DESTROY THE DAY by Brigid Kemmerer

“Prince Corrick is out of options. Held captive by the vicious Oren Crane, he’s desperate to reunite with Tessa, but will need to ally with the rebel leader Lochlan, who until now wished him dead. An island away, Tessa Cade is heartbroken, angry and doesn’t know who to trust. Until Rian – the man she trusts the least – makes her an offer: aid in a plot to finally oust Oren Crane, then see what the future holds. Meanwhile in Kandala, Harristan is dethroned and on the run. He’s struggling to unite the rebels in his fractured kingdom, but he finds support – and maybe more – in unexpected places. As outside threats loom and the fires of revolution burn from within, time is running out to save their kingdom.”

What is the book about?

Corrick, Tessa and Harristan are all separated and each going through a terrifying journey of their own with very few allies that they can trust. After being thrown from the Dawn Chaser, Corrick was rescued by Oren Crane and his crew and is now being held captive. The only way he can get free and find his way back to Tessa is to follow Oren’s orders and do things he wished he would never have to do again. However, Corrick is not fully alone as he finds himself having to work together with Lochlan, the rebel leader who until now would have taken every opportunity to kill him, and soon he finds that maybe his anger was misplaced and he will find a friend in an unlikely place. Tessa is only an island away, grieving and furious at Rian for his lies and everything that happened. She has been living as far as she possibly could from Rian, with only a guard for company. But she needs to get back home to Kandala and Rian may be her only way out of Ostriary so she will do anything to get his help, even if it means risking herself in a plan to finally get rid of Oren Crane for good. Meanwhile Harristan is not doing much better in Kandala. He has been dethroned and anyone who finds him and turns him in has been promised unbelievable riches. He doesn’t know who to trust and it seems that every time he tried to find allies he finds himself in the same position, no better off than he previously was. However, when it counts he finds allies and may finally have a chance against those who are spreading lies against him, but in order to save what means the most to him he may need to make an impossible decision and one that will mean losing everything he had been fighting to keep. 

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

The ending to the previous book, Defend the Dawn, was a cliff-hanger ending that left me desperate to start Destroy the Day and find out what would happen next. I had conflicting initial thoughts as I had loved the 2 previous books in this trilogy and was quite confident that this book would be just as amazing and I would love it just as much as the others. However, as this was the last book of the trilogy and I hadn't really loved the ending of the other Brigid Kemmerer series I had read (Cursebreakers), I was terrified to start reading and find that the ending would ruin the series that I had been loving since I started reading. I could kind of feel that the ending wouldn't disappoint but I couldn't be sure. The blurb didn’t give me much more than what I already knew from the previous book, but it did peak my curiosity in some areas and made me much more interested to start reading. As I had started reading the book straight after Defend the Dawn, with no break, I found it so simple to get into the book and had read nearly half without even realising. I was addicted from the very start and was impatiently waiting for the ending to come so I could see what would happen and if I would love it. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

My favourite character was probably Corrick because of how he really became the guy that Tessa knew he was. While he was with Oren Crane he was forced to do things that Cruel Corrick wouldn’t have even hesitated about and in the beginning it was clear that he would have done anything to get back to Tessa, even if that mean sacrificing his humanity and the part of himself that never wanted to be Cruel Corrick. He was in a way forced into the role of King’s Justice and, even though he could have explained everything to his brother, he clearly wanted to protect Harristan from the feelings that he felt every time he made a decision that no one, let alone a 15 year old boy should have had to make. It was clear to me that he used this cruel image of himself as a mask and that in reality he was just the boy that was with Tessa in the workshop and who just wanted to help people. This was made even clearer when he chose to find a way out of the things that Oren wanted him to do and he made this decision not only for Tessa, who always saw the best in him, but also for the part of himself that never wanted to be cruel. When he made this decision, I made mine about who my favourite character was and that didn’t change throughout the rest of the book, though there were several other characters that I liked. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

My favourite part of the book was a series of little moments between Tessa and Erik/Rocco. I loved their whole friendship in this final book and the way that they became so much more than just a guard and the girl he needed to protect. I loved how Tessa started to see him as more of an older brother and he saw her as an annoying little sister too. There weren’t really many friendships shown in the series and that was definitely something that I think the other books really needed, however at least in Destroy the Day I got to see a lot more of those friend/sibling dynamics (also with Lochlan and Corrick). There was something so sweet about how they were both looking out for each other, which may have been linked to the fact that they thought they were the only survivors of the party that travelled from Kandala, and the way that they still managed to lighten things up with some friendly teasing just like true siblings would do.

