"In the darkest hours of the night, her own memory was keen and cruel."
Makani Young has left her dark past behind her in Hawaii to start a new life "In the darkest hours of the night, her own memory was keen and cruel."
Makani Young has left her dark past behind her in Hawaii to start a new life in Osborne, Nebraska. She gets trustful friends and falls in love with the mysterious Ollie Larsson. But one by one, students from Osborne High are found murdered in a series of well planned slaughters. Living in a hurricane of confusing love and a killer on the loose, she also has to deal with the old secrets that are catching up with her. No one walks safely anymore...
This was a quick read for me, not only because it's an overall short book, but also because I couldn't put it away. It started off really nicely and I was well introduced to the story. I read with my pulse in my throat and I feel like if anyone would have tried to scare me while reading, I would have been running for my life! It was so thrilling and exciting as well as terrifying and interesting. The story in itself was really good and I really think that anyone could find interest in it. Although, at some points, it was a bit cliché. It was kind of obvious sometimes what would happen, but there was jump scares as well. But I just found it as a quiet typical horror story. But, there were a few plot twists that I really enjoyed! Because when you were in a part where you felt like it had been way too obvious for a while, something unexpected would happen and once again, your heart was racing. Also, I loved the writing style but sometimes I got really confused and had to back up a few pages and reread them to understand what happened. I think horror stories should be easy to read because if you lose your track you also lose the tension. I loved the way it was written and it was very well detailed, but it could have been a more easy read.
Stephanie Perkins is one of my favorite authors and I own all of her books. But I wasn't such a big fan of this book. Maybe because I'm not a huge horror fan? I don't know. I love the way she writes and introduces the reader, but this was just not for me. It was good and terrifying for sure, but there were things I would have liked to be different. But I do think that you should give this story a shot, especially if you like Perkins' other books. I believe you have to start reading it with an open mind and not have any judgments, so don't listen to this review haha! What I mean is that you have to build your own opinion and go in with your own perspective.
"That was it. The news rehashed the story from the top. The killer kept climbing into the truck, and it kept making a right turn. The killer kept going home."...more
"And maybe one day, when we all realize that we all feel the same, we can all stop pretending to be something we're not."
Penny Porter does not have "And maybe one day, when we all realize that we all feel the same, we can all stop pretending to be something we're not."
Penny Porter does not have it easy at High School. She might be the most embarrassing girl in the world, her crush is one of her friends but he doesn't seem to be interested, one of her friends controls her and is very manipulative... but she has her best friend Elliot, and a lovely family, and an anonymous blog where she writes it all down. And as her life starts to feel worthless with panic attacks, accidentally showing her underwear to the entire world and struggling with her crush, her life takes un outstanding turn when her family surprises her with a trip to New York over Christmas. And who would have known that New York would change her life forever?
I was sceptical (as always), but I wanted to give this a shot. I've read multiple reviews saying that this is garbage, but I'll have to disagree. 'Cause I actually really enjoyed this book! It was super fluffy, swoony, cute and funny. But I was a bit too unrealistic and cringe at its places. The way Penny wrote her blogposts was really cringey to me and everything that happened in New York... Sure, a lot of us have dreamed about it, but what are the odds of it actually happening? Anyway, it was really adorable and I loved it. Zoe had an easy and floating writing style, which was nice. I could read without any trouble. And it was a quick-read with romance, adventure and love. A perfect summer-read, but also for the winter 'cause it takes place over Christmas and New Year's Eve. And who doesn't like a little love under the mistletoe? Anyway, I really enjoyed reading this and I would recommend it to you. Just don't dive in with judgements or expectations, 'cause that can ruin, not only this book but also a lot of other stories. Happy reading!
