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Rinn é uma garota bipolar, que mantém o transtorno sob controle com a ajuda de medicação. Ela mora com a mãe e estuda no Colégio River Hills, onde dizem que a piscina é assombrada por Annaliese, uma adolescente que se afogou ali vinte anos antes. Quando coisas terríveis começam a acontecer aos seus colegas e não a ela, Rinn promete descobrir por que não pode ser 'atingida' pelo espírito de Annaliese. Ela consegue fazer contato com o fantasma, que não se mostra nada pacífico. Ao descobrir o motivo, Rinn pede ajuda para seu namorado Nate, e elabora um perigoso plano para descobrir a verdade. Logo realidade e fantasia se confundem, até Rinn perceber que é quase impossível diferenciá-las. Diante de uma força malévola que ameaça a vida de todos de quem ela gosta, Rinn se pergunta se de fato pode confiar no que sente ou se está novamente perdendo o contato com a realidade.
368 pages, Paperback
First published July 17, 2012
36 people are currently reading
6863 people want to read
About the author
Jeannine Garsee
4 books203 followersJeannine Garsee is the author of three contemporary YA novels: THE UNQUIET (2011) SAY THE WORD (2009) and BEFORE, AFTER, AND SOMEBODY IN BETWEEN (2007)(Bloomsbury USA Children's Books.) Her essay "Fearless" appears in the Harper Collins anthology DEAR BULLY: 70 Authors Tell Their Stories, edited by Megan Kelly Hall and Carrie Jones.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 334 reviews
June 6, 2012
Have you ever read a book that was a complete and utter train wreck, but for whatever reason, you would feel bad if you stopped reading it? The Unquiet was one of those books for me. I had a hard time committing myself to finishing the book, and mostly it was because it was a NetGalley, and I’d feel bad if I didn’t review it in the end.
The Unquiet is another book that grossly sensationalizes mental illness, turning it into the butt of numerous jokes throughout the story. Rinn is a boring, bland, run-of-the-mill, bratty, “look how angry I am at the world” teenage whose only defining characteristics are that she is The New Girl, and she has a mental illness. She treats her mother like garbage, treats the people around her like they’re disposable, is judgmental, picky, frustrating, and at no time during this book do I stop feeling annoyed at her and start caring about what happens to her. There is absolutely nothing, whatsoever, that makes her the kind of character that I want to follow around for an entire book. Instead of being the strong, loud, bold protagonist she was intended to be, Rinn falls into the trap of being snarky and predictable.
So then we have all of the other characters -- a bunch of snotty little bullies who make fun of one another, their classmates, and at times, Rinn. We’re to believe that this group of “Mean Girls” just accepts Rinn, despite the depths Rinn goes to in order to “stand out.” Somehow, Rinn also doesn’t mind the fact that these girls are incredibly rude and not even very nice to herself -- which makes me wonder... what’s the point? Rinn tries to stop the girls from picking on one of the classmates, but even so, it doesn’t stop her from associating with them.
Rinn also strikes up a romance with the first guy she sees, who just so happens to be the son of her mother’s ex-boyfriend. How coincidental. There is not much to suggest that there is any reason chemistry between the two, aside from a few scenes where they talk, and that alone isn’t enough for me to understand why they were “together” in the first place, if not solely for furthering the plot. The romance is stale, and you’re left to wonder: what are supposed to get out of this? Rinn opens up to him, but again, why?
If it sounds like I’m being hypercritical here, perhaps I am. I take issue with books that grossly sensationalize mental illness, turn them into the butt of a joke, or a plot point related to paranormal or spiritual happenings. There is so little respect paid to people who manage mental illnesses every day, and to have some bratty teenager bouncing around making jokes about how she’s “crazy” and all of the off-putting ALL CAPS I NEED MY MEDS statements, I’m completely put off. It reeks of LiveJournal circa 2003. Not to mention, the explanations of the symptoms of her illness are told in such force that it reads as though she’s reading from an old textbook. The fact that she doesn’t even take her own illness seriously, making glib comments about hallucinations and acting like it’s all one big ol’ joke the whole time is completely off-putting.
But to make matters worse, we don’t get a glimpse of what Rinn was like before. We find out what happened with Rinn and her Grandmother, and we know how heavy a weight she carries with her because of it. But we also don’t get to know the intricacies of her mental illness, we don’t get to know how it started, how she felt, or anything like that. Further on, we find that she actually enjoys her manic episodes. That is, of course, fairly common -- and the reason for that is typically that the person doesn’t even know that there is something wrong. They might not want to ever come down, because it all feels so good. In that aspect, the writer absolutely gets it right. But I’m still not sold on Rinn’s relationship with her mental illness, or her medication routine. But we don’t get to know much about Rinn aside from a few instances where her illness took over her life, and we need to.
The sensationalizing of her illness comes at the cost of ignoring all options to give Rinn some real character. When you spend so much time establishing that a character has a mental illness, and it becomes the defining characteristic, or what comes across as the sole purpose of their existence or being a character in a book, you’ve turned it into a spectacle. You’ve made it into Bipolar Disorder: Look How Quirky It Can Be! Doesn’t Rinn, or any other character, deserve to be known for more than just her mental illness? What truly bothers me is that the author even says that she works for a hospital
Writers, even teenage girls, are more than just one defining characteristic. I beg you to stop making one thing stand out about them, whether it’s a hobby, a quirk, or an event that once happened to them.
The mystery aspect of this, with the ghost and Annaliesse and what was glaringly obvious the entire time. We knew from that start what really happened all those years ago, and that made this a complete and utter flop for me. When a character comes into an on-going situation and fits into it perfectly from the start, you’re selling your entire story short. Things shouldn’t stack up that neatly. There shouldn’t be that much of a coincidence from the very start. We shouldn’t have a clear scope of who “the bad guys” are in the first two chapters alone.
Maybe I’m just growing tired of the new kid fitting in from the start, because it doesn’t mimic reality. Rinn forces herself to hang out with a throng of girls who she doesn’t really get along with. She doesn’t try to find herself a group of people she cares about, she simply snaps at them, bites at them, and forces herself on the outside. Some could argue that’s just the character, but given the rest of her traits, is that realistic?
There are few moments in the book where I felt something -- Tasha’s scene, for example. I don’t think I’ve cringed so hard in my life, imagining it as it unfolded. Some of the scenes where the characters appear “possessed” by Annaliese are captivating, and I believe that’s what pulled me through the remainder of the book.
The Unquiet is another book that grossly sensationalizes mental illness, turning it into the butt of numerous jokes throughout the story. Rinn is a boring, bland, run-of-the-mill, bratty, “look how angry I am at the world” teenage whose only defining characteristics are that she is The New Girl, and she has a mental illness. She treats her mother like garbage, treats the people around her like they’re disposable, is judgmental, picky, frustrating, and at no time during this book do I stop feeling annoyed at her and start caring about what happens to her. There is absolutely nothing, whatsoever, that makes her the kind of character that I want to follow around for an entire book. Instead of being the strong, loud, bold protagonist she was intended to be, Rinn falls into the trap of being snarky and predictable.
So then we have all of the other characters -- a bunch of snotty little bullies who make fun of one another, their classmates, and at times, Rinn. We’re to believe that this group of “Mean Girls” just accepts Rinn, despite the depths Rinn goes to in order to “stand out.” Somehow, Rinn also doesn’t mind the fact that these girls are incredibly rude and not even very nice to herself -- which makes me wonder... what’s the point? Rinn tries to stop the girls from picking on one of the classmates, but even so, it doesn’t stop her from associating with them.
Rinn also strikes up a romance with the first guy she sees, who just so happens to be the son of her mother’s ex-boyfriend. How coincidental. There is not much to suggest that there is any reason chemistry between the two, aside from a few scenes where they talk, and that alone isn’t enough for me to understand why they were “together” in the first place, if not solely for furthering the plot. The romance is stale, and you’re left to wonder: what are supposed to get out of this? Rinn opens up to him, but again, why?
If it sounds like I’m being hypercritical here, perhaps I am. I take issue with books that grossly sensationalize mental illness, turn them into the butt of a joke, or a plot point related to paranormal or spiritual happenings. There is so little respect paid to people who manage mental illnesses every day, and to have some bratty teenager bouncing around making jokes about how she’s “crazy” and all of the off-putting ALL CAPS I NEED MY MEDS statements, I’m completely put off. It reeks of LiveJournal circa 2003. Not to mention, the explanations of the symptoms of her illness are told in such force that it reads as though she’s reading from an old textbook. The fact that she doesn’t even take her own illness seriously, making glib comments about hallucinations and acting like it’s all one big ol’ joke the whole time is completely off-putting.
But to make matters worse, we don’t get a glimpse of what Rinn was like before. We find out what happened with Rinn and her Grandmother, and we know how heavy a weight she carries with her because of it. But we also don’t get to know the intricacies of her mental illness, we don’t get to know how it started, how she felt, or anything like that. Further on, we find that she actually enjoys her manic episodes. That is, of course, fairly common -- and the reason for that is typically that the person doesn’t even know that there is something wrong. They might not want to ever come down, because it all feels so good. In that aspect, the writer absolutely gets it right. But I’m still not sold on Rinn’s relationship with her mental illness, or her medication routine. But we don’t get to know much about Rinn aside from a few instances where her illness took over her life, and we need to.
The sensationalizing of her illness comes at the cost of ignoring all options to give Rinn some real character. When you spend so much time establishing that a character has a mental illness, and it becomes the defining characteristic, or what comes across as the sole purpose of their existence or being a character in a book, you’ve turned it into a spectacle. You’ve made it into Bipolar Disorder: Look How Quirky It Can Be! Doesn’t Rinn, or any other character, deserve to be known for more than just her mental illness? What truly bothers me is that the author even says that she works for a hospital
Writers, even teenage girls, are more than just one defining characteristic. I beg you to stop making one thing stand out about them, whether it’s a hobby, a quirk, or an event that once happened to them.
The mystery aspect of this, with the ghost and Annaliesse and what was glaringly obvious the entire time. We knew from that start what really happened all those years ago, and that made this a complete and utter flop for me. When a character comes into an on-going situation and fits into it perfectly from the start, you’re selling your entire story short. Things shouldn’t stack up that neatly. There shouldn’t be that much of a coincidence from the very start. We shouldn’t have a clear scope of who “the bad guys” are in the first two chapters alone.
Maybe I’m just growing tired of the new kid fitting in from the start, because it doesn’t mimic reality. Rinn forces herself to hang out with a throng of girls who she doesn’t really get along with. She doesn’t try to find herself a group of people she cares about, she simply snaps at them, bites at them, and forces herself on the outside. Some could argue that’s just the character, but given the rest of her traits, is that realistic?
There are few moments in the book where I felt something -- Tasha’s scene, for example. I don’t think I’ve cringed so hard in my life, imagining it as it unfolded. Some of the scenes where the characters appear “possessed” by Annaliese are captivating, and I believe that’s what pulled me through the remainder of the book.
Read
October 16, 2018DNF on page 170.
This isn't terrible, but it seems to be primarily about the main character and her friendship with Mean Girls at her new hick school, with the haunted swimming pool as something to add otherwise-nonexistent tension.
Also her bipolarity, although mentioned a lot, so far doesn't seem to be any more pronounced than normal teen moodiness, so I wouldn't recommend this for readers looking for books relating to mental health.
This isn't terrible, but it seems to be primarily about the main character and her friendship with Mean Girls at her new hick school, with the haunted swimming pool as something to add otherwise-nonexistent tension.
Also her bipolarity, although mentioned a lot, so far doesn't seem to be any more pronounced than normal teen moodiness, so I wouldn't recommend this for readers looking for books relating to mental health.
June 8, 2012
I do not scare easily. I can watch horror movies, ghost movies, ghost hunt shows...you name it and I don't get scared. Reading The Unquiet had me scared. I jumped when the wind would come up, I jumped when a tree branch would hit the window and I jumped when I heard anything that sounded like footsteps outside my door.
The Unquiet is scary in a subtle way. It's not an in your face ghost story, it's more like a psychological thriller, and for a while, I wasn't even sure if it was really a ghost story. Then, it got real. And I burrowed into my blankets with the hopes that they would be strong enough to keep out the ghost of the novel come to life. Little things would pop up that made me think and believe. By the end of the novel, I didn't want to look around the room, fearful of what I'd see.
I think what made this book so intense was the reliability of Rinn as a narrator. She has a touch of unreliability because of her past, and yet you believe every single thing that happens. Soon, her voice is the only one that makes sense, even as she starts to question her own sanity. I started to feel as confused as Rinn and I was questioning my own thinking.
Garsee wrote a fantastic mystery ghost novel that had me afraid of the dark. The twist at the end was a wrench to the gut and I really cannot wait to see what comes next. This is definitely a book for anyone who likes ghost stories, but a word of warning--reading of this book is best done in broad daylight when you can see everything around you and nothing can sneak up to scare you.
The Unquiet is scary in a subtle way. It's not an in your face ghost story, it's more like a psychological thriller, and for a while, I wasn't even sure if it was really a ghost story. Then, it got real. And I burrowed into my blankets with the hopes that they would be strong enough to keep out the ghost of the novel come to life. Little things would pop up that made me think and believe. By the end of the novel, I didn't want to look around the room, fearful of what I'd see.
I think what made this book so intense was the reliability of Rinn as a narrator. She has a touch of unreliability because of her past, and yet you believe every single thing that happens. Soon, her voice is the only one that makes sense, even as she starts to question her own sanity. I started to feel as confused as Rinn and I was questioning my own thinking.
Garsee wrote a fantastic mystery ghost novel that had me afraid of the dark. The twist at the end was a wrench to the gut and I really cannot wait to see what comes next. This is definitely a book for anyone who likes ghost stories, but a word of warning--reading of this book is best done in broad daylight when you can see everything around you and nothing can sneak up to scare you.
January 22, 2012
Garsee's newest novel, a truly unsettling ghost story, also features a complex and compelling protagonist: Rinn finally has control of her Bipolar disorder with the help of medication, but she's haunted by the things she did while in the grip of manic phases. Fans of horror movies will love this spooky thriller with an M. Night Shyamulan (circa "Unbreakable") worthy ending - the perfect book to read under the covers!
August 4, 2012
rating-> 3.5
“Can Aa-a-ana-liese come out and play?”
I'm usually a fast reader , so to take a week to finish this book is a shocker for me . Now as you may notice , I have given this book a rating of 3.5 which in my opinion is pretty huge . When I had read the synopsis of this book , I was hooked onto it ever since . Haunting ? Spooky ghosts ? A haunted corridor ? A ghost named Annaliese ? Also a bipolar protag ? Now who wouldn't want a piece of that .
Rinn Jacobs , a sixteen year old girl who is bipolar moves to a rural locality in Ohio from California after her grandmother's tragic death . This is the place where her mother grew up , so it is but natural that this would be a nice place to start over and stay well , right ? Wrong.
As Rinn settles in her home , she comes to know that her little new home is quite popular . And popularity why ?
An old lady killed herself in that house . And to Rinn's absolute horror , the old lady killed herself in the attic a.k.a Rinn's current abode a.k.a her cool place a.k.a her room .
To follow further are the rumours about the ghost of a girl named Annaliese who haunts the pool area and a corridor tagged as the 'tunnel' . Rinn is this girl whose new in town and is soooo curious that she agrees to have a nice tea party with ghosts , so she and her friends plan a seance . But hey you don't mess with the supernatural ! So thus , starts the ultimate saga of stupid teenagers .
Amidst all this comes Rinn's bipolarity and her mental condition and ofcourse , Annaliese and yes there's a cute hunky guy too .
Before I had started , I had gone ahead and checked several reviews and there was this one review which said that 'For a ghost novel there isn't much of a 'ghost' in here' and I absolutely agree with it . Like I mentioned before , I'm usually a fast reader , so taking a week to read this one here is quite surprising , considering the fact that it isn't all that long and you could just breeze through the chapters . For me , the reason why I couldn't just plunge into the book could be due to the lack of spookiness and ghost elements . When I jump into a book with the intention of getting spooked , I really do mean it . So if a book failed to spook me all that much , I would obviously be disappointed . But now , when I say that , I also don't mean that it did not spook me too because it did . The last few pages are the only things that saved the whole book . Even though the way the story played out was a bit predictable , I still enjoyed it and oh god that END . Holy baby penguins , I just died .
Infact I think why I choose to give this book a high rating is because of that end !
Other reasons why some may not like the book could be for the reason that the way the characters are portrayed . It would have been a bit more nice to know more about others . A little bit here and a little bit over there and this book would have been a sure winner !
Not that it's not a winner because to be able to spook a person is enough to show that yes , you have succeeded :)
“Can Aa-a-ana-liese come out and play?”
I'm usually a fast reader , so to take a week to finish this book is a shocker for me . Now as you may notice , I have given this book a rating of 3.5 which in my opinion is pretty huge . When I had read the synopsis of this book , I was hooked onto it ever since . Haunting ? Spooky ghosts ? A haunted corridor ? A ghost named Annaliese ? Also a bipolar protag ? Now who wouldn't want a piece of that .
Rinn Jacobs , a sixteen year old girl who is bipolar moves to a rural locality in Ohio from California after her grandmother's tragic death . This is the place where her mother grew up , so it is but natural that this would be a nice place to start over and stay well , right ? Wrong.
As Rinn settles in her home , she comes to know that her little new home is quite popular . And popularity why ?
An old lady killed herself in that house . And to Rinn's absolute horror , the old lady killed herself in the attic a.k.a Rinn's current abode a.k.a her cool place a.k.a her room .
To follow further are the rumours about the ghost of a girl named Annaliese who haunts the pool area and a corridor tagged as the 'tunnel' . Rinn is this girl whose new in town and is soooo curious that she agrees to have a nice tea party with ghosts , so she and her friends plan a seance . But hey you don't mess with the supernatural ! So thus , starts the ultimate saga of stupid teenagers .
Amidst all this comes Rinn's bipolarity and her mental condition and ofcourse , Annaliese and yes there's a cute hunky guy too .
Before I had started , I had gone ahead and checked several reviews and there was this one review which said that 'For a ghost novel there isn't much of a 'ghost' in here' and I absolutely agree with it . Like I mentioned before , I'm usually a fast reader , so taking a week to read this one here is quite surprising , considering the fact that it isn't all that long and you could just breeze through the chapters . For me , the reason why I couldn't just plunge into the book could be due to the lack of spookiness and ghost elements . When I jump into a book with the intention of getting spooked , I really do mean it . So if a book failed to spook me all that much , I would obviously be disappointed . But now , when I say that , I also don't mean that it did not spook me too because it did . The last few pages are the only things that saved the whole book . Even though the way the story played out was a bit predictable , I still enjoyed it and oh god that END . Holy baby penguins , I just died .
Infact I think why I choose to give this book a high rating is because of that end !
Other reasons why some may not like the book could be for the reason that the way the characters are portrayed . It would have been a bit more nice to know more about others . A little bit here and a little bit over there and this book would have been a sure winner !
Not that it's not a winner because to be able to spook a person is enough to show that yes , you have succeeded :)
October 26, 2012
I love a really great ghost story. I’m a fan of those where the author is not afraid to kill off a couple of characters and The Unquiet definitely surpassed my expectations. It was more of a thriller than a ghost story as we don’t really see a ghost in the story through most of it but crazy things begin to happen from the start after Rinn moves into town. It’s definitely not one you should be reading at night before going to sleep, I started thinking I could hear creaking noises and seeing shadows on the wall.
The creepiness of the story seeps out and will give you chills. I love stories like that, ones that will get so descriptive, where the main character herself can’t tell the difference between reality and imagination so the reader doesn’t even know what’s real or not. It makes you crazy trying to guess what the heck is going on and also eager for the time when all truth will be revealed. I was able to pretty much put two and two together and figure out why the ghost was only haunting certain people, it was frustrating that Rinn had such a hard time figuring it out when it was so obvious to the reader.
The Unquiet wasn’t just a creepy ghost story, there was also a bit of romance. We have Nate who’s a charming small town boy, a good guy that and we get to see a lot of him at the beginning of the novel. I enjoyed the funny dialogue between him and Rinn as they get to know each other. Unfortunately he does disappear for about half of the novel when Rinn begins to get obsessed about the ghost in her school and spends a lot of time with her new friends. This book should’ve come with a warning to not get attached to any of the characters in the story. There were quite a few shocking things that I didn’t see coming which made me flip the pages even faster, I finished this in one day which is kind of hard for me to do lately but that’s how hooked I was to it. Sleeping is for wimps! Even though the pacing slowed down a bit in the middle of the book I still enjoyed it a lot and the ending is not a happily ever after for everyone involved but it was a good one that left me with my mouth hanging open. Eeeek! If you want something to creep you out this Halloween or just any dreary day during this winter season then The Unquiet is a must read.
The creepiness of the story seeps out and will give you chills. I love stories like that, ones that will get so descriptive, where the main character herself can’t tell the difference between reality and imagination so the reader doesn’t even know what’s real or not. It makes you crazy trying to guess what the heck is going on and also eager for the time when all truth will be revealed. I was able to pretty much put two and two together and figure out why the ghost was only haunting certain people, it was frustrating that Rinn had such a hard time figuring it out when it was so obvious to the reader.
The Unquiet wasn’t just a creepy ghost story, there was also a bit of romance. We have Nate who’s a charming small town boy, a good guy that and we get to see a lot of him at the beginning of the novel. I enjoyed the funny dialogue between him and Rinn as they get to know each other. Unfortunately he does disappear for about half of the novel when Rinn begins to get obsessed about the ghost in her school and spends a lot of time with her new friends. This book should’ve come with a warning to not get attached to any of the characters in the story. There were quite a few shocking things that I didn’t see coming which made me flip the pages even faster, I finished this in one day which is kind of hard for me to do lately but that’s how hooked I was to it. Sleeping is for wimps! Even though the pacing slowed down a bit in the middle of the book I still enjoyed it a lot and the ending is not a happily ever after for everyone involved but it was a good one that left me with my mouth hanging open. Eeeek! If you want something to creep you out this Halloween or just any dreary day during this winter season then The Unquiet is a must read.
February 2, 2015
I was very shocked at the ending! It was very different and it really gave me some chills!
Characters: Rinn Jacobs is the main character and let me say, this girl is awesome! I would love to be friends with this girl! She is so sarcastic, stubborn, and just a strong person in general. She has bipolar disorder, and her sickness led to some events which leads to her moving to Ohio. Her character development was on point. Nate is awesome too.
Story: I really like the story. It is very different from the horror movies I have watched with ghosts haunting a certain area. I was pretty confused and weirded out with the events and then it all started o connect! It was awesome! The pacing was really good, there weren't any boring parts. I really liked the romance in this book. I thought it was really cute and I liked how they had nicknames for each other, and aawwww!
Despite the good parts, I did see some grammar mistakes, which was weird. But other than that, it was such a great read!
Characters: Rinn Jacobs is the main character and let me say, this girl is awesome! I would love to be friends with this girl! She is so sarcastic, stubborn, and just a strong person in general. She has bipolar disorder, and her sickness led to some events which leads to her moving to Ohio. Her character development was on point. Nate is awesome too.
