4/5 stars
Walker and Company, 2013
323 pages
YA Contemporary Thriller
Source: Received an e-ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I was very nervous to start reading this because one of the first reviews I saw was a DNF (linked below). What if I had the same problems? This is why I have a love-hate relationship with reading reviews early. I know I shouldn't because they get me nervous or they raise the level of hype but I'm really bad at stopping myself.
Anyway I picked up the story apprehensively but I ended up pretty much liking it. The basic story is that Mallory killed her boyfriend-no ifs, ands, or buts about it. She killed him good and now is suffering from all the guilt that comes from it, including his angry mother, her awkward parents, and legal woes. To protect her, her parents ship her off to her father's alma mater, a private boarding school. There she continues to feel her dead boyfriend's presence while also struggling to assimilate into the climate.
What I ended up liking most was the friendship between Mallory and her best friend Colleen who admittedly doesn't play that big of a role (Mallory's possible hallucinations get more page time as does the new boy, I'm pretty sure). But it is crucial for one of the themes and is a great example of a YA friendship. Although not perfect, the two are there for each other and I saw some of my own friendships reflected.
I also found this book very thrilling. Miranda doles out little pieces of information at a time and though I thought I was putting it together well, I was still on the edge of my seat to get the full story. Would this veer into a paranormal with an actual ghost haunting Mallory? Does Mallory actually belong in the psych ward? Who will survive? Then the ending effectively wrapped everything up-no cliffhanger here!
On the less positive scale, there is a new romance for Mallory at school, with a perfectly nice boy who did seem a bit unnecessary. I liked him (didn't swoon for him) but it seemed extraneous. I also was kind of mad at Mallory who only started dating her boyfriend because she had a crush on his brother who had a girlfriend. That never ends well as we see all too clearly here.
Overall: Interesting premise that should keep you on the edge of your seat.
Cover: I am possibly coveting that dress. I do own one red dress but I wouldn't mind another especially one that's tighter in the bodice and looser in the skirt. I love looking at pretty dresses.
Other Opinions:
The Book Scoop
Books Live Forever
From the TBR Pile
In Which Ems Reviews Books-a DNF
Pure Imagination
Reading Under the Willow Tree
Nice review, I hope it's "edge of the seat" for me too :)
ReplyDeleteI too tend to avoid reading early reviews so I wouldn't be biased on a book. I've been dying to read this and I always put it off for unknown reasons. Glad that you enjoyed this, hope it'll have the same effects on me.
ReplyDeleteI am curious about this book but not sold on reading it yet. I am glad to hear that you liked it in the end. It is always good to see positive friendships in YA books. I hate the ones with "frenemies" or backstabbing.
ReplyDeleteMallory and Colleen's friendship sounds amazing. Glad you ended up liking.
ReplyDeleteHappy reading,
Brandi @ Blkosiner’s Book Blog
I read another review of this one today, and it sounds so good now :D
ReplyDeleteI love that cover. I'm not big on extraneous love interests, but I loved good friendships and solid endings.
ReplyDeleteReading other reviews can be difficult - I try to avoid reading about a book until I've read it for myself, but I don't always do so.
I love that there wasn't a cliffhanger so everything was wrapped up and that it kept you on the edge of your seat! Definitely want to read this one now!
ReplyDelete(Agreed! Love her dress!)
I hate cliffhangers so I'm glad the book ended. I really, really hate them. I'm glad you didn't DNF this one. It just came yesterday and I was hoping it would be good. I haven't read anything by Megan Miranda but this one has definite appeal. Great review and I love the dress too!
ReplyDeleteHeather
I have read mixed reviews of this too but I got it and I'm definitely curious to read it. I think it'll be intense enough that I should fly through it. I'm definitely dying from curiosity about what the heck is going on though!
ReplyDeleteYay, glad you ended up liking this. I enjoyed Mallory and Coleens friendship. Great review.
ReplyDeleteJenea @ Books Live Forever
My review goes up on Friday. I liked it. With the flashbacks plus her hallucinations I was confused at times -- I guess that was deliberate. And the other day I explained the plot to someone and they said "that makes no sense whatsoever." But somehow, when I was reading, it did.
ReplyDeleteI love the sound of this one--and I love a good mystery! I've seen mixed reviews, but I'm still intrigued, so I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteWendy @ The Midnight Garden
After reading Megan Miranda's first book I've been wondering how this book would be. I am definitely going to check this book out. Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteI just finished reading this one and I loved it! I am really into thrillers and it had my heart beating fast and I couldn't put it down. I haven't read her debut Fractured but, I have heard great things about it so I was really curious about this book. I loved Colleen too, she was such a great friend to M allory and their relationship made me smile. I also was reminded at times of the Mara Dyer books and I loved them. Great review!!!
ReplyDeleteKristin @ Young Adult Book Haven
This one is on the top of my wishlist! My local bookstore sold out, so I'm going to have to order it! I just need to know how and why she was able to survive and what happens after, so intriguing!
ReplyDeleteThanks for a great review :)
regards,
rowena of Home Interiors Candles