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Dead, Actually
Willow's having a bad week. A dead body, a funeral and now she's being haunted by the star of it all, the dead queen of Ruth Throsby High herself, JoJo Grayson.
Being dead hasn't made JoJo any nicer. She's still venomous and vacuous and, unfortunately, determined to stick around unless Willow finds out what happened.
But the mystery keeps multiplying. There's a missing phone. An anonymous blackmailer. Dirty secrets that won't stay buried. And the blame is being cleverly pointed right at Willow.
The only good thing? The gorgeous Seth Pentecost. He's got his own agenda but it looks like he's going to help Willow out. Could solving this death be what it takes to finally bring him into her life?
Being dead hasn't made JoJo any nicer. She's still venomous and vacuous and, unfortunately, determined to stick around unless Willow finds out what happened.
But the mystery keeps multiplying. There's a missing phone. An anonymous blackmailer. Dirty secrets that won't stay buried. And the blame is being cleverly pointed right at Willow.
The only good thing? The gorgeous Seth Pentecost. He's got his own agenda but it looks like he's going to help Willow out. Could solving this death be what it takes to finally bring him into her life?
312 pages, Paperback
First published January 3, 2012
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171 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
July 29, 2012
1.5 stars
So I got through the first 100 pages when I got a little mmeehhh. You know that feeling when nothing's terribly interesting? Well that's how I felt. I didn't connect to any of the characters and the addition of the dead girls ghost was dull. The introduction of jojo( the ghost) should have been more interesting except it was more bland. In a nutshell this is what happened:
Main character: oh my god you're a ghost!
Ghost: what? I'm living duh.
* looks at herself and gasps when main character's hand slips right through her*
Ghost: omg I'm a ghost
Main character: yeah you died in an accident
* ghost ponders*
Ghost: no! I remember now I was murdered! Now go solve my murder!
Main character: okay!
Yeah if that conversation didn't appeal to you either I would suggest you not pick up this book.
So I got through the first 100 pages when I got a little mmeehhh. You know that feeling when nothing's terribly interesting? Well that's how I felt. I didn't connect to any of the characters and the addition of the dead girls ghost was dull. The introduction of jojo( the ghost) should have been more interesting except it was more bland. In a nutshell this is what happened:
Main character: oh my god you're a ghost!
Ghost: what? I'm living duh.
* looks at herself and gasps when main character's hand slips right through her*
Ghost: omg I'm a ghost
Main character: yeah you died in an accident
* ghost ponders*
Ghost: no! I remember now I was murdered! Now go solve my murder!
Main character: okay!
Yeah if that conversation didn't appeal to you either I would suggest you not pick up this book.
March 11, 2012
Surprisingly, Dead, Actually is Kaz’s first YA novel, but she comes from a background in romance-writing – which I think certainly shows in this book (there is plenty of swooning!). Kaz writes with a real flair for dramatics, but also does well with capturing catty teenspeak, spiky one-liners and wry observations.
Dead, Actually will definitely be a big hit with fans of the Gossip Girl, It Girl and Pretty Little Liars series. It's a really fun read (perfect for by the pool or a lazy afternoon) and Kaz has certainly hit upon the right balance of snark and supernatural.
You can read my full review of Dead, Actually here.
Dead, Actually will definitely be a big hit with fans of the Gossip Girl, It Girl and Pretty Little Liars series. It's a really fun read (perfect for by the pool or a lazy afternoon) and Kaz has certainly hit upon the right balance of snark and supernatural.
You can read my full review of Dead, Actually here.
March 21, 2014
I recently read the second book in the ‘Dead’ series, Almost Dead, and loved it, so was chuffed to be offered the first book to read and review. I had a fair idea that I was going to love DEAD, ACTUALLY not just because I enjoyed the second book, but because when it was released in 2012 it won Favourite Paranormal Romance 2012 with the Australian Romance Readers Association, Best Young Adult novel 2012 with the Aurelias Award and was also long listed for a Davitt Award in the Best Children’s YA 2012 category. Awards aren’t lightly handed out. I knew what to expect as far as writing style went – it is a book about teens, written for teen so it was going to be full of typical teen talk and attitudes. Kaz Delaney nailed it – I could almost imagine I was on the Gold Coast in a coffee shop with a gaggle of teen girls twittering away behind me.
Willow comes from a moneyed background, but life hasn’t been easy, her parents were drug addicts so she virtually brought herself up, while caring for them. Her parents have now stopped with the drugs but become over the top religious zealots instead. Willow is very sensible though and is into study, caring and social justice. She is not one to care about running with the pack; she is funny, independent and has a big time crush on her best friend Macey’s brother. As DEAD, ACTUALLY opens Willow’s parents have just told her they are off to Africa to start a church and she herself was the one who last spoke to JoJo Grayson before finding her body in a car accident. JoJo Grayson is the Queen Bee of the schools in-crowd, the “it” girl, the one who everyone wanted to be with and emulate. Willow is not part of this crowd, and has no desire too, but goes along to the funeral out of respect for a school mate. She is a tad surprised to see JoJo in her bedroom when she gets back from the funeral service.
