The Blurb :Maddie Fynn is a shy high school junior, cursed with an eerie intuitive ability: she sees a series of unique digits hovering above the foreheads of each person she encounters. Her earliest memories are marked by these numbers, but it takes her father’s premature death for Maddie and her family to realize that these mysterious digits are actually death dates, and just like birthdays, everyone has one.
Forced by her alcoholic mother to use her ability to make extra money, Maddie identifies the quickly approaching death date of one client's young son, but because her ability only allows her to see the when and not the how, she’s unable to offer any more insight. When the boy goes missing on that exact date, law enforcement turns to Maddie.
Soon, Maddie is entangled in a homicide investigation, and more young people disappear and are later found murdered. A suspect for the investigation, a target for the murderer, and attracting the attentions of a mysterious young admirer who may be connected to it all, Maddie's whole existence is about to be turned upside down. Can she right things before it's too late?
My Thoughts :
Sometimes there are books that make you just go WOW! When by Victoria Laurie is one of those books. From the beginning I had a feeling that this one was going to be good but by the end I can only say that this one is great. Of all the books I have read and thoroughly enjoyed by this author, this new release is the best. Better than anything else she has done and may even be the best she ever writes.
Powerful, emotional and thrilling. When does not have an unique concept. I distinctly remember reading something with a similar idea called Numbers by Rachel Ward. However even if Victoria's story is different and maybe even more simple than that book I read oh so long ago, it is definitely more amazing and spectacular on so many levels.I doubt any review I write will do this book justice and I am sure there are people out there who will hate this book. I loved it and it touched me.
The paranormal isn't a new theme in Laurie's books and I love her cozy mysteries which are both on my must read and pre-order lists. A Young Adult book wasn't what I was expecting from her but I know she has written some books for younger readers. This idea of seeing the date that someone will die is spooky and offers so many questions. Would you want to know? How would you cope if you met someone with a death date that is coming up soon. These questions and so many more are answered in this special story about a girl with this curse/gift.
As plots go, this one rocks. Reading When and watching everything unfold was exciting. I couldn't put the book down I was so engrossed in the story. Maddie's problems and joys are overwhelming but she takes things in her stride and doesn't come across as a whiny teenager. Her family are a mess and her friendship with her best friend gets tested to the extremes but she soldiers on and does her best to save everyone.
The best thing to do is just read this one. I can only highly recommend it, give it the five stars it deserves and keep telling people to try it. Any fans of Laurie's work should get a copy as soon as possible and enjoy what else the author has on offer. If you don't like Young Adult books then make an exception just this once! Read the blurb and think about it. I took the chance and I don't regret it one bit!
I hope there will be more stories about Maddie but this seems to be a stand alone. Although there was a nice twist at the end I had guessed earlier all about that particular thread. That development and so much more makes me want this one to have a sequel. I would happily read more about her and what happens next. Maybe there would even be a few more books about cases she works on or even with her a little older. After all we know when she is going to die.
2 comments:
This sounds good Amber. I have read one series by her I really liked, so I will make an exception for it being YA. Thanks for the review!
I adore this author and I am so glad to hear that you enjoyed this book. The plot sounded so familiar to me - I think it was a movie I saw or maybe it was on one of the TV shows I watch - it keeps tickling the back of my mind but I just can't reach the full memory of where I know this plot line from but now that it has your stamp of approval, it's just one more reason for me to read this book asap! Thanks so much!
Of course, it IS going to drive me crazy until I figure out where I remember it from....LOL!
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