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pam2375's review against another edition
4.0
Heather Heather Heather! You did another awesome job with your newest book. I absolutely loved the story and the way it was written.
The story is about a gunmen that goes into a school. Who is he? Why did he choose the classroom that he chose?
You will find the answer to these questions and more by the end of the book. Each chapter features a character telling the story of what is happening at the same moment in time. I just love this style of writing that Gudenkauf uses. Just as the chapter is coming to an end and you are about to learn something huge we switch characters. OOOOOOOOHHHHHH, it works so well in keeping you in suspense and on the edge of your seat.
Great book, great story telling and I highly recommend this to all.
A heartfelt thank you to Net Galley and Mira Publishing for an "advanced readers copy". This book will be released on June 19, 2012
The story is about a gunmen that goes into a school. Who is he? Why did he choose the classroom that he chose?
You will find the answer to these questions and more by the end of the book. Each chapter features a character telling the story of what is happening at the same moment in time. I just love this style of writing that Gudenkauf uses. Just as the chapter is coming to an end and you are about to learn something huge we switch characters. OOOOOOOOHHHHHH, it works so well in keeping you in suspense and on the edge of your seat.
Great book, great story telling and I highly recommend this to all.
A heartfelt thank you to Net Galley and Mira Publishing for an "advanced readers copy". This book will be released on June 19, 2012
suvata's review against another edition
4.0
Very emotional read considering the Parkland School Shooting in Florida occurred only two weeks ago. At least this book had an interesting twist on what has become way too familiar in our society. I like Heather Gudenkauf’s writing style. I can honestly say that her novels never disappoint.
dewey_scrapper's review against another edition
3.0
Really enjoyed this, except for the few pages that were repeated later on. Had to check to see if the book was bound incorrectly. They weren't. One scene that happened early on was repeated VERBATIM later in the book. I found this really annoying.
jtwolf33's review against another edition
5.0
Such an amazing story! I can't even begin to put it into words, or do this book any justice just woah! I've read a fair few books but this is officially only the third that's made me so emotional (Scarlet by Cathy Cassidy and Allegiant by Veronica Roth).
The storyline flows so smoothly and the characters are so well written and developed that you can't help but feel part of the events with them. It really is a "page-turner"!
Fear, tension, love and even some humour make this an excellent book to read. Would thoroughly recommend it, one of my new favourites.
The storyline flows so smoothly and the characters are so well written and developed that you can't help but feel part of the events with them. It really is a "page-turner"!
Fear, tension, love and even some humour make this an excellent book to read. Would thoroughly recommend it, one of my new favourites.
lvidler's review against another edition
4.0
I have never been disappointed by this authors books. Again, she managed to keep me pulled in. Very good read.
jadeeby's review against another edition
4.0
Originally posted at my blog Chasing Empty Pavements.
I waited in extreme anticipation for this one, so when Netgalley and Mira publishing graciously approved me for the title I was so excited. I absolutely FELL in love with Gudenkauf's first novel The Weight of Silence but her second one didn't hit the mark with me so I was a little nervous about her latest one. This one was actually really, very good.
I am a huge fan of rotating POV's and short chapters. I think Gudenkauf pulled this off amazingly. I love not having chapter numbers and having these short little snippets of characters. In a way, it's almost like a cliff hanger without actually being one.... kind of like commercials in the middle of TV shows! I love *almost* all of the voices and thought there were some that were especially drawn out and developed beautifully. I LOVED Mrs. Oliver, Augie, P.J. and Will. They were all amazing characters. I think though, the premise of this novel is what had me hooked. Especially in light of the recent Aurora, CO shooting. The whole idea of a lone gunmen taking a small town school hostage is just pure genius. There's just SO much tension in that one little premise it's crazy. The thing about all three of Gudenkauf's books is the way she is able to keep the reader turning the page at a break-neck pace. I couldn't get my hands to turn the page fast enough. I wanted more, more, more. Her pacing is fantastic and the tension/suspense is palpable and great for a mystery novel. As usual, Gudenkauf's Iowa setting was perfect. I loved the small town Iowa feel that I got throughout the novel. This was especially poignant when all the parents/grandparents were waiting outside the school together. The way they interact with each other is totally indicative of small town Iowa life. (I should know, I'm an Iowan).
The few things I have to criticize for this novel is kinda complex. First off, while I loved the rotating narratives, in a way, I felt this almost hindered the story because by the end, I was very disappointed with the climax. I felt there wasn't enough background information on the character to believe what was going on. It also didn't seem like a believable enough motive for what the person was doing. I really wish this part could have been better developed because then the book would have been near perfect for me. The other thing that was slightly disappointing is the lack of development in some of the other characters. Holly and Meg weren't developed nearly enough but I feel that's the risk you run into when you're writing 5 different POV's. There were some chapters that were weak with dialogue and description but those, I'm willing to look past because the majority of the book was really good.
Overall, I really liked this book. I think it tackled quite a tough situation, one that's becoming more and more prevalent. I still can't believe how fast-paced it was and loved that I could devour it in almost one sitting. I recommend this book for mystery fans, Heather Gudenkauf fans and any one from Iowa...obviously.
**I received this book free from the publisher through www.netgalley.com. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
I waited in extreme anticipation for this one, so when Netgalley and Mira publishing graciously approved me for the title I was so excited. I absolutely FELL in love with Gudenkauf's first novel The Weight of Silence but her second one didn't hit the mark with me so I was a little nervous about her latest one. This one was actually really, very good.
I am a huge fan of rotating POV's and short chapters. I think Gudenkauf pulled this off amazingly. I love not having chapter numbers and having these short little snippets of characters. In a way, it's almost like a cliff hanger without actually being one.... kind of like commercials in the middle of TV shows! I love *almost* all of the voices and thought there were some that were especially drawn out and developed beautifully. I LOVED Mrs. Oliver, Augie, P.J. and Will. They were all amazing characters. I think though, the premise of this novel is what had me hooked. Especially in light of the recent Aurora, CO shooting. The whole idea of a lone gunmen taking a small town school hostage is just pure genius. There's just SO much tension in that one little premise it's crazy. The thing about all three of Gudenkauf's books is the way she is able to keep the reader turning the page at a break-neck pace. I couldn't get my hands to turn the page fast enough. I wanted more, more, more. Her pacing is fantastic and the tension/suspense is palpable and great for a mystery novel. As usual, Gudenkauf's Iowa setting was perfect. I loved the small town Iowa feel that I got throughout the novel. This was especially poignant when all the parents/grandparents were waiting outside the school together. The way they interact with each other is totally indicative of small town Iowa life. (I should know, I'm an Iowan).
The few things I have to criticize for this novel is kinda complex. First off, while I loved the rotating narratives, in a way, I felt this almost hindered the story because by the end, I was very disappointed with the climax. I felt there wasn't enough background information on the character to believe what was going on. It also didn't seem like a believable enough motive for what the person was doing. I really wish this part could have been better developed because then the book would have been near perfect for me. The other thing that was slightly disappointing is the lack of development in some of the other characters. Holly and Meg weren't developed nearly enough but I feel that's the risk you run into when you're writing 5 different POV's. There were some chapters that were weak with dialogue and description but those, I'm willing to look past because the majority of the book was really good.
Overall, I really liked this book. I think it tackled quite a tough situation, one that's becoming more and more prevalent. I still can't believe how fast-paced it was and loved that I could devour it in almost one sitting. I recommend this book for mystery fans, Heather Gudenkauf fans and any one from Iowa...obviously.
**I received this book free from the publisher through www.netgalley.com. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
lindseyslittlelibrary's review against another edition
4.0
Wow! If you are looking for a page turner this is it!! I couldn't put it down!
lovesresqdogs's review against another edition
5.0
This was a great page turner. I have never been disappointed by this author.
marusik_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0