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blurrypetals's review against another edition
5.0
June 3, 2019
[reread in preparation for the Veronica Mars 2019 Hulu revival]
So, my mom and I just binged all of Veronica Mars, the 2004-07 TV show before proceeding to rewatch Veronica Mars, the 2014 movie in preparation for Veronica Mars, the 2019 TV revival, but no Veronica Mars refresher would be complete, in my opinion, without Veronica Mars, the 2014-15 book series.
And so here we are, with The Thousand-Dollar Tan Line! There honestly isn't much for me to say here that I didn't already say back when I first read this in 2014.
The one thing I will say is that, even though I once longed for Rob Thomas and co. to adapt this and Mr. Kiss and Tell into a mini-series or two, I really hope they decide to go with something completely different for the new revival series. I love these two books, but I would prefer to get something I haven't gotten before and to follow Veronica further into adulthood, tracking the time that has passed between the movie and now, including glossing over Tan Line and Kiss and Tell.
I'm excited to reread Mr. Kiss and Tell, though so I'm going to quit dawdling and begin! See you in the next one!
April 4, 2014
Any TV series that gets a book based off of it can sound a little scary. Book to movie adaptations are a dime a dozen, but TV/movie to book isn't so common because it can go really bad really fast.
So I was pretty damn skeptical when I saw there was a Veronica Mars novel coming out. I was still high off the buzz the movie gave me, as I'm a lifelong addict of the story, the actors, and the writers, but I wasn't terribly enchanted by the idea of a book only co-written by Rob Thomas himself.
I audiobooked this one. It was a no-brainer when I saw Kristen Bell was the narrator so I signed up for Audible IMMEDIATELY to get just a few drops more of VMars sweetness, even if the book itself didn't end up being good.
I like being wrong in cases like this. I like having rock-bottom expectations that are rattled to the bone by great and lovable things like this book. I like seeing the things I love dominate in multiple different mediums, which Veronica has now done. She's triumphed on screens small and large and now she's triumphed again on the page and on my car stereo.
Veronica Mars just can't lose and neither can the fans. Not anymore.
For anyone doubting this book like I did, I assure you this a full blooded sequel to the movie. It picks up just a couple of months after the end of the movie and Veronica has just gotten her first high profile case since returning to Mars Investigations. She's falling back into shoes she once filled nine years ago and she is filling them nicely. If the movie felt like one long episode of the television show, then the book felt like a non-visual miniseries (which I hope it actually becomes, because I'm DYING to see the actors fill this extension of their characters onscreen).
The mystery was thick and unpredictable, but not so convoluted that we couldn't guess and grasp along with Veronica. I was excited and invested, just like I was back when I first watched season one of the television show. Honestly, the case itself outdid the movie's. Admittedly, the movie had a lot less time and used that time well, but the book almost felt like the world's best consolation prize for the movie's mystery not being so good.
The book is a treat to any Veronica Mars fan, whether you've just seen the movie, whether you've just seen season two, whatever. It was a delicious and exciting ride and it left me wanting more more more, just like the media addict I am.
Just like Veronica can't get enough of life as a P.I. in Neptune, I will never get enough of her, her world, and the people who bring it to life.
[reread in preparation for the Veronica Mars 2019 Hulu revival]
So, my mom and I just binged all of Veronica Mars, the 2004-07 TV show before proceeding to rewatch Veronica Mars, the 2014 movie in preparation for Veronica Mars, the 2019 TV revival, but no Veronica Mars refresher would be complete, in my opinion, without Veronica Mars, the 2014-15 book series.
And so here we are, with The Thousand-Dollar Tan Line! There honestly isn't much for me to say here that I didn't already say back when I first read this in 2014.
The one thing I will say is that, even though I once longed for Rob Thomas and co. to adapt this and Mr. Kiss and Tell into a mini-series or two, I really hope they decide to go with something completely different for the new revival series. I love these two books, but I would prefer to get something I haven't gotten before and to follow Veronica further into adulthood, tracking the time that has passed between the movie and now, including glossing over Tan Line and Kiss and Tell.
