“Anxiety does not ask your permission. Anxiety does not come when expected. It’s very rude. It barges in at the strangest moments, stopping all activity, focusing everything on itself It sucks the air our of your lungs and scrambles the world.”
The Plot:
I feel like this book wasn’t very necessary as it couldn’t have been included in the 2nd book, it just felt dragged out and the more scenes that had David, the more I wanted to punch him. I disliked him in the previous books. Stevie Bell now believes Ellington Academy is cursed as three peple are now dead. All three happened at the wrong place at the wrong time. All which happened at the moment of Stevie’s greatest triumph as she has now solved who truly devious is. or that’s what she thought but now she’s not so sure as with the recent events have made it difficult for her to focus on anything.
The Characters/Writing:
Compiling this is one because I had issues with the characters and the writing in this book. I didn’t like David before but he is utterly unlikeable in this book. There were so many times I wanted to smack him the back of the head especially with how he treated Stevie. With the writing, I felt like some of it was rushed and while the pacing was good, I felt like something was missing. I was a little bummed about not liking this as much.
Rating: 2.5/5 y “Just your friend?” “There’s no just about being friends.”
The Plot:
When Mischa Abramavicius, an overachieving star student doesn’t get into any of the universities she applied for, she knows that something isn’t right because how could she not get accepted into these schools. While pondering her future, she decides to take matters into her own hands and find out what happened but the m0re she digs, the more questions she has. Mischa is determined to find out what happened even if it means her own safety.
This plot was interesting at first glance but throughout the book, it starts to become very silly and I for one don’t buy what actually happened. it just felt far fetched to me.
The characters & writing:
The characters needed better development because I couldn’t really connect with any of them. I didn’t see any growth with any of the characters. The writing was a bad in my opinion as there was way too much detail in some parts and not enough detail in other parts. It is fun and cute during some parts but I just couldn’t get into it which sucked but maybe other people will find this more enjoyable than I did.
“All the money, all the power—none of it compares to a good book. A book gives you everything. It gives you a window into other souls, other worlds.”
The Plot:
While Stevie Bell may have solved the murder of her classmate, she now finds herself into a new brew of trouble as strange things keep occurring and before she can investigate, her parents pull her out of the academy for her own safety. They want her to move on from this obsession and focus on other things but Stevie feels isolated, disconnected, and alone. To add insult to injury, she finds herself thinking of David, the boy she kissed but also the boy who lied to her. Stevie doesn’t want to ever seen him again but when David’s father, Edward King makes a visit and wants Stevie to come back to the school to make nice with David. He tells her that he’s in the middle of a campaign and can’t afford for David to cause any trouble. If Stevie is there, he will make nice.
The prospect of returning to Ellington Academy is to exciting to turn down as Stevie knows she’s close to solving the murder. But, the path to truth is much more dangerous than before and Stevie must be careful or she could be next.
This novel takes a very unexpected turn that I didn’t see coming, I nearly gasped and threw my book but I loved it at the same time. The plot is what I love the most as it’s unique, entertaining and keeps you guessing what will happen next.
The characters:
So much growth for Stevie, I really enjoy her as a protagonist. She’s very real and relatable and I loved seeing her grown as a character. I felt for her when she was back home and feeling disconnected from everything as that can be really difficult and in addition to that, she felt hurt by David. I can’t say that I blame her for being hurt that he lied to her as I would feel the same. I already had a feeling that she would seen David soon and while David does improve and grow, I still can’t like him as much I liked Stevie. I did enjoy their banter and the dynamics that they have in this telling but I don’t buy the romance, it’s awkward and feels forced.
The writing:
Johnson’s writing is what I love the most. She knows how to write unexpected twists and turns in a way that you don’t even seen coming until it happens. I really enjoy how she’s able to create an atmosphere that’s so real and she does a great job with the dynamics between the characters. Overall, a very entertaining, edge of your seat thriller that keeps you wanting more!
“Being loved is one thing, being hated is another, but there is nothing worse than being ignored.”
The Plot:
For Your Own Good is a wild, campy, vindictive, and murderous tale that follows the lives of students, teachers, and other professionals at the prestigious, famed, wealthiest Belmont Academy. Teddy Crutcher is a dedicated, hard working, by the books and willing to do anything to help out his students even if they don’t ask him to do it. Soon, the school is thrown into a tailspin when a parent is found murdered. While this would cause concern for any rational person, Teddy isn’t too bothered by nosy students. He’s more concerned with helping his students tap into their potential and wishing that his fellow staff, administrators, and other school personnel started treating him like the gift that he is and stayed out of his way.
The Characters:
Teddy is an unbelievably entertaining main character with flaws and all that make you love and hate him at the same time. His teaching methods are less than conventional but he is willing to do whatever it takes to get the best out of his students even if that means going a little too far. While Teddy is the main focus on the book, there are other characters who you hate and love at the same time. The way the characters are written adds to the devious and dark plot and also makes you question them but Teddy is the person you question the most. He’s so bad but you can’t help but love him.
The Writing:
This the first book by Downing that I’ve read so I didn’t know what to expect but she’s very good at describing the atmosphere and setting the tone. While I did like the different POV’s, I wanted to know more about Teddy and why he was the way that he was and also felt like there way too many chapters. Some of the chapters could be condensed because I felt like I was never going to finish it. So, it took away from my excitement by the end of the book and I didn’t feel as gratified as I wanted to feel. Downing also excels with keeping you on your toes with the twists and turns that you read throughout the book and that’s always a plus in particular for me. I get bored with predictable twists and turns and lose interest but the way they are written is very well done.
Final Thoughts:
Even with the unnecessary chapters, this is a fun, wild, and entertaining ride that will you leaving you wanting more. It’s dark, devious, hysterical, and will to make you second guess the twists and turns. It will also make you wonder who will win at the air as the way Downing writes it leaves it up in the air.
I have decided to do more than book reviews on this blog and I’m excited to start a book of the week meme. Every Sunday, I will pick a book that I’ve recently read and stood out to me and I will share what’s it’s about, what I liked and didn’t like, the characters, quotes, and who I think would enjoy it.
The Plot:
So I’m delighted to share the pick for this. Truly Devious is a young adult mystery series by Maureen Johnson. The series is made up of four books with the last book being released this year. It follows Stevie Bell, a true crime enthusiast starting her first year at famed and exclusive Ellington Academy where she is determined to solve the mysterious disappearances of the wife and child of founder, Albert Ellington. The only clue that was left was a dubious mocking riddle signed by Truly Devious, the case would go down as one of the greatest unsolved crime in history. But solving the case isn’t the only thing Stevie struggles with, she’s also dealing with the rigorous new school life and find common ground with her roommates.
As she gets adjusted to that new life, strange things begin happening and Truly Devious has made them their return as a classmate of Stevie is found murdered. Although cautioned to stay safe, Stevie throws herself into the investigation and must rely on her survival skills or she could be the next victim.
The characters:
One of the pros of the book are the characters as they were well written, unique, and the dynamics between them felt very real. Stevie is a fun and quirky protagonist and I found myself relating to her throughout the book especially with her true crime obsession. But, she was also self-aware, competent, and had a great attitude and head on her shoulders. Her best friends, Janelle and Nate were pretty great as well and I loved the dynamics between the three. I wasn’t too crazy about David, he was kinda annoying and while I guess you could call him the love interest, this isn’t a heavy romance story. I couldn’t really feel out his character and if he truly liked Stevie or he was using her.
The writing:
While I did enjoy the pace of the writing, there were parts where it was slow. But, for the most part I felt like the writing fit the scene. Sometimes I struggle with dual timeline books but the way the scenes from 1938 were written didn’t take away from the present day scenes and I think added depth to the story. What I truly loved about the writing is how Johnson cracks up the heat and you don’t notice it until it’s too late. I felt like the twists and turns were done really well and kept me on the edge of my seat. You also can’t tell if the the killer from the 1930’s has returned or if it’s someone else and that was also suspenseful and kept me wanting more.
Overall, Truly Devious is a fantastic murder mystery with well written and complex characters, an interesting plot that will keep you wanting more, and set you up to anticipate book two with delight. I’m glad that I finally got the chance to read this book and I have already finished book 2 so hopefully before the end of the month, I will have read them all. Check it out!
“When all you know is sea and the sky, everything on land is something to look at.”
The town of West Finch is one hurricane away from falling into the sea. Determined to save her home town, Harlow Prout wants to devise a plan but there are obstacles in the way. One of those obstacles is Harlow herself as she has a habit of getting in her own way, then there is her best friend Ellis McQueen who instead of fixing his problems, runs from them and lastly, his twin brother Tommy who has hit a new low and not in the fixing mood to do anything. But, when Tommy ends up surviving a swim that he intended not to survive, it sets a change in motion that will test loyalties, sparks new romance, and uncovers painful secrets.
Well, I really wanted to like this book but sadly it fell very short and I almost didn’t finish it. First, I love when authors write about mental health and when it’s done well you can really tell and I didn’t find that in this book. Secondly, the characters weren’t developed or fleshed out enough so it was hard to relate to them even with the mental health aspect. Criticism aside, how Hartt captured the atmosphere was beautifully done and that is a definite plus of the book but considering the other stuff I mentioned, I couldn’t really invest in the book too much which was sad. It always stinks when you go into a book thinking you’ll love it and then that ends up not happening.
“Kindness is something that seems small, Daunis, but it’s like tossing a pebble into a pond and the ripples reach further than you thought.”
