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Beware the Wild #2
Behold the Bones
Candace “Candy” Pickens has been obsessed with the swamp lore of her tiny Louisiana town for . . . forever. Name any ghostly swamp figure and Candy will recite the entire tale in a way that will curl your toes and send chills up your spine.
That doesn’t mean Candy’s a believer, however. Even though she and her friends entered the swamp at the start of summer and left it changed, Candy’s the only one who can’t see or feel the magical swamp Shine. She’s also the only one who can’t see the ghosts that have been showing up and spooking everyone in town ever since. So Candy concentrates on other things—real things. Like fighting with her mother and plotting her escape from her crazy town.
But ghosts aren’t the only newcomers in Sticks, Louisiana. The King family arrives like a hurricane: in a blur and unwanted—at least by Candy. Mr. King is intent on filming the rumored ghostly activity for his hit TV show, Local Haunts. And while Candy can’t ignore how attracted she is to eighteen-year-old Gage King and how much his sister, Nova, wants to be friends, she’s still suspicious of the King family.
As Candy tries to figure out why the Kings are really in town and why the swamp that had previously cast her aside now seems to be invading every crack in her logical, cynical mind, she stumbles across the one piece of swamp lore she didn’t know. It’s a tale that’s more truth than myth, and may have all the answers . . . and its roots are in Candy’s own family tree.
That doesn’t mean Candy’s a believer, however. Even though she and her friends entered the swamp at the start of summer and left it changed, Candy’s the only one who can’t see or feel the magical swamp Shine. She’s also the only one who can’t see the ghosts that have been showing up and spooking everyone in town ever since. So Candy concentrates on other things—real things. Like fighting with her mother and plotting her escape from her crazy town.
But ghosts aren’t the only newcomers in Sticks, Louisiana. The King family arrives like a hurricane: in a blur and unwanted—at least by Candy. Mr. King is intent on filming the rumored ghostly activity for his hit TV show, Local Haunts. And while Candy can’t ignore how attracted she is to eighteen-year-old Gage King and how much his sister, Nova, wants to be friends, she’s still suspicious of the King family.
As Candy tries to figure out why the Kings are really in town and why the swamp that had previously cast her aside now seems to be invading every crack in her logical, cynical mind, she stumbles across the one piece of swamp lore she didn’t know. It’s a tale that’s more truth than myth, and may have all the answers . . . and its roots are in Candy’s own family tree.
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 23, 2016
19 people are currently reading
2113 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
January 28, 2016
(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to HarperCollins and Edelweiss.)
This was an okay story about a girl who seemed to have magical ties to a swamp.
Candy was a character who knew her own mind, and wouldn’t let other people change it. She stood up for what she believed was right, and if she wanted something, then she’d try to get it.
The storyline in this was about how Candy was the only person in town it seemed who couldn’t see the ghosts that kept appearing from the swamp, and what this meant. We got some ghosts, a family intent on filming the ghosts and putting them on TV, and a bit about Candy’s own person problems, which also related back to her odd ties with the swamp, and some strange effects from the ‘shine’ which came from the swamp.
The ending to this was alright, and it was a satisfying ending.
6.5 out of 10
“Every year, before they wish me happy birthday, my family hauls me to a backwoods graveyard to remind me that I, Candace Craven Pickens, killed my own grandpa.”
This was an okay story about a girl who seemed to have magical ties to a swamp.
Candy was a character who knew her own mind, and wouldn’t let other people change it. She stood up for what she believed was right, and if she wanted something, then she’d try to get it.
The storyline in this was about how Candy was the only person in town it seemed who couldn’t see the ghosts that kept appearing from the swamp, and what this meant. We got some ghosts, a family intent on filming the ghosts and putting them on TV, and a bit about Candy’s own person problems, which also related back to her odd ties with the swamp, and some strange effects from the ‘shine’ which came from the swamp.
The ending to this was alright, and it was a satisfying ending.
6.5 out of 10
June 7, 2016
Natalie C. Parker’s Behold the Bones came as an unexpected sequel/companion novel to her fabulous debute, Beware the Wild. Just like her first book, Behold the Bones takes place in Sticks, Lousiana, a town as slow and provincial as its symbolic name suggests. When you’re born so deep in the South, you accept heath and gossip as a way of life. Aside from the small town mentality, Sticks is burdened with the surrounding forest and its swamp with magical properties. In the previous book, we followed Sterling on her quest to find and save her brother from the magical swamp. This time we join her best friend Candace as she discovers her family’s connection with the town’s history and magic.
Candy is completely unlike Sterling in every way that counts. She is headstrong, defiant and difficult and she makes poor choices on every turn. She is angry with everyone around her, but most of all she is furious with life itself. Her only goal is to escape from her small town at first opportunity, somewhere she can be anonymous and free. The swamp, however, has other plans for Candy, even when it seems that Candy and magic are mutually exclusive.
I suppose one could say that there’s a romance in this book, but it’s really peripheral, not unimportant but secondary, and Candy doesn’t even understand her feelings until the very end. If you prefer your books heavy on the romance, this isn’t a good choice for you. But if your priority is a good story, preferably with a light romance or at least some hope, Behold the Bones might be the perfect choice.
Behold the Bones is creepy, atmospheric and strange. In other words, it’s a perfect read for fans of Brenna Yovanoff, Kendare Blake or Tessa Gratton, which I definitely am. Parker’s prose is precisely the lush, gorgeous experience I enjoy above all else. She is a wonderful author and whatever she decides to write next has my wholehearted support.
Candy is completely unlike Sterling in every way that counts. She is headstrong, defiant and difficult and she makes poor choices on every turn. She is angry with everyone around her, but most of all she is furious with life itself. Her only goal is to escape from her small town at first opportunity, somewhere she can be anonymous and free. The swamp, however, has other plans for Candy, even when it seems that Candy and magic are mutually exclusive.
I suppose one could say that there’s a romance in this book, but it’s really peripheral, not unimportant but secondary, and Candy doesn’t even understand her feelings until the very end. If you prefer your books heavy on the romance, this isn’t a good choice for you. But if your priority is a good story, preferably with a light romance or at least some hope, Behold the Bones might be the perfect choice.
Behold the Bones is creepy, atmospheric and strange. In other words, it’s a perfect read for fans of Brenna Yovanoff, Kendare Blake or Tessa Gratton, which I definitely am. Parker’s prose is precisely the lush, gorgeous experience I enjoy above all else. She is a wonderful author and whatever she decides to write next has my wholehearted support.
