Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, Tor Nightfire, for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
4.25 stars
An expaThank you to Netgalley and the publisher, Tor Nightfire, for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
4.25 stars
An expansion and revamp of Edgar Alan Poe's The Fall of the House of Usher, Alex Easton, a former soldier, rushes to the ancestral home of a childhood friend when she appears to be dying. What Easton finds is a dilapidated house by a tarn infested with all sorts of growths and siblings reduced to improbable states of madness.
When I read the short story this was based on, I was left wanting more; in the author's note, Kingfisher says she felt the exact same way. This gives exactly what one would want in an expansion on a classic story. The tone and the atmosphere are the same as Poe's original, this time with more room to grow. There's more of a plot and more chances to interact with each of the characters. I enjoyed that this was a more realistic interpretation of the horrific elements of the story, and, in my opinion, it made the story all the more horrifying! The descriptions of rot, fungus, and the dead were the perfect type of creepy and gross. There were two things I didn't expect: the humor and the fictional country our characters hail from. In a way that reminded me of Tamsyn Muir, our main character will make funny and dry comments about what's going on. The country had an interesting impact on the story, with a set of neo-pronouns (ka/kan) especially for soldiers that Easton utilizes. This nonbinary identity is occasionally discussed as Easton is interacting with people outside of kan home country who aren't used to a nonbinary identity (especially since this is still set in the 1800s). I will say that I often want more from novellas, but I think this one was just about the right length for the story it wanted to tell.
Overall, this was a really cool horror novella filled with creepy descriptions that kept me glued to the page (or rather, my screen). I can't wait to read this author's previous release and to recommend this to fans of Poe and horror!...more
Ralph and Abby move into Ralph's mother's house with her as her persistent mental health problems have taken a turn for the worse. When she takes her Ralph and Abby move into Ralph's mother's house with her as her persistent mental health problems have taken a turn for the worse. When she takes her own life, Ralph is understandably distraught, especially so because of the manipulative tactics she used throughout his life to make him dependent on her. Abby has been desperate for a mother figure and is obsessed with becoming a mother herself. When Ralph begins to believe his mother's ghost haunts her house, Abby may have to take matters into her own hands.
Finally, a book as weird as its cover. I'll be honest, I don't even know what to say about this one! More than anything I really loved the writing style. Unsettling prose/internal monologue really makes a horror for me. I love a horror that's a metaphor, and this is all about maternal relationships. It's the strangest relationship anyone has, split apart from another when you used to be the same person; all the ownership and toxicity that can come alongside all the good. I definitely didn't know what type of horror this was going to end up being (let's be real, that's part of the fun of a horror), and I was pleasantly surprised but still taken aback. I also liked how there wasn't necessarily an answer for every single little thing, but the plot still utilized its Chekov's guns in a neat way.
Overall, this is definitely an underrated title that has advertized itself as weird enough that I think it's finding its audience. This is a strange one that'll be on my mind for a while....more
Michelle McNamara was the writer of the blog True Crime Diaries, which enthralled so many with its detailed investigations and uniquely humane storyteMichelle McNamara was the writer of the blog True Crime Diaries, which enthralled so many with its detailed investigations and uniquely humane storytelling. But once she heard of the criminal called the East Area Rapist/Original Night Stalker, she became even more obsessed than ever before in figuring out what seems like a completely solvable case, even rebranding him as the Golden State Killer. Michelle died in her obsessive pursuit and this book - which popularized the case, undoubtedly leading to GSK's arrest - is the accumulation of her notes on the case.
My dad and sister are very into true crime, so when I get them books, it's chosen often. I got my dad this book for his birthday; he read it immediately and gave it to me to read. Now that I've read it, I completely understand why. Michelle was a wonderful writer who took care with the delicate, awful subjects she haunted. This case lasted years and years, lasted longer than most serial killers, and has enough evidence and close calls that it seems ridiculous that it should have taken so long to track him down. As he was not yet caught, this book does not cover the actual GSK, but talks about Michelle's own interactions with the case and details many of the crimes. It's hard to write about an unsolved crime, but she did it so well. I now need to steal somebody's HBO so I can see the documentary.
Overall, this audiobook really captured my attention and this case will be on my mind for years and years. It makes me so grateful that technology has made it harder for such awful criminals to hide in their anonymity. ...more
This book of essays by one of the very few black women in U.S. history to attain a Ph.D. in Physics describes some physics concepts, but more in-depthThis book of essays by one of the very few black women in U.S. history to attain a Ph.D. in Physics describes some physics concepts, but more in-depth discusses the patriarchal, colonial, white systems that the scientific community is founded on and how that has enacted violence and harm on women and minorities, as well as other cultures.
I think that this book has been mislabeled; yes, it is about the science community, but it is not about the science itself so much the society and lack of justice. I commend Prescod-Weinstein for her candor when it came to her personal life, particularly in the chapter describing her experience with sexual violence. While many of the injustices she describes I am aware of, there were several discussions that brought new language to my arsenal and challenged my own lines of thinking. I thought Chapter 12, which discussed colonialism in the scientific community, was particularly important. However, as someone who has studied physics intensely for the last four and a half years, I would have liked to have seen more science! Particularly in the author's area of expertise.
Overall, this covered lots of ways in which the scientific community is systemically flawed and how important it is to change it. If this book interests you but the physics seems intimidating, know that there is not as much of it and it is only at the beginning....more
On a peaceful vacation with her mother, Sasha's life is darkened and turned upside down. Stalked by a mysterious man, she is blackmailed into completiOn a peaceful vacation with her mother, Sasha's life is darkened and turned upside down. Stalked by a mysterious man, she is blackmailed into completing tasks in exchange for strange coins she must not lose. Upon graduating high school, this man informs her she will attend the Institute of Special Technologies - a school nobody has ever heard of. Surrounded by her similarly threatened and frightened peers, Sasha somehow thrives in the rigorous, quite literally impossible lessons. But still, none of the students know - what are they really being trained for?
I read this for my book club, Three of Clubs, for the last book in our "Magic School" quarter.
This book was a trip, definitely something I'd put in my "weird" category. It's rare that a book holds onto its air of mystery for so long and still feels like it paid off well. What sets this apart from many dark academia stories is that the students here are not brought together by their ambition but by force. Sasha is rare amongst her peers for having a penchant for her subjects; most are too afraid to not complete their studies. I enjoyed Sasha's interactions with her peers, mainly the two boys. This book took a while to get into, and some sections dragged more than others, but for the most part, I felt that those sections still served their purposes. The closer we got to the end, the more far out the story became. Sasha gains more access to the magic that has eluded the students and she slowly notices her own transition into something greater. The final solution was given to the reader earlier than I noticed; it's done subtly enough that it reads as a metaphor first. The ending of this was so unique and strange that even though this wasn't an immediate favorite of mine, it almost warrants a reread.
Overall, this book exceeded my expectations in terms of where the story concluded. It's definitely not the average dark academia/magic school, and it's not for everyone, but once it finds it's audience, said audience will be obsessed....more
Each of the 15 gods has their own chosen, the marked people considered part of their clan who may inherit some of their powers. A decade ago, the kingEach of the 15 gods has their own chosen, the marked people considered part of their clan who may inherit some of their powers. A decade ago, the kingdom purged itself of the deadliest clan - the serpents. Alaya has hidden all her life that she is marked by the serpent clan, but when she accidentally frees one of their curses, she is rushed into the dangerous territory of those who want her dead.
I listened to this on a whim after being interested in the premise and liking the narrator, but unfortunately, this fantasy romance was a miss for me. I tend to like rebellion plots and magic systems where there are several types of magic, so I had the chance to like it. I liked the beginning (especially the prologue) and its vigilante/militia vibes, but the further we went the less I cared and the less I actually found myself paying attention. I couldn't stop thinking about how the magic system was essentially cutie marks and how the romance was endlessly cookie-cutter. Other than them both being hot, there's truly no reason for these people to like each other. Other than the prince's perspective on his mother, there was no reason for us as readers to like him and no reason for his perspective to be there. While there are mysteries about the world that are intended, I didn't feel like I was grounded enough in this world to see what depth was meant to be there.