Firekeeper’s Daughter tells the story Darius Fontaine, a young woman who has felt like she’s never fit in not only with her tribe but in her hometown. The young woman dreams of studying medicine but those plans are put on hold when tragedy strikes and Darius must put her dreams on hold in order to care for her mother. As she struggles with her own insecurities and being an outsider, she does start to find one bright spot through it all, Jaime a handsome and charming new recruit on her brother’s hockey team. But, while she battles with her feelings for Jaime, she stars to wonder if he’s hiding something as things aren’t adding up and she begins to question does she really know at him at all? Before she can get to the bottom of it, she witnesses a shocking murder putting her at the center a of a murder investigation. Reluctantly, she finds herself going undercover in order to find out what happened and hopefully solve the investigation but the more she digs, the more that people keep dying and she has more questions than answers.
I can’t believe this was a debut! I really enjoyed this book as it wasn’t what I expected it to be and I couldn’t put it down. It was a beautifully well written thriller from start to end with interesting characters, both main and side. I thought Darius was a relatable character especially with figuring out what she wants out of her life while also accepting her flaws and all. It is really a story of a young woman who wants to feel as she belongs to not only her tribe but to others around her. I thought Boulley did a great job at intertwining the two so that the reader has a better understanding of Darius’s struggle.
The only drawback of the book is the slower pacing which can deter some readers as pacing of a book can make a reader not finish it. But, I do feel like in the case of this book that he pacing does help seeing as it is a thriller but if you’re into fast paced mysteries/thrillers, this may not be your cup of tea. Being a thriller/mystery, I thought Boulley did a nice job with the build up and keeping it suspenseful throughout the book as it helped keep me interested, surprised, and engaged not only with the character but the plot.
All in all, this is a beautifully written suspenseful debut while also intertwining Native American culture which was great to see. So check it out if you want!
“I stop myself from apologizing-because what would I even be sorry for? Existing too loud?”
Niveous Private Academy is where the money paves the hallways and the students never look less than perfect. Until Aces, the anonymous texter is bringing two students dark secrets to light and it will change everything they thought they knew about them. Devon, a talented musician who buries himself into his work is unable to escape the spotlight when his private photos go public and Chiamaka, who isn’t afraid to get what she wants and soon those around will know the price she paid for power. Someone is out to get them both and they must find out who it is before it’s too late because Aces is planning something more than a high school prank.
This was a non-stop rollercoaster and nearly had me gasping for air by the time it was over. It was such a thrilling, emotional and intense read that touches on heavy topics that everyone needs to talk about. The writing, characters, pacing, and the plot made the book so much more than I thought it would be. I hadn’t intended to read it until a friend of mine mentioned it to me and I’m glad that I decided to read it. Let’s start off with the characters, they were flawed, well-written, and interesting and the way that Faridah writes makes them feel very real. The antagonist Aces can go away for good now, I hated them so much and normally I don’t get so invested in the antagonist but Aces can rot for all I care. Every time they did something to the characters in particular, Deveon and Chiamaka, it boiled my blood. I believe the reasons that I hated them so much is because of how real Aces felt, there was no justification for their actions and this is very relevant to what has been happening in the real world especially within the last two years.
Faridah shows the characters going through educational gatekeeping, institutional racism, blackmailing, PTSD, outing, stalking, classism, and elitism and I felt like she did a great job with showing how issues like these can impact people in different ways. I think that’s why it was so intense because things like this happen daily.
Even with the dark themes, there were some entertaining and warmhearted moments that kept hooked until the end. But, if you feel like the dark themes are too much for you then this book may not be for you and that’s fine. What was covered in the book is very important and I felt that it was really well-written, engaging, emotional, and a thrilling read from beginning to end.
“Everyone’s on the cliff edge of normal. Everyone finds life an utter nightmare sometimes, and there’s no ‘normal’ way of dealing with it… There is no normal, Evelyn.”
For Evelyn, all she’s ever wanted to be was normal. That’s what she hopes will happen as she starts a new college while adjusting to life off her meds. She wants to start over, make new friends, and have stability and not be seen as the girl who went crazy. But, life doesn’t always work out that way as relationships are messy and what you think will make you happy doesn’t always happen in the way that you want. Evie begins to see that being normal isn’t all what it’s cracked up to be and embracing the messy side of life and stepping into who you are is a terrifying yet rewarding experience all in one.
It’s very rare for me to give a book a five star rating but this book totally went beyond my expectations and even though I may overreacting when calling this one of the best ya contemporaries I’ve read, it’s absolutely true. I laughed, cried, cheered, and went through a rollercoaster of emotions and enjoyed every minute of it. I found the mental health rep particular fantastic as some ya books can be hit and miss with mental health rep. But, I thought the way mental health was portrayed in the book was really well. The story was interesting but it was really the characters who were well-written and interesting in their own way. Evie is definitely someone that I really resonated with in particular her struggles with her mental health but I felt like she was very well. The dynamics throughout the book also added to the individual characters and it helped with the story. I am excited to read the next book and hopefully I’ll enjoy it as much as I did this one.
Come read with me! 