rosiecatry's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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
jtferdon's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 Stars. I put this down for a bit to read some books from the library. I suspected all along who dunnit. It was still enjoyable and a solid debut from this actress / writer.
rizzykaye's review against another edition
5.0
I love Krysten Ritter as an actress but was not prepared for how much I would love her as an author. The story was original and bizarre and creepy, the characters were well-developed and she didn’t feel the need to turn a thriller with a female lead into a romance with a sappy ending. It was so good. I hope she writes more.
dizzymissizzyy's review against another edition
5.0
Abby’s character is so intense and well written, as is the unbelievable-but-beleivable conspiracy theory she’s investigating. A quick read while still being emotional, creepy, and totally immersive. Ritter makes a totally unrealistic mystery seem more and more plausible with each page, and you feel yourself being pulled in right along with Abby. All the characters are well thought out, and the main character’s depth and honestly truly make this book great. Abby’s flaws are real and raw, uncomfortably realistic and relatable, while still being a heroine worth rooting for. I cannot wait for Krysten Ritter to do more.
juliayoung's review against another edition
3.0
Ehhhhhh.... I had hoped for a spine chilling murder mystery, and I just kinda got an annoying main character set in an interesting story, all happening in a setting that doesn't make any sense. None of the antagonists truly have motives for what they do, and Abby is that character that everyone seems to hate in highschool, but somehow comes back hot, and all the dudes are falling at her feet. (ugh) Also, I felt like Ritter tried to explain Kaycee's actions, but by the end of the story I was left more confused than at the beginning. There were also multiple story lines that were probably supposed to all come together at the very end, but still somehow ended up separate, with little to no overlaps.
Spoiler
I did like the mercury poisoning, but I felt like the symptoms could have been described more so the readers at least had a chance to figure it out.brittany_tellefsen's review against another edition
3.0
Rating: 3.5/5
Ten years ago, Abby Williams left her hometown of Barrens, Indiana and never looked back. Now an environmental lawyer in Chicago, Abby is being dragged back to Barrens to investigate Optimal Plastics, the largest corporation in the city, and one that has encouraged a lot of growth in the town, but one that may be polluting the town's water supply.
But as Abby begins to investigate their environmental infractions, she starts to find connections between Optimal Plastics and a scandal that occurred over 10 years ago involving Kaycee Mitchell, the leading mean girl in high school, along with her pack of hyenas.
Soon, Abby becomes certain that Kaycee didn't simply just run away after the scandal, but that something more sinister happened...and she is obsessed with finding out. But as she pokes at the town's weak spots, she starts to uncover dangerous secrets that will put reputations on the line and herself at risk
Okay, so we all know that Krysten Ritter is first and foremost an actress and I won't be shy in admitting that clouds my ability to review this 100% objectively. This is primarily because I can't help but picture her as the main character of this story, and because I feel as though I may be overly harsh in my criticisms since I know she is an actress stepping outside of her typical expertise.
With that being said, I did not find this to be a disappointing read at all.Was it fairly average? Yes. Was the plot remarkably unique and shock inducing? No. But it was well written and showed a great-deal of potential.
Overall, I found the story-line to be simple. It was not a complex narrative that weaves multiple different threads into one elaborate portrait. And overall, there was little to no character development. Abby herself can often be unlikable at times, and she is the only character perspective so all other characters are being seen through her eyes. This is definitely not going to be a story for those who need to connect to characters and care about them to enjoy the story as it was very plot driven and on the shorter side.
But again, I found this to be a pretty solid debut and I will likely pick up more from Krysten in the future should she decide to write more books.
Ten years ago, Abby Williams left her hometown of Barrens, Indiana and never looked back. Now an environmental lawyer in Chicago, Abby is being dragged back to Barrens to investigate Optimal Plastics, the largest corporation in the city, and one that has encouraged a lot of growth in the town, but one that may be polluting the town's water supply.
But as Abby begins to investigate their environmental infractions, she starts to find connections between Optimal Plastics and a scandal that occurred over 10 years ago involving Kaycee Mitchell, the leading mean girl in high school, along with her pack of hyenas.
Soon, Abby becomes certain that Kaycee didn't simply just run away after the scandal, but that something more sinister happened...and she is obsessed with finding out. But as she pokes at the town's weak spots, she starts to uncover dangerous secrets that will put reputations on the line and herself at risk
Okay, so we all know that Krysten Ritter is first and foremost an actress and I won't be shy in admitting that clouds my ability to review this 100% objectively. This is primarily because I can't help but picture her as the main character of this story, and because I feel as though I may be overly harsh in my criticisms since I know she is an actress stepping outside of her typical expertise.
With that being said, I did not find this to be a disappointing read at all.Was it fairly average? Yes. Was the plot remarkably unique and shock inducing? No. But it was well written and showed a great-deal of potential.