Story: I really like the story. It is very different from the horror movies I have watched with ghosts haunting a certain area. I was pretty confused and weirded out with the events and then it all started o connect! It was awesome! The pacing was really good, there weren't any boring parts. I really liked the romance in this book. I thought it was really cute and I liked how they had nicknames for each other, and aawwww!
Despite the good parts, I did see some grammar mistakes, which was weird. But other than that, it was such a great read!
June 18, 2012
First Thoughts:
At first I didn’t know what to make of this book, I kind of felt distant from the story at first; it almost felt like a fluff book and I kind of have to be in a mood to read one of those books. And the characters! Oh My! It took some serious adjusting before this story really took off. But once you get past the point of fluffiness the book really picked up and I became intrigued with the story and the spookiness of it all. This was a fast and fun read; there was plenty of action and a lot of creepy moments. Though I wouldn’t call this a true horror book it does have its spooky moments but none to really scare you. This definitely was a book that surprised me in the end.
Plot:
The concept was unique in all its rights but it definitely had some unoriginal ideas; ghosts are nothing new. But what I liked was how the author was able to takes these past annoying and frustrating characters and get me to tolerate them and see how they turn this once simple book into something more. The concept was new and creative; I liked all of the backstories that helped bold the current conflict; it really made the book seem that more dimensional and interesting. And the ending was really spooky; I loved how the author chose to end this book; it really kind of made you just go huh. But I won’t ruin it for me just know that after you get through the initial part of this book it gets a lot better. And as far as the sub-plots they were really well placed; it allowed for the main plot to be better understood but at the same time creating a new little world. I liked the answers to the conflicts; I really felt the author was creative and organized. There were a few moments in this book that I could do without…but there weren’t many of them and in the end they really didn’t matter because the conclusion overpowered everything else. I did find that the end left some unanswered questions, I wanted to know what became of some of the characters that we got to know…I just felt let down in that part. As far as the pace of the book it’s pretty quick, just know the beginning is slow going but once you’re past that it goes at a much quicker pace. I think really in the end it’s the reader who determines the pace; some would find this slower while others faster. But overall I enjoyed the plot and only found few issues needing addressing.
Romance:
The romance was not something I enjoyed in this book; it just felt off to me. The initial start of the romance was awkward and just too cheesy for me. Thankfully the book wasn’t centered on just romance and was able to bring more to the table. But just know the romance kind of was always there and it stayed throughout the entire book. So overall this wasn’t a good aspect to the book but it didn’t take over it either.
Characters:
Some of the characters were past the point of no return to me; they were annoying from the start and never changed. But there were others like I mentioned earlier who started out bad but became better as the story progressed and thank goodness; I don’t know if I would have been able to read the book if they hadn’t. But the main character Rinn was a little weak in the beginning of the book; she had personality but she lacked important qualities to connect the reader to her. Rinn was kind of distant but as her story was told I was able to finally connect with her. As for the more minor characters they definitely were needed to move the story along and for some of the puzzle pieces to finally connect together. So overall the characters were good but some of them needed some adjustments done to them because they were not very likable to me at all.
Transformation of the Character:
Rinn did do a little transforming, she came from one form and slowly bloomed to another but it was subtle; only the sharpest eye could see the beauty of it. The transformation wasn’t rushed but instead slowly; the story slowly allowed the character to grow and better understand her world. Though I still Rinn has a lot more growing to do, we were still able to capture some of it. And as for other characters they didn’t necessarily transform but rather chose to stay the same. So in the end this was a good aspect to the story.
Description:
The description did a good job on creating the atmosphere of the book. I found that the amount of description varied at times depending on the moment in the book. Some scenes needed more description than others and I found it interesting how the author chose those scenes. I really did enjoy the way she described the tunnel and pool room, she did everything she could to make it sinister and give off the right vibe. As far as the dialogue it was good and seemed true to the character, I didn’t feel like there was too much or too little of it. So overall the description was really good when it came to describing the atmosphere of the book and the dialogue seemed to be just right. This was a good aspect of the book.
Style:
This was written in one POV which allowed for the story to be really narrowed and allowed more room for growth of the character. We were really able to see more detailed information of the characters surrounding Rinn. This book was also written in first person and allowed the reader to better connect and understand the main character. As for the author’s writing I found it easy to read and didn’t really have any problems with it. So overall the style of the book was a good aspect of the story.
Quote of the book:
“Sometimes, when I dream, the deadliest moment in my life happens all over again. That’s when I’m given the chance to do things differently.”
Goodreads Summary:
Sixteen-year-old Rinn Jacobs has secrets: One, she’s bipolar. Two, she killed her grandmother.
After a suicide attempt, and now her parents' separation, Rinn and her mom move from California to the rural Ohio town where her mother grew up. Back on her medications and hoping to stay well, Rinn settles into her new home, undaunted by the fact that the previous owner hanged herself in Rinn's bedroom. At school, her classmates believe the school pool is haunted by Annaliese, a girl who drowned there. But when a reckless séance goes awry, and terrible things start happening to her new friends—yet not to her—Rinn is determined to find out why she can’t be "touched" by Annaliese...or if Annaliese even exists.
With the help of Nate Brenner, the hunky “farmer boy” she’s rapidly falling for, Rinn devises a dangerous plan to uncover the truth. Soon reality and fantasy meld into one, till Rinn finds it nearly impossible to tell the difference. When a malevolent force threatens the lives of everyone she cares about--not to mention her own--she can't help wondering: who should she really be afraid of?
Annaliese? Or herself?
Last Thoughts:
I would recommend this to fans of ghosts and YA, This was an interesting slightly spooky story and found that it had a lot of hidden qualities that I didn’t see coming. And as far as my view of it from the beginning, it definitely changed for the better and I was really able to read this book quickly. I don’t think this book necessarily needs another book to explain more of the world but it’s quite possible but again it’d be nice to come across a book that was a stand-alone (those seem to be rare these days) But in the end I enjoyed the book and look forward to reading more by this author.
At first I didn’t know what to make of this book, I kind of felt distant from the story at first; it almost felt like a fluff book and I kind of have to be in a mood to read one of those books. And the characters! Oh My! It took some serious adjusting before this story really took off. But once you get past the point of fluffiness the book really picked up and I became intrigued with the story and the spookiness of it all. This was a fast and fun read; there was plenty of action and a lot of creepy moments. Though I wouldn’t call this a true horror book it does have its spooky moments but none to really scare you. This definitely was a book that surprised me in the end.
Plot:
The concept was unique in all its rights but it definitely had some unoriginal ideas; ghosts are nothing new. But what I liked was how the author was able to takes these past annoying and frustrating characters and get me to tolerate them and see how they turn this once simple book into something more. The concept was new and creative; I liked all of the backstories that helped bold the current conflict; it really made the book seem that more dimensional and interesting. And the ending was really spooky; I loved how the author chose to end this book; it really kind of made you just go huh. But I won’t ruin it for me just know that after you get through the initial part of this book it gets a lot better. And as far as the sub-plots they were really well placed; it allowed for the main plot to be better understood but at the same time creating a new little world. I liked the answers to the conflicts; I really felt the author was creative and organized. There were a few moments in this book that I could do without…but there weren’t many of them and in the end they really didn’t matter because the conclusion overpowered everything else. I did find that the end left some unanswered questions, I wanted to know what became of some of the characters that we got to know…I just felt let down in that part. As far as the pace of the book it’s pretty quick, just know the beginning is slow going but once you’re past that it goes at a much quicker pace. I think really in the end it’s the reader who determines the pace; some would find this slower while others faster. But overall I enjoyed the plot and only found few issues needing addressing.
Romance:
The romance was not something I enjoyed in this book; it just felt off to me. The initial start of the romance was awkward and just too cheesy for me. Thankfully the book wasn’t centered on just romance and was able to bring more to the table. But just know the romance kind of was always there and it stayed throughout the entire book. So overall this wasn’t a good aspect to the book but it didn’t take over it either.
Characters:
Some of the characters were past the point of no return to me; they were annoying from the start and never changed. But there were others like I mentioned earlier who started out bad but became better as the story progressed and thank goodness; I don’t know if I would have been able to read the book if they hadn’t. But the main character Rinn was a little weak in the beginning of the book; she had personality but she lacked important qualities to connect the reader to her. Rinn was kind of distant but as her story was told I was able to finally connect with her. As for the more minor characters they definitely were needed to move the story along and for some of the puzzle pieces to finally connect together. So overall the characters were good but some of them needed some adjustments done to them because they were not very likable to me at all.
Transformation of the Character:
Rinn did do a little transforming, she came from one form and slowly bloomed to another but it was subtle; only the sharpest eye could see the beauty of it. The transformation wasn’t rushed but instead slowly; the story slowly allowed the character to grow and better understand her world. Though I still Rinn has a lot more growing to do, we were still able to capture some of it. And as for other characters they didn’t necessarily transform but rather chose to stay the same. So in the end this was a good aspect to the story.
Description:
The description did a good job on creating the atmosphere of the book. I found that the amount of description varied at times depending on the moment in the book. Some scenes needed more description than others and I found it interesting how the author chose those scenes. I really did enjoy the way she described the tunnel and pool room, she did everything she could to make it sinister and give off the right vibe. As far as the dialogue it was good and seemed true to the character, I didn’t feel like there was too much or too little of it. So overall the description was really good when it came to describing the atmosphere of the book and the dialogue seemed to be just right. This was a good aspect of the book.
Style:
This was written in one POV which allowed for the story to be really narrowed and allowed more room for growth of the character. We were really able to see more detailed information of the characters surrounding Rinn. This book was also written in first person and allowed the reader to better connect and understand the main character. As for the author’s writing I found it easy to read and didn’t really have any problems with it. So overall the style of the book was a good aspect of the story.
Quote of the book:
“Sometimes, when I dream, the deadliest moment in my life happens all over again. That’s when I’m given the chance to do things differently.”
Goodreads Summary:
Sixteen-year-old Rinn Jacobs has secrets: One, she’s bipolar. Two, she killed her grandmother.
After a suicide attempt, and now her parents' separation, Rinn and her mom move from California to the rural Ohio town where her mother grew up. Back on her medications and hoping to stay well, Rinn settles into her new home, undaunted by the fact that the previous owner hanged herself in Rinn's bedroom. At school, her classmates believe the school pool is haunted by Annaliese, a girl who drowned there. But when a reckless séance goes awry, and terrible things start happening to her new friends—yet not to her—Rinn is determined to find out why she can’t be "touched" by Annaliese...or if Annaliese even exists.
With the help of Nate Brenner, the hunky “farmer boy” she’s rapidly falling for, Rinn devises a dangerous plan to uncover the truth. Soon reality and fantasy meld into one, till Rinn finds it nearly impossible to tell the difference. When a malevolent force threatens the lives of everyone she cares about--not to mention her own--she can't help wondering: who should she really be afraid of?
Annaliese? Or herself?
Last Thoughts:
I would recommend this to fans of ghosts and YA, This was an interesting slightly spooky story and found that it had a lot of hidden qualities that I didn’t see coming. And as far as my view of it from the beginning, it definitely changed for the better and I was really able to read this book quickly. I don’t think this book necessarily needs another book to explain more of the world but it’s quite possible but again it’d be nice to come across a book that was a stand-alone (those seem to be rare these days) But in the end I enjoyed the book and look forward to reading more by this author.
July 11, 2012
Read complete review here: http://notjustnonsense.blogspot.com/2...
Corinne Jacobs has been a good girl, taking all of her meds everyday, for 3 months and 13 days. Why she's being so careful and counting all the days like that? Because of what happened 3 months and 13 days ago. The time when she decided to stop with her bipolar meds and ended up killing her grandmother.
