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audreychamaine's review against another edition
3.0
Thorn is having a little trouble adjusting to her new school in Nevada. As the goth daughter of the town's woman preacher, people give her strange looks and make a lot of assumptions about her. What none of them know is that Thorn has a psychic ability that helps her find things. When she finds a locket left on the stage after her school's talent show tryouts, it introduces a mystery to her, perhaps involving murder. Thorn feels compelled to find out what the locket means and who lost it, all while attempting to find her place within school and her family.
I'm not remotely goth, although I am into creepy things and Halloween. We had plenty of goth kids at my high school, and I never really interacted with them. After reading Buried, maybe I should have tried. Thorn and her friends shun all that is mainstream and love to paint themselves with Halloween makeup and wear Hot Topic-type clothing, but Thorn still has trouble because of how everybody else views her. She wants the ability to be herself, and to dress how she wants, but that same style colors the perception of those around her. Good things we have this story, told in first-person perspective, to draw us into Thorn's life and outlook.
There are a few red herrings thrown into the mystery, but I felt it was pretty obvious from the beginning who is involved; the test was to see how exactly. There were two major subplots that fleshed out the book nicely. The first was the tension with Thorn's parents, especially her dad. He can't understand why she chooses to dress the way she does, and says hurtful things because of it. The second subplot was somebody called the Grin Reaper. This mystery person doles out payback to the bullies at school, all while leaving a calling card of a smiley face.
While Buried didn't blow my mind, I really enjoyed spending time with it. I'd be happy to continue reading the series as it progresses to see what new mysteries Thorn will solve.
I'm not remotely goth, although I am into creepy things and Halloween. We had plenty of goth kids at my high school, and I never really interacted with them. After reading Buried, maybe I should have tried. Thorn and her friends shun all that is mainstream and love to paint themselves with Halloween makeup and wear Hot Topic-type clothing, but Thorn still has trouble because of how everybody else views her. She wants the ability to be herself, and to dress how she wants, but that same style colors the perception of those around her. Good things we have this story, told in first-person perspective, to draw us into Thorn's life and outlook.
There are a few red herrings thrown into the mystery, but I felt it was pretty obvious from the beginning who is involved; the test was to see how exactly. There were two major subplots that fleshed out the book nicely. The first was the tension with Thorn's parents, especially her dad. He can't understand why she chooses to dress the way she does, and says hurtful things because of it. The second subplot was somebody called the Grin Reaper. This mystery person doles out payback to the bullies at school, all while leaving a calling card of a smiley face.
While Buried didn't blow my mind, I really enjoyed spending time with it. I'd be happy to continue reading the series as it progresses to see what new mysteries Thorn will solve.
ctiner7's review against another edition
5.0
I literally read this book in a matter of four hours. The outcome is absolutely unexpected! I loved the surprise, and the book was easy to get into and continue reading. I was glued. I've never heard of [a:Linda Joy Singleton|237195|Linda Joy Singleton|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1222181669p2/237195.jpg] until reading this book, but you can be sure I will be looking into her previously written books! I fell in love!
I won this book on Goodreads First Reads.
I won this book on Goodreads First Reads.
rosepetals1984's review against another edition
5.0
"Buried: A Goth Girl Mystery) is the first decent YA mystery I've read in a while. Savvy heroine, check. Real murder mystery, check. Awesome boy vigilante with snarky attitude, check. Request to read next installment - yes please. :)
I think a part of my love for this particular book revolves around having a love for good mysteries that keep me guessing, while also featuring a cast of well-rounded, developing characters. This was my first read from Linda Joy Singleton, and it's the first installment in her new series. It revolves around a girl named Thorn (real name: Beth Ann), who manages to draw attention in more ways than one. She's not only the new girl at school and a certified goth girl, she's also a Finder - having the ability to spot odds and ends of objects - even sense their history. She ends up getting into more than she bargained for when she comes across a mysterious locket leading her to a surprising murder scene, causing a stir within her community and drawing suspicion from a few authority figures. This happens in the mix of a few events surrounding Thorn - the arrival of a highly popular singer (Phillipe), a music contest which Thorn reluctantly joins to get closer to the truth, and making inquiries surrounding a controversial vigilante at her school (the Grin Reaper).
