joliendelandsheer's review
4.0
4.5 stars
This just broke my heart. Dead to You is an amazing book, one you won't forget easily.
I don't often read realistic fiction, because it terrifies me. Problems like molestation, cancer, abduction, etc. scare me because it can happen to all of us. This book really shows how hard it must be for victims of kidnapping to go back to a life they don't remember. And the ending was just mindblowing!
Definitely recommend this one.
This just broke my heart. Dead to You is an amazing book, one you won't forget easily.
I don't often read realistic fiction, because it terrifies me. Problems like molestation, cancer, abduction, etc. scare me because it can happen to all of us. This book really shows how hard it must be for victims of kidnapping to go back to a life they don't remember. And the ending was just mindblowing!
Definitely recommend this one.
bookclubtrivia's review
4.0
While it did hold my interest throughout... it sort of feels like the story is just a cool concept. Like, “what if this happened?” But then that’s all there is to it. There’s not like a deeper meaning to the story beyond, “man, it would suck if this happened.” I mean maybe there is, but... yeah.
chelseamh98's review against another edition
4.0
saw this book at my school started to read an was really enjoying it but the last chapter really messed my head I believe that there is a unwritten role between author and reader and I believe that this book not only crossed the line but it destroyed it. apart from that it as amazing and definitely worth a read this book definitely needs a sequel
bubblepricks's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Satisfying, quick read. We love Gracie.
mercipourleslivres's review
4.0
I love stories about abductions and kidnapping...I"d say 50% of my 'squicky subjects' shelf contains them. This was a fresh take on what it would be like for a child to return home after so many years living with strangers. At first I compared it to a pulpy-male version of "The Face on the Milk Carton" but Ethan, the protaganist was much more realistic and relatable than Janie ever could be. Then came the ending...what a glorious mindfuck.
aschwartz184's review
4.0
Themes of family and self-identity abound in this YA thriller about a teen boy that was abducted in his childhood. McMann weaves this tale in sixteen-year-old Ethan's voice in a style that is both simple and appealing. The chapters are brief, making it a good recommendation for reluctant readers. This was definitely one of the better written and more original works of realistic teen fiction that I had read in a while. By the second chapter, I was hooked - and the twist ending was full of impact.
emiliebookworld's review
Until I read Dead to You, I had heard plenty about Lisa McMann but had never actually read any of her books. But once I started reading, I pretty much read the whole book in one sitting. I'm definitely glad I've finally picked up a Lisa McMann book.
For nine years, Ethan lived with a woman who wasn't his mother. But Ethan doesn't really remember having any other life. That's because when he was seven years old, Ethan was abducted from his front yard an all his memories from before that time seem to be blocked. Now sixteen, Ethan is reunited with his family and everything is going great. At first. But not long after Ethan's return, things start to take a turn for the worst. Right when Ethan starts feeling at home with his family, his younger brother starts doubting that Ethan isn't who he says he is. And from there, everything spirals downwards. But unless Ethan can remember his life from before the abduction, non one will know the truth.
I am very happy that I have now discovered what a fantastic writer Lisa McMann is. Dead to You was an incredible book. It kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time I was reading, and I just couldn't seem to put the book down. Every time I told myself I would stop after just one more chapter, I found myself reading on and on. It was just that good. The way Lisa McMann wrote the story, I couldn't help but want to find out more about everything that was going on. A lot of that also had to do with the fact she decided to tell the story from Ethan's perspective. This way, the reader would get as frustrated with everything as Ethan, and would want to understand what was going on as much as him. And the ending was great, though I'm not sure I was fully satisfied by it. A few weeks later I'm still sort of trying to make sense of it.
With this book, it's really hard to say anything about the characters, mainly because the story focuses mostly on Ethan and how he's reacting to being back with his family after nine years of being away. But that doesn't mean that Ethan wasn't an interesting character, because he really was. I loved that even though he was the one telling the story, there was still a lot of mystery surrounding him because he was missing some of his memories. I really enjoyed puzzling everything out at the same time as he did. But I also really liked finding out more about him and just getting to know him. He was definitely the most important part of the story. Ethan's family was also interesting, but I felt like I didn't know enough about them. But at the same time, knowing more about them would have completely changed the story.
Overall, Dead to You was an incredible story and I'm happy I've now discovered Lisa McMann as a writer. If you're in the mood for a mystery and a thriller, I definitely recommend you pick up Dead to You and give it a chance.
For nine years, Ethan lived with a woman who wasn't his mother. But Ethan doesn't really remember having any other life. That's because when he was seven years old, Ethan was abducted from his front yard an all his memories from before that time seem to be blocked. Now sixteen, Ethan is reunited with his family and everything is going great. At first. But not long after Ethan's return, things start to take a turn for the worst. Right when Ethan starts feeling at home with his family, his younger brother starts doubting that Ethan isn't who he says he is. And from there, everything spirals downwards. But unless Ethan can remember his life from before the abduction, non one will know the truth.
I am very happy that I have now discovered what a fantastic writer Lisa McMann is. Dead to You was an incredible book. It kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time I was reading, and I just couldn't seem to put the book down. Every time I told myself I would stop after just one more chapter, I found myself reading on and on. It was just that good. The way Lisa McMann wrote the story, I couldn't help but want to find out more about everything that was going on. A lot of that also had to do with the fact she decided to tell the story from Ethan's perspective. This way, the reader would get as frustrated with everything as Ethan, and would want to understand what was going on as much as him. And the ending was great, though I'm not sure I was fully satisfied by it. A few weeks later I'm still sort of trying to make sense of it.