July 2, 2016
Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales
Quick & Dirty: A decent companion novel set in a small Louisiana town.
Opening Sentence: Grandpa Craven kicked it the day I was born.
The Review:
Candy Pickens lives in the tiny Louisiana town of Sticks. She’s never believed in the swamp lore that is spoken like religion, but she is about to face a surprise when ghost sightings appear everywhere. Except, she’s the only one who can’t see them, and apparently her touch chases them away, as well as the magical Shine that wreathes through the swamp. When a TV producer moves through town to film their ghost stories, his intentions are anything but innocent, and its up to Candy to figure them out and solve her ghost problem.
This novel was a companion to a previous installment, Beware the Wild. Instead of focusing on Sterling, the story followed Candace, or Candy, as she journeyed a very different adventure. For the most part, I really enjoyed the originality of the story and how the Louisiana swamp factored into the mythology and folklore of the town. Sticks was just your average tiny Southern town – with a nice heaping of ghosts and magic. Again, the rich Southern atmosphere could have been translated a little stronger, but I still really enjoyed how the author played with such eerie swamp elements.
Candy is a very different character than Sterling was. Sterling was more reserved, but Candy is the rebellious one, the one who shakes things up a bit. Her bravado and confidence tended to hide the softer parts of her. I did enjoy how the writing style diversified with a different character, because I hate when one point of view sounds exactly like another character’s (like in Allegiant by Roth). Over the story, Candy grew as a character, and became more selfless and more able to see other’s points of views.
As for the love story, I really don’t know how I feel about that. There wasn’t much focus on the romance, more on the immediate plotline, which I enjoyed. The romance was kind of built in bits and pieces, but wasn’t altogether unexpected. In all honesty, I was entirely uncaring toward the love interest. His character and the romance felt very subpar to me. There was kind of a love triangle, but never a legit one. And then, the ghosts: I liked the idea of Mad Mary. I think the first book carried a more original plotline, and more interesting one, but this second installment managed to take the world from the previous one and expand on it. This helped to explain certain things from the first book so I liked drawing these connections.
Altogether, I enjoyed the characters and development of this story. The plot was interesting and the setting was nicely done, although the tone and atmosphere could have been a bit stronger. It was a decent companion novel, with one of my bigger complaints being the romance, which didn’t interest me at all. I still think the first was better but really liked this one, and I’d recommend fans of the first to go ahead and check out this awesome book!
Notable Scene:
And here I am, the North Star. Brilliant and isolated, orienting everyone but connecting to no one. I am all I’ll ever be and I don’t know what that means anymore.
I’ve never been the girl who imagines her wedding, or anticipates a family like it’s a given I’ll have both, but I’ve never considered that neither were in my future.
But I’ve also never imagined myself alone. And right now, that’s all I see in my future. Me.
And me alone.
FTC Advisory: HarperTeen provided me with a copy of Behold the Bones. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
Quick & Dirty: A decent companion novel set in a small Louisiana town.
Opening Sentence: Grandpa Craven kicked it the day I was born.
The Review:
Candy Pickens lives in the tiny Louisiana town of Sticks. She’s never believed in the swamp lore that is spoken like religion, but she is about to face a surprise when ghost sightings appear everywhere. Except, she’s the only one who can’t see them, and apparently her touch chases them away, as well as the magical Shine that wreathes through the swamp. When a TV producer moves through town to film their ghost stories, his intentions are anything but innocent, and its up to Candy to figure them out and solve her ghost problem.
This novel was a companion to a previous installment, Beware the Wild. Instead of focusing on Sterling, the story followed Candace, or Candy, as she journeyed a very different adventure. For the most part, I really enjoyed the originality of the story and how the Louisiana swamp factored into the mythology and folklore of the town. Sticks was just your average tiny Southern town – with a nice heaping of ghosts and magic. Again, the rich Southern atmosphere could have been translated a little stronger, but I still really enjoyed how the author played with such eerie swamp elements.
Candy is a very different character than Sterling was. Sterling was more reserved, but Candy is the rebellious one, the one who shakes things up a bit. Her bravado and confidence tended to hide the softer parts of her. I did enjoy how the writing style diversified with a different character, because I hate when one point of view sounds exactly like another character’s (like in Allegiant by Roth). Over the story, Candy grew as a character, and became more selfless and more able to see other’s points of views.
As for the love story, I really don’t know how I feel about that. There wasn’t much focus on the romance, more on the immediate plotline, which I enjoyed. The romance was kind of built in bits and pieces, but wasn’t altogether unexpected. In all honesty, I was entirely uncaring toward the love interest. His character and the romance felt very subpar to me. There was kind of a love triangle, but never a legit one. And then, the ghosts: I liked the idea of Mad Mary. I think the first book carried a more original plotline, and more interesting one, but this second installment managed to take the world from the previous one and expand on it. This helped to explain certain things from the first book so I liked drawing these connections.
Altogether, I enjoyed the characters and development of this story. The plot was interesting and the setting was nicely done, although the tone and atmosphere could have been a bit stronger. It was a decent companion novel, with one of my bigger complaints being the romance, which didn’t interest me at all. I still think the first was better but really liked this one, and I’d recommend fans of the first to go ahead and check out this awesome book!
Notable Scene:
And here I am, the North Star. Brilliant and isolated, orienting everyone but connecting to no one. I am all I’ll ever be and I don’t know what that means anymore.
I’ve never been the girl who imagines her wedding, or anticipates a family like it’s a given I’ll have both, but I’ve never considered that neither were in my future.
But I’ve also never imagined myself alone. And right now, that’s all I see in my future. Me.
And me alone.
FTC Advisory: HarperTeen provided me with a copy of Behold the Bones. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
January 10, 2016
I really liked the spooky aspect of the first book and Candy, so I was quite eager to get into this story.
Being in Candy's head is different. She's quite abrasive and her inner monologue is too. I did love how tough she was and how she constantly stood up for herself. At the same time, her doing everything on her own and not letting anyone help got pretty repetitive.
The King family was interesting, but they definitely didn't add the sort of conflict I was expecting. Same with the swamp: the creepy, atmospheric setting seemed to be missing. Don't get me wrong, I did enjoy it, yet the spark that I saw and loved from book 1 didn't carry over.
**Huge thanks to Harper Teen and Edelweiss for providing the arc in exchange for an honest review**
Being in Candy's head is different. She's quite abrasive and her inner monologue is too. I did love how tough she was and how she constantly stood up for herself. At the same time, her doing everything on her own and not letting anyone help got pretty repetitive.
The King family was interesting, but they definitely didn't add the sort of conflict I was expecting. Same with the swamp: the creepy, atmospheric setting seemed to be missing. Don't get me wrong, I did enjoy it, yet the spark that I saw and loved from book 1 didn't carry over.
**Huge thanks to Harper Teen and Edelweiss for providing the arc in exchange for an honest review**
June 9, 2016
God, I freaking love the way this woman writes southern atmosphere, and if I had any worries she couldn't keep up the magic - literal and metaphorical - from Beware the Wild, this companion dispelled them completely. Candy is such a strong character, it's so nice to see the others again, and there's a little subplot with Abigail that legit made me cry. I am *dying* for Beale to get her own story, so Harper, if you're reading this, for the love of God please make that happen.
February 9, 2016
An awful lot can happen in a small town like Sticks, and if you don’t believe me then you need to pick up the Beware The Wild series by Natalie C. Parker. With it’s southern Gothic vibe and tales of magic and ghosts, I promise you there is nothing like it in Young Adult right now – and you need it in your life.
See full review here: http://www.memyshelfandi.com/2016/02/...
See full review here: http://www.memyshelfandi.com/2016/02/...
July 27, 2018
VERY disappointed on who she ended up with??? like what? even though it made much more sense for her to be with person2, what the fuck! i was rooting for person1, and we literally got no background for person2. he was just a dick half the book and the other half he became the man😍😍! smh.
February 5, 2016
Two and a half stars: A book with a lot of potential, but it is missing something.
Candy is enduring her annual birthday celebration with her family. Instead of a normal birthday party, Candy is treated to her uncle relating the family's long, cursed history in the graveyard next to her grandfather's grave. Candy was born on the day her grandfather died, a tradition or curse that stretches back for generations. Candy will soon learn that the family curse is affecting her life in more ways than she ever dreamed, starting with the reason why she can't see the mysterious shine in the swamp or the ghosts the rest of the town claims to be seeing. Is there something special about Candy?
What I Liked:
*I enjoyed Beware the Wild the companion novel to Behold the Bones so I was eager to go back to the small town of Sticks and the creepy swamp that surrounds it. Once again, I was pleased with the creepy atmosphere and the strange occurrences in the small town. This time the focus in on ghostly sightings. I like the eerie atmospheric setting of this series.
*The book focuses on Candace. She is a tough girl, who is frustrated by her inability to see the paranormal. I liked that Candy was a fighter and that she stood up for herself. She is a no nonsense girl. I also appreciated that she transformed and changed, especially when it came out her views on the town and the people in it. At the beginning of the book, she wants nothing more than to escape Sticks and the people surrounding her, but as the the story progresses, she learns some startling truths about herself and her town, and she changes her mind. I liked her new outlook at the end, and I appreciated that she let go of many of her prejudices.
*I like the small town of Sticks. This is a town steeped in superstition and it thrives on its long history of ghost stories and swamp lore. Everyone in the town accepts that there is something paranormal about the swamp, and they have no trouble believing in ghosts. The small town and the swamp create the perfect backdrop for the story.
*I appreciated that the story had a strong focus on friends and family. Candy is fiercely loyal to her friends and family, and I liked that she always had her friends' backs.
*Even though this is the second novel in the series, you can read it without having read the first as it is a companion novel. This book has a different main character and story line. Events in the previous book are touched lightly on, but they don't have a strong bearing on this story. However, I would recommend reading the first book so you can gain an appreciation for the swamp and all of its peculiarities.
*The writing is wonderful. I loved the metaphors and similes and rich descriptions.
*The ending is crazy and chaotic with its big reveals and finale. I appreciated that once the dust settled that things tied off and ended neatly. No cliffhangers of nagging questions.
And The Not So Much:
*I wish I could put my finger on what was missing from this story. It just didn't grab my attention like the first book. I think one of the problems was that I felt like the book lacked focus. Not much happens during the first half of the book, other than a couple of ghostly sightings. I kept waiting for something big to happen, and it doesn't until the final pages. The pacing was slow, and I thought the book dragged, by the time I got to the end, it was too little too late. I was also expecting a better tie in with all the ghosts. Why were all the ghosts suddenly crawling out of the swamp?
*The King family was underdeveloped. I thought they were going to play a more prominent part in the book, especially Gage. Instead, the only who is featured is Nova. I wished that there had been more on the family, their travels and their ailing mother.
*The romance is a big miss. At first, it appears that Candy is going to fall for one boy, but he keeps shoving her away for personal reasons. There is a second suitor, whom I thought Candy treated very poorly. Then at the end, she makes her choice. The romance needed way more development. As it stands, it just felt thrown in there.
*There is a secondary story line that features Candy's friend, Abigail, who is struggling with her sexual identity. I wished that there had been a bit more on Abby, as I wanted to see here take a stand and be comfortable in her own skin, and with who she was. Unfortunately, her story line is abandoned and I was left wondering about her.
*I love the eerie atmosphere of the swamp, but unfortunately, the swamp doesn't play as prominent of a role as it did in the first book. I wanted more swamp.
*I was irritated with Candy because I couldn't understand why she kept trusting Nova. You would think one time getting burned she would learn, but she lets herself get taken advantage of by Nova several times. Annoying.
*This is a Young Adult book, but reader be warned, it is for a more mature audience as there is teen drinking and sex.
Behold the Bones was a book that I wanted to love, but I felt it faltered with a slow pace, lack of development with characters and story lines, a weak romance and an unfocused plot. I liked the atmospheric setting and the focus on friendship and family as well as the paranormal, but unfortunately this was a read that missed the mark a bit. If you want an interesting story, give this a try, but I would recommend borrowing it.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.
Candy is enduring her annual birthday celebration with her family. Instead of a normal birthday party, Candy is treated to her uncle relating the family's long, cursed history in the graveyard next to her grandfather's grave. Candy was born on the day her grandfather died, a tradition or curse that stretches back for generations. Candy will soon learn that the family curse is affecting her life in more ways than she ever dreamed, starting with the reason why she can't see the mysterious shine in the swamp or the ghosts the rest of the town claims to be seeing. Is there something special about Candy?
