Monday 12 May 2014

ARC Review: (Don’t You) Forget About Me by Kate Karyus Quinn

(Don't You) Forget About Me(Don’t You) Forget About Me

Author: Kate Karyus Quinn
Series: -
Pages: 336
Publisher: Harper Teen
Amazon
Release date: 10th June 2014

Synopsis. (Goodreads)

Welcome to Gardnerville.

A place where no one gets sick. And no one ever dies.

Except...
There’s a price to pay for paradise. Every fourth year, the strange power that fuels the town exacts its payment by infecting teens with deadly urges. In a normal year in Gardnerville, teens might stop talking to their best friends. In a fourth year, they’d kill them.

Four years ago, Skylar’s sister, Piper, was locked away after leading sixteen of her classmates to a watery grave. Since then, Skylar has lived in a numb haze, struggling to forget her past and dull the pain of losing her sister. But the secrets and memories Piper left behind keep taunting Skylar—whispering that the only way to get her sister back is to stop Gardnerville’s murderous cycle once and for all.

Review: 2 out of 5 stars

I had no idea what to expect when I first started (Don’t You) Forget About Me (I can’t get the song out of my head every time I say or write it), the concept seemed unique but unfortunately despite its differences to other books in the genre, I was confused for a majority of it and bored at other times; it just wasn’t for me.

Our MC Skylar’s sister Piper was locked away after she supposedly led sixteen of her classmates to their grave. Skylar now lives off a forget-me-not drug to numb her pain and to forget her past and as the story progresses small pieces of information are slowly revealed about what she is trying so hard to block out & it definitely wasn’t what I was expecting! Sklyar wasn’t a character I could relate to unfortunately and I think this is what ultimately led to me not being so invested in the story, she was lacklustre and her narrative voice didn’t hold my interest.

The plot was interesting but also quite complex; the mystical town of Gardnerville is a place where no one gets sick and no one ever dies but every fourth year, teens are tainted with lethal impulses, an original premise and quite intriguing but unfortunately for a majority of the book I was questioning what was going on and was quite underwhelmed and really confused. The last third of the book was where a lot of answers were given and it definitely wasn’t what I had expected but by this stage my attention had tapered off and I was ready for something else.

The mystery surrounding the town is what held my interest as well as what had happened to Skylar’s sister Piper, I never quite knew what was going on, what she had done or who the key player/s were so this aspect was one I enjoyed.

Overall, (Don’t You) Forget About Me is unlike anything I have read before; I can’t fault the writing which was fabulous but unfortunately this book just wasn’t for me.

 

Kate Karyus QuinnAbout the author: Kate Karyus Quinn is an avid reader and menthol chapstick addict. She has lived in California and Tennessee, but recently made the move back to her hometown of Buffalo, New York, with her husband and two children in tow. She promised them wonderful people, amazing food, and weather that would... build character. Another Little Piece is her first novel.

14 comments:

  1. I can see why you were confused by the plot, Sharon. It's exactly why I didn't request it either because I knew that I would struggle with it. From the reactions I've seen, it's either a book you'll love or you'll hate. Not being able to relate to the main character is the worst. It would definitely make the book a bore for me. I'm sorry this was a disappointment for you, Sharon. Good luck with your next book!
    Lovely honest review!

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    1. Thanks Nick :) it was too confusing unfortunately, just not for me but I've seen some rave reviews for it as well.

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  2. Confusion and boredom are never good emotions to be feeling while you're reading a book. I don't think this one is for me either, but thanks for the heads up. I appreciate your honest review.

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    1. Thanks Carmel! I've unfortunately had a few of those emotions with a number of books I've read recently {sigh}.

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  3. I have this coming up for review and I most curious about it, I like the unique premise. I am hoping that it is a better fit for me. Fingers crossed.

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    1. Fingers crossed you enjoy this Heidi, I'm keen to see what you think :)

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  4. The song :)
    This seems to be a love it or hate it kind of book. I'm not a big fan of that 'WTF is going on???' feeling which is why I'm still debating on reading this one...

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    1. Haha! once I say it the song ends up stuck in my head ;) this one had a lot of WTF moments, maybe it was my mood, I'm unsure but it wasn't my style of book.

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  5. I hadn't even heard about this book before your review but the minute i read the synopsis i was confused. I just don't GET what the hell is going on in the town and what happens every fourth year. Seems like this book is more of a headache than anything else. *sigh* I'm sorry this one wasn't a greta read for you! Hopefully your next read improves!
    Lily @ Lilysbookblog

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    1. I tend to enjoy books that are a little more 'lighthearted' I don't mind books that surprise you but when I'm baffled and bored it doesn't make for enjoyable reading ;)

      Thanks Lily!

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  6. I love the cover, and the title always puts the song in my head, too! But, I don't think I've seen any really positive reviews of this yet. It sounds really, really confusing, which is a shame because it also sounds unique!

    Mands @ The Bookish Manicurist

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    1. The cover is gorgeous! perfect for a manicure :) it was too confusing for me unfortunately and I got a bit tired of trying to work it all out.

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  7. Oh, no! I've heard such good things about this book. I haven't read anything by this author before, but I was really looking forward to trying this out. I think I got her other book as a kindle daily a few weeks ago, so maybe I should try it before automatically getting this one . . . Sorry it didn't work for you, Sharon :(

    Jessica @ Rabid Reads

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    1. I've read a lot of praise so it seems to be one of those books where people either love it or hate it :) You might love it, it was just a little too strange for my liking and the characters didn't wow me at all.

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