, it's actually a girl who gets killed in this one and not a woman!), but rather a character driven story with a murder backdrop.
The Good Points of Girl in Snow:
I loved how complex the characters in this book were, and how all the intricacies of their lives played into how they reacted to Lucinda's death and how they handled everything afterwards. Even the minor characters felt complex and well developed, which is not something we often see in books.
Though I'm typically not a fan of changing points of views, I did like how this one told the different sides of the story, and how I always felt like I was wanting more from each character when we switched to a different character. Somehow Kukafka pulled it off beautifully.
Kukafka is a wonderful storyteller. There were quite a few aspects of this book I wasn't particularly fond of, but I was so in love with how the story was being told that I couldn't even entertain the thought of not finishing it. She's got a way with words, and this book is worth reading for that alone.
The Downsides of Girl in Snow:
I was really not a fan of the way that Kukafka described people in the book. There was a weird fascination the characters or the author had with hair and acne, and the descriptions really turned me off. I'm not saying that the author should have described everyone as beautiful, but I don't want to know if the kid's acne is gonna burst and how you know that. You can just say he has acne. I've had it, I know what it's like.
This book was slow. And character driven books often are, but I spent so much of this book waiting for something to happen. It's a real slow burn of a book, and by the time you get to the end, you're kind of over it.
This is totally just me, but I wasn't big on the ending. It was predictable, and what happened to Lucinda was fairly cliched. But I've read/seen a lot of murder mysteries, so I'm usually not pleased with how they turn out.
Aside from a couple of sexual references, this didn't really feel like adult fiction, and not just because it predominantly features teens. It just seemed simple and really focused on the coming-of-age side of things, but not in a complex enough way to make it feel adult. A high schooler wouldn't struggle with this book in the least.
All in all, Girl in Snow is beautifully written and has some great characters. I did have some issues with it, but it was a good read, and I'm glad it didn't turn out to be yet another 'girl book' thriller. If you like beautiful writing, character driven stories, and less graphic murder mysteries, you should definitely give Girl in Snow a go!
bolynne's review against another edition
2.0
****I received a copy of this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!****
Augh, this book has me so torn. There was a lot of potential here, but I think it could stand going back to editing a bit longer.
The plot and Lucinda was almost completely non-existent, most of the time and I really didn't particularly like any of the characters that we were privy to following their thoughts, except Cameron. I wanted to get more of him. Also I didn't like any of Russ's POV. Didn't get it. It felt like there were two narratives going on: Lucinda's murder and Russ's relationship with his ex partner.
My favorite thing about this book was the way the plot wrapped up after we find out it wasn't any of the three POVs that killed Lucinda. I really enjoyed where Jade said/thought/whatever "We are not the killers. We are silly kids. Casualties." Which of course also leads me to think Russ's POV was even more unnecessary. He isn't a kid.
And finally, just a few minorish things. Half the time I couldn't tell what was dialogue or not because sometimes there was quotes, sometimes, not. Sometimes italics, too. It was very difficult and annoying honestly. Also why was Jade the only one who spoke in first person in her sections? Was that on purpose? The screenplay thing was interesting, but a little cheesy.
Sorry if this was harsh. It was easy to get into and has very good bones. If some parts are changed/cut, it would be a great novel.
Augh, this book has me so torn. There was a lot of potential here, but I think it could stand going back to editing a bit longer.
The plot and Lucinda was almost completely non-existent, most of the time and I really didn't particularly like any of the characters that we were privy to following their thoughts, except Cameron. I wanted to get more of him. Also I didn't like any of Russ's POV. Didn't get it. It felt like there were two narratives going on: Lucinda's murder and Russ's relationship with his ex partner.
My favorite thing about this book was the way the plot wrapped up after we find out it wasn't any of the three POVs that killed Lucinda. I really enjoyed where Jade said/thought/whatever "We are not the killers. We are silly kids. Casualties." Which of course also leads me to think Russ's POV was even more unnecessary. He isn't a kid.
And finally, just a few minorish things. Half the time I couldn't tell what was dialogue or not because sometimes there was quotes, sometimes, not. Sometimes italics, too. It was very difficult and annoying honestly. Also why was Jade the only one who spoke in first person in her sections? Was that on purpose? The screenplay thing was interesting, but a little cheesy.
Sorry if this was harsh. It was easy to get into and has very good bones. If some parts are changed/cut, it would be a great novel.
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!