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rjdenney's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this book! I became obsessed with wanting to know who
killed Katherine, but the ending was kind of predictable even though it gave another twist at the very end. I still would recommend it to people who love YA mysteries.
-R.D.
(first book read in February 2012)
killed Katherine, but the ending was kind of predictable even though it gave another twist at the very end. I still would recommend it to people who love YA mysteries.
-R.D.
(first book read in February 2012)
brunettegeekgirl's review
4.0
The cover:
This is the UK cover, and for some reasons, I like it better than the US cover, probably because Wish You Were Dead’s, the previous book’s, UK cover is way prettier than the US one. Although, the US one makes more sense….
The storyline:
This story has less horror in it than the previous book but way more suspense. I was holding my breath all the time because I knew something bad was going to happen.
The mystery in this story was the number one thing that kept me reading, it was a great journey with Callie trying to figure out who killed Katherine and framed her. I’ve been thinking about the killer and the possibilities all the time while reading the book, and I’m sad to say, I totally didn’t expect the ending…!!
What I loved:
The writing style was very good, it is somehow different from the first book, but it only made the book better.
I was expecting it to be a sequel in story to Wish You Were Dead and was somehow shocked to find that it is a totally different story. I loved how the story was built from ground zero and developed its own surroundings and characters but it also happened in the same city, so this tiny detail didn’t change :).
The main protagonist, Callie, was very brave and smart too.
The story wasn’t boring despite its 51 chapters and I actually remember each one because they were short and weren’t long.
Two words: the ending!
My favorite chapter is 47!!
The twists and the ongoing cobwebs of weird events.
What I hated/didn’t like:
Hmm.. nothing really I can remember.
What I missed:
I wish there was a bit more horror in the story?! It lacked that compared to the first book and there weren’t any gore or horrifying descriptions or scenes (Call me crazy, but I love these and really liked them in the first one, it’s not like they’re too scary or disgusting, they just add this feel to the story).
The characters:
Callie is the protagonist. She’s been framed for a death she didn’t commit and she was courageous and strong while trying to prove her innocence.
Slade is Callie’s boyfriend. He really loves her and helps her thru the book, but at the end, you’ll find many unsettling truths about him.
Dakota is the one who’s been blamed by Callie in the book for killing Katherine and setting up Callie. She’s not totally innocent either.
Katherine, the dead girl, is basically the mean girl in the Soundview High school. She’s been manipulating a lot of students including Callie, Dakota and Mia.
Mia is another girl who happens to want to be in Katherine’s circle but ends up being kicked out by her. She becomes Callie’s friend.
Other characters worth mentioning are Callie’s parents and brother, Sebastian, who’s in jail for attacking their father and causing him permanent brain damage. Chief od police Jenkins who’s Dakota’s uncle and an old friend of Callie’s father.
Favorite quotes:
After all, two years ago my older brother, Sebastian, made national news by bludgeoning our father nearly to death with a two-by-four, leaving him brain damaged and mute and paralyzed from the neck down. What’s so hard to believe? Like brother, like sister, right? – Chapter 2.
The other thing is you can tell yourself you’re a charity case without really believing it. And then the day comes when you forget. And you think you really do belong. Because you want to so badly. – Chapter 3.
And why had she kept Dakota?
Maybe she was thinking like the Chinese general who said, “Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.” --- Chapter 34.
Conclusion:
This was a really good read. I don’t have words to describe it, but if you love thriller and mystery books with twists, this is definitely one to check :).
This is the UK cover, and for some reasons, I like it better than the US cover, probably because Wish You Were Dead’s, the previous book’s, UK cover is way prettier than the US one. Although, the US one makes more sense….
The storyline:
This story has less horror in it than the previous book but way more suspense. I was holding my breath all the time because I knew something bad was going to happen.
The mystery in this story was the number one thing that kept me reading, it was a great journey with Callie trying to figure out who killed Katherine and framed her. I’ve been thinking about the killer and the possibilities all the time while reading the book, and I’m sad to say, I totally didn’t expect the ending…!!
What I loved:
The writing style was very good, it is somehow different from the first book, but it only made the book better.
I was expecting it to be a sequel in story to Wish You Were Dead and was somehow shocked to find that it is a totally different story. I loved how the story was built from ground zero and developed its own surroundings and characters but it also happened in the same city, so this tiny detail didn’t change :).
The main protagonist, Callie, was very brave and smart too.
The story wasn’t boring despite its 51 chapters and I actually remember each one because they were short and weren’t long.
Two words: the ending!
My favorite chapter is 47!!
The twists and the ongoing cobwebs of weird events.
What I hated/didn’t like:
Hmm.. nothing really I can remember.
