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Liv, Forever
A chilling new YA story from debut author Amy Talkington
When Liv Bloom lands an art scholarship at Wickham Hall, it's her ticket out of the foster system. Liv isn't sure what to make of the school's weird traditions and rituals, but she couldn't be happier—especially when Malcolm Astor, fellow artist and scion of one of the school's original families, starts falling for her. Fellow scholarship kid Gabe Nichols warns her not to get involved with a "Wicky," but things are finally going Liv's way, and all she wants to do is enjoy it.
But Liv's bliss is cut short when she is viciously murdered. In death, she discovers that she's the latest victim of a dark conspiracy that spans 150 years and many, many lives. Gabe, cursed with the ability to see ghosts, turns out to be Liv's only link to the world of the living.
Liv must rely on Gabe's help to prove to Malcolm that she's still present—lingering with the other spirits. Then together, Liv, Gabe, and Malcolm must fight to expose the terrible truth that haunts the halls of Wickham before more lives are lost.
When Liv Bloom lands an art scholarship at Wickham Hall, it's her ticket out of the foster system. Liv isn't sure what to make of the school's weird traditions and rituals, but she couldn't be happier—especially when Malcolm Astor, fellow artist and scion of one of the school's original families, starts falling for her. Fellow scholarship kid Gabe Nichols warns her not to get involved with a "Wicky," but things are finally going Liv's way, and all she wants to do is enjoy it.
But Liv's bliss is cut short when she is viciously murdered. In death, she discovers that she's the latest victim of a dark conspiracy that spans 150 years and many, many lives. Gabe, cursed with the ability to see ghosts, turns out to be Liv's only link to the world of the living.
Liv must rely on Gabe's help to prove to Malcolm that she's still present—lingering with the other spirits. Then together, Liv, Gabe, and Malcolm must fight to expose the terrible truth that haunts the halls of Wickham before more lives are lost.
Audiobook
First published March 11, 2014
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About the author
Amy Talkington
3 books73 followersAmy Talkington is an award-winning screenwriter and director living in Los Angeles. Before all that she wrote about music for magazines like Spin, Ray Gun, Interview, and Seventeen (mostly just as a way to get to hang out with rock stars). As a teenager in Dallas, Texas, Amy painted lots of angsty self-portraits, listened to The Velvet Underground and was difficult enough that her parents finally let her go to boarding school on the East Coast. Liv, Forever is her first novel.
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August 27, 2016
"Liv...it’s a name, a verb, a command. A notion of mortality. That’s a name ripe for some epic poetry. If I could write, I’d write you one, a poem.”In YA literature, I often find myself wishing I could kill the main character.
This book did me a favor: it DID kill off the main character. Sadly, it didn't help. My headache persisted.
You see, the girl still lives on, as an extremely irritating ghost, a tiresome, ceaselessly self-centered narrator.
This book is categorized as "paranormal" only by technicality. It is nothing but nauseating, mindless wish-fulfillment. There is a girl who died in a well. If you are hoping for Anna Dressed in Blood or Ringu, you are sadly out of luck.
The Big Bang Theory is wrong. The universe was created from the birth of Olivia Bloom. She is the center of the universe. Multiple ecosystems spawned from the fertility of her poop. The sun shines out of her asshole. This book is about nothing, nobody, but Liv.
This book is less:
And more:
The only thing terrifying about this book is the astoundingly quick insta-love. There is a girl who is accepted to a most prestigious academy through no intelligence. She is picked up to her school by a white-gloved chaffeur and whisked off to her beautiful Gothic boarding school by a limousine. At her school, she is served by waiters at mealtime. Her things are unpacked, her room cared for by unseen servants. She has the most popular, most handsome boy in school pining for her since the moment they first lay eyes on each other. He will do anything for her. She instantly makes another guy friend who will also do anything for her.
Including go to jail to help solve the mystery of her death. It's no big deal. What's more important is Liv, the dead Liv.
“I appreciate the effort, man, but let it go,” Gabe said, sincerely. “You know what’s most important right now: to learn the truth and bring justice. For her.”No classes. No female friends. Stupid female rivals. Hot guys who adore her AND befriend her. This book is truly the epitome of idiotic, simpering wishfulness.
The Summary:
Part I: The Wish Fulfillment; Liv is an orphan. She lives with her foster parents. Don't worry, her foster parents aren't worthy of any mention in the book; they are placeholder only.
Liv somehow gets accepted into the ultra-prestigious Wickham Hall. It's "the best prep school in the country." We have no idea how the fuck she gets in, except it's something vague about her art. Because her brains it ain't.
My grades certainly didn’t get me into Wickham Hall. I assumed it was my portfolio.The school is beautiful. Stunning. The students are dull. Every single girl is a clone, except for Liv.
They dressed the same. Their hair was almost identical. Their skin was milky with the occasional bout of freckles. Their noses even turned up in the same way. But mostly, they all talked the same.Liv, who stands out. Liv, who is the object of ostracization because every single girl hates her.
Liv, who immediately falls for the most unattainable boy in school, Malcolm Astor.
That’s when I noticed him. He was standing next to the headmaster, still looking at me even though the others had turned away. Our eyes met, and I quickly looked away. But I could feel his gaze linger. I desperately willed my face not to flush, my lips not to purse. Suddenly I was aware of every single muscle in my face.Malcolm Astor, who immediately singles Liv out for his specialized attention, the most prestigious First Dance at the school ball.
I looked up, mouth full of bread, to see what had happened and...he was there.Not only is there Golden Boy Malcolm, but there is brooding, dark Gabe.
He stood in front of me and asked, “May I have this dance?”
He was skittish and intense, but his brown eyes were gentle. Still, I wanted to keep at least three feet away. He was almost exactly how I’d always pictured Vincent Van Gogh—in other words, pretty crazy.Two boys, ever so different. *rolls eyes*
Classes, fuck classes. What classes?
It's apparently a boarding school (and a prestigious educational institution) in name only, because it seems that all Liv does is paint and continue her courtship of Malcolm.
This is a paranormal book, after all, but the only thing I found abnormal about this book is Malcolm's perfection and their courtship.
They kiss within 10% of the book. They go on romantic dates. There has never been such an idealized teenaged boy as Malcolm. He takes her on trips to dark, romantic gravestones. He makes her a playlist.
Malcolm let go of my hand and took out his iPod. He clicked it on and then handed it to me. A playlist called Liv, Forever was cued up.Malcolm then takes her on a romantic sun-dappled tour of the school based on that playlist.
“I made it for you. Obviously.”
And we walked along a sun-dappled path, comfortable like two people who’d known each other forever.*gag*
I looked out over the terrain. Lush and seemingly endless. And we walked right into it, serenaded by the Beatles’s “I’m Looking Through You.”
Malcolm offers to be her fucking canvas.
He turned to me. “Draw on me.”Of course it is.
“What?”
“Draw on me.""
After he said that, he took his shirt off. His body was perfect.
Oh, wait. Isn't this supposed to be a paranormal novel? Oh, here it comes. SHE DIES!
My head whipped back from its force. And that’s when everything went black.Part II: I'm pretty when I'm dead; And the wish-fulfillment continues. You see, Liv is pretty, even when she's dead.
My body was cold and dull. Plump with death. I looked almost serene. My dark hair spread around my head, kind of like that famous painting of Ophelia floating in the river. Funny, I’d made so many self-portraits and yet I’d never really looked at myself and realized I was actually kind of pretty.Her so-perfect lover weeps over her, ever so dramatically. She is loved when she is lost.
He kneeled on the ground next to my body and kissed my cheek.Crime-scene contamination, be damned.
Liv is dead. So beautiful. So young. So tragic. Like the a sad, sad night lit by stars.
I was separate from the world. I had become the star, hadn’t I? That tragic, lonely thing.Like a fallen angel, beautiful in her fragility!
I imagined myself an angel. I kind of was, wasn’t I?For someone dead, she sure is full of herself.
Apparently, she's a ghost now. Liv is dead! Murdered! Ohnoes! Now we must investigate her death. But however will she do that?! Enter Gabe also known as walking, talking deus ex fucking machina because he can hear ghosts. Together, the three of them will investigate her death! Liv will use her supernatural abilities as a ghost to discover who killed her!!!!!!!!!!!
Part II: Love after death
I waited and waited until there was enough condensation for me to write a single sentence. It took every ounce of willpower to ignore the pain in my fingertip. But I did it.Or she could just use it to write a note to her lover. Same thing, really.
I will hold u again, I wrote on the glass.
-_________________-
The Setting: WHAT SETTING? ARE WE IN HIGH SCHOOL? You wouldn't bloody know. There is not a single instance of actually attending any class outside of art, in which they're pretty much fucking free to do what they want. It's supposed to be a beautiful Northeastern United States setting with pretty leaves, pretty buildings...and that's it.
There are no relevant students because the only person the book is concerned with is Liv and those connected to her.
There are no academics because Liv doesn't give a fuck about academia.
There are no classes because it would interfere with Liv's social life and her courtship with Malcolm.
There are a lot of walking around on the beautiful campus...because it's a beautiful campus.
It was mid-afternoon so there were no stars, of course, but the leaves were every possible orange and the clouds were perfect puffs.It's not so much a school campus, as it is vacation resort.
The Mary Sue: There is room for only one relevant female in this book, and there is no doubt that star is Liv Bloom. Liv is one of the most useless, self-centered character I have ever encountered. She is a heroine of the Bella Swan sort because she is completely, utterly worthless in every way but her love interests can't see it. She is an artist, but we don't really see much of that, nor is she a credible one, because her art is, well...herself.