"…My body froze.
My brain shut down.
I clutched at the doorframe.
But still she stared at me.
Her...A dead person. In my room.
Let me clarify: not a body, a dead person.
An already-buried, dead person..."
JoJo takes a little convincing that she has been killed, but soon insists on Willow finding out who killed her, because she just feels she’s been murdered. She also wants her mobile phone located and where is her other shoe? A ghost cannot go around with only one shoe can she? So reluctantly Willow starts to investigate, and Macey and her brother Seth help. It turns out that JoJo wasn’t as well loved as it would appear, everyone is hiding something, everyone has a motive and someone is trying to frame Willow. Can she solve the mystery, get rid of the ghost and find a boyfriend? And then there is that little matter with her parents…
Author Kaz Delaney has a real talent for portraying teenage dramatics, and manages to perfectly capture ‘teenspeak’ bitchiness and backstabbing. Willow and Macey have some wonderfully snarky one-liners that had me laughing out loud on more than one occasion. The characters as a whole are all well drawn and represent well who they are supposed to be. Even the despicable JoJo gives you understanding as to why she is like she is, you probably still won’t like her but she has her moments. DEAD, ACTUALLY is a delightful blend of mystery, comedy, romance and the supernatural all wrapped up in one entertaining story, great for escaping the real world with for a while. I thoroughly recommend this series and am led to believe that there is 3rd one in the pipeline.
With thanks to Allen & Unwin and the author for this copy to read and review.
Willow comes from a moneyed background, but life hasn’t been easy, her parents were drug addicts so she virtually brought herself up, while caring for them. Her parents have now stopped with the drugs but become over the top religious zealots instead. Willow is very sensible though and is into study, caring and social justice. She is not one to care about running with the pack; she is funny, independent and has a big time crush on her best friend Macey’s brother. As DEAD, ACTUALLY opens Willow’s parents have just told her they are off to Africa to start a church and she herself was the one who last spoke to JoJo Grayson before finding her body in a car accident. JoJo Grayson is the Queen Bee of the schools in-crowd, the “it” girl, the one who everyone wanted to be with and emulate. Willow is not part of this crowd, and has no desire too, but goes along to the funeral out of respect for a school mate. She is a tad surprised to see JoJo in her bedroom when she gets back from the funeral service.
"…My body froze.
My brain shut down.
I clutched at the doorframe.
But still she stared at me.
Her...A dead person. In my room.
Let me clarify: not a body, a dead person.
An already-buried, dead person..."
JoJo takes a little convincing that she has been killed, but soon insists on Willow finding out who killed her, because she just feels she’s been murdered. She also wants her mobile phone located and where is her other shoe? A ghost cannot go around with only one shoe can she? So reluctantly Willow starts to investigate, and Macey and her brother Seth help. It turns out that JoJo wasn’t as well loved as it would appear, everyone is hiding something, everyone has a motive and someone is trying to frame Willow. Can she solve the mystery, get rid of the ghost and find a boyfriend? And then there is that little matter with her parents…
Author Kaz Delaney has a real talent for portraying teenage dramatics, and manages to perfectly capture ‘teenspeak’ bitchiness and backstabbing. Willow and Macey have some wonderfully snarky one-liners that had me laughing out loud on more than one occasion. The characters as a whole are all well drawn and represent well who they are supposed to be. Even the despicable JoJo gives you understanding as to why she is like she is, you probably still won’t like her but she has her moments. DEAD, ACTUALLY is a delightful blend of mystery, comedy, romance and the supernatural all wrapped up in one entertaining story, great for escaping the real world with for a while. I thoroughly recommend this series and am led to believe that there is 3rd one in the pipeline.
With thanks to Allen & Unwin and the author for this copy to read and review.
June 3, 2012
Dead, Actually has that magical charm a lot of other books lack.
I think the author’s talented, no matter how many hate-reviews this book gets –and I’m sure it’ll get a lot, because in a way, it’s a recreation of mean-girls. She manages to put in so many stereotypes and yet gives them all these wonderful, out-of-character personalities. Especially JoJo, who surprisingly had a nicer side to her.
The whole plot was awesome. I loved the mystery, I loved the paranormal aspect. You must know that I really enjoyed this book to be rating it 4-stars –something I rarely do.
Seth was a little meh. I think it’s because I had low-expectations for this book that their insta-love relationship didn’t bother me so much. They went from being friends to dating so quickly? But at the same time, I loved their language: they talked like real friends, not friends-about-to-date.
Altogether, I think this was a surprisingly-good read. I do recommend it among all the other chick-lits I’ve read, so if you’re in for something light with a hint of mystery, this one’s for you!