I'm excited to reread Mr. Kiss and Tell, though so I'm going to quit dawdling and begin! See you in the next one!
April 4, 2014
Any TV series that gets a book based off of it can sound a little scary. Book to movie adaptations are a dime a dozen, but TV/movie to book isn't so common because it can go really bad really fast.
So I was pretty damn skeptical when I saw there was a Veronica Mars novel coming out. I was still high off the buzz the movie gave me, as I'm a lifelong addict of the story, the actors, and the writers, but I wasn't terribly enchanted by the idea of a book only co-written by Rob Thomas himself.
I audiobooked this one. It was a no-brainer when I saw Kristen Bell was the narrator so I signed up for Audible IMMEDIATELY to get just a few drops more of VMars sweetness, even if the book itself didn't end up being good.
I like being wrong in cases like this. I like having rock-bottom expectations that are rattled to the bone by great and lovable things like this book. I like seeing the things I love dominate in multiple different mediums, which Veronica has now done. She's triumphed on screens small and large and now she's triumphed again on the page and on my car stereo.
Veronica Mars just can't lose and neither can the fans. Not anymore.
For anyone doubting this book like I did, I assure you this a full blooded sequel to the movie. It picks up just a couple of months after the end of the movie and Veronica has just gotten her first high profile case since returning to Mars Investigations. She's falling back into shoes she once filled nine years ago and she is filling them nicely. If the movie felt like one long episode of the television show, then the book felt like a non-visual miniseries (which I hope it actually becomes, because I'm DYING to see the actors fill this extension of their characters onscreen).
The mystery was thick and unpredictable, but not so convoluted that we couldn't guess and grasp along with Veronica. I was excited and invested, just like I was back when I first watched season one of the television show. Honestly, the case itself outdid the movie's. Admittedly, the movie had a lot less time and used that time well, but the book almost felt like the world's best consolation prize for the movie's mystery not being so good.
The book is a treat to any Veronica Mars fan, whether you've just seen the movie, whether you've just seen season two, whatever. It was a delicious and exciting ride and it left me wanting more more more, just like the media addict I am.
Just like Veronica can't get enough of life as a P.I. in Neptune, I will never get enough of her, her world, and the people who bring it to life.
thisisthelion's review against another edition
4.0
She’s back!
I’m a huge fan of the tv show, so I obviously gave money to the Kickstarter campaign to make the movie. And then I found out Rob Thomas (with Jennifer Graham, let’s not forget her) was also releasing a book and all hell broke loose. My heart can't take the excitement of so many good news. The movie was everything I expected (and I think I can speak for all the fans) and the book was too. We can’t never have enough Veronica. So, Thomas, make another kickstarter and we’ll help you make another movie!
After getting the characters back together in the movie, Veronica is back in Neptune and she is ready to roll. She is currently managing Mars investigations but she is running low on money to pay the rent and Mac, her hacker-friend. But as luck would have it, Petra Landros, the owner of the Neptune Grand Hotel wants her to find a girl that has gone missing in the middle of Neptune’s crazy spring break. Veronica gets down to work, but another girl also disappears.
And it was about time Lianne “came back”, just to get some closure. I missed her in the movie, where there was a thousand and one cameos from people we used to be friends with (see what I did there), but it wasn't the right moment for her to come back. So, I’m glad Thomas has finally give Lianne a chance to “redeem” herself. She may be going to jail, so maybe we haven’t seen the last of her, but after her final conversation with Veronica, I would be satisfied if we wouldn't saw her again.
At first, the case appears to be pretty predictable, but Thomas keeps a few tricks under his sleeve that I definitely didn't saw coming. As a mystery, the book can hold his head (or cover) high. It was quite a page-turner and let me wanting more books, movies or whatever Rob Thomas can think off. Various things that happened in the movie are mentioned, so those who haven’t seen the movie yet would not be lost. But, watch the movie first, fellows!