Overall, I kept listening to this book solely to finish it rather than any enjoyment. The cover and narrator might have been great, but otherwise this one wasn't for me....more
The third and final book of the Themis Files, Only Human opens ten years after our protagonists and Themis disappeared onto another planet - this timeThe third and final book of the Themis Files, Only Human opens ten years after our protagonists and Themis disappeared onto another planet - this time, they have reappeared on Earth just as suddenly. Now that humanity has had time to deal with the realization of their connection to Themis and her creators, the world has changed beyond recognition. Rose, Vincent, and Eva have to figure out how to keep themselves and the entire human race alive.
Unlike the first two books in this series, I listened to this installment on audio. In my mind, that is by far the best way to experience this series. There is a full cast giving great performances, which really elevates the story off the page. I cared more about these characters in this book than the others almost surely because of the performances of the cast. Vincent in particular stood out among the cast. I liked that there's not always right answers in this series, particularly so in this alien society the characters find themselves in in this book. I also enjoyed the two different timelines we bounced between as we see what happened on Esat Ekt in the ten-year time jump. I liked the action that we did get, but there was definitely less of it in this book than the others. And Katherine as a villain was definitely lackluster; she did not feel realistic at all.
Overall, I'm glad that I decided to finish this series out since I had considered DNFing it. Listening to the audiobook gave me a greater appreciation for this sci-fi series as a whole....more
Gretchen and Abby have been best friends since fifth grade. Nothing could separate them now that they're going into high school... until something strGretchen and Abby have been best friends since fifth grade. Nothing could separate them now that they're going into high school... until something strange starts happening to Abby. Her skin looks strange, her personality has changed, and she won't pick up the phone. Gretchen realizes the only possible answer to what could have taken away her best friend: Abby's been possessed by a demon.
Just like many a horror movie, this book was easy to get through and fun to do so. Through a classic story of possession, we see a metaphor for friends being ripped apart by circumstance and social pressure. This book was chock-full of 80s references, so if that pop culture nostalgia is something that you're looking for, this may be for you. I liked the lengths that this book went to, not holding back the stakes. I also really liked the ending; anything else wouldn't have felt realistic with the rest of the story. I did, however, think that this could have been a bit shorter as some sections felt repetitive and the writing style could come across as list-like at times.
Overall, this was a breeze to get to and perfect for fans of campy horror films. ...more
"But need alone is not enough to set power free: there must be knowledge."
Considered a classic of fantasy and middle grade, A Wizard of Earthsea follo"But need alone is not enough to set power free: there must be knowledge."
Considered a classic of fantasy and middle grade, A Wizard of Earthsea follows Ged, who will one day be known as the greatest wizard in the land. But first, he must learn magic and how to be a wizard for the good of the world. After unwittingly releasing a dark creature in a selfish duel, Ged is chased around the world and can't be rid of it without one day besting it.
I read this for my book club, Three of Clubs, for our hand of books that center around magical schools. The magic school ended up being less relevant than I was under the impression it would be, but c'est la vie. This book is still credited with popularizing the trope.
The thing that I liked most about this book was the magic system. The magic surrounds "true names": to exert power over something, you must first know its true name. There's a lot of symbolism behind that magic system, but it's also fun when taken literally. LeGuin also has the main characters all be people of color, while the only white people are described as "a savage people", which was fairly unheard of for the high fantasy genre at the time. Unfortunately, the writing style really took me out of the story. It is written like it is an oral tradition, so there's a lot of telling instead of showing and relatively little dialogue. I felt like we didn't get to know our characters below a surface level.
Overall, I'm glad that I finally read this classic of my favorite genre, but this did not hold up to the depth of the previous book I read from LeGuin. I'm not sure how long this story will actually stick in my mind....more
Humanity has had to abandon Earth. Aboard the HSS Matilda spaceship, Astrid and her people live in a society rigidly defined by the deck one lives on,Humanity has had to abandon Earth. Aboard the HSS Matilda spaceship, Astrid and her people live in a society rigidly defined by the deck one lives on, a society that has morphed itself to look more like the antebellum South. Black and autistic, Astrid belongs to the lower decks but has managed to rise above her station some with her medical abilities. When she discovers that her deceased mother's journals are not maddened ramblings but in code, Astrid and her family start to learn the truth about their ship's fate.
Rivers Solomon is such a mind. Having finished this, I've now read all of their books, and wow. I've not read any books like theirs. They are constantly coming up with unique speculative premises and worlds while pairing them with important conversations about gender, sexuality, and Blackness and their intersections. First, this setting is fascinating. We're on a generation ship with an artificial sun in it; we see how culture has shifted since humanity left Earth from religion to social customs. Then there's the antebellum aspect that was added to this scifi setting: the decks are divided into alphabetized decks segregated by the white elite down to the destitute Black sharecroppers. Lowerdecks residents can't move freely throughout the ship without severe punishment from the guards, and other such restrictions are put on them that mirror the horrifying lives of enslaved folks. The mysteries in the plot were engaging, with a mysterious illness and Astrid's mother's secret missions. Astrid herself is a fascinating character; she's a genius and a medical prodigy, she has such a fervent love for her family, and she is contantly questioning the status quo she has been born into with guts to do said questioning out loud. I thought the ending of this was the perfect way to conclude this story, with the right tone and amount of questions answered. I will say that I had pacing problems with the earlier sections and it took me a minute to really get into the story.
Overall, Solomon's debut is just as impressive as their more recent novels. I will officially be reading every book they put out! ...more
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Pepper has never told anyone that she found ouThank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Pepper has never told anyone that she found out that her biological mother is famous portraitist Ula Frost. Now a forensic biologist, Pepper has lived her life entirely without her famous mother. But now that Ula has gone missing, Pepper has been brought into the spotlight as the sole inheritor of Ula's property. And there seems to be more to the rumors of strange things happening to those who Ula paints...
I love an alternate universe story, so after seeing this awesome title I was so excited to read this story. Unfortunately, this one fell flat for me. It takes over halfway through the book for the plot to pick up both in terms of pace and in the speculative element. I nearly DNF'ed this book even though I was reading it for review because it took so long. It didn't feel like the stakes were well defined once the action picked up; I didn't feel like our characters were in danger. The alternate universe idea is not expanded on very much or in an unexpected way. The only thing that was somewhat interesting to me was that the main character has a healthy home life with a loving husband and attentive parents who are still in her life as an adult.
Overall, this was a let down for me. I was waiting for so long to get to the alternate universe payoffs and when it finally came, it didn't go into that in a way I found to be unique or particularly compelling. ...more
The small town of Samhattan that Kit has called home all her life has kept a secret - from itself. Kit should be on top of the world after scoring theThe small town of Samhattan that Kit has called home all her life has kept a secret - from itself. Kit should be on top of the world after scoring the game-winning shot for her basketball team, but the town's urban legend of a phantom outcast named Daphne has started to take root in her mind. Then members of her team start turning up dead...
This short horror, in my mind, is almost exactly what it says on the tin. A slasher where teenage girls are being hunted down by a ghost, and we follow the final girl and a detective as they try to stop the ghost. I do think that this had an interesting perspective of being about anxiety and destructive thinking, and how that can uproot your life. The writing of teenage girls was annoying at the very beginning, but as the horror elements came in, it got much better. I think with this structure as a slasher, I wanted more answers when it came to Daphne. Had this lent itself to be a slower, more literary horror, I might have liked it more. However, people who enjoyed books like My Heart is a Chainsaw - another I desperately wanted to love - will find a favorite in this one.
Overall, the theming of this book around mental illness was great, but the setting of those themes wasn't entirely for me. I would definitely recommend it to others though!...more
Ted Severson has just found out his wife is cheating on him. Buzzed in an airport bar and talking to strangers, he says that he wants to kill4.5 stars
Ted Severson has just found out his wife is cheating on him. Buzzed in an airport bar and talking to strangers, he says that he wants to kill her, only half-jokingly. The beautiful and enigmatic Lily agrees - and says she'll help him do it.
I've had this on my radar for so long and I'm so glad I finally got around to it! What an awesome thriller. I listened to this in about two sittings. I love the morally gray nature of all the characters we follow. I love the fast-paced revenge story we follow. I love that Swanson wasn't afraid to shift the focus as the book progressed to tell a better story. The very ending was as perfect an ending as one can make. This plot is a bit over the top, but stranger things have happened in real life! Personally, I think you should go straight into this book knowing nothing else but what I've said here.
Overall, this book gave me exactly what I wanted, and is perfect for fans of thriller-revenge plots!...more
“Tonight, I feel that my love for you has more density in this world than I do myself.”
Clare has known the man she will marry since she was six and he“Tonight, I feel that my love for you has more density in this world than I do myself.”
Clare has known the man she will marry since she was six and he was thirty-six, but Henry won't know her until she's twenty-one and he's twenty-eight. Both impossible, and true. Henry suffers from a rare condition that has him spontaneously time travel against his will. We follow Clare and Henry as their lives are inextricably intertwined throughout the years, trying to live a normal life together.
I finally read this now in particular because of my Goodreads cleanse challenge in which I forced myself to either read every book I still had on my Goodreads tbr since before 2018 or delete them off my tbr. This was the last book I managed to finish off that list!
I love time travel. It's my favorite narrative trope for a reason. There are so many different ways you can use such a simple concept. When I was younger, I knew I had to read this someday as it involved time travel, but when I got older, I was hesitant as it is seen as more classic "chick-lit" (which yes is a demeaning term). I wasn't sure if this story was going to be for me because I don't think I'm part of the target audience, but it ended up pleasantly surprising me.
For some reason, I think that knowing that this author is by trade an artist (Clare's art in the book is inspired by her work) is important to the experience of this book. The idea of two people meeting out of order, always trying to catch up with one another, attempting to put aside the forces of nature, is such an artistic idea to me. The idea for this was originally going to be an art piece before it became a story. I absolutely adored the relationship between Henry and Clare - both the romantic part and the doomed out-of-sync part. It took no convincing to sell me on their relationship. Every step of the way, I was rooting for them and for everything to be okay - even when you know for a fact it won't because the timeline can never change. I also think that for a debut, and someone who's not an author by trade, the pacing and structure were fantastic. We see from both of their POVs and bounce around in time, but everything felt purposeful and balanced.
In terms of things that weren't as great - look. You have to get past the thought that Clare might technically have been groomed. This is an immutable timeline and he traveled against his will, and was already was married to her at that point. Otherwise, there was some non-PC language that I did not appreciate and don't think would have printed had it been published today (I recall some ableist and backhandedly homophobic language).
Overall, this reminded me how much I love time travel and a good relationship to root for in stories. I can't wait to watch the show!...more
"Show them a heart of stone and sink them with it."
Written in the 50s as a commentary on the McCarthyism of the day, The Crucible follows a fictionali"Show them a heart of stone and sink them with it."
Written in the 50s as a commentary on the McCarthyism of the day, The Crucible follows a fictionalized version of the Salem Witch Trials, as an unexplained illness sweeps the community and those afflicted accuse their enemies of bewitching them.
I was fortunate enough to be cast in my University's production of Crucible, so I've been sitting with this play for about two months. Now that the production is finally over, I feel like I can talk about it better than when I first read it. It's an American classic for a reason, and its story is still relevant to today.
