Ugh... What did I just read?? Another book that totally messed with my head. I didn't like or trust any of the characters, and I still don't. This book is going to be really hard to review because I can only really talk about the first 1/3, after that things happen that are major spoilery.
As the book starts off, June is just sort of living a lonely life, hanging out with her boyfriend Ryan, and that's about it. Her home life is pretty bad, and after she had a falling out with her only real friend, she prefers to keep herself walled-off. After finding out Delia committed suicide, June tries to look into if anyone else was responsible. Her "invesitgation" leads her to a drug dealer, a new best friend of Delia's, and even June's own boyfriend as possible suspects. The truth is nothing she could ever see coming though.
I so liked this book even though I didn't like any of the characters. June was too weak and codependent. It was hard for me to buy that she would even have quit being friends with Delia because the girl had zero backbone. I would believe that she would blindly follow Delia to the ends of the Earth because it becomes rather obvious that that's exactly what she would do. We get to know Delia a lot through flashbacks, and I never really saw the draw. Sure June was lonely, but Delia just wasn't a good person. I wanted to like Ryan (the boyfriend), but he turned out to be a total fake. Sighhhh, I wanted to like these people!! I just couldn't.
As frustrating as the characters were, the story was interesting and page-turning. I was surprised several times at twists I didn't see coming. The ending though!! I feel like I need someone to explain it to me, because the way I'm taking it.... well, I'm hoping I'm taking it wrong. I feel like it's left very open... either that, or I'm just not seeing the big picture.
Would I recommend this? I would. The writing is really good, but be prepared for the characters to piss you off. They all will.
OVERALL: A cool thriller that at least tries to do something different. I'm not sure I was in love with this as I was with this authors other book (Wherever Nina Lies), but I still appreciated the writing and the story... even if it didn't go along the way I would have wanted it to.
This Book Contains:
- Death
- Drugs
- Sex
- Some semi-graphic descriptions of sex
- Friendship- a very unhealthy one!!
- LGBT relationships
- An alcoholic mother
- Bunnies
- As the cover suggests- fire
- Flashback scenes
My Rating: 3/4
Date Published: 7/7/2015
How I got this book: BEA!! Thanks Simon Pulse!
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Hmm... I’m not too big a fan of books with characters that will piss me off (because that doesn’t make reading the book any easier) BUT there is a ton of hype for this book and plus you liked it despite the characters. I’ll have to give this one a shot soon! Great review :D
ReplyDeleteI've been very curious about this book. Books where characters are convinced suicide is actually murder always make me kind of squeedgy, so I might not be so into this one, but who knows? Perhaps I'll at least give her other one a try.
ReplyDeleteWherever Nina Lies was a much more interesting mystery IMO
DeleteI hcan't read YA books with so much "darkness" I've tried and I just can't get into them. Although I do enjoy YA very much. You're much braver than me! I enjoyed your review. Sometimes, when the writing is good it can override unfavorable aspects of a story. =)
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Nette's Novel Notes
The gritty books can really grab you and hold you hostage for a while! I've been trying to decide if I want this one, because I very much love a book that rubs you the wrong way.
ReplyDeleteOh I am so totally ready for this book. I love thrillers. my favorite. I dont mind characters who piss me off. Sometimes they tend to feel more real. Not so perfect.
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