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sonshinelibrarian's review
2.75
I enjoyed this overall. The mystery certainly kept me reading and the way the three storylines came together was interesting. The first half is a little slow and some of the writing is a little overwrought. There are some descriptions that are so flowery or try too hard. The last half picks up and the writing feels a bit smoother.
The opening scene with Kaitlin and her mom at the pizza place made it hard for me to want to keep going. I found it really hard to believe that her bully would stick gum in her hair in the middle of a diner practically right in front of Kaitlin's mom. Bullies like she is portrayed are usually really good at putting up a "nice" front in front of adults. I also find it hard to believe that this super protective mom would have had such a complete non-reaction. I also was rolling my eyes at the "why would any guy be interested in me I'm a total train wreck and not pretty but actually I'm gorgeous and all of the boys at camp want to date me" trope. I understand the "incident" was pretty bad and would have led to some of the bullying at school and some of Kaitlin's insecurities. But the trope was just overdone with super extremes in Kaitlin's personality and in the situation.
The opening scene with Kaitlin and her mom at the pizza place made it hard for me to want to keep going. I found it really hard to believe that her bully would stick gum in her hair in the middle of a diner practically right in front of Kaitlin's mom. Bullies like she is portrayed are usually really good at putting up a "nice" front in front of adults. I also find it hard to believe that this super protective mom would have had such a complete non-reaction. I also was rolling my eyes at the "why would any guy be interested in me I'm a total train wreck and not pretty but actually I'm gorgeous and all of the boys at camp want to date me" trope. I understand the "incident" was pretty bad and would have led to some of the bullying at school and some of Kaitlin's insecurities. But the trope was just overdone with super extremes in Kaitlin's personality and in the situation.
midnightwritelight's review
5.0
Y’all - the minute I saw this beautiful book on @adventurous.bookworm’s feed, I knew I wanted to read it! Thank you so much to @bethanyrlee81 for giving me the opportunity to read an advanced reader’s copy!
Called Upon is unique and exciting, with twists and turns that will keep readers guessing. Camp Overlook seems like a normal summer camp, but it becomes clear something more sinister may lurk below the surface.
With three point-of-views, Called Upon combines different narratives into one complete and complex story. Each character is different, but Claire and Max shone through as the most distinct and interesting personalities.
Use the code CALLEDUPON60 to get 60% your purchases at bethanylee.com! Check the link in my bio to her website AND read my full review on my blog!
Called Upon is unique and exciting, with twists and turns that will keep readers guessing. Camp Overlook seems like a normal summer camp, but it becomes clear something more sinister may lurk below the surface.
With three point-of-views, Called Upon combines different narratives into one complete and complex story. Each character is different, but Claire and Max shone through as the most distinct and interesting personalities.
Use the code CALLEDUPON60 to get 60% your purchases at bethanylee.com! Check the link in my bio to her website AND read my full review on my blog!
annithebookaholic's review against another edition
2.0
I wasn't the biggest fan of this. I really liked the the idea but the book was quite bad.
I really disliked the writing and especially the dialog. They seemed unrealistic and the constant 'er', 'um' etc filler words got on my nerves quite a lot.
Nothing also really happened in this. It went really slowly for 75% of the book and then everything happened all at once. And bevause of that the situation didn't feel as high stakes as it was supposed to feel like.
The characters were not interesting as well. And the ending was really unsatisfying.
Sory to say, but I don't recommend this to anyone.
I really disliked the writing and especially the dialog. They seemed unrealistic and the constant 'er', 'um' etc filler words got on my nerves quite a lot.
Nothing also really happened in this. It went really slowly for 75% of the book and then everything happened all at once. And bevause of that the situation didn't feel as high stakes as it was supposed to feel like.
The characters were not interesting as well. And the ending was really unsatisfying.
Sory to say, but I don't recommend this to anyone.
mila_loves2read's review
5.0
I LOVE THIS BOOK
if tour looking for a summer camp book woth some sort of mystery and plot twist this is perfect!!!
i was hooked from page one till the very last one . the three povs where so interesting and with every pov switch i was soo eager to put all the pieces together
if tour looking for a summer camp book woth some sort of mystery and plot twist this is perfect!!!
i was hooked from page one till the very last one . the three povs where so interesting and with every pov switch i was soo eager to put all the pieces together
woolyj's review
4.0
I’ve given it 4 stars because it was a good story, something a bit different. The ending kind of killed it for me, it’s left a bit of a cliffhanger with no real resolution and no word of a second book as far as I can tell. I don’t know I’m sitting here just feeling a bit disappointed by it.
gurnoor's review
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
lexessoribooks's review
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
annaswhite's review
3.0
This was a quick fun read. A friend knows the author and it was her first book, so I decided to buy it to support her. It was a super fun story. I think I’m going to give it to my teenager to read now...
brittradomski's review
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
kylielace's review
2.0
For such a short book it took an awhile long while to finish. This book was just not for me. It was simple, it was a whole lot of dialogue (while not having much substance), and had one dimensional characters. It only got a 2 star instead of a 1 because I can see someone enjoying this book and I did at least finish it.
Problem number one and probably the most annoying thing out of the book and possibly any book I will ever read: the character Sierra using the word “y’all”. Y’all is used to address multiple people in a group setting, in this books case it is used to address one person. And it drove me insane. It was so very distracting and so so wrong.
Problem number two: “er, um, uhhhh” When some uses these filler words in real life it is bad enough. When an author puts them in the book and has the character openly admit they use those words on purpose? God awful. I cringed every time and not in a sympathetic way.
The plot does have potential and I can see it being good. In this case it just does nothing for me. I had to force myself to finish it and in the end there was no pay off. I definitely will not be reading the sequel which is hinted at the end.
Problem number one and probably the most annoying thing out of the book and possibly any book I will ever read: the character Sierra using the word “y’all”. Y’all is used to address multiple people in a group setting, in this books case it is used to address one person. And it drove me insane. It was so very distracting and so so wrong.
Problem number two: “er, um, uhhhh” When some uses these filler words in real life it is bad enough. When an author puts them in the book and has the character openly admit they use those words on purpose? God awful. I cringed every time and not in a sympathetic way.
The plot does have potential and I can see it being good. In this case it just does nothing for me. I had to force myself to finish it and in the end there was no pay off. I definitely will not be reading the sequel which is hinted at the end.