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Pretty Wicked #1
Pretty Wicked
The daughter of a local police detective, fifteen-year-old Ryann has spent most of her life studying how to pull off the most gruesome murders her small Colorado town has ever seen.
But killing is only part of it. Ryann enjoys being the reason the cops are frenzied. The one who makes the neighbors lock their doors and windows on a hot summer’s day. The one everyone fears but no one suspects.
Carving out her own murderous legacy proves harder than she predicted. Mistakes start adding up. And with the police getting closer, and her own father becoming suspicious, Ryann has to prove once and for all that she’s smarter than anyone else—or she’ll pay the ultimate price.
Written in a mature YA voice. Some graphic content.
But killing is only part of it. Ryann enjoys being the reason the cops are frenzied. The one who makes the neighbors lock their doors and windows on a hot summer’s day. The one everyone fears but no one suspects.
Carving out her own murderous legacy proves harder than she predicted. Mistakes start adding up. And with the police getting closer, and her own father becoming suspicious, Ryann has to prove once and for all that she’s smarter than anyone else—or she’ll pay the ultimate price.
Written in a mature YA voice. Some graphic content.
412 pages, Paperback
First published September 30, 2016
6 people are currently reading
785 people want to read
About the author
Kelly Charron
9 books58 followersKelly Charron is the author of adult psychological thrillers and cozy mysteries. All with murderous inclinations and moderate amounts of humor. She spends far too much time consuming true crime television (and chocolate) while trying to decide if yes, it was the husband, with the wrench, in the library. She lives with her husband and cat, Moo Moo, in Vancouver, British Columbia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
March 30, 2017
I found out where this kid went...
She is in this book.
Ryann is the youngest daughter of a local police officer. She loves to discuss true crime shows and her love of The Greats. The Greats are Bundy, Dahmer, etc.
She begins her little career as a whacko when she was nine. A classmate fell after they sneaked out of school and little Ryann just helps her along..
Fast forward a few years and now Ryann is fifteen. She decides that she has waited long enough and she is getting behind on kill numbers. If she is going to be one of the "Greats" she has to keep up.
So she starts planning and when the opportunity comes out..Ryann is ready for the task.
She loves that the local police can't figure out what is going on in their small town, her friends are clueless. After all who would suspect the perfect A student and all American cheerleader?
But someone is watching Ryann....
This was a surprising book, in that it's marketed as a young adult book. Most young adult books would have thrown in a boyfriend. Even a serial killer young adult book. I'm so glad that Ryann gave no craps for the boys. She rings truer to her character since there is only one number one in Ryann's life and it ain't no boy.
Ryann did get on my nerves with her whiny nature. But I really didn't want to 'book bond' with a whacked out psycho..so that's okay.
I did take off a star when I got to the end of this one and realized that of course, it's going to be a series. Really people? Not all books have to be series.
Booksource: Netgalley in exchange for review.
She is in this book.
Ryann is the youngest daughter of a local police officer. She loves to discuss true crime shows and her love of The Greats. The Greats are Bundy, Dahmer, etc.
She begins her little career as a whacko when she was nine. A classmate fell after they sneaked out of school and little Ryann just helps her along..
Fast forward a few years and now Ryann is fifteen. She decides that she has waited long enough and she is getting behind on kill numbers. If she is going to be one of the "Greats" she has to keep up.
So she starts planning and when the opportunity comes out..Ryann is ready for the task.
She loves that the local police can't figure out what is going on in their small town, her friends are clueless. After all who would suspect the perfect A student and all American cheerleader?
But someone is watching Ryann....
This was a surprising book, in that it's marketed as a young adult book. Most young adult books would have thrown in a boyfriend. Even a serial killer young adult book. I'm so glad that Ryann gave no craps for the boys. She rings truer to her character since there is only one number one in Ryann's life and it ain't no boy.
Ryann did get on my nerves with her whiny nature. But I really didn't want to 'book bond' with a whacked out psycho..so that's okay.
I did take off a star when I got to the end of this one and realized that of course, it's going to be a series. Really people? Not all books have to be series.
Booksource: Netgalley in exchange for review.
February 6, 2017
Ryann is a pretty typical teenager. She's 15 and in her parents' eyes, she never quite compares with her older sister. She's a straight A student, a cheerleader, has many friends, and never gets into trouble. Her dad is a homicide detective, her mom a waitress in a small town.
Oh.. did I say typical? I meant to say atypical. You see, Ryann is a serial killer.
Her first victim came about when Ryann was 9 years old. ... A bratty little girl that her sister babysat. Since her dad's a cop, Ryann knows all about DNA, fingerprints, alibis. Since then she has been studying more ... by reading all about the "Greats" .. well-known serial killers.
She takes out the girl who stole her boyfriend, a teacher, a customer at her mother's restaurant, among others. She loves knowing that she's the person responsible for making the police crazy, for residents locking their doors.
But someone has been watching .... and knows her secret. Maybe she hasn't been as careful as she thought.
I have read a lot of serial killer books, psychological thrillers ... this particular book is among the best. I don't read a lot of young blond, pretty, perky teenage girls who commits arson, strangles, and stabs her victims.. depending on her mood.
Psychopaths have no conscience or moral compass. That seems to be an accurate description of Ryann.
PRETTY WICKED is such a well-written book. It was a hard book to put down. And even now, hours after I finished the book, I'm still seeing her in my mind. There are a few great plot twists. "Anonymous" was something I never saw coming. The ending was fantastic!
Kelly Charron has created the perfect serial killer book and I cannot wait to see the next installment... WICKED FALLOUT.
Many thanks to the author / Dark Arts Publishing / Netgalley who provided a digital copy of this extremely engaging novel. Any opinion expressed here is unbiased and entirely my own.
Oh.. did I say typical? I meant to say atypical. You see, Ryann is a serial killer.
Her first victim came about when Ryann was 9 years old. ... A bratty little girl that her sister babysat. Since her dad's a cop, Ryann knows all about DNA, fingerprints, alibis. Since then she has been studying more ... by reading all about the "Greats" .. well-known serial killers.
She takes out the girl who stole her boyfriend, a teacher, a customer at her mother's restaurant, among others. She loves knowing that she's the person responsible for making the police crazy, for residents locking their doors.
But someone has been watching .... and knows her secret. Maybe she hasn't been as careful as she thought.
I have read a lot of serial killer books, psychological thrillers ... this particular book is among the best. I don't read a lot of young blond, pretty, perky teenage girls who commits arson, strangles, and stabs her victims.. depending on her mood.
Psychopaths have no conscience or moral compass. That seems to be an accurate description of Ryann.
PRETTY WICKED is such a well-written book. It was a hard book to put down. And even now, hours after I finished the book, I'm still seeing her in my mind. There are a few great plot twists. "Anonymous" was something I never saw coming. The ending was fantastic!
Kelly Charron has created the perfect serial killer book and I cannot wait to see the next installment... WICKED FALLOUT.
Many thanks to the author / Dark Arts Publishing / Netgalley who provided a digital copy of this extremely engaging novel. Any opinion expressed here is unbiased and entirely my own.
January 2, 2017
Fifteen year old Ryann is on the outside what everyone would consider the perfect daughter. Ryann is a straight A student, a cheerleader and always follows the rules and listens to her parents. However, Ryann is harboring one huge secret, she's always been obsessed with serial killers and has the urge building inside her to try to become one herself.
Ryann is no stranger to killing though, she actually had killed another young girl when a few years before when the girl was very badly injured so instead of getting help Ryann ended her life. Now Ryann's taste for blood has grown and since her father is a police officer she's done her homework and things she's ready to avoid the police and start her killing spree just like her idols.
