Hey everyone! So, on Goodreads I was given the opportunity to read a book for review. This is the same review I posted to the site. You can find the review here. You can also visit my Goodreads profile here, along with the group that gave me the opportunity to read this book for review Shut Up & Read.
I received a copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.
After reading the synopsis for this story, I was intrigued. It had mystery with a paranormal element, and it sounded like something that I would really enjoy, and on some level I did. I feel like this story had great potential.
On a personal level, I could relate to the character of Leo. I felt like any teenager going through a traumatic loss, she was confused and lost and broken. I wanted so badly for her to find herself, to rebuild herself. Throughout the whole book she kind of just let herself be almost a pawn in her own story. Even though she knew some thing was wrong she still allowed herself to be convinced to do it, or she just went along with it, rather than speaking her mind. I found myself screaming in frustration at her.
I didn't care for the sort of back and forth relationship she had with Beckett. I found it a little annoying. I felt like the whole twisted love-not-love triangle between Leo and Beckett and Henry was childish. It was like the boys were children fighting over a toy. I didn't find Beckett all that likable. Something about him as a character rubbed me the wrong way. I feel like he didn't fit, almost like he was plucked from another story and thrown into this one. I just couldn't quite get into him.
I despised the character of Henry, from the gate. I thought he was awful. From the moment we meet him, he's manipulative in the most whiny, spoiled way; like a child who throws a tantrum when he doesn't get what he wants. His intentions were obvious and what was infuriating was that Leo saw this and continued to pity him and lead him on in a way. While she tried to set those solid platonic boundaries, she continuously caved, and he played her like a puppet.
I felt a little lost at some parts, like there was something missing, like I had skipped chunks of the story. Then other parts I felt were just kind of thrown in unnecessarily. There were some points that were just not necessary to the plot, and seemed to just be fillers. I felt like the side-characters were not very well plotted. I felt like we knew nothing about Leo, or her friends, or her family. Even at the end I was left with a lot of questions. There was just something about the book that almost felt rushed and unfinished.
However, I have to say that I couldn't put it down. I was screaming at this story so angrily, and so often that my boyfriend asked if I was okay. My dog bolted from the room twice. I was angrily enthralled with this book. The first chapter, I had to punch a pillow because I wanted to slug Henry so badly. I was instantly gripped by the author's words, even though I found the plot and the characters lacking, something about Cathrina Constantine's way of writing had me engrossed. I feel like with some more fleshing out this could be a really great story.
I gave it three out of five stars because I feel like this story had so much promise. I feel almost like it was a skeleton of a book, and it just needed some muscle and blood to bring it to life. I really wanted to love this book and part of me did. Part of me felt something while reading this story that just made me like it. I just feel like there was something missing that stopped me from loving it.
I probably won't be recommending this book, however I would like to try reading other books by this author.
There it was, my honest review. I apologize if any of it seemed harsh. I really did like the author, though I would like to read more of her work before adding her to my list of recommended authors. It was really exciting to read this book for review, and I look forward to adding more reviews!
My current read is Outcaste by C.S. Marks. It is the first novel in a spin-off from her Elfhunter Trilogy. I have been waiting a year to pick up this book. I was excited to hear that she was going to be at the Chicago Comic Con and dragged my boyfriend and his friend over to her booth only to discover she had just sold the last copy. She was nice enough to allow me to still purchase a copy, at the convention price, and mailed me a signed copy. Of course when I received it (less than a week later) I was in the middle of another book. So I added Outcaste to my T.B.R jar and as luck would have it, it was the next book I drew from the TARDIS. I am only about 40 pages at the moment but already I love it. I can't wait to delve deeper back into the world of Alterra!
Until next time, happy reading!
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