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, Destroy the Day was perfect and there was basically nothing that I would have changed. One thing I loved about the book was the plot. It honestly kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time and having 3 separate points of view from characters that were each going through their own interesting and shocking plot had me so engrossed in the book. There was no one plot line or perspective that I loved more and definitely none that I was desperate to get through. It was all so amazing and I am so sad that it is finished and I won't ever read anything more about these characters. Another thing I absolutely adored was the ending. I had been absolutely terrified that the ending would not be as good as I was expecting and that it would ruin the whole series, however clearly I shouldn't have worried as it was amazing. It made me feel every emotion possible and had me fully crying. I was torn between throwing the book across the room and hugging it and honestly the plot twist had me completely shocked, which is always great (as that is the purpose of it). It was stunning and I can't wait for any other of this author's books. One final thing that I am obsessed about with the whole series is the map and the covers and the perfectly alliterative titles. I am honestly so happy when I see the books on my shelf because of how perfect they look and I will never stop pointing them out when people ask about my books (or even if they don't!). The map was also a perfect addition to the fantasy series and you wouldn't even believe the amount of time I looked at it to figure out where the characters were. Also in this book the map was even better so that was great. The only thing that I think I really missed in this book and in the whole series in general is the magic that is usually present in fantasy series. It would have made the book even better to have that but even without it I was still in love with Kandala and would have happily been transported to that world. 

Which is your favourite book in The Defy the Night series? (1, 2, or 3)

Overall every single book in the Defy the Night trilogy was absolutely amazing and this is definitely a series I will be forcing my friends to read, hoping they will love it as much as I did. Although all 3 books were absolutely stunning in every respect, I think that my favourite book in this series is probably Destroy the Day (the third and final book). This book was very similar to the previous ones and there wasn’t much that really made me consider it as my favourite, but the few things that did really stood out to me. One thing was that because all 3 of the main characters whose perspectives we are given in the book were separated in this final novel so they didn’t have each other to talk with and spent time with. This meant that they each started to form their own separate bonds and relationships which developed the side characters and main characters and the whole story much more. The relationship between Quint and Harristan wouldn’t have happened if Corrick hadn’t left, the friendship between Lochlan and Corrick (surprisingly) would never have formed if Corrick hadn’t fallen off that boat with him and the connections Tessa formed with Erik and Olive never would have been possible if she had been at Corrick’s side the whole trip in Ostriary. The other books didn’t have much off these relationships with side characters and it felt more like the whole book was being carried by these 3 main characters so that is definitely one thing that made Destroy the Day so much more special. Another thing was the fact that this book connected with me so much more and made me truly feel for the characters. I had felt a connection throughout Defy the Night and Defend the Dawn and had definitely been annoyed at the characters and had definitely smiled from time to time and maybe even laughed or felt sad, however nothing like with this final book. I full on cried and full on laughed and felt true feelings with it which definitely made me love it more. A book’s job is to make you as a reader feel something and this book did its job really well. I honestly can’t believe this story is over and if Brigid Kemmerer ever chooses to dive back into Kandala I will not hesitate to dive in with her. 

Would you recommend this book?  

I would 10000% recommend Destroy the Day and the whole Defy the Night series. If you love romance, adventure, fantasy and are ready to cry and scream and be shocked by plot twists then this is the perfect book for you (and it's best for over 14s).

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

The perfect, twisty and emotional conclusion to an amazing fantasy trilogy.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

DEFEND THE DAWN by Brigid Kemmerer

“Revolution is simmering in the kingdom of Kandala. With sickness on the rise and supplies of the precious Moonflower cure running low, King Harristan and Prince Corrick must fight to maintain control. Tessa Cade has gone from masked outlaw to palace adviser – and she’s more determined than ever to help her people. When an emissary from the neighbouring kingdom of Ostriary arrives with an intriguing offer, Tessa must embark on an uncertain journey with Prince Corrick. The voyage could be their only chance to save the kingdom – but it will hold untold danger for Tessa as she navigates perilous waters…and confronts her feelings for Corrick. No one is who they seem to be, and the consequences will be deadly.”

What is the book about?