What I Liked:
*I enjoyed Beware the Wild the companion novel to Behold the Bones so I was eager to go back to the small town of Sticks and the creepy swamp that surrounds it. Once again, I was pleased with the creepy atmosphere and the strange occurrences in the small town. This time the focus in on ghostly sightings. I like the eerie atmospheric setting of this series.
*The book focuses on Candace. She is a tough girl, who is frustrated by her inability to see the paranormal. I liked that Candy was a fighter and that she stood up for herself. She is a no nonsense girl. I also appreciated that she transformed and changed, especially when it came out her views on the town and the people in it. At the beginning of the book, she wants nothing more than to escape Sticks and the people surrounding her, but as the the story progresses, she learns some startling truths about herself and her town, and she changes her mind. I liked her new outlook at the end, and I appreciated that she let go of many of her prejudices.
*I like the small town of Sticks. This is a town steeped in superstition and it thrives on its long history of ghost stories and swamp lore. Everyone in the town accepts that there is something paranormal about the swamp, and they have no trouble believing in ghosts. The small town and the swamp create the perfect backdrop for the story.
*I appreciated that the story had a strong focus on friends and family. Candy is fiercely loyal to her friends and family, and I liked that she always had her friends' backs.
*Even though this is the second novel in the series, you can read it without having read the first as it is a companion novel. This book has a different main character and story line. Events in the previous book are touched lightly on, but they don't have a strong bearing on this story. However, I would recommend reading the first book so you can gain an appreciation for the swamp and all of its peculiarities.
*The writing is wonderful. I loved the metaphors and similes and rich descriptions.
*The ending is crazy and chaotic with its big reveals and finale. I appreciated that once the dust settled that things tied off and ended neatly. No cliffhangers of nagging questions.
And The Not So Much:
*I wish I could put my finger on what was missing from this story. It just didn't grab my attention like the first book. I think one of the problems was that I felt like the book lacked focus. Not much happens during the first half of the book, other than a couple of ghostly sightings. I kept waiting for something big to happen, and it doesn't until the final pages. The pacing was slow, and I thought the book dragged, by the time I got to the end, it was too little too late. I was also expecting a better tie in with all the ghosts. Why were all the ghosts suddenly crawling out of the swamp?
*The King family was underdeveloped. I thought they were going to play a more prominent part in the book, especially Gage. Instead, the only who is featured is Nova. I wished that there had been more on the family, their travels and their ailing mother.
*The romance is a big miss. At first, it appears that Candy is going to fall for one boy, but he keeps shoving her away for personal reasons. There is a second suitor, whom I thought Candy treated very poorly. Then at the end, she makes her choice. The romance needed way more development. As it stands, it just felt thrown in there.
*There is a secondary story line that features Candy's friend, Abigail, who is struggling with her sexual identity. I wished that there had been a bit more on Abby, as I wanted to see here take a stand and be comfortable in her own skin, and with who she was. Unfortunately, her story line is abandoned and I was left wondering about her.
*I love the eerie atmosphere of the swamp, but unfortunately, the swamp doesn't play as prominent of a role as it did in the first book. I wanted more swamp.
*I was irritated with Candy because I couldn't understand why she kept trusting Nova. You would think one time getting burned she would learn, but she lets herself get taken advantage of by Nova several times. Annoying.
*This is a Young Adult book, but reader be warned, it is for a more mature audience as there is teen drinking and sex.
Behold the Bones was a book that I wanted to love, but I felt it faltered with a slow pace, lack of development with characters and story lines, a weak romance and an unfocused plot. I liked the atmospheric setting and the focus on friendship and family as well as the paranormal, but unfortunately this was a read that missed the mark a bit. If you want an interesting story, give this a try, but I would recommend borrowing it.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.
June 12, 2016
"take a stone, take a flower flower flower
these will only last an hour
but take a bone or take some strife
these will last for all my life
she's so mad mad mad
she's so very bad."
Wow, what a wonderful 2nd book. I didn't even know this was a duology until I was going through new releases and this one popped up. I was wary - I'd loved book 1 - the lyrical quality of the writing, the lore and the Louisiana southern flair - I'd loved all of it in the first book. So I was worried a 2nd book wouldn't compare. But I Loved this one. I fell right back into the heat and sweat of the swamp and the small town and into the lives of three girls who were so close and loved each other so much. I loved being back, loved every page and raced right through it.
if there's a third one - which I doubt but if there is - then I will definitely devour it!
these will only last an hour
but take a bone or take some strife
these will last for all my life
she's so mad mad mad
she's so very bad."
Wow, what a wonderful 2nd book. I didn't even know this was a duology until I was going through new releases and this one popped up. I was wary - I'd loved book 1 - the lyrical quality of the writing, the lore and the Louisiana southern flair - I'd loved all of it in the first book. So I was worried a 2nd book wouldn't compare. But I Loved this one. I fell right back into the heat and sweat of the swamp and the small town and into the lives of three girls who were so close and loved each other so much. I loved being back, loved every page and raced right through it.
if there's a third one - which I doubt but if there is - then I will definitely devour it!
July 23, 2020
Summary:
Candace Craven Pickens has been having a rough time. Following her birthday, she receives some not so great medical news, she's still the only one in town who can't see the swamp shine or ghosts and a family of paranormal investigators show up in town.
Candace has no idea it's all connected and the discovery will change her life forever.
Personal Opinion:
I did enjoy Beware The Wild a bit more than this follow up. I had a harder time getting into this one as it began to tell the story of the only local who can't see any of the swamp shine or ghosts. It took until part 2 (pg 131) for me to really become interested and intrigued.
Candace has quite the selfish and stubborn attitude at times which made her a bit harder to like overall. It was realistic though as most teens go through that phase at one point or another. She also grows as a person during the story which is always nice to see. I think if I would have read this as a teen, I would have connected with her more easily.
The ending was by far my favorite part of this book.
Overall, I think this would be enjoyed more by a teen audience.
Candace Craven Pickens has been having a rough time. Following her birthday, she receives some not so great medical news, she's still the only one in town who can't see the swamp shine or ghosts and a family of paranormal investigators show up in town.
Candace has no idea it's all connected and the discovery will change her life forever.
Personal Opinion:
I did enjoy Beware The Wild a bit more than this follow up. I had a harder time getting into this one as it began to tell the story of the only local who can't see any of the swamp shine or ghosts. It took until part 2 (pg 131) for me to really become interested and intrigued.
Candace has quite the selfish and stubborn attitude at times which made her a bit harder to like overall. It was realistic though as most teens go through that phase at one point or another. She also grows as a person during the story which is always nice to see. I think if I would have read this as a teen, I would have connected with her more easily.
The ending was by far my favorite part of this book.
Overall, I think this would be enjoyed more by a teen audience.
February 9, 2016
This was one of my most anticipated books for 2016 and I am so happy to say that it lived up to my expectations!!! It's a perfect companion to Parker's debut, Beware the Wild and I was SO happy to return to Sticks and these characters! This book is so creepy and so damn country I can't even stand it!!! I was enchanted from the start and I am crossing my fingers that there will be a third book because I am not ready to leave the swamp!
December 8, 2015
Oh man I do not know where to start with this review because I don't want to spoil it but there is so much in this book from suspense to folk lore.
We meet Candy and her friends who live in a small town steeped in folk lore and stories that may or may not be true. See Candy has been obsessed with the swamp lore of her tiny town. Then one day her friends decide to enter the swamp and when they come out everyone is different when they come out except Candy. Candy can't see anything her friends see and she is frustrated because she has never been able to see anything and she wonders why.
So all Candy can do is think about the day she can leave her small town and start a new normal life somewhere else. Then one day a new family comes to town and the town is turned upside down and all Candy can think about is why are the new comers here in her town looking for the ghosts and things she can't see. What is she missing here? She starts to investigate the new family and what she finds she does not like. What could it be? And will it change her life.........
We meet Candy and her friends who live in a small town steeped in folk lore and stories that may or may not be true. See Candy has been obsessed with the swamp lore of her tiny town. Then one day her friends decide to enter the swamp and when they come out everyone is different when they come out except Candy. Candy can't see anything her friends see and she is frustrated because she has never been able to see anything and she wonders why.
So all Candy can do is think about the day she can leave her small town and start a new normal life somewhere else. Then one day a new family comes to town and the town is turned upside down and all Candy can think about is why are the new comers here in her town looking for the ghosts and things she can't see. What is she missing here? She starts to investigate the new family and what she finds she does not like. What could it be? And will it change her life.........
March 9, 2016
This 2nd book is from Candace' perspective and her immunity to the shine. Then there is the King family and their interest on making the mystery of the shine into a TV show. I struggled a little bit with the first half of the book and almost DNF. Also Sterling did seem to have a different voice than the first book - lost her depth. However, the pace picked up and the story redeemed itself. 2 for the first half, 4 for the 2nd half.
March 30, 2016
4.25ish but this was pretty much all that I wanted and was scared to hope for in a sequel to Beware the Wild. It was gothic, eerie, atmospheric, the supernatural elements tied in naturally, the characters were diverse and inclusive, and the plot was tied to the first novel's but was not dependent upon it for understanding or advancement of this second story.
Series review to come.
Series review to come.
May 18, 2017
This book is an excellent twist on fiction as it has a realistic and really paints a picture. The title of the book captivated me and motivated me to read. I often enjoy a good fiction book and love to dissolve into the world that the author created. Every night I would read for hours much past the time for which sleeping should take place. On the board this completes 1E which is having a female main character. In the book it's hard not to get lost as so much happens, yet instead of it being a deterrent it only makes you want more. My favourite quote in the book could quite possibly be one that I feel reflects everyone. "We grow up in moments - when we encounter such stupidities in ourselves that our only choice is to grow past them or into them." Personally, this reflects the difficulties of growing up, changing and finding out who we truly are. Sometimes the hard way, sometimes with a gentle push. The problem being that you never really know where you're going to next. What interested me about this book was that it was based in a southern American setting, which I really know nothing about. Often quoting that the town they live in has "southern charm". The book is about how Candace's family always has a certain about of people in it. Whenever someone is born, someone dies. Candance is a special component to the towns charm. She can deter the ghosts that reside there. The center of all magic is a cherry tree that produces shine. The King family pose a threat as they try and harness and film the town, to make money.
October 10, 2020
Arc received courtesy of Goodreads.com first reads giveaway.
I liked reading Behold the Bones. The characters, and the story were good. I haven't read the first book in this series, however, I as able to enjoy it.
I liked reading Behold the Bones. The characters, and the story were good. I haven't read the first book in this series, however, I as able to enjoy it.
August 1, 2018
3.5 stars for a companion novel that was awesome but perhaps not as awesome as the original, Beware the Wild.
I loved being inside Candy's head, experiencing her close, odd, superstitious family; her loving cousins; her deep friendships; and her rebellious spirit. Seeing Sticks, LA through Candy's eyes was entirely different (in a great way) than being inside Sterling's in the first book, but I thought the plot of this book didn't quite measure up.
This story certainly had pros, not the least of which was seeing deeper into the friendship between Sterling, Abigail, and Candy, and the way they included Heath in their circle. It was lovely to see such beautiful female friends, who understood and supported one another, who wanted to spend time together and help each other, and who, best of all, made mistakes and made up for them.
Another pro was Candy's personality. She's so brazen and fierce and deep-feeling and clever. She knows what she wants and deserves, and she stands up for it, no matter what. I adored her rebellious spirit and her consuming kindness and her desires.
She was also willing to face her mistakes and deal with them, which was huge for me.
What I didn't know until right this very minute was how growing up happens in little surges. We grow up in moments—when we encounter such stupidities in ourselves that our only choice is to grow past them or into them.
The plot, while a bit slow and less haunting than I'd hoped, was still original and highly entertaining. Ghosts appearing all over town, Candy's connection to the swamp coming to light, a new family in town... All good things.
However, I had a problem with how long it took Candy to confide in her friends about her problems, because they were supposed to be an unbreakable trio, and she kept everything to herself until it exploded out and harmed the people around her. I dunno, I just think I'd talk to my friends, especially after every crazy thing they'd already been through. Their moments of admission and emotion were honest and meaningful, and I missed more chances for that.
I also had a problem with the romance. While I was thrilled to find it not to be the central plot, I absolutely did not understand or condone
The concluding romance and the slightly slow plot (given the horror it could have contained) bumped this down the half-star from 4. But it was an excellent followup to an interesting world, and I'm happy to have it!
Now, may we have a third book from Abigail's POV, please Parker?
I loved being inside Candy's head, experiencing her close, odd, superstitious family; her loving cousins; her deep friendships; and her rebellious spirit. Seeing Sticks, LA through Candy's eyes was entirely different (in a great way) than being inside Sterling's in the first book, but I thought the plot of this book didn't quite measure up.
This story certainly had pros, not the least of which was seeing deeper into the friendship between Sterling, Abigail, and Candy, and the way they included Heath in their circle. It was lovely to see such beautiful female friends, who understood and supported one another, who wanted to spend time together and help each other, and who, best of all, made mistakes and made up for them.
Another pro was Candy's personality. She's so brazen and fierce and deep-feeling and clever. She knows what she wants and deserves, and she stands up for it, no matter what. I adored her rebellious spirit and her consuming kindness and her desires.
She was also willing to face her mistakes and deal with them, which was huge for me.
What I didn't know until right this very minute was how growing up happens in little surges. We grow up in moments—when we encounter such stupidities in ourselves that our only choice is to grow past them or into them.
The plot, while a bit slow and less haunting than I'd hoped, was still original and highly entertaining. Ghosts appearing all over town, Candy's connection to the swamp coming to light, a new family in town... All good things.
However, I had a problem with how long it took Candy to confide in her friends about her problems, because they were supposed to be an unbreakable trio, and she kept everything to herself until it exploded out and harmed the people around her. I dunno, I just think I'd talk to my friends, especially after every crazy thing they'd already been through. Their moments of admission and emotion were honest and meaningful, and I missed more chances for that.
I also had a problem with the romance. While I was thrilled to find it not to be the central plot, I absolutely did not understand or condone
The concluding romance and the slightly slow plot (given the horror it could have contained) bumped this down the half-star from 4. But it was an excellent followup to an interesting world, and I'm happy to have it!
Now, may we have a third book from Abigail's POV, please Parker?
June 10, 2016
Since I ran out of time for rereading Beware the Wild, I was concerned I would be lost in Behold the Bones, and that my enjoyment of it would suffer as a result, but Behold the Bones actually stands alone really well. Plus, Parker does a great job of refreshing you on what happened in the previous book naturally, without beating you over the head with a recounting at the start.
Behold the Bones actually worked for me even better than Beware the Wild, though I think the plot was a bit less consistently intense. Of course, me being me, I was so there for Candy’s sassy voice and I’ll take voice over plot any day. And, to be clear, the plot’s fun and it’s not a mess, but it’s kind of slow and drifty for a while and then the ending is whoa in a good way. But yeah this one was so voicey, and I’m just a huge fan of Candy. I still didn’t really connect emotionally with the book, but I had so much damn fun reading it.
The romance in Behold the Bones is…a bit awkward. I mean, kind of in a good way, I think, but yeah it’s not what I typically expect. It’s a good thing objectively but it’s also not very shippy really, and there was one aspect of it that I wasn’t sold on from a characterization perspective.
Parker’s writing is still utterly lovely; she does such a fabulous job writing in a way that makes everything feel deeply imbued with southernness without going all dialect. Seriously impressed with this series, and I know I want to read anything she writes.
Behold the Bones actually worked for me even better than Beware the Wild, though I think the plot was a bit less consistently intense. Of course, me being me, I was so there for Candy’s sassy voice and I’ll take voice over plot any day. And, to be clear, the plot’s fun and it’s not a mess, but it’s kind of slow and drifty for a while and then the ending is whoa in a good way. But yeah this one was so voicey, and I’m just a huge fan of Candy. I still didn’t really connect emotionally with the book, but I had so much damn fun reading it.
The romance in Behold the Bones is…a bit awkward. I mean, kind of in a good way, I think, but yeah it’s not what I typically expect. It’s a good thing objectively but it’s also not very shippy really, and there was one aspect of it that I wasn’t sold on from a characterization perspective.
Parker’s writing is still utterly lovely; she does such a fabulous job writing in a way that makes everything feel deeply imbued with southernness without going all dialect. Seriously impressed with this series, and I know I want to read anything she writes.
March 25, 2016
I've gotten used to the depressing way Hollywood depicts the Deep South as a land of exoticized red neck halfwits who spend their days wrestling alligators and fiddle-dee-dee-ing, but I hadn't realized how acclimated I'd gotten to seeing that same overwrought cliche in fiction until I read Behold the Bones. Natalie Parker's Louisiana bayou is ghost-filled and creepy and thick with tradition, but her characters aren't the Southern simpletons you so frequently see depicted, and the fact that they grew up mudding and on moonshine doesn't make them less complex human beings. Even protagonist Candy Pickens, whose main objective is to get out of the backwoods, respects the way of life around her.
Candy, whose friend Sterling's story was told in Beware the Wild, has seen things she can't explain in the tiny town of Sticks, but lately she's more concerned about what she's not seeing - namely, the ghostly apparitions that have taken to appearing to the rest of the populace. Word of the hauntings spread, and a TV ghost hunter comes to town along with his family, including his disturbingly hot son and a daughter who's trying a bit too hard to be friendly. As the ghostly activity continues to escalate, Candy and her friends must once again uncover the secrets buried in the local swamp.
Parker's tale is spooky without ever truly being scary and comes with a bit of a moral lesson, like any good Southern ghost story. Better than that, though, it continually works to subvert your expectations, of Southerners in general and of her characters in particular, in a way that left me cheering. It's enough to make you want to raise a toast with sweet tea - or it would be, if I drank sweet tea.
Candy, whose friend Sterling's story was told in Beware the Wild, has seen things she can't explain in the tiny town of Sticks, but lately she's more concerned about what she's not seeing - namely, the ghostly apparitions that have taken to appearing to the rest of the populace. Word of the hauntings spread, and a TV ghost hunter comes to town along with his family, including his disturbingly hot son and a daughter who's trying a bit too hard to be friendly. As the ghostly activity continues to escalate, Candy and her friends must once again uncover the secrets buried in the local swamp.
Parker's tale is spooky without ever truly being scary and comes with a bit of a moral lesson, like any good Southern ghost story. Better than that, though, it continually works to subvert your expectations, of Southerners in general and of her characters in particular, in a way that left me cheering. It's enough to make you want to raise a toast with sweet tea - or it would be, if I drank sweet tea.
March 1, 2016
*Source* Publisher
*Genre* Young Adult, Paranormal
*Rating* 3.5
*My Thoughts*
*Main Characters: Candace (Candy) Pickens, Sterling Saucier, Abigail Beale, Heath Durham, Gabe and Nova King.
*Setting: Sticks, Louisiana
*Summary* Behold the Bones, by Natalie C. Parker, is the second installment in the Beware the Wild series. While Beware the Wild was from Sterling's perspective, this story is from Candace Pickens. Every year, on her birthday, Candy's rather large family of cousins, aunts, and uncles get together to reminisce about family members who have been taken by the family curse. Every year, Candy gets to remember that her birth led to the dead of her own grandfather. Yet, no-one has really took the time to explain the curse to Candy.
*Full Review Posted 03/01/2016 via Gizmo's Reviews*
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
*Published* February 23rd 2016 by HarperTeen
*Genre* Young Adult, Paranormal
*Rating* 3.5
*My Thoughts*
*Main Characters: Candace (Candy) Pickens, Sterling Saucier, Abigail Beale, Heath Durham, Gabe and Nova King.
*Setting: Sticks, Louisiana
*Summary* Behold the Bones, by Natalie C. Parker, is the second installment in the Beware the Wild series. While Beware the Wild was from Sterling's perspective, this story is from Candace Pickens. Every year, on her birthday, Candy's rather large family of cousins, aunts, and uncles get together to reminisce about family members who have been taken by the family curse. Every year, Candy gets to remember that her birth led to the dead of her own grandfather. Yet, no-one has really took the time to explain the curse to Candy.
*Full Review Posted 03/01/2016 via Gizmo's Reviews*
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
*Published* February 23rd 2016 by HarperTeen
April 25, 2016
Behold the Bones is a fantastic return to Sticks, Louisiana.
Told primarily from the point of view of Candace Pickens, this book is a lesson is how to paint relationships in a story. Couple that with some excellent world-building and Sticks' unique flavor of magic, and you have one hell of a good read.
I particularly enjoy Natalie's ability to illustrate a characters thoughts in a way we can't help but know exactly how they feel:
"I sweep my light at the level of the water, ready to pee if I spot the flash of eyeshine."
A fun, fast romp that I recommend to anyone who likes fantasy.
Told primarily from the point of view of Candace Pickens, this book is a lesson is how to paint relationships in a story. Couple that with some excellent world-building and Sticks' unique flavor of magic, and you have one hell of a good read.
I particularly enjoy Natalie's ability to illustrate a characters thoughts in a way we can't help but know exactly how they feel:
"I sweep my light at the level of the water, ready to pee if I spot the flash of eyeshine."
A fun, fast romp that I recommend to anyone who likes fantasy.
December 6, 2016
There are a lot of things I liked about this book-- queer characters, interesting setting, the fact that the expected romances were circumvented (can we have a whole book about Riley?)
And then there was the "barren" plot line. Because g-d forbid a book handle a young woman dealing with her body's issues without it turning out to be fucking MAGIC. And g-d forbid a book handle a female character's ostensible inability to have kids as anything other than a fucking "deficiency".
And then there was the "barren" plot line. Because g-d forbid a book handle a young woman dealing with her body's issues without it turning out to be fucking MAGIC. And g-d forbid a book handle a female character's ostensible inability to have kids as anything other than a fucking "deficiency".
November 6, 2016
I was really excited to read this second installment because I really enjoyed the first book. Sadly, it failed and disappointed me because of that sinister freakin' bloody f-bomb! Curse that f-bomb! Seriously, YA books are getting worse with the use of the f-bomb, other expletives, and sex.
January 26, 2016
3.5 stars for this one - Review to come!
February 26, 2016
THIS. WAS. SO. GOOD. Full review to come, when I get some time.
Want to read
June 22, 2015This sounds like Dark Paradise by Angie Sandro which I LOVE!
June 3, 2021
Not nearly as good as the previous book. The atmosphere is completely gone, and nobody is acting in character. The town and its inhabitants almost seem caricatures of their previous selves. There's a lot less horror and a lot more petty interpersonal drama, not to mention the inconsistencies (related to Abigail's family, among other things). It really seemed like a bunch of different people (and the universe in general) were out to ruin Candy's life for completely unrelated and completely arbitrary reasons, which made it a scrambled mess, especially compared to the more tightly woven issues Sterling faced in the previous book. It was also a lot more moralizing than Beware the Wild, with Candy being narratively punished for exceedingly minor sins, while other characters get away with attempted murder (literally and figuratively).
Most characters at least had the decency to change their personalities between books, but one character spontaneously changed character mid-book. It just happened, with no explanation. I figured Gage had done some some sinister magic, or even just threatened Riley , but nope.
It's also profoundly gross that Candy ends up giving in to her mom in the end about the fertility thing. I really thought this book would end up affirming that it's okay to choose not to have children, that it's okay for a woman to make choices about her own body, that infertility isn't the deepest darkest tragedy and something that must be fought with tooth and claw at detriment to one's own physical and mental health. Also the standard, estrogen containing birth control that Candy would probably be going on here, though extremely commonly used, comes with a lot more side effects and health risks than most would expect. Taking birth control unnecessarily wasn't the casual step it was portrayed to be. The problem here was not her infertility, it was her mom only valuing her based on what she could produce (offspring or fame).
Other medical related errors includes using hydrogen peroxide on a deep cut (a bad idea, impedes healing), and not even attempting to reattach the removed finger. She had the pinky joint! It hadn't been gone for that long. With her super-healing it could have been totally feasible, and should have at least been addressed
Sterling's journey was fun to read because she became stronger and more confident over the course of the book. Candy's journey is the opposite in every respect, she loses everything that made her interesting, her beliefs, motivations, and intelligence, and that's treated as a positive thing. The Kings face no consequences for any of their actions, not Mr. King basically blackmailing Candy with the contract, not Nova magically drugging Abigail and Sterling, cutting off part of Candy's pinky, and burning a magic tree (with the knowledge that this will likely kill Candy). Candy's parents also face no consequences for signing the contract without even bothering to ask Candy (and then trying to pretend it would be her decision), or for being coercive about her reproduction (to the point of telling Nanny Craven, who then tries to turn her friends against her, and of course also faces no consequences). Riley not only faces no consequences for being a creepy jerk, he ends up as Candy's boyfriend. It's bizarre and unsatisfying, especially in contrast to Beware the Wild's interesting bittersweet ending.
Most characters at least had the decency to change their personalities between books, but one character spontaneously changed character mid-book. It just happened, with no explanation. I figured Gage had done some some sinister magic, or even just threatened Riley , but nope.