Now her stepfather hates her and her mother has dragged her from sunny California to chilling middle-of-nowhere Ohio, where she grew up. Rinn doesn't think that moving to this dinky little town will make anything better. But then she actually starts making friends. And the cute farmer boy next door is starting to look way too yummy. Oh, and she absolutely loves her new house and room up in the attic. Until she finds out that the previous owner killed herself up there, of course. Right after her granddaughter was found dead in the pool at Rinn's new school. Awwwwkward.
And, as if that wasn't freaky enough, she finds out that very strange things have been happening to the people who cross the 'Tunnel' (the part of the gym with the pool where Annaliese's body was found). Weird things have always happened there before, but now another student is found dead by the pool and Rinn's new friends start to act very bizarre. Is it the ghost of Annaliese? Is she haunting the pool area? Is she haunting Corinne? If so, why?
This book had so much in it! So much mystery, so much drama, so much angst and romance!! It really had everything a good book should have. I especially liked knowing/seeing more about how bipolar people act, what they have to deal and fight with everyday, how they really feel about themselves and everyone else. The pressure. The fear. The regret. The desire to just let go. The strength needed not to.
The Unquiet gives you very strange vibes throughout the book. You start to think that things are getting better, that Rinn herself is getting better and everything and everyone is going to be alright... then the creepiness starts and you have to control yourself not freak out over what's happening in a freaking book! LOL. Miss Garsee has such an engrossing, enrapturing and right-to-the-pont way of writing things that it sucks you right in and makes you feel comfortable... and that's when you should be careful. She makes you forget, repeatedly, that you're actually reading a ghost story, not an ordinary teenage tale. And it sneaks right up to you. Every. Single. Time. O.o
It's been a while since I've found a book's title that is as absolutely perfect or as fitting as this one is. Unquiet. That's exactly how you'll feel during the entire 'ride' that is Corinne's story. And afterwards. Yup. Even after you close the book and start to try to think of something else. It will stick with you. That unquiet feeling. That little chill behind your neck. And you'll love it.
P.S.: And Nate was so adorable!!! *-* It makes me want to move to Ohio, too. Like, right now.
* I received an eARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*
Corinne Jacobs has been a good girl, taking all of her meds everyday, for 3 months and 13 days. Why she's being so careful and counting all the days like that? Because of what happened 3 months and 13 days ago. The time when she decided to stop with her bipolar meds and ended up killing her grandmother.
Now her stepfather hates her and her mother has dragged her from sunny California to chilling middle-of-nowhere Ohio, where she grew up. Rinn doesn't think that moving to this dinky little town will make anything better. But then she actually starts making friends. And the cute farmer boy next door is starting to look way too yummy. Oh, and she absolutely loves her new house and room up in the attic. Until she finds out that the previous owner killed herself up there, of course. Right after her granddaughter was found dead in the pool at Rinn's new school. Awwwwkward.
And, as if that wasn't freaky enough, she finds out that very strange things have been happening to the people who cross the 'Tunnel' (the part of the gym with the pool where Annaliese's body was found). Weird things have always happened there before, but now another student is found dead by the pool and Rinn's new friends start to act very bizarre. Is it the ghost of Annaliese? Is she haunting the pool area? Is she haunting Corinne? If so, why?
This book had so much in it! So much mystery, so much drama, so much angst and romance!! It really had everything a good book should have. I especially liked knowing/seeing more about how bipolar people act, what they have to deal and fight with everyday, how they really feel about themselves and everyone else. The pressure. The fear. The regret. The desire to just let go. The strength needed not to.
The Unquiet gives you very strange vibes throughout the book. You start to think that things are getting better, that Rinn herself is getting better and everything and everyone is going to be alright... then the creepiness starts and you have to control yourself not freak out over what's happening in a freaking book! LOL. Miss Garsee has such an engrossing, enrapturing and right-to-the-pont way of writing things that it sucks you right in and makes you feel comfortable... and that's when you should be careful. She makes you forget, repeatedly, that you're actually reading a ghost story, not an ordinary teenage tale. And it sneaks right up to you. Every. Single. Time. O.o
It's been a while since I've found a book's title that is as absolutely perfect or as fitting as this one is. Unquiet. That's exactly how you'll feel during the entire 'ride' that is Corinne's story. And afterwards. Yup. Even after you close the book and start to try to think of something else. It will stick with you. That unquiet feeling. That little chill behind your neck. And you'll love it.
P.S.: And Nate was so adorable!!! *-* It makes me want to move to Ohio, too. Like, right now.
* I received an eARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*
June 26, 2012
This book was simply amazing in the most chilling and twisted way!
Rinn is finally starting to put her life back together after discovering that she is bipolar. Thankfully now that she is on the proper medication things are starting to be more normal. Although overcoming everything that happened before she started taking the meds isn't as easy as she would have hoped. So her and her mother pack up and leave California for the small Ohio town her mother grew up in. While trying to start over Rinn soon discovers even small towns have big secrets. Secrets that could very well turn deadly...
First of all I just have to say that I LOVED this writing style. The way the worlds flow just makes you feel like you are right there in the middle of it all. It's real, it's raw, it's perfect. I loved Rinn from the start. Her personality and the way she was handling the loss of her grandmother and the start of her new life along with being bipolar was done seamlessly. And then of course there was Nate...who could have asked for a better love interest? He was Rinn's yin to her yang. Where Rinn is slightly unstable and a little high strung at times, he was your typical sweet, down to earth, country boy. He didn't care that Rinn was bipolar, or about the things that she did when her illness drove her crazy. He just cared and loved Rinn for who she was no matter the good or the bad.
But enough of my fawning over the love story here. The ghost story was hauntingly perfect. In fact it was done in a way that I would love to see this made into a movie. I think it would be great. It's creepy and gives you the chills. It just might keep you up at night. And then it hits you with a twist at the end that lets you know that this ghost picked it's victims for a reason. Not to mention the cliffhanger in the end that just might make you sleep with the light on.
Overall this book was a perfect mix of teenage angst, swoon worthy moments, and spin tingling chills. Hands down this book was awesome and made me remember why I love this genre so much!
Rinn is finally starting to put her life back together after discovering that she is bipolar. Thankfully now that she is on the proper medication things are starting to be more normal. Although overcoming everything that happened before she started taking the meds isn't as easy as she would have hoped. So her and her mother pack up and leave California for the small Ohio town her mother grew up in. While trying to start over Rinn soon discovers even small towns have big secrets. Secrets that could very well turn deadly...
First of all I just have to say that I LOVED this writing style. The way the worlds flow just makes you feel like you are right there in the middle of it all. It's real, it's raw, it's perfect. I loved Rinn from the start. Her personality and the way she was handling the loss of her grandmother and the start of her new life along with being bipolar was done seamlessly. And then of course there was Nate...who could have asked for a better love interest? He was Rinn's yin to her yang. Where Rinn is slightly unstable and a little high strung at times, he was your typical sweet, down to earth, country boy. He didn't care that Rinn was bipolar, or about the things that she did when her illness drove her crazy. He just cared and loved Rinn for who she was no matter the good or the bad.
But enough of my fawning over the love story here. The ghost story was hauntingly perfect. In fact it was done in a way that I would love to see this made into a movie. I think it would be great. It's creepy and gives you the chills. It just might keep you up at night. And then it hits you with a twist at the end that lets you know that this ghost picked it's victims for a reason. Not to mention the cliffhanger in the end that just might make you sleep with the light on.
Overall this book was a perfect mix of teenage angst, swoon worthy moments, and spin tingling chills. Hands down this book was awesome and made me remember why I love this genre so much!
July 10, 2012
The Unquiet was just what I was hoping it would be. It was twisted and creepy and also touched on the psychological aspects that really draw me into novels. Rinn is a very interesting character, she's very complex and I felt like her character was very strongly developed. Rinn is bipolar and blames herself for her grandmothers untimely death.
Rinn and her mother move to the town where her mother grew up and Rinn attends the same High School her mom attended. Lies, murder, and deception all lay dormant in this town and come to life as soon as Rinn and her mother return and Rinns curosity is peeked. The school is said to be haunted by a girl who was found dead in the swimming pool of the school back when her mother was in high school, and Annaleissa's ghost is said to haunt the tunnel that leads to the pool, as well as the pool.
When Rinn moves into Annaleissa's grandmothers' house where Annaleissa grew up and moves into the room where Annaleissa's grandmother hung herself after her granddaughter's death, that her curiosity hits a new and obsessive level. I feel like im not describing this book in a way that justifies the book at all, but it's so complex and has so many twists and turns that keeps the story moving along, that I feel like my words can't do justice to the storyline.
If you like ghost stories this one should definitely be added to your to-read list. Its creepy, and a bit of a psychological thriller. If you like The Body Finder series it has the same tone and was similar in the creepy/ghostly aspect, but the story itself is completley unique in concept. Jeannine Garsee has a great writing style and knows how to keep you on the edge of your seat!
Rinn and her mother move to the town where her mother grew up and Rinn attends the same High School her mom attended. Lies, murder, and deception all lay dormant in this town and come to life as soon as Rinn and her mother return and Rinns curosity is peeked. The school is said to be haunted by a girl who was found dead in the swimming pool of the school back when her mother was in high school, and Annaleissa's ghost is said to haunt the tunnel that leads to the pool, as well as the pool.
When Rinn moves into Annaleissa's grandmothers' house where Annaleissa grew up and moves into the room where Annaleissa's grandmother hung herself after her granddaughter's death, that her curiosity hits a new and obsessive level. I feel like im not describing this book in a way that justifies the book at all, but it's so complex and has so many twists and turns that keeps the story moving along, that I feel like my words can't do justice to the storyline.
If you like ghost stories this one should definitely be added to your to-read list. Its creepy, and a bit of a psychological thriller. If you like The Body Finder series it has the same tone and was similar in the creepy/ghostly aspect, but the story itself is completley unique in concept. Jeannine Garsee has a great writing style and knows how to keep you on the edge of your seat!
December 14, 2012
If you are looking for a really creepy novel where ghosts are not the benign Caspers that populate kiddie cartoons, The Unquiet is for you. It’s supernatural elements are truly frightening and the atmosphere evoked does a lot to create a sense of fear and hesitation as the narrative hinges upon the unknown. What I mean is, you don’t know where the narrative will go next. The Unquiet contains one of the most malevolent ghosts ever. The ghost as a backstory but that does not in any way give the ghost any sort of humanity or softness that you would otherwise expect.
Rinn is a compelling character and through we get to take a closer look at neurological disorders. She has bipolar disorder and a history of not taking her medicine. What makes Rinn’s circumstances perfect for this story is that even when she tells the truth about the ghost and its antics, no one will believe her because she has already been there and done that. They will think she’s delusional as a result of her disorder.
I wasn’t too keen on the romance though the love interest was pretty immersing. This would make a perfect Halloween thriller. I can imagine the tunnel and the swimming pool, gaping in the distance…eerie and waiting. And the ending is just as terrifying. Do I recommend it? Well, do you feel like being scared?
Rinn is a compelling character and through we get to take a closer look at neurological disorders. She has bipolar disorder and a history of not taking her medicine. What makes Rinn’s circumstances perfect for this story is that even when she tells the truth about the ghost and its antics, no one will believe her because she has already been there and done that. They will think she’s delusional as a result of her disorder.
I wasn’t too keen on the romance though the love interest was pretty immersing. This would make a perfect Halloween thriller. I can imagine the tunnel and the swimming pool, gaping in the distance…eerie and waiting. And the ending is just as terrifying. Do I recommend it? Well, do you feel like being scared?