After stopping a near revolution, Kandala is in a precarious situation. Now the supply of Moonflower is running low and King Harristan and Price Corrick don’t know how long they can keep control and keep things calm in their kingdom. With Tessa’s knowledge on the correct doses of Moonflower, they have a chance of being able to help more people, which is the thing Tessa has always wanted to do, when she was an outlaw and now that she is the king’s adviser and apothecary. However, it is impossible to keep everyone happy and giving Moonflower to the rebels to keep the kingdom safe means making the consuls angry and risking a rebellion from the inside. When an emissary arrives from the neighbouring kingdom of Ostriary, claiming that the King of Ostriary is willing to start trade negotiations, the goods that he is willing to trade make it an intriguing offer and one Kandala cannot turn down. The only way to keep the citizens of Kandala safe is to board the ship with the emissary and come back with supplies, but that means that Corrick and Tessa must embark on a new adventure and leave behind Harristan to keep control of the kingdom on his own. The voyage will be dangerous, not just physically but also emotionally as Tessa navigates both the waters and her feelings for Corrick. Everything seems too good to be true and soon it is clear that not everyone is who they say and the journey will be much more dangerous than they ever thought. 

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

After finishing Defy the Night I was very intrigued to continue the story and find out what would happen next for Tessa and the royals. It was clear they just barely escaped a revolution, which would have ended with more deaths on both sides of the fight, and if they didn’t keep things under control, next time they wouldn’t be so lucky. My initial thoughts on Defend the Dawn were pretty clear and confident as I had finished the previous book and had been shocked at how much I loved it so I knew that this book was going to be just as good. I was also hoping for more twists and hoping that I wouldn’t see them coming like I had with Defy the Night. Once I started reading I was even surer that I would love the book as I so easily found myself back in the kingdom of Kandala, fully engrossed in a world that wasn’t even real. I finished the book in literally 2 sittings and was soon regretting my decision to read quickly as I was having to move on to the last book and would soon never hear more from the characters I had grown attached to. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

In this book, although I still really loved Corrick, I did find him a bit more annoying. He got so annoyed at Tessa for still seeing his as the boy she had first met and not accepting him as Corrick (which I did understand) and he didn’t even consider than this was just as difficult for her as for him. Because of this I think my favourite character in this book would probably have to be Tessa or even Harristan. I loved how hopeful Tessa was and how she didn’t automatically assume the worst about everyone like Corrick did. Although everyone saw this as Tessa being naïve I saw it more as her not giving up and believing that not everyone is horrible. She had been through so much suffering and still had room for hope and I loved this about her because she was definitely not as cynical as some of the other main characters I have met. Harristan was very similar to Tessa in this way as he also had a lot of hope and cared for his people so much. All he wanted to do was help them, which was made clear at the beginning of the book (another plot twist that I did see coming as well). He believed the best of his people, even when they had staged a revolution that killed many of the people in the Royal Sector in the previous book and he was ready to help lead them as a true king would do, rather than sit and hide and wait for Corrick to come back. I can’t wait to see more of him in the next book and I really hope that neither he nor Tessa lose that hope and light that they have in them, and that Corrick rediscovers his. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

My favourite part was very clear to me when it came up and I didn’t even need to finish the book to know that no part that would come after was going to be superior to this part. This part was near the end of the book when my favourite and pretty much the only couple in the book finally made up. I had had enough of the drama between them to be honest and was prepared to throw the book across the room if there was one more miscommunication or lack of communication. In Defy the Night there had already been enough drama between them with how much they switched between friends to lovers to enemies to lovers and all I wanted was for things to be perfect between them as I knew they deserved and also I deserved. When finally this all happened near the end of the book the relief and happiness on my face was clear and I knew nothing would beat the emotions that I had felt reading this part. Then the ending came and all of the progress that the couple had made was made futile, but at least I had a moment of happiness and eventually it will have a purpose in the third and final book. 

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall I really loved Defend the Dawn and am so ready to find out the ending, though also absolutely terrified that Brigid Kemmerer will ruin it like she kind of did with the Cursebreaker series. One thing I really loved about the book was the plot. After reading the first book and seeing how action packed it was I was honestly unsure what could possible happen in this book as Defy the Night had had everything, from revolution to romance. However, when I started to read and realised there would be a whole new adventure, I was even more excited. Now that I think about it nothing much really happened on the boat, however the amount of secrets and tension made it feel like an eventful time (which it certainly was near the end of the book). It also made the book even better to have Harristan’s point of view so we could see what was happening in Kandala while the others were gone and these parts definitely added to the action and tension. Another thing I really enjoyed was the cliff-hanger ending and how much the author toyed with my emotions in these final chapters. I honestly was about to cry and throw the book across the room and then had the shock of realising that it was all just a manipulation and everything was kind of fine. The cliff-hanger had me on the edge of my seat, reaching for the final book, Destroy the Day, before I had even read the last sentence of Defend the Dawn. I am so desperate to find out the ending and have so much hope for this series. One other thing that really surprised me is that this book is written in the first person and it didn’t annoy me in the least. I honestly never thought that at this age I would find a book written in the first person that I would love from the first second I started reading, however when I started Defy the Night I wasn’t annoyed at all and didn’t find it any harder to get into the book. If I’m completely honest because of how much I have been enjoying it I thought for a moment it was written in the third person, but obviously not. Finally, my favourite thing about these books is the absolutely gorgeous covers (honestly they are so amazing) and the way that the 3 books match so perfectly with their alliterative titles. It satisfies my inner perfectionist so much and every time I look at the spines on my shelf I just want to scream at how perfect and gorgeous they are. 

Which book did you like better, the first or the second?

Overall I loved both the books and found that after the amazing Defy the Night, Defend the Dawn definitely met my expectations, however I think the first book (Defy the Night) is definitely my favourite. There aren’t really many differences between the books and not much helped me make my decision, however there was one very small thing that I enjoyed more in the first book than in the second. This is the romance between Tessa and Corrick. I loved the way that both the characters were struggling so much in Defy the Night and that they were shifting between friends to lovers to enemies and then back to lovers. It was so tense and I loved it. It was clear that Tessa was struggling to see Corrick as the boy she had started to fall for and that Corrick was also struggling as he had never opened up to anyone before. Even though it did annoy me that they didn’t just get together quicker, I understood their doubts. However, in Defend the Dawn there were a lot of the same issues when I thought that it had been resolved already at the end of Defy the Night. There was also a lot of miscommunication and lack of communication which I hated. I was definitely very relieved when finally everything was resolved and I just hope that in the final book I don’t have to go through any more issues with the romance because I really just want a happy ending. 

Would you recommend this book?  

I definitely recommend this book and think you should absolutely read it (after Defy the Night of course). It is a great book for those over 14 who enjoy romance, fantasy, retellings and adventure. 

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A twisty, mind-blowing book whose ending will leave you desperate for the next book. 

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

DEFY THE NIGHT by Brigid Kemmerer

“In a kingdom where sickness stalks the streets and only the richest can afford a cure, King Harristan and his brother Prince Corrick are forced to rule with an iron fist. Tessa Vade is a masked outlaw marked for death, but she likes it that way. Together with the mysterious, handsome Weston, she robs from the rich to help the poor, distributing medicine to those who need it most. As it becomes clear that the only way to save her people is to assassinate the King, Tessa faces a deadly mission that will take her to the dark heart of the kingdom…and force her to work with the very people she intended to destroy.”

What is the book about?

The kingdom of Kandala a mysterious sickness plagues everyone and with no idea how the disease spreads or where it came from, everyone is panicked. The only known cure for this sickness are Moonflower petals that only grow in 2 of the sectors of the kingdom and they are hard to come by for the poor as they are incredibly expensive so only those with the means can survive the sickness. As a result, smugglers and outlaws now try to steal the petals, either for themselves or to help others and King Harristan and Price Corrick are forced to rule with an iron fist to try to keep their country from destroying itself. Tessa and Wes are 2 of the outlaws, risking their lives to steal Moonflower petals from the rich who have too much and distributing them among the poor who would otherwise already have succumbed to the disease. When Tessa realises that her attempts to save people have been pointless and the only real way to change things is to assassinate the King, she heads off on a mission that will likely be her last. But soon she realises that everything is not as simple as it initially seemed and that now she may have to work with the very people she set out to destroy or she will never be able to save the people of Kandala.

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

I had really enjoyed another of Brigid Kemmerer’s trilogies (Cursebreakers) and when I found out that she was writing another one I knew I had to have it. I didn’t know what to expect exactly as I had completely forgotten everything about the other books of hers, however I knew that I had really enjoyed them so one thing that I was quite confident about before going into this series was that I was going to love it. Once I had purchased all the books of the series (as I hate not having the complete series and having to wait before jumping in to the next book) it didn’t take long for me to start staring at the series, longing to read the gorgeous books. If I’m completely honest I didn’t even read the blurb before buying these books and just put my faith in the author, however before I started reading it I did give it a glance and it made me even more confident in my initial thoughts as it looked like just the kind of story I would love. When I started reading, I initially did have a few chapters where I had no idea what was going on and wasn’t quite in the world yet (which happens with every fantasy book to be honest). However soon I was completely engrossed in the book and coming up with wacky theories and just longing to see how it would end. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