I think the author’s talented, no matter how many hate-reviews this book gets –and I’m sure it’ll get a lot, because in a way, it’s a recreation of mean-girls. She manages to put in so many stereotypes and yet gives them all these wonderful, out-of-character personalities. Especially JoJo, who surprisingly had a nicer side to her.
The whole plot was awesome. I loved the mystery, I loved the paranormal aspect. You must know that I really enjoyed this book to be rating it 4-stars –something I rarely do.
Seth was a little meh. I think it’s because I had low-expectations for this book that their insta-love relationship didn’t bother me so much. They went from being friends to dating so quickly? But at the same time, I loved their language: they talked like real friends, not friends-about-to-date.
Altogether, I think this was a surprisingly-good read. I do recommend it among all the other chick-lits I’ve read, so if you’re in for something light with a hint of mystery, this one’s for you!
April 27, 2017
There is so much to love about this book: the characters, the mystery, the fabulous writing that sends your heart and mind crazy with anticipation and suspense. I loved everything about this book from start to finish, it's enthralling, it's messy and complicated, but that is what makes it exhilarating to read.
The way Kaz has played out this story and these events, and in such a short space of time, is marvellous. Her writing captures the chaos in Willow's mind, the conflict and the passion, the fear and self doubt. Everything comes across beautifully on the page and makes this story come alive.
There's a hundred different things happening all at once, all linked together, crushing Willow's brain and sending her in every which direction and the chaos and mystery of it all is wonderful. Kaz pulls you along with a mystery and a quest for answers but there's also other things happening and Kaz links these seemingly unconnected things together so wonderfully that it works on so many levels, interconnected snippets and separate things woven together to create Willow's life and story. It's divine.
Having everything happening in a short period of time makes everything more intense, but Kaz never makes it feel rushed or too soon. The strange and compelling nature of the events and the multiple angles covered brings the intensity to a point where Willow's stress and overwhelmed feeling leap off the page and brings you into the story so you understand her frustrations, fears, and victories.
The romance element is natural and not once feels cheesy or fake. Willow's crush on Seth is adorable, Seth himself is wonderful so you also fall in love with him, and Kaz beautifully misses out on the making the "crush on best friend's brother" feel clichéd. Her exploration of Willow's feelings, mixing it into the paranormal events and life drama, brings out the realism, such as Willow's romantic feelings cropping up unexpectedly, her desire to control her reactions and emotion's play down her feelings for fear of ruining what she has. That is what makes it feel so real, so believable, Willow's feelings don't come from nowhere, nor do they take away from who she is as a person, everything about her is mixed together into this dramatic and captivating novel.
I loved this book so much I gave it five stars before I had even finished. The narrative Kaz has constructed is clever, creative, and so incredibly intriguing. From start to finish she brings you into Willow's world with curiosity and captivating characters and she holds onto your attention until the very last page. As the final chapters play out your heart pounds, your excitement grows, and you still have no idea where the story is going and what is going to happen. Kaz keeps you guessing and on the edge of your seat until the end, even after the whodunit has been solved.
A longer version of this review was published on my blog https://lostinagoodbk.wordpress.com/2...
The way Kaz has played out this story and these events, and in such a short space of time, is marvellous. Her writing captures the chaos in Willow's mind, the conflict and the passion, the fear and self doubt. Everything comes across beautifully on the page and makes this story come alive.
There's a hundred different things happening all at once, all linked together, crushing Willow's brain and sending her in every which direction and the chaos and mystery of it all is wonderful. Kaz pulls you along with a mystery and a quest for answers but there's also other things happening and Kaz links these seemingly unconnected things together so wonderfully that it works on so many levels, interconnected snippets and separate things woven together to create Willow's life and story. It's divine.
Having everything happening in a short period of time makes everything more intense, but Kaz never makes it feel rushed or too soon. The strange and compelling nature of the events and the multiple angles covered brings the intensity to a point where Willow's stress and overwhelmed feeling leap off the page and brings you into the story so you understand her frustrations, fears, and victories.
The romance element is natural and not once feels cheesy or fake. Willow's crush on Seth is adorable, Seth himself is wonderful so you also fall in love with him, and Kaz beautifully misses out on the making the "crush on best friend's brother" feel clichéd. Her exploration of Willow's feelings, mixing it into the paranormal events and life drama, brings out the realism, such as Willow's romantic feelings cropping up unexpectedly, her desire to control her reactions and emotion's play down her feelings for fear of ruining what she has. That is what makes it feel so real, so believable, Willow's feelings don't come from nowhere, nor do they take away from who she is as a person, everything about her is mixed together into this dramatic and captivating novel.
I loved this book so much I gave it five stars before I had even finished. The narrative Kaz has constructed is clever, creative, and so incredibly intriguing. From start to finish she brings you into Willow's world with curiosity and captivating characters and she holds onto your attention until the very last page. As the final chapters play out your heart pounds, your excitement grows, and you still have no idea where the story is going and what is going to happen. Kaz keeps you guessing and on the edge of your seat until the end, even after the whodunit has been solved.