April 21, 2012
I can honestly say that I did not like the book that much for the first 50 pages. I found Rinn annoying (but then again, I tend to dislike any character as soon as they say "Ohmigosh") and I couldn't stand the friends that she was putting up with. However, I really liked the plot that was being set up so I stuck it through. I also realized that Rinn was in a bit of a delicate and desperate situation and honestly, I would have done the same thing. As the book progressed, I became more immersed in the story and became more curious about the ghost that supposedly haunted the tunnel. I was worried that the book would not be dark enough, but I was not disappointed. Garsee found the perfect balance in this book! The character of "Rinn" became more and more interesting as the story progressed and I enjoyed that Garsee didn't reveal too much about her past all at once. I do wish, though, that we could have gotten to know Nate a bit better. I found this to be a problem with many of the supporting/side characters in the book. The story may have been about Rinn, but I would have liked to have known a bit more about these characters and seen a bit more development. Yes, things may have happened to them, but what were they all about?
All in all, I really found this to be a very enjoyable book. I definitely plan on lending this one out :~)
All in all, I really found this to be a very enjoyable book. I definitely plan on lending this one out :~)
August 1, 2012
This book disturbed me, in the best possible way. Rinn is hoping to leave her past behind, and start fresh as the new girl in her mom’s hometown. She’s got a love interest in the cute neighbor boy, Nate, and a friend of the family means she’s got an in with the in-crowd at school. Things seem to be going well until she learns the shocking history of their rented house, and becomes involved with the secretive past of the old school pool.
This was such a page turner, and at times I couldn’t figure out what was real and what was in her head. And no one really gets what is happening – and when disaster strikes, no one will listen or believe her. Is it too late to save herself, and those closest to her?
I’d highly recommend this to teens, but I think adults will really enjoy the thriller aspect of this – and the mix of adults also keeps the story grounded, even when the adults seem to be a part of the problem.
I really, really hope we get a second book, because I really want to find out what happens – to Rinn, to the house, the school…and the ghost.
This was such a page turner, and at times I couldn’t figure out what was real and what was in her head. And no one really gets what is happening – and when disaster strikes, no one will listen or believe her. Is it too late to save herself, and those closest to her?
I’d highly recommend this to teens, but I think adults will really enjoy the thriller aspect of this – and the mix of adults also keeps the story grounded, even when the adults seem to be a part of the problem.
I really, really hope we get a second book, because I really want to find out what happens – to Rinn, to the house, the school…and the ghost.
August 25, 2012
3.5
Upon finishing this book last night, I was left scratching my head. For I'm not really sure if there was a ghost or if it was a story of a girl spiraling into madness. I guess you'll have to decide for yourself. Aside from that, it's a fairly quick read. The story moves along at a swift pace. Though kinda gets a tad wonky towards the end and happened rather quickly to boot. Bam! THE END.
The Unquiet definitely has a Girl Interrupted vibe if the characters had been checked out of treatment, add in a pinch of Mean Girls, and a dash of Ghost Hunters and there you have it. Though don't read this book if you're expecting grim, grinning ghosts. You'll be sorely disappointed. More of the hunting and sleuthing.
Upon finishing this book last night, I was left scratching my head. For I'm not really sure if there was a ghost or if it was a story of a girl spiraling into madness. I guess you'll have to decide for yourself. Aside from that, it's a fairly quick read. The story moves along at a swift pace. Though kinda gets a tad wonky towards the end and happened rather quickly to boot. Bam! THE END.
The Unquiet definitely has a Girl Interrupted vibe if the characters had been checked out of treatment, add in a pinch of Mean Girls, and a dash of Ghost Hunters and there you have it. Though don't read this book if you're expecting grim, grinning ghosts. You'll be sorely disappointed. More of the hunting and sleuthing.
January 15, 2014
The Unquiet was a good read, but the main character annoyed me at points.
Rinn did come out with some funny lines, and did try her best to work out what was happening, but sometimes, her best efforts weren't that great.
She was just really slow on the uptake. It took her ages to figure out things that were quite obvious.
She could also be really stupid when it came to her medication.
Some of the other characters annoyed me slightly too.
Apart from that, i did enjoy the story.
The "creepy" goings on, weren't that creepy, but i still enjoyed it.
Rinn did come out with some funny lines, and did try her best to work out what was happening, but sometimes, her best efforts weren't that great.
She was just really slow on the uptake. It took her ages to figure out things that were quite obvious.
She could also be really stupid when it came to her medication.
Some of the other characters annoyed me slightly too.
Apart from that, i did enjoy the story.
The "creepy" goings on, weren't that creepy, but i still enjoyed it.
September 2, 2015
The Unquiet captured my attention from the first page. I love ghost stories, and horror stories, and this one was one of the best that I have read. This book was a quick read with an interesting plot.
I really liked getting to know Rinn as a character, and how she grows throughout the story. I also really enjoyed Nate as a romantic interest.
I highly recommend this book!
I really liked getting to know Rinn as a character, and how she grows throughout the story. I also really enjoyed Nate as a romantic interest.
I highly recommend this book!
January 26, 2012
A fast-paced creepy ghost story, very original. I loved it!
December 23, 2015
Characters:
Rinn: For the most part I really liked Rinn. She's a complex character with deep-seated guilt pushed down inside her (some of which she's aware of, like feeling guilty about her grandmother's death). It seems to have come to the point where she doesn't trust herself, and yet she lashes out at other people for not trusting her. She's also got a snarky attitude and a bit of a chip on her shoulder, but she's quite frank and open about who she is.
Nate: Nate's a considerate, good-natured, easygoing, "average" kind of guy. He doesn't have much of a temper and not much fazes him. I thought he was really good for Rinn because she's a little impulsive and unstable at times (especially when she's not on her meds) and she needs someone in her life who's really steady and provides a calming presence. They bicker sometimes, but their romance was cute and I actually could have used a bit more of it — the mystery and ghostly incidents definitely take precedence here. I wish we had more cute scenes with them enjoying themselves, but there are always bad things happening so we don't see a lot of that. Often one or both of them is cranky!
Annaliese: I feel like we could have been given stronger motivations for Annaliese.
The adults:
In many YA books the adults are just thrust to the side as the storyline centers on the teens, but in The Unquiet the adults end up playing a fairly significant role, especially in the second half. Although some of the parents in here don't seem to notice what's going on with their kids — Meg's tinnitus and Lacy's headaches are prime examples — and wait way too long to take them into the doctor! (Not that it would actually help, but still.)
Frank: we don't get to see much of him, but it's obvious that Rinn genuinely likes and cares about her stepfather, and she's upset that he seems mad at her and apparently can't stand to be in the same house as her (because he blames her for his mom's death, or at least that's what Rinn believes). I like that even though he's no blood relation to her, she cares so much about her stepdad's opinion of her. Usually in step-parent–child relationships we're shown a lot of antagonism from the child toward the step-parent (they resent them for trying to take over the role of mom/dad in their life) but I'm not sure if Frank and Rinn ever had that source of tension in their relationship. Rather, she feels remorseful, as she at least partially blames herself, and she thinks that he blames her as well. Frank is like a dad to her and she wants him to love and trust her again.
Premise:
I very much appreciate that The Unquiet features a protagonist who's already perfectly well aware of how her bipolar disorder affects her and is on medication for it. It's not about her discovering that she has bipolar disorder and getting used to that idea and how to treat it, as is so common in YA "issue books." Instead, The Unquiet deals with someone who has had lots of bad things happen in the past because of her bipolar, and she knows how she acts when she's not on her meds. I liked seeing the insight Rinn has into her disorder.
Jeannine Garsee cleverly ties in Rinn's mental health issues with the paranormal storyline, and we get to see her both on and off her meds. She stops taking them at one point to test a theory about what's going on with the ghost, which both allows us to see how Rinn behaves when not on her meds, but at the same time furthers the paranormal plot. This is a bit of a stretch, yes, but you have to take some things in this book with a grain of salt anyway.
I liked the way the mental health issues were tackled. The Unquiet touches upon not only bipolar disorder but also (to a much lesser degree) suicide and bullying, and it was neat to see these issues being addressed in a paranormal novel. The paranormal elements probably end up taking up more "screen time" but the author manages to provide a fairly good balance of both. Bipolar disorder is certainly a significant part of Rinn's life, and as far as I can tell the bipolar aspects are presented quite accurately. Rinn's description of how she acts when not on medication, and what we see from her when she (for a short time) stops taking her meds, is in line with the sort of "acting out" behaviours that people with bipolar may demonstrate. It is a little difficult to tell, though, what is due to Anneliese and what is the effect of Rinn's bipolar (which may be intentional).
The bullying and related high school teen behaviour is also believably portrayed. Jeannine Garsee captures well just how spiteful and cruel teens can act to each other, and how shortsighted and impulsive they can be.
Plot:
It's a little confusing to follow because of the ghostly happenings, as well as that at one point Rinn stops taking her meds, which makes her less reliable as a narrator. As I read, it felt like the plot was meandering and not very coherent, because all of these seemingly unrelated incidents were occurring (that turn out to be related after all).
Compared to the well-done characterization, the paranormal plot is a weaker aspect of The Unquiet. Jeannine Garsee follows a traditional representation of ghosts, which is executed well but doesn't explore anything too different from what's been done before. We don't ever really get a full, satisfying explanation of all the mysterious events. The ghost seems to have a lot of powers without restrictions: she can move around, possess people, make them see hallucinations... and I prefer it when there are specified limits on a fantastical being's powers. Otherwise, too much power is given to the paranormal elements to just explain away all the unusual occurrences.
The climactic scene was not particularly impressive. I really dislike it when the magic that is being used to vanquish evil is vaguely described, and that was the case here. Honestly, I couldn't even tell you what happened exactly because it's so confusing.
The book ended on a perfect note, though — just creepy and unsettling enough to make you think it's not quite a happy ending.
Final verdict: 3.5 shooting stars. It's a pretty dark read, and I really liked the concept of combining a paranormal plot with a character who has mental health issues. A stronger climactic scene and better explanations would definitely have improved my rating.
Disclaimer: I received a copy for review from the author.
Rinn: For the most part I really liked Rinn. She's a complex character with deep-seated guilt pushed down inside her (some of which she's aware of, like feeling guilty about her grandmother's death). It seems to have come to the point where she doesn't trust herself, and yet she lashes out at other people for not trusting her. She's also got a snarky attitude and a bit of a chip on her shoulder, but she's quite frank and open about who she is.
Nate: Nate's a considerate, good-natured, easygoing, "average" kind of guy. He doesn't have much of a temper and not much fazes him. I thought he was really good for Rinn because she's a little impulsive and unstable at times (especially when she's not on her meds) and she needs someone in her life who's really steady and provides a calming presence. They bicker sometimes, but their romance was cute and I actually could have used a bit more of it — the mystery and ghostly incidents definitely take precedence here. I wish we had more cute scenes with them enjoying themselves, but there are always bad things happening so we don't see a lot of that. Often one or both of them is cranky!
Annaliese: I feel like we could have been given stronger motivations for Annaliese.
The adults:
In many YA books the adults are just thrust to the side as the storyline centers on the teens, but in The Unquiet the adults end up playing a fairly significant role, especially in the second half. Although some of the parents in here don't seem to notice what's going on with their kids — Meg's tinnitus and Lacy's headaches are prime examples — and wait way too long to take them into the doctor! (Not that it would actually help, but still.)
Frank: we don't get to see much of him, but it's obvious that Rinn genuinely likes and cares about her stepfather, and she's upset that he seems mad at her and apparently can't stand to be in the same house as her (because he blames her for his mom's death, or at least that's what Rinn believes). I like that even though he's no blood relation to her, she cares so much about her stepdad's opinion of her. Usually in step-parent–child relationships we're shown a lot of antagonism from the child toward the step-parent (they resent them for trying to take over the role of mom/dad in their life) but I'm not sure if Frank and Rinn ever had that source of tension in their relationship. Rather, she feels remorseful, as she at least partially blames herself, and she thinks that he blames her as well. Frank is like a dad to her and she wants him to love and trust her again.