Miller does a great job of showing power dynamics. There are many levels of people whose lives are at the mercy of others: slaves to their owners; outcasts to community members; women to men; poor to the rich. But we also get to see how perceived weakness and innocence can be weaponized as power in how the girls go after others. The characters themselves are well realized through the dialogue: Abigail's passion, Elizabeth's impartiality, and John's truth-seeking. So many people in this show are hurting so badly - from losing a child or being betrayed by a loved one - and through the quicksand that is these trials, everyone around them is roped into their pain. The show proves how important it is to uphold due process and innocence until proven guilty.
My main critique of the show itself is the role of women. Women only wield power in this show to harm others purposefully harm others. Men often speak on the behalf of their female counterparts as the voice of goodness. This may be accurate to some degree for the time period it was written about, but it can also be read as Miller's opinion at the time of writing it.
Overall, this show was a (stressful but) great opportunity to be a part of during my last year of university. I gave a performance I was proud of and got to tell a story that is still relevant to audiences today....more
Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
In this queer horror collection, LaRocThank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
In this queer horror collection, LaRocca binds together three tales that shock while asking about the nature of our relationships with one another.
Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke: 3.5 stars Through a series of found messages, two women form an immediate bond solely online during the early days of the internet that will leave one of them dead.
I was planning on reading this before hearing about it being bound into this collection. In my opinion, it is by far the strongest in premise, themes, horror, and execution of all three of the stories. I found myself rereading lines and was caught up in the fervor of their relationship with them. The horror element is decidedly disgusting, even if it wasn't the type of horror I was expecting. The themes of queer people finding safe spaces online and being taken advantage of in their relief to be seen resonated strongly. However, I felt that the characters and plot could have been made stronger if it was longer.
The Enchantment: 2.5 stars A husband and wife become caretakers of an island resort shortly after news breaks of the first scientific proof that there is no afterlife.
This had such a strong start with an awesome premise but ultimately I did not understand what was meant by it. Metaphors were mostly lost on me and I found myself just wanting to skim. I liked how the ending picked up, but will ultimately forget about this one.
You'll Find It's Like That All Over: 2 stars A man finds a bone buried in his backyard, which leads him to have a strange encounter with his neighbor.
This unfortunately was a flop for me. It felt like it was a rip-off of the various ironic stories taught to high schoolers but without the surprising payoff. This is a story that has been told before and better.
Overall, while I'm intrigued to pick up other titles from LaRocca, I do not think that anything was added to Things Have Gotten Worse by pulling it off shelves and binding it to two stories that did not live up to its strength....more
A novella in the Stormlight Archives, this story follows Lift, who we saw briefly in Words of Radiance, as she tries to hone her new powers while tryiA novella in the Stormlight Archives, this story follows Lift, who we saw briefly in Words of Radiance, as she tries to hone her new powers while trying to get the jump on a mysterious figure who is trying to hunt down people with powers like hers.
I really enjoyed being back in this world and this made me even more excited to start Oathbringer in the near future. Lift is a really fun character to follow, as she's young and acts even younger, and I really liked her spren, Wyndle. It's fun to see a chaotic, reluctant chosen one be paired with a rule-following, nervous older mentor. Sanderson was showing off his humor and his world-building in this story. I guess my thought here was, did this need to be separate from the books themselves? This has been pitched as essential reading (and I'm sure it is, I'm guessing she'll be a perspective character in the back half of the series), and I felt like this could've been woven through another book. But far be it from me to second guess the skills of someone as gifted as my man Brando.
Overall, this was a really fun read to get me back into the world before going into yet another gargantuan entry. Wish me luck with book three, y'all. ...more
Gracie Reed is kind of a mess - she can't keep track of anything for the life of her and she just was fired from her job by her way too "frie2.5 stars
Gracie Reed is kind of a mess - she can't keep track of anything for the life of her and she just was fired from her job by her way too "friendly" boss while she's trying to keep her ailing mother in good care. When she's mistakenly hounded by the paparazzi because of her resemblance to one of the most prominent Chinese actresses of her age, Wei Fangli, Fangli herself surprisingly shows up at her door asking for a strange favor - pretend to be her for public appearances while she rests for her onstage role nearby. Needing the money, Gracie agrees, much to the chagrin of Sam Yao, Fangli's arrogant yet annoyingly attractive best friend and costar.
