Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
Wow, this book was surprisingly good! I haven't read a whole lot of YA mysteries since my addiction in the 80's with Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden, but out of those I've read in recent history, this is by far the best! I loved both main characters, and all the Aussie slang, and the incredible pacing - everything was fabulous, and I can't wait to get my hands on the next one!
Quite The Novel Idea ~ Words from the Clouds
4.5 stars
So, when I first saw this book, I brushed past it. I didn't look at reviews back then and the cover and title just didn't appeal to me so I just clicked it away. Well, I would like to take my DeLorean, travel back in time, and wack my past self over the head with a big giant book because I'm really really stupid. I should have read this AGES ago. AGES I TELLS YOU. Because this book was freaking AMAZING.
You're probably wondering what made me pick it up. (Or not, but I'm telling anyways.) Well, I was on Twitter one day and Meg from Cuddlebuggery started explaining why this series is the best thing of ever and it made me curious. So I looked it up again. I recognized the hideous cover and this time I read the blurb and went over friends' reviews. Which were all overwhelmingly positive. So I got myself a copy and started reading. And then I fell in love. And I will tell you why. Because that's why you're here after all.
While, yes, the story was awesome and I loved it, that's not the main reason why I adore this book. Nor is the fact that this is set in Australia, though that is also fantastic. Nope. The reason I loved this book to the moon and back is the characters. They are the stars of this book, as they should be, naturally. These characters were real. They jumped off the pages and their dynamics were out of this world awesome. All of them, not just Mycroft and Watts. Even the side characters were like that. But of course Mycroft and Watts are the best ones. They were flawed and real and I loved them and their chemistry was off the charts. I loved their friendship and how it blossomed over the course of the book. And might I add, this author knows how to write a good kiss. Holy smokes.
There are, however, two tiny things that kept me from giving this the 5-star stamp. One is that this book is, in fact, set in Australia. And while that is not a bad thing in the least, for me it took some getting used to because this book, the narration and dialogue especially, are very Australian and I'm not super familiar with it. So that was a bit weird at first. And the second thing is that Mycroft and Watts get off a little easy sometimes for the things they pull? And they're both REALLY smart and yes, it's YA and fiction so whatever, but still. Sometimes it was all a bit too convenient.
BUT I adored this book to bits and I can't wait to continue reading the rest of it because I adore these characters. And I want to know what's in store for them. So yes, you should read this. Don't let the cover fool you in the least. Pick up this book and read it asap.
4.5 stars
So, when I first saw this book, I brushed past it. I didn't look at reviews back then and the cover and title just didn't appeal to me so I just clicked it away. Well, I would like to take my DeLorean, travel back in time, and wack my past self over the head with a big giant book because I'm really really stupid. I should have read this AGES ago. AGES I TELLS YOU. Because this book was freaking AMAZING.
You're probably wondering what made me pick it up. (Or not, but I'm telling anyways.) Well, I was on Twitter one day and Meg from Cuddlebuggery started explaining why this series is the best thing of ever and it made me curious. So I looked it up again. I recognized the hideous cover and this time I read the blurb and went over friends' reviews. Which were all overwhelmingly positive. So I got myself a copy and started reading. And then I fell in love. And I will tell you why. Because that's why you're here after all.
While, yes, the story was awesome and I loved it, that's not the main reason why I adore this book. Nor is the fact that this is set in Australia, though that is also fantastic. Nope. The reason I loved this book to the moon and back is the characters. They are the stars of this book, as they should be, naturally. These characters were real. They jumped off the pages and their dynamics were out of this world awesome. All of them, not just Mycroft and Watts. Even the side characters were like that. But of course Mycroft and Watts are the best ones. They were flawed and real and I loved them and their chemistry was off the charts. I loved their friendship and how it blossomed over the course of the book. And might I add, this author knows how to write a good kiss. Holy smokes.
There are, however, two tiny things that kept me from giving this the 5-star stamp. One is that this book is, in fact, set in Australia. And while that is not a bad thing in the least, for me it took some getting used to because this book, the narration and dialogue especially, are very Australian and I'm not super familiar with it. So that was a bit weird at first. And the second thing is that Mycroft and Watts get off a little easy sometimes for the things they pull? And they're both REALLY smart and yes, it's YA and fiction so whatever, but still. Sometimes it was all a bit too convenient.
