The Book Was Better

Most girls look forward to prom, but not Ruby. Since seeing the gruesome ghost of her dead self, she's a little busy investigating her own possible murder and the corrupt underbelly of her idyllic town.  It takes a lot to surprise me, but this one at least 25% shocked me. Part of that was due to some underdeveloped characters, but mostly it was really good plotting.  Parker's novel may be filled with teens, but they certainly know the meaning of "ride-or-die". For a YA read, there was surprising depth: from the friendships and familial bonds, to the themes of retaliation, greed, and embracing life. This was the perfect blend of suspense, a pinch of horror, rich figurative language, and just a touch of romance. Un-put-downable.  You're Dead to Me: ★★★★3/4

By this point, nearly anyone who has any desire to has devoured Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight saga. Though intended as a young adult series, Meyer’s tales have captivated young and mature, creating a frenzy rivaled only by Ms. Rowling. Rather than echoing the countless reviews of those who have loved or despised the series, I ask the question: why? What is it about these supernatural tales that has captured our hearts and inspired all-night, breathless page-turning sessions? My observations have led me to conclude a three-fold appeal: We all feel a little abnormal. Bella Swan’s character is insecure, fallible, and ordinary – easily relatable. But more, Bella feels that she has never quite fit in – there’s something just a little different about her. From adolescence to present I can recall feeling this same striking displacement. No matter our situation in life, we tend to think we’re just a bit unusual compared with those surrounding us. For some, this becomes a crutch, an excuse, but...

Once again, Peter Abrahams manages to capture the suspense of a good mystery, while mastering the complex adolescent thought pattern – a mystery of its own. Ingrid’s relationships become even more of a puzzle in this second visit to charming Echo Falls: the duality of her bond with her brother, the childlike adoration, yet not quite trust in her mother, and the questioning of her previously idolized dad’s deterioration. Ingrid’s look “Behind the Curtain” of her tumultuous family parallels the realizations of the imperfections of her beloved town and even a new awareness of herself. This sequel lacked a bit of the “magic” of its predecessor, but it did not fail to entertain, nor did it squelch my desire to solve the mystery alongside Ingrid in her fallible, yet endearing, Holmsian way. Book Chick Rating: Y Y Y Y

Peter Abrahams is a master of three things: imagery, suspense, and the adolescent psyche. His distinctive style paints a story, rather than tells it, sucking the reader into the tale and giving them a vested interest in the outcome (and discovering the identity of the villain). Abrahams’ rich portrayal of Ingrid, along with her flaws, her complicated relationships, and unique outlook on her world, provides the YA lit world with an unrivaled heroine who is at once likeable and real. The suspense too, is very real, and I found myself afraid for Ingrid for both what she had and what she hadn’t yet figured out.  Book Chick Rating: Y Y Y Y Y