Title: ShinePublished by: Amulet Books
Pages: 350
Source: ARC from Publisher/NetGalley
Rating: 5/5
Summary from Goodreads: When her best guy friend falls victim to a vicious hate crime, sixteen-year-old Cat sets out to discover who in her small town did it. Richly atmospheric, this daring mystery mines the secrets of a tightly knit Southern community and examines the strength of will it takes to go against everyone you know in the name of justice.
I just love that last line of the summary. It describes this book perfectly. When I first started reading this novel I hadn't heard much about it, but after the first couple of pages I was hooked.
I was so intrigued by the people living in Black Creek. It was not only their lifestyles but their actions that drew me in. Myracle creates a community where lips are sealed and eyes are shut. Not only do you have the town trying to protect it's own, you also have bigotry, prejudices, alcoholism, abuse, and meth (that is of course cooked in the double-wide trailer in the woods).
This is a tale interwoven with hurt and compassion. Complex emotions overtake every page as you start to learn more and more and the truth doesn't seem as simple anymore. This was a wonderfully written story portraying not only the ugly in people but also the beauty that can be found too.
I LOVED this book. I am so happy to see others love it too. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteAndrea @ Reading Lark
I've heard the town's people are tough to take because of their prejudices in this book. I think this is a story that could have ended up sounds a bit too stereotypical, but the writing seems to set it apart.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to reading it myself. Thanks for the review, Lisa.
I loved this one, too. Here's my review. It's different from a lot of Myracle's other novels, but really really good. So gritty.
ReplyDeleteMary, A Book A Day
I've gone back and forth about whether or not to read this book. After reading your review, I think I'm going to have to go ahead and read it!
ReplyDeleteFound you on Book Blogs and am looking forward to reading more of your reviews! Now following!
Courtney
Fuzzy.Coffee.Books
Great review. I really enjoyed your book and reading your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like such a mysterious read. I will have to add it to my wishlist. Great review :)
ReplyDeleteThis is definitely one on my radar. It sounds like the type of book that can be phenomenal or absolute rubbish, and I love that your review makes it sound like the first! :) I'm definitely excited for this one!
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