Premise:
I very much appreciate that The Unquiet features a protagonist who's already perfectly well aware of how her bipolar disorder affects her and is on medication for it. It's not about her discovering that she has bipolar disorder and getting used to that idea and how to treat it, as is so common in YA "issue books." Instead, The Unquiet deals with someone who has had lots of bad things happen in the past because of her bipolar, and she knows how she acts when she's not on her meds. I liked seeing the insight Rinn has into her disorder.
Jeannine Garsee cleverly ties in Rinn's mental health issues with the paranormal storyline, and we get to see her both on and off her meds. She stops taking them at one point to test a theory about what's going on with the ghost, which both allows us to see how Rinn behaves when not on her meds, but at the same time furthers the paranormal plot. This is a bit of a stretch, yes, but you have to take some things in this book with a grain of salt anyway.
I liked the way the mental health issues were tackled. The Unquiet touches upon not only bipolar disorder but also (to a much lesser degree) suicide and bullying, and it was neat to see these issues being addressed in a paranormal novel. The paranormal elements probably end up taking up more "screen time" but the author manages to provide a fairly good balance of both. Bipolar disorder is certainly a significant part of Rinn's life, and as far as I can tell the bipolar aspects are presented quite accurately. Rinn's description of how she acts when not on medication, and what we see from her when she (for a short time) stops taking her meds, is in line with the sort of "acting out" behaviours that people with bipolar may demonstrate. It is a little difficult to tell, though, what is due to Anneliese and what is the effect of Rinn's bipolar (which may be intentional).
The bullying and related high school teen behaviour is also believably portrayed. Jeannine Garsee captures well just how spiteful and cruel teens can act to each other, and how shortsighted and impulsive they can be.
Plot:
It's a little confusing to follow because of the ghostly happenings, as well as that at one point Rinn stops taking her meds, which makes her less reliable as a narrator. As I read, it felt like the plot was meandering and not very coherent, because all of these seemingly unrelated incidents were occurring (that turn out to be related after all).
Compared to the well-done characterization, the paranormal plot is a weaker aspect of The Unquiet. Jeannine Garsee follows a traditional representation of ghosts, which is executed well but doesn't explore anything too different from what's been done before. We don't ever really get a full, satisfying explanation of all the mysterious events. The ghost seems to have a lot of powers without restrictions: she can move around, possess people, make them see hallucinations... and I prefer it when there are specified limits on a fantastical being's powers. Otherwise, too much power is given to the paranormal elements to just explain away all the unusual occurrences.
The climactic scene was not particularly impressive. I really dislike it when the magic that is being used to vanquish evil is vaguely described, and that was the case here. Honestly, I couldn't even tell you what happened exactly because it's so confusing.
The book ended on a perfect note, though — just creepy and unsettling enough to make you think it's not quite a happy ending.
Final verdict: 3.5 shooting stars. It's a pretty dark read, and I really liked the concept of combining a paranormal plot with a character who has mental health issues. A stronger climactic scene and better explanations would definitely have improved my rating.
Disclaimer: I received a copy for review from the author.
August 14, 2017
First of all, my Portuguese version of the book was crap. The translation was really bad, lots of grammar mistakes and filled with typos in every single page. The language was bad, also. I can't say it wasn't fun to read, kept me interested and very curious. But it lacks a lot of important stuff. I thought Corrine was not developed very well and she lacked personality a lot of times, leaving the reader with an empty girl. I've finished the book and I feel like I don't know her, even though it's all about Rinn.
The ending is just about crap. So badly written and again, empty. You read the whole thing just to end it like that... it's just disappointing. I was really hoping for a decent finale, but all I got was nothing. It's not explained well and it just ends with the most ridiculous scene. Annelise is so easily defeated. The ghost thing did not convince me. It was a very generic ending. Like the writer was tired of it and just wanted to put an end to it.
I have mixed feelings. I wanted to like this book, I really did, but combining it all, just makes it a big 'meh'. Do I recommend it? Idk, maybe. It did pass the time and I've had fun in the beginning, but really made me angry when I've finished it. Not only because of the ending, but because nothing was added to my life.
The ending is just about crap. So badly written and again, empty. You read the whole thing just to end it like that... it's just disappointing. I was really hoping for a decent finale, but all I got was nothing. It's not explained well and it just ends with the most ridiculous scene. Annelise is so easily defeated. The ghost thing did not convince me. It was a very generic ending. Like the writer was tired of it and just wanted to put an end to it.
I have mixed feelings. I wanted to like this book, I really did, but combining it all, just makes it a big 'meh'. Do I recommend it? Idk, maybe. It did pass the time and I've had fun in the beginning, but really made me angry when I've finished it. Not only because of the ending, but because nothing was added to my life.
gave-up-on
July 11, 2018Have you ever been reading a 📚& suddenly get tripped on a minor detail and that’s all you think about for the rest of the reading? That was me when I read that there’s a Barney’s in this middle of nowhere small town. Though I read about 150 pages, I couldn’t recover from that or from the, in my opinion, not great writing. What was supposed to be a paranormal ghost story was really a teenage girl who kept obsessing over her medications and bipolar disorder to the degree it didn’t feel real to me. It got to be too much for me, as did the unnecessary melodrama of bringing up her past and what a “bad girl” she used to be. I tried though.
January 27, 2025
I have conflicting opinions on this book. On one hand, it's messy. Mental illness is kind of sensationalized, there's a romance that has no basis behind it, and the main character seems to not care how mean her new "friends" are being, both to her and to others. But on the other hand, the whole set up of the mystery and horror of what ends up happening is so good. There are multiple scenes that are genuinely scary. The ending was pretty good too, but I think I'm gonna stick around 3⭐️
June 9, 2020
This was pretty good and fast paced. I liked it.
I did get pretty frustrated when Rinn took forever to figure out what was wrong with her mum. I wanted to knock some sense into her with her own book, it was so obvious. It wasn't hard to figure out why Annalise did what she did but i did not expect what happened in the last couple of pages. Also at first i did't think Jeannine would kill anyone but clearly i was wrong .
All in all, i liked my time with the book.
I did get pretty frustrated when Rinn took forever to figure out what was wrong with her mum. I wanted to knock some sense into her with her own book, it was so obvious. It wasn't hard to figure out why Annalise did what she did but i did not expect what happened in the last couple of pages. Also at first i did't think Jeannine would kill anyone but clearly i was wrong .
All in all, i liked my time with the book.
December 19, 2017
3.5 stars. Engaging at times. other times it fell flat for me.
July 9, 2021
kind of a hot mess but is definitely entertaining
August 13, 2012
Spoilers
Rinn Jacobs has struggled with bipolar disorder since she was fourteen. She's been in trouble countless times but with her medication she's stable. However, one night when Rinn doesn't take her medication, her out of control behaviour causes an accident that make her parents separate. Rinn's mother moves her to the hometown she grew up in. Rinn initially hates her new home but begins to warm to it when she makes new friends. Rinn's stability is threatened though when she finds out that her school is haunted by the ghost of a former student. She starts to notice strange things at school and after a seance her friends start to act out of character. When a student is killed at school, Rinn believes that the ghost is responsible and she becomes determined to find out more about the ghost.
-The storyline was entertaining to begin with but once Rinn started to investigate the ghost and experiment with her medication it just dragged and became quite dull. The reveal of who the ghost was and why it was vengeful was disappointing. I would have preferred if the ghost's identity was kept a mystery as it would have been far more engrossing.
The characters were rubbish with the exception of Nate. There was far too much girl hate going on, most of the females acted like silly little children instead of young adults.
-The heroine, Rinn was a selfish, judgmental brat. She treated her mum like rubbish and her mum just let her get away with Rinn walking all over her. Her attitude didn't bother me as much as it should have though because she was a change from the usual do goody, boring YA heroines. She was annoying and stupid but she wasn't the worst YA heroine.
There were a few things that Rinn did that pissed me off like her letting her friend, Dion risk getting himself hurt just so he could retrieve a crappy candleholder she made in art class. She also let her neighbour and love interest, Nate, risk his life because she was curious about the ghost.
She has a few stupid moments too - when her friends do a seance and things go wrong, Rinn asks them what happened. Her friends have no idea what she's talking about and it's quite clear that no-one remembers anything but Rinn stupidly thinks that every single one of her friends is lying to her, even though they have no good reason to.
Rinn wasn't a virgin which I liked, I'm sick of all YA heroines being virgins but I wish the reason that she had sex was because she wanted to rather than her saying it was down to being bipolar.
-Rinn's idiocy was infuriating, she comes up with the world's stupidest plan - she speculates that she can't be affected by ghosts because of her bipolar medication. So she comes up with the 'brilliant' plan of seeing if she gets haunted if she doesn't take her pills. She thinks that it'll prove that the pills shield her against ghosts. She doesn't consider how she'll know if she's really being haunted or if it's just all in her head - it was such a ridiculous plan.
Apparently pills for ADHD, bipolar and depression all shielded against ghosts even though they're chemically very different - it just didn't sound possible.
-The romance wasn't bad, Nate was a likable love interest but his interactions with Rinn didn't exactly set the pages on fire. I was glad that they didn't make any cheesy declarations about how much they love each other.
Rinn does have female friends, which I was happy about, unfortunately they were all horrible. The way they bullied another girl because of her weight was disgusting, I did find it interesting that Rinn didn't encourage the bullying but she also didn't make an effort to stop it. It was understandable in a way, she didn't want to lose her friends by sticking up for someone they didn't like so she just did what was easiest for her. I thought it was realistic, everyone wants to fit in and 'good' people won't always do the right thing if it means losing out. Most YA heroines are too perfect, too preachy and always do the right thing, they're not relatable because people don't always act brave or selfless or compassionate or forgiving like the ridiculous heroines in YA land.
I did think that some parts in the first half were fairly engrossing but overall it just didn't hold my interest. The ending was a bit of a let down, the plot of who the ghost was and why it was angry was underwhelming. I was disappointed that the plot surrounding the ghost wasn't resolved by the end. Everything about the ghost was revealed - the who's, what's, where's so there's nothing much left for that particular plot to offer. It just doesn't need another book because there's no mystery left for the characters to find out.
All in all, this one was largely forgettable, I don't think I'll be reading the sequel.
Rinn Jacobs has struggled with bipolar disorder since she was fourteen. She's been in trouble countless times but with her medication she's stable. However, one night when Rinn doesn't take her medication, her out of control behaviour causes an accident that make her parents separate. Rinn's mother moves her to the hometown she grew up in. Rinn initially hates her new home but begins to warm to it when she makes new friends. Rinn's stability is threatened though when she finds out that her school is haunted by the ghost of a former student. She starts to notice strange things at school and after a seance her friends start to act out of character. When a student is killed at school, Rinn believes that the ghost is responsible and she becomes determined to find out more about the ghost.
-The storyline was entertaining to begin with but once Rinn started to investigate the ghost and experiment with her medication it just dragged and became quite dull. The reveal of who the ghost was and why it was vengeful was disappointing. I would have preferred if the ghost's identity was kept a mystery as it would have been far more engrossing.
The characters were rubbish with the exception of Nate. There was far too much girl hate going on, most of the females acted like silly little children instead of young adults.
-The heroine, Rinn was a selfish, judgmental brat. She treated her mum like rubbish and her mum just let her get away with Rinn walking all over her. Her attitude didn't bother me as much as it should have though because she was a change from the usual do goody, boring YA heroines. She was annoying and stupid but she wasn't the worst YA heroine.
There were a few things that Rinn did that pissed me off like her letting her friend, Dion risk getting himself hurt just so he could retrieve a crappy candleholder she made in art class. She also let her neighbour and love interest, Nate, risk his life because she was curious about the ghost.