A longer version of this review was published on my blog https://lostinagoodbk.wordpress.com/2...
September 10, 2013
Dead Actually by Kaz Delaney
****4.5 Stars****
I must admit to being a genre-traitor at the moment. Normally I go for Vampire, Werewolves and Zombies (Oh, My!) but some recent releases in the YA fiction market have had me reading more ‘girly’ books (ugh, I hate the fact that YA fiction if often divided down gender lines...)
For me this book had the trifecta of elements that lead to me reading something outside my normal genres:
Awesome cover-art (shallow I know but it needs to grab my eye)
Interesting sounding title (I have a theory, if an author cannot come up with an interesting title chances are that the contents will leave something to be desired)
Solid opening paragraph/ blub
Willow Cartwright is not popular nor does she want to be. Her best friend Macey is a social justice blogger with retro fashion sense (and an older brother that makes Willow swoon) plus her parents are recovering addicts with a guru and the desire to spread the word of God. So, not your normal family set-up, especially when the guru is less ‘man-of-God’ and more slimly creep. But Willow’s life takes a turn for the strange when she finds the body of the school’s Queen Bee, JoJo Grayson. Not only first on the scene of the crash, Willow was also the last person to speak to JoJo (she took her order at a fast food drive-thru). So it kind of makes sense that when JoJo appears as a ghost in Willow’s room. Despite death not making her a nicer person JoJo is convinced her death was no accident and she is willing to make Willow’s life very uncomfortable until she investigates.
But the deeper Willow digs the more mysteries she discovers, JoJo’s missing phone, dirty secrets and someone using blackmail to pull the strings behind the scenes. Everyone is hiding something, everyone has a motive and someone is trying to frame Willow. Who is behind it? Will Willow get the boy of her dreams? And when will the author’s next book be out?
I greatly enjoyed this book, I read it in one sitting (with breaks to make coffee), it did make me a bit sleepy the next day (on account of having to stay awake to finish it) but I would say it was worth it. Well plotted, written with easy prose and likeable characters (although Willow does swoon a bit to much for my liking – at least there was no love triangle) I would recommend this book to fans of Sara Shepard’s Pretty Little Liars and Lying Game series. The supernatural element in this novel is actually pretty downplayed so it reads more like a mystery than typical supernatural fiction which makes for a nice change. Now is a fantastic time to be a Young Adult mystery fan.
In short this book is not a prize winner, it’s not great literature, it’s not even life changing. What it is, is something just as precious, a well crafted piece of escapism that blocks out the surrounding world and allows your imagination to work overtime.
****4.5 Stars****
I must admit to being a genre-traitor at the moment. Normally I go for Vampire, Werewolves and Zombies (Oh, My!) but some recent releases in the YA fiction market have had me reading more ‘girly’ books (ugh, I hate the fact that YA fiction if often divided down gender lines...)
For me this book had the trifecta of elements that lead to me reading something outside my normal genres:
Awesome cover-art (shallow I know but it needs to grab my eye)
Interesting sounding title (I have a theory, if an author cannot come up with an interesting title chances are that the contents will leave something to be desired)
Solid opening paragraph/ blub
Willow Cartwright is not popular nor does she want to be. Her best friend Macey is a social justice blogger with retro fashion sense (and an older brother that makes Willow swoon) plus her parents are recovering addicts with a guru and the desire to spread the word of God. So, not your normal family set-up, especially when the guru is less ‘man-of-God’ and more slimly creep. But Willow’s life takes a turn for the strange when she finds the body of the school’s Queen Bee, JoJo Grayson. Not only first on the scene of the crash, Willow was also the last person to speak to JoJo (she took her order at a fast food drive-thru). So it kind of makes sense that when JoJo appears as a ghost in Willow’s room. Despite death not making her a nicer person JoJo is convinced her death was no accident and she is willing to make Willow’s life very uncomfortable until she investigates.
But the deeper Willow digs the more mysteries she discovers, JoJo’s missing phone, dirty secrets and someone using blackmail to pull the strings behind the scenes. Everyone is hiding something, everyone has a motive and someone is trying to frame Willow. Who is behind it? Will Willow get the boy of her dreams? And when will the author’s next book be out?
I greatly enjoyed this book, I read it in one sitting (with breaks to make coffee), it did make me a bit sleepy the next day (on account of having to stay awake to finish it) but I would say it was worth it. Well plotted, written with easy prose and likeable characters (although Willow does swoon a bit to much for my liking – at least there was no love triangle) I would recommend this book to fans of Sara Shepard’s Pretty Little Liars and Lying Game series. The supernatural element in this novel is actually pretty downplayed so it reads more like a mystery than typical supernatural fiction which makes for a nice change. Now is a fantastic time to be a Young Adult mystery fan.
In short this book is not a prize winner, it’s not great literature, it’s not even life changing. What it is, is something just as precious, a well crafted piece of escapism that blocks out the surrounding world and allows your imagination to work overtime.
July 5, 2012
Every now and then a book comes along that I just can't put down. Even though I have to get up early in the morning, and have class, and assignments, and deadlines I just can't stop reading. Dead, Actually was a wish-I-could-put-it-down-but-maybe-I'll-just-read-one-more-page kind of book.
Set on the Gold Coast of Australia, an area renowned for mansions on the beach and amusement parks, Dead, Actually is a glitzy and glamourous read with a paranormal twist. The story is told from the point of view of Willow, daughter of ex druggie rock-star parents, best friend of social justice teen blogger Macey and lusting after her bestie's older brother, Seth. Despite being born into the lives of the rich and famous Willow is a classified D-lister who finds herself in the midst of A-lister drama when their leader, JoJo, dies in a car accident and takes up residence in Willow's bedroom.
Willow is a lovable character and not one bit the vapid mean girl that she could be given her circumstances. Her snarky attitude had me chuckling quite a bit though out the novel. One of the blurbs for Dead, Actually describes this novel as 'scathingly funny', and I couldn't agree more. I know I've said it before, and I will say it again. I love a good mystery in my YA fiction. Dead, Actually had it all, a bit of mystery/suspense, a bit of drama, a bit of romance, some laughs and a lot of fun.
I'm a sucker for these Gossip Girl-esque stories, and Dead Actually did not disappoint on that front as it is oozing with backstabbing, bitchiness, and blackmail. Oh and designer clothes of course! This is pure entertainment and a delightfully fun read that is most definitely so not last season!
Sarah @ That Teenage Feeling
Set on the Gold Coast of Australia, an area renowned for mansions on the beach and amusement parks, Dead, Actually is a glitzy and glamourous read with a paranormal twist. The story is told from the point of view of Willow, daughter of ex druggie rock-star parents, best friend of social justice teen blogger Macey and lusting after her bestie's older brother, Seth. Despite being born into the lives of the rich and famous Willow is a classified D-lister who finds herself in the midst of A-lister drama when their leader, JoJo, dies in a car accident and takes up residence in Willow's bedroom.
Willow is a lovable character and not one bit the vapid mean girl that she could be given her circumstances. Her snarky attitude had me chuckling quite a bit though out the novel. One of the blurbs for Dead, Actually describes this novel as 'scathingly funny', and I couldn't agree more. I know I've said it before, and I will say it again. I love a good mystery in my YA fiction. Dead, Actually had it all, a bit of mystery/suspense, a bit of drama, a bit of romance, some laughs and a lot of fun.
I'm a sucker for these Gossip Girl-esque stories, and Dead Actually did not disappoint on that front as it is oozing with backstabbing, bitchiness, and blackmail. Oh and designer clothes of course! This is pure entertainment and a delightfully fun read that is most definitely so not last season!
Sarah @ That Teenage Feeling
July 16, 2012
Are you a fan of the hit TV Show "Ghost Whisperer" or Medium ? The show where once someone dies , they show up wanting the person who can see them, their help to solve whatever circumstance they are going through. To get peace, or to know who or what killed them ?
Meet two girls , both from opposite ends of the high school popularity list. We have Willow Cartwright, she is happy just being herself and is considered a D-Lister and her friends only consist of Macey and her brother Seth Pentecost. On the opposite end of the spectrum we have JoJo Grayson. She was the Queen Bee, the one everyone wanted or so it seemed. When JoJo dies and Willow is the one to witness the accident, everyone seems caught up in Willow - was JoJo hiding something that everyone wanted to make sure was hidden ? Willow thinks that once JoJo is buried that this is the end of it, but unfortunately for Willow - she is being haunted by JoJo's spirit and now as the only person who can see her Willow must try and figure out what exactly happened to JoJo and why somebody wanted her dead and she better do it fast , as the longer it takes, the longer Willow has to be surrounded by JoJo's ghost.
A fun mystery novel , that when I read it I had senses of Deja Vu and then I realised that a similar premise happened in the novels The Ghost and the Goth by Stacey Kade and Remember Me Trilogy by Christopher Pike. It also makes you wonder what the people you hang around would say if you were dead ? Would they really be torn or would they be rejoicing ?
Meet two girls , both from opposite ends of the high school popularity list. We have Willow Cartwright, she is happy just being herself and is considered a D-Lister and her friends only consist of Macey and her brother Seth Pentecost. On the opposite end of the spectrum we have JoJo Grayson. She was the Queen Bee, the one everyone wanted or so it seemed. When JoJo dies and Willow is the one to witness the accident, everyone seems caught up in Willow - was JoJo hiding something that everyone wanted to make sure was hidden ? Willow thinks that once JoJo is buried that this is the end of it, but unfortunately for Willow - she is being haunted by JoJo's spirit and now as the only person who can see her Willow must try and figure out what exactly happened to JoJo and why somebody wanted her dead and she better do it fast , as the longer it takes, the longer Willow has to be surrounded by JoJo's ghost.