A self-portrait. Almost all my drawings are self-portraits. They don’t necessarily look like me—in fact, they rarely do—but they represent me.Yet somehow, everyone thinks she is fucking perfection. Her new art teacher raves over her talents. Talents of which we are never convinced.
“You are so talented. Do you understand? Your skill is exceptional. If you unleash and add true emotion to your work, it will sing, Olivia! It will fly!”Her new boy toy knows that she is the one approximately 15 minutes after meeting her, after knowing nothing about her.
“I think I’ve been waiting for you my whole life.”The Artistic References: Listen, I like art as much as the next person. I studied it for years when I was younger, but there is a way to appreciate art, and shoving it down the readers' throat isn't it. There is an incredible amount of artistic name-dropping in this book. Klimt. Pollock. Modigliani. Yue. Van Gogh. Rothko.
“It must’ve been a pretty boring life.”
“It was. Then I met you.”
But then images started to emerge from the darkness around us. At first they were pleasant: a Titian cherub, a Chagall angel. But then one of Bosch’s devils appeared. And Munch’s screaming terror. Francis Bacon’s agonizing Pope. And one of Basquiat’s jagged skulls.It feels forced. It feels false. It feels like the book is trying too hard.
The Romance: This book is filled with the most romantic, the most unrealistic of fantasies. The perfect golden boy, the "Abercrombie & Fitch" boy. The one who recites poetry to her underneath a moonlit, star-filled sky.
There was an opening in the canopy of trees where we could see the brilliant moon. And stars. Hundreds of them. He took my hand. He held it strongly—with commitment. We lay there silently for a long while until he spoke.Fuck curfew. What curfew. Is this even a school?
“Bright star, would I were steadfast as thou art—
Not in lone splendour hung aloft the night
The romance in this book is so incredibly unrealistic. It truly is insta-love. They fall for each other within 10% of the book. The Big L word is said before 33% of the book is through. The hearts go pitter and patter, but true to the art theme in this book, it has to sound good in an artistic manner.
I was dying inside. Brain exploding like a Pollock. Heart melting like one of Dalí’s clocks.Malcolm is completely unrealistic. he is too perfect to be true. He cries.
And he cried. He didn’t have that embarrassed look guys usually have when they cry, like the way my dad had struggled against his tears. Malcolm let go, without shame.Repeatedly. Unashamedly. I'm not saying that men can't cry, I'm saying that Malcolm's image in this book is too romanticized, too idealistic to be realistic.
Malcolm talks to his dead lover's ghost. He speaks words right out of the scripts of a chick-flick romance.
“You know what I wish?” he asked.The romance is completely, utterly ludicrous. As is the entirety of this book.
What?
“That I could just see you one last time—hear your voice. Hold you.”
January 27, 2014
I loved LIV, FOREVER. The best way I can think of to describe the experience of reading it is to compare it to savoring a luscious piece of exquisite dark chocolate. It’s rich, it’s multilayered, and it has a bittersweetness that will bite you back in all the best ways. If you like tantalizing ghost stories, mysterious secret societies, heroes that tear at your heart, and gorgeous prose, then you need this book.
September 8, 2015
Devo smetterla di farmi abbindolare da una cover che sa il fatto suo e da una trama che promette chissà cosa, perché, poi automaticamente, soprattutto se si tratta di uno YA, non ne viene fuori nulla e io ci rimango male! Ecco la prova del nove: questo libro. Una cover magnifica, una trama perfetta e puf!... poco fumo niente arrosto!. L’autrice era partita abbastanza bene: accademia d’elitè, morti misteriose, sparizioni, storie di fantasmi, maledizioni antiche… isomma, c’era tutto, tutti gli ingredienti per creare un racconto di un certo spessore, e invece no! L’autrice non sfrutta nessuna delle suo carte al meglio.
Per prima cosa, la narrazione è troppo veloce. Si passa da uno stato vivo-morto in neanche 2 pagine scarse, nessuno shock, nessuna emozione particolare, solo “ma si mi hanno ucciso, troviamo il colpevole!”
Un po’ di retro prospettiva non avrebbe guastato in nessun caso. Personaggi (tutti) molto poco caratterizzati.
Personalmente ho trovato inutile la “storia d’amore” tra Liv e Malcom. Avrei preferito un’amicizia solida e una collaborazione stabile e forte, piuttosto che la storiella di amore maledetto che non si regge in piedi, creata solo per tenere incollate le dolci ragazzine che leggeranno questo libro (che magari avrebbero preferito qualcosa di più sostanzioso, come la sottoscritta, anche se non è più una ragazzina!).
E poi vi prego l’istalove NO!
Quando finalmente l’azione entra nella narrazione è troppo tardi. A metà libro le cose migliorano, dimostrando palesemente che se l’autrice avesse voluto, avrebbe potuto creare qualcosa di bello… ma ormai è fatta. Lo svolgersi della storia ha un ritmo più serrato ma i suoi risvolti sono molto elementari, la risoluzione del mistero è banale (basta rifletterci un secondo e ci si arriva ad occhi chiusi), ed è un vero peccato!
Non è la prima volta che le storie di fantasmi mi lasciano con l’amaro in bocca, forse è ora di smettere di tentare!
:(
Per prima cosa, la narrazione è troppo veloce. Si passa da uno stato vivo-morto in neanche 2 pagine scarse, nessuno shock, nessuna emozione particolare, solo “ma si mi hanno ucciso, troviamo il colpevole!”
Un po’ di retro prospettiva non avrebbe guastato in nessun caso. Personaggi (tutti) molto poco caratterizzati.
Personalmente ho trovato inutile la “storia d’amore” tra Liv e Malcom. Avrei preferito un’amicizia solida e una collaborazione stabile e forte, piuttosto che la storiella di amore maledetto che non si regge in piedi, creata solo per tenere incollate le dolci ragazzine che leggeranno questo libro (che magari avrebbero preferito qualcosa di più sostanzioso, come la sottoscritta, anche se non è più una ragazzina!).
E poi vi prego l’istalove NO!
Quando finalmente l’azione entra nella narrazione è troppo tardi. A metà libro le cose migliorano, dimostrando palesemente che se l’autrice avesse voluto, avrebbe potuto creare qualcosa di bello… ma ormai è fatta. Lo svolgersi della storia ha un ritmo più serrato ma i suoi risvolti sono molto elementari, la risoluzione del mistero è banale (basta rifletterci un secondo e ci si arriva ad occhi chiusi), ed è un vero peccato!
Non è la prima volta che le storie di fantasmi mi lasciano con l’amaro in bocca, forse è ora di smettere di tentare!
:(
May 2, 2014
This book gave me fits.
I'll start with the good parts...
I actually enjoyed the mystery. No, it wasn't Agatha Christie, but it was enjoyable. Despite not even giving half a shit about Liv, I did want to find out who killed her. This tells me that Talkington does have talent for crafting a murder mystery. The plotting and the reveal worked for me.
I liked the other ghosts in the story. I was especially fond of Ruth and Mary. I wanted to know more about them than just how they died. The little nuggets we got intrigued me. I know I would have enjoyed the story so much more if we had gotten the stories from Ruth, Mary, and Liv. Three different women in three different eras all falling victim to the same thing. Now that's a story I would have loved.
The bad parts...
Here we go.
I have never disliked a protagonist as much as I did Liv. I found her to be so incredibly self-centered and self-satisfied that I just wanted to punch her. She was an artist therefore she was deep therefore we were supposed to like her. She was adopted therefore she is unloved therefore we should sympathize with her. Except, she wasn't deep. She was just verbose. She wasn't unloved in the least. She was just too selfish to realize it. Oh, you were adopted by these people who put a roof over your head and work hard, but don't make enough to afford a family vacation and yet you think it's perfectly ok to expect expensive art supplies every year for Christmas and the fact that the buy you something cheaper indicates that they don't care? It can't possibly be because they can't afford those expensive supplies even at Christmas. Oh no. They just don't care and don't understand you. Get a !*#&@&@ job if you so desperately need those supplies instead of expecting them to be handed to you!!!!! I also really did despise the fact that we are told how deep Liv is because she's an artist. We're also told over and over again that she's clever and special. Sadly, I never found her to be any of those things. She rambled on and on showing that she knew "big" words, but I found nothing indicating that she was any deeper than your average human being. And I hated her lack of accountability. As her parents are leaving her memorial service, she sees her mother break down and her father trying his hardest not to. She then realizes that they did, in fact, care. At first, I thought she was showing some growth by realizing that she had kept them at arms length and that maybe the reason why she felt unloved was due to her own issues. Then she erases all of it with "-at least partly". She can't even fully admit when she's wrong! And her supposed concern for other characters is selfish. When Gabe is being taken in for questioning in Liv's death, all she can think about is NOT that her friend is being falsely accused of killing her and could possibly be convicted of the crime, but that he's her voice and her hands and she won't be able to communicate with Malcolm without him. Bitch! I'd continue, but I'm not sure there's enough space on the internet to list everything I hated about her. So, I'll move on to my next issue...
The romance was so rushed. After seeing each other for all of 10 seconds, Liv and Malcolm are in love and it's the most perfect love because they are both the most perfect people and there will never be a better match ever in the history of ever. Basically, I thought it was unrealistic. Malcolm came across as more of a wish-fulfillment creation than an actual human being. He was always the "perfect gentleman" and loved her no matter what. He was in love with her because she was "different". This being stated after they'd had 1 conversation that only lasted about a page. I'm sorry, that's not love. That's lust. It's a legit emotion. It's just not love, so don't tell me it is.
The artist name-dropping was so annoying! Clearly the author is a fan of art and knows about the works of several artists. Congratulations! Too bad all of the references got in the way of the story and simply made Liv sound like a poseur trying to sound smart instead of an "art dork" like we were told she was.
