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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
The Monsters We Make by Kali White.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Publishing date - 9th June 2020
Publisher - Crooked Lane Books
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Publishing date - 9th June 2020
Publisher - Crooked Lane Books
I was certain that I'd land at the three-star mark with this one through most of the front half and a bit of the back half, when the novel suddenly gained momentum, strength, and became a more efficient, more tautly constructed vehicle for the story.
The Monsters We Make was always at its most effective and excruciating when the writing was with Sammy's POV--how I felt for that tender boy who was so unseen by everyone in his life. There were moments when I considered not finishing, not because the book wasn't compelling enough, but because I could not bear the toll the abuse took on him.
Ultimately, I'm glad I finished, but there are definite trigger warnings to heed here. Though the author is never gratuitous re: descriptions of acts, the allusions to the torment (physical, emotional, psychological) are severe enough.
The ending was, as others have observed, not a categorically happy one though many of our characters are given appropriate relief and closure. The book is all the more effective for it.
The Monsters We Make was always at its most effective and excruciating when the writing was with Sammy's POV--how I felt for that tender boy who was so unseen by everyone in his life. There were moments when I considered not finishing, not because the book wasn't compelling enough, but because I could not bear the toll the abuse took on him.
Ultimately, I'm glad I finished, but there are definite trigger warnings to heed here. Though the author is never gratuitous re: descriptions of acts, the allusions to the torment (physical, emotional, psychological) are severe enough.
The ending was, as others have observed, not a categorically happy one though many of our characters are given appropriate relief and closure. The book is all the more effective for it.
This book bored me beyond belief. I would have dnf’d it if my coworker wouldn’t be asking about it.
dark
mysterious
I’m a sucker for a story set in the 80’s and this book definitely gave me the atmospheric vibes I love. Framed around the true story of two missing newspaper delivery boys in Ohio, this story is about Sammy and Crystal, who live with their single mom, Trish. You know from the beginning that Sammy knows more about the latest missing persons case, but is too afraid to come forward. In a parallel story, is officer who was unable to solve the first two missing boys cases and is now faced with yet another unsolved case. I thought this was a good story, yet a bit predictable. It was also a fast read, which got me out of my latest reading slump.
This is a work of fiction based on the disappearance of Des Moines paper boys. The work primarily focuses on the Cox family. Crystal desperately wants to go to journalism school and uses the city's current situation as a source of motivation. Her brother Sammy is a quiet boy who delivers papers on Sunday mornings. Their mother Tina works as a hairdresser and a waitress in order to make end's meet. Although something sinister is definitely uncovered in this novel, readers do not learn the mysterious outcome of the paperboys - which is fitting considering this is still a mystery in the real world.
I wasn't sure if I was going to finish this book. It was had to get attached to any of the characters - they could have used some more development. I think the subject matter is what kept me reading and what will draw other readers in. Overall, it was a very fast read. It was enjoyable to read about a town that I frequent quite often even though the subject matter was disturbing.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.
I wasn't sure if I was going to finish this book. It was had to get attached to any of the characters - they could have used some more development. I think the subject matter is what kept me reading and what will draw other readers in. Overall, it was a very fast read. It was enjoyable to read about a town that I frequent quite often even though the subject matter was disturbing.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Story rating: 4/5 stars.
Narrator rating: 5/5 stars.
This was an audiobook narrated by Mia Barron, but more accurately, it was voice-acted by Mia Barron. She did a PHENOMENAL job of using different voices for each character and for acting out the different emotions displayed throughout the book. I was in awe.
This book was (kind of) split into three different narratives told by different characters: Sammy (12 years old), Crystal (Sammy’s sister, 18 years old), and Dale (police officer with severe PTSD). I enjoyed Crystal’s narrative the most and Dale’s the least. Honestly, Dale was a hot mess and shouldn’t have been allowed to be on the police force, TBH.
The ending (for our main characters) was good but the very last part of the book was sad and very creepy. I loved Crystal’s article too.
Narrator rating: 5/5 stars.
This was an audiobook narrated by Mia Barron, but more accurately, it was voice-acted by Mia Barron. She did a PHENOMENAL job of using different voices for each character and for acting out the different emotions displayed throughout the book. I was in awe.
This book was (kind of) split into three different narratives told by different characters: Sammy (12 years old), Crystal (Sammy’s sister, 18 years old), and Dale (police officer with severe PTSD). I enjoyed Crystal’s narrative the most and Dale’s the least. Honestly, Dale was a hot mess and shouldn’t have been allowed to be on the police force, TBH.
The ending (for our main characters) was good but the very last part of the book was sad and very creepy. I loved Crystal’s article too.
Incredibly slow-paced and boring. If I wasn’t from Des Moines, I wouldn’t have even made it this far. Kids don’t do or think what kids do and think in this book.
This book reallllllly dragged for me. If you’re into slow, somewhat predictable stories based on true crime with an 80s neighborhood type setting, this is for you. But not for me! Character development fell flat and I didn’t really like any of them anyway. Actually got frustrated towards the end.