3:59 by Gretchen McNeil

3:59 by Gretchen McNeil

Hardcover, 368 pages

Published September 17th 2013 by Balzer & Bray

  
Review

I thought this was going to be another epic ghost story. Yes, I did not read the synopsis, and yes the cover looks creepily awesome.

Why I Didn't Like The Book:
1. No scare-factor. 
This book did not give me the creepy crawlies feeling. It was just meh. So what about the predatory Nox which enjoy killing sprees every night, you ask? I expected something of more substance - not much was said about the creatures other than they enjoyed human flesh. Well, isn't that obvious?

2. Lots of WTF moments.

• Josie asking her fake dad to steal a government-secured machine for her, and he agreed easily. Turned out to be the biggest mistake ever! [What did momma say about not trusting anyone in this world, dear Josie?]
• Josie making out with the other Nick shortly after a Nox attack, and she accidentally touched fake dad's severed leg. [Wouldn't the stench of blood and death hang in the air after the animals had their meal? Why would anyone make out in that situation?!! It was beyond my comprehension.]
• Jo, Josie's doppelganger who was supposed to be a selfish girl, became good and helped Josie out on her quest the instant she asked it! [Where's the logic in this?!!]
• Jo was happy and didn't care one bit after her dad got chewed into pieces by the Nox. [Even if she hated him, wouldn't she feel the slightest tinge of emotion on his passing?]
• Dr. Bryne and Jo turned out to be good characters after all! [Again - logic please!]

3. It's sci-fi, but it doesn't sound like one.  

4. Flat, one-dimensional characters. 
The characters are boring if nothing else. 

Considering how I had loved McNeil's TEN, it is hard to hide my disappointment in 3:59. My advice to her? Don't venture into sci-fi if you don't know what you're writing.

Rating:

Ten by Gretchen McNeil

Ten by Gretchen McNeil

Pages: 296 
Age Group: Young Adult

Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Author Info: Blog | Website | Twitter | Facebook 
 
 Review

TEN is terrifying – imagine going to a supposedly party-of-the-year but ended up being trapped in an isolated island where the storms rage constantly and a killer is on the loose. I’m glad I didn’t read this at midnight, which would certainly have negative consequences on my sleep.

I particularly loved the way the author layered her story, starting out with a simple matter which hinted at ominous happenings and adding scare factors little by little until it builds up to a climax. In the White Rock Manor, murders are happening, and one of them is the killer, but who is it?

I enjoyed reading about Meg – her unselfish ways when it comes to her best friend Minnie, her secret crush on cute footballer T.J. who happens to like her back, her quick-thinking and observation skills. Meg always looks out for Minnie even though her best friend is paranoid, selfish and mean. And that really takes ounces of patience and determination. However, what makes me love her is the fire in her that comes out only in dire times, usually when she is determined to save a loved one.

As the story gets more sinister with someone new murdered each few hours, the remaining survivors get more panicked and frightened and starting accusing one another. Each death is caused by a different method, and the killer can be anyone of them. Mistrust is sowed among them and yet they have to stay together if they want to get out of this frightening mess. The question is how many of the TEN who entered the manor can come out alive?

Read the book to find out. 

Rating: