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maddymoran's review
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
audreychamaine's review
2.0
When Abby finds the body of school star, Jefferson Andrews, dead, her thoughts immediately turn to convincing everybody that her drugged-out, unpredictable sister Maya is not the killer. Everybody suspects Maya did it: the police, the kids at school, even Abby’s parents. But Abby has always protected Maya from the bad things around her, so she launches an investigation of her own, taking her through the worst neighborhoods in town, and uncovering Jefferson Andrews’ dark side. But will it be enough to keep Maya out of prison?
Schrefer has written an engaging mystery that will lead the reader on what feels like a wild goose chase as we follow Abby’s decisions and maneuvers throughout the story. Maya is definitely a troubled sister: the yang to Abby’s ying, but we can’t help but feel sorry for her as we view her through Abby’s eyes. At times, it seemed that Jefferson got what he deserved, although no teenager really deserves to be murdered. As the story progresses, characters are brought to the forefront to suggest who may actually be the killer.
The ending fell a bit flat for me, though. The killer was who I had suspected, but I didn’t like the execution of the big reveal. It’s a fine line between laying down too many clues, and making the reader take a leap of faith to force puzzle pieces to fit together. I think others may be really happy with the way the story resolves, though. It just didn’t suit me personally. I will say that the murderer is one of the most chilling YA killers I’ve read. Watch out for red herrings in this one!
Schrefer has written an engaging mystery that will lead the reader on what feels like a wild goose chase as we follow Abby’s decisions and maneuvers throughout the story. Maya is definitely a troubled sister: the yang to Abby’s ying, but we can’t help but feel sorry for her as we view her through Abby’s eyes. At times, it seemed that Jefferson got what he deserved, although no teenager really deserves to be murdered. As the story progresses, characters are brought to the forefront to suggest who may actually be the killer.
The ending fell a bit flat for me, though. The killer was who I had suspected, but I didn’t like the execution of the big reveal. It’s a fine line between laying down too many clues, and making the reader take a leap of faith to force puzzle pieces to fit together. I think others may be really happy with the way the story resolves, though. It just didn’t suit me personally. I will say that the murderer is one of the most chilling YA killers I’ve read. Watch out for red herrings in this one!
alexblackreads's review
3.0
It was fine. A bit boring. I didn't really understand the need for the twist ending, which was predictable, yet didn't really fit with the rest of the story. I've read this kind of story before, but I didn't think it was done particularly well here. It just didn't make sense, even after everything was explained in excruciating detail. It felt like something the author came up with halfway through, but then didn't bother rewriting the first half to fit with the new ending.
But I'd have given it three stars regardless. It's not something I'll be recommending or rereading, but it kept me entertained for a bit. The characters were entertaining, even if their motivations felt off for the most part. The plot was perhaps generic, but kept my attention enough to finish in one day. So overall, vaguely positive, but not all together good.
But I'd have given it three stars regardless. It's not something I'll be recommending or rereading, but it kept me entertained for a bit. The characters were entertaining, even if their motivations felt off for the most part. The plot was perhaps generic, but kept my attention enough to finish in one day. So overall, vaguely positive, but not all together good.
jbojkov's review
2.0
I actually did not finish this book. It was so disjointed and so poorly written, that I did not want to waste my valuable reading time on it. I hate to say that, b/c generally a book has to be pretty bad to get a thumbs down from me. Unfortunately with this one- both thumbs are down!
soleilrayne's review
4.0
The ending was surprising and I thought that gave the book an extra element of interest.
elvenavari's review
2.0
I really... wasn't impressed by this book. I found it extremely boring to read and I wasn't surprised by the twist at the end. Overall it was a very "meh" sort of book for me.
mountie9's review
4.0
Good Stuff
Suspensful
Good twists and turns
Lots of teen angst and drama
Realistic portrayal of family dynamics
clever dialogue makes me want to read other works by author
Fast paced story keeps you interested in reading more (Especially when you should be working)
You really become emotionally attached to main character
Pleasantly surprised that male author portrays a female so realistically (I know sexist). Thinking he must have a teenage daughter
Twisted and dark at times (yes that can be a good thing)
Really loved how the author talked about when someone dies how automatically people forget how the person really was (warts and all) and make them out to be saints - especially true when it involves a teen
Not So Good Stuff
Not enough humour for me - I know picky, picky (honestly though, probably a good idea in this case not to have too much humour)
Adults are portrayed as pretty much useless (Than again, to teens that is probably how it seems)
Wasn't completely satisfied with ending
What I Learned
Hard to be a big sister (I'm the baby in the family)
Drugs are bad
Have to make sure I listen to my kids when they grow into teens (Terrifies me that they one day will be teens)
Favorite Quotes/Passages
"I might have protected her forever, until Jefferson Andrews showed up dead"
"You thinking of coming in here, than you better get ready for a bunch of dead teenagers"
Who Should Read
Teens between 13 - 18
Parents of teens between 13 - 18
YA Mystery/Suspense readers
Not for sensitive younger readers due to violence, drugs and hints of sexuality
Suspensful
Good twists and turns
Lots of teen angst and drama
Realistic portrayal of family dynamics
clever dialogue makes me want to read other works by author
Fast paced story keeps you interested in reading more (Especially when you should be working)
