Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Review: The Girl Who Was Supossed to Die

THE GIRL WHO WAS SUPPOSED TO DIE
April Henry
Young Adult/Mystery/Thriller
224 pages
Henry Holt and Co.
Available Now
Source: ARC from publisher for review

THE STORY (from Goodreads)
“Take her out back and finish her off.”

She doesn’t know who she is. She doesn’t know where she is, or why. All she knows when she comes to in a ransacked cabin is that there are two men arguing over whether or not to kill her.

And that she must run.

In her riveting style, April Henry crafts a nail-biting thriller involving murder, identity theft, and biological warfare. Follow Cady and Ty (her accidental savior turned companion), as they race against the clock to stay alive.


MY THOUGHTS
The Girl Who Was Supposed to Die takes off at a sprint right out of the gate, a pair of ominously gloved hands reaching through the pages and yanking us roughly down beside our heroine as the manner of her death is calmly and coolly discussed. We’re as confused, disoriented and terrified as she is, minds scrambling to catalog as much about her surroundings and her captors as possible–as though our testimony might be required later on–and we find ourselves in an instant partnership with a young woman who is doing a much better job of not panicking than we are.

Cady, as we later learn her name is, turns out to be someone extraordinarily strong and smart, but neither her strength nor smarts is so overdone that she becomes more unbelievable superhero rather than relatable young woman. She uses common sense at every turn, seeking the help of authorities rather than trying to solve her identity crisis and attempted murder all on her own, but when things don’t work out as she hopes and she finds herself with only a complete stranger to lean on for help, she keeps questioning and searching for answers in a logical and methodical way.

Cady’s inability to remember who she is or why someone would seek to torture and murder her makes for a very tense read, the suggestion early on that she may be mentally ill only adding to the butterflies currently sending our stomachs into nervous spasms as a whole new set of questions gets added to an already lengthy list. Our three days with Cady pass blindingly fast, the short chapters seeming to increase the speed at which we devour her story, and while we can’t help but love the excitement of the ride we’re on, we find ourselves a tiny bit disappointed when the ending wraps up every bit as quickly as the story itself unfolded. Things are fully explained and resolved in just a handful of pages, leaving us a little wobbly and unsure, our minds trying to frantically to catch up with the answers as they're laid down before us.

Overall, The Girl Who Was Supposed to Die is a very quick, highly intense read easily consumed in a single sitting, and though the ending leaves a little to be desired, as a whole it delivers a thrilling story.

Rating: 3.5/5
 

Find April:

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This book was sent to me by the publisher free of charge for the purpose of a review
I received no other compensation and the above is my honest opinion.

36 comments:

  1. We are review twins today :)) I really liked this one but it was nothing super duper special.. which sounds a little harsh. But I agree with you that it was a fast, quick and thrilling read!

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    1. YEAH!!!!! It's because we're practically the same person and I love that about us:)

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  2. I feel like this one would make me SO stressed if I were to read it. Which, in a way, is a good thing because it means that the author did an excellent job at creating such a tense situation. It's too bad about the ending... but overall, I'm impressed at how much intensity this small book seems to carry! Great job on this review!

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    1. It was stressful, but it wasn't the tear-your-hair-out kind, it was more the WHY CAN'T I READ FASTER kind:)

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  3. Ugh freaky title! I am scared already

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    1. Haha yes, and there's no slow introduction to this story, it's high adrenaline from page one:)

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  4. The quick ending explaining everything reminds me of being in most of agatha christie's suspensful and entertaining mysteries and I actually personally don't mind if everything is explained quickly if it's a solo book, as long as the explanation makes sense. For series I feel different because their are more books to stetch the story.

    As ever time I read your reviews, I love your review- the amazing metaphors and language, and providing enough info to intrigue me. That's terrific how the chapters are shorter as the book picks up suspense and Cady deals with the scary dilemma smoothly and trying to gain help.

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    1. Thanks so much Rachel! I think the shorter chapters definitely added to the suspense, it fell as though time was passing faster in the story as a result:)

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  5. Lovely blog. Please follow mine, it’s new: readandlovebooks.blogspot.com
    Thanks♥

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  6. You and Danny posted a review for the same book today! Great minds or sharing a brain? Heh. Kidding.

    Despite the extra-quick ending (I like a *bit* more), this sounds like a great summer read. You know I love a kick-ass heroine!

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    1. Hahaha that's right! Danny and I are one:) And the ending wasn't a huge complaint, it was just such a short read that I could have used an extra chapter to help bring me down off my adrenaline high.

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  7. This definitely sounds like a really strong, albeit *really* fast read. I think that with a book like this, I'd love it to be fleshed out more because you know me....I like a good drama ;) Great review, Jenny!

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    1. I think you'd like this one Melissa! You can't really put it down, you just have to know what happens:)

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  8. I am not a fan of quick endings in mysteries. If you build up the entire book for a few pages at the end I feel cheated. However, I guess that is probably like real life---you plan, plan, plan and the actual event is over in a second.

