pages_and_procrastination's Reviews (1.6k)

The Gone Dead

Chanelle Benz

DID NOT FINISH

Ok. This is a combination of me wanting to be finished with this book and the book not doing the work. The writing is good, poetic almost.  And I was interested in the story, but to be honest, if it wasn't for my natural curiosity I wouldn't care. The synopsis makes the mystery more prominent than the story does. I made it 50% and it was a pretty easy and quick read. If I didn't want to get to started on something else I would have finished it, because I kind of wanted to know what the point was. Yes, there was mystery and a history that was not exactly hidden but not broadcasted either. It was unclear why Billie was even there- did she want to find out more about her father and his death or was she just trying to get the house ready to rent? And was she relying on other people to tell her the truth and not actually looking for or researching it?
 I don't know, this would be okay to read if you don't have anything pressing but not worth setting other things on the back burner for. 
challenging funny lighthearted fast-paced
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This is a middle grade graphic novel and a modern retelling of Little Women. I have a love/hate/unsure relationship with Little Women. When I was a kid Little Women was my favorite book. I remember re-reading it and always having it with me. But when I picked it up as an adult, I couldn't see why I enjoyed it. Then I saw this - a modern retelling - and thought it would be great to add to my daughter's library collection. (Didn't know it was a graphic novel, but oh well.) 

This graphic novel made me remember what I loved about the original. Things are updated, the physical make up of the characters are changed. But essentially, for the most part, these are the March sisters. And now I want to re-read Little Women. 

For the most part, I loved the changes that were made. And while I don't agree with the bigger changes to Jo's character, I understand why they were made. In the original Jo was my favorite character, but in the graphic novel Amy was my favorite. You just gotta love her. Honestly, in the graphic novel Jo was obnoxiously mean and that made like her even less. 
lighthearted mysterious fast-paced
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

A disease breaks out that affects children between 10-14. It's called IAAN (Idiopathic Adolescent Acute Neurodegeneration). Some kids are killed by this disease, others are left changed with different abilities. The adults fear them and send them to camps for rehabilitation, Ruby has posed as a green, but is really an orange. The Children's League breaks her out  and she realizes that enemies are everywhere and the world is not the same. 

This has been on my shelf for a while. Long enough for me to not be sure if I wanted to keep it. The movie coming out motivated me to pick it up. I'm so glad that did. Yes, this is another kids with super powers save the world story. But it's also so much more than that. It's so much darker than I expected. It's not just kids vs. adults. It's deeper and more complex than that. Ruby is slowly learning how to control her powers and that she's not a monster. Liam, Chubs and Zu becomes her new family. There isn't a pretty and hopeful ending , which is kind of what I was expecting. It was dark and sad. But, I can't wait for the next book!

It took me three attempts to actually make it through to the end of this book. ( First attempt was when I checked it out at the library and had to return it. Second attempt was when I tried to read it aloud to my daughter- it doesn't make a very good read aloud. Third attempt was as an audio book.) 
In the beginning, I wasn't sure if this was going to be a book that I actually enjoyed, As I have heard lots of great things about Bardugo, my expectations were kind of high. Also Wonder Woman is sort of my favorite, so there is that. In the end, it was a little more than okay, the ending is what saved it. It was a bit longer than necessary. The shocking reveal wasn't all that shocking to me, and to be honest shouldn't have been as shocking to the characters. But the ending, and the battle scenes is where the book shines. I like the fact that Diana went on a hero's quest, just as male heroes do (even if she is the only one who knows about it). I also really like that there was a spotlight on friendships instead of romance. Her response to Jason (at the end about firsts) is my absolute favorite. You would expect emotions to get in the way, as that is what typically holds women back, but not in Diana's case. But the friendship dynamics between the group is one to be admired, I would be interested in reading another wonder woman book.
dark emotional reflective fast-paced
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated
adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This was not a perfect book, but it was so entertaining. I don't know what is going on with Disney, but I am here for it. If you are a fan of Disney and their stories (classic and new) then you will definitely want to check this out- if you want to see the characters in a whole new light. You may want to check this out even if you're not a fan. These are familiar characters - Ursula, Maleficent, Captain Hook, the Queen of Hearts, Bell, to name a few- before they became the ones we know and love/love to hate. It's kind of an origin story- but more.

The mystery part of this story is very slow to unravel. and it's really Mary Elizabeth's love for Ursula that pushes it forward - not trying to find Molly, the initial case. This tis Mary Elizabeth's first chance to work a real case and she's not very good at it. The skills are there, but the focus isn't. It's actually kid of alright, this is the first book in a series so there's room for her to grow. While the main question is answered at the end, there are so many more left unanswered. The good news is that this doesn't end on a cliffhanger. The bad news is that the big problem is discovered but not resolved at the end of the book. It's more like a break or a pause in the story, and we are left waiting for the next book. I am excitedto see more of tis story. 
funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No
funny inspiring lighthearted fast-paced
adventurous lighthearted mysterious fast-paced
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated