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kk7's review against another edition
5.0
I finally have the third book in this series so I am doing a series re-read. I forgot what a great book this is. Kelley Armstrong is amazing at building new worlds and likable characters. If she writes it, it will be fantastic
suzanneloving's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jackiehorne's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 A lot of set-up for future doings, both romance-wise and supernatural-wise, in this suspense/thriller about the daughter of wealthy parents who is outed as adopted, and finds out her biological parents are convicted serial killers. Did they do the deeds, or were they framed? And just what does the town of Cainsville know about Eden/Olivia and her parents? Looking forward to seeing how the slow-developing romance, as well as the series' moral stance, plays out in future books in the series.
tallyhotel's review against another edition
3.0
I was all in for the first half. Then the "alphabet soup" stuff started and it was much less interesting.
aliyyahj's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
alexandrabree's review against another edition
5.0
There is a special place in my heart for the first novel of an amazing series. I am so glad that I revisited Armstrong's work.
I love Olivia, and I Adore Gabriel. The town, the set up. I am totally hooked!
I love Olivia, and I Adore Gabriel. The town, the set up. I am totally hooked!
nikshelby's review against another edition
3.0
"There was joy to be found in watching the young, so carefree and happy. It reminded them what this town stood for, the way of life they worked so hard to protect."
kayteeem's review against another edition
I wasn't really happy with this book, overall. It had a slow start, and I didn't care for the protagonist very much -- she was rather carried along by events without showing much courage about sticking up for what she thought and felt. (Now, nothing wrong with setting up for some contrast to later behavior, but the setup seemed to go on for a long time.)
The middle of the book trundled along fairly nicely, but again, it was slow-paced. It struck me as sort of Anne Tyler light, with just a hint of odd things around the corners.
And then I realized I was rapidly running out of book, without much movement in the plot. And it looks like the author realized that, too, because there was a complete change in tone and pace in order to wrap up one corner of the plot before the book ended.
I'm sort of curious as to the mystery of what's going on behind the scenes, but I'm not finding myself drawn to reading the next four novels worth of material to get there.
The middle of the book trundled along fairly nicely, but again, it was slow-paced. It struck me as sort of Anne Tyler light, with just a hint of odd things around the corners.
And then I realized I was rapidly running out of book, without much movement in the plot. And it looks like the author realized that, too, because there was a complete change in tone and pace in order to wrap up one corner of the plot before the book ended.
Spoiler
Leftover MK Ultra mind control plots from the '60s! The "gun for safety" from 100 pages back coming back into play with an extended action sequence not hinted at earlier in the book! (But without an emotional impact, strangely) Then 20 pages of sort of wrapping things up to an ending without much sense of closure.I'm sort of curious as to the mystery of what's going on behind the scenes, but I'm not finding myself drawn to reading the next four novels worth of material to get there.
ginabyeg's review against another edition
3.0
The book was an interesting read--enough that I want to read the next in the series. That being said, some things that kept this book at 3-stars instead of 4-stars for me: There was a lot that Armstrong tried to unfold in this first book--CSI-type mystery, supernatural phenomena, CIA elements, and hints at a romantic relationship. I think it was too much, and I'm hoping some of it gets scaled back or weeded out entirely going forwards. Some aspects felt crammed in too fast, and others felt like there wasn't enough given to really latch onto. I felt like this book could have spent more time on Olivia's history, and childhood experiences, that would better tie in to what she experiences as an adult. Still, the story clearly kept me turning pages. Willing to give #2 a try.