This Is How It Ends by Jen Nadol
If you could see the future, would you want to? After the disturbing visions Riley and his friends see turn out to be more than hallucinations, fate takes a dangerous twist in this dark and suspenseful page-turner.Goodreads.
Riley and his friends are gearing up for their senior year by spending one last night hanging out in the woods, drinking a few beers, and playing Truth or Dare. But what starts out as a good time turns sinister when they find a mysterious pair of binoculars. Those who dare to look through them see strange visions, which they brush off as hallucinations. Why else would Riley see himself in bed with his best friend’s girlfriend—a girl he’s had a secret crush on for years?
In the weeks that follow, the visions begin to come true...including a gruesome murder. One of Riley’s closest friends is now the prime suspect. But who is the murderer? Have Riley and his friends really seen the future through those mysterious binoculars? And what if they are powerless to change the course of events?
Publishes in US: October 7th 2014 by Simon Pulse
Genre: ya paranormal
Source: Edelweiss
Series? no
Buy it: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Indie Bound.
Author stalk away: ~site ~blog facebook and twitter or visit her author pages at Simon & Schuster, Bloomsbury, Amazon and Goodreads.
Stopped at 10%
I wrote a post about negative reviews, and how I don't review if I don't finish, and a very wise blogger pointed out that knowing what a blogger doesn't like can be valuable to publishers and authors too. I think that it also helps my readers build trust that I am not just slapping good ratings on everything I read. I have a knack for picking what I will lack based on synopsis and reviews, but that even fails. Then another blogger mentioned she did a did not finish post and I thought it was a great idea. So, here we go:I wanted to read this one because I love the premise of being able to see the future, and seeing how it would be and how each step changes things. Unfortunately it seems like this was more drama than paranormal which is what I was geared up for.
I couldn't connect with Riley. And maybe it was my fault because I don't do the murder whodunits very well. I think its because we were thrown so many characters at once and I like the ones with friendship but seeing their dynamics and knowing that he will cheat when he's being so restraining is harder.
That isn't to say that the writing is poor or the characters are poorly constructed, it's personal on my end.
Positive reviews:
Live Through Books
Ashleigh
I'm sorry you didn't connect with the character, I have this problem a lot with my last books.
ReplyDeleteWhen I started blogging I thought no one would read it and so intended it as more of an electronic journal of what I'd read and decided to review EVERY book love it or loathe it, Criticised just recently for posting bad reviews I'm with your friend in that publishers like to know what readers are enjoying/not enjoying.
ReplyDeleteAnyway..... A shame this didn't work for you. A bit tired of the paranormal at the moment, I've read more of the genre in the last year than in the rest of my life, I may well give it a go.
http://pettywitter.blogspot.co.uk
I have some dnf reviews coming up, and agree that they're important. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this one.
ReplyDeleteYeah, with you there. I wish I had DNF'D it by the end, because I was expecting something to happen and just...nothing. And also, the whole binoculars thing I thought would've been connected more and a bigger thing in the story than it was, it was basically non-existent and yeah, more drama than story really.
ReplyDeleteI can't stand it when an author overwhelms readers with too many characters all at once because it can be difficult to keep up AND pay attention to the story, world-building, etc. Plus, it's hard to properly develop them when you never come up for air, as seems to be the case in this particular instance. Thanks for the heads up!
ReplyDeleteI don't like whodunit's either so I don't think this ones for me.
ReplyDeleteSometimes it just do NOT work, I hear you
ReplyDeleteI'm like you, Brandi, I try and pick books I'm pretty sure I'll like because I hate wasting my time reading a dud. I've gotten pretty good at selecting, but as you said, sometimes you can't tell. Sorry this didn't work for you. Hope your next read turns out better. :)
ReplyDeleteThere's no point in forcing yourself to read something you probably won't like. Good call!
ReplyDeleteI do like the idea of a DNF post and I could understand what you meant about not being geared up for a murder story and more a paranormal one. It is hard to know which of the two aspects this novel is going to focus more on from the blurb. Oh and, I like how you put links to positive reviews one the end ;) Great idea!
ReplyDeleteTotally agree with you about DNFs, negative reviews, and reader trust. You're not going to like every book you read and negative reviews can be just as valuable as positive ones. As for the book, I've been there. Some books just aren't for me.
ReplyDeleteThat's too bad that there wasn't enough paranormal and too much drama instead. Too much drama can definitely ruin a book!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry that you weren't able to finish this one, but I think it's awesome that you are honest with your reviews and show your DNFs. I haven't read one that I haven't finished in a while, but I think what you're doing is a great idea.
ReplyDeleteMmm... I know what you mean about too many characters. Having too many in one book hurts my head. Great honesty though Brandi!
ReplyDelete