About the Book
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Author:
- Elizabeth Miles
Cover Story: Could Be Worse
BFF Charm: Yay and Nay
Talky Talk: Spookalicious
Bonus Factor: Furies, Maine, First Night
Relationship Status: I’m Your Huckleberry
Cover Story: Could Be Worse
So I’m not gonna lie, I really hate covers with girls and/or boys on the front. I know, as an avid YA reader, that’s a bad thing to hate. That said, I obvs didn’t hold this book up in public. Still, at least this cover ties into the story, and it’s kind of cool that her hair turns to flames. Also that dress is super pretty.
The Deal:
School’s out for winter break, and Emily Winters couldn’t be happier. She loves Christmas, and the boy she’s been secretly in love with for years seems to be giving her signals that he cares about her, too. Only problem? He’s currently the boyfriend of her best friend, Gabby.
Chase lives across town, in a trailer park he wants nobody to see. He’s worked hard to fit in with the in-crowd at school, and his poverty is a constant weight on his shoulders. But something else is weighing him down, too. Guilt. Because he did something that might have brought on a terrible result.
In Ascension, Maine, there have been stories of three terrifying and beautiful girls wreaking havoc over the past hundred years, but nobody really believes them. Em and Chase are about to find out firsthand just how real they are.
BFF Charm: Yay and Nay
First off, these kids go through some stuff that definitely brings out the weenie in me, so I’d kind of want to keep a safe distance. But that’s not all. At first, I really felt for Chase, and kind of watched Em with one eye squinched shut, (because you know how you’re friends with somebody, and then you watch them make some REALLY bad choices, because they’re so convinced about something, but YOU know they’re completely wrong and about to get used and make a really huge mistake? That was how I felt about Emily.) but by the end of the book, their roles were reversed, and now I’m at least considering Em as BFF material.
I got Chase’s issues, and really thought I was going to be able to root for him, but then boyfriend kind of lost me. And while I can confess that it wasn’t his fault, and there were so many moments when I thought that what was happening to him was so unfair, because he really was a sweet guy who made the RIGHT choices much of the time, I was glad I hadn’t turned over my charm to him, just for my own sake.
However, I would immediately and unreservedly give my charm to JD.
Swoonworthy Scale: 5
There’s a lot of awful sexytimes in this story. The kind of sexytimes that you know won’t end well. The kind where you find yourself screaming at the characters NOT to follow along the romantic path they are on. But there’s also a really sweet story thread that had me cheering on the characters involved, hoping against hope that somehow, someway things would work out.
Talky Talk: Spookalicious
Elizabeth Miles prose is delectably eerie. You get a pretty good sense from the start that things aren’t going to go well for the protagonists, but the story tumbles along toward its impending doom with a calm that belies its stormy contents. If you’re looking for something super action-packed, this might not satisfy you, because while this book does have some thrills, its real chills are in its stillness.
Bonus Factor: Furies
Okay, so maybe not the baseball furies, but I love me a good Warriors reference. The actual furies of lore have always fascinated me because they aren’t necessarily justified in the way they mete out punishments. I mean, retribution against someone who has sworn a false oath sounds all good and well, but do all of the furies’ chosen victims deserve the severity they are met with? That’s what makes them so scary.
Bonus Factor: Maine
My husband grew up in Maine, and has often wanted to change the state’s logo to “There’s just so damn much of it”. Anyone who has spent the 3 hours on I-95 between the southern border of the state and Bangor will understand. That, of course, was before we moved to Texas. Anyway, there is something wonderfully creepy about Maine, especially in winter. This book took me back to the many years I spent there, curled up on the couch with chills up my spine. Chills that weren’t just from the sub-zero temperatures.
Bonus Factor: First Night
In all the years I lived in the Boston area, I never once went out to First Night — Boston’s New Year’s Celebration. But I loved reading about the characters in this book going to it and laughing, because they got a perfect spot on the bridge in Cambridge to watch the Fireworks! Ha! Of all the fantasy in this story, THAT was the one thing I couldn’t believe. I also loved it when Emily had to get off the red line in Central Square (the stop close to where I lived) and walk up Mass. Ave to Harvard Square. I wanted to tell her to stop at Wagamamas before the fireworks. Ah, memories.
Relationship Status: I’m Your Huckleberry
Listen, book. It’s true that I’ve been known to have a dalliance here and there with a spooky book or ten. Plus we had the Maine and Boston connection, so it was easy for us to get to know each other. But I want you to know that I actually liked you for you, not just what you represent. So the next time you’re in town (this is the first in a trilogy) I hope you’ll give me a call. ‘Cause while I certainly won’t be making any oaths, and will definitely not be lying or cheating when you’re around, I’d like to say that I’d have your back.
FTC Full Disclosure: I received my review copy from Simon and Schuster. I received neither money nor cocktails for this review (damnit!). Fury is available in stores now.