I listened to this because it was free with my audible subscription and it's narrated (and narrated well, might I add) by Philippa Soo of Broadway fame. Unfortunately, those two things couldn't save how bored I was during this book. Most of our characters felt like well-worn shells of character types we've all seen before. The premise of this book isn't entirely original so I was prepared going in for that, but there wasn't anything I didn't find trite about this story. Sam was unoriginal particularly; I was rolling my eyes at literally everything that he did. The writing was bland. It's also closed door, so spice wasn't there to add any interest. The conversations around mental health and workplace harassment could have been expanded upon to give something new to the story. I can deal with an unoriginal story, especially if it's told from a non-cishet nonwhite perspective, but I was just beyond bored with this.
Overall, I don't think I would have finished this were it not for it being free with my subscription and being bored out of my mind at work. There weren't any major sins committed, but I just wanted it to be over....more
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for gifting me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 stars
Struggling with her unexpected divorce Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for gifting me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 stars
Struggling with her unexpected divorce and her writer's block for the next installment in her cozy mystery series, Emily is hesitant to reconnect with her childhood best friend, the social media advice guru Chess Chandler. But when Chess invites her on a girl's trip to a gorgeous villa in Italy, she can't say no - possibly because it was the site of a gruesome murder amongst a group of rock stars in the 70s. The longer she stays, the more things between her and Chess become tense; the more she learns about the women who stayed there during the murders, the more she can't help but write...
This was such a fun multi-perspective mystery/thriller. Half of the time, we're following Emily as she's dealing with the pressures of her own life while on a trip with her friend, and the other half of the time, we're following the narrative of one of the women who was at the villa at the time of the murders: Mari, who wrote one of the most iconic horrors of all time before all but disappearing. The thing is, that novel describes a girl murdering her whole family, which some people took as a hint at what really happened at the villa. It was so cool to see these two interwoven narratives, and I thought the pacing was balanced well between the stories. I was so engrossed in Emily's playing detective with Mari's story that I couldn't put this down. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time, even if there wasn't as unexpected of a payoff as I was hoping. The flipping between stories and the ending that ran out of steam reminded me of another engrossing thriller I enjoyed, Plain Bad Heroines. I just wish that this had done something crazier at the end to really seal the deal.
Overall, if you enjoyed Plain Bad Heroines or this author's previous thriller titles, I think you'll be in for a good time with this one. ...more
What do the quarterback, the wallflower musician, and the lead actress/valedictorian candidate have in common? Shara Wheeler, the most popular girl inWhat do the quarterback, the wallflower musician, and the lead actress/valedictorian candidate have in common? Shara Wheeler, the most popular girl in town, kissed them all - right before she disappeared without a trace. What's more, she leaves them all mysterious letters, seeming to lead to where she might be. While the others may be hesitant, Chloe Green is determined to bring her academic rival back - to defeat her fair and square, of course.
Wow. This surprised me so much. I was unsure about McQuiston going into YA after writing adult, but I enjoyed this so much more than I thought I could, much less would. God bless, the teenagers say fuck in this!!! I'm so tired of adults writing terrible dialogue for young people, but McQuiston absolutely nails it all. I loved everything about this. The cast of characters is fantastic and complex and queer. The scavenger hunt plot has so many great comedic moments but also faded into something more realistic as the characters learn more. The book doesn't end where you might guess it will, and for that, it becomes all the better as we get a much more satisfying ending than most other teen media. Also, I love Chloe and Shara so, so much. So much.
Overall, this far past exceeded my expectations. This author really knows how to capture modern teens/twentysomethings while telling HEA queer stories that subvert ever-present plot cliches. I will never doubt Casey again. ...more
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