I decided to pair these mini reviews together because I felt the same way about both books. I should have liked them given the plot (Panic) and the setting (The Half Brother), but there was some elusive element that was missing from both. Like when someone you’re dating is “great on paper” (i.e. checks all your little boxes of things you’re looking for in a partner), but there’s just something missing in reality. Well, I could call both of these books “great on paper”…
The Half Brother by Holly LeCraw
Fiction (Released February 17, 2015)
288 Pages
Bottom Line: Skip it.
Affiliate Link: Amazon
Source: eGalley provided by the publisher via NetGalley
Plot Summary:
Southern half brothers Charlie and Nicky become entwined in the web of a small, New England boarding school (Abbott) and May Bankhead, the Chaplain’s daughter.
My Thoughts:
I’m a sucker for books set in boarding schools and I wanted to love this one. Though I liked it fine, I was expecting the drama to come alive more than it did. The early plot gave me high hopes for the rest of the book, but, as the story went on, things meandered somewhat aimlessly. The action started to pick up again towards the end, but the big plot moments came across as really nonchalant. They’re big enough that they should have generated more emotion/disbelief/”wow-ness” than they did. I think part of the issue is that a lot of information is included in the marketing blurb…too much information (this is a recent pet peeve of mine). I wish I’d been able to go in a bit more blind, which might have allowed the plot twists to pack the punch I was expecting.
Panic by Lauren Oliver
Fiction (Released March 4, 2014)
421 Pages
Bottom Line: Skip it.
Affiliate Link: Amazon
Source: Purchased
Plot Summary:
Every summer in the tiny town of Carp, NY, graduating seniors play a high risk/high reward game called Panic, which results in unexpected alliances and betrayals.
My Thoughts:
Panic was my “recovery book” following A Little Life and it was easy to read (something I was looking for in my recovery book). When I first read the blurb, I thought “ooooh, juicy”…especially after reading Christopher J. Yates’ 2014 debut, Black Chalk (also about a high stakes game among friends). But, the story just didn’t come off the page as juicy. The characters weren’t fully developed and I wish Oliver had gone deeper into the psychological implications of the game of Panic. The game is completely f’d up…so, it would have been interesting to get a deeper look at one (or more) at the psychological impact on the players.
I couldn’t agree with you more about The Half Brother, so disappointing.
That’s too bad, Sarah. I had high hopes about The Half Brother and Panic sounded intriguing enough. 🙁
I haven’t read either, but I’ve wanted to read both. I’ve heard similar reviews about Panic. Won’t bother with The Half Brother, although I really like the cover for some reason.
With Panic’s plot, it could have been SO good! I did hear it’s getting made into a movie…and it would probably make a decent movie I think. Maybe better than the book.
BUMMER! I thought both of these looked good, and I know you were looking forward to The Half Brother. Oh, well…on to the next. 🙂
I know…kind of disappointing. Just missing that undefinable punch.
I too am a sucker or boarding schools. I am so sorry these didn’t satisfy you.
I could not agree with you more about The Half Brother. I was really excited for the same reason – I love me a boarding school setting! It should have been great but it was so meh. And I’m also very much with you on the publishing blurb. Too much information and the ubiquitous comparisons are killing plot twists. No one is surprised because it’s been compared to Gone Girl or Anna Karenina so the plot twist is evident.
This whole “the next Gone Girl” thing is absolutely KILLING some books! The Girl on the Train is another one. I’ve started reading the blurbs well in advance of the pub dates (when I’m looking at new ARCs to request) and then not looking at them again until I’ve read the book (I’ve usually forgotten the details b/w requesting the ARC and reading the book). I also skip over the plot summary portions of any reviews I read before reading the book. I feel like people (publishers, marketing people, and reviewers) need to get serious about this!
I liked The Half Brother, but I was able to go into it completely blind, except for whatever blurb was on the cover and its being a boarding school book. I wanted to let you know that I linked to your review in my post this week, but I see now that it showed up via WordPress already!