kenzaett's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
The mystery was hard to solve, I couldn't get behind it until 80% of the book, which might have just been because we didn't know the characters as well... But I love how they were all fleshed out, had different identifications... I loved how Stevie and Izzy grew together, and I understand why people have been hating David for the past 4 books (I didn't, I just found him very... ambiguous). This book was very emotional. More so than the mystery focused, thrilling, scary triology - there was a current threat and danger, this one just explored an older case and there wasn't much danger posed to the kids. There were many more mature themes, which I liked, as the characters grew up along the readers over the course of the books. And I got annoyed by Stevie. A lot. I understand Janelle. I understand Nate. She still needs a lot of maturity, a lot of growth. She's still processing who she is and who she wants to be, and can't make peace with the idea she has to go to an actual school and not just rely on solving whatever mystery finds her during her adult years. All the other ones have something to their own, rube Goldberg machines whilst having good grades, a book out whilst still applying to 71 colleges, even David, who's doing "as little as possible" and feels inadequate next to Stevie... But she doesn't seem to want to move on from her successes, and that might just inevitably become her downfall. But I don't think there's another book planned to explore that. And that's okay. I feel like Stevie's chapter is over - I thoroughly enjoyed the series over the past few weeks, but I'm okay not continuing, and letting my own imagination run for what happens next.Â
I'm not as "trapped in this universe" as I've felt with other triologies, and I definitely find that this is also a good standalone, without having to read everything in order and beforehand. Thank you, Maureen, for this adventure.
Graphic: Violence, Toxic relationship, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Vomit, Blood, Alcoholism, and Cursing
Minor: Kidnapping, Sexual content, Outing, Addiction, and Drug abuse
stuckinatimeloop's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
to me, books that have well written characters are more impactful and stay with me for longer. like a study in charlotte. amazing detective series with amazing characters.
i do like truly devious though. overall it's a fun teen detective series. i hope in the future books the characters get more development.
also nate fisher my aroace icon.
Graphic: Murder, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Alcoholism, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Vomit
huntress's review against another edition
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
1.0
Graphic: Infidelity, Blood, Gaslighting, Grief, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Addiction, Drug use, Alcohol, Drug abuse, Alcoholism, Murder, Violence, and Vomit
libraryghost's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Murder, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Drug use, Sexual content, and Alcohol
Minor: Alcoholism
whewtaewoon's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
Graphic: Death, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Murder, and Panic attacks/disorders
sar_i's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Blood, Addiction, Death, Alcoholism, and Drug use
Moderate: Gaslighting, Panic attacks/disorders, and Injury/Injury detail
kayladaila's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Blood, Death, Alcohol, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Murder, Violence, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Classism, Colonisation, and Drug use
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I will say, I don't like David as a love interest. Personally, I don't think he and Stevie have good chemistry and I think Stevie can do better. But that's just my opinion! The mystery in this one was a good twisty one, which is one of the main reasons to read this series, anyway.
All in all, a fun addition to the series, and I'm sure that will be another coming at some point!
Graphic: Murder, Violence, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Sexual content, Child death, and Infidelity
Minor: Cursing, Drug abuse, and Alcoholism
bookishlysophie's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, and Drug use