***Received from Netgalley in exchange for review- but any spicy takes are all me!***
There’s no two ways about it: this is an unusual book. At its heart a mystery- yet with its heavy dose of the supernatural and its hints of horror, this isn’t you run-of-the-mill YA. It’s surreal, speculative and a little out there. But what can you expect from the author who gave us Wilder Girls? And yes, I feel it’s necessary to compare it to the Wilder Girls, because I’m beginning to feel like this author is doing so much of her own thing, she’s only truly comparable with herself… and that’s rather thrilling.
Despite a somewhat meandering (but still intriguing) start, the plot has potency. The author has a real gift for drawing you into her world and vividly set the scene. Not to mention the characters she casts to bring the story to life- they are all fractured in their own way, yet reflect back parts of reality. They carry the oddness and the moody tone. Again, it doesn’t quite remind me of anything else.
Then there’s the mystery itself. Full of those kind of jump scares that keep you on your toes and creepy realisations that set your hair on end. The mash-up of genres is interesting, giving answers and raising more questions still. I got a sense of a mythic elements, threading through the narrative. I did see some of the outcomes coming- though that hardly matters. It’s the kind of story that enjoys giving you bits and pieces- just so the slow-dawning terror of what is really going on can freak you out all the more. Plus, this does give you a more tangible ending than Wilder Girls (though I can’t actually decide which one is ultimately more unsettling).
And that’s really all I can say about it without getting into spoilers. I wrote a lot of things down in my notes that make no sense out of context (which is unfortunate, because it’s quite funny reading them back and seeing how my brain coped with the all the *whoas* this book delivered 😉).
I easily burned through this in a day and got more than a few chills along the way. And it definitely stands out as something a little bit different. (Also I have to mention how incredible I think that cover is!!)
Rating: 4/5 bananas
So, have you read this? Do you plan to? Or have you read the author’s other work? Let me know in the comments!
glad you enjoyed this one so much!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I really enjoyed this one too! Makes me even more excited to pick up Wilder Girls this year! 🙂
LikeLiked by 3 people
Oh brilliant!! I think you’ll like it if you liked this one 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Glad you enjoyed this and great review! I liked Wilder Girls so ill grab this!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you! Brilliant!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Enjoyed your review, so was almost tempted but I’ve never read YA. My sister is a children’s librarian and she reads YA. Must ask her if she’s read this book.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh yeah that’s fair! Good idea! It’s v different to typical ya, so it’ll be interesting what she says about it!
LikeLike
Have you used the phrase “spicey takes” before? It doesn’t seem like you…
LikeLiked by 2 people
Haha I honestly don’t know! I think I’ve heard the phrase “spicy” a lot recently and it was just in my subconscious!! (That happens sometimes… Once I accidentally included a song lyric in a title and didn’t realise it, only to get someone saying “why did you reference the thing when it had nothing to do with the thing?!” These things happen! 😂)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, “spicy” seems to be a buzzword and so that was kind of why I was surprised at your use of it.
As long as you’re not going to turn into a Lifestyle and Shock Blog…….
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahaha!! Oh yes I’ll be sharing all my tips on how to Live Life and Be the Bestest from next week 😜 (you may be able to tell from that joke that I have no idea how lifestyle blogs work 😂)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, from what I can see, what you described IS a lifestyle blog 😉
Maybe you have a future and can become rich and famous….
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hehehe! Oh I’m glad to hear it 😂
LikeLiked by 2 people
*Maybe I’ll title this new blog “How to Not Be a Complete Trainwreck When Things Go Off the Rails…” Do you think that would be sufficiently motivational?
LikeLiked by 2 people
Well, it might be just a “tad” bit hard for people to remember 😀
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hehe shame! So much for my fame and fortune! I thought you, almighty bookstooge, guaranteed that! 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, only if you subscribed to my “Premium Fame and Fortune” level of subscription. Otherwise, you’re out of luck…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha well darn it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great review. Colour me intrigued! I’m going to have to check this one out.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you! Glad to hear it! ☺️
LikeLiked by 1 person
To the TBR list it goes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha!! Glad to hear it!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I just bought this one! Right now I have a few ARCs to take care of, but I’m dying to read it. It will be interesting to compare my reaction with yours once I have!
“they are all fractured in their own way, yet reflect back parts of reality. They carry the oddness and the moody tone.”
That’s interesting. One layer more to what already sounded like a different and promising book!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh that’s brilliant!! I’m really excited to hear what you think! I don’t know anyone else that’s read it yet!!
It was a very interesting book!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the title and cover for this one, so I’ve been curious about it. I just downloaded the audio after reading your review and I can’t wait to get to it!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh that’s great!! ☺️
LikeLiked by 1 person