Pretty Wicked is actually the first book in a new series by Kelly Charron. The is a dark and twisted young adult thriller told from the prospective of the girl next door who turns into a psychotic murderer. With the main character in the story being only fifteen she does have a bit of immaturity about her but that perfectly fit what I would expect from a fifteen year old.
The book was rather compelling as Ryann begins her killing spree, I just could not stop reading wanting to know what she was going to do next, who her next victim would be or whether she would be caught for her crimes. She does make a lot of silly mistakes but again with her only being fifteen being a bit impulsive was very believable but on the flip side coming from being raised in a family with a law enforcement officer it was also believable when she was doing thing right.
Overall, quite compelling young adult thriller told from the perspective of a young female striving to be a cheerleader by day and a murderer by night.
I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....
Ryann is no stranger to killing though, she actually had killed another young girl when a few years before when the girl was very badly injured so instead of getting help Ryann ended her life. Now Ryann's taste for blood has grown and since her father is a police officer she's done her homework and things she's ready to avoid the police and start her killing spree just like her idols.
Pretty Wicked is actually the first book in a new series by Kelly Charron. The is a dark and twisted young adult thriller told from the prospective of the girl next door who turns into a psychotic murderer. With the main character in the story being only fifteen she does have a bit of immaturity about her but that perfectly fit what I would expect from a fifteen year old.
The book was rather compelling as Ryann begins her killing spree, I just could not stop reading wanting to know what she was going to do next, who her next victim would be or whether she would be caught for her crimes. She does make a lot of silly mistakes but again with her only being fifteen being a bit impulsive was very believable but on the flip side coming from being raised in a family with a law enforcement officer it was also believable when she was doing thing right.
Overall, quite compelling young adult thriller told from the perspective of a young female striving to be a cheerleader by day and a murderer by night.
I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....
September 30, 2016
http://angelerin.blogspot.com/2016/09...
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a free ebook copy of Pretty Wicked By: Kelly Charron in exchange for an honest review.
Short Review Summary:
Boring and bland writing.
I am pretty disappointed by Pretty Wicked to be honest with you. When I first saw it available on NetGalley it sounded like just my kind of novel! The cover is fantastic and I checked out the ratings on Goodreads and all of the reviews are pretty positive. Unfortunately for me, the summary is better than the actual book and the only thing I ended up liking is the cover.
#CoverLove
Lame. Boring. Bland. These are the first words I think of when trying to write a mini review for this novel. I ended up DNFing at about 40-45%. That's pretty far in and if I don't like it by that point, then it's not going to get any better. The pacing is so slow and the story just dragged on and on. The writing is repetitive and as bland as white rice. I wish there had been some flair!
#LameBoringBland
Overall I didn't like Pretty Wicked at all. The idea behind it is fantastic, but the execution is pretty pitiful. I feel like this review sounds pretty harsh, but even my 9 year old sons wouldn't be creeped out or thrilled by this book.
#NotTryingToBeHarshBut...
I personally can't recommend this novel. Since there are a fair amount of positive reviews maybe it would be better suited for people who aren't really into thrillers or creepy novels, but want a light Halloween read this October. Who knows, that could be the type of person it was written for! :D
#ThrillerLIGHT
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a free ebook copy of Pretty Wicked By: Kelly Charron in exchange for an honest review.
Short Review Summary:
Boring and bland writing.
I am pretty disappointed by Pretty Wicked to be honest with you. When I first saw it available on NetGalley it sounded like just my kind of novel! The cover is fantastic and I checked out the ratings on Goodreads and all of the reviews are pretty positive. Unfortunately for me, the summary is better than the actual book and the only thing I ended up liking is the cover.
#CoverLove
Lame. Boring. Bland. These are the first words I think of when trying to write a mini review for this novel. I ended up DNFing at about 40-45%. That's pretty far in and if I don't like it by that point, then it's not going to get any better. The pacing is so slow and the story just dragged on and on. The writing is repetitive and as bland as white rice. I wish there had been some flair!
#LameBoringBland
Overall I didn't like Pretty Wicked at all. The idea behind it is fantastic, but the execution is pretty pitiful. I feel like this review sounds pretty harsh, but even my 9 year old sons wouldn't be creeped out or thrilled by this book.
#NotTryingToBeHarshBut...
I personally can't recommend this novel. Since there are a fair amount of positive reviews maybe it would be better suited for people who aren't really into thrillers or creepy novels, but want a light Halloween read this October. Who knows, that could be the type of person it was written for! :D
#ThrillerLIGHT
March 24, 2017
Teenage girl serial killer? Of course I’m going to be all over that! I found this story entertaining more than anything. Ryann has spent most of her life basically daydreaming of killing, until the day finally comes that she feels she can start her new “career” without getting caught. Of course once she starts she can’t stop and the story progresses very quickly once she steps over that invisible moral line. Believing herself to be the perfect killer, after so many years of planning, she begins to do what every serial killer does (except for maybe the likes of the Zodiac Killer). She gets complacent and starts making mistakes. The worst and best part of it for her is that her dad is a local police detective, so she believes she won’t be targeted as a suspect at all. Not to mention she’s been crafting her perfect good girl image since she was basically 10 so as to make her transition into serial killer much easier for her and much harder for anyone to suspect her.
After how long she had been planning this I did hope for more smarts from Ryann. She has been conceiving this plan for years and yet when it comes down to it, she doesn’t have much self-control and the emotions of what she’s doing cloud her actions and she makes stupid mistakes. Honestly I probably should’ve expected that from a first time 17 year old killer, but I was hoping for a little more with how we’re basically told she’s a sociopath from such a young age.
I did enjoy this story and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys serial killer stories, and doesn’t mind of said serial killer is an underage high school student. For those that have triggers regarding violence against children, you will most likely want to steer clear of this. Obviously due to her age there are specific individuals that Ryann picks out over others.
ARC received from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
After how long she had been planning this I did hope for more smarts from Ryann. She has been conceiving this plan for years and yet when it comes down to it, she doesn’t have much self-control and the emotions of what she’s doing cloud her actions and she makes stupid mistakes. Honestly I probably should’ve expected that from a first time 17 year old killer, but I was hoping for a little more with how we’re basically told she’s a sociopath from such a young age.
I did enjoy this story and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys serial killer stories, and doesn’t mind of said serial killer is an underage high school student. For those that have triggers regarding violence against children, you will most likely want to steer clear of this. Obviously due to her age there are specific individuals that Ryann picks out over others.
ARC received from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
September 30, 2016
Ryann is indeed pretty wicked. She's smart, attractive, and comes from a good family. Mom's a waitress, Dad's a cop. Big sister is in college. She has a well rounded close group of friends, certainly not an outsider. She's a cheerleader. She's adorable. ...She's a manipulative possible sociopath and murderer.
Reading the synopsis got me in immediately. I read a lot of books about chasing serial killers, I couldn't resist the opportunity to follow along with the killer. There's no mystery, we know Ryann is a murderer. But will she get caught? I knew this was a YA novel, and it was the quick and easy read I expected. Really enjoyable and tense. I wasn't sure if I wanted Ryann to get caught or get away with it! She's been planning murders for years, reading stories about famous serial killers she calls the "Greats" and learning about police work from her father. Once she finally feels ready and carries out her first attack, she can't get enough. Who doesn't trust the cute, perky cheerleader that tops off at about five feet tall? It's almost too easy. It's also a new addiction, and her friends and family start to get suspicious about her changing behavior.
I received an ARC from Net Galley and Dark Arts Publishing in exchange for my honest review. My opinions are my own. Thank you!