Plus, the dedication:
No, Rob, THANK YOU for introducing us to the tiny blond detective.
Marshmallows, unite!
I’m a huge fan of the tv show, so I obviously gave money to the Kickstarter campaign to make the movie. And then I found out Rob Thomas (with Jennifer Graham, let’s not forget her) was also releasing a book and all hell broke loose. My heart can't take the excitement of so many good news. The movie was everything I expected (and I think I can speak for all the fans) and the book was too. We can’t never have enough Veronica. So, Thomas, make another kickstarter and we’ll help you make another movie!
After getting the characters back together in the movie, Veronica is back in Neptune and she is ready to roll. She is currently managing Mars investigations but she is running low on money to pay the rent and Mac, her hacker-friend.
Spoiler
Her father is recovering from the accident he suffered in the movie and Logan is shipped off to who knows where.Spoiler
And turns out, she is the daughter of the infamous Lianne Mars, her mother.And it was about time Lianne “came back”, just to get some closure. I missed her in the movie, where there was a thousand and one cameos from people we used to be friends with (see what I did there), but it wasn't the right moment for her to come back. So, I’m glad Thomas has finally give Lianne a chance to “redeem” herself. She may be going to jail, so maybe we haven’t seen the last of her, but after her final conversation with Veronica, I would be satisfied if we wouldn't saw her again.
At first, the case appears to be pretty predictable, but Thomas keeps a few tricks under his sleeve that I definitely didn't saw coming. As a mystery, the book can hold his head (or cover) high. It was quite a page-turner and let me wanting more books, movies or whatever Rob Thomas can think off. Various things that happened in the movie are mentioned, so those who haven’t seen the movie yet would not be lost. But, watch the movie first, fellows!
Plus, the dedication:
“For all the Veronica Mars Kickstarter backers. You’re like the people who clapped long enough to bring Tinker Bell back from the dead. Except instead of clapping, you sent money. And instead of a tiny blond fairy, you resurrected a tiny blond detective.”
No, Rob, THANK YOU for introducing us to the tiny blond detective.
Marshmallows, unite!
hirvimaki's review
4.0
Very entertaining continuation of the VM story. Well written and a solid plot. And some good snark.
bhnmt61's review against another edition
4.0
I picked this up purely because of a recommendation on Modern Mrs Darcy. I read it on a transpacific flight, which requires a special kind of book- the boredom on those super long flights is intense and unrelenting. This book managed to keep my interest from start to finish (of the book, I mean, unfortunately it didn’t last for the whole flight). I was surprised that a book based on a TV show was so absorbing. One star deducted pettishly because there were many allusions to past events which meant nothing to me since I never watched the show. And also - stop here to avoid minor spoiler, although this becomes obvious well before the end - the two mysteries have two entirely different solutions which (to me) felt less compelling than a single villain.
bookschaosnart's review
4.0
Veronica's first case since permanently returning to Neptune. It had the spirit of the first two season with the character growth of the movie. It did feel like it was struggling to know if it was the mystery of the week or the season arc.
pirategirl121's review against another edition
5.0
This book is everything you love about Veronica Mars. I would love more books like this one that takes place between the movie and the revival.
My only issue with this book was a major printing issue where the book goes from page 199 to page 230.
My only issue with this book was a major printing issue where the book goes from page 199 to page 230.
jmbowden's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
ingo_lembcke's review against another edition
5.0
Started March 26th, 2014 pre-ordered this as soon as I read about it, the price was a bit high but below my self-set 10 Eur limit.
As the movie, it was great to connect with the familiar people, all grown up.
For those who have not seen the film yet: the book might spoil some of the storyline of the film, and I could not remember all facts from the TV-Series mentioned here - a sign I should watch it again, which I have planned to do for quite some time now.
The book begins after the events of the film.
