The Death of Us

by Alice Kuipers

A recovered friendship, a dark secret, and a love triangle with a deadly angle…

Callie is shocked when her friend Ivy reappears after an unexplained three-year absence, but the girls pick up where they left off, and suddenly Callie's summer is full of parties, boys and fun. Beneath the surface, things aren't what they seem, however, and when a handsome boy with a dark past gets tangled up with Ivy, the girls' history threatens to destroy their future.

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult Contemporary, LGBT

288 pages, Paperback

First published September 2, 2014

About the author

Free Online Writing Course? Sign up here: eepurl.com/bA03lH

I was born in London, England, and I moved to Canada in 2003 when I fell in love with a Canadian. We live in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, which took a while for me to learn how to spell. I have four children, a girl and three boys.

My first novel, Life on the Refrigerator Door, was published in 29 countries, won several awards and was named as a New York Times book for the Teen Age. My second is called Lost For Words in the US, and The Worst Thing She Ever Did everywhere else. It won the Arthur Ellis Award, was shortlisted for the White Pine and Willow Awards, and was published in eight territories. 40 Things I Want To Tell You is my YA book published in 2012. The Death of Us, a CLA honour book, in 2014. My newest YA novel is Me (and) Me.

Violet and Victor Write the Best-Ever Bookworm Book is my first picture book. It was published with Little, Brown Books For Young Readers in December 2014, and the sequel Violet and Victor Write The Most Fabulous Fairy Tale is available now.

Find me at www.alicekuipers.com

Reviews

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tragic romance? A suspense novel? An exploration of the complexities of family life? A book about mean-girling gone desperately wrong? This tightly-written novel is told from three different perspectives, and Kuipers manages to balance their stories with excellent pacing and humour. It's a relatively quick read, and the twist at the end will make you want to re-read it the minute you get to the shocking conclusion.

[Vanessa Browne]

I love how Callie & Callie from grey's anatomy have the same name and are both gay

[S.A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am usually not a fan of books written in multiple POVs, I usually do not like books that start off with the end cliffhanger and then start from the beginning. But in The Death of Us, all of the above worked in such a way that made me love this book so much.

POVs, or point of views, are always important in a novel and as a reader I always tend to gravitate to one more than another, and that was no different in this novel. Callie was my favourite I think because i was able to relate to her and what she was going through. Having a friend move away and then move back can be hard on friendships and a family dynamic, especially one that has a new baby attached to it. I also liked Callie's voice a lot more than anyone else because she was just so sweet and I felt like she was so genuine and seriously wanted to fit in. Did she make some bad choices, of course she did but they made her character that much better than it already was.

Ivy's character was one that I was not a fan of from the very beginning, and I don't think we are meant to like her. She is the friend that wants all the attention, and hates it when someone steals it from her. I liked her perspective on the story especially in contract with Callie's POV because they were so different. And it showed how different people see the same situation is very extreme ways. Kurt was the last and final POV and I loved his the most because he was in the middle of these two girls, and he knew both of them better than I think either of them thought. Kurt was an interesting character because we only got is POV from the present, where as we got Ivy and Callie's POV from the past. And what I loved the most about this book was the fact that every single one of these characters meant something to the story. Each one affected the other and in the end, each one took part in the end game. And seriously, THAT ENDING! loved it so much!

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Describe this book in one sentence- A suspenseful young adult contemporary coming- of- age novel about being true to yourself.

Rating- PG-13

Why this rating?- LGBTQ references, kissing, drugs, and alcohol use.

For ages- Okay, so on the Harper Collins Canada Site they advise 14 and up, but I'm going to advise this for readers 16 and older due to above listed content.

Recommended to- Fans of Amy & Roger's Epic Detour and those who like not knowing what’s going on.

Stars- Two and a half out of five.

Why this number of stars-

The Cover~ This is the only part of the book I can agree with myself on. I love it. The three people depicted on the cover are the three people who tell the story and the sunset to me has always signified suspense as you never can know what the night may hold.