A fun mystery novel , that when I read it I had senses of Deja Vu and then I realised that a similar premise happened in the novels The Ghost and the Goth by Stacey Kade and Remember Me Trilogy by Christopher Pike. It also makes you wonder what the people you hang around would say if you were dead ? Would they really be torn or would they be rejoicing ?
December 3, 2013
pretty similar to life after theft by aprilynne pike. it's a pity: this book is something i could've really appreciated if it wasn't for the the author making some very cliche, and at times problematic decisions.
my biggest issue with the book is it's awful tendency to reduce the 'Angels' (when u give the ~*~*~popular clique at high school~*~*~ a group name there's a 99.99% chance it'll turn out to be a laughable read) to shallow one dimensional characters. especially offensive is the way the author outright mocks their looks- apparently being blonde and thin somehow equates to being a waste of space- according to macey, your typical sidekick best friend who 'speaks her mind'... most readers are probably familiar with this token character. it's sad really, i could've liked macey if the author hadn't been so careless with her characters. 'bulimic babes'..? really? how did that get through the editor and publicist? what a mystery. i'm not impressed.
that aside, the plot was ok and the writing fairly decent. like i said: it's a pity kaz delaney loves cliches.
my biggest issue with the book is it's awful tendency to reduce the 'Angels' (when u give the ~*~*~popular clique at high school~*~*~ a group name there's a 99.99% chance it'll turn out to be a laughable read) to shallow one dimensional characters. especially offensive is the way the author outright mocks their looks- apparently being blonde and thin somehow equates to being a waste of space- according to macey, your typical sidekick best friend who 'speaks her mind'... most readers are probably familiar with this token character. it's sad really, i could've liked macey if the author hadn't been so careless with her characters. 'bulimic babes'..? really? how did that get through the editor and publicist? what a mystery. i'm not impressed.
that aside, the plot was ok and the writing fairly decent. like i said: it's a pity kaz delaney loves cliches.
December 17, 2017
In this first-person YA, Willow finds herself confronted by the mystery of a dead fellow classmate. Literally. The ghost of JoJo haunts her to solve how she died.
I love the witty banter Willow has with her best friend, Macey. Throw in feelings for Macey's cute brother, Seth and we have the romance angle covered. Willow may be from a well-to-do neighbourhood, but that doesn't mean there isn't heartbreak in her life with absent parents and adversary who is manipulative and clever.
Well written, amazing read. The characters are well rounded and the mystery takes the reader into the world of wealthy teenagers on the Gold Coast. Looking forward to Macey's story next.
Disclaimer: While I know the author personally, this doesn't affect the star rating.
I love the witty banter Willow has with her best friend, Macey. Throw in feelings for Macey's cute brother, Seth and we have the romance angle covered. Willow may be from a well-to-do neighbourhood, but that doesn't mean there isn't heartbreak in her life with absent parents and adversary who is manipulative and clever.
Well written, amazing read. The characters are well rounded and the mystery takes the reader into the world of wealthy teenagers on the Gold Coast. Looking forward to Macey's story next.
Disclaimer: While I know the author personally, this doesn't affect the star rating.
May 27, 2012
Dead actually was just one of those books that I couldn't get into at all. It just didn't interest me at all. I forced myself up to page 50 and gave up. The whole ghost thing was just weird, and I didn't feel like it was going anywhere.
1/5 stars.
1/5 stars.
January 2, 2016
1.5 stars
I found the story did not flow well for me at all. It was quite hard to get through and a lot of the scenes really frustrated me and not in a 'emotionally-invested' kind of way. Was a struggle to get through.
I found the story did not flow well for me at all. It was quite hard to get through and a lot of the scenes really frustrated me and not in a 'emotionally-invested' kind of way. Was a struggle to get through.
April 17, 2012
1.5 or 2
April 12, 2013
Fantastic characters, beautifully drawn. Of course, some we remember well from our own high school days! Great premise and superbly written.
October 28, 2015
Pretty average. Far, faaar too much use of 'OMG'
January 1, 2023
For a YA novel it was perhaps a little slow for me - my bad, perhaps, for not finding out enough about the story before reading it. I had expected something more of a thriller, or at least something with a lot more twists and turns along the way. It was good, and worth reading, and I loved that it was set on the GC, but it wasn’t something I was desperate to talk to the person next to me about… you know?
dnf
December 30, 2023So I didn't finish. This book was really not worth it XD I think people younger than me would like it, maybe early to mid teens. I think I'm just a bit too old to enjoy this one. The language used and the drama going on between characters was the annoying girly teen high school stuff. Plus, for me the story didn't really go anywhere and the plot wasn't exciting me at all so I had to stop.
