dldawson's review against another edition
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
sc104906's review against another edition
2.0
I received this as an eARC through NetGalley.
Skye Thorn makes money on the side by reading people's tarot cards and her mother has "the gift" as well. Even though Skye makes money at her craft, she doesn't believe in any of it. Skye uses her "gift" to be a key player in a kidnapping. By taking the knowledge from the kidnappers, she goes to the police with her "psychic visions," leading them closer to the missing girl. No one was supposed to get hurt and Skye was supposed to get a big pay out that would allow her to move to New York after high school. Skye soon learners that the kidnappers are not to be trusted and something more deadly could happen during this "fake" kidnapping.
I did not find myself liking any of the characters, which I think the author did well. I just always have a difficult time with books that only have characters that are hard to connect with. I enjoyed the concept, but the execution didn't work for me.
Skye Thorn makes money on the side by reading people's tarot cards and her mother has "the gift" as well. Even though Skye makes money at her craft, she doesn't believe in any of it. Skye uses her "gift" to be a key player in a kidnapping. By taking the knowledge from the kidnappers, she goes to the police with her "psychic visions," leading them closer to the missing girl. No one was supposed to get hurt and Skye was supposed to get a big pay out that would allow her to move to New York after high school. Skye soon learners that the kidnappers are not to be trusted and something more deadly could happen during this "fake" kidnapping.
I did not find myself liking any of the characters, which I think the author did well. I just always have a difficult time with books that only have characters that are hard to connect with. I enjoyed the concept, but the execution didn't work for me.
notlikethebeer's review against another edition
5.0
This... this might be my new favourite crime/thriller/mystery novel, and I do NOT say that lightly. This book is incredibly gripping, with major plot twists that truly define the term 'plot twist': had me gasping and swearing on the Tube! Beyond mind-blowing. Also, I'm seeing a lot of reviews about the author trying too hard to get diverse characters in- I'm not sure what world you're living in, but this just felt... like a reflection of true life? Almost as if not everyone is exactly the same? Weird, I know. Anyway, a truly incredible book, and one that has gotten Eileen Cook a massive place in my heart!
agxxo's review against another edition
2.0
(2.5 ☆)
So… her mom didn’t go to jail for killing Paige?
I’m so confused about what just happened, I’m incredibly sorry I wasted my time and my fiftieth book slot of the year on this book.
Save yourself the time and don’t read this.
So… her mom didn’t go to jail for killing Paige?
I’m so confused about what just happened, I’m incredibly sorry I wasted my time and my fiftieth book slot of the year on this book.
Save yourself the time and don’t read this.
sisareads2476's review against another edition
3.0
I can't help but think that the title really fits. Once I've finished reading it, I felt like I'm still hanging,..I'm left with some unanswered questions and I can't shake the feeling that I was deceived. I mostly enjoyed what I've read but that wrap up made me feel like some things are totally rushed and confusing.. It was kind of dissatisfying but still it was captivating in a sense.
tasha5492's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
behnke's review against another edition
5.0
I picked this book up because it is set in a small town of Michigan. I ended up loving the book more than I thought I would and will, without a doubt, be looking for more books by this author.
Skye, as she prefers to be called, is a teenage girl who has some problems. Besides a past lie that never ceases to follow her around, she has problems with her mom, money issues, and the problem on if she wants to follow through on her life long plan after graduation. The plan has always been that she and her best friend, Drew, would move to New York together but she hasn't been able to save any money for it.
In attempt to have money for the New York plan Skye decides to take part in a kidnapping plan of the local judge's daughter. But her part in the plan is less conventional. It is her job to act as a "psychic" that is connecting with Paige, the girl who has been kidnapped. But Skye realizes that she may be in over her head when some things with the plan go awry.
One part about this book that never seems to ends are the twists. I was getting towards the end of the book and I thought that everything had been set in place, but I was pleasantly surprised to find out that there was one more twist in store.
I think that the characters in the book are incredibly well developed, and there wasn't a time while reading it that I rolled my eyes because the story line or a scene was getting out of control. I think that some of the problems that Skye, Paige, and even Drew face are all real problems that teenagers today face.
Overall I really enjoyed this book because of the well developed characters, a great story line and plot, and because of the writing. I will certainly be looking for another book written by this author!
Skye, as she prefers to be called, is a teenage girl who has some problems. Besides a past lie that never ceases to follow her around, she has problems with her mom, money issues, and the problem on if she wants to follow through on her life long plan after graduation. The plan has always been that she and her best friend, Drew, would move to New York together but she hasn't been able to save any money for it.
In attempt to have money for the New York plan Skye decides to take part in a kidnapping plan of the local judge's daughter. But her part in the plan is less conventional. It is her job to act as a "psychic" that is connecting with Paige, the girl who has been kidnapped. But Skye realizes that she may be in over her head when some things with the plan go awry.
One part about this book that never seems to ends are the twists. I was getting towards the end of the book and I thought that everything had been set in place, but I was pleasantly surprised to find out that there was one more twist in store.
I think that the characters in the book are incredibly well developed, and there wasn't a time while reading it that I rolled my eyes because the story line or a scene was getting out of control. I think that some of the problems that Skye, Paige, and even Drew face are all real problems that teenagers today face.
Overall I really enjoyed this book because of the well developed characters, a great story line and plot, and because of the writing. I will certainly be looking for another book written by this author!
jordana_b_bookish's review against another edition
3.0
This was a good read. It was kind of a generic YA mystery and I wish that there was a tad bit more character development but it was still an enjoyable story. A good beach read.
bolynne's review against another edition
4.0
****I received a copy of this from NetGalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children's Book Group in exchange for an honest review!****
This book felt like it took me no time at all to get through because things just kept happening! And each time I was like "Nooooo what??" But then I remembered things that had happened already and felt so stupid for missing the hints. But that is what makes it good! There's nothing I hate more than figuring out the twists too easily because of too obvious hints OR it s impossible to figure out because there were no hints. Both of these are results of poor writing and planning. This mystery was delivered very well.
This book felt like it took me no time at all to get through because things just kept happening! And each time I was like "Nooooo what??" But then I remembered things that had happened already and felt so stupid for missing the hints. But that is what makes it good! There's nothing I hate more than figuring out the twists too easily because of too obvious hints OR it s impossible to figure out because there were no hints. Both of these are results of poor writing and planning. This mystery was delivered very well.
Spoiler
I also like that the ending wasn't really expected either and that it wasn't really a happy one. Not every book needs to have a good outcome to still get the point across that these are not good people.kazalicious's review against another edition
3.0
I appreciated the author's attempt to make this a twisty story. It was entertaining, and the only real issues I had was that it was a walking billboard for brands and there was a lot of tell, not show. The motive behind the acts was a little murky but overall it was an enjoyable read. This won't be winning any awards and is a light recommendation for someone looking for a cozy teen mystery.