Author: Melissa Marr
Series: Stand Alone
Published By: HarperTeen (September 16, 2014)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Thriller/Mystery
My Rating: 4 Stars!
Book Description:
Bestselling author of the Wicked Lovely books Melissa Marr’s first contemporary YA novel is a twisted southern gothic tale of obsession, romance, and murder. A killer is obsessed with Eva Tilling. Can she stop him, or will he claim her?
When Eva Tilling wakes up in the hospital, she’s confused—who in her sleepy little North Carolina town could have hit her with their car? And why? But before she can consider the question, she finds that she’s awoken with a strange new skill: the ability to foresee people’s deaths when they touch her. While she is recovering from the hit-and-run, Nate, an old flame, reappears, and the two must traverse their rocky past as they figure out how to use Eva’s power to keep her friends—and themselves—alive. But while Eva and Nate grow closer, the killer grows increasingly frantic in his attempt to get to Eva.
For the first time, New York Times bestselling author Melissa Marr has applied her extraordinary talent to contemporary realism. Chilling twists, unrequited obsession, and high-stakes romance drive this Gothic, racy thriller—a story of small-town oppression and salvation. Melissa’s fans, and every YA reader, will find its wild ride enthralling.
Melissa Marr has always been one to take something ordinary and making it truly extraordinary, her latest foray into the mystery thriller department isn't anything less than what we have come to expect from her.
She managed to not only stump her readers with the whole whodunit conspiracy but also with the inner ramblings into the mind of the “Judge” our renowned serial killer and the slight paranormal aspect that adds that little bit of something to the story.
And while the visions were never fully explained, the rest of the story was and it was done nicely and brilliantly.
I truly enjoyed this and would go so far as to say that it is one of the best YA mysteries I have ever encountered. I really hope Marr continues to write in this genre because I really do want more.
*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*
This one has been traveling in my direction for ages and OMG I can't wait to get my hands on it. I love a good thriller, but I'm very picky and it takes a lot to blow me away. I trust Marr to do it right. :)
ReplyDeleteI think you won't be disappointed Maja. :)
DeleteI've seen a lot of positive buzz for this one, can't wait to read it!
ReplyDeleteI hope you get to soon!
DeleteWOO HOO!!!! I just finished this one and really loved it as well Ali! Such a good mystery. And I actually liked that we found out who the Judge is well before the end, it was an interesting way to do it and I liked be surprised at how everything played out:)
ReplyDeleteYay! Glad you loved it too and I agree, I love how everything went down.
DeleteI do love a good mystery. I'm glad to hear you really enjoyed this one, as I need to read something by Marr. I still haven't!!
ReplyDeleteThis is a good place to start with her!
DeleteI think there were a few things that weren't addressed but I loved this book. It was truly creepy and I was surprised how well she was able to fit romance into a book with so much else going on.
ReplyDeleteKaren @ For What It's Worth
Very true Karen! Glad you liked it too. :)
DeleteI absolutely loved the Judge chapters. They were so creepy and had me flipping through the pages. I agree with you on the visions. That should have been explained more clearly and I actually think the book could have done without them.
ReplyDeleteGreat review, Ali!
Yes! I think they were my favorite as well, as disturbing as that may be.
DeleteHi Kindlemom, I love this cover especially the interactive one on Melissa's website. Great review!
ReplyDeleteI really like the cover too. I will have to check out her site to see the interactive one.
DeleteIt sounds like a good one and I just love the cover! It's been a while since I read a book by her but I need to try her new ones.
ReplyDeleteI hope you do end up giving this a try.
DeleteI think you will really like this one Heidi.
ReplyDeleteI skipped this one because I didn't like Marr's other series so much, but that's just me. You really liked this one though and I'm glad you did. It can be disappointing sometimes when an author finishes a series we loved and then we don't like the new book, so I'm glad that wasn't the case here.
ReplyDeleteI hope you do eventually try this one, I bet you would like it better than her other series.
DeleteOh wow, I haven't read anything by Melissa Marr yet but as a fan of mysteries, I'd definitely remedy that soon with this novel. I'm quite disappointed that the visions weren't explained but if it didn't bother you, maybe I won't mind, too.
ReplyDeleteI think this is a great place to start with her if you want to give her a try. :)
DeleteI love that cover art and I'm watching Dexter now so I can get into another serial killer story ;)
ReplyDeleteI wasn't too sure about this one, but after reading your thoughts I'm in :-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from Shout with Emaginette
Melissa Marr is, indeed prolific in this genre. She does mysteries so well. :)
ReplyDeleteI had no idea she was this good with them. ;)
DeleteNot convinced. Last book I read by this author, I DNFed. :/ I think I'll pass, Aly. Sigh
ReplyDeleteSorry you had such a bad experience with her work before Lola, it can definitely be hard after that picking up another one of their books so I understand.
DeleteOh reeeaaally? I haven't read anything by Marr yet. This sounds right up my alley though.
ReplyDeleteThis is a good place to start. ;)
DeleteWow, YA mysteries are hard, and I am glad to see you rank this one so high. It sounds mysterious!
ReplyDeleteThey really are hard and I seldom like them but I did enjoy this.
DeleteI have never been disappointed by Melissa Marr, especially her YA books, so I'm sure I'm going to love this. Glad you enjoyed it! Lovely review :-)
ReplyDeleteOh you will love this for sure then Lauren!
DeleteGreat review - this is the second one I've read this morning. I have yet to read one of her books and I am just going to have to make the time.
ReplyDeleteYou really do, they are always original and unique.
DeleteYAY! Another standalone!!!! I keep on adding more and more to my TBR, I can't stop. I am sure I am going to love this one!
ReplyDeleteI do love a good stand alone every now and then. more so lately than I usually do.
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