May 11, 2017
Fun beach read
June 3, 2017
third time reading this book and i love it a little more each time i read it
August 10, 2021
Bit of fun, trashy - but a bit of fun
February 20, 2025
Did not finish, got too high school drama for me, mixed with the paranormal that came out of nowhere!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 18, 2014
I picked up this book expecting a fun and light read. I thought I'd be finished with it by the end of the day, but after two weeks of serious struggling, I think I've had enough. I liked the idea of a cute YA murder mystery, but after 160 pages the book hardly developed at all. It was very slow-paced with average-bordering-on-bad writing and a shocking amount of slut-shaming. Almost every chapter consisted of Willow making fun of other girls being 'fake' beacause of their clothing and use of makeup. It was very childish and typically 'oh, I'm the average girl-next-door, I'm not like other girls who wear skirts and makeup, I'm so much better'?? And making jokes about eating disorders?? Really?
I didn't like Willow very much at all. It was annoying how she was so obsessed with Seth and pined after him even though he was super controlling. I didn't hate her but I found her irritating and didn't connect with her as the narrator.
There were also way too many characters that I didn't care about or pay attention to. JoJo had too many people in her posse of Angels. Kristie, Chloe, Demi etc etc etc were all the same to me, and I couldn't follow their storylines at all.
Maybe I'm being too critical, especially since I never even finished the book. But it was so painful to read about Macey and Willow who shamed other girls just because of what they wore, their weight and their clique. Super stereotypical and offensive.
I didn't like Willow very much at all. It was annoying how she was so obsessed with Seth and pined after him even though he was super controlling. I didn't hate her but I found her irritating and didn't connect with her as the narrator.
There were also way too many characters that I didn't care about or pay attention to. JoJo had too many people in her posse of Angels. Kristie, Chloe, Demi etc etc etc were all the same to me, and I couldn't follow their storylines at all.
Maybe I'm being too critical, especially since I never even finished the book. But it was so painful to read about Macey and Willow who shamed other girls just because of what they wore, their weight and their clique. Super stereotypical and offensive.
July 31, 2012
Willow Cartwright is an ordinary seventeen year old, but at the moment she’s having a bad week. When the A-list queen of Willow’s high school, JoJo Grayson, dies, everyone is shocked. But now the ghost of JoJo is haunting Willow, and she’s determined to find out what happened. But the mysteries keep multiplying. There’s a missing phone, an anonymous blackmailer, and dirty secrets that won’t stay buried. And now the blame is being pointed at Willow. Can she find out what happened to JoJo before it’s too late?
This book has an intriguing story, and one that’s very original. It’s layered with mysteries, pop culture references and unusual characters, and there’s enough humour to get you giggling every so often. Admittedly, it’s not a very serious read. It’s more of a ‘tongue-in-cheek’ novel, with lots of little side-jokes and smart comments. The main characters are well-developed, but one can’t help but wish that some of the side characters - some of which are very funny – got a little more time in the novel to really shine. Teenagers will definitely like this novel, if just for the constant pop-culture references and intriguing male characters.
The story is interesting, the characters are amusing, and it’s the perfect novel to read if you’re bored because it’ll certainly make you laugh.
This book has an intriguing story, and one that’s very original. It’s layered with mysteries, pop culture references and unusual characters, and there’s enough humour to get you giggling every so often. Admittedly, it’s not a very serious read. It’s more of a ‘tongue-in-cheek’ novel, with lots of little side-jokes and smart comments. The main characters are well-developed, but one can’t help but wish that some of the side characters - some of which are very funny – got a little more time in the novel to really shine. Teenagers will definitely like this novel, if just for the constant pop-culture references and intriguing male characters.
The story is interesting, the characters are amusing, and it’s the perfect novel to read if you’re bored because it’ll certainly make you laugh.
July 31, 2012
Random ebook from library.
I enjoyed this story even though it feels like a YA book.
This was like watching Gossip Girl with a splash of Ghost Whisperer.
One of the beautiful people, at the high school, where Willow goes is killed in a tragic accident.
Willow is the first to find her...
But then finds that she is being haunted by Jojo - who claims she was murdered.
Who would want to kill a teenager?
then Willow is asked to attend a wake for Jojo and a yacht trip but these people are not being friendly...
they all want something...
then people start getting messages from Jojo... what is going on??...
Willow asks for her friend, Macey's help and there is Willow's secret crush Seth (Macey's brother)
in the end the beautiful people are all shown to be flawed
There is an interesting inter-family story between Willow and her parents - a former drug addict and alcoholic who are having trouble realising that their daughter grew up without them and now they do not know how to be parents.... but they do exactly the right thing in the end.
I will be looking for more by Kaz D
:)
I enjoyed this story even though it feels like a YA book.
This was like watching Gossip Girl with a splash of Ghost Whisperer.
One of the beautiful people, at the high school, where Willow goes is killed in a tragic accident.