My favourite character was definitely Wes, though I also loved Tessa and think she is definitely a great, strong and determined female main character. Wes was just so sweet and the fact that all he wanted to do was help people literally broke my heart. The poor guy spent the last few years being hated by everyone because of the things he had done and the only reason he did them was because he didn’t want someone he loved to have to suffer through making those decisions and doing those things. He never wanted to do them, though, and everyone thought that that was just who he was when in reality he was just a boy who was trying to keep others from being hurt. The scene in the Hold literally broke me and all I wanted to do was give him a hug and tell him that it wasn’t his fault and that no matter what he did I would still be there for him. He uses this cruel version of himself as a mask and deep down he is just Wes and all I want is for him to take off the mask and be the sweet guy I know he is. The way he would make Tessa smile, and he would joke around, and he would bring her food in the beginning of the book made me smile and I just want to see more of this side of him. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

My favourite part of the book was probably the scene near the end of the book (pretty much right before everything started to go downhill for the characters – not that it was going amazing well before that) when Tessa and Wes are in their little workshop and finally have a moment to just be their cute little selves. The slow burn friends to lovers to enemies to lovers of this book literally had me on the edge of my seat and I needed a scene where they did something more than just stare at each other and this scene definitely gave me that. When they were interrupted I almost threw the book across the room and honestly am surprised I didn’t. It was such a cutesy scene and I really want more of these so please don’t let the author complicate their relationship any further, these guys have already suffered enough.

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall I really loved Defy the Night and I am so ready to read the next book and have this be one of my favourite series. One thing that I loved about the book was the amount of tropes and clichés and stereotypical Young Adult and Fantasy things there were in this book. To a lot of people I’m sure this would have been annoying but to me it was so comforting to read a story that had so many things that I have seen in so many other books. I mean it literally has a teenage girl who has no powers and is a nobody having to try to save the world and a morally grey male she is falling for and hundreds of other elements that are so common for this kind of genre, however that’s why I loved it, because it was like all the other books that I loved. Another thing that I really enjoyed was the Robin Hood element and the fact that it is kind of a retelling but is nothing like the original story and just has similar vibes. It was a lot like that with her other books that I read and I loved it. I haven’t read any books with a Robin Hood retelling before so it definitely gave the book some originality. One other thing that I loved was the sort of plot twist there was. I cannot say anything or else I will spoil it but it definitely gave the book something that most other books don’t have as it wasn’t fully predictable. However, and I am not joking, I was actually able to figure out the truth after the second chapter. Initially it was just a joke and I was just like ‘oh I bet that…’ but when it came true I was honestly shocked at my wizarding skills and I think I have just read far too many YA Fantasy novels but I do not care because it is hands down the best genre. One last slight thing I feel the need to mention is how stunning the covers of this book series are. I am pretty sure I said this about all the covers of the Cursebreaker series but oh my goodness does Brigid Kemmerer know how to pick a gorgeous cover that will have readers squealing. 

Would you recommend this book?  

I would absolutely recommend Defy the Night and think it is an amazing fantasy, romance novel. It is perfect for people over 14 who enjoy this genre and I am pretty confident this series is going to be a fast favourite of mine and many others. 

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

An original, action-packed fantasy novel that you will not be able to put down.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

THE REAPPEARANCE OF RACHEL PRICE by Holly Jackson

“18-year-old Bel has lived her whole life in the shadow of her mom’s mysterious disappearance. Sixteen years ago, Rachel Price vanished and young Bel was the only witness. Rachel is gone, presumed dead. The case is dragged up from the past when the Price family agrees to a true crime documentary. Bel can’t wait for filming to end, for her life to go back to normal. But them Rachel Price reappears, and life will never be normal again… Lights. Camera. Lies.”

What is the book about?