What I missed:
I wish there was a bit more horror in the story?! It lacked that compared to the first book and there weren’t any gore or horrifying descriptions or scenes (Call me crazy, but I love these and really liked them in the first one, it’s not like they’re too scary or disgusting, they just add this feel to the story).
The characters:
Callie is the protagonist. She’s been framed for a death she didn’t commit and she was courageous and strong while trying to prove her innocence.
Slade is Callie’s boyfriend. He really loves her and helps her thru the book, but at the end, you’ll find many unsettling truths about him.
Dakota is the one who’s been blamed by Callie in the book for killing Katherine and setting up Callie. She’s not totally innocent either.
Katherine, the dead girl, is basically the mean girl in the Soundview High school. She’s been manipulating a lot of students including Callie, Dakota and Mia.
Mia is another girl who happens to want to be in Katherine’s circle but ends up being kicked out by her. She becomes Callie’s friend.
Other characters worth mentioning are Callie’s parents and brother, Sebastian, who’s in jail for attacking their father and causing him permanent brain damage. Chief od police Jenkins who’s Dakota’s uncle and an old friend of Callie’s father.
Favorite quotes:
After all, two years ago my older brother, Sebastian, made national news by bludgeoning our father nearly to death with a two-by-four, leaving him brain damaged and mute and paralyzed from the neck down. What’s so hard to believe? Like brother, like sister, right? – Chapter 2.
The other thing is you can tell yourself you’re a charity case without really believing it. And then the day comes when you forget. And you think you really do belong. Because you want to so badly. – Chapter 3.
And why had she kept Dakota?
Maybe she was thinking like the Chinese general who said, “Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.” --- Chapter 34.
Conclusion:
This was a really good read. I don’t have words to describe it, but if you love thriller and mystery books with twists, this is definitely one to check :).
pheenyreads's review against another edition
5.0
This book is so good and keeps you on your toes the whole way. while reading I felt as if I was on the run aswell, it just felt so real. The emotions. The tension. Knowing the truth while everyone's mistaken. This was an amazing read and I personally feel more people should know about it. I recommend this book for 11+.
jennifermreads's review against another edition
5.0
The who-dun-it aspects of this book far overwhelm the love aspects making this book a good choice for teen boys too.
This is 2nd book of his “thrillogy” that I have read and I burned through this one too! Note: readers do not have to read these books in any order; characters are different in each book. He really draws me into his character’s world. Felt like I was racing around town and changing my disguises just like Callie was! I, like Callie, suspected Dakota from the beginning and continued to suspect her through the story. I did have moments of “it cannot be this obvious” and thought it may be someone else. I did suspect So, once again, it was a gripping mystery (how cliché, eh?!) and an exciting read. Yup, I will read his third thrillogy and may even pick-up some of his other work (other YA as well as popular juvenile series Help! I’m Trapped …)
This is 2nd book of his “thrillogy” that I have read and I burned through this one too! Note: readers do not have to read these books in any order; characters are different in each book. He really draws me into his character’s world. Felt like I was racing around town and changing my disguises just like Callie was! I, like Callie, suspected Dakota from the beginning and continued to suspect her through the story. I did have moments of “it cannot be this obvious” and thought it may be someone else. I did suspect
Spoiler
Slade as the killer – only as a tickle in my brain not as a “oh he sooooo did this!”kiseli_kupus54's review against another edition
2.0
Ok book. Why does Callie forgive Slade so fast, he literally killed her friend.
bxermom's review against another edition
4.0
I absolutely love Todd Strasser. He is an amazing writer and his stories grab you and don't let go until the very end.
This is a great book and had me guessing until the very end.
This is a great book and had me guessing until the very end.
kitvaria_sarene's review against another edition
2.0
I LOVED "Wish you were dead", but this one didn't add up at all.
The main characters actions were so plain stupid at times, that I actually wished something bad to happen to her. The story was also not nearly as realistic and believable as in the first book.
I really can't recommend this one.
The main characters actions were so plain stupid at times, that I actually wished something bad to happen to her. The story was also not nearly as realistic and believable as in the first book.
I really can't recommend this one.
thereadingsparrow's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
jeannemurray3gmailcom's review against another edition
3.0
Good book and quick read. This one keeps your interest. I liked it better than the first one in the trilogy. This would be great for reluctant readers.
martha_schwalbe's review against another edition
4.0
I wasn't sure I read the first book so thought I might be lost; however, the first book came back to me immediately upon reading the names of the characters. I think to understand the inability of the main character to go to her mom, it is important to have read the first book. It is mentioned in this book but more as an aside.
The twist in this book really had be going. I kept guessing throughout as too who had the blood on a hand.
This is a good read for those who enjoyed The Christopher Killers yet the first book is more of a clique book.
The twist in this book really had be going. I kept guessing throughout as too who had the blood on a hand.
This is a good read for those who enjoyed The Christopher Killers yet the first book is more of a clique book.