The other characters weren't really given much of a chance to really come alive (I promise, no pun intended). As I said before, I genuinely was interested on Ruth and Mary's stories. I actually liked Gabe. I would have liked to get to know them more. Other characters fell victim to the telling, not showing issue. We were told that Brit was sweet. Ok, sure. Problem is, we never saw her do anything "sweet". We were told she was "sweet-looking", but she was never given a chance to demonstrate any sweet behavior. She didn't get to do much of anything. This book is only 278 pages long. There was plenty of room for us to learn more about the other characters without the page count getting too high. But, then again, that would have taken attention away from Princess Liv.
The bottom line is that I simply hated Liv. If I had found her even remotely likeable, relateable, or even interesting, I probably could have given this a 2.5 or 3 star rating easily. Sadly, I did not. She was never more than an irritating, selfish little girl who is completely incapable of seeing outside her own little world. Yes, I'm aware that society perceives teens as being incredibly self-centered, but by the time they're Liv's age, the majority of them at least have some grasp of the world outside of themselves. At least, that's been my experience working with teens. I've dealt with some immature 14-year-olds who still think the world revolves around them and that everyone on earth is there to cater to their ego. But Liv is supposed to be mature and definitely older than 14. So, what's her excuse?
I'll close by saying that there REALLY are some good elements to this book. I mentioned the things I liked above. The biggest problem is that so much of the book seems to hinge on Liv and I hated her, so I really didn't like the book. It's sad but true.
I'll start with the good parts...
I actually enjoyed the mystery. No, it wasn't Agatha Christie, but it was enjoyable. Despite not even giving half a shit about Liv, I did want to find out who killed her. This tells me that Talkington does have talent for crafting a murder mystery. The plotting and the reveal worked for me.
I liked the other ghosts in the story. I was especially fond of Ruth and Mary. I wanted to know more about them than just how they died. The little nuggets we got intrigued me. I know I would have enjoyed the story so much more if we had gotten the stories from Ruth, Mary, and Liv. Three different women in three different eras all falling victim to the same thing. Now that's a story I would have loved.
The bad parts...
Here we go.
I have never disliked a protagonist as much as I did Liv. I found her to be so incredibly self-centered and self-satisfied that I just wanted to punch her. She was an artist therefore she was deep therefore we were supposed to like her. She was adopted therefore she is unloved therefore we should sympathize with her. Except, she wasn't deep. She was just verbose. She wasn't unloved in the least. She was just too selfish to realize it. Oh, you were adopted by these people who put a roof over your head and work hard, but don't make enough to afford a family vacation and yet you think it's perfectly ok to expect expensive art supplies every year for Christmas and the fact that the buy you something cheaper indicates that they don't care? It can't possibly be because they can't afford those expensive supplies even at Christmas. Oh no. They just don't care and don't understand you. Get a !*#&@&@ job if you so desperately need those supplies instead of expecting them to be handed to you!!!!! I also really did despise the fact that we are told how deep Liv is because she's an artist. We're also told over and over again that she's clever and special. Sadly, I never found her to be any of those things. She rambled on and on showing that she knew "big" words, but I found nothing indicating that she was any deeper than your average human being. And I hated her lack of accountability. As her parents are leaving her memorial service, she sees her mother break down and her father trying his hardest not to. She then realizes that they did, in fact, care. At first, I thought she was showing some growth by realizing that she had kept them at arms length and that maybe the reason why she felt unloved was due to her own issues. Then she erases all of it with "-at least partly". She can't even fully admit when she's wrong! And her supposed concern for other characters is selfish. When Gabe is being taken in for questioning in Liv's death, all she can think about is NOT that her friend is being falsely accused of killing her and could possibly be convicted of the crime, but that he's her voice and her hands and she won't be able to communicate with Malcolm without him. Bitch! I'd continue, but I'm not sure there's enough space on the internet to list everything I hated about her. So, I'll move on to my next issue...
The romance was so rushed. After seeing each other for all of 10 seconds, Liv and Malcolm are in love and it's the most perfect love because they are both the most perfect people and there will never be a better match ever in the history of ever. Basically, I thought it was unrealistic. Malcolm came across as more of a wish-fulfillment creation than an actual human being. He was always the "perfect gentleman" and loved her no matter what. He was in love with her because she was "different". This being stated after they'd had 1 conversation that only lasted about a page. I'm sorry, that's not love. That's lust. It's a legit emotion. It's just not love, so don't tell me it is.
The artist name-dropping was so annoying! Clearly the author is a fan of art and knows about the works of several artists. Congratulations! Too bad all of the references got in the way of the story and simply made Liv sound like a poseur trying to sound smart instead of an "art dork" like we were told she was.
The other characters weren't really given much of a chance to really come alive (I promise, no pun intended). As I said before, I genuinely was interested on Ruth and Mary's stories. I actually liked Gabe. I would have liked to get to know them more. Other characters fell victim to the telling, not showing issue. We were told that Brit was sweet. Ok, sure. Problem is, we never saw her do anything "sweet". We were told she was "sweet-looking", but she was never given a chance to demonstrate any sweet behavior. She didn't get to do much of anything. This book is only 278 pages long. There was plenty of room for us to learn more about the other characters without the page count getting too high. But, then again, that would have taken attention away from Princess Liv.
The bottom line is that I simply hated Liv. If I had found her even remotely likeable, relateable, or even interesting, I probably could have given this a 2.5 or 3 star rating easily. Sadly, I did not. She was never more than an irritating, selfish little girl who is completely incapable of seeing outside her own little world. Yes, I'm aware that society perceives teens as being incredibly self-centered, but by the time they're Liv's age, the majority of them at least have some grasp of the world outside of themselves. At least, that's been my experience working with teens. I've dealt with some immature 14-year-olds who still think the world revolves around them and that everyone on earth is there to cater to their ego. But Liv is supposed to be mature and definitely older than 14. So, what's her excuse?
I'll close by saying that there REALLY are some good elements to this book. I mentioned the things I liked above. The biggest problem is that so much of the book seems to hinge on Liv and I hated her, so I really didn't like the book. It's sad but true.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 28, 2014
Loved it…heart stopping and emotional with a little excitement in it as well. Talkington I love your writing and I love your mind. This book was so much and so many emotions came out while reading it. I am not sure how to explain it but its SO good a MUST read of 2014!
When the most unbelievable things happens to Liv Bloom after only being in her new school for a short time things will never be the same. She has fallen in love with the one boy she never thought would be her first love, Malcolm, but after sneaking out one night to see him she never gets back to her dorm alive. Now a ghost she must find out what happened to her. Gabe the one friends she made before she was murdered is the only one who can see her, he is the only one who can see any of the ghost that remain at Wickham Hall. He will be the only one to bring her back to the one she loves and help her figure out what’s happening.
OK I loved it, but let me say it’s emotional at times I found my self catching my breath and shedding a tear. Talkington did such a great job in this story of heartache and mystery I never wanted it to end. Liv, well what can I say this chick caught a bad break and I felt for her through out the WHOLE book. She dies but she has no idea how and now she is seeing the ghosts that her friend Gabe tried to tell her about, but things are not right and she will dig into the schools past to find out why. Let me say it’s a journey and its freaking and crazy one!
Since Gabe is the only one who can see or hear her she has to get him to help her and help her get Malcolm to believe Liv is still around. It was hard to read that part, to see two young people from different worlds falling in love then it being ripped from each other so fast.
Liv and Malcolm start to see each other but not out in the open. Why, well she is not in the in crowd but he is. They fall fast and hard and its awesome to be a part of it. BUT not awesome at all when things go down hill. I was devastated when Liv pasted I think I felt like she was part of my life as well. I really really enjoyed the art aspect in this story, it was super cool and I loved how these two found each other in it.
There is so much to say about this book but I can’t seem to put it in words. I don’t want to keep going on or I will be here all day and give to much away! This is a MUST MUST read of 2014 and for all ages. But be ready to get emotional and fall in love with 2 characters that will lose a lot and hopefully find happiness in the end……………
When the most unbelievable things happens to Liv Bloom after only being in her new school for a short time things will never be the same. She has fallen in love with the one boy she never thought would be her first love, Malcolm, but after sneaking out one night to see him she never gets back to her dorm alive. Now a ghost she must find out what happened to her. Gabe the one friends she made before she was murdered is the only one who can see her, he is the only one who can see any of the ghost that remain at Wickham Hall. He will be the only one to bring her back to the one she loves and help her figure out what’s happening.
OK I loved it, but let me say it’s emotional at times I found my self catching my breath and shedding a tear. Talkington did such a great job in this story of heartache and mystery I never wanted it to end. Liv, well what can I say this chick caught a bad break and I felt for her through out the WHOLE book. She dies but she has no idea how and now she is seeing the ghosts that her friend Gabe tried to tell her about, but things are not right and she will dig into the schools past to find out why. Let me say it’s a journey and its freaking and crazy one!
Since Gabe is the only one who can see or hear her she has to get him to help her and help her get Malcolm to believe Liv is still around. It was hard to read that part, to see two young people from different worlds falling in love then it being ripped from each other so fast.
Liv and Malcolm start to see each other but not out in the open. Why, well she is not in the in crowd but he is. They fall fast and hard and its awesome to be a part of it. BUT not awesome at all when things go down hill. I was devastated when Liv pasted I think I felt like she was part of my life as well. I really really enjoyed the art aspect in this story, it was super cool and I loved how these two found each other in it.
There is so much to say about this book but I can’t seem to put it in words. I don’t want to keep going on or I will be here all day and give to much away! This is a MUST MUST read of 2014 and for all ages. But be ready to get emotional and fall in love with 2 characters that will lose a lot and hopefully find happiness in the end……………
July 20, 2015
Torn. Really torn.
