Lilibet Bombshell's Reviews > Secrets Never Die

Okay, so, I didn’t like this book as much as I liked Ralph’s prior offering, Lock the Doors, but I did enjoy it. I just enjoyed it on a different level. I found myself enjoying it like one enjoys a slasher flick or a fun horror film that you watch for kicks (yes, I’m one of those people who adores horror films and doesn’t get scared): You just lay back, relax, and enjoy the ride. Suspend your disbelief, beware the red herrings, and be aware this book can be extremely derivative at times. Because it is. I’ve seen more than one review comparing this book to one of my favorite horror films, “Scream”, and while that’s not totally on the mark it’s not totally wrong either.

Things I loved:

1. How each main character has trauma. They may almost all be in high school, but if any parent thinks their teenager hasn’t dealt with some sort of trauma by the time they get to their senior year of high school then they haven’t been paying close enough attention.

2. Flawed parents. I can’t count how many YA books I’ve read where there has to be one set of parents who are perfect. None of the parents in this book are perfect. If any kid gets to be 18 and thinks their parents are perfect, well, see above: you haven’t been paying enough attention.

3. The ending. I can’t spoil it, but I liked it.

4. Our main protagonist, Sam Hall, and his dynamic with his little sister, Molly. If only all big brothers loved their little sisters that much the world would be a better place.

5. The friendship between Sam and Haran. Their friendship is GOALS.

Things I didn’t love:

1. How many loose ends were left. Spoilers there be, so I’ll leave that there.

2. There were just too many twists, turns, and convolutions. The writing could’ve been tighter.

3. Did it really have to be so derivative? Or could Ralph have gone a little darker or deeper instead?

4. The book as a whole felt rushed because there was so much stuff packed into it. It felt a little green, like it could’ve used another editing round or two.

5. As much as I loved the teen horror-flick feel, I would’ve loved to have seen this topic taken on as a more deeper, darker, tone.

All that being said, Vincent Ralph is an incredibly talented and entertaining writer. It’s a fun book to read, even if it’s not something that’ll keep you guessing or have you quaking in your fuzzy socks. It’s a great bit of fun.

I was provided a copy of this title by NetGalley and the author. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.

File Under: Coming of Age/YA Fiction/YA Mystery/YA Suspense/YA Thriller