You really become emotionally attached to main character
Pleasantly surprised that male author portrays a female so realistically (I know sexist). Thinking he must have a teenage daughter
Twisted and dark at times (yes that can be a good thing)
Really loved how the author talked about when someone dies how automatically people forget how the person really was (warts and all) and make them out to be saints - especially true when it involves a teen
Not So Good Stuff
Not enough humour for me - I know picky, picky (honestly though, probably a good idea in this case not to have too much humour)
Adults are portrayed as pretty much useless (Than again, to teens that is probably how it seems)
Wasn't completely satisfied with ending
What I Learned
Hard to be a big sister (I'm the baby in the family)
Drugs are bad
Have to make sure I listen to my kids when they grow into teens (Terrifies me that they one day will be teens)
Favorite Quotes/Passages
"I might have protected her forever, until Jefferson Andrews showed up dead"
"You thinking of coming in here, than you better get ready for a bunch of dead teenagers"
Who Should Read
Teens between 13 - 18
Parents of teens between 13 - 18
YA Mystery/Suspense readers
Not for sensitive younger readers due to violence, drugs and hints of sexuality
bethanymiller415's review
2.0
2.5 stars
Abby Goodwin has spent most of her life looking out for her troubled younger sister Maya. When fifteen year old Maya drops out of school, Abby suggests that their parents hire Jefferson Andrews, the soon-to-be valedictorian of the senior class, to tutor her. Jefferson is not only intelligent but also a master manipulator, and he is soon intimately involved with Maya and using her to run drugs for him. One morning Abby is out for a run when her dog begins acting strangely and leads her off the road and down a path to a ravine. Lying next to the ravine is the dead body of Jefferson Andrews, and, on the ground not far from his body, Abby discovers her sister’s cell phone. Abby immediately suspects that her sister was involved in Jefferson’s death, and when she confronts her, Maya admits to having met Jefferson at the ravine but denies killing him. Maya does confess that she was high at the time of their encounter and doesn’t remember everything clearly. Abby convinces Maya that she has to go into hiding because even if she is innocent, all of the facts will lead the police to believe that she is guilty. Once her sister is hidden, Abby begins investigating the crime in hopes of clearing Maya’s name. The mystery is peppered with an interesting cast of characters, all of whom seem to be suspects at some point – Jefferson’s brother Brian, his girlfriend Rose, Abby’s best friend Cheyenne, who will be valedictorian with Jefferson out of the picture. The murderer’s true identity is revealed in a surprising but not entirely satisfying conclusion.
The Deadly Sister is told from the first person point-of-view of Abby, who claims to want to protect her younger sister from being convicted of a murder that she may or may not have committed. Throughout the book, there are clues that Abby may not be a completely reliable narrator; however, readers may miss these clues because the characterization is uneven across the board. Many of the characters do and say things that seem unlikely or unrealistic, and the dialogue frequently does not ring true. Though The Deadly Sister is an easy read that will keep readers guessing until the end, the plot is lacking in suspense, and some readers may lose interest before they get to the surprise ending.
Abby Goodwin has spent most of her life looking out for her troubled younger sister Maya. When fifteen year old Maya drops out of school, Abby suggests that their parents hire Jefferson Andrews, the soon-to-be valedictorian of the senior class, to tutor her. Jefferson is not only intelligent but also a master manipulator, and he is soon intimately involved with Maya and using her to run drugs for him. One morning Abby is out for a run when her dog begins acting strangely and leads her off the road and down a path to a ravine. Lying next to the ravine is the dead body of Jefferson Andrews, and, on the ground not far from his body, Abby discovers her sister’s cell phone. Abby immediately suspects that her sister was involved in Jefferson’s death, and when she confronts her, Maya admits to having met Jefferson at the ravine but denies killing him. Maya does confess that she was high at the time of their encounter and doesn’t remember everything clearly. Abby convinces Maya that she has to go into hiding because even if she is innocent, all of the facts will lead the police to believe that she is guilty. Once her sister is hidden, Abby begins investigating the crime in hopes of clearing Maya’s name. The mystery is peppered with an interesting cast of characters, all of whom seem to be suspects at some point – Jefferson’s brother Brian, his girlfriend Rose, Abby’s best friend Cheyenne, who will be valedictorian with Jefferson out of the picture. The murderer’s true identity is revealed in a surprising but not entirely satisfying conclusion.
The Deadly Sister is told from the first person point-of-view of Abby, who claims to want to protect her younger sister from being convicted of a murder that she may or may not have committed. Throughout the book, there are clues that Abby may not be a completely reliable narrator; however, readers may miss these clues because the characterization is uneven across the board. Many of the characters do and say things that seem unlikely or unrealistic, and the dialogue frequently does not ring true. Though The Deadly Sister is an easy read that will keep readers guessing until the end, the plot is lacking in suspense, and some readers may lose interest before they get to the surprise ending.
unhappypenguin1's review
3.0
Was an okay read. It wasn't very exciting and it was very sluggish in the building of the plot. Towards the end, I kinda figured out who 'did it' so to speak, but it was still a surprise. The only reason why it has gotten three stars rather than two was because of the end. And even then it was pretty hard to fully understand. The explanation wasn't the best. In summary: sudden start, slow middle and rising action, surprising ending that sort of made up for it.