Overall, I found the story-line to be simple. It was not a complex narrative that weaves multiple different threads into one elaborate portrait. And overall, there was little to no character development. Abby herself can often be unlikable at times, and she is the only character perspective so all other characters are being seen through her eyes. This is definitely not going to be a story for those who need to connect to characters and care about them to enjoy the story as it was very plot driven and on the shorter side.
But again, I found this to be a pretty solid debut and I will likely pick up more from Krysten in the future should she decide to write more books.
novelesque_life's review against another edition
DNF @ 35%
2017; Crown Publishing/Crown Archetype
I love Krysten Ritter so was excited to be given a chance to read her debut book. Unfortunately, I just could not get into Ritter's writing or plot. I kept trying hoping that it was just not working for me at that time. After my fourth time, I had to give up at 35%.
***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***
2017; Crown Publishing/Crown Archetype
I love Krysten Ritter so was excited to be given a chance to read her debut book. Unfortunately, I just could not get into Ritter's writing or plot. I kept trying hoping that it was just not working for me at that time. After my fourth time, I had to give up at 35%.
***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***
nerdyrev's review against another edition
4.0
Many people will know Krysten Ritter as an actress in several TV shows, especially Jessica Jones. She has been incredibly successful in the work she has done. Now she is entering the world of writing with her first book Bonfire. Will Bonfire hold up?
This is the story of Abby who returns home to investigate the local company who have been accused of poisoning members of the community. As Abby returns home, she falls into old HS patterns of popular and unpopular kids, who are now adults and sees the newest generation repeating the patterns of her generation. As she investigates, she realizes things from her past especially her missing friend, might all be tied together with certain people in the community. As she also investigates, she meets resistance from town members, as the company is the main industry that supports the town. Can the town turn a blind eye to what is happening to their children? What about the harmful patterns that are happening within the HS?
Let me first state, this is an incredible book. Ritter knows how to write and it shows. The story moves along pretty quickly and the cast of characters are well developed. This is a great story too.
Where I found a bit of difficulty is I think she tries to tackle a lot of subjects within the story. She focuses on environmental issues as the main part, but there is also sexual assault, bullying, the story of coming back, and a few other issues. With all the topics, some get shortchanged a bit within a great story.
I think readers will really enjoy this one. It is a fantastic book that many will enjoy. I gave this one 4 stars.
I want to thank NetGalley for the early copy. I received it in exchange for an honest review.
This is the story of Abby who returns home to investigate the local company who have been accused of poisoning members of the community. As Abby returns home, she falls into old HS patterns of popular and unpopular kids, who are now adults and sees the newest generation repeating the patterns of her generation. As she investigates, she realizes things from her past especially her missing friend, might all be tied together with certain people in the community. As she also investigates, she meets resistance from town members, as the company is the main industry that supports the town. Can the town turn a blind eye to what is happening to their children? What about the harmful patterns that are happening within the HS?
Let me first state, this is an incredible book. Ritter knows how to write and it shows. The story moves along pretty quickly and the cast of characters are well developed. This is a great story too.
Where I found a bit of difficulty is I think she tries to tackle a lot of subjects within the story. She focuses on environmental issues as the main part, but there is also sexual assault, bullying, the story of coming back, and a few other issues. With all the topics, some get shortchanged a bit within a great story.
I think readers will really enjoy this one. It is a fantastic book that many will enjoy. I gave this one 4 stars.
I want to thank NetGalley for the early copy. I received it in exchange for an honest review.
jpraska006's review against another edition
Krysten Ritter crafts a solidly impressive debut novel with Bonfire, a mystery centering around an environmental lawyer returning to her home town of Barrens, Indiana to investigate corporate misdeeds while inadvertently digging up the ghosts of her past along the way.
Evident through her writing style, Ritter definitely has a knack for unique metaphorical language, and her plotting is tight while still twisting the reader along different paths and dead ends along the way. I can’t say that I’m the most well-versed in the mystery genre, but the story felt unique to me and the overall mystery kept me guessing up until the end. The final showdown/climax of the book did feel as if it fell into a few tropes of the genre (such as the villainous monologue explaining motivations) however I will say that it never felt forced or took me out of the story. Being her debut book, this is definitely a success!
Evident through her writing style, Ritter definitely has a knack for unique metaphorical language, and her plotting is tight while still twisting the reader along different paths and dead ends along the way. I can’t say that I’m the most well-versed in the mystery genre, but the story felt unique to me and the overall mystery kept me guessing up until the end. The final showdown/climax of the book did feel as if it fell into a few tropes of the genre (such as the villainous monologue explaining motivations) however I will say that it never felt forced or took me out of the story. Being her debut book, this is definitely a success!