I think this is a great mystery YA entry with a paranormal element. Fancy boarding school, misfit scholarship student, secret societies, star-crossed romance, ghosts, it's all there. I read it in one sitting.
But it lacks the kind of depth that really good YA has and that can turn it into a crossover appeal novel that adults will want to read as well. Liv is not much more than a cipher and everyone else stays mostly in the realm of caricature. It's fun and interesting and the plot is well done. But it's more fluff than substance.
I think this is a great mystery YA entry with a paranormal element. Fancy boarding school, misfit scholarship student, secret societies, star-crossed romance, ghosts, it's all there. I read it in one sitting.
But it lacks the kind of depth that really good YA has and that can turn it into a crossover appeal novel that adults will want to read as well. Liv is not much more than a cipher and everyone else stays mostly in the realm of caricature. It's fun and interesting and the plot is well done. But it's more fluff than substance.
March 12, 2014
I really enjoyed this ghost tale that that incorporated some romance and humor in a sad tale.
The story had a nice flow and fast pace that kept me curious to the end as mysteries should do.
The characters were developed and portrayed well. Each ghost embodied their time periods and plight with interesting descriptions.
Loved how the concept of ghosts and ghostly doings was presented. This story got me thinking as to whether or not I would ever want to be contacted by a ghost. Still thinking on it...
The story had a nice flow and fast pace that kept me curious to the end as mysteries should do.
The characters were developed and portrayed well. Each ghost embodied their time periods and plight with interesting descriptions.
Loved how the concept of ghosts and ghostly doings was presented. This story got me thinking as to whether or not I would ever want to be contacted by a ghost. Still thinking on it...
February 21, 2014
Wow that was awesome!!!! But my heart hurts soooo bad! I don't think I've ever cried so much in a book! I almost wish there was going to be more. Almost!
October 13, 2023
Liv sucht ihren Mörder auf einem alten Internat in dem es spukt
In dem Buch Liv, Forever von Amy Talkington, geht es um Liv, welche auf das Internat Wickham Hall geht und dort studieren soll. Dort findet sie aber eher schlecht Anschluss, nur zu Gabe und zu Malcom. Beim ersten Tanz mit ihm verliebt sie sich in ihn und er sich in sie, wie es scheint. Eigentlich wäre das ganz schön, wenn sie nicht ermordert wird und kurz danach als Geist durch die Schule läuft. Kann sie wieder mit Malcom zusammen kommen ? Und was ist mit den Gerüchten über die Geister, die es angeblich dort geben soll ?
Meine Meinung:
Ich fand die Geschichte spannend geschrieben und flüssig zu lesen. Für die dunklere Jahreszeit ist sie super, weil es um ein altes Internat geht, in dem es spuken soll und Liv sowieso von jemandem ermordet wird und als Geist herumwandert. Daher ist es auch einfach geschrieben, aber trotzdem spannend und leicht gruselig. Außerdem geht es um Kunst, weil Liv eine Malerin ist und sich auch noch für Kunst interessiert und sie erfährt ihre erste große Liebe.
Natürlich gibt es auch wieder auf diesem alten Internat reiche Schüler/innen, die Liv als die neue ärgern und sich für etwas besseres halten.
Fazit:
Wer ein leicht gruseliges Jugendbuch für die dunklere Jahreszeit sucht, ist bei dieser Geschichte genau richtig. Die Geschichte spielt an einem alten Internat mit reichen Schülern und Geistern, sowie einem oder mehreren Morden.
In dem Buch Liv, Forever von Amy Talkington, geht es um Liv, welche auf das Internat Wickham Hall geht und dort studieren soll. Dort findet sie aber eher schlecht Anschluss, nur zu Gabe und zu Malcom. Beim ersten Tanz mit ihm verliebt sie sich in ihn und er sich in sie, wie es scheint. Eigentlich wäre das ganz schön, wenn sie nicht ermordert wird und kurz danach als Geist durch die Schule läuft. Kann sie wieder mit Malcom zusammen kommen ? Und was ist mit den Gerüchten über die Geister, die es angeblich dort geben soll ?
Meine Meinung:
Ich fand die Geschichte spannend geschrieben und flüssig zu lesen. Für die dunklere Jahreszeit ist sie super, weil es um ein altes Internat geht, in dem es spuken soll und Liv sowieso von jemandem ermordet wird und als Geist herumwandert. Daher ist es auch einfach geschrieben, aber trotzdem spannend und leicht gruselig. Außerdem geht es um Kunst, weil Liv eine Malerin ist und sich auch noch für Kunst interessiert und sie erfährt ihre erste große Liebe.
Natürlich gibt es auch wieder auf diesem alten Internat reiche Schüler/innen, die Liv als die neue ärgern und sich für etwas besseres halten.
Fazit:
Wer ein leicht gruseliges Jugendbuch für die dunklere Jahreszeit sucht, ist bei dieser Geschichte genau richtig. Die Geschichte spielt an einem alten Internat mit reichen Schülern und Geistern, sowie einem oder mehreren Morden.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 4, 2014
Brutally tragic, yet beautifully, poetically so!
*full review to come*
*full review to come*
March 24, 2018
3.5 Sterne
Der Klappentext dieser Geschichte klang so wahnsinnig schön! Umso enttäuschter war ich, als ich auch auf Seite 100 noch immer keinen Bezug zu den Charakteren hatte. Jeder Einzelne von ihnen war oberflächlich und blieb das auch leider bis zum Schluss. Die Liebesgeschichte folgte einem ähnlichen Beispiel. Ich habe selten ein Buch gelesen, das mehr nach Insta-Love schreit. Leider verrät der Klappentext ein wichtiges Element der Geschichte, weshalb auch die Spannung auf sich warten ließ. Glücklicherweise nahm die Geschichte ab der Hälfte doch noch an Fahrt auf und obwohl mich die Charaktere noch immer völlig kalt gelassen haben, konnte ich das Buch kaum mehr aus der Hand legen. Wäre meine Freizeit nicht so begrenzt gewesen, hätte ich den Rest sicherlich an nur einem Tag zu Ende gelesen.
Trotz anfänglicher Startschwierigkeiten haben wir mit „Liv, Forever“ also eine unterhaltsame Geschichte für Zwischendurch, die ich getrost empfehlen kann; vorausgesetzt, man erwartet keinen Tiefgang.
Der Klappentext dieser Geschichte klang so wahnsinnig schön! Umso enttäuschter war ich, als ich auch auf Seite 100 noch immer keinen Bezug zu den Charakteren hatte. Jeder Einzelne von ihnen war oberflächlich und blieb das auch leider bis zum Schluss. Die Liebesgeschichte folgte einem ähnlichen Beispiel. Ich habe selten ein Buch gelesen, das mehr nach Insta-Love schreit. Leider verrät der Klappentext ein wichtiges Element der Geschichte, weshalb auch die Spannung auf sich warten ließ. Glücklicherweise nahm die Geschichte ab der Hälfte doch noch an Fahrt auf und obwohl mich die Charaktere noch immer völlig kalt gelassen haben, konnte ich das Buch kaum mehr aus der Hand legen. Wäre meine Freizeit nicht so begrenzt gewesen, hätte ich den Rest sicherlich an nur einem Tag zu Ende gelesen.
Trotz anfänglicher Startschwierigkeiten haben wir mit „Liv, Forever“ also eine unterhaltsame Geschichte für Zwischendurch, die ich getrost empfehlen kann; vorausgesetzt, man erwartet keinen Tiefgang.
November 15, 2013
Beautiful and haunting ('cause it's about a ghost -- see how I did that?!).
No, really. It's lovely, just lovely. I finished reading the ARC while multi-tasking in the kitchen, stirring spicy chicken soup, and it had me all kinds of teary.
FULL DISCLOSURE -- I am going to be published by Soho Teen which is why I had an ARC... and reading LIV made me super happy and proud to be in the same sisterhood as the talented Amy Talkington.
No, really. It's lovely, just lovely. I finished reading the ARC while multi-tasking in the kitchen, stirring spicy chicken soup, and it had me all kinds of teary.
FULL DISCLOSURE -- I am going to be published by Soho Teen which is why I had an ARC... and reading LIV made me super happy and proud to be in the same sisterhood as the talented Amy Talkington.
February 22, 2014
Absolutely fantastic read. Love everything about this book especially all the characters. In the end this book is a short quick read that intrigues and is a defendant page turner you wont want to put it down.
February 23, 2014
A heart warming/chilling story about a teenage girl growing up after she's done growing older. Part murder mystery, part campus thriller, part romance, part buddy comedy, this book has so many things to draw someone in, but it is Liv who kept me reading. She's a strong, female character who is a little prickly, but is very sweet and has a strong sense of agency which many YA (and adult) novels seem to skip over. Amy Talkington expertly gives every character personality, depth, and a reason to be in the novel. You can read a synopsis elsewhere, but know that you won't regret spending a couple nights with this book.
March 12, 2014
Liv, Forever is a fast past interesting read. Liv finally got everything she wanted. She has a school with an art studio and everything. She came from a foster home and is finally on her own. She meets a guy she likes and has a great time with but before she knows it she is dead. She doesn't know who did it but in dead she can see all the other ghost at her school and realizes something isn't right.
Gabe can see ghost so he helps her along with Malcom the guy she was taken from too soon. They find that there are things going on at their school that has been for years and they need to get to the bottom of it.
Gabe can see ghost so he helps her along with Malcom the guy she was taken from too soon. They find that there are things going on at their school that has been for years and they need to get to the bottom of it.
