Something Missing
I liked the book despite its flaws. The plot is more intereting than I expected but as I read it I kept feeling that something was missing, call it character development or atmosphere, I found it lacking. Despite the plot, I found it difficult to engage in the story or the lives of the characters. Of course there are also the mechanical flaws. So here's my basic list of issues.
1) This book is riddled with typos, missing words, extra words, wrong words, which disrupt the flow of the story for the reader.
2) Events occur that are never explained. Where did Jesse really disappear to for 2 weeks and when he came back, why did no one ask him about his absence? Everyone acted as if he never left.
3) And then there's the 'deus ex machina' towards the end in the form of a recording device. Where did that come from? It was never mentioned previously but because of it . . . Never mind. Spoiler.
4) I personally don't like pugnacious main characters and Taylor is one. She insults people, beats them up, and is pretty clueless when it comes to relationships but the hot guy is still attracted to her. Why? I get that she grew up in a trailer park and never dated but she's not a five-year old. And, she must have had some experience with friends. But then we don't get any meaningful glimpse into her background to help us understand her. The same is true of others around her.
5) That brings me to atmosphere, which is part setting and part the characters' experience of the setting and together they can create a mood that serves as a kind of physical and emotional backdrop for the story and the inner struggles of the characters. The setting of islands shrouded in fog and connected by bridges, springs with glowing waters, a waterfall at midnight, dirty shacks as cabins, mysterious tunnels are all wonderful settings. But they are not experienced by the characters. The way the characters experience their world can tell us much about who they are and who they could become.
I'll probably read the next book because it has a decent plot but if its like this one it will be like eating a good meal to which the cook has forgotten to add seasoning.