Okay, character analysis! Penny grew throughout the story (it's always nice to see a character bloom) and she really changed a lot about herself. In the beginning she struggled with anxiety, panic attacks, stress, she was shy, introvert and almost invisible. She loved writing, especially on her blog, which makes her creative and ambitious. And she was a nice, lovely, caring, romantic, funny and kind girl. I liked her, even though she gave me the cringe-sweat sometimes. But at the end she was brave, more confident, she knew how to control her anxiety, more outgoing and she was in charge of her own life. I could identify a lot with her, and that's always a good thing. Elliot, Penny's best friend, also changed a lot. He was kind, helpful, funny, caring, sweet, friendly and overall an amazing friend. I enjoyed his friendship with Penny and they were really cute together. Although, sometimes he got a bit too jealous (which is human, we all get jealous) and I felt like he couldn't control himself. But he was pure and I liked him. Hands up for Elliot! And then we have another character who I won't name, 'cause he's a surprise. But I really, really liked him! God he was a sweetheart and I wonder where I can find one of those here hahah. Here's a sneak peek from the book:
"You know when you shake a Coke can and then you open it and it explodes everywhere? Well, that's how I feel right now. I have so many things I want to say jigging up inside of me, but I don't have the confidence to say them out loud."...more
15 July 2023: I can’t believe I’m now OLDER than my comfort characters. So sick and twisted.
12 october 2021: Until next time, Anna. I miss you alread15 July 2023: I can’t believe I’m now OLDER than my comfort characters. So sick and twisted.
12 october 2021: Until next time, Anna. I miss you already <3 ---------------------- "Is it possible for home to be a person, not a place?"
Anna Oliphant is forced by her dandy father to spend her last year of high school at School Of America in Paris. She's forced to leave behind her baby brother Sean, her best friend Bridgette, her job at the Multiplex 14 Cinema and her almost-boyfriend Toph. Having left everyone and everything behind in America, she finds herself alone in Paris, with no friends or family and not knowing any French at all. We follow her during her senior year where she manages to make some awesome friends and memories, goes on adventures and explores herself. But what would Paris be without love? Naturally, she falls in love with the most popular guy at school, Ètienne St.Clair, who also becomes her best friend but happens to already be taken. Her heart is torn into pieces - one part of her is back in Atlanta with Toph, will the other belongs to her taken best friend.
Perkins describes Anna's feelings in an remarkable way and you cannot read the book without being touched or recognise Anna's feelings. The author describes what it feels like to be in love so perfectly that it feels like you are Anna. It's an easy read and it's very well written. Something exciting happens in every chapter and you cannot stop reading it! This is a story about bravery and exploring the world outside of your own shell. The language is easy to follow through and the book will let you explore the many arts of love within you that perhaos you never would have, if you didn't read it.
Anna is me, I am Anna. We're one and the same. That's all I have to say about her. I see myself in every corner of her world, it's like reading a book where I am the main character. And Ètienne... mon dieu. He's so perfect, straight out of a fairytale. There aren't words that will make him justice. Is it obvious that I'm in love? All jokes aside, this book and its characters means the world to me. The book is a comfort, a constant friend. I own three copies (one is signed and special edition from the 10-year anniversary), I've gone to Paris myself to see the city through the eyes of my favorite characters and I have even been in touch with Perkins herself to express my love for this book to her personally. I've read it 18 times by now, and I will continue reading it. My adventure with Anna and Ètienne is timeless.
I recommend this to every single teenager out there and grown ups with teenage hearts! But, if you liked this book, don't miss out the two other books from this trilogy - "Lola and the boy next door" and "Isla and the happily ever after".
“I look down and I’m surprised to find myself standing in the middle of a small stone circle. In the center, directly between my feet, is a coppery-bronze octagon with a star. Words are engraved in the stone around it: POINT ZÉRO DES ROUTES DE FRANCE. ‘Mademoiselle Oliphant, it translates to “Point zero of the roads of France”. In other words, it’s the point from which all distances in France are measured.’ St.Clair clears his throat. ‘It’s the beginning of everything.’ I look back up. He’s smiling. ‘Welcome to Paris, Anna. I’m glad you’ve come.’" - Anna and the French kiss, Stephanie Perkins...more
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