The Content~ I don't really know how I feel about this book. Reading it made me almost uncomfortable. Sometimes I felt like throwing the book across the room and other times I couldn't get enough. My emotions were thrown around like your stomach on a tilt-a-whirl. At times I didn't know where the story was taking me and at others I thought I had a grasp on what was going on only for the whole perspective to change by a turn of plot.

Character Development~ Callie, one of the main characters, came to terms with her sexual orientation through the course of the book, but the character I felt most proud of by the end of this book was her mother. Her mother finally realized that she was neglecting her child and needed to reconnect with her. I really didn't like Ivy's character at all. She compulsively lied and didn't seem to regret it. She reminded me of those mean girls in high school who are always going to parties and are pretty shallow on the whole.

Would I read the second book?- Honestly, I'm not sure. I might read other books by Mrs. Kuipers, but I would not read the sequel to this book.

Find more- http://ya411.blogspot.com

[Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Callie is living her too-good-to-be-true life: her mom’s a successful writer and new mother to baby Cosmo; her father works at the university; Callie has great friends, is successful at school including writing serious articles for the school newspaper. But everything is not as it seems. Ivy materializes after a three-year absence, poisoning Callie’s relationship with her good friend Kurt, who is also editor of the newspaper. When JK Rowling’s Harry Potter series came out years ago, adult readers demanded (and got) new covers to disguise the fact they were enjoying young adult novels. I expect the same will begin to happen to Alice Kuipers after The Death of Us. Yes, this is a young adult novel, but adults will want to read it – and then talk about it with their friends.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read an advance reader copy of this and really enjoyed it. The sparing, poetic style is reminiscent of We Were Liars by E. Lockhart -- as is the plotline, which combined present-day actions with those of a few weeks before. The three narrators have distinct voices, allowing you to really get to know Kurt, Ivy and Callie. All that said, the action, mystery and suspense will make this a good pick for teens who (like me) will likely be so anxious to figure out all of the mysteries that they'll rush through it in a single sitting. Recommended.

[Maggie61 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not a long book, very quick read, but packs quite an impact.
It's a coming of age story of Callie, a good girl, whose estranged best friend Ivy comes back to town after a three year absence. Despite her parents' wishes because of things from the past, Callie finds herself unable to stay away from Ivy, Callie spreads her wings a little, has some normal teenage fun and discovers truths about herself.
A quick read, but definitely intense, spellbinding and worth reading.

[Mélina Doyon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dès les premières pages, on sait qu’il y a eu un grave accident de voiture impliquant Ivy et Callie. Sont-elles vivantes? Qu’est-il arrivé, précisément? Les allers-retours dans le temps agissent en tant que décompte vers cet événement tragique de la nuit du 31, que l’on tarde à avoir les détails. Le suspense est à son comble, et on n’est pas déçu de la grande révélation.
Suite sur Pause lecture.

[Indigo Wayworth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was not a fan of the writing style. The characters were interesting, but not totally captivating. I wasn't really invested in the story. Review to come.

[Kathy Coe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not at all what I was expecting. Minor issues, but overall very enjoyable.

[Meags · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars
This kind of felt like one of the better free eBook novels. Not terrible, but still. A free eBook novel.

[Jen (Pop! Goes The Reader) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did you find this review helpful? Find more of my reviews at Pop! Goes The Reader!

“Police and ambulance workers are pulling a car out of the river. The car is smashed up but not beyond recognition.
It’s Ivy’s car.
My stomach rolls.
It’s Ivy’s car.
Angel is frantic.
Oh man, I think. Callie.”

Callie Carraway and Ivy Foulds. Two best friends as inextricable and devoted as any two girls could be. That is until a potentially deadly, disastrous discovery and a sudden separation make it appear as though that chapter of Callie’s life has been closed forever. Lost in the wake of her best friend’s unexpected disappearance, Callie attempts to put the past firmly behind her, struggling instead with feelings of resentment and jealousy over her new baby brother, Cosmo, worry over her beloved grandmother’s failing health, all while patently ignoring the feelings that Ivy once inspired in her. Instead, she begins to spend more time with her friend Kurt, writing for their shared passion, the school’s magazine, Flat Earth Theory. For better or worse, however, the past does not remain buried for very long. Three years after leaving the quiet town of Edenville, like Dorothy being swept into Oz, Ivy returns on a tornado of secrets, lies and deception that will alter the course of Callie and Kurt’s lives forever. Now dressing only in white and tight-lipped about what has occurred since she has last seen her best friend, Ivy remains the same effervescent, enigmatic mystery with indefatigable energy that once attracted and excited Callie all those years before. As the two begin to spend more and more time together, Ivy’s attention becomes firmly rooted on Kurt, and the three teenagers are soon caught in a treacherous, unpredictable love triangle that will threaten their relationships, their sanity, and even their very lives. After all, perhaps it’s true what they say: Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.

“They’re talking about girls. About Ivy. Sure, they all want her. Blonde, sexy. Flips her hair over her shoulder when she wants me to kiss her. She’s just out of reach. Just something. The girl everyone watches on stage. Can’t help it.”

Is the complete absence of feeling in itself a feeling? What determines a reader’s level of emotional investment in a story? How does one rate a novel that it not objectively bad, but continually contradicts one’s own personal preferences and promises to leave no lasting impression? These were all questions I was forced to confront upon completion of Alice Kuipers’s The Death Of Us. An unsolicited advance reader copy that arrived with two other books I had requested from Harper Collins Canada, The Death Of Us was a novel I was initially excited about. With the promised inclusion of a recovered friendship and a dark secret that threatened to tear Callie and Ivy apart forever, The Death Of Us sounded like a taught, intriguing psychological thriller from a critically acclaimed author who had been lauded many times before. Unfortunately, despite the highest of hopes and the best of intentions, The Death Of Us was a resounding disappointment. In truth, this novel did not inspire much of a response from me at all, be it positive or negative and therein lies the problem. As quickly as I was able to read this story and as important as the issues it examines are, I felt absolutely nothing for this book or its characters. There was no righteous indignation or gushing enthusiasm. Only a general sense of ennui. Though far from the worst novel I have ever read, stale, two-dimensional characters, a convoluted, poorly executed narrative style, and a ‘surprising twist ending’ that was anything but all coalesced to create a thoroughly unremarkable, unmemorable story that was little more than a chore to slog through and proved even more difficult to review.

“Soon Kevin pulls into the alleyway at the back of his house. Same house, same muddy alleyway, same everything. The memories rush back. Three years since we lived here and everything’s exactly the same.
Except me. I’m different.”

My problems with The Death Of Us began, but were unfortunately not limited to, the characters that inhabit it. Both Ivy and Kurt endeavour to escape their parents’ respective legacies. Ivy arrives back in Edenville with a new wardrobe, new exercise regime and a new state of mind, everything she will need for the new start she seems so determined to make. In theory, anyway. Desperate to escape her mother’s history of unrealized potential, failed relationships, unrelenting bitterness and a debilitating dependance on the bottle that makes the aforementioned even moderately bearably, Ivy can’t seem to help but fall back into the patterns from which she is so determined to break free. Kurt is a boy straddling two worlds but belonging to neither, struggling to reconcile the world of wealth, privilege and idle excess into which he has been adopted with the world of poverty and drug addiction inhabited by his biological mother, from which he has escaped. Finally, Callie is the obedient, steadfast, reliable girl determined to rebel against the rules and expectations that threaten to smother her. The perfect student. The perfect daughter. The perfect friend. The perfect teenager. All a brittle illusion. Worried about her grandmother’s failing health, jealous of her brother Cosmo’s close relationship with her mother, and struggling with feelings for Ivy that she can neither define, understand or admit to, Callie should have proven to be a complex, multifaceted character. Instead, riddled with motivations, desires and aspirations that are as changeable as the weather, it was difficult to ever feel as though I had a grasp on who these characters were. Why does Kurt begin a relationship with Ivy only to suddenly decide that his true feelings lay elsewhere? Why does Ivy pursue Kurt with single-minded determination bordering on mania while continuing to only make sexual advances toward Callie? Is she bisexual or merely manipulative? As serious and complicated as the issues that these characters are grappling with are – jealousy, insecurity, mental illness, sexuality, etc – the examination of these subjects is superficial at best. Introduced solely to create conflict amongst the characters, they are not given the time and attention that they deserve and their source, cause, and effect are left relatively unexplored. As a result, there is no baseline from which to determine character growth or a lack thereof, because the characters are so changeable and ill defined. This troubling lack of character development and authorial intent extends to the cast of secondary characters as well. Xander and Rebecca, the supposed best friends of two of our protagonists, are one dimensional and toneless, introduced once only to be subsequently relegated to the background with no apparent further development, purpose or influence on the events in the novel. They exist solely to pad out the cast and otherwise add nothing of interest to the story.

“He gives nothing away. The sound of their shoes echoes down the corridor as they retreat.
This is what it means to be alone.”

The Death Of Us is written from the first person perspective of the three main characters, Callie, Ivy, and Kurt. Kurt’s perspective remains firmly rooted in the present day, July 31st, while Callie and Ivy’s perspectives begin in the past, fourteen days prior to the events of July 31st, and then gradually progress forward in time to eventually align with Kurt’s. Herein lies one of the primary issues I encountered with this novel. While I ordinarily enjoy non-linear stories and those told from multiple points of view, I found Kuipers’s narrative style both alienating and confusing. When utilized properly, multiple points of view allow a better understanding of a character and the ability to see events from a number of different, unique perspectives. Unfortunately, Callie and Ivy’s narrative voice were nearly indistinguishable from one another. This caused a great deal of confusion as to who was speaking, and I often found myself having to refer back to the character delineations at the beginning of each shift in perspective in order to remind myself. This was all the more disappointing because the author is clearly attempting to demonstrate the stark disparity between the girls’ personalities, something which is not entirely achieved because of their muddled and often indistinct voices. Moreover, the non-linear manner in which this novel is written was jarring and never allowed me to invest in or connect with the characters. Just as I as beginning to become accustomed to the rhythm of a character’s voice and settle into their perspective, it would suddenly shift into another and I found myself having to begin all over again. Even more frustrating was the fact that the characters’ observations and narration remained largely vague in order to preserve the ‘surprise twist’ at the conclusion of the novel. In doing so, however, Kuipers never truly utilizes the benefits of a multiple perspective narrative style. She fails to offer a deeper, more personal glimpse into the characters’ psyches because their narration is hindered by a desire for ambiguity and mystery. As an indirect result, I was also constantly aware that I was reading a novel and was never able to be immersed in the story. The deliberate, meticulous, and obvious construction of events and the manner in which they were related always kept me at a firm distance. As a result, the story being told never felt organic, natural, or remotely real.

“In The Odyssey, the sailors steer the ship away from the monster Charybdis, who swallows down the waters of the sea. But I can’t steer the ship anymore. I can’t go on like this.”

Try as I might, I cannot possibly love every book that I read and Alice Kuipers’ The Death Of Us was a painful reminder of this. A contemporary, realistic fiction story about the bonds of family, friendship and budding romance with the faintest hint of magical realism and the supernatural, The Death Of Us promised to include everything I could hope to find in a novel. Given the relative simplicity of the story and the limited word count, I expected a clear, concise, powerful psychological thriller that packed a punch. Unfortunately my hopes were to remain unrealized. Ill defined, poorly developed characters with indistinct voices and muddled motivations, an alienating, poorly utilized narrative style, an uncompromising commitment to mystery and shock value at the expense of everything else and a general inability to connect with the story in any significant manner combined to make this an utterly unfulfilling, lacklustre read. While I would not intentionally deter anyone from reading this story as I do not think it harmful or dangerous in the manner I have found others books, as in the case of Lauren Barnholdt’s Through To You, it is not a novel I feel will leave a lasting impression or remain with me long after completion. That said, if the warm, largely positive initial praise for this novel on sites such as Goodreads are any indication, I can only conclude that I’m the wayward black sheep in this rather eclectic flock. Chin up, Callie, Ivy, and Kurt. It’s not you. It’s me.

Please Note: All quotations included in this review have been taken from an advance reader copy and therefore might be subject to change.

[Lilysbookblog · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whoa. Did not expect that. Review to come.

[Keri · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars. This was a quick easy read and I flew through it. The author had me hooked right away going back and forth between present and days before the present event. I loved reading from the 3 different perspectives, it let me as the reader get to know the characters and be able to know everything as each of the characters were missing certain parts which made you understand their actions, while also getting frustrated because as the reader I knew the truth for each person. There were a couple twists later near the end that I did not see coming at all, and I really liked that. One of them really blew my mind and had me thinking back to all the chapters from that character's perspective and having it all come together. The only thing I didn't like was that once the big reveals were made, the very end chapter/sections felt suddenly very rushed and I would have liked a little more 'After' section for that last chapter or a little more closure, etc. But all in all, I enjoyed it.

[Ida Kubach · Rating 4 out of 5]

The death of us is a very gripping book, that's mainly because, the characters in the book are so well written, so props to that Alice Kuipers. I could really relate to all of the characters on some level.
I loved how the book shifts perspective from person to person, but I think Xander could've been a little more described, or that we for example also saw from his point of view. It takes a little while for you to realize, what the book really is about, so you just have to keep reading. Overall it is a good book with a good message.

[Elysa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un roman à lire !

J’ai lu le livre « La nuit du 31 » en version française. Autant dire que je ne suis pas déçue. L’intrigue est extrêmement bien construite. Certains personnages sont attachants et d'autres repoussants et cela marche bien avec l’histoire. Il y a toujours des rebondissements de situation ! Une fois avoir fini le livre, si on relit un peu le début du roman, on trouve des indices cachés un peu comme dans le film « le sixième sens ».

Ce roman ressemble un peu au roman « Une fille sans histoire » de Constance Rivière. On sait un peu ce qu’il va se passer à la fin et par différents points de vues de multiples personnages on avance dans le temps jusqu’au moment fatidique.

Que se passera-t-il cette fatale nuit du 31 juillet ? C’est à vous de le découvrir !

[Ylia · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was interesting. It was an actual love triangle and there were quite a few interesting turn of events. the way with how the author decided to write the book was not original, but well done. The reader is able to see the perspectives of all the main characters as well as hear the thoughts and opinions. There were a few parts in the book where it was quite a cringe, but maybe that is just a part of the book and the author intentionally wrote it that way.

[Jessica C · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book felt unfinished- it felt as if no one bothered to read it and look for any mistakes.

I did not enjoy the story, the characters felt so fake, and the writing style was not for me.

Kind of mad I let this one sit on my TBR for so long when I could have taken it off ages ago.

[Nanci Pattenden]

Got to page 12 and put it down. Other than a text saying there was an accident, nothing much happens. The opening is supposed to draw the reader in, not bore them. I see if has a lot of good reviews, but it's just not for me.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick, easy read. Didn’t see that twist coming even though she did hint at it several times. It was a gut punch I still haven’t recovered from.

[Émilie Mathieu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ivy, Callie et Kurt!
Un genre de triangle amoureux de ses 3 personnages qui ont 16 ans. Une soirée qui va tout changer pour l’un d’eux. Un petit roman à découvrir

[Laura Z · Rating 3 out of 5]

drugs and suicide

[Nini · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this a long time ago and unfortunately did not enjoy it at all even though I liked all of her other books.

[Florence Neron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow mais quel plot twist à la fin!! Je m'y attendais 0, agréablement surprise !!

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alice Kuipers does something very well in The Death of Us that few authors succeed at in my opinion. She gives voice to several characters in first person narratives, and they each have a distinct and believable voice.

I adore Callie's nerdy musings as she jogs "I feel like Odysseus travelling to exotic lands, and I wonder where the Lotus-Eaters are, or where the Cyclops lives" (29). The way phrases pop into her head, the way she struggles to write down her myriad of ideas, and almost everything about her resonates with me. The way she describes her surroundings and the people is so creative and observant that I want her to be real so we sit and people watch, because I think hearing her describe what's around us would open my eyes.

cover artIvy isn't someone I would be friends with but she still feels more real than someone like her usually does in the story. She may be the gorgeous, impulsive, center of attention but she also has a darkness in her, and an insecurity that Kuipers makes convincing. She does what she can to avoid becoming her mother, embracing life to the fullest. The wild streak this brings out in her leads her down her mother's paths though.

I enjoy that each girl tries to emulate the other. When they get stuck they imagine what their friend would do and act it out. It's interesting that it works both ways. There's a strange bond between them, they are so different but fit well together. There's also a sexual tension that is explored in a subtle way that I think demonstrates the difference between being sexy and being crude in literature for young people.

Kurt is in a unique situation of experiencing two worlds. He knows what it's like to come from that dark place, like Ivy... but he also knows even more luxury and sophistication than Callie. He struggles with balancing these sides of himself. I think each of the girls represents a side of him, and his attraction to them both represents that inner struggle.

The novel is a tragedy, but despite my sadness at the events that take place in it-I am left feeling inspired. It's the kind of novel that makes you want to hug someone you were angry at, to really live, to write poetry... I think Kuipers has done a fantastic job at creating realism. You can't help but care about her characters. You can't help but hang on her words.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

WARUM WOLLTE ICH ES LESEN? Das Buch habe ich bei einem Verlagstreffen vorgestellt bekommen und ich war sofort begeistert. Die Machart und das Genre erinnerten mich an Bücher a la Pretty Little Liars und ich bin ein großer Fan solcher Unterhaltung.

HAT ES MEINE ERWARTUNGEN ERFÜLLT? Obwohl ich mich aus oben genanntem Grund sehr auf das BUch gefreut habe, habe ich versucht, meine Erwartungen herunterzuschrauben. Dabei hat mich insbesondere auch die Dicke des Buches abgeschreckt. Somit muss ich an dieser Stelle auch sagen, dass mich meine Erwartungen weder enttäuscht haben, noch erfüllt wurden.

WAS HAT MIR GUT GEFALLEN? Sommerdunkle Tage ist ein solides Buch, das kurzweilig unterhält und Stoff zum Nachdenken bietet. Durch die Kürze wird nicht lange um den heißen Brei geredet und die Geschichte selbst nimmt sehr schnell an Fahrt auf. Insbesondere das Ende ist unglaublich emotional, schockt und regt noch einmal mehr zum Nachdenken an. So konnte mir der Roman einige schöne Lesestunden bieten. 

WAS HAT MICH GESTÖRT? Das Buch habe ich nun schon seit einer ganzen Weile gelesen und ich muss ehrlich sagen: Ich wünschte, ich hätte diese Rezension früher abgetippt, denn anders als bei vielen anderen Büchern, ist mir der Inhalt nach dieser Zeit scheinbar nicht mehr sehr präsent. Genau das spricht aber auf der anderen Seite sehr für das Buch - wenn auch nicht im positiven Sinne. Sommerdunkle Tage hat mir zwar einige schöne Lesestunden beschert, dennoch bleibt es nicht nachhaltig im Gedächtnis, weil es schlichtweg nicht gut genug ist. Das mag auch daran liegen, dass viele Charaktere durch die Kürze einfach zu blass erscheinen, andere Charaktere, beispielsweise die Eltern, waren unglaublich nervig und hätten deutlich mehr in den Hintergrund rücken können.

FAZIT. Wenn euch Sommerdunkle Tage anspricht, dann lohnt sich definitiv ein Blick ins Buch. Mir bescherte es auch ein paar schöne Lesestunden, konnte mich aber durch seine Kürze und auch langfristig gesehen nicht nachhaltig beeindrucken. | ★★★☆☆

[Brandon]

The Death of Us by Alice Kuipers begins with a sixteen-year-old teenage girl named Callie (the protagonist). She lives in Endenville with her family, which consists of her dad, mom and baby brother, Cosmo. She has many friends and lives an average life, but her life starts to change when her old friend Ivy returns after a mysterious three-year absence. No one knows why she left Kansas City and returned to Edenville, but Callie is just happy to reunite with her best friend even though Callie’s mom forbid her from seeing Ivy. However, as Callie spends more and more time with Ivy, she begins to realize that Ivy has a troubled past and secrets that she does not want to share. Soon, their relationship that was once strong begins to fill with hatred and suspicion.

Even though the story was boring at the beginning, it definitely became more and more interesting as the story progressed. Overall, I had a fantastic time reading this novel, because it was in first person point of view of Callie, Ivy, and Kurt. This allowed me to see each person’s unique perspectives and opinions of major events in the story. As a result, it created an extremely surprising ending, which blew my captivated my mind and left me wishing that the story was a bit longer. This story has taught me that friendship is valuable, but sometimes it is important to let go of those who will be a bad influence in my life. I truly believe that Alice Kuipers’ novel will not disappoint, especially to those who love reading books about friendship.

[Jules Goud · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely not what I was expecting from this book.

I feel like lots of people can draw connections with this book. Both Ivy and Callie have characteristics and issues that are very real today. They have issues that people deal with on a regular basis. In this novel, we get to see what happens when you don't talk to people, and get help and when you do talk to people and get help. Both sides of the spectrum is here for the readers to see.

I only wish that we had gotten to learn a little bit more about Kurt. I feel like his characteristics were not explained, he was just there as a third person for the love triangle.

I liked how this novel didn't go the way that I thought it would. All of the things that I thought would happen did not happen. It was nice to see the love triangle used in such a different way. This novel definitely did not follow what I call the typical teen book pattern.

Definitely a novel that fans of Kuipers should check out. I still liked her "40 Things I Want To Tell You" (I might have messed up the title there, sorry!) a little bit better, but this novel was really good as well!

[sydney · Rating 5 out of 5]

**5+ STARS**

Holy shit. I can definitely say that very few books have affected me as much as this one did. The ending had me full out sobbing and shaking like a leaf. Like wow... I'm really at a loss for words right now. I don't think I'll ever be able to shake this story from my mind... And Alice Kuiper's writing? It was incredible; so poetic and dream-like throughout. The entirety of this book had such a nostalgic, bittersweet feel to it, and the darker moments were so heart-wrenching, it felt impossible to breathe. Pretty much all of my emotions were pulled every which way while reading this, and at the end I was left feeling pretty drained. But the last page effortlessly delivered a sense of peace and brought the whole story to a perfect end.

I picked this up without even reading the back cover, and now I can easily say this is one of my favorite books I've read this year. Also, I'm pretty shocked that this book isn't more popular. I think this is EXTREMELY underrated. Everyone needs to read this right now!!!

[Wendy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sort of a disappointment. I've been a huge Alice Kuipers fan ever since I read Life on the Refrigerator Door and The Worst Thing She Ever Did, but this one couldn't live up to the other two by far. The way it was framed (before and after the incident) made it difficult to follow at points, especially with shifting points of view. However, the plot was full of well-disguised surprises and the characters of Ivy and Callie were both very well done. Maybe I'm just getting too old for teen fiction? Sounds sad. I'll always love Life on the Refrigerator Door and The Worst Thing She Ever Did, but The Death of Us was not for me.