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ryanpfw's review against another edition
4.0
I just finished all three Flicker novels in less than a week.
My other two reviews are posted for their respective books, but I gave Flicker a 2.5 rating (rounded up to 3), Fractured a 3.5 rating (rounded up to 4), and Faded comes in the strongest of the bunch with a strong 4 rating.
The strongest relationship in the trilogy is between Biz and her dad, and it's in the forefront here. I probably made a mistake reading the final chapter on the anniversary of my dad's passing, but that storyline was pitch perfect. Strong kudos on the characterization of Amelia as well.
The end of Fractured cemented Biz's conclusion that you can't change the past and expect to get away with it. I fully expected the undoing of the angsty opening plot of Faded to be a central plot push, and it wasn't even considered, and that made the story stronger.
A lot of my complaints from the earlier novels dealt with pacing. Biz would rescue the little girl, but never considered rescuing victims earlier in the storyline. I appreciated that Biz considered this as she found herself on the other side of the situation.
I respected the decision to cast Cameron as an antagonist at the end of Fractured. His chemistry with Biz was troubling, and that decision really comes home to roost in Faded. His line about forgiveness almost detonated their relationship, and the way the characters ended off in a place that was complicated and dirty and I can respect that. I didn't expect it.
I wasn't sure what to make of the Martinez plot. His intent to use Biz was pretty clear from the beginning (although I wasn't sure if there was a conspiracy that he was involved in), and that's effectively where he ends up without a real curveball. The Shelly plot I could have done without. Her intent to threaten Biz really didn't contribute anything, and my prediction was it was actually someone trying to help Biz. (The threat read to me like a warning.) It just seemed silly and only teaches us that our photography teachers are trying to destroy us. :)
What I did love was where Biz ended the story, ready to take on the world, cautious but not hiding and ready to take what comes her way. I do wish there was firmer resolution to the Martinez threat. There was the implication that there would be fallout, and none of it burns him. I would have loved for her to have made it clear to him that she could Flicker and destroy his career, with the reader knowing she would never do it but that she easily could. Something to throw him off. It wasn't necessary but who wouldn't love to see him get in a fender bender or something. Anything to ruin his night. :)
So all in all, the Flicker trilogy was a satisfying story that had some issues with pacing and an error here and there. (There's a reference to the first time Katie kills herself, when it really means the second, etc.) I may not be the target audience, but a lot of the foreshadowing seems intended to clue the reader in first while Biz trails behind (Dad and Quinn flickering, the bracelet.) The characterizations were compelling by the end, but it was a somewhat messy ride getting there, with a few exceptions (Martinez was a drain.) Maybe that's just life. Certainly, each story improved on the one before it, and I'd love to see how it all works out.
I'd recommend this series.
My other two reviews are posted for their respective books, but I gave Flicker a 2.5 rating (rounded up to 3), Fractured a 3.5 rating (rounded up to 4), and Faded comes in the strongest of the bunch with a strong 4 rating.
The strongest relationship in the trilogy is between Biz and her dad, and it's in the forefront here. I probably made a mistake reading the final chapter on the anniversary of my dad's passing, but that storyline was pitch perfect. Strong kudos on the characterization of Amelia as well.
The end of Fractured cemented Biz's conclusion that you can't change the past and expect to get away with it. I fully expected the undoing of the angsty opening plot of Faded to be a central plot push, and it wasn't even considered, and that made the story stronger.
A lot of my complaints from the earlier novels dealt with pacing. Biz would rescue the little girl, but never considered rescuing victims earlier in the storyline. I appreciated that Biz considered this as she found herself on the other side of the situation.
I respected the decision to cast Cameron as an antagonist at the end of Fractured. His chemistry with Biz was troubling, and that decision really comes home to roost in Faded. His line about forgiveness almost detonated their relationship, and the way the characters ended off in a place that was complicated and dirty and I can respect that. I didn't expect it.
I wasn't sure what to make of the Martinez plot. His intent to use Biz was pretty clear from the beginning (although I wasn't sure if there was a conspiracy that he was involved in), and that's effectively where he ends up without a real curveball. The Shelly plot I could have done without. Her intent to threaten Biz really didn't contribute anything, and my prediction was it was actually someone trying to help Biz. (The threat read to me like a warning.) It just seemed silly and only teaches us that our photography teachers are trying to destroy us. :)
What I did love was where Biz ended the story, ready to take on the world, cautious but not hiding and ready to take what comes her way. I do wish there was firmer resolution to the Martinez threat. There was the implication that there would be fallout, and none of it burns him. I would have loved for her to have made it clear to him that she could Flicker and destroy his career, with the reader knowing she would never do it but that she easily could. Something to throw him off. It wasn't necessary but who wouldn't love to see him get in a fender bender or something. Anything to ruin his night. :)
So all in all, the Flicker trilogy was a satisfying story that had some issues with pacing and an error here and there. (There's a reference to the first time Katie kills herself, when it really means the second, etc.) I may not be the target audience, but a lot of the foreshadowing seems intended to clue the reader in first while Biz trails behind (Dad and Quinn flickering, the bracelet.) The characterizations were compelling by the end, but it was a somewhat messy ride getting there, with a few exceptions (Martinez was a drain.) Maybe that's just life. Certainly, each story improved on the one before it, and I'd love to see how it all works out.
I'd recommend this series.
theresajs's review
5.0
What a great finish in this trilogy! It was an emotional read (and I admit, I did tear up a few times) but I loved it! Just a great trilogy!
I am looking forward to more books from Melanie!!!
I am looking forward to more books from Melanie!!!
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