Reading the synopsis got me in immediately. I read a lot of books about chasing serial killers, I couldn't resist the opportunity to follow along with the killer. There's no mystery, we know Ryann is a murderer. But will she get caught? I knew this was a YA novel, and it was the quick and easy read I expected. Really enjoyable and tense. I wasn't sure if I wanted Ryann to get caught or get away with it! She's been planning murders for years, reading stories about famous serial killers she calls the "Greats" and learning about police work from her father. Once she finally feels ready and carries out her first attack, she can't get enough. Who doesn't trust the cute, perky cheerleader that tops off at about five feet tall? It's almost too easy. It's also a new addiction, and her friends and family start to get suspicious about her changing behavior.
I received an ARC from Net Galley and Dark Arts Publishing in exchange for my honest review. My opinions are my own. Thank you!
September 26, 2016
Note: I received an ARC of this through Netgalley. This in no way influences my opinion.
When I saw this on Netgalley, I just had to request it! We often see books like this, but they are written from the perspectives of people who are being hunted, people who are on the outside etc. But never actually the killers themselves! It was interesting to see what the author did with this and which mentality she took for our favourite serial Killer here!
I think the most enjoyable thing about this book was the fact that it raised the question of Nature vs Nurture. Are we born evil or are we made evil? Our MC had a pretty good upbringing and home life, so our author took away the normal stereotypes we have for people who commit crimes such as these. We, as a society, are always looking to place the blame onto something - video games, violent films, terrible upbringing etc. But what about the people who don't play video games, who don't watch films like this... who have had a pretty normal and good upbringing? The author questioned this through the style of the book and the mentality of the MC and it was a great thing to watch!! The question really is, can we be born with the DNA of a killer?
What I also loved about this book was the fact that this wasn't a mystery!! We knew all along who it was, but the others didn't! It was like being in on a secret! For me, Ryann began to show the many traits of a serial killer - at least what we know about them!! She started off really well, and then became sloppy. She wanted the kill, and began to leave marks behind! She became jumpy etc - which, if you look at any other serial killer, is exactly what happens! I read once somewhere that serial killers want to be caught because they want the recognition of what they have done...
It was a really weird feeling, as a reader, to be inside the head of a character like this. It feels wrong. Which was another thing I really enjoyed about this book. As someone who doesn't go around killing, I enjoyed reading and looking inside the psychology behind what it takes to be a serial killer, but at the same time, my mind was telling me to abort because the thought process behind it is abhorrent! I think any book that can create those kinds of feelings is just fantastic!
I think this book is definitely for the higher end of YA, with the kind of content that it has within it. While this kind of thing doesn't actually disturb me, it may disturb others, especially younger readers - so its a good thing that this book comes with a warning!
I really enjoyed this book and apparently there is going to be a sequel, which should be interesting! I can't imagine how the author is going to top that, so I guess we shall find out! I am definitely going to be buying a physical copy of this book to put on my shelf because I loved it! I can't wait to read more from this author :-) I gave this book 5/5 stars!
Have you read this book? Would you read this book?
When I saw this on Netgalley, I just had to request it! We often see books like this, but they are written from the perspectives of people who are being hunted, people who are on the outside etc. But never actually the killers themselves! It was interesting to see what the author did with this and which mentality she took for our favourite serial Killer here!
I think the most enjoyable thing about this book was the fact that it raised the question of Nature vs Nurture. Are we born evil or are we made evil? Our MC had a pretty good upbringing and home life, so our author took away the normal stereotypes we have for people who commit crimes such as these. We, as a society, are always looking to place the blame onto something - video games, violent films, terrible upbringing etc. But what about the people who don't play video games, who don't watch films like this... who have had a pretty normal and good upbringing? The author questioned this through the style of the book and the mentality of the MC and it was a great thing to watch!! The question really is, can we be born with the DNA of a killer?
What I also loved about this book was the fact that this wasn't a mystery!! We knew all along who it was, but the others didn't! It was like being in on a secret! For me, Ryann began to show the many traits of a serial killer - at least what we know about them!! She started off really well, and then became sloppy. She wanted the kill, and began to leave marks behind! She became jumpy etc - which, if you look at any other serial killer, is exactly what happens! I read once somewhere that serial killers want to be caught because they want the recognition of what they have done...
It was a really weird feeling, as a reader, to be inside the head of a character like this. It feels wrong. Which was another thing I really enjoyed about this book. As someone who doesn't go around killing, I enjoyed reading and looking inside the psychology behind what it takes to be a serial killer, but at the same time, my mind was telling me to abort because the thought process behind it is abhorrent! I think any book that can create those kinds of feelings is just fantastic!
I think this book is definitely for the higher end of YA, with the kind of content that it has within it. While this kind of thing doesn't actually disturb me, it may disturb others, especially younger readers - so its a good thing that this book comes with a warning!
I really enjoyed this book and apparently there is going to be a sequel, which should be interesting! I can't imagine how the author is going to top that, so I guess we shall find out! I am definitely going to be buying a physical copy of this book to put on my shelf because I loved it! I can't wait to read more from this author :-) I gave this book 5/5 stars!
Have you read this book? Would you read this book?
September 26, 2016
Dang....
October 13, 2016
This book was kindly sent to me on Netgalley via Dark Arts Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
"I liked who I was. I liked what I was capable of. It made me different. Special. Skilled at doing what other people only fantasized about."
If there is one thing I love about a book, it's some effed up characters. Pretty Wicked does not disappoint on that front.
Our protagonist, Ryann Wilkanson, is a 15 year old cheerleader and serial killer who terrorizes her community - her perfect "golden girl" persona tediously kept up as she goes on a killing spree around town.
Sounds crazy, right? Yeah, it is.
This book had me hopelessly hooked from the very first page. Ryann is such a disturbed character, and living inside her mind was a frightening experience. After reading this book, I can honestly say that there is not one single redeemable character trait that Ryann possessed. I haven't quite decided how I feel about that. This makes for a very intriguing character study, but I would have liked to have connected with her on some level...even just a little bit.
However, regardless of that small complaint, I honestly loved this book. It was a definite thrill. This was the perfect read for October, so I'm glad I chose this time to pick it up.
I liked the plot twists and turns that occurred throughout, adding a few more unexpected layers to the story. I also really loved the whole aspect of her father being a well-known detective. Having this connection, and an in on information of her very own crimes, was unique and interesting.
It was intense, dark, creepy, shocking, and utterly unforgettable.
It wasn't the most poignant piece of literature I've ever read, but there is no denying how entertaining the novel was, and I would definitely recommend it for someone looking for a twisted and thrilling story.
"I liked who I was. I liked what I was capable of. It made me different. Special. Skilled at doing what other people only fantasized about."
If there is one thing I love about a book, it's some effed up characters. Pretty Wicked does not disappoint on that front.
Our protagonist, Ryann Wilkanson, is a 15 year old cheerleader and serial killer who terrorizes her community - her perfect "golden girl" persona tediously kept up as she goes on a killing spree around town.
Sounds crazy, right? Yeah, it is.
This book had me hopelessly hooked from the very first page. Ryann is such a disturbed character, and living inside her mind was a frightening experience. After reading this book, I can honestly say that there is not one single redeemable character trait that Ryann possessed. I haven't quite decided how I feel about that. This makes for a very intriguing character study, but I would have liked to have connected with her on some level...even just a little bit.
However, regardless of that small complaint, I honestly loved this book. It was a definite thrill. This was the perfect read for October, so I'm glad I chose this time to pick it up.
I liked the plot twists and turns that occurred throughout, adding a few more unexpected layers to the story. I also really loved the whole aspect of her father being a well-known detective. Having this connection, and an in on information of her very own crimes, was unique and interesting.
