A review by standingtreereads
The Narrow by Kate Alice Marshall
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Strong start, bland end
I'll admit, it should of clicked when I found out this is based in a boarding school that I'd be reading about teenagers. My brain just straight didn't make that connection. Overall, I'm not a big fan of YA because I have a hard time putting myself in the shoes of teenagers now, despite being one at one point. Everything, however miniscule, is life-or-death and it's just not a mindset I like to reexperience in my older, adult life for fun. I don't have the patience anymore.
In my albeit limited experience with YA as a genre, I have to say that this wasn't as bad as I thought it might be. Perhaps that's because the stakes were ACTUALLY life-and/or-death. I enjoyed the premise (ghosts/paranormal stuff is my jam), the characters both main and side, the atmosphere, especially in the beginning, really hit that Halloween, spooky spot I was hoping it would.
The ending wasn't what I was expecting, in both a good way and a bad way. I appreciate the non-clicheness of it, but it still felt a little off. I didn't quite feel the emotions I think it was supposed to elicit.
In all, a solid book that I can see others really enjoying (and apparently are, given the ratings/reviews), but not quite my cup of tea.
I'll admit, it should of clicked when I found out this is based in a boarding school that I'd be reading about teenagers. My brain just straight didn't make that connection. Overall, I'm not a big fan of YA because I have a hard time putting myself in the shoes of teenagers now, despite being one at one point. Everything, however miniscule, is life-or-death and it's just not a mindset I like to reexperience in my older, adult life for fun. I don't have the patience anymore.
In my albeit limited experience with YA as a genre, I have to say that this wasn't as bad as I thought it might be. Perhaps that's because the stakes were ACTUALLY life-and/or-death. I enjoyed the premise (ghosts/paranormal stuff is my jam), the characters both main and side, the atmosphere, especially in the beginning, really hit that Halloween, spooky spot I was hoping it would.
The ending wasn't what I was expecting, in both a good way and a bad way. I appreciate the non-clicheness of it, but it still felt a little off. I didn't quite feel the emotions I think it was supposed to elicit.
In all, a solid book that I can see others really enjoying (and apparently are, given the ratings/reviews), but not quite my cup of tea.