She has a few stupid moments too - when her friends do a seance and things go wrong, Rinn asks them what happened. Her friends have no idea what she's talking about and it's quite clear that no-one remembers anything but Rinn stupidly thinks that every single one of her friends is lying to her, even though they have no good reason to.
Rinn wasn't a virgin which I liked, I'm sick of all YA heroines being virgins but I wish the reason that she had sex was because she wanted to rather than her saying it was down to being bipolar.
-Rinn's idiocy was infuriating, she comes up with the world's stupidest plan - she speculates that she can't be affected by ghosts because of her bipolar medication. So she comes up with the 'brilliant' plan of seeing if she gets haunted if she doesn't take her pills. She thinks that it'll prove that the pills shield her against ghosts. She doesn't consider how she'll know if she's really being haunted or if it's just all in her head - it was such a ridiculous plan.
Apparently pills for ADHD, bipolar and depression all shielded against ghosts even though they're chemically very different - it just didn't sound possible.
-The romance wasn't bad, Nate was a likable love interest but his interactions with Rinn didn't exactly set the pages on fire. I was glad that they didn't make any cheesy declarations about how much they love each other.
Rinn does have female friends, which I was happy about, unfortunately they were all horrible. The way they bullied another girl because of her weight was disgusting, I did find it interesting that Rinn didn't encourage the bullying but she also didn't make an effort to stop it. It was understandable in a way, she didn't want to lose her friends by sticking up for someone they didn't like so she just did what was easiest for her. I thought it was realistic, everyone wants to fit in and 'good' people won't always do the right thing if it means losing out. Most YA heroines are too perfect, too preachy and always do the right thing, they're not relatable because people don't always act brave or selfless or compassionate or forgiving like the ridiculous heroines in YA land.
I did think that some parts in the first half were fairly engrossing but overall it just didn't hold my interest. The ending was a bit of a let down, the plot of who the ghost was and why it was angry was underwhelming. I was disappointed that the plot surrounding the ghost wasn't resolved by the end. Everything about the ghost was revealed - the who's, what's, where's so there's nothing much left for that particular plot to offer. It just doesn't need another book because there's no mystery left for the characters to find out.
All in all, this one was largely forgettable, I don't think I'll be reading the sequel.
July 11, 2012
I love a good ghost story, so I had high expectations for Jeannine Garsee’s The Unquiet. Unfortunately, those expectations were not met. This book has its entertaining qualities, but overall I found it to be a disappointing read.
Sixteen year old Rinn Jacobs and her mother have just moved to her mother’s small hometown in Ohio and Rinn hopes to escape her past, which includes a lot of trouble and a suicide attempt. Rinn is also harboring two secrets: 1) she’s bipolar and 2) she killed her grandmother. She quickly makes friends with the popular girls at school and even begins a flirtation with a cute neighbor. Even learning that the former house-owner hanged herself in Rinn’s new room can’t scare her away from her new home and life. But then weird things at school start to happen and people blame Annaliese, a young girl who drowned in the pool twenty years ago, and Rinn decides to figure out why this ghost girl is going after her friends. The deeper she delves into this ghost mystery, the harder Rinn finds it to distinguish between reality and fantasy, and she begins to fear not only Annaliese, but herself as well.
The Unquiet has a potentially captivating and original premise, but lacks great execution. There’s a genuine creepy factor to the story, but this was overshadowed by the lackluster storytelling, dull characters and predictable storyline.
The one thing I actually like and enjoy in this book is the haunting, chilling atmosphere that Garsee creates. There are definitely moments that had my spine tingling and had me checking over my shoulder. Despite an overall predictable storyline, there is a build-up of suspense, which is what kept me reading.
Unfortunately, the eeriness surrounding the Annaliese storyline is hampered by the slow pacing and fragmented storytelling. At almost 400 pages, this is a longer read and any real action or ghost stuff doesn’t really happen till after the half-way point. And I wish there had actually been more of the paranormal elements, because honestly, the emotional and romantic elements failed to enthrall or captivate me.
I think the reason I was unable to fully enjoy this book is because I found the characters trite, unlikable, with no real dimension or layers; they’re like contrived, convenient cardboard cutouts (try saying that three times fast!). I had a hard time relating to the heroine Rinn, or even really liking her. Rinn’s new friends are shallow, boring and often mean girls and even her love interest, Nate, is dull.The flirtation between Rinn and Nate is tolerable at best. They interact by resorting to what’s meant to be humorous bantering and friendly teasing, but the humor falls flat and just had me rolling my eyes. The characters’ personalities change quickly and in a very uncomfortably jarring way.
One of my biggest issues is with the way Rinn’s bipolar disorder is explored or, really, with the way it isn’t explored. Her disorder plays such an integral part of the story and I would have liked if it was explored more in-depth. I can appreciate what the author attempts to do by creating a fractured reality for Rinn, but this often leads to confusing scenes.
Like I mentioned above, the mystery surrounding Annaliese is what kept me reading until the end, despite its predictability, but the actual ending of the book is a let down. I think a lot of readers will like the surprising and unexpected ending, but I found it overly campy.
MY FINAL THOUGHTS: While The Unquiet has its creepy moments and potentially original premise, its unlikable characters; slow pacing and dull storyline kept me from truly enjoying it.
Sixteen year old Rinn Jacobs and her mother have just moved to her mother’s small hometown in Ohio and Rinn hopes to escape her past, which includes a lot of trouble and a suicide attempt. Rinn is also harboring two secrets: 1) she’s bipolar and 2) she killed her grandmother. She quickly makes friends with the popular girls at school and even begins a flirtation with a cute neighbor. Even learning that the former house-owner hanged herself in Rinn’s new room can’t scare her away from her new home and life. But then weird things at school start to happen and people blame Annaliese, a young girl who drowned in the pool twenty years ago, and Rinn decides to figure out why this ghost girl is going after her friends. The deeper she delves into this ghost mystery, the harder Rinn finds it to distinguish between reality and fantasy, and she begins to fear not only Annaliese, but herself as well.
The Unquiet has a potentially captivating and original premise, but lacks great execution. There’s a genuine creepy factor to the story, but this was overshadowed by the lackluster storytelling, dull characters and predictable storyline.
The one thing I actually like and enjoy in this book is the haunting, chilling atmosphere that Garsee creates. There are definitely moments that had my spine tingling and had me checking over my shoulder. Despite an overall predictable storyline, there is a build-up of suspense, which is what kept me reading.
Unfortunately, the eeriness surrounding the Annaliese storyline is hampered by the slow pacing and fragmented storytelling. At almost 400 pages, this is a longer read and any real action or ghost stuff doesn’t really happen till after the half-way point. And I wish there had actually been more of the paranormal elements, because honestly, the emotional and romantic elements failed to enthrall or captivate me.
I think the reason I was unable to fully enjoy this book is because I found the characters trite, unlikable, with no real dimension or layers; they’re like contrived, convenient cardboard cutouts (try saying that three times fast!). I had a hard time relating to the heroine Rinn, or even really liking her. Rinn’s new friends are shallow, boring and often mean girls and even her love interest, Nate, is dull.The flirtation between Rinn and Nate is tolerable at best. They interact by resorting to what’s meant to be humorous bantering and friendly teasing, but the humor falls flat and just had me rolling my eyes. The characters’ personalities change quickly and in a very uncomfortably jarring way.
One of my biggest issues is with the way Rinn’s bipolar disorder is explored or, really, with the way it isn’t explored. Her disorder plays such an integral part of the story and I would have liked if it was explored more in-depth. I can appreciate what the author attempts to do by creating a fractured reality for Rinn, but this often leads to confusing scenes.
Like I mentioned above, the mystery surrounding Annaliese is what kept me reading until the end, despite its predictability, but the actual ending of the book is a let down. I think a lot of readers will like the surprising and unexpected ending, but I found it overly campy.
MY FINAL THOUGHTS: While The Unquiet has its creepy moments and potentially original premise, its unlikable characters; slow pacing and dull storyline kept me from truly enjoying it.
September 2, 2014
Last fall, Jeannine Garsee interested me in her upcoming book with one sentence: "Sixteen-year-old Rinn Jacobs has secrets: One, she’s bipolar. Two, she killed her grandmother." Pair that with The Unquiet's gorgeous cover and I'm not sure how anyone could want to pass this up.
If, somehow anyone's still unconvinced, rest assured, the content will meet, exceed and then, likely, blow your expectations.
Following the aforementioned grandmother's death, her own failed suicide attempt, and her parent's separation, Rinn and her mother move to her mother's hometown in Ohio. The snow and cold weather, so different from the California she's used to is more of an issue for Rinn than the fact that the home's previous owner hanged herself in Rinn's bedroom.
With Rinn trying to stay sane, a school where nearly everyone believes a girl's ghost haunt's the locked up school pool (where she died) might not seem like the best choice, but she's determined to stay. She's found friends.
Friends who convince her to take part in a seance to contact the spirit of the dead girl.
But when things go wrong bad, horrible things start happening to those involved . . . except for Rinn. Needing to find out if she can be affected by Annaliese, the school's ghost girl, Rinn concocts crazy seeming plans and enlists the help of Nate, her neighbor - who's also the hot "Opie" she's falling for. Her plans may seem dangerous to him, but she has to know . . . she has to know if the ghost is real and find a way to stop everything.
Normally I like books set in the autumn/winter (especially those that give specific dates in the book) to be released in the same time period so that I can read them at the same time things happen. With The Unquiet, though, I absolutely didn't mind reading about snow and Halloween while it was 90 degrees outside. Despite it's blustery setting, this was a book made for summer nights. (Someone made a brilliant decision releasing it in the summer.)
It's a book that will keep you up way past your bedtime reading just a little bit more. Then just a little bit more than that. And then maybe than that.
All the while you'll be happy you're (I hope) far away from cold, long high school hallways.
The setting of The Unquiet is just about perfect. While Southern Gothic and haunted, anything Southern is vastly entertaining, I'm always up for some spooky ghost stories set in the Midwest. Maybe it's due to having lived there? Maybe not. Either way, the small town Ohio setting of The Unquiet fit the story - and the characters, who likewise fit the setting - to a tee.
Rinn had just enough 'outsider,' what-is-this-small-town-tininess, I'm-from-somewhere-developed-with-a-Nordstrom's, without having too much. It didn't get to the point of being annoying (except when it was acknowledged) or condescending and the small town wasn't mocked, either.
Rinn being bipolar adds a great layer to the story as well. Not only is there everything that's happened to her and her family that led to the move to River Hills, there's also an added level of questioning her (by Rinn, herself as well as everyone else) when it comes to things with Annaliese.
As The Unquiet unravels, slowly, slowly never quite letting you figure everything out until the end, it just gets creepier and creepier. Major points to Jeannine Garsee for a great YA psychological thriller, perfect for some late night summer reading!
Rating: 9/10
Thank you to the author for the knowledge of arc's back in the fall and to Bridget for sending me one!
If, somehow anyone's still unconvinced, rest assured, the content will meet, exceed and then, likely, blow your expectations.
Following the aforementioned grandmother's death, her own failed suicide attempt, and her parent's separation, Rinn and her mother move to her mother's hometown in Ohio. The snow and cold weather, so different from the California she's used to is more of an issue for Rinn than the fact that the home's previous owner hanged herself in Rinn's bedroom.
With Rinn trying to stay sane, a school where nearly everyone believes a girl's ghost haunt's the locked up school pool (where she died) might not seem like the best choice, but she's determined to stay. She's found friends.
Friends who convince her to take part in a seance to contact the spirit of the dead girl.
But when things go wrong bad, horrible things start happening to those involved . . . except for Rinn. Needing to find out if she can be affected by Annaliese, the school's ghost girl, Rinn concocts crazy seeming plans and enlists the help of Nate, her neighbor - who's also the hot "Opie" she's falling for. Her plans may seem dangerous to him, but she has to know . . . she has to know if the ghost is real and find a way to stop everything.