It was intense, dark, creepy, shocking, and utterly unforgettable.
It wasn't the most poignant piece of literature I've ever read, but there is no denying how entertaining the novel was, and I would definitely recommend it for someone looking for a twisted and thrilling story.
September 18, 2016
A-maz-ing. Check out my full review at www.coffeeandtrainspotting.wordpress.com
May 13, 2022
This book was talked about recently and funny enough I had been thinking about it, so decided to finally read it. This book was awesome and if you love teen killers and murderers, then this is right up your alley. I have to admit though that this main character was a bit iffy for me. It was like yes, she killed multiple people but there was something about her that was just not right as she came across with a guilt complex and it was what caused her to unravel. It's like seriously, you can not kill people and be careless and have a complex. You can't have it both ways. This book starts with us being introduced to Ryann whose dad is a cop and she has a deep dark secret - she loves to kill and has murdered several people. However, when one of her kills ends up not dying immediately and the cops are closing in - Ryann is getting nervous and is a mess and of course, she has no one to turn to. That is until she ends up getting blackmailed and soon her world is closing in fast. Who is blackmailing Ryann and will she get caught or will she manage to outsmart everyone in their small town? This book was a hard one to read in parts as I got annoyed with the story and Ryann's character but at the same time, I wanted more. I am now looking forward to reading the sequel Wicked Fallout and reading more of this series and reading the aftermath of these events. This series is perfect for fans who liked characters like Veronica Mars, and Nancy Drew but as a Killer Version.
October 3, 2016
Pretty Wicked by Kelly Charron is a dark, twisted thriller. It is described as YA although it is quite dark hence seems more suitable for a mature audience or at least teens over the age of sixteen. If you like thrillers then this one is for you. However, do keep in mind that it is narrated in a YA voice so it is a bit different from the usual adult thrillers. Ryann is not like Dexter or Joe Carol although she is still meticulous and cold just like them. The fact that she is young, intelligent,seemingly adorable cheerleader by day but killer by night makes her creepier than other serial killers. Nevertheless, this is a wonderful, very dark, suspenseful read. I can’t wait for the second book in the series, Wicked Fallout.
You can read my full review here:https://ahavenforbooklovers.wordpress...
You can read my full review here:https://ahavenforbooklovers.wordpress...
September 27, 2016
Pretty Wicked is pretty friggin awesome!! This book...well I just could not read it fast enough! I’ve been stuck in the thickets of romance books so it was so incredibly nice to read a “killer” book!!
This book was so completely different than other thrillers. In this book, there was no question of who our murderer is. We were in her mind, which brought this book to a whole new level of outstanding!!! I was a Psych major in college and I don’t know how many times we discussed nature vs nurture, which is exactly what Charron threw in our face with this book...I mean, the cover says… “Some Killers are Made. Some Killers are Born.”
Now this is a young adult book...I do kind of question that placement. I know the girl is only 15 but this content is...well, it’s pretty dark. I had no problem with it, I find serial killer thrillers to be some of my absolute favorite!! This book completely sucked you in, there was no stopping for air.
You can’t help but root for Ryann. She has this deep desire to do her best, and even though it’s murder, you still want her to succeed. Maybe it’s because you are so impressed with her crazy, twisted mind that you just can’t help it...I’m sure we could dive into that psychology. Plus the fact that she was up against her dad...well, who doesn’t want to best their parents?
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thanks so much for allowing me to read this book! It was perfection!
This book was so completely different than other thrillers. In this book, there was no question of who our murderer is. We were in her mind, which brought this book to a whole new level of outstanding!!! I was a Psych major in college and I don’t know how many times we discussed nature vs nurture, which is exactly what Charron threw in our face with this book...I mean, the cover says… “Some Killers are Made. Some Killers are Born.”
Now this is a young adult book...I do kind of question that placement. I know the girl is only 15 but this content is...well, it’s pretty dark. I had no problem with it, I find serial killer thrillers to be some of my absolute favorite!! This book completely sucked you in, there was no stopping for air.
You can’t help but root for Ryann. She has this deep desire to do her best, and even though it’s murder, you still want her to succeed. Maybe it’s because you are so impressed with her crazy, twisted mind that you just can’t help it...I’m sure we could dive into that psychology. Plus the fact that she was up against her dad...well, who doesn’t want to best their parents?
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thanks so much for allowing me to read this book! It was perfection!
December 10, 2016
I was truly interested in Pretty Wicked, it intrigued me to get into the mind of a killer as opposed to always seeing the side of the "good guys". However, much to my dismay, this book was pretty dull. The pace was excruciatingly slow, and the "killer" acted more like a spoiled brat who didn't like that someone else was playing with the toy that she'd discarded long before. The whole time I kept thinking, "how is this twelve year old getting her hands on the murder weapons so easily?", then I'd look at the synopsis and realize this girl was 15/16 years old.
One other thing that threw me off was that instead of showing me her killing her victims, the writing would cut off to tell me instead. It disengaged me from the story all together and didn't give me a chance to put myself in her shoes and understand her ridiculous need to kill. She kept referring to murderers like Jack the ripper and the zodiac killer as THE GREATS, but I couldn't understand the reasons why. It seemed mire like she was trying to get everyone to realize she wasn't this goody goody daughter of a cop.
Maybe I'll come back to it, but at the moment, it's just hard to gather the energy to finish. It wasn't for me, perhaps it will be for others *shrugs*
August 13, 2016
I was lucky to enjoy a free advance copy of Pretty Wicked. While I don't normally gravitate towards serial killer protagonists, the fresh voice and 'wicked' humor sucked me right in. And make no mistake, Ryann is definitely a killer - there is a lot of blood and death in this book. However, for a book in which you start knowing the killer, there are also a surprising amount of twists and turns to keep you hanging onto the end.
October 15, 2016
Twisted, thrilling and mind-numbing.
Pretty Wicked is a debut novel by Kelly Charron that effed me up pretty good.
The story is written from the perspective of Ryann, a fifteen-year-old cheerleader and a straight-As student. She is a splitting contradiction and lusts for blood and murder in private. Even when I knew what she was doing was horrible, I still was vouching for her.
Here is the reason why.
Pretty Wicked is a well-researched novel. The workings of a psychopath is detailed and through Ryann, I could acknowledge how she worked and justified her actions. For the world, she is perfect example of a good girl and ticks all boxes of social acceptance. But, underneath all that lies another layer of her personality. A personality that is intelligent, dark, egotistic, liar and a prime manipulator. She has everyone eating from her hands, except for Estevez, her father’s partner.
I admired the graphical and sensory representation of each and every killing that Ryann undertakes. It made me feel like I was sitting in the front row to watch her work. No matter how she picks up her victims or the various ways she kills them, the clues add up and make her the focal point. I can only blame her fifteen-year-old age and the immaturity it entails.
I enjoyed how the novel was written from the perspective of a psychopath and not from the viewpoint of the same-old-detective. I was thrilled, scared, happy and even sad with Ryann and her experiences.
When another psychopath came into the plot, I really hoped they’d work together. You must think I’m twisted, but I can’t help it. I was looking forward to it.
I’d guessed who the other psychopath was because I seriously paid attention to the clues neatly placed in the writing. But, again, Kelly Charron threw my expectations out of the window with a major plot twist in the end.
Kelly Charron’s writing is beautiful and I admire the way her simple way of writing actually made me excited.
Pretty Wicked is a page-turner and a must read.
Pretty Wicked is a debut novel by Kelly Charron that effed me up pretty good.