August 6, 2016
Edit: Updated Review 3/02/14
I received this book through Goodreads First Reads in exchange for an honest review.
I took a few days to write my actual review, I wanted to allow myself the time to write a review worthy of this novel.
Liv, Forever is a book that either you find enchanting or wordy. I, myself, belong to the former. I found it beautifully descriptive.
The main protagonist, Olivia 'Liv' Bloom, is an aspiring artist with permanent ink stains on her hands who lands an art scholarship to Wickham Hall. She is constantly comparing people or situations to famous art pieces, so much so that I found myself reading with Google open on my Kindle just to see if I remembered any of these works from the subpar classes I had in high school. I enjoyed this; others might not because they don't like being taken out of their 'headspace' while reading.
Wickham Academy has many weird traditions and rituals that Liv doesn't quite understand, but she just accepts this and moves on with her studies. (There are even rumors that this prestigious school is haunted.) She is just so happy to have this opportunity to get away from her foster parents (who are nice but she isn't exactly close to) and she meets Malcolm Astor, a fellow artist who is a descendent of one of the school's founding families of Wickham Academy. Because of this he is a member of an elite student group known as "The Victors". We find that there are many things that Malcolm doesn't agree with and he would like to focus on other things, like art instead of law school but cannot because of his overbearing father. After a few chance encounters and planned meetings, Liv and Malcolm slowly begin to fall in love. I use the term slowly, very loosely, and probably because I felt it was quick but it was believable and it was such a nimbly paced novel that if you are enjoying this astounding book at this point you just won't care how fast they exchange the "L" word, because you can tell that it is true.
Liv also meets a fellow student named Gabe Nichols, who she finds is extremely eccentric an "outcast" among the elite, rich snobby people but his sarcastic humor and "realness" make her want to befriend him.
They have to do a monthly work-study together and Liv and Gabe are assigned to go in the catacombs that connect all of the original six buildings and collect names and years of former members of the school.
Okay, spoilers about the story ahead, folks.
Honestly, I couldn’t believe that this was Amy Talkington’s debut novel, but sure enough it is. If only other writer’s could publish such intriguing, absorbing first novels. I'll be reading any others that she chooses to publish. After the first 10 pages or so I was hooked, and didn’t even want to put it on the nightstand to go to sleep. I hope this book has a sequel. I know it’s early because this book isn’t even out to the general public just yet, but I’m already going through withdrawals of this world. I need it *hugs book to me* read this book! Even if it's not your cup of tea, at least you gave it a fighting chance. And honestly, if I hadn't received an ARC copy I would gladly spend money to add this to my book collection. Happy reading!
Also, if this review seems hastily thrown together half way through I apologize, it’s sleeting/icing badly and I want to post this before I possibly lose the internet and I'm more of a reader than a writer.
I received this book through Goodreads First Reads in exchange for an honest review.
I took a few days to write my actual review, I wanted to allow myself the time to write a review worthy of this novel.
Liv, Forever is a book that either you find enchanting or wordy. I, myself, belong to the former. I found it beautifully descriptive.
The main protagonist, Olivia 'Liv' Bloom, is an aspiring artist with permanent ink stains on her hands who lands an art scholarship to Wickham Hall. She is constantly comparing people or situations to famous art pieces, so much so that I found myself reading with Google open on my Kindle just to see if I remembered any of these works from the subpar classes I had in high school. I enjoyed this; others might not because they don't like being taken out of their 'headspace' while reading.
Wickham Academy has many weird traditions and rituals that Liv doesn't quite understand, but she just accepts this and moves on with her studies. (There are even rumors that this prestigious school is haunted.) She is just so happy to have this opportunity to get away from her foster parents (who are nice but she isn't exactly close to) and she meets Malcolm Astor, a fellow artist who is a descendent of one of the school's founding families of Wickham Academy. Because of this he is a member of an elite student group known as "The Victors". We find that there are many things that Malcolm doesn't agree with and he would like to focus on other things, like art instead of law school but cannot because of his overbearing father. After a few chance encounters and planned meetings, Liv and Malcolm slowly begin to fall in love. I use the term slowly, very loosely, and probably because I felt it was quick but it was believable and it was such a nimbly paced novel that if you are enjoying this astounding book at this point you just won't care how fast they exchange the "L" word, because you can tell that it is true.
Liv also meets a fellow student named Gabe Nichols, who she finds is extremely eccentric an "outcast" among the elite, rich snobby people but his sarcastic humor and "realness" make her want to befriend him.
They have to do a monthly work-study together and Liv and Gabe are assigned to go in the catacombs that connect all of the original six buildings and collect names and years of former members of the school.
Okay, spoilers about the story ahead, folks.
Honestly, I couldn’t believe that this was Amy Talkington’s debut novel, but sure enough it is. If only other writer’s could publish such intriguing, absorbing first novels. I'll be reading any others that she chooses to publish. After the first 10 pages or so I was hooked, and didn’t even want to put it on the nightstand to go to sleep. I hope this book has a sequel. I know it’s early because this book isn’t even out to the general public just yet, but I’m already going through withdrawals of this world. I need it *hugs book to me* read this book! Even if it's not your cup of tea, at least you gave it a fighting chance. And honestly, if I hadn't received an ARC copy I would gladly spend money to add this to my book collection. Happy reading!
March 17, 2014
****Wow. Just wow. This one was so good guys. So good! I cannot wait to share my review with you all!*** - Updated review Below
Originally posted at The Passionate Bookworms Along with a giveaway active until March 31st 2014 !!
Where do I even begin with this one..
When I got the request for the blog tour my first thought was ” Boarding school? Ghosts? .. YES PLEASE!” It helped that the cover was just stunning and intriguing and I could not pass it up. That decision was the best one I could have made!
Liv, Forever sucked me in right from the start. I could easily relate to the Main Character Liv, and her love of art. She would mention things like ink being permanently stuck under her fingernails, or charcoal dusting her hands constantly. Every time one of those things were mentioned I was just like ” I UNDERSTAND.” I also loved the references to different artists and their paintings. After Gabe tells Liv about seeing ghosts she begins to wonder what they look like to him.
” Did it look like a Francis Bacon Painting, distorted and ethereal? Or Tortured, like Munch’s The Scream? Was a ghost more like the chubby cherubs of Titian or the Horrific devils of Hieronymous Bosh?”
PicMonkey Collage
They ended up not really looking like any of those. But I loved the descriptions and the way they made me think!
So many parts in the story were like that. Not like they made me think and want to go do research exactly. Amy Talkington just has such a way with words and the imagery was amazing. It sucked me in and had me lost in the pages.
This story was so interesting. Parts of it read like a contemporary thriller. But then it gets darker, and as you get deeper into the story you learn more about the paranormal aspect of it. This is part of the description so it’s not a spoiler but when Liv dies the story just took this completely different turn and became even more interesting! .. and becoming MORE interesting is saying alot!.. Can you tell yet that I loved this book?
The main character was Liv, but there were more like 3 of them.. Liv, Malcom and Gabe. I loved them all in different ways. Malcom I was kind of unsure about… there is always something just a bit.. off. You will learn why though. Gabe was shy and quirky. Didn’t help that everyone thought he was just a crazy guy with mental issues. But they all grow and change adding new layers to the story.
One of my favorite aspects of the story was that you got to read a small story from each of the ghosts perspectives on how they died. They each had such a unique voice and it really gave ” life” to them as they came into play into other parts of the story.
Basically. I cannot recommend this book enough. I didn’t want to put it down for a moment, and when I did have to I didn’t stop thinking about it. So many different readers will enjoy this story. Fans of mysteries and thrillers, Horror, drama and romance. It also has a historical feel that many will enjoy. Not to mention the Boarding School setting which I have always had a fondness for. Art and music are also a big part of the story and were huge bonus points for me!
READ THIS BOOK.
Originally posted at The Passionate Bookworms Along with a giveaway active until March 31st 2014 !!
Where do I even begin with this one..
When I got the request for the blog tour my first thought was ” Boarding school? Ghosts? .. YES PLEASE!” It helped that the cover was just stunning and intriguing and I could not pass it up. That decision was the best one I could have made!
Liv, Forever sucked me in right from the start. I could easily relate to the Main Character Liv, and her love of art. She would mention things like ink being permanently stuck under her fingernails, or charcoal dusting her hands constantly. Every time one of those things were mentioned I was just like ” I UNDERSTAND.” I also loved the references to different artists and their paintings. After Gabe tells Liv about seeing ghosts she begins to wonder what they look like to him.
” Did it look like a Francis Bacon Painting, distorted and ethereal? Or Tortured, like Munch’s The Scream? Was a ghost more like the chubby cherubs of Titian or the Horrific devils of Hieronymous Bosh?”
PicMonkey Collage
They ended up not really looking like any of those. But I loved the descriptions and the way they made me think!
So many parts in the story were like that. Not like they made me think and want to go do research exactly. Amy Talkington just has such a way with words and the imagery was amazing. It sucked me in and had me lost in the pages.
This story was so interesting. Parts of it read like a contemporary thriller. But then it gets darker, and as you get deeper into the story you learn more about the paranormal aspect of it. This is part of the description so it’s not a spoiler but when Liv dies the story just took this completely different turn and became even more interesting! .. and becoming MORE interesting is saying alot!.. Can you tell yet that I loved this book?
The main character was Liv, but there were more like 3 of them.. Liv, Malcom and Gabe. I loved them all in different ways. Malcom I was kind of unsure about… there is always something just a bit.. off. You will learn why though. Gabe was shy and quirky. Didn’t help that everyone thought he was just a crazy guy with mental issues. But they all grow and change adding new layers to the story.