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    1. Haha exactly! That's what always happens in real life:)

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  9. I read Jenni's review of this yesterday and she had pretty much the same reaction to it as you did. She too mentioned the fast pace and too quick ending. It does something like I would like to read from your review though. Plus, the premise sounds too entertaining to miss out!
    Fab review, Jenny!

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    1. It's a great little book Nick! Not something I'll be desperate to read again, but I really enjoyed it.

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  10. Short chapters? Those are always my downfall. They make it far too easy to put the book down. Which I think is the opposite of what they're intended for.

    This still sounds like an intriguing book, though, and it's rare to find a mystery/thriller in YA.

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  11. Ooh, Jenny, I want this! Haha. This sounds very interesting and intriguing. And I like the intensity and mysteriousness of it. Although it's a little sad that this one end up quite abruptly since this kind of book are the ones that definitely needed a detailed explaining on the end. Still the overall sound of the book seems really good to miss out. Brilliant review as always. Thanks for sharing this! :)

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  12. I really enjoyed this author's first book and it was a mystery told in a unique way as well, so I was looking forward to this one. It sounds like a quick exciting read in spite of the rushed ending. It doesn't sound like there's any romance, which is a disappointment. Excellent review, Jenny.

    I'm not a fan of waiting either!! I can't believe they're making us wait until January to give us our Ryoden fix! :(

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  13. Jenny, I really enjoyed the mystery and corruptiveness of the book. So many secrets!!! Loved your review as always!

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  14. It seems to me that this one has a great start. I have seen it around but now I'm really curious about it. Even though the ending doesn't sound appealing I think I'll give it a try. Great review :)

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  15. I've heard really great things about this author, though I've yet to read anything. This one sounds like it would make a rather thrilling movie. LOVE that the heroine is strong and capable without being over the top about it - and that she makes reasonable decisions. But it sounds like it is rushed at the end, which is disappointing. Well written and engaging review!

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  16. I've yet to read an April Henry book, but it seems like they're all taut thrillers that push the boundaries. I'm definitely curious about this one. I'm not sure how much a fan I am of amnesia in my main character, but when done right, it can be just as suspenseful as a killer with a knife bearing down on the main character.

    Great review, Jenny!

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  17. I remember reading Henry's other novel about a blind girl who gets kidnapped and enjoying it. I am pretty sure I'd like this one as well. Just reading the synopsis and your review makes me eager to know what happens to Cady.

    Thanks for the review Jenny!

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  18. Yes! Another teen thriller. Also, there's an amnesia element! Despite your middling score, I'm definitely going to have to read this one.

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  19. Honestly, the premise of this book just terrifies me. It's not my type of read, though I am really glad that so many people are loving it. I might have to look into it after all. Great review, dear! :)

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  20. I read another review of this book and it had some of the same concerns. I love a good thriller but it sounds like the ending is a miss. The whole concept is just terrifying! The cover creeps me out as well.

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  21. Hm... I'm and ending girl, so I know I would have the same problems with this book as a whole. Still, it looks entertaining enough. I might try it, but I do think I'm needing lighter fare for the summer. :)

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  22. I really liked Henry's writing in The Night She Disappeared! I thought her matter-of-fact style matched the overall tone of the book perfectly. Short sentences are a great way to build up tension. Still, I'm a tiny bit tired of memory loss books, and yet, I know I'll be reading this one as soon as the UK publisher offers.
    Just to change things up a bit.
    Great review, Jenny! Too bad about the rushed ending! (Of the book, not your review, lol)

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  23. Thank goodness for a protagonist with common sense! I don't think I'd like this book though, I'm not very fond of amnesia in novels.

    Thanks for your honest review :)

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  24. Wow, I feel like I've been living under a rock. I've never even heard of this novel! Sounds intense. I'm so sad about the ending. It sounds like an awesome book up until then. Great review!

    Heather

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  25. I was going to go to the book launch of this one but wasn't able to make it. I've only read one of April's books, which is ridiculous since she's local and I see her all the time, but I've been thinking I need to get busy and read more of them. I'm glad you enjoyed this one. I think the wrap up being so quick would be a bit disorienting, but I remember that being the case with her other book I read. And I think that while it's disorienting, in many ways I find it a relief so it's not really a big negative for me.

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  26. ooh *shivers* this sounds good and I like that its both a thriller and a quick read. I cannot imagine going through that. Wonderful review Jenny!

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  27. I could have sworn I replied on this already but I guess not, I fail!
    This one sounds like one I would really like. I love a good thriller from time to time and I have read one of her earlier books and really enjoyed it so I know I will like her writing style.

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  28. This sounds thrilling and frankly a bit terrifying! I definitely need to be in the right frame of mind for this one. It sucks that the ending was so hasty, but I'm glad you enjoyed it overall. Wonderful review Jenny!

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