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whatsounddoesagunmake's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This was a book club read so it gets a full review!! Beware of spoilers if the book club girlies are reading this review 😌
The main reason I rated this book what I did is because it does a very good job at selling what it is - which is ultimately, a YA thriller. YA being the key here - I did not expect this book to have a plot as well constructed or covered as an adult thriller would, which is why I am more lenient with it.
Parts of the book I enjoyed:
- Writing style and pacing. This will be different for everyone, but in my personal opinion, I prefer medium/fast paced books to slow ones (I HATE slow books :) ) and Marney's writing style complements the pace of the book really well - I wasn't bored throughout the book and managed to finish it much quicker than I had initially expected
- I'm no expert on these FBI terms and such so I did have to research a lot of the language and jargon used, but from my (note: meagre) research, it seems like the investigative aspect of the novel seems fairly accurate to what you would at least see in crime shows like Criminal Minds
- the ending! Usually, with tense books like these, the ending is what will disappoint me. However, I would argue that the end of this novel was well done - it was honestly just as dramatic and insane as I expected it. It did end rather quick (you could argue "rushed") but I honestly think it's pretty accurate to how Emma would have been feeling in those final scenes - with the rush of all those final events happening.
- surprising detailed gore for a YA book!
Parts of the book I did not enjoy:
- I did not care too much for any character, really. At most, I really started to like Cooper, and then he was killed so at the end, I finished the book with no real attachment or fondness for anyone. But considering that I would say this is more of a plot-driven book than a character-driven one, I'll let it slide.
- it's so incredibly unrealistic. Look, I'm no FBI expert, but I don't think they would ever let a pair of teenagers investigate and interact with perpetrators while breaking several rules to do so. But I guess all is possible in Emma's world.
- speaking of Emma, girl had it WAY TOO EASY. I swear everytime she hit a challenge, it ALWAYS worked out for her and she barely fights for it - for some reason, many authority figures just allow her to do several things she realistically shouldn't be allowed to do. A story is more enjoying when your main character doesn't get everything handed to them on a silver platter - and they actually have to fight for it.
- the time setting is so irrelevant tbh. The only reason it's set in 1982 is probably so that technology isn't as advanced and hence Hoyt couldn't be caught faster. But other than the models of the cars (I'm assuming - I am not a car person), you could've told me this was set in 2012 and it would still read the same.
Anyway, overall, despite the flaws I did really enjoy the book, and once again it delivers itself well as a YA thriller.
The main reason I rated this book what I did is because it does a very good job at selling what it is - which is ultimately, a YA thriller. YA being the key here - I did not expect this book to have a plot as well constructed or covered as an adult thriller would, which is why I am more lenient with it.
Parts of the book I enjoyed:
- Writing style and pacing. This will be different for everyone, but in my personal opinion, I prefer medium/fast paced books to slow ones (I HATE slow books :) ) and Marney's writing style complements the pace of the book really well - I wasn't bored throughout the book and managed to finish it much quicker than I had initially expected
- I'm no expert on these FBI terms and such so I did have to research a lot of the language and jargon used, but from my (note: meagre) research, it seems like the investigative aspect of the novel seems fairly accurate to what you would at least see in crime shows like Criminal Minds
- the ending! Usually, with tense books like these, the ending is what will disappoint me. However, I would argue that the end of this novel was well done - it was honestly just as dramatic and insane as I expected it. It did end rather quick (you could argue "rushed") but I honestly think it's pretty accurate to how Emma would have been feeling in those final scenes - with the rush of all those final events happening.
- surprising detailed gore for a YA book!
Parts of the book I did not enjoy:
- I did not care too much for any character, really. At most, I really started to like Cooper, and then he was killed so at the end, I finished the book with no real attachment or fondness for anyone. But considering that I would say this is more of a plot-driven book than a character-driven one, I'll let it slide.
- it's so incredibly unrealistic. Look, I'm no FBI expert, but I don't think they would ever let a pair of teenagers investigate and interact with perpetrators while breaking several rules to do so. But I guess all is possible in Emma's world.
- speaking of Emma, girl had it WAY TOO EASY. I swear everytime she hit a challenge, it ALWAYS worked out for her and she barely fights for it - for some reason, many authority figures just allow her to do several things she realistically shouldn't be allowed to do. A story is more enjoying when your main character doesn't get everything handed to them on a silver platter - and they actually have to fight for it.
- the time setting is so irrelevant tbh. The only reason it's set in 1982 is probably so that technology isn't as advanced and hence Hoyt couldn't be caught faster. But other than the models of the cars (I'm assuming - I am not a car person), you could've told me this was set in 2012 and it would still read the same.
Anyway, overall, despite the flaws I did really enjoy the book, and once again it delivers itself well as a YA thriller.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Kidnapping
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Sexual assault
matchashortcake's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Blood, Kidnapping, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
ross_emm's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Had me 100% from the beginning! Emma and Travis are great characters and I love their relationship dynamic throughout the book, their bond is very strong and it becomes that way quite quickly. Simon is such an interesting character to me and I relished watching him go absolutely batshit on Anthony during their final battle. I liked having a few chapters from the butchers perspective, but having information that the characters don't possess did drive me a little crazy (in a good way)
Definitely interested in reading more from Ellie Marney!
Definitely interested in reading more from Ellie Marney!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Medical content, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gore and Sexual assault
Minor: Animal cruelty and Animal death
jenmaysiereads's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Drug abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Cannibalism, Stalking, and Murder
scjasmine04's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
the book was very good and fast paced.
a couple of events occured that i was not expecting at all, and although the ending was somewhat satisfying, it didnt satisfy me enough.
it felt like there was an element missing
however i thought the book was unique for a ya mystery and thriller, i couldnt put it down
a couple of events occured that i was not expecting at all, and although the ending was somewhat satisfying, it didnt satisfy me enough.
it felt like there was an element missing
however i thought the book was unique for a ya mystery and thriller, i couldnt put it down
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual assault
g_cav's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a good crime novel, not so successful as a thriller. The details of the murder are fairly disturbing. They recruit the help of a serial killer (Simon) whose narcissism is really grating, but most of the most emotionally tense scenes were with him, so during those times I would be really concerned about the protagonist but at the same time be thinking ‘God I wish this guy would shut up!’
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Sexual assault