BUT I adored this book to bits and I can't wait to continue reading the rest of it because I adore these characters. And I want to know what's in store for them. So yes, you should read this. Don't let the cover fool you in the least. Pick up this book and read it asap.
I judge this book by its cover and it turned out to be better than I expected.
This book is too underrated. It was a quick read and there was never a boring moment.
All the "stalking jack the ripper" fans should be reading this (in my opinion this is better).
All the "stalking jack the ripper" fans should be reading this (in my opinion this is better).
I really loved this book. I loved the main characters and the premise and the overall story line.
I thought this was a great first novel and FAR FAR and away better than a lot of 5th or 6th novels I've read by other authors. I don't usually read mysteries (for good reason, as I always guess who the bad guy is, and this book was sadly no exception), but I enjoyed this book for more than the mystery angle.
There were maybe a few things that I wish had been different:
I really don't get why Rachel had to go into the lion pit. It was a scalpel, and she was so brave. It would have been waaaaaay smarter if she'd run to find help, IMO. I mean, she's supposed to be a smarty, right?
I also wish there had been more explanation about the daughter's reasons for killing her dad, besides being committed. I didn't get it. Did he molest her or something? Was that what was in the mural? I get cutting the grit for the teen audience, but adding some of the necessary backstory would have helped me here.
But in the end, I will definitely be reading the next two books in the series. Can't wait to find out what is next in the world of Mycroft and Watts. :)
I thought this was a great first novel and FAR FAR and away better than a lot of 5th or 6th novels I've read by other authors. I don't usually read mysteries (for good reason, as I always guess who the bad guy is, and this book was sadly no exception), but I enjoyed this book for more than the mystery angle.
There were maybe a few things that I wish had been different:
Spoiler
The first kiss just seemed so odd to me, the placement of it. Like, why was he experimenting, because the other girl kissed him? I dunno. It was odd.I really don't get why Rachel had to go into the lion pit. It was a scalpel, and she was so brave. It would have been waaaaaay smarter if she'd run to find help, IMO. I mean, she's supposed to be a smarty, right?
I also wish there had been more explanation about the daughter's reasons for killing her dad, besides being committed. I didn't get it. Did he molest her or something? Was that what was in the mural? I get cutting the grit for the teen audience, but adding some of the necessary backstory would have helped me here.
But in the end, I will definitely be reading the next two books in the series. Can't wait to find out what is next in the world of Mycroft and Watts. :)
This book was so good, totally not what I expected but so damn good.
I actually don't know what I was expecting but within the first two pages I was hooked. Mycroft (James) and Watts (Rachel) are neighbours/school friends who turn into Melbourne's own Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson. Not something that I would have thought I was going to enjoy but I couldn't turn the pages quick enough to find out what was going to happen. There was mystery and intrigue, great conversations and laughs and then, hello page 162.... My legs turned to jelly with that little bit of swoon! This book is now on my 'top reads of the year' list and it has only been an hour since I finished it but I am already missing Mycroft and Watts and can hardly wait for their next adventure.
I actually don't know what I was expecting but within the first two pages I was hooked. Mycroft (James) and Watts (Rachel) are neighbours/school friends who turn into Melbourne's own Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson. Not something that I would have thought I was going to enjoy but I couldn't turn the pages quick enough to find out what was going to happen. There was mystery and intrigue, great conversations and laughs and then, hello page 162.... My legs turned to jelly with that little bit of swoon! This book is now on my 'top reads of the year' list and it has only been an hour since I finished it but I am already missing Mycroft and Watts and can hardly wait for their next adventure.
Maybe a 3.5. The mystery is lack luster but the characters and tension is really satisfying. A good quick Sherlock fix.
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This had more fleshed out characters, more a sense of real time, (as if happening in the present) than other YA books I've tried to read recently. On top of that, it was a mystery--which I love--and a lot of mysteries can feel two-dimensional to me. Teens working through difficult pasts on par with [b:Split|6270483|Split|Swati Avasthi|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1433700177s/6270483.jpg|6453798] meets mystery. Also there was a girl Watson, who's totally smart.
I was nervous when I heard it was a series. It reads like a standalone book. Will the author be able to combine YA realism with mystery effectively again?
I was nervous when I heard it was a series. It reads like a standalone book. Will the author be able to combine YA realism with mystery effectively again?
This book is progressing awkwardly. I didn't get a chance to finish it, but I would like to.