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mamato5now's review
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.5
shawnamation's review
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
badly_behaved_books's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Book 2 in the short-lived series, Dark Secrets is about a girl named Lauren Brandt, the daughter of a US Senator, whose mother died in a drowning. Seven years later, Lauren returns to where it happened, Aunt Jule's once beautiful, but now declining home.
It's obvious the home isn't the only thing that has changed. Aunt Jule's daughters, Nora and Holly, are at odds. Nora's a strange bird with strange abilities. Aunt Jule's coddles Nora and Holly resents both her mother and sister because of it.
Lauren's presence stirs up trouble, old rivalries, and long dead memories. At seventeen, she is one year away from inheriting her mother's estate. Now Lauren must figure out who among those she loves wants her to meet the same fate as her mother.
A quick read with a twisty ending. I preferred it to book 1.
It's obvious the home isn't the only thing that has changed. Aunt Jule's daughters, Nora and Holly, are at odds. Nora's a strange bird with strange abilities. Aunt Jule's coddles Nora and Holly resents both her mother and sister because of it.
Lauren's presence stirs up trouble, old rivalries, and long dead memories. At seventeen, she is one year away from inheriting her mother's estate. Now Lauren must figure out who among those she loves wants her to meet the same fate as her mother.
A quick read with a twisty ending. I preferred it to book 1.
the_space_dork's review
mysterious
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
jresendez610's review
4.0
3.5 stars (Goodreads really needs to start letting us use half-stars).
I liked this one slightly more than Legacy of Lies because there was more of a reason why the main character was around for all the crazy-sh$t that was happening to her. As I've said before, I hate when characters needlessly stick around through hauntings, threats, abuse, etc. I feel like yelling at the book, "JUST LEAVE!" But in this story, there was a decent reason for the MC, Lauren, to be there and by the time it got to the point where she should drop everything and run, it was too late. With that said, the mystery aspect was great. I couldn't figure out what the heck was happening or who was responsible. I think I suspected every character at least once by the time it was revealed. So good job of keeping me on my toes.
What I didn't like as much was how once the antagonist was revealed, it seemed cartoonish. This person immediately upon being caught, blurted out the whole story, and cackled wickedly. How convenient. I like that questions were answered, but it was just delivered a little too easily. Also, after the reveal, everything was wrapped up too neatly as well. It seems there should have been more trauma or FEELINGS of some sort. Confusion? Disbelief? Anger? All of the above? It was almost an instant HEA when I felt like there should have been more...something, I dunno. But overall, it was a good mystery that kept me guessing until the very end.
I liked this one slightly more than Legacy of Lies because there was more of a reason why the main character was around for all the crazy-sh$t that was happening to her. As I've said before, I hate when characters needlessly stick around through hauntings, threats, abuse, etc. I feel like yelling at the book, "JUST LEAVE!" But in this story, there was a decent reason for the MC, Lauren, to be there and by the time it got to the point where she should drop everything and run, it was too late. With that said, the mystery aspect was great. I couldn't figure out what the heck was happening or who was responsible. I think I suspected every character at least once by the time it was revealed. So good job of keeping me on my toes.
What I didn't like as much was how once the antagonist was revealed, it seemed cartoonish. This person immediately upon being caught, blurted out the whole story, and cackled wickedly. How convenient. I like that questions were answered, but it was just delivered a little too easily. Also, after the reveal, everything was wrapped up too neatly as well. It seems there should have been more trauma or FEELINGS of some sort. Confusion? Disbelief? Anger? All of the above? It was almost an instant HEA when I felt like there should have been more...something, I dunno. But overall, it was a good mystery that kept me guessing until the very end.
zoreo28's review
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
clarabooksit's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
amani's review
4.0
I'm really pleased to have found this series. I love YA fantasy/supernatural books, but unfortunately most of them can be samey and predictable. Finding a really enjoyable YA novel can be like looking for a needle in a haystack. I'd definitely recommend this series to anyone looking for YA supernatural romance fiction that's a little more imaginative than usual and actually manages to draw the reader in. This book is a fun and exciting read and keeps you guessing until the end.
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