A girl disappears from a invite-only springbreak-party, wether a runaway, kidnapped or killed is anybodies guess.
In place of her father (see the movie as to why) Veronica Mars gets hired finding the girl.
And then a short time in the investigation a second girl goes missing - from the same place and the still ongoing party, which is held every night there, still being springbreaking-time.
Quite a few twists, nothing is as it seems.
And I did not guess what really happened or who would be responsible.
This book also shows that very little action is needed to write an interesting story.
The non-stop-action-books I have read this year have not really worked for me, although I gave 3 or 4 stars.
Highly recommended, although non-fans might have a hard time with the hints at past events. It might help to watch the Veronica Mars-Movie before reading the book.
As the movie, it was great to connect with the familiar people, all grown up.
For those who have not seen the film yet: the book might spoil some of the storyline of the film, and I could not remember all facts from the TV-Series mentioned here - a sign I should watch it again, which I have planned to do for quite some time now.
The book begins after the events of the film.
A girl disappears from a invite-only springbreak-party, wether a runaway, kidnapped or killed is anybodies guess.
In place of her father (see the movie as to why) Veronica Mars gets hired finding the girl.
And then a short time in the investigation a second girl goes missing - from the same place and the still ongoing party, which is held every night there, still being springbreaking-time.
Quite a few twists, nothing is as it seems.
And I did not guess what really happened or who would be responsible.
This book also shows that very little action is needed to write an interesting story.
The non-stop-action-books I have read this year have not really worked for me, although I gave 3 or 4 stars.
Highly recommended, although non-fans might have a hard time with the hints at past events. It might help to watch the Veronica Mars-Movie before reading the book.
ingo_lembcke's review
5.0
Started March 26th, 2014 pre-ordered this as soon as I read about it, the price was a bit high but below my self-set 10 Eur limit.
As with the movie, it was great to connect with the familiar people, all grown up, with Veronica Mars being the #1 top.
For those who have not seen the movie yet: the book might spoil some of the storyline of the film, and I could not remember all facts from the TV-Series mentioned here - a sign I should watch it again, which I have planned to do for quite some time now.
The book begins after the events of the film.
A girl disappears from a invite-only springbreak-party, whether a runaway, kidnapped or killed is anybodies guess.
In place of her father (see the movie as to why) Veronica Mars gets hired as Mars Investigations to find the girl.
Quite a few twists, nothing is as it seems.
And I did not guess what really happened or who would be responsible, one twist I saw coming, but that was just pure lucky guesswork on my part.
This book also shows that very little action is needed to write an interesting story.
And the book not being too long also helped.
The non-stop-action-books I have read in the past months have not really worked for me, even then I gave 3 or 4 stars (mostly for recognizing a good story-arc or idea).
Highly recommended, although non-fans might have a hard time with the hints at past events.
It might help to watch the Veronica Mars-Movie before reading the book.
As with the movie, it was great to connect with the familiar people, all grown up, with Veronica Mars being the #1 top.
For those who have not seen the movie yet: the book might spoil some of the storyline of the film, and I could not remember all facts from the TV-Series mentioned here - a sign I should watch it again, which I have planned to do for quite some time now.
The book begins after the events of the film.
A girl disappears from a invite-only springbreak-party, whether a runaway, kidnapped or killed is anybodies guess.
In place of her father (see the movie as to why) Veronica Mars gets hired as Mars Investigations to find the girl.
Quite a few twists, nothing is as it seems.
And I did not guess what really happened or who would be responsible, one twist I saw coming, but that was just pure lucky guesswork on my part.
This book also shows that very little action is needed to write an interesting story.
And the book not being too long also helped.
The non-stop-action-books I have read in the past months have not really worked for me, even then I gave 3 or 4 stars (mostly for recognizing a good story-arc or idea).
Highly recommended, although non-fans might have a hard time with the hints at past events.
It might help to watch the Veronica Mars-Movie before reading the book.