The primary and secondary characters in this story are fun to watch in their interactions, and the story pulls you in to care about the discoveries and overarching mystery contained in the book. I think there's particularly a strong chemistry between Thorn and the Grin Reaper (sort of a push-pull dynamic that's charming with their savvy, witty retorts toward one another). But I also liked the friendship dynamic and group camraderie that occurs through the relationships in the novel, and more than a few dynamic, colorful characters (example: Amerie wears fairy wings on a regular basis). The gradual reveal of the mystery is well plotted and sound when the realizations that are made, with several trial and error situations on Thorn's part to keep the reader guessing. I particularly enjoyed the ending considering not only does it lead to a conclusion for the novel's theme, but it also provides a nice lead into the relationships for the next installment.
I enjoyed it very much and would recommend it for those who like YA mystery/contemporary stories with a bit of humor.
Overall score: 4.5/5
Note: I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, from the publisher Flux Books.
I think a part of my love for this particular book revolves around having a love for good mysteries that keep me guessing, while also featuring a cast of well-rounded, developing characters. This was my first read from Linda Joy Singleton, and it's the first installment in her new series. It revolves around a girl named Thorn (real name: Beth Ann), who manages to draw attention in more ways than one. She's not only the new girl at school and a certified goth girl, she's also a Finder - having the ability to spot odds and ends of objects - even sense their history. She ends up getting into more than she bargained for when she comes across a mysterious locket leading her to a surprising murder scene, causing a stir within her community and drawing suspicion from a few authority figures. This happens in the mix of a few events surrounding Thorn - the arrival of a highly popular singer (Phillipe), a music contest which Thorn reluctantly joins to get closer to the truth, and making inquiries surrounding a controversial vigilante at her school (the Grin Reaper).
The primary and secondary characters in this story are fun to watch in their interactions, and the story pulls you in to care about the discoveries and overarching mystery contained in the book. I think there's particularly a strong chemistry between Thorn and the Grin Reaper (sort of a push-pull dynamic that's charming with their savvy, witty retorts toward one another). But I also liked the friendship dynamic and group camraderie that occurs through the relationships in the novel, and more than a few dynamic, colorful characters (example: Amerie wears fairy wings on a regular basis). The gradual reveal of the mystery is well plotted and sound when the realizations that are made, with several trial and error situations on Thorn's part to keep the reader guessing. I particularly enjoyed the ending considering not only does it lead to a conclusion for the novel's theme, but it also provides a nice lead into the relationships for the next installment.
I enjoyed it very much and would recommend it for those who like YA mystery/contemporary stories with a bit of humor.
Overall score: 4.5/5
Note: I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, from the publisher Flux Books.
maggie_the_reader's review
3.0
While the characters aren’t always consistent and the story bounces around like a pinball, ultimately Buried a pretty fun read, and worth the short time investment it takes to read it.
novelgoddess's review
4.0
Thorn (nee Beth Ann) is a recent transplant to Nevada Bluff. She comes from a family of six kids where her Mom is a minister and her Dad is looking for work. Thorn is a goth (which her Dad just hates), and she is a “finder”. She is drawn to objects and when she touches them she gets psychic visions from them. Which is what happens at school one day.
Thorn finds a gold locket on a shoelace and it transports her to a remote area. With the help of another psychic friend she finds the remote area and what appears to be the skeleton of a baby. So who’s locket is it? Whose baby is it? How did the baby die? All these mysteries and many more, like the “grin reaper” are addressed in “Buried”.
This was my first Linda Joy Singleton book. I’ve had my eye on her Seer series for a while, but just haven’t had a chance to read it yet. After “Buried”, it’s moved up on my “to-read” list. This was a fun, fast read, one whose ending I didn’t totally see coming which was nice. So many mysteries out there you can predict the outcome in the first few chapters, and while I was on the right path, Singleton was able to slip in another option that hadn’t occurred to me. Singleton’s writing is the right amount of description and dialog and her dialog is sharp and witty. Just what I enjoy most!
I liked Thorn a lot. She was smart and snarky! For all her Goth looks, she isn’t Goth inside. She’s just a normal girl from a big family trying to find her way. I loved that her minister mother was so accepting of her, even when they did miscommunicate. And I was frustrated with her Dad for seeing her at only face value. I would have loved to know more about KC, Rune and Amerie. I’m hoping there will be more Goth Girl Mysteries and I can get to know them better…but mostly I want to see if something will develop between Thorn and Jay. I definitely loved Jay and want to see more of him.