Normally I like books set in the autumn/winter (especially those that give specific dates in the book) to be released in the same time period so that I can read them at the same time things happen. With The Unquiet, though, I absolutely didn't mind reading about snow and Halloween while it was 90 degrees outside. Despite it's blustery setting, this was a book made for summer nights. (Someone made a brilliant decision releasing it in the summer.)
It's a book that will keep you up way past your bedtime reading just a little bit more. Then just a little bit more than that. And then maybe than that.
All the while you'll be happy you're (I hope) far away from cold, long high school hallways.
The setting of The Unquiet is just about perfect. While Southern Gothic and haunted, anything Southern is vastly entertaining, I'm always up for some spooky ghost stories set in the Midwest. Maybe it's due to having lived there? Maybe not. Either way, the small town Ohio setting of The Unquiet fit the story - and the characters, who likewise fit the setting - to a tee.
Rinn had just enough 'outsider,' what-is-this-small-town-tininess, I'm-from-somewhere-developed-with-a-Nordstrom's, without having too much. It didn't get to the point of being annoying (except when it was acknowledged) or condescending and the small town wasn't mocked, either.
Rinn being bipolar adds a great layer to the story as well. Not only is there everything that's happened to her and her family that led to the move to River Hills, there's also an added level of questioning her (by Rinn, herself as well as everyone else) when it comes to things with Annaliese.
As The Unquiet unravels, slowly, slowly never quite letting you figure everything out until the end, it just gets creepier and creepier. Major points to Jeannine Garsee for a great YA psychological thriller, perfect for some late night summer reading!
Rating: 9/10
Thank you to the author for the knowledge of arc's back in the fall and to Bridget for sending me one!
February 4, 2013
The Unquiet creeped me out! I was not expecting it to be so scary. Honestly, I thought this was a book about mental illness and a girl who thought she saw ghosts, and maybe it is. The ending is unclear. The vague synopsis gave nothing away about how scary this book truly is. If you like scary stories, you'll love this book. If you don't, I'd steer clear of it, if I were you. I had to sleep with my light on after reading it (like a child, haha), and I enjoy horror stories. However, since I wasn't expecting things to be so creepy, I wasn't prepared. I did enjoy this novel, though and would recommend it to those brave souls who read horror novels.
The character development in this novel was a little lacking. I bought into the idea that Rinn was bipolar and that she was not a reliable narrator. However, she wasn't very interesting. I saw memories of the bipolar behavior, and she acted that way when she went off her meds, but I still didn't feel any unstable emotions from her. I felt more like it was getting told to me instead of shown. I think that is because Rinn's details lacked any sensory descriptions. No hearts racing, no shortness of breath, etc. Nothing to make you think she was feeling anything other than normal and just relaying a message. The language could have been much more descriptive in the case of feelings.
I also didn't buy into Rinn's and Nate's relationship 100%. I never felt like they actually fell in love. I mean they made out a lot and they argued a lot. I never saw anything that really screamed "love" to me, though. I felt like that aspect was forced. Again that was probably because of the lack of description when it came to emotions. There was no instalove, but the love itself just wasn't believable.
The horror aspect of the novel was "shown" extremely well, though. I could picture every terrifying thing that Annaliese did. There was one part that literally made my skin crawl. This part of the book was fully-developed and executed nicely. I enjoyed the hints and the mysteries surrounding who Annaliese was going after next. I figured out relatively early on why she was doing what she was doing, but what actually happened to her was more horrific than I ever could have imagined. I would have been mad, too, but I don't think I would have reacted the way she did. But I'm not a ghost... maybe they think differently.
I also enjoyed the fact that people on medications that alter the brain couldn't be affected by the ghosts. That raised the question of did anti-depressants/anti-psychotics/seizure meds/etc. actually balance chemicals in the brain or did it just cut off connection with the ghostly plane, enabling the person to function "normally." In other words, were people with mental illnesses simply more sensitive to ghostly contact? That question was never really answered, and I kind of was annoyed by that. I like definitive answers at the end of my books because otherwise, I'm a bit unsettled. I know that was the effect that Garsee was going for, but still, I don't like to be unsettled. The ending was also almost like a cliffhanger. I'm sure that was done to further the unsettled feeling. I'm not sure if a sequel is planned or not, but if there is one, I'll definitely read it.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to those who love horror novels and are looking for something different. Garsee deals with issues such as bullying and mental illness, but also puts a terrifying, paranormal spin on these issues. This is one book you won't want to miss.
The character development in this novel was a little lacking. I bought into the idea that Rinn was bipolar and that she was not a reliable narrator. However, she wasn't very interesting. I saw memories of the bipolar behavior, and she acted that way when she went off her meds, but I still didn't feel any unstable emotions from her. I felt more like it was getting told to me instead of shown. I think that is because Rinn's details lacked any sensory descriptions. No hearts racing, no shortness of breath, etc. Nothing to make you think she was feeling anything other than normal and just relaying a message. The language could have been much more descriptive in the case of feelings.
I also didn't buy into Rinn's and Nate's relationship 100%. I never felt like they actually fell in love. I mean they made out a lot and they argued a lot. I never saw anything that really screamed "love" to me, though. I felt like that aspect was forced. Again that was probably because of the lack of description when it came to emotions. There was no instalove, but the love itself just wasn't believable.
The horror aspect of the novel was "shown" extremely well, though. I could picture every terrifying thing that Annaliese did. There was one part that literally made my skin crawl. This part of the book was fully-developed and executed nicely. I enjoyed the hints and the mysteries surrounding who Annaliese was going after next. I figured out relatively early on why she was doing what she was doing, but what actually happened to her was more horrific than I ever could have imagined. I would have been mad, too, but I don't think I would have reacted the way she did. But I'm not a ghost... maybe they think differently.
I also enjoyed the fact that people on medications that alter the brain couldn't be affected by the ghosts. That raised the question of did anti-depressants/anti-psychotics/seizure meds/etc. actually balance chemicals in the brain or did it just cut off connection with the ghostly plane, enabling the person to function "normally." In other words, were people with mental illnesses simply more sensitive to ghostly contact? That question was never really answered, and I kind of was annoyed by that. I like definitive answers at the end of my books because otherwise, I'm a bit unsettled. I know that was the effect that Garsee was going for, but still, I don't like to be unsettled. The ending was also almost like a cliffhanger. I'm sure that was done to further the unsettled feeling. I'm not sure if a sequel is planned or not, but if there is one, I'll definitely read it.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to those who love horror novels and are looking for something different. Garsee deals with issues such as bullying and mental illness, but also puts a terrifying, paranormal spin on these issues. This is one book you won't want to miss.
May 26, 2012
3.5/5
So, she’s new girl who inexplicably fits in with the popular crowd. Inexplicably, because she’s admittedly rude, short tempered and distant. So, Mr. Popularity (among others) have the hots for her. Yet, how much did I enjoy this one? Maybe a three point two five? three point five?
I like that she had no filter. I was fascinated but a bit iffy on her descriptions of her highs and lows. Her recollection of what she was and what she could do in an episode piqued my curiosity. I’m not a hundred percent on the rightness of what she was describing, but it was all intriguing. Too bad, that that’s eclipsed by would-be hauntings because she’s just not sure… and therefore so was I! I also enjoyed the boy who was just there. Because with him there, this sweet snarky thing that went on and on and had me liking them a little more. I even enjoyed the haunting moments which mostly worked for me. Still, me enjoying the lead up to the ending and the actual ending itself? Two different things.
Manic then not. With the way Rinn was feeling: excited, scared, to paranoid, she had me feeling much the same. Most of it was tense and creepy and scary, but her describing her day to day got confusing and troubling, too. I enjoyed maybe 80% of this until the ending, that felt over the top in an already loaded story. How much do you want to add when the protag is self-confessed crazy? Or in a setting that involves a haunted high school?
Her friends. They actually made for a more interesting read if you set aside that she’d become part of the It crown so suddenly. I liked them with the cattiness and the bitchiness. I liked how each of them brought something to the story. Meg and her cheer obsession. Tasha and her odd swimming obsessed mother. Then the completely unlikeable but likeable for that same reason, Lacy. She may have played a small part in this but I think she was the most interesting out of all of the. If only because she’s so unapologetically bitchy.
The boyfriend. Perhaps one of the more interesting pairings I’ve come across in a long time. Is he typical YA popular boy? Yes. No. Yes... He’s popular, good looking. And he likes her but there’s really no reason for him to do so… and yet, I just liked the easy snarky way they bantered. He’s a little like Tuck (Unearthly,) and not just the country boy thing that she'd poke him about. There’s an easy way to him. And he's there, but only to an extent.
Haunting... or maybe not? The lead up to the confrontation was so effectively creepy. Having me just as paranoid as Rinn. Every explanation she came up with had her seeming more off hinge and paranoid. So figuring out if she was thinking straight and if something else really was going on was the most interesting part of this.
I personally don’t like how things came to light, how she connected things in the end. There could have been other ways, I think. The scrap books for instance... and going the way that it did felt unnecessarily... erg, gimmicky. But that’s my problem. Over all, The Unquiet was effectively creepy, more so with a narrator you want to be reliable but just aren’t one hundred percent about.
3.5/5
So, she’s new girl who inexplicably fits in with the popular crowd. Inexplicably, because she’s admittedly rude, short tempered and distant. So, Mr. Popularity (among others) have the hots for her. Yet, how much did I enjoy this one? Maybe a three point two five? three point five?
I like that she had no filter. I was fascinated but a bit iffy on her descriptions of her highs and lows. Her recollection of what she was and what she could do in an episode piqued my curiosity. I’m not a hundred percent on the rightness of what she was describing, but it was all intriguing. Too bad, that that’s eclipsed by would-be hauntings because she’s just not sure… and therefore so was I! I also enjoyed the boy who was just there. Because with him there, this sweet snarky thing that went on and on and had me liking them a little more. I even enjoyed the haunting moments which mostly worked for me. Still, me enjoying the lead up to the ending and the actual ending itself? Two different things.
Manic then not. With the way Rinn was feeling: excited, scared, to paranoid, she had me feeling much the same. Most of it was tense and creepy and scary, but her describing her day to day got confusing and troubling, too. I enjoyed maybe 80% of this until the ending, that felt over the top in an already loaded story. How much do you want to add when the protag is self-confessed crazy? Or in a setting that involves a haunted high school?
Her friends. They actually made for a more interesting read if you set aside that she’d become part of the It crown so suddenly. I liked them with the cattiness and the bitchiness. I liked how each of them brought something to the story. Meg and her cheer obsession. Tasha and her odd swimming obsessed mother. Then the completely unlikeable but likeable for that same reason, Lacy. She may have played a small part in this but I think she was the most interesting out of all of the. If only because she’s so unapologetically bitchy.
The boyfriend. Perhaps one of the more interesting pairings I’ve come across in a long time. Is he typical YA popular boy? Yes. No. Yes... He’s popular, good looking. And he likes her but there’s really no reason for him to do so… and yet, I just liked the easy snarky way they bantered. He’s a little like Tuck (Unearthly,) and not just the country boy thing that she'd poke him about. There’s an easy way to him. And he's there, but only to an extent.
Haunting... or maybe not? The lead up to the confrontation was so effectively creepy. Having me just as paranoid as Rinn. Every explanation she came up with had her seeming more off hinge and paranoid. So figuring out if she was thinking straight and if something else really was going on was the most interesting part of this.
I personally don’t like how things came to light, how she connected things in the end. There could have been other ways, I think. The scrap books for instance... and going the way that it did felt unnecessarily... erg, gimmicky. But that’s my problem. Over all, The Unquiet was effectively creepy, more so with a narrator you want to be reliable but just aren’t one hundred percent about.
3.5/5
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