With this book, it's really hard to say anything about the characters, mainly because the story focuses mostly on Ethan and how he's reacting to being back with his family after nine years of being away. But that doesn't mean that Ethan wasn't an interesting character, because he really was. I loved that even though he was the one telling the story, there was still a lot of mystery surrounding him because he was missing some of his memories. I really enjoyed puzzling everything out at the same time as he did. But I also really liked finding out more about him and just getting to know him. He was definitely the most important part of the story. Ethan's family was also interesting, but I felt like I didn't know enough about them. But at the same time, knowing more about them would have completely changed the story.
Overall, Dead to You was an incredible story and I'm happy I've now discovered Lisa McMann as a writer. If you're in the mood for a mystery and a thriller, I definitely recommend you pick up Dead to You and give it a chance.
vlsh99's review
4.0
Wow.
I admit, I read this book because Aaron Tveit narrated the audiobook, but this book just sucked me in like a black hole.
Before I read this, I read a few spoiler-free reviews online about it, and I was promised angst and craziness. So I felt pretty disappointed reading it, because it seemed pretty bland, you know. Either than Ethan's hysterics and Blake drama.
But then, the ending was ... wow. Granted, I knew what was roughly going to happen thanks to stumbling past spoilers on tumblr, but I did not expect this. My heart started beating loudly during the last chapter, and "oh my god oh my god" was passing through my mind like a mantra.
Wow.
Anyone who likes getting their mind twisted should read this.
And I just love the "chemistry" between Ethan and Gracie. I love their relationship so much. It brings some sweetness to the bitterness and tension of the entire book.
I admit, I read this book because Aaron Tveit narrated the audiobook, but this book just sucked me in like a black hole.
Before I read this, I read a few spoiler-free reviews online about it, and I was promised angst and craziness. So I felt pretty disappointed reading it, because it seemed pretty bland, you know. Either than Ethan's hysterics and Blake drama.
But then, the ending was ... wow. Granted, I knew what was roughly going to happen thanks to stumbling past spoilers on tumblr, but I did not expect this. My heart started beating loudly during the last chapter, and "oh my god oh my god" was passing through my mind like a mantra.
Wow.
Anyone who likes getting their mind twisted should read this.
And I just love the "chemistry" between Ethan and Gracie. I love their relationship so much. It brings some sweetness to the bitterness and tension of the entire book.
rachielove9's review
4.0
I blew through this book in one sitting, but I don't think I'll stop thinking about it for a long time.
fearoflung's review
5.0
Dead to You by Lisa McMann tells the story of Ethan, a boy who was abducted from his home at the age of seven. Nine years later, he is finally reunited with his family, which consists of his mother, father, his younger brother Blake, and a sibling he has never met before, Gracie.
Ethan has a difficult time trying to adjust to his new, more normal life after spending most of his years being taken care of by a woman named Ellen who worked as an escort. He finds it hard to remember his abduction and many of the events of his life with his family before he was taken. Things take a sharp turn for the worst when Blake makes a shocking revelation in their family therapy session.
I won’t give too much away about the book, but I must say that the ending, even though I kind of suspected what was going to happen, gave me chills.
Dead to You is the second book by McMann that I have read, the first being Cryer’s Cross, which I loved. I love the writing style of Dead to You. It is written in first person and it felt so real to me. It was like I was sitting with Ethan, listening to him tell his story. All of the characters in the book are very believable from little Gracie with her secret lunchbox to Blake and his obsession that threatens to tear the entire family apart.
Dead to You has a little bit of everything. There is romance between Cami, Ethan’s childhood best friend; family drama as they try to put the pieces of their lives back together; mystery and suspense as Blake’s feelings toward his newly found brother grow darker and darker.
I finished the book in a few hours and loved it! For those who have read Cryer’s Cross and enjoyed it, I recommend this book, and vise versa! For those who have read neither, what are you waiting for?
Ethan has a difficult time trying to adjust to his new, more normal life after spending most of his years being taken care of by a woman named Ellen who worked as an escort. He finds it hard to remember his abduction and many of the events of his life with his family before he was taken. Things take a sharp turn for the worst when Blake makes a shocking revelation in their family therapy session.
I won’t give too much away about the book, but I must say that the ending, even though I kind of suspected what was going to happen, gave me chills.
Dead to You is the second book by McMann that I have read, the first being Cryer’s Cross, which I loved. I love the writing style of Dead to You. It is written in first person and it felt so real to me. It was like I was sitting with Ethan, listening to him tell his story. All of the characters in the book are very believable from little Gracie with her secret lunchbox to Blake and his obsession that threatens to tear the entire family apart.
Dead to You has a little bit of everything. There is romance between Cami, Ethan’s childhood best friend; family drama as they try to put the pieces of their lives back together; mystery and suspense as Blake’s feelings toward his newly found brother grow darker and darker.
I finished the book in a few hours and loved it! For those who have read Cryer’s Cross and enjoyed it, I recommend this book, and vise versa! For those who have read neither, what are you waiting for?