16 years ago, when Bel Price was barely 2 years old, her mother, Rachel, disappeared. One minute the two of them were walking around the mall together and the next Bel was found alone in the car on the side of the road, the door closed and no sign of Rachel, other than a few of her belongings. The sudden disappearance has haunted the Price family for years, especially the first year when Bel’s father was the police’s prime suspect. Rachel is presumed dead; however they never found any clues as to where she went or what happened to her. For the past few years Bel has been able to pretend that nothing was wrong and that there was never a time when it wasn’t just her and her dad, but now that her dad has agreed to a true crime documentary on Rachel’s disappearance, everything is resurfacing. Bel doesn’t want anything to do with the documentary but she made a promise to her dad and is not about to go back on it. All she wants is for the documentary to be finished, the camera crew to go back to where they came from and her life to go back to normal, with Rachel no longer the topic of everyone’s conversations. However, when Rachel suddenly reappears in the middle of the street, back from the dead and looking just like she did 16 years ago, Bel realises her life will never go back to normal again. Especially as she doesn’t believe a word coming out of Rachel’s mouth and in order to find out the truth she will have to uncover all the deadly secrets her family have kept hidden since that fateful day her mother disappeared…

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

The second that I saw that Holly Jackson was writing another book I added The Reappearance of Rachel Price to my Amazon basket, before it even had a front cover. I have absolutely loved every book that Holly Jackson has written and have always been surprised by the plot twists and the secrets that come out so I knew, before I had even looked at the blurb or bought the book, that I was going to love this book just as much. I didn’t know exactly what to expect because the stories are always so shocking, keeping me on the edge of my seat and making me sacrifice all sleep just to be able to uncover the truth, however I knew that it was going to be amazing. When the book finally came out and I bought it I was so excited to start reading, however I wanted to wait for the perfect opportunity to read the book, when I could give it my full attention and do nothing but read the whole day (as I had done when I read Five Survive in one sitting). When I finally read the blurb it excited me even more and within seconds I was started the book anxious to find out what shocking things would happen. Initially I found it a bit hard to get into the book, possibly because I had been reading fantasy books all summer and a mystery was definitely a big jump. However it didn’t take long for me to fully get into it and soon I was flying through.

Who was your favourite character and why? 

I don’t really have a favourite character in this book and I really don’t want to have to decide so I just won’t. It isn’t because I liked so many characters that I can’t decide because there were only a few characters that I actually liked because in the end the majority of the main characters were keeping terrible secrets. If I really had to choose I would probably choose one of the side characters (like the ones part of the camera crew) who seemed to be quite sweet, especially Ash who was the only one who really believed Bel and who saw through the wall she built up and how she tried to push people away before they could leave her. I did like Bel but I found her to be a bit annoying at times, and the same thing happened with a few of the other characters. All the characters had their strengths but they also had some weaknesses that deterred me from picking a favourite character.

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

My favourite part was probably near the end when all the secrets came flooding out and suddenly everything made sense. I love this part in most mystery books because I get to finally have the answers to the multitude of questions that have been plaguing me throughout the whole book and I usually get to see if parts of my theory are correct, which always makes me feel like such a wizard when I get something right. Although I wasn’t able to see any of the things in this book before we were told, I still really enjoyed this part of the book because of how it made me feel. The tension and the suspense had me clinging to the book at 1 am desperate to get answers before my eyes stopped working. I was on the edge of my seat for this whole part and the surprise that I got when I found out the truth is the thing that makes me love mystery novels. Since I was little, this has been one of my favourite genres and I am glad to see that I still love them just as much and can still be shocked. 

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, I really enjoyed the book and am just waiting for the next Holly Jackson book to come out so I can buy it and hopefully once again fall in love with one of her books. One thing that I really enjoyed about the book was how the mystery of Rachel’s disappearance and reappearance was being sort of solved by a teenage girl. This was one of the things I also loved in A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder and I loved seeing it here. The reason I enjoyed it is because in this book in particular it was quite realistic because the further Bel dug the more confused she became and the more she realised she was getting nowhere. It was mainly because she had a theory that she didn’t want to give up and because if she admitted something it would mean losing someone who had never left like her mum. It was so realistic because what teen is going to be able to uncover the truth supper easily when the police couldn’t and it also made the book so much more interesting because there were so many clues but none really started to fit together until the end. Although I really enjoyed the book, I do feel like at the beginning it felt a bit slow and uneventful. I found it a little hard to love it in those first few chapters and at first I was disappointed. Later on it started to pick up and I realise now that I was just impatient, however I do think The Reappearance of Rachel Price is my least favourite of Holly Jackson’s books (though for a least favourite I still really enjoyed it).

Would you recommend this book?  

I definitely recommend reading this book and I think it is perfect for readers who love mystery, suspense and secrets. It is best for over 13 and fans of Holly Jackson will definitely love it, though I think her other books are definitely better (so read those too). 

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

An unputdownable, compelling mystery that will leave you shocked for days. 

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego