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eproctor's review against another edition
4.0
I have only recently gotten into YA fiction. Often, these books fall flat because they feel like a watered down version of an adult novel. Less description, less character development. That was not the case with Last Seen Leaving!
I found myself drawn into the characters. And Roehrig's writing style is very moving. Nearly every chapter had a mini-cliffhanger. I found myself wanting to continue reading. I also enjoyed the use of flashbacks to introduce background but also tie in elements of the story.
It is clear that the author spent time developing his characters beyond the pages of this book. He knew their personality. As a result, he kept their behaviors consistent throughout the reading.
If there was a flaw in the book, I would say that at times the language seemed a little advanced. It didn't feel like something that a 15-year-old would say or think.
Overall, however, I would highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys YA or a good mystery. I look forward to future books from Roehrig!
I found myself drawn into the characters. And Roehrig's writing style is very moving. Nearly every chapter had a mini-cliffhanger. I found myself wanting to continue reading. I also enjoyed the use of flashbacks to introduce background but also tie in elements of the story.
It is clear that the author spent time developing his characters beyond the pages of this book. He knew their personality. As a result, he kept their behaviors consistent throughout the reading.
If there was a flaw in the book, I would say that at times the language seemed a little advanced. It didn't feel like something that a 15-year-old would say or think.
Overall, however, I would highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys YA or a good mystery. I look forward to future books from Roehrig!
lisabee614's review against another edition
4.0
That was different than I was expecting. I thought I had it figured out and I definitely didn’t. I wish they would have continued the story with one of the characters though, they show up for awhile and then just disappear without much text or explanation. The ending of the book had some twists I was not expecting.
avalith's review against another edition
3.0
So far 2017 has been the year of me liking things with some pretty serious reservations, as is the case here.
Last Seen Leaving is a sort of Gone Girl meets coming out story hybrid, and while both facets kind of work, I'm not sure they work together, and there are parts of both I wasn't a huge fan of.
I found the missing girl portion of the story a bit lacking in intrigue, I had guessed correctly pretty early on, and it's treatment of a couple of female characters was pretty troubling. Without giving away any spoilers, something pretty horrible happens to a minor character, and it isn't made out to be nearly as big of a deal as I thought it should have been.
The coming out/romance part of the book worked more for me, but I'm never a big fan of 15 year olds dating college students.
I did still enjoy the book though, I read through it pretty quickly, there are just a few problematic elements.
Last Seen Leaving is a sort of Gone Girl meets coming out story hybrid, and while both facets kind of work, I'm not sure they work together, and there are parts of both I wasn't a huge fan of.
I found the missing girl portion of the story a bit lacking in intrigue, I had guessed correctly pretty early on, and it's treatment of a couple of female characters was pretty troubling. Without giving away any spoilers, something pretty horrible happens to a minor character, and it isn't made out to be nearly as big of a deal as I thought it should have been.
The coming out/romance part of the book worked more for me, but I'm never a big fan of 15 year olds dating college students.
I did still enjoy the book though, I read through it pretty quickly, there are just a few problematic elements.
mrsgreenberg's review against another edition
4.0
I received this book as a giveaway, and I am glad to have been a winner. I really enjoyed the story, and I thought the main character was a likable guy. The suspense was well-written, and I loved the ending.
larryberry's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
faria13's review against another edition
1.0
TW: rape and suicide
So many gross characters. I think the author tried to make the ending uplifting and hopeful. It was just overshadowed by the gruesome murder of a teenage girl who tried to stand up for her friend.
There are better mysteries out there, let this one stay a mystery to you.
So many gross characters. I think the author tried to make the ending uplifting and hopeful. It was just overshadowed by the gruesome murder of a teenage girl who tried to stand up for her friend.
There are better mysteries out there, let this one stay a mystery to you.
hearteyes's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
ceena's review against another edition
3.0
I received this book through Netgalley. All ideas and thoughts about the book below are my own.
Okay, whirlwind of a book.
It was a really interesting read and I enjoyed the flashbacks and the way Flynn thought/acted. Flynn is only 15, so the immature moments make sense and even those I think are written very well, only a few times did I really question him. He has a lot going on, so much stress, that I am surprised he was able to function at all.
I thought the mystery was done VERY WELL and the ending... loved it. I mean... I wish things could have gone differently, but I understand.
Only thing currently really irks me and that is Flynn and Kaz. I think they are great, but Flynn is 15 and Kaz is 19, in college. I just wish the ages were a little different.... I'd prefer 16 & 18. A 4 year difference especially with one of them in college just makes me feel gross-- even more considering the background
---January making it seem like Kaz was hitting on her and we are told 'WOAH! he is older and this is creepy' BUT then when Flynn and Kaz are together it is totally fine???
In the end, I really enjoyed this book and read it rather quickly! I do think it is a good YA book to read and something to explore-- possibly a book club book? -- and I recommend it to people who like mysteries, want to read something lgbtqa+ without it being the main focus of the story, and/or people who can handle reading something involving rape.
Okay, whirlwind of a book.
It was a really interesting read and I enjoyed the flashbacks and the way Flynn thought/acted. Flynn is only 15, so the immature moments make sense and even those I think are written very well, only a few times did I really question him. He has a lot going on, so much stress, that I am surprised he was able to function at all.
I thought the mystery was done VERY WELL and the ending... loved it. I mean... I wish things could have gone differently, but I understand.
Only thing currently really irks me and that is Flynn and Kaz. I think they are great, but Flynn is 15 and Kaz is 19, in college. I just wish the ages were a little different.... I'd prefer 16 & 18. A 4 year difference especially with one of them in college just makes me feel gross-- even more considering the background
---January making it seem like Kaz was hitting on her and we are told 'WOAH! he is older and this is creepy' BUT then when Flynn and Kaz are together it is totally fine???
Spoiler
Also, considering there is rape involved in the story-- statutory rape even, I really REALLY felt uncomfortable with the age gap.In the end, I really enjoyed this book and read it rather quickly! I do think it is a good YA book to read and something to explore-- possibly a book club book? -- and I recommend it to people who like mysteries, want to read something lgbtqa+ without it being the main focus of the story, and/or people who can handle reading something involving rape.
kelly24lox's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
cornmaven's review against another edition
4.0
Flynn Doherty has to contend, all at once, with his girlfriend's disappearance, making the decision to come out to the world as gay because of that disappearance, and figuring out who's responsible for January's missing status. That's quite a lot for a teen boy to navigate, and I found the narrative compelling. It's a thriller and a coming of age story all in one, with Flynn's first person account the anchor. I loved his voice, especially his quirky analogies that made me laugh out loud. He is just a regular kid dealing with some big time stuff. The twist at the end wraps it up nicely.