There's so much Hamlet shoehorned to fit this downward spiral of a murder mystery that it just felt confused and shallow. The art and coloring were caThere's so much Hamlet shoehorned to fit this downward spiral of a murder mystery that it just felt confused and shallow. The art and coloring were captivating, but the story fell really flat for me. I likely wouldn't have finished had it not been assigned reading....more
This book is absolutely wild; it takes off pretty shortly into the book and does not really let up until it's over. Gossip Girl meets Get Out is the aThis book is absolutely wild; it takes off pretty shortly into the book and does not really let up until it's over. Gossip Girl meets Get Out is the absolute perfect description of both the plot and tone of this book. This story is unsettling and difficult to read about, but it's also brilliant and exciting and horrific, and I highly recommend it. Also, it's queer as hell which is great to see....more
*4.5 Stars Read for my Library Materials for Young Adults class. This book is...absolutely wild. It's such a raw and painful look at an emotionally, men*4.5 Stars Read for my Library Materials for Young Adults class. This book is...absolutely wild. It's such a raw and painful look at an emotionally, mentally, physically, sexually abusive relationship. It's, a lot of the time, a book that's hard to read but also flies by because you just can't put it down. I will likely pick up more of Jackson's books in the future....more
3.5 Stars I expected this to be more of an action-packed puzzle/race/game, and while there were puzzles to solve, there wasn't enough for me. I definit3.5 Stars I expected this to be more of an action-packed puzzle/race/game, and while there were puzzles to solve, there wasn't enough for me. I definitely get the Knives Out reference, as the set-up is a similar scenario, but while I would watch many more movies in that series, I'm not sold quite yet on continuing this one....more
This was an exciting self-contained mystery with the same great (and in some cases irritating) characters as the original Truly Devious trilogy. It waThis was an exciting self-contained mystery with the same great (and in some cases irritating) characters as the original Truly Devious trilogy. It was great seeing more of Nate, but I always, always want him to play a bigger role as he is my absolute favorite. David was back, unfortunately, and just about as annoying as usual. The mystery was interesting, and the twist was...really something. Definitely not a direction I was expecting at all. If we get more from Johnson set in this world, I will continue to pick them up, for sure....more
I really loved the idea of the Truth or Dare game in this installment, but it was abandoned pretty quickly in favor of a mystery, and I was kind of buI really loved the idea of the Truth or Dare game in this installment, but it was abandoned pretty quickly in favor of a mystery, and I was kind of bummed. I think I preferred the first one, but I still haven't found the perfect "game" thriller I've been waiting for....more
Another great entry in this series, which is likely my favorite YA mystery series. Although I was a little confused at the start because it was talkinAnother great entry in this series, which is likely my favorite YA mystery series. Although I was a little confused at the start because it was talking about the after-effects of the mystery from the first book, which I didn't remember well, I felt like I got enough to continue. This entry continues talking about the fallout from the first book, but it mainly focuses on its own self-contained, unconnected mystery. That mystery was twisty, fun, and pulse-pounding. While I don't know if this entry was quite as successful as the original, I gave it 5 stars, so it's obviously still a great book, and I can't wait for the rest of the books in what I've heard will be a 4-book series....more
This is another thriller I was excited for because it is a thriller with a game element, which I absolutely love the idea of but never quite meets my This is another thriller I was excited for because it is a thriller with a game element, which I absolutely love the idea of but never quite meets my expectations. (Other examples are S.T.A.G.S, Two Can Keep a Secret, The God Game, etc.) This held my attention well enough, but I honestly, several months later, I cannot tell you almost anything about this book except I remember the twist being pretty obvious. Overall, this was okay but nothing special....more
This was a big surprise to me. When I saw that this is gonna be a series, I was a little worried that it would go in the style of Truly Devious and haThis was a big surprise to me. When I saw that this is gonna be a series, I was a little worried that it would go in the style of Truly Devious and have a mystery spanned between the books. However, I'm happy to say that most everything was comfortably wrapped up, and this can certainly be read as a stand-alone if you so desire. This was such an engrossing mystery, and the twists and turns were perfectly placed and kept me guessing and thinking the entire time. Pippa and Sal's brother were a great team, and I think their friendship was a great addition to the story. I loved both of their characters, and I think most all of the characters were well-written and interesting (though maybe some of Pip's friends could've used some more fleshing out). Overall, loved this and can't wait for the next one. PS I highly recommend the audio book, as it has multiple voice actors and cool effects for the phone calls and interviews and texts; it was very well done (similar to the Sadie audio book)....more
This was a really good ending to a really good series. I wouldn't say it's a new favorite, but I absolutely enjoyed it. I still wish Nate was a littleThis was a really good ending to a really good series. I wouldn't say it's a new favorite, but I absolutely enjoyed it. I still wish Nate was a little bit bigger of a character, maybe even like a sidekick-type character, but I may just be biased because he's my favorite. The "romance" in this installment was a little annoying to me, as I was sort of over it after The Vanishing Stair. The mystery wrapped up in an interesting and surprising way, though I think I missed some of the details after waiting so long between books, and I absolutely think this series would be a great binge-read....more
This was a great second installment in a fun mystery trilogy. I think this time I swapped opinions, and I was more interested in the present day mysteThis was a great second installment in a fun mystery trilogy. I think this time I swapped opinions, and I was more interested in the present day mystery than the one in the past. The stakes keep building, and Johnson is building a masterful mystery with twists and dead ends and secret passageways. It's just such an exciting journey. I have absolutely fallen in love with Nate, and if anything happens to him in the finale or if he's somehow involved in the murders, I will burn these books, I swear. He's such an adorably reluctant participant in the solving of these mysteries, and he's just such a charming character to read about. I felt the same way about this book as the last one, where near the middle portion, it seemed to drag. I also got confused because of all the characters in the past's mystery. In fact, when the kidnapper was finally revealed, I was like...who??? However, I figured it out pretty easily based on their story, and it wasn't a big deal, but I do wish it was a bit more affecting right at the reveal. Overall, this is such a good series, and I can't believe I have to wait, like, a year for the conclusion.
lgbtq rep: side character wlw in relationship with nonbinary character...more
*3.5 Stars I don’t really know what prompted me to pick this up at this time, but I really liked it! The mystery is interesting, if pretty easy to gues*3.5 Stars I don’t really know what prompted me to pick this up at this time, but I really liked it! The mystery is interesting, if pretty easy to guess the killer. I still enjoyed following Audre Rose and Thomas on their journey, and I look forward to following them on further journeys in the sequels! I wasn’t as in love with the romance as everyone else seems to be, but I hope it grows on me because their dynamic is one of the biggest selling points of the series I think. ...more
Maybe it's because I didn't read the Hardy Boys growing up, but I just didn't really understand their characters, and I think this took being dark andMaybe it's because I didn't read the Hardy Boys growing up, but I just didn't really understand their characters, and I think this took being dark and edgy a little too seriously. The mystery was barely a mystery, and I didn't even find Nancy Drew to be as interesting and easy to root for as she usually is for me. Kind of a miss in my book....more
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