One of my favorite aspects of the story was that you got to read a small story from each of the ghosts perspectives on how they died. They each had such a unique voice and it really gave ” life” to them as they came into play into other parts of the story.
Basically. I cannot recommend this book enough. I didn’t want to put it down for a moment, and when I did have to I didn’t stop thinking about it. So many different readers will enjoy this story. Fans of mysteries and thrillers, Horror, drama and romance. It also has a historical feel that many will enjoy. Not to mention the Boarding School setting which I have always had a fondness for. Art and music are also a big part of the story and were huge bonus points for me!
READ THIS BOOK.
March 11, 2014
Boricuan Bookworms- Book Reviews
Liv, Forever captivated me in the prologue because it was suspenseful and gosh, it started off with a murder! I am not psychotic in any way (I hope), but when a book starts off with a murder, you know it means business.
Sadly, I think that’s the most amazing part of the book.
After this, we’re introduced to Liv Bloom, a scholarship student at Wickham Hall that just wants to escape the foster system. Liv is different than everyone else, because she’s not rich, nor does she care to be so. Then she meets Malcolm Astor, the most popular guy in school who surprisingly shows an interest in Liv. Gabe, her only friend at Wickham Hall warns her to stay away, but Liv can’t do it. Then, the impossible happens: Liv is brutally murdered. Gabe, the only one who can see Liv’s ghost, has to help her find out who killed her. There’s something mysterious going on in Wickham Hall, and Liv has to find out what, before someone else gets killed.
That summary sounds amazing, doesn’t it? But… it felt very misleading. Instead of mystery, I felt like this was a ghostly romance more than anything.
If you think you’re going to be scared shitless… you’re mistaken. The first few chapters start off with an aspect I expected not to appear: insta-love. Liv meets Malcolm and they lock eyes. Now she can’t stop thinking about him. Her friend Gabe tells her that she should stay away. Does she listen? Nope. Then she starts playing this hot and cold game with Malcolm because she’s not really sure if she’s good enough for him/if he actually does like her. I love romance in my books, but in this case it was probably best if it weren’t included. I don’t understand why Liv is so fixated on Malcolm in the first place (and vice-versa).
(Keep in mind that this was about a week into meeting each other and the first time they had a complete conversation)
This story being told in Liv’s POV was probably a bad choice, because she never knew anything. We’re stuck in an immature, whiny, love-struck, dead girl’s head. I was confused throughout most of the first half because I didn’t know what was happening.
I actually enjoyed reading more about the other ghosts of Wickham Hall, their stories where actually much more interesting.
I hate to be the black sheep with this book, but something just didn’t click with me. You may like it more than me, though!
Rating: 2 stars
Liv, Forever captivated me in the prologue because it was suspenseful and gosh, it started off with a murder! I am not psychotic in any way (I hope), but when a book starts off with a murder, you know it means business.
Sadly, I think that’s the most amazing part of the book.
After this, we’re introduced to Liv Bloom, a scholarship student at Wickham Hall that just wants to escape the foster system. Liv is different than everyone else, because she’s not rich, nor does she care to be so. Then she meets Malcolm Astor, the most popular guy in school who surprisingly shows an interest in Liv. Gabe, her only friend at Wickham Hall warns her to stay away, but Liv can’t do it. Then, the impossible happens: Liv is brutally murdered. Gabe, the only one who can see Liv’s ghost, has to help her find out who killed her. There’s something mysterious going on in Wickham Hall, and Liv has to find out what, before someone else gets killed.
That summary sounds amazing, doesn’t it? But… it felt very misleading. Instead of mystery, I felt like this was a ghostly romance more than anything.
If you think you’re going to be scared shitless… you’re mistaken. The first few chapters start off with an aspect I expected not to appear: insta-love. Liv meets Malcolm and they lock eyes. Now she can’t stop thinking about him. Her friend Gabe tells her that she should stay away. Does she listen? Nope. Then she starts playing this hot and cold game with Malcolm because she’s not really sure if she’s good enough for him/if he actually does like her. I love romance in my books, but in this case it was probably best if it weren’t included. I don’t understand why Liv is so fixated on Malcolm in the first place (and vice-versa).
Malcolm: “I think I’ve been waiting for you my whole life.”
Liv: “It must’ve been a pretty boring life.”
Malcolm: “It was. Then I met you.”
(Keep in mind that this was about a week into meeting each other and the first time they had a complete conversation)
This story being told in Liv’s POV was probably a bad choice, because she never knew anything. We’re stuck in an immature, whiny, love-struck, dead girl’s head. I was confused throughout most of the first half because I didn’t know what was happening.
I actually enjoyed reading more about the other ghosts of Wickham Hall, their stories where actually much more interesting.
I hate to be the black sheep with this book, but something just didn’t click with me. You may like it more than me, though!
Rating: 2 stars
March 12, 2014
Love. Murder. Mystery. Ghosts. Heartache.
My heart aches after reading Liv's story... This is by far one of the best books I have read in a very long time. And will also be one of the most memorable ones. One that I will remember and carry with me for forever... which is rare for me. Usually books that affect me so much are stories that are based on true events, and clearly, this story isn't. But it feels like it was... oh, and the writing! The writing is impeccable! The characters are amazing, honest and noteworthy!
Wickham Hall is not your typical boarding school - with odd rules and weird traditions; Liv Bloom is happy to deal with it all as long as she gets to do what she has to do to keep her scholarship and work in her own art studio. A lover of poets and artists, Liv has an eye for honesty and beauty. A girl after my own heart... and when Malcolm surprises everyone and chooses Liv to be his dance partner at the 'First Dinner', breaking rules and turning Liv's world upside down!
Art. Love. Freedom.
She was going to enjoy it all!
But when her new and only friend, Gabe, warns her to stay away from Malcolm, to stay away from all the 'Wickies', Liv realizes that if she truly wants it all, she was going to have to be careful, and smart about it.
Malcolm is a dreamer stuck in a pre-determined world, a follower. Until he meets Liv. Now, he's determined to figure things out too. Does he want to follow in his father's footsteps? Or will he finally give it all up, be the person he wants to be. The person that Liv would be proud of...
Unfortunately, before they could figure things out for themselves and follow their hearts, tragedy strikes.
Now, Liv is a lingering spirit at Wickham Hall.
And she's not the only one.
The ending was heart-wrenching, but so perfect! I have no doubts that that is definitely how Liv and Malcolm's story should be... however, it feels like Liv may have more to do..
I'm hoping for a second book!!!
Live forever, Liv!!!
Amy Talkington's LIV, FOREVER is such a realistic story, one that you will definitely not regret picking up and reading... and re-reading... again and again.
(Plus, the finish copy is gorgeous and pink!!! Can't wait to get my hands on it!!!)
FAVORITE QUOTES
"He looked at me intensely,
like he wanted to catch every thought or emotion that flickered through my eyes."
- Liv, Forever (ARC) page 24
"You don't even know me," I said.
"But I know I need to."
Need, not want.
- Liv, Forever (ARC) page 25
My heart aches after reading Liv's story... This is by far one of the best books I have read in a very long time. And will also be one of the most memorable ones. One that I will remember and carry with me for forever... which is rare for me. Usually books that affect me so much are stories that are based on true events, and clearly, this story isn't. But it feels like it was... oh, and the writing! The writing is impeccable! The characters are amazing, honest and noteworthy!
Wickham Hall is not your typical boarding school - with odd rules and weird traditions; Liv Bloom is happy to deal with it all as long as she gets to do what she has to do to keep her scholarship and work in her own art studio. A lover of poets and artists, Liv has an eye for honesty and beauty. A girl after my own heart... and when Malcolm surprises everyone and chooses Liv to be his dance partner at the 'First Dinner', breaking rules and turning Liv's world upside down!
Art. Love. Freedom.
She was going to enjoy it all!
But when her new and only friend, Gabe, warns her to stay away from Malcolm, to stay away from all the 'Wickies', Liv realizes that if she truly wants it all, she was going to have to be careful, and smart about it.
Malcolm is a dreamer stuck in a pre-determined world, a follower. Until he meets Liv. Now, he's determined to figure things out too. Does he want to follow in his father's footsteps? Or will he finally give it all up, be the person he wants to be. The person that Liv would be proud of...
Unfortunately, before they could figure things out for themselves and follow their hearts, tragedy strikes.
Now, Liv is a lingering spirit at Wickham Hall.
And she's not the only one.
The ending was heart-wrenching, but so perfect! I have no doubts that that is definitely how Liv and Malcolm's story should be... however, it feels like Liv may have more to do..
I'm hoping for a second book!!!
Live forever, Liv!!!
Amy Talkington's LIV, FOREVER is such a realistic story, one that you will definitely not regret picking up and reading... and re-reading... again and again.
(Plus, the finish copy is gorgeous and pink!!! Can't wait to get my hands on it!!!)
FAVORITE QUOTES
"He looked at me intensely,
like he wanted to catch every thought or emotion that flickered through my eyes."
- Liv, Forever (ARC) page 24
"You don't even know me," I said.
"But I know I need to."
Need, not want.
- Liv, Forever (ARC) page 25
March 10, 2014
Artist Liv Bloom never imagined she'd find a place at the exclusive Wickham Hall, but her promising talent earns her one of the few scholarship openings, complete with room and board, her very own stocked studio, a possibly crazy new friend, and the interest of charming legacy student, Malcolm Astor. Sure, Wickham Hall is a bit odd, with its secret societies, rumored hauntings, and snobby cliques, but its all worth it. Things couldn't possibly get better for Liv... but they could get a lot worse. When her new friend, Gabe, tells Liv that he can see the gruesome ghosts that haunt the school, she assumes he's crazy - until she ends up dead too. Liv doesn't know why Wickham Hall students are being murdered, but she's determined to find out. From beyond the grave, Liv enlists Gabe and Malcolm to help her solve the mystery before the murderer strikes again. A dark paranormal murder mystery and a tale of love that transcends death, LIV, FOREVER will bewitch readers.
THIS BOOK. Oh my goodness. LIV, FOREVER is such a beautifully written, compulsively readable novel. Talkington wastes no time, immediately plunging the reader into the drama and sinister mystery of Wickham Hall. I was briefly worried that Liv and Malcolm would undergo the dreaded insta-love treatment, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that Talkington handled their whirlwind romance with skill. I found myself falling for Malcolm early in the novel, which made Liv falling for him almost inevitable. Their romance is almost sweet, but it has an edge and intensity that's really satisfying.
Despite the fact that I have no artistic talent, I really love art, so was delighted to discover that, throughout the book, Liv often references specific works of art. Each piece of art fits like a puzzle piece into the story, adding unique depth and an unexpected, almost emotional weight. I was familiar with much of the art mentioned, but readers can find images of all the art referenced in the book on the author's website!
THIS BOOK. Oh my goodness. LIV, FOREVER is such a beautifully written, compulsively readable novel. Talkington wastes no time, immediately plunging the reader into the drama and sinister mystery of Wickham Hall. I was briefly worried that Liv and Malcolm would undergo the dreaded insta-love treatment, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that Talkington handled their whirlwind romance with skill. I found myself falling for Malcolm early in the novel, which made Liv falling for him almost inevitable. Their romance is almost sweet, but it has an edge and intensity that's really satisfying.
Despite the fact that I have no artistic talent, I really love art, so was delighted to discover that, throughout the book, Liv often references specific works of art. Each piece of art fits like a puzzle piece into the story, adding unique depth and an unexpected, almost emotional weight. I was familiar with much of the art mentioned, but readers can find images of all the art referenced in the book on the author's website!
March 17, 2014
Even though our main character Liv is murdered halfway in, LIV, FOREVER turns out to be quite a fun and moving novel.
Liv is a new “scolly” (scholarship) student at the prestigious Wickham Hall, admitted due to her promising art portfolio. Though most of the students ignore her, Liv becomes friends with Gabe, a fellow “scolly” who claims that ghosts are talking to him (and the reader knows he’s right thanks to the passages where the ghosts – all female “scollys” – tell us how they died in gruesome ways).
Liv also catches the eye of Malcolm, a legacy student who is a member of the creepy Wickham secret society. Though their relationship is an egregious case of instalove, I can forgive it because it’s delightfully swoony. For example, Malcolm leads Liv on a campus tour complete with a playlist to go along with the various locations, beginning with Bright Eyes’ “First Day of My Life”. Also, they use each other’s bodies as art canvases. So what if Malcolm is unrealistically perfect? This is a paranormal ghost story, guys.
When Liv dies, Gabe has to convince Malcolm to help him solve the mystery of Liv’s murder, a murder they suspect is connected to his secret society and to all the other ghosts. Hijinks ensue.
Author Talkington uses Liv’s artistic training to great effect to shape her voice. Metaphors including art references abound, and while those readers with less knowledge of art might find their inclusion pretentious, it really helped me to connect to Liv. For example, Liv describes Malcolm’s eyes as “Yves Klein blue” and that gave me an instant mental picture. Or this passage when Liv talks about her feelings for Malcolm:
I was dying inside. Brain exploding like a Pollock. Heart melting like one of Dalí’s clocks.
What an original way to describe an intense crush. I love it! And I loved this book. I might have even been misty-eyed by the end.
Liv is a new “scolly” (scholarship) student at the prestigious Wickham Hall, admitted due to her promising art portfolio. Though most of the students ignore her, Liv becomes friends with Gabe, a fellow “scolly” who claims that ghosts are talking to him (and the reader knows he’s right thanks to the passages where the ghosts – all female “scollys” – tell us how they died in gruesome ways).
Liv also catches the eye of Malcolm, a legacy student who is a member of the creepy Wickham secret society. Though their relationship is an egregious case of instalove, I can forgive it because it’s delightfully swoony. For example, Malcolm leads Liv on a campus tour complete with a playlist to go along with the various locations, beginning with Bright Eyes’ “First Day of My Life”. Also, they use each other’s bodies as art canvases. So what if Malcolm is unrealistically perfect? This is a paranormal ghost story, guys.
When Liv dies, Gabe has to convince Malcolm to help him solve the mystery of Liv’s murder, a murder they suspect is connected to his secret society and to all the other ghosts. Hijinks ensue.
Author Talkington uses Liv’s artistic training to great effect to shape her voice. Metaphors including art references abound, and while those readers with less knowledge of art might find their inclusion pretentious, it really helped me to connect to Liv. For example, Liv describes Malcolm’s eyes as “Yves Klein blue” and that gave me an instant mental picture. Or this passage when Liv talks about her feelings for Malcolm:
I was dying inside. Brain exploding like a Pollock. Heart melting like one of Dalí’s clocks.
What an original way to describe an intense crush. I love it! And I loved this book. I might have even been misty-eyed by the end.
March 9, 2014
I received this book for free from Goodreads First Reads to review.
Wow. So bear with me as I attempt to stop my horrendous amount of sobbing enough to sit down and write this review. Liv, Forever by author Amy Talkington was an captivating book and after about page 90 I was glued to its pages and couldn't put it down until I finished. From it's wonderful love of art and artists, ghostly creepiness, Gothic undertones, and VERY different kind of love story this book was not one to miss.
Liv is an artist and this talent earns her a spot at the elite Wickham Hall on scholarship. But from her very first instant as victim of a prank she realizes Wickham isn't at all what she expected.
So this is not a spoiler because its in the summary but main character Liv is murdered not long into the book. Her love story with Golden boy Malcolm had started and friendship with loner nerd Gabe was getting off the ground and suddenly the WHOLE book changes! And as a reader her death absolutely gutted me.
Suddenly this book is more ghostly murder mystery than love story. With the help of Gabe who has the handy ability to see ghosts and Malcolm Liv the ghost must find out who killed her. And not just her but the many other ghosts she and Gabe keep running into on campus.
Gabe and Malcolm's friendship was surprising and hilarious for these two as the three of them were constantly playing telephone. Liv would speak and only Gabe could hear or see her so he'd have to translate everything for Malcolm. Obviously putting even more of a damper than death on that relationship!
This book was sweet, funny, moving, sob-worthy, and very creative. It was a new twist on romance, death, and mystery. I enjoyed it so much even though there's some insanely sad moments. Crying aside, it was worth the read and I hope to read more from Amy Talkington in the future. And excuse me while I have to go look up all the artists and paintings mentioned in the book up!
Wow. So bear with me as I attempt to stop my horrendous amount of sobbing enough to sit down and write this review. Liv, Forever by author Amy Talkington was an captivating book and after about page 90 I was glued to its pages and couldn't put it down until I finished. From it's wonderful love of art and artists, ghostly creepiness, Gothic undertones, and VERY different kind of love story this book was not one to miss.
Liv is an artist and this talent earns her a spot at the elite Wickham Hall on scholarship. But from her very first instant as victim of a prank she realizes Wickham isn't at all what she expected.
So this is not a spoiler because its in the summary but main character Liv is murdered not long into the book. Her love story with Golden boy Malcolm had started and friendship with loner nerd Gabe was getting off the ground and suddenly the WHOLE book changes! And as a reader her death absolutely gutted me.
Suddenly this book is more ghostly murder mystery than love story. With the help of Gabe who has the handy ability to see ghosts and Malcolm Liv the ghost must find out who killed her. And not just her but the many other ghosts she and Gabe keep running into on campus.
Gabe and Malcolm's friendship was surprising and hilarious for these two as the three of them were constantly playing telephone. Liv would speak and only Gabe could hear or see her so he'd have to translate everything for Malcolm. Obviously putting even more of a damper than death on that relationship!
This book was sweet, funny, moving, sob-worthy, and very creative. It was a new twist on romance, death, and mystery. I enjoyed it so much even though there's some insanely sad moments. Crying aside, it was worth the read and I hope to read more from Amy Talkington in the future. And excuse me while I have to go look up all the artists and paintings mentioned in the book up!
March 13, 2014
Hauntingly beautiful with a richly descriptive narrative that will leave you aching for more.
When I finished reading LIV, FOREVER I was left swimming in a myriad of emotions that I could not immediately categorize. My heart felt heavy but all I wanted to do was return to this book and re-read the passages that seemed to own my soul. I could not have asked for a more amazing read for it was the perfect combination of brutal darkness and haunting love and It completely surprised me but in a very good way.
LIV, FOREVER is that rare book that is beautiful in it's visual descriptiveness but it also shines with an achingly sweet love story that drives this murder mystery forward. You become invested in it's main characters and become their champions, especially Liv whom you only seem to adore and understand better posthumously. Thus making the budding romance between her and Malcolm truly bittersweet. Yet, despite their loss it is comforting to see him join forces with her best friend Gabe (who could see her ghostly form) and together they seek to find out who brutally murdered her and why? Especially since she is one of many restless ghosts that seem to inhabit Wickham campus. What they discover will run chills down your spine and make your heart ache but it is only the beginning this hauntingly gorgeous tale. The ending will keep you gripping your novel for dear life and then you will weep from the release of so many emotions.
Amy Talkington has done a wonderful job with LIV, FOREVER for it was a beautifully written story, that was well paced and artistically descriptive while showcasing a murder mystery and romance that were seemlessly intertwined. My favorite parts aside from the romance were the the other ghostly POV's that were genius and wickedly dark.