The story is written from the perspective of Ryann, a fifteen-year-old cheerleader and a straight-As student. She is a splitting contradiction and lusts for blood and murder in private. Even when I knew what she was doing was horrible, I still was vouching for her.
Here is the reason why.
Pretty Wicked is a well-researched novel. The workings of a psychopath is detailed and through Ryann, I could acknowledge how she worked and justified her actions. For the world, she is perfect example of a good girl and ticks all boxes of social acceptance. But, underneath all that lies another layer of her personality. A personality that is intelligent, dark, egotistic, liar and a prime manipulator. She has everyone eating from her hands, except for Estevez, her father’s partner.
I admired the graphical and sensory representation of each and every killing that Ryann undertakes. It made me feel like I was sitting in the front row to watch her work. No matter how she picks up her victims or the various ways she kills them, the clues add up and make her the focal point. I can only blame her fifteen-year-old age and the immaturity it entails.
I enjoyed how the novel was written from the perspective of a psychopath and not from the viewpoint of the same-old-detective. I was thrilled, scared, happy and even sad with Ryann and her experiences.
When another psychopath came into the plot, I really hoped they’d work together. You must think I’m twisted, but I can’t help it. I was looking forward to it.
I’d guessed who the other psychopath was because I seriously paid attention to the clues neatly placed in the writing. But, again, Kelly Charron threw my expectations out of the window with a major plot twist in the end.
Kelly Charron’s writing is beautiful and I admire the way her simple way of writing actually made me excited.
Pretty Wicked is a page-turner and a must read.
September 22, 2016
Absolutely wonderful book, I read so many books about murder but they are almost all told from the point of view of trying to find out who the murderer is, it was so refreshing to go into this book knowing from the off Ryann was murdering people and her motivations for doing it.
At the heart of it all, this girl just wants approval, she always wants to impress her father who is a cop and the fact that she is carrying out all these murders under his nose and he isn't suspecting her is rewarding for her. As the body count climbs though, Ryann begins to make little errors and it gets really tense as she leaves evidence or witnesses see her places and she gets caught in a tangle of lies. Its a weird situation because you are almost willing her not to get caught.
I actually thought this was a standalone but I noticed at the back there will be a second book to the series so I can't wait for that. One of my favourite books of the year so far.
At the heart of it all, this girl just wants approval, she always wants to impress her father who is a cop and the fact that she is carrying out all these murders under his nose and he isn't suspecting her is rewarding for her. As the body count climbs though, Ryann begins to make little errors and it gets really tense as she leaves evidence or witnesses see her places and she gets caught in a tangle of lies. Its a weird situation because you are almost willing her not to get caught.
I actually thought this was a standalone but I noticed at the back there will be a second book to the series so I can't wait for that. One of my favourite books of the year so far.
August 15, 2016
If you want a fresh concept, a thrilling story with unceasing tension, and a deeply haunting character, READ THIS BOOK! Here's the thing: obsessed characters are so much fun. Crazy bitches are even more fun. Put them together and add a cute, sweet exterior, and you get Ryann. She is psychotic in the most chilling sense, yet strangely relatable, leaving you thoroughly creeped out and madly flipping pages to find out just how far she will go.
August 16, 2016
If you want a book to keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end, this is the one for you.
Fast paced, tense and ultimately thrilling—this book will have you turning the pages and wondering just how far this sweet little serial killer will go to meet her ultimate goal of becoming one of the ‘greats’ she’s so desperately aspiring to be.
A must read.
Fast paced, tense and ultimately thrilling—this book will have you turning the pages and wondering just how far this sweet little serial killer will go to meet her ultimate goal of becoming one of the ‘greats’ she’s so desperately aspiring to be.
A must read.
June 6, 2017
A full review is available on my blog!
I looveee teenage serial killers (in fiction obviously) any more book recs like this will be very much appreciated!
August 20, 2017
When I first heard about Kelly Charron's Pretty Wicked I knew I had to read it. A teenage serial killer on the path of murder and deception? Now that's something you don't see every day in YA! As it turns out, Pretty Wicked was wickedly unique.
At surface value Ryann is the typical teenager. She's a good student, a talented cheerleader, and an obedient daughter. Below the surface, however, Ryann is hiding something dark and twisty: a desire to not only kill but also put her town on one of the wildest serial killer chases. To prepare herself, she's been studying up on "The Greats," Ryann's nickname for most notorious serial killers, and her police officer father's every move. Now at 15, Ryann decides it's finally time to strike. Her first victim? A local preteen that never ceased to annoy and taunt her. With the first kill on her hands, Ryann decides to go after the people of her small town who've done her wrong. However, as the murders began to pile up and and the police interest intensifies, Ryann is quickly finding herself to be in over her head...
Reading from a serial killer's POV was intense to say the very least. I found it not only interesting but also incredibly compelling to be in Ryann's head. Ryann's thought process was twisty and dark. She was conniving and deceitful; however, no matter how nutty and off the wall her actions got I couldn't stop reading. I just needed to know what manipulative crazy plan she'd pull off next. Kelly did a fantastic job of developing Ryann's character as well as establishing the backstory of how Ryann became the way she was. I can't say she justified her actions because Ryann did do truly horrible things, but in some respects it was understandable to see why Ryann turned out the way she was.
In addition to Ryann, Pretty Wicked introduces a plethora of additional characters. One of my favorites was Ryann's best friend B. B introduced a more humane component to the narrative not only in the way she was the one person Ryann had the most normal and close relationship to but also in the way B was a kind, sweet person. It was incredibly easy to see how much she cared about Ryann, no matter how secretive Ryann got over the course of the book. I also liked the addition of the police force. Each police officer brought a different role to the story. Ryann's dad took the split tittle of supportive father and good cop. Estevez's was the hard a$$ also willing to be the bad cop in the integration room. Knox was the mysterious newcomer, offering Ryann a hand in the investigation. I especially liked that Estevez's POV was included in the story. It added an interesting component to the book, especially when it allowed for new details to come about - ones that Ryann didn't even know about.
The plot in Pretty Wicked focused primarily on Ryann's growth as a serial killer as well her attempt to balance being the normal student during the day and a murderer at night. Over the course of the story, we get to see Ryann cultivate her skill as a killer through a series of murders. Kelly made each murder unique as well as fully fleshed out why Ryann thought that they were the perfect candidate. Watching Ryann's sociopath tendencies grow as the novel continued made this book mostly fast paced, especially towards the end when everything just seemed to be going wrong. I also enjoyed how there was no romance in this book. I feel that it not only made the book grittier but also it made Ryann's character more believable, as it further showed how little she depended on hands-on, touchy feely relationships.
Unfortunately there were a few parts of Pretty Wicked that brought it down a notch in my eyes. For one, the ending. I don't want to say too much so that I don't risk spoilers, but it felt very rushed. There really wasn't a solid conclusion. Instead I was left with more questions that answers, especially regarding certain relationships. Also, I felt that some of the secondary characters could have been developed slightly more, especially regarding Ryann's family. They were a big part of the reason why she was the way she was, but at the same time, I felt that for some of them (her sister particularly) it was hard to see beyond the surface.
In all, if you're looking for a gritty, unique read, Pretty Wicked is the book for you. I'm looking forward to Kelly's future books!
Grade: B
At surface value Ryann is the typical teenager. She's a good student, a talented cheerleader, and an obedient daughter. Below the surface, however, Ryann is hiding something dark and twisty: a desire to not only kill but also put her town on one of the wildest serial killer chases. To prepare herself, she's been studying up on "The Greats," Ryann's nickname for most notorious serial killers, and her police officer father's every move. Now at 15, Ryann decides it's finally time to strike. Her first victim? A local preteen that never ceased to annoy and taunt her. With the first kill on her hands, Ryann decides to go after the people of her small town who've done her wrong. However, as the murders began to pile up and and the police interest intensifies, Ryann is quickly finding herself to be in over her head...