It's also profoundly gross that Candy ends up giving in to her mom in the end about the fertility thing. I really thought this book would end up affirming that it's okay to choose not to have children, that it's okay for a woman to make choices about her own body, that infertility isn't the deepest darkest tragedy and something that must be fought with tooth and claw at detriment to one's own physical and mental health. Also the standard, estrogen containing birth control that Candy would probably be going on here, though extremely commonly used, comes with a lot more side effects and health risks than most would expect. Taking birth control unnecessarily wasn't the casual step it was portrayed to be. The problem here was not her infertility, it was her mom only valuing her based on what she could produce (offspring or fame).
Other medical related errors includes using hydrogen peroxide on a deep cut (a bad idea, impedes healing), and not even attempting to reattach the removed finger. She had the pinky joint! It hadn't been gone for that long. With her super-healing it could have been totally feasible, and should have at least been addressed
Sterling's journey was fun to read because she became stronger and more confident over the course of the book. Candy's journey is the opposite in every respect, she loses everything that made her interesting, her beliefs, motivations, and intelligence, and that's treated as a positive thing. The Kings face no consequences for any of their actions, not Mr. King basically blackmailing Candy with the contract, not Nova magically drugging Abigail and Sterling, cutting off part of Candy's pinky, and burning a magic tree (with the knowledge that this will likely kill Candy). Candy's parents also face no consequences for signing the contract without even bothering to ask Candy (and then trying to pretend it would be her decision), or for being coercive about her reproduction (to the point of telling Nanny Craven, who then tries to turn her friends against her, and of course also faces no consequences). Riley not only faces no consequences for being a creepy jerk, he ends up as Candy's boyfriend. It's bizarre and unsatisfying, especially in contrast to Beware the Wild's interesting bittersweet ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 1, 2024
While this book was written beautifully and had plenty of spooky atmosphere and tension that could make my breath stop for a minute or two, I had a hard time making friends with Candy. I thought she was a jerk to all of her peers and a brat to her elders. I still for the life of me cannot figure out what made her so appealing to boys that she had THREE of them pursuing her affections, nor can I account for one’s extremely rapid change of heart from thuggish bully to tender-hearted protector in the span of a chapter or two. She just didn’t seem likely to inspire those kinds of feelings, seeing how she was spitting venom at practically everyone for nearly the entire story.
I mean, we kind of got to see some character development eventually. I’m glad that she actually listened when all her friends sat her down and told her how insufferable she was being, but I still couldn’t bring myself to like her much. I about stood up and cheered when Abigail said, “I forgive you, but I’m asking you to be better.” Like, can we just soak in the awesomeness that is that quote? What a great friend, to let go of that bitterness but also to gently and firmly set boundaries and not allow Candy to continue abusing their friendship. MAN, that gave me goosebumps.
As a whole, this felt like a decent lead-up to Spooky Book Season. Thought about rating it 3 stars, but the fact is that I liked Beware the Wild a bit better, and that’s the rating I gave it. I’ll give it 2, but in reality it’s probably more of a 2.5. Stylistically, it was a pleasure to read - I really loved many of the similes, and despite the general slow pace of the story, I was never bored. If I had liked the main character more, this easily could have been much more highly rated, but I had to knock some points off for general reading experience. I’m not at all sad to be done with it.
I mean, we kind of got to see some character development eventually. I’m glad that she actually listened when all her friends sat her down and told her how insufferable she was being, but I still couldn’t bring myself to like her much. I about stood up and cheered when Abigail said, “I forgive you, but I’m asking you to be better.” Like, can we just soak in the awesomeness that is that quote? What a great friend, to let go of that bitterness but also to gently and firmly set boundaries and not allow Candy to continue abusing their friendship. MAN, that gave me goosebumps.
As a whole, this felt like a decent lead-up to Spooky Book Season. Thought about rating it 3 stars, but the fact is that I liked Beware the Wild a bit better, and that’s the rating I gave it. I’ll give it 2, but in reality it’s probably more of a 2.5. Stylistically, it was a pleasure to read - I really loved many of the similes, and despite the general slow pace of the story, I was never bored. If I had liked the main character more, this easily could have been much more highly rated, but I had to knock some points off for general reading experience. I’m not at all sad to be done with it.
February 28, 2018
I thought Beware the Wild was a unique tale in the YA genre. I was a little hesitant about Behold the Bones, because sometimes, when a first book is so good, the second one has a lot (perhaps too much) to stand up against.
I think that's what happened here.
It wasn't a bad book. I liked it, but I did not like it nowhere near the same amount as I liked Beware the Wild. Maybe it was Candy, the new narrator. She's a rougher person than Sterling. She is rash, bolder when it comes to social situations, and sometimes the decisions she made made no sense to me. Maybe it was the Kings. I was not a fan of Nova and Gage and Mr. King. When Candy went to hang out with Nova, I was like *Facepalm*. I know that without the occasional stupid decision, there'd be next to no books, but come on.
I do have to say, the ending did felt a little rushed, and I was kind of weirded out by the whole . This second installment (companion book?) did not meet the bar Beware the Wild set, which I kind of expected. However, I do think that if you read the first and enjoyed it, you should just give this one a go, too. There's certainly a lot worse YA out there.
I think that's what happened here.
It wasn't a bad book. I liked it, but I did not like it nowhere near the same amount as I liked Beware the Wild. Maybe it was Candy, the new narrator. She's a rougher person than Sterling. She is rash, bolder when it comes to social situations, and sometimes the decisions she made made no sense to me. Maybe it was the Kings. I was not a fan of Nova and Gage and Mr. King. When Candy went to hang out with Nova, I was like *Facepalm*. I know that without the occasional stupid decision, there'd be next to no books, but come on.
I do have to say, the ending did felt a little rushed, and I was kind of weirded out by the whole . This second installment (companion book?) did not meet the bar Beware the Wild set, which I kind of expected. However, I do think that if you read the first and enjoyed it, you should just give this one a go, too. There's certainly a lot worse YA out there.
March 3, 2017
4.5. Almost as good as the first book. Almost everything about this book was great, and I loved the way it expanded in the swamp lore laid down by the first book. The only place this book went wrong was with the boys, specifically Gage and Riley, but also Quentin. There was just too much going on with them to the point where there actually was never enough, as in Gage's role was almost insignificant despite him seeming important in the beginning, Riley's complete 180 from antagonist to sweet love interest left me expecting a twist that never came, and Quentin was irritatingly the most fleshed out of the three boys when he really didn't deserve to be. I also expected more background development for Abigail, and now I'm left desperately hoping that she'll get her own book despite Goodreads not having it listed, it would be wrong for Sterling and Candy to get one each but not Abigail.
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