Willow is the first to find her...
But then finds that she is being haunted by Jojo - who claims she was murdered.
Who would want to kill a teenager?
then Willow is asked to attend a wake for Jojo and a yacht trip but these people are not being friendly...
they all want something...
then people start getting messages from Jojo... what is going on??...
Willow asks for her friend, Macey's help and there is Willow's secret crush Seth (Macey's brother)
in the end the beautiful people are all shown to be flawed
There is an interesting inter-family story between Willow and her parents - a former drug addict and alcoholic who are having trouble realising that their daughter grew up without them and now they do not know how to be parents.... but they do exactly the right thing in the end.
I will be looking for more by Kaz D
:)
May 21, 2013
Lyn is a judge for the Aurealis Awards. This review is the personal opinion of Lyn herself, and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of any judging panel, the judging coordinator or the Aurealis Awards management team.
I will be rating this once the AAs are announced.
Edit 21/5/13.
This novel captured my attention and held it right through to the end. As a judge of the Aurealis Awards I have very high standard that has to be met by the end of Chapter Three. Dead, Actually met that standard and then gave me more, always a bonus. As a result it became a joint winner of the YA novel Aurealis Award. I particularly liked this novel because I felt it to be an excellent example of both the genre and the market. Yes, it was excellent novel. Yes, it was an excellent example of teenage life (I have three teenagers/very young adults as well as a pre-teen and felt Willow's concerns true to the way teenagers think) therefore it scored very highly across this areas.
I will be rating this once the AAs are announced.
Edit 21/5/13.
This novel captured my attention and held it right through to the end. As a judge of the Aurealis Awards I have very high standard that has to be met by the end of Chapter Three. Dead, Actually met that standard and then gave me more, always a bonus. As a result it became a joint winner of the YA novel Aurealis Award. I particularly liked this novel because I felt it to be an excellent example of both the genre and the market. Yes, it was excellent novel. Yes, it was an excellent example of teenage life (I have three teenagers/very young adults as well as a pre-teen and felt Willow's concerns true to the way teenagers think) therefore it scored very highly across this areas.
December 23, 2013
I actually didn't mind this book, but I felt like it was awfully like "Pretty Little Liars", with whole popular girl dead, and people getting texts from her and people eventually plotting revenge - however not really knowing who against. I found it hard to believe that all of this happened in a span of a week, it's sort of ridiculous, but I played along. I think it was really sweet that Seth and Willow ended up getting back together, that was really nice! The last few chapters really kept me on edge, I had to know who the person was, who was continuing all of JoJo's crap!! I honestly thought it was going to be Macey for some reason...! Ultimately, this book was pretty awesome, and something I didn't expect to enjoy!
July 12, 2013
This book was lots of fun and full of genres. Romance, crime, blackmail, murder mystery, supernatural and humour. I thought the character of Willow was full of fun. The story is about Willow (Wills) who while volunteering at a drive through restaurant happens to be the last person to see Joanne (JoJo) Grayson alive and then twenty minutes later she comes upon a car accident where JoJo has been killed. JoJo then precedes after her funeral to haunt Wills because she is sure she has been murdered and she wants Wills to find out who her killer was.
April 10, 2014
My actual rating is more of a 2.5
What can I say about this book? It strayed of very promising; the plot was intriguing an so were the characters, but then I didn't end up enjoying it much. I think the thing I disliked most was the writing style. It felt too rushed, and the narrator (Willow) would go of on tangents in the middle of a thought. I guess this is accurate of someone's actual thought process but it is slightly infuriating to read.
However, saying all this, I think I will attempt to read the other Kaz Delaney book I have on my to-read list
What can I say about this book? It strayed of very promising; the plot was intriguing an so were the characters, but then I didn't end up enjoying it much. I think the thing I disliked most was the writing style. It felt too rushed, and the narrator (Willow) would go of on tangents in the middle of a thought. I guess this is accurate of someone's actual thought process but it is slightly infuriating to read.
However, saying all this, I think I will attempt to read the other Kaz Delaney book I have on my to-read list
October 22, 2014
Hilarious, cleverly plotted and with some surprisingly insightful characterisation (surprising because the book is light and humorous, not lightweight). Dead, Actually is set on Gold Coast Queensland amidst the wealth and decadence of its upper crust. The central character is a teenage girl struggling with a selection of the usual teenage problems - and one rather unusual one: she has a dead girl in her bedroom. She is being haunted by the recently deceased and super-bitchy popularity queen of her high-school.
I was very tempted to give Dead, Actually a five-star rating.
I was very tempted to give Dead, Actually a five-star rating.
September 4, 2013
This was a bit of mystery of who killed someone, and the mystery was solved with the help of the ghost of the dead girl involving the most unlikely person. There were many characters and motives and as the story continued, it delves deeper into the sub groups and relationships of the larger groups in a school situation. It was entertaining, not riveting.
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