Reading from a serial killer's POV was intense to say the very least. I found it not only interesting but also incredibly compelling to be in Ryann's head. Ryann's thought process was twisty and dark. She was conniving and deceitful; however, no matter how nutty and off the wall her actions got I couldn't stop reading. I just needed to know what manipulative crazy plan she'd pull off next. Kelly did a fantastic job of developing Ryann's character as well as establishing the backstory of how Ryann became the way she was. I can't say she justified her actions because Ryann did do truly horrible things, but in some respects it was understandable to see why Ryann turned out the way she was.
In addition to Ryann, Pretty Wicked introduces a plethora of additional characters. One of my favorites was Ryann's best friend B. B introduced a more humane component to the narrative not only in the way she was the one person Ryann had the most normal and close relationship to but also in the way B was a kind, sweet person. It was incredibly easy to see how much she cared about Ryann, no matter how secretive Ryann got over the course of the book. I also liked the addition of the police force. Each police officer brought a different role to the story. Ryann's dad took the split tittle of supportive father and good cop. Estevez's was the hard a$$ also willing to be the bad cop in the integration room. Knox was the mysterious newcomer, offering Ryann a hand in the investigation. I especially liked that Estevez's POV was included in the story. It added an interesting component to the book, especially when it allowed for new details to come about - ones that Ryann didn't even know about.
The plot in Pretty Wicked focused primarily on Ryann's growth as a serial killer as well her attempt to balance being the normal student during the day and a murderer at night. Over the course of the story, we get to see Ryann cultivate her skill as a killer through a series of murders. Kelly made each murder unique as well as fully fleshed out why Ryann thought that they were the perfect candidate. Watching Ryann's sociopath tendencies grow as the novel continued made this book mostly fast paced, especially towards the end when everything just seemed to be going wrong. I also enjoyed how there was no romance in this book. I feel that it not only made the book grittier but also it made Ryann's character more believable, as it further showed how little she depended on hands-on, touchy feely relationships.
Unfortunately there were a few parts of Pretty Wicked that brought it down a notch in my eyes. For one, the ending. I don't want to say too much so that I don't risk spoilers, but it felt very rushed. There really wasn't a solid conclusion. Instead I was left with more questions that answers, especially regarding certain relationships. Also, I felt that some of the secondary characters could have been developed slightly more, especially regarding Ryann's family. They were a big part of the reason why she was the way she was, but at the same time, I felt that for some of them (her sister particularly) it was hard to see beyond the surface.
In all, if you're looking for a gritty, unique read, Pretty Wicked is the book for you. I'm looking forward to Kelly's future books!
Grade: B
November 21, 2017
The concept was interesting. I expected the story to be a fast-paced thriller, and this ended up being more of a character study, with a Mean Girls vibe, which was unexpected. I struggled some with the style choices and overall execution, but maybe I was just the wrong audience for this story, for various reasons.
The MC is basically on the complete opposite end of the spectrum from Dexter, if you were a fan of that show and interested in a comparison. She’s an extremely disorganized killer who gets lucky a lot. Instead of a lack of emotions, she has a lot of emotions that are negative towards others, which is how she chooses her victims. In return, she also has a very high opinion of herself, which is definitely a skewed perspective, since she murders people for some very immature and illogical reasons.
I guess that’s actually one of the most interesting things about the story, coming at it from a teaching perspective. She’s young, so her brain is underdeveloped, and that quite obviously impacts her decision-making and how she handles herself in certain situations. In her mind, she feels very grown up, but she behaves a whole lot like a middle school girl, which means she’s pretty immature for a 15/16 year old without adding killer to the mix. That perspective was actually pretty interesting to me, since it has been somewhat unexplored by other stories—the impact of an immature brain as it compares to the decision-making process of a killer.
The ending had some surprises. I found one thing in particular to be shocking, but no spoilers from me.
This story is actually 3.5 stars for me, but I've rounded up, as always. I think it may appeal to readers who enjoyed Killing Ruby Rose and Marie Antoinette, Serial Killer.
The MC is basically on the complete opposite end of the spectrum from Dexter, if you were a fan of that show and interested in a comparison. She’s an extremely disorganized killer who gets lucky a lot. Instead of a lack of emotions, she has a lot of emotions that are negative towards others, which is how she chooses her victims. In return, she also has a very high opinion of herself, which is definitely a skewed perspective, since she murders people for some very immature and illogical reasons.
I guess that’s actually one of the most interesting things about the story, coming at it from a teaching perspective. She’s young, so her brain is underdeveloped, and that quite obviously impacts her decision-making and how she handles herself in certain situations. In her mind, she feels very grown up, but she behaves a whole lot like a middle school girl, which means she’s pretty immature for a 15/16 year old without adding killer to the mix. That perspective was actually pretty interesting to me, since it has been somewhat unexplored by other stories—the impact of an immature brain as it compares to the decision-making process of a killer.
The ending had some surprises. I found one thing in particular to be shocking, but no spoilers from me.
This story is actually 3.5 stars for me, but I've rounded up, as always. I think it may appeal to readers who enjoyed Killing Ruby Rose and Marie Antoinette, Serial Killer.
October 30, 2017
pooled ink Reviews:
4.25 Stars
DUDE.
Pretty Wicked is the exhilarating first-person account of Ryann Wilkenson: sweet and innocent by day, lusting for blood by night. Following the steps of a serial killer’s debut from her very own point of view, this book will capture your attention, slaughter the hours, twist your expectations, and revel in your horror. Prepare for a story of fiction that will have you questioning everyone you thought you knew.
Read my FULL review here: https://pooledink.com/2017/10/30/pret...
4.25 Stars
DUDE.
Pretty Wicked is the exhilarating first-person account of Ryann Wilkenson: sweet and innocent by day, lusting for blood by night. Following the steps of a serial killer’s debut from her very own point of view, this book will capture your attention, slaughter the hours, twist your expectations, and revel in your horror. Prepare for a story of fiction that will have you questioning everyone you thought you knew.
Read my FULL review here: https://pooledink.com/2017/10/30/pret...
September 21, 2016
This book was provided to me for free by NetGalley in exchange for a review on this book .
What this book is about :Ryann is a teenager whose dad is a cop she's always been fascinated by his work and the criminals he brings to justice .Ryann has and older sister who ignores her, a mom who works full time at a diner,a close circle of friends ,good grades and secure spot on the cheerleading team .Nothing ever happens in her small town and she's constantly searching for something to do . Ryann would tell you that she is your average teenager just looking for something more to prove herself and wants everyone especially her dad to see her as more than just the good girl with good grades on the cheerleading team.
Ryann picks up the worst habit you possibly can pick up she decides murdering people is a good way to keep life interesting and to know that all the people around her even those she closest to her that no one would ever suspect her . The only problem is all killers even Ryann's favorite serial killers and murderers the greats as she calls them make mistakes and she's no different . Can she elude the cops ,shake off her friends growing questions and morbid curiosity and get away with it all while staying under the roof of the head cop in charge? You have to read to this book to find out .
What I liked about this book :This book had a lot of suspense and was definitely a page turner .I read this book with the lights on after chapter 1 . It took off fast and didn't slow down until the end I was always holding my breath thinking about different mistakes I could see her making and wondering when they would come to light . I liked that the author made her friends more closer to the front lines and more realistic asking questions and poking and prodding at everything that was going on ,trying to get the inside scoop on what Ryann knew about the murders because her dad is a cop .
There were times in this book which I hate to say it but I have to where I didn't want Ryann to get caught murder is wrong yes but I also hoped that she would start having a guilty consciences and quit while she was ahead .That didn't happen so I guess I should be happy because that would have made the story pointless if the villain of the story was no longer a villain .Over all the book had that very creepy tingly look over your shoulder and around the corner feeling because Ryann is a normal teenager, blonde hair bright eyed cheerleader who wouldn't kill a fly look on the outside but on the inside this girl was nuts ! If you like to be shocked , scared and at some points wickedly surprised than this is the book for you.
What I didn't like :I couldn't believe the amount of mistakes that she made I was actually a little angry because the author kept saying that Ryann had studied and studied serial killers , had watched her dad at work and that Ryann did a lot of research in her dads home office , online and at the library from the time she was little to the time she decided to start killing. I didn't feel like the number of the mistakes she made were realistic . In my opinion Ryann would be more believable of her time studying and loving what she did and being so careful more if every murder didn't involve a mistake .
That was the only thing I really didn't like about the book. Like I said every murderer makes a mistake but usually its a big one at the end or a very tiny one and then they get caught ,but so many!? I was shocked that she wasn't caught before that and it didn't seem like it was because she was that good at what she did but more because it was like the DNA lab took a 3 week vacation in the story .
RELEASE DATE:SEPT.3OTH,2016
What this book is about :Ryann is a teenager whose dad is a cop she's always been fascinated by his work and the criminals he brings to justice .Ryann has and older sister who ignores her, a mom who works full time at a diner,a close circle of friends ,good grades and secure spot on the cheerleading team .Nothing ever happens in her small town and she's constantly searching for something to do . Ryann would tell you that she is your average teenager just looking for something more to prove herself and wants everyone especially her dad to see her as more than just the good girl with good grades on the cheerleading team.
Ryann picks up the worst habit you possibly can pick up she decides murdering people is a good way to keep life interesting and to know that all the people around her even those she closest to her that no one would ever suspect her . The only problem is all killers even Ryann's favorite serial killers and murderers the greats as she calls them make mistakes and she's no different . Can she elude the cops ,shake off her friends growing questions and morbid curiosity and get away with it all while staying under the roof of the head cop in charge? You have to read to this book to find out .
What I liked about this book :This book had a lot of suspense and was definitely a page turner .I read this book with the lights on after chapter 1 . It took off fast and didn't slow down until the end I was always holding my breath thinking about different mistakes I could see her making and wondering when they would come to light . I liked that the author made her friends more closer to the front lines and more realistic asking questions and poking and prodding at everything that was going on ,trying to get the inside scoop on what Ryann knew about the murders because her dad is a cop .
There were times in this book which I hate to say it but I have to where I didn't want Ryann to get caught murder is wrong yes but I also hoped that she would start having a guilty consciences and quit while she was ahead .That didn't happen so I guess I should be happy because that would have made the story pointless if the villain of the story was no longer a villain .Over all the book had that very creepy tingly look over your shoulder and around the corner feeling because Ryann is a normal teenager, blonde hair bright eyed cheerleader who wouldn't kill a fly look on the outside but on the inside this girl was nuts ! If you like to be shocked , scared and at some points wickedly surprised than this is the book for you.
What I didn't like :I couldn't believe the amount of mistakes that she made I was actually a little angry because the author kept saying that Ryann had studied and studied serial killers , had watched her dad at work and that Ryann did a lot of research in her dads home office , online and at the library from the time she was little to the time she decided to start killing. I didn't feel like the number of the mistakes she made were realistic . In my opinion Ryann would be more believable of her time studying and loving what she did and being so careful more if every murder didn't involve a mistake .
That was the only thing I really didn't like about the book. Like I said every murderer makes a mistake but usually its a big one at the end or a very tiny one and then they get caught ,but so many!? I was shocked that she wasn't caught before that and it didn't seem like it was because she was that good at what she did but more because it was like the DNA lab took a 3 week vacation in the story .
RELEASE DATE:SEPT.3OTH,2016
September 17, 2016
This book has one of the most interesting blurbs I have ever read. Between that and the fabulous cover, I was already hooked.
"There’s a distinct difference between a kill of opportunity and a planned murder."
Ryann -our lovely sweet little girl of a heroine- is a sociopath, psychotic, crazy. If there's a word for it, it's probably Ryann and she's one hell of an actor to have all of her friends fooled. With her obsession of serial killers and her black humor, I felt a little crazy myself reading this. I was rooting for her and laughing right along beside her.
“That gives me the creeps. Stop it.” Oh, feigning innocence and fear. Good times.
Poor Ryann, she stressed me out. With all the killing, lies, and mistakes she made.. I didn't know which way was up. I just KNEW that she was going to get caught any second. My heart was racing, I was turning pages as fast I could read. I was almost tempted to turn to the back and read what happens. I just wanted to know!
I felt sorry for her too. Always trying to be the best daughter she can be and outshine her sister. She just wants to be recognized. A pat on the back...an atta' girl.. anything! But she's never good enough. It's quite obvious being in her head that she needs major help.
There are several other "suspects" thrown into play and her COP of a dad and his partner hot on her heels. Just how far is Ryann willing to go? She's hurting people left and right, slipping up and getting sloppy. Who's going to be the one to bring her down? And is someone watching?
Pretty Wicked was the perfect YA/mature dark read. The high school setting was perfect and not TOO YA with the gritty killings and Ryann's dark thoughts. I cannot wait for book two.
*I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
My rating: 5/5 stars
You can read more of my reviews here: https://afterthepages.wordpress.com/
"There’s a distinct difference between a kill of opportunity and a planned murder."
Ryann -our lovely sweet little girl of a heroine- is a sociopath, psychotic, crazy. If there's a word for it, it's probably Ryann and she's one hell of an actor to have all of her friends fooled. With her obsession of serial killers and her black humor, I felt a little crazy myself reading this. I was rooting for her and laughing right along beside her.
“That gives me the creeps. Stop it.” Oh, feigning innocence and fear. Good times.
Poor Ryann, she stressed me out. With all the killing, lies, and mistakes she made.. I didn't know which way was up. I just KNEW that she was going to get caught any second. My heart was racing, I was turning pages as fast I could read. I was almost tempted to turn to the back and read what happens. I just wanted to know!
I felt sorry for her too. Always trying to be the best daughter she can be and outshine her sister. She just wants to be recognized. A pat on the back...an atta' girl.. anything! But she's never good enough. It's quite obvious being in her head that she needs major help.
There are several other "suspects" thrown into play and her COP of a dad and his partner hot on her heels. Just how far is Ryann willing to go? She's hurting people left and right, slipping up and getting sloppy. Who's going to be the one to bring her down? And is someone watching?
Pretty Wicked was the perfect YA/mature dark read. The high school setting was perfect and not TOO YA with the gritty killings and Ryann's dark thoughts. I cannot wait for book two.
*I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
My rating: 5/5 stars
You can read more of my reviews here: https://afterthepages.wordpress.com/
September 5, 2016
Wow. Chilling. Gripping. Could not put this down once I'd started. Ryann is not your typical teenage MC-- she's remorseless, probably a sociopath, habitual liar, and sees all actions as means to the end she seeks. And the end, is to become a serial killer. Talk about intense.
Part of me cringed, hesitant almost at investing my curiosity in Ryann's crimes. "Do I want her to fail? Is that why I'm reading this? Or do I want to see if she can actually pull it off?"
I wanted Ryann to be clever, but I also wanted her comeuppance. I couldn't root for her, but my heart still pounded at the fear of her getting caught in the act. And in reading the story of this anti-hero, I became aware of how we all react this way in real life: the social gaffe you watch in silent fascination, without any sympathetic intervention. The admiration you feel for someone else getting away with something, and the gleeful satisfaction in the same person getting caught.
Charron writes sharp, clean, tension-filled prose that doesn't let you breathe for a moment.
I did find the climax a little surprising. When a certain friend shows their dark side, it felt a bit more exaggerated than the dropped breadcrumbs/hints would suggest. On the other hand, Ryann is so self-centred that her 1st person narrative would inevitably omit what other characters might have noticed.
The ending was satisfying. It concluded well but left lots to be revealed for the next book. While I wait to read it, I'll be recommending this book again and again.
Part of me cringed, hesitant almost at investing my curiosity in Ryann's crimes. "Do I want her to fail? Is that why I'm reading this? Or do I want to see if she can actually pull it off?"
I wanted Ryann to be clever, but I also wanted her comeuppance. I couldn't root for her, but my heart still pounded at the fear of her getting caught in the act. And in reading the story of this anti-hero, I became aware of how we all react this way in real life: the social gaffe you watch in silent fascination, without any sympathetic intervention. The admiration you feel for someone else getting away with something, and the gleeful satisfaction in the same person getting caught.
Charron writes sharp, clean, tension-filled prose that doesn't let you breathe for a moment.
I did find the climax a little surprising. When a certain friend shows their dark side, it felt a bit more exaggerated than the dropped breadcrumbs/hints would suggest. On the other hand, Ryann is so self-centred that her 1st person narrative would inevitably omit what other characters might have noticed.
The ending was satisfying. It concluded well but left lots to be revealed for the next book. While I wait to read it, I'll be recommending this book again and again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2017
I received a free copy of this book via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book was unlike anything I had read before. The book was told mainly from Ryann's POV, who was trying to make herself into one the most infamous names in history. The story follows her escapades and her trying not to get caught. She tries to juggle her school work, keep her family and friends from finding out what she was doing and trying to work out who she was going to kill next and putting it into action.
It was interesting because in most crime and thriller novels the killer is not revealed until the end, in this one it's on the very first page where we become acquainted with the murderer. You got to know her and her relationships.
I enjoyed the story and seeing if she was going to get caught or not and by who. It was interesting to see all the lies she came up with to cover her tracks, sometimes I do think her family and friends believed them too easily though.
This book is YA and deals with serious issues, the main one being murder. For such a book I think Ryann was portrayed too young and immature at times. Her character was very blase about the situation.
All in all it was a good book but the character would have been a little better more mature and acting smarter.
4 out of 5 stars
This book was unlike anything I had read before. The book was told mainly from Ryann's POV, who was trying to make herself into one the most infamous names in history. The story follows her escapades and her trying not to get caught. She tries to juggle her school work, keep her family and friends from finding out what she was doing and trying to work out who she was going to kill next and putting it into action.
It was interesting because in most crime and thriller novels the killer is not revealed until the end, in this one it's on the very first page where we become acquainted with the murderer. You got to know her and her relationships.
I enjoyed the story and seeing if she was going to get caught or not and by who. It was interesting to see all the lies she came up with to cover her tracks, sometimes I do think her family and friends believed them too easily though.
This book is YA and deals with serious issues, the main one being murder. For such a book I think Ryann was portrayed too young and immature at times. Her character was very blase about the situation.
All in all it was a good book but the character would have been a little better more mature and acting smarter.
4 out of 5 stars
August 15, 2016
Not long ago, I had the pleasure of reading an ARC of PRETTY WICKED by Kelly Charron. Kelly had told me a bit about the story beforehand, and I was skeptical if I’d like it. But WOW –– I’m glad I read it!
This book takes you deep into the mind of seemingly normal, yet sociopathic, girl-next-door, Ryann. Ryann is constantly pushing the limits of her heinous murders to fulfill her twisted wants of living up to, who she considers, ‘one of the greats’. All the while she tries to keep her crimes under the radar and not get caught.
The underlying currents of family, friendships and even a possible love interest add so much depth to Ryann’s seemingly empathetic-less character. Kelly Charron, has truly carved out a less talked about slice of the human existence in this book.
I give it a 5 out of 5! Although you might not look at anyone the same way again!
**Due to the graphic content in this book, I would recommend it to reader over the age of sixteen.**
This book takes you deep into the mind of seemingly normal, yet sociopathic, girl-next-door, Ryann. Ryann is constantly pushing the limits of her heinous murders to fulfill her twisted wants of living up to, who she considers, ‘one of the greats’. All the while she tries to keep her crimes under the radar and not get caught.
The underlying currents of family, friendships and even a possible love interest add so much depth to Ryann’s seemingly empathetic-less character. Kelly Charron, has truly carved out a less talked about slice of the human existence in this book.
I give it a 5 out of 5! Although you might not look at anyone the same way again!
**Due to the graphic content in this book, I would recommend it to reader over the age of sixteen.**
September 26, 2017
I picked up Pretty Wicked as part of my “TBR” catch up recently and its safe to say I was pleasantly surprised by it. Essentially a YA serial killer thriller, it was a pacy read.
Its very odd to read a book about a teenage serial killer, but it was a refreshing change, even moreso because the main character is female. Ryann is an interesting, if a little over-confident, character. She lives at home with her sister and her parents. None of whom suspect anything sinister is going on in their daughter’s life.
Pretty Wicked is the kind of book that you’d pick up and before you realise, you’re halfway through it. It’s not a light book, there is plenty of gruesome details within the pages, and yet it is a very easy read.
I know this is a short review, but there isn’t a lot I can say without giving away the plot. The killer is known, it’s just the methods and the ending that’s the surprise. One to watch out for if you enjoy YA and thrillers as it’s a mixture of both!
Its very odd to read a book about a teenage serial killer, but it was a refreshing change, even moreso because the main character is female. Ryann is an interesting, if a little over-confident, character. She lives at home with her sister and her parents. None of whom suspect anything sinister is going on in their daughter’s life.
Pretty Wicked is the kind of book that you’d pick up and before you realise, you’re halfway through it. It’s not a light book, there is plenty of gruesome details within the pages, and yet it is a very easy read.
I know this is a short review, but there isn’t a lot I can say without giving away the plot. The killer is known, it’s just the methods and the ending that’s the surprise. One to watch out for if you enjoy YA and thrillers as it’s a mixture of both!
September 21, 2016
I received a copy of this book for review from netgalley.
This is the perfect type of book for me and was a lot of fun to read. I love both young adult books and crime/murder stories and this blended the two well. Fifteen year old Ryann was a hard character to like. Honestly, I disliked her a lot, but for some reason, I found myself hoping she wouldn't get caught for her crimes. I'm not sure what that says about me, but I was enjoying reading about her murder plots and seeing her little mistakes. So many teenagers think they are smarter than the adults around them, but Ryann did commit some almost flawless murders. But those little mistakes always add up. Especially when she got so impatient between murders. I'm happy to see that there will be another book in the series, too.
This is the perfect type of book for me and was a lot of fun to read. I love both young adult books and crime/murder stories and this blended the two well. Fifteen year old Ryann was a hard character to like. Honestly, I disliked her a lot, but for some reason, I found myself hoping she wouldn't get caught for her crimes. I'm not sure what that says about me, but I was enjoying reading about her murder plots and seeing her little mistakes. So many teenagers think they are smarter than the adults around them, but Ryann did commit some almost flawless murders. But those little mistakes always add up. Especially when she got so impatient between murders. I'm happy to see that there will be another book in the series, too.
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