Hyperion, 2012
Originally published 2010
244 pages
YA; Suspense
3.5/5 stars
Source: Received an e-ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I had no idea what to expect when I picked this book up other than my trust in the publisher (I've read many great Hyperion books) and the fact that it was YA. The cover is pretty creepy so I thought it was maybe a horror novel. Poking around on goodreads suggested it was more suspense, which allowed me to adjust my expectations and reassured me that I probably wouldn't be too scared.
I am a little leery of going too in-depth on the plot because I think it is probably better to read this with little preparation. There are some twists and I think it would lessen your enjoyment if you knew too much. However as you can see from the title, there is something about doubles, in this case a double of a person. Young Chap is mistaken for runaway Cassiel and assumes the boy's identity including a troubled home life and the real-life guy's mysterious disappearance.
And as promised, I'm not going to spoil anything other than to say that I was drawn in to the edge of my seat looking for explosive revelations and thrilling sequences. I was also tenderly touched by some scenes in the ending when we have learned all of the secrets and filled with hope about what could come (I'm pretty optimistic :)
But while this book was enjoyable, it didn't knock my socks off. I had a growing sense of dread of what was to come but I wasn't too worried. Mostly because I wasn't too invested in the characters. As Chap is assuming an identity, he doesn't seem to have one of his own and that made it hard for this reader to identify with him.
Overall: An okay outing but not a must-read.
Based on the cover, I thought it was a horror novel too but I'm so glad it isn't! x) As much as I'm starting to be less of a scaredy cat than I was before, I love thrillers so much more than pure horror books and this one sounds really suspenseful!
ReplyDeleteAwesome review as always, B! Even if you weren't as invested in the characters as you would've liked, thank you so much for putting this on my radar -- I'll be sure to take your advice if I start this book! :)
I felt the same exact way about this book. I definitely enjoyed it but I wasn't knocked off my chair b/c of it. I enjoyed the ending, which was something I was really worried about while reading the story. Great review!
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