I highly recommend LIV, FOREVER to anyone that likes romance, mystery tinged in darkness and basically a great story that will keep you riveted until the very end.
When I finished reading LIV, FOREVER I was left swimming in a myriad of emotions that I could not immediately categorize. My heart felt heavy but all I wanted to do was return to this book and re-read the passages that seemed to own my soul. I could not have asked for a more amazing read for it was the perfect combination of brutal darkness and haunting love and It completely surprised me but in a very good way.
LIV, FOREVER is that rare book that is beautiful in it's visual descriptiveness but it also shines with an achingly sweet love story that drives this murder mystery forward. You become invested in it's main characters and become their champions, especially Liv whom you only seem to adore and understand better posthumously. Thus making the budding romance between her and Malcolm truly bittersweet. Yet, despite their loss it is comforting to see him join forces with her best friend Gabe (who could see her ghostly form) and together they seek to find out who brutally murdered her and why? Especially since she is one of many restless ghosts that seem to inhabit Wickham campus. What they discover will run chills down your spine and make your heart ache but it is only the beginning this hauntingly gorgeous tale. The ending will keep you gripping your novel for dear life and then you will weep from the release of so many emotions.
Amy Talkington has done a wonderful job with LIV, FOREVER for it was a beautifully written story, that was well paced and artistically descriptive while showcasing a murder mystery and romance that were seemlessly intertwined. My favorite parts aside from the romance were the the other ghostly POV's that were genius and wickedly dark.
I highly recommend LIV, FOREVER to anyone that likes romance, mystery tinged in darkness and basically a great story that will keep you riveted until the very end.
March 4, 2014
I absolutely loved this book. When I read the synopsis, I thought I knew exactly how this story would go, but it was completely unexpected in all the best ways.
It may seem like this is a little busy, plot-wise (secret societies! boarding school! love! LOVE! LOVE!) but everything blends together perfectly.
I immediately loved Liv. She's smart and artistic and guarded, but not overly sarcastic. That's a hard line to walk, right? But Amy Talkington did it very well.
I hate that this book isn't on more radars; I hadn't heard anything about it before I got the opportunity to join the blog tour. So just read this book. It's lovely.
I'm sad that this is her first book; I was hoping for a lengthy backlist because I loved this one so much. I hope she releases another one soon. Highly recommended.
It may seem like this is a little busy, plot-wise (secret societies! boarding school! love! LOVE! LOVE!) but everything blends together perfectly.
I immediately loved Liv. She's smart and artistic and guarded, but not overly sarcastic. That's a hard line to walk, right? But Amy Talkington did it very well.
I hate that this book isn't on more radars; I hadn't heard anything about it before I got the opportunity to join the blog tour. So just read this book. It's lovely.
I'm sad that this is her first book; I was hoping for a lengthy backlist because I loved this one so much. I hope she releases another one soon. Highly recommended.
February 20, 2015
Hey, this book prompted me to create a shelf called 'why did i read this.'
Because. If mediocre, formulaic, vaguely-misogynist, hetero-romancey ya novels were a guilty pleasure of mine, I could definitely justify reading them. But they're not?? I didn't enjoy this at all? Why did I read this???
Because. If mediocre, formulaic, vaguely-misogynist, hetero-romancey ya novels were a guilty pleasure of mine, I could definitely justify reading them. But they're not?? I didn't enjoy this at all? Why did I read this???
April 5, 2021
I remember this book being the first book that really got me into reading back in 10th grade. So the book was a little nostalgic. Though, reading it a second time, I caught things my 15 year old self would miss.
1. No one goes to school at the boarding school
2. Malcolm and Liv fell in love in one day
3. And everyone is blonde and the poor blondes are extremely stereotyped
The book was pretty good overall and I enjoyed reading it for a second time.
1. No one goes to school at the boarding school
2. Malcolm and Liv fell in love in one day
3. And everyone is blonde and the poor blondes are extremely stereotyped
The book was pretty good overall and I enjoyed reading it for a second time.
May 14, 2015
Eine elitäre Schule voller Chancen - und Liv hat einen der begehrten Stipendiumplätze bekommen! Verunsichert in der Welt der reichen und Schönen, die allesamt Klone von sich selbst zu sein scheinen, zieht sie schon bei der Einführungsfeier Aufmerksamkeit auf sich. Vor allem die von Malcom, in den sie sich gar nicht verlieben will, es dann aber doch tut.
Doch dann stirbt Liv zu einem Zeitpunkt, an dem sie sich grade ihren neuen Möglichkeiten öffnen will. Aber nur, weil sie tot ist, ist sie noch lange nicht verschwunden. Eine Art Fluch scheint über Wickham Hall zu liegen, bei dem verstorbene Mädchen an die Schule gebunden werden.
Zusammen mit dem einzigen Freund, der sie hören und sehen kann und Malcom versucht sie, hinter das Geheimnis zu kommen und die anderen Mädchen zu retten.
Der Klappentext verrät nicht allzu viel über die Geschichte, weshalb ich ohne großes Vorwissen das Buch angefangen habe und erst mal etwas verwirrt war. Zwischen die Kapitel und ganz an den Anfang wurden die Geschichten der Mädchen erzählt, wunderbar geschrieben, knapp und doch voller Liebe zum Detail gibt die Autorin jedem Mädchen, das für die Geschichte wichtig ist, eine Stimmt. Nachdem ich das verstanden hatte, habe ich mich auf diese Zwischenkapitel genauso sehr gefreut wie etwas gefürchtet, las man doch eine unendlich traurige Erzählung.
Die Geschichte hat mich schnell gepackt und nicht mehr wirklich losgelassen. Trotz der unterschiedlichen Vergangenheiten und Gewohnheiten der einzelnen Charakte und der Situation, der sie sich stellen mussten, driftete die Beziehung der drei Hauptcharaktere nie ins unrealistische ab.
Alles in allem war ich außerordentlich überrascht von dieser guten Story, die endlich mal wieder keine Trilogie war.
Doch dann stirbt Liv zu einem Zeitpunkt, an dem sie sich grade ihren neuen Möglichkeiten öffnen will. Aber nur, weil sie tot ist, ist sie noch lange nicht verschwunden. Eine Art Fluch scheint über Wickham Hall zu liegen, bei dem verstorbene Mädchen an die Schule gebunden werden.
Zusammen mit dem einzigen Freund, der sie hören und sehen kann und Malcom versucht sie, hinter das Geheimnis zu kommen und die anderen Mädchen zu retten.
Der Klappentext verrät nicht allzu viel über die Geschichte, weshalb ich ohne großes Vorwissen das Buch angefangen habe und erst mal etwas verwirrt war. Zwischen die Kapitel und ganz an den Anfang wurden die Geschichten der Mädchen erzählt, wunderbar geschrieben, knapp und doch voller Liebe zum Detail gibt die Autorin jedem Mädchen, das für die Geschichte wichtig ist, eine Stimmt. Nachdem ich das verstanden hatte, habe ich mich auf diese Zwischenkapitel genauso sehr gefreut wie etwas gefürchtet, las man doch eine unendlich traurige Erzählung.
Die Geschichte hat mich schnell gepackt und nicht mehr wirklich losgelassen. Trotz der unterschiedlichen Vergangenheiten und Gewohnheiten der einzelnen Charakte und der Situation, der sie sich stellen mussten, driftete die Beziehung der drei Hauptcharaktere nie ins unrealistische ab.
Alles in allem war ich außerordentlich überrascht von dieser guten Story, die endlich mal wieder keine Trilogie war.
September 5, 2017
"liv...it's a name, a verb, a command. A notion of mortality. That's a name ripe for some epic poetry."
So, I'm a girl that judges a book by it's cover alone. And based on this cover (and that synopsis) I was totally set for a great spooky 'haunted' boarding school type story. I was ready for fear and supernatural and a lot of sleuthing to solve the crimes.
Instead...I was bored. It was a lackluster beginning with an odd dance that the "coolest" guy suddenly chose the girl not normally chosen (and totally doesn't know she's gorgeous) to dance THE most important dance with him
and it's love at first sight
no, I'm not kidding. It's seriously, insta-love
From them on, I found the book to be a little simple. The plot just seemed to trudge on, taking me the route I saw miles away. I did like the synopsis....but if I hadn't been reading this with someone else, I think I would have stopped after 5 chapters.
Oh well.
So, I'm a girl that judges a book by it's cover alone. And based on this cover (and that synopsis) I was totally set for a great spooky 'haunted' boarding school type story. I was ready for fear and supernatural and a lot of sleuthing to solve the crimes.
Instead...I was bored. It was a lackluster beginning with an odd dance that the "coolest" guy suddenly chose the girl not normally chosen (and totally doesn't know she's gorgeous) to dance THE most important dance with him
and it's love at first sight
no, I'm not kidding. It's seriously, insta-love
From them on, I found the book to be a little simple. The plot just seemed to trudge on, taking me the route I saw miles away. I did like the synopsis....but if I hadn't been reading this with someone else, I think I would have stopped after 5 chapters.
Oh well.
February 25, 2014
The complexity of the mystery of this book is incredible. It incorporates traditions from ancient cultures and brings it completely to life in the world of the creepy, cold elite boarding school. The history is just so, so well done. I read this book because I wanted to get into another ghost romance. But this was so much more than that. I'm going to read it again. Every time I even think about it, I realize there are three more things that I didn't even catch the first time through.
March 15, 2014
Boarding school, mystery, murder, and secrets - this one was a lot of fun. I loved the art references, and the prose made it such an enjoyable read. My favorite part was definitely the ghosts.
Recommend!
Recommend!
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