Thorn finds a gold locket on a shoelace and it transports her to a remote area. With the help of another psychic friend she finds the remote area and what appears to be the skeleton of a baby. So who’s locket is it? Whose baby is it? How did the baby die? All these mysteries and many more, like the “grin reaper” are addressed in “Buried”.
This was my first Linda Joy Singleton book. I’ve had my eye on her Seer series for a while, but just haven’t had a chance to read it yet. After “Buried”, it’s moved up on my “to-read” list. This was a fun, fast read, one whose ending I didn’t totally see coming which was nice. So many mysteries out there you can predict the outcome in the first few chapters, and while I was on the right path, Singleton was able to slip in another option that hadn’t occurred to me. Singleton’s writing is the right amount of description and dialog and her dialog is sharp and witty. Just what I enjoy most!
I liked Thorn a lot. She was smart and snarky! For all her Goth looks, she isn’t Goth inside. She’s just a normal girl from a big family trying to find her way. I loved that her minister mother was so accepting of her, even when they did miscommunicate. And I was frustrated with her Dad for seeing her at only face value. I would have loved to know more about KC, Rune and Amerie. I’m hoping there will be more Goth Girl Mysteries and I can get to know them better…but mostly I want to see if something will develop between Thorn and Jay. I definitely loved Jay and want to see more of him.
anjanavasan's review
3.0
Thorn is a finder. She has a special ability where she gets visions when she touches an object and she can match the lost object with it's owner. She's basically a human lost and found. One day she comes across a heart-shaped locket hung on a shoelace, and the whole story is based upon this locket.
Although Thorn may not be my favorite character, mostly because she seemed idiotic at times with her notions of revenge on the Grin Reaper, Buried was a good mystery. Although at first it seemed like there were too many things going on at the same time and the plot was all over the place - the singing competition, Philippe, Grin Reaper, the locket and the letter - it all made sense and the story picked up a steady pace half way through the book.
Initially, I couldn't quite relate to Thorn, her thoughts got on my nerves and I didn't get the whole name thing (Thorn's real name is Beth by the way) but she got better. The surrounding characters - K.C., Rune, Grin Reaper and Amelie - were all likable except her dad, he was just frustrating. I didn't really see the whole goth element though. If not for how Thorn described herself or mentioned what others said about her, you wouldn't know that she was supposed to be 'goth'. She was a normal girl with family/friend and her own issues. Frankly, it wouldn't have made a difference whether she was Goth or not to me. And Amelie's fairy thing was cute but if we're speaking realistically, it's also a little weird.
Overall, Buried is a quick, unique and interesting read. While it's not a book I'd stay up nights reading, it's the kind I'd pick up when I'm looking for something to keep me absorbed for a few hours. It didn't bore me. I didn't know that this was a spin-off series but I wouldn't mind checking out [b:Don't Die, Dragonfly|452141|Don't Die, Dragonfly (The Seer, #1)|Linda Joy Singleton|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1255896075s/452141.jpg|440765] , book one of The Seer series by Singleton.
Although Thorn may not be my favorite character, mostly because she seemed idiotic at times with her notions of revenge on the Grin Reaper, Buried was a good mystery. Although at first it seemed like there were too many things going on at the same time and the plot was all over the place - the singing competition, Philippe, Grin Reaper, the locket and the letter - it all made sense and the story picked up a steady pace half way through the book.
Initially, I couldn't quite relate to Thorn, her thoughts got on my nerves and I didn't get the whole name thing (Thorn's real name is Beth by the way) but she got better. The surrounding characters - K.C., Rune, Grin Reaper and Amelie - were all likable except her dad, he was just frustrating. I didn't really see the whole goth element though. If not for how Thorn described herself or mentioned what others said about her, you wouldn't know that she was supposed to be 'goth'. She was a normal girl with family/friend and her own issues. Frankly, it wouldn't have made a difference whether she was Goth or not to me. And Amelie's fairy thing was cute but if we're speaking realistically, it's also a little weird.
Overall, Buried is a quick, unique and interesting read. While it's not a book I'd stay up nights reading, it's the kind I'd pick up when I'm looking for something to keep me absorbed for a few hours. It didn't bore me. I didn't know that this was a spin-off series but I wouldn't mind checking out [b:Don't Die, Dragonfly|452141|Don't Die, Dragonfly (The Seer, #1)|Linda Joy Singleton|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1255896075s/452141.jpg|440765] , book one of The Seer series by Singleton.
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