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Riverdale #3
The Maple Murders
During the Riverdale Revels festival, Archie, Betty, Jughead, and Veronica find out that the dark roots of the Town with Pep go even deeper than they could have imagined. . .
Riverdale is clamoring with excitement over news that an old town tradition is suddenly being the Riverdale Revels. The festival supposedly has a long history, dating back to the town's settlers' first successful maple tapping. But there's no record of the Revels anywhere. Archie, Betty, Veronica, and Jughead think there must be more to the story. And when a skeleton is uncovered in a 75-year-old time capsule on the first night of the festival, they know they're right. But a dead body in a maple barrel isn't the only drama surrounding the Revels. The Royal Maple pageant (open to all Riverdale teens) is in full swing, but "accidents" keep befalling the contestants, including the gang's friends. Someone is clearly trying to put an end to the Revels once and for all -- but who? And more importantly, why? Can Archie and his friends put a stop to the sabotage before someone puts a stop to them? This original novel features a story not seen on the show!
Riverdale is clamoring with excitement over news that an old town tradition is suddenly being the Riverdale Revels. The festival supposedly has a long history, dating back to the town's settlers' first successful maple tapping. But there's no record of the Revels anywhere. Archie, Betty, Veronica, and Jughead think there must be more to the story. And when a skeleton is uncovered in a 75-year-old time capsule on the first night of the festival, they know they're right. But a dead body in a maple barrel isn't the only drama surrounding the Revels. The Royal Maple pageant (open to all Riverdale teens) is in full swing, but "accidents" keep befalling the contestants, including the gang's friends. Someone is clearly trying to put an end to the Revels once and for all -- but who? And more importantly, why? Can Archie and his friends put a stop to the sabotage before someone puts a stop to them? This original novel features a story not seen on the show!
223 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2019
87 people are currently reading
2014 people want to read
About the author
Micol Ostow
76 books390 followersMicol Ostow has been writing professionally since 2004, and in that time has written and/or ghostwritten over 40 published works for young readers. She started her reign of terror with Egmont with her novel FAMILY, which Elizabeth Burns named a favorite of 2012 on her School Library Journal-syndicated blog, A Chair, a Fireplace, a Tea Cozy. Micol's graphic novel, SO PUNK ROCK (and Other Ways to Disappoint Your Mother), was named a 2009 Booklist Top Ten Arts Books for Youth Selection, a Booklist Top Ten Religion Books for Youth Selection, and a Sydney Taylor Notable Book for Teens. She received her MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from the Vermont College of Fine Arts.
Her young adult horror novel, AMITY, will release from Egmont in August 2014, and her first chapter book series, LOUISE TRAPEZE, will debut in Spring 2015 from Random House.
She lives and works in Brooklyn, NY, alongside her Emmy Award-winning husband, their daughter, and a finicky French bulldog. Visit her at www.micolostow.com.
Her young adult horror novel, AMITY, will release from Egmont in August 2014, and her first chapter book series, LOUISE TRAPEZE, will debut in Spring 2015 from Random House.
She lives and works in Brooklyn, NY, alongside her Emmy Award-winning husband, their daughter, and a finicky French bulldog. Visit her at www.micolostow.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews
April 22, 2021
“People like to say that Riverdale was built on maple syrup. But we know better...Riverdale was built on blood.”
Woop finished in a day!
3.5 ⭐️
As Riverdale fan fiction I’m really enjoying this series. The author does a great job of getting into the characters minds and their voices are well written.
This series is mainly just some extra stories for those who follow the TV show. If you don’t watch the show then these probably aren’t for you.
I find them easy to read as they are written in mixed formats including text conversations and newspaper articles etc.
When the ‘Riverdale Revels’ are brought back after 75 years everyone is intrigued. What are these revels and why has no one heard of them before? But as this is Riverdale it has a dark history with a few surprises thrown in.
Nothing groundbreaking here, but a bit of light entertainment. Which is all I asked for really 😊
Woop finished in a day!
3.5 ⭐️
As Riverdale fan fiction I’m really enjoying this series. The author does a great job of getting into the characters minds and their voices are well written.
This series is mainly just some extra stories for those who follow the TV show. If you don’t watch the show then these probably aren’t for you.
I find them easy to read as they are written in mixed formats including text conversations and newspaper articles etc.
When the ‘Riverdale Revels’ are brought back after 75 years everyone is intrigued. What are these revels and why has no one heard of them before? But as this is Riverdale it has a dark history with a few surprises thrown in.
Nothing groundbreaking here, but a bit of light entertainment. Which is all I asked for really 😊
March 9, 2020
So I pretty much am addicted to Riverdale and while I will admit this series isn't really that deep and probably aren't for people who don't follow the show, I will continue to read them as long as I can grab them from the library - or really really cheap. Like free cheap.
In this installment, the town of Riverdale is trying to bounce back from some of the tragic incidents that have recently happened. They decide to revive the Riverdale Revels, a celebration which hasn't happened in years. As part of the celebration, the mayor has decided to dig up an time capsule buried over 75 years ago. However, no one was prepared for the dead body with comes out when they release the contents.
Once again we have all the favorite cast - including Jughead which EVERYONE knows is dear to my heart. Kevin, Toni and Cheryl are a little more prominent in this novel than the first two but primary because there is a pageant taking place and they are all involved. I also continue to love how the books are told in a mixture of narratives, diary entries, newspaper articles, memos and texts. The mystery in the novel is interesting but not really mind-blowing. However I will add that the fun thing with this series is that it happens between the seasons of the CW television series. So the tales are redundant but it does help if you have an idea what has happened on the show.
If you love Riverdale and even if you have teens who are enjoying the show and you want to get them to read more, than I recommend this series. For hardcore mystery lovers who are considering it strictly for the mystery aspect, then you might want to find something else.
In this installment, the town of Riverdale is trying to bounce back from some of the tragic incidents that have recently happened. They decide to revive the Riverdale Revels, a celebration which hasn't happened in years. As part of the celebration, the mayor has decided to dig up an time capsule buried over 75 years ago. However, no one was prepared for the dead body with comes out when they release the contents.
Once again we have all the favorite cast - including Jughead which EVERYONE knows is dear to my heart. Kevin, Toni and Cheryl are a little more prominent in this novel than the first two but primary because there is a pageant taking place and they are all involved. I also continue to love how the books are told in a mixture of narratives, diary entries, newspaper articles, memos and texts. The mystery in the novel is interesting but not really mind-blowing. However I will add that the fun thing with this series is that it happens between the seasons of the CW television series. So the tales are redundant but it does help if you have an idea what has happened on the show.
If you love Riverdale and even if you have teens who are enjoying the show and you want to get them to read more, than I recommend this series. For hardcore mystery lovers who are considering it strictly for the mystery aspect, then you might want to find something else.
November 9, 2019
This is the third book I've read in this series. This one was totally different in that it had nothing to do with the tv series and focused on another murder. I didn't have a problem with that. I also watch the series and it was interesting it took another route. Heads up, the "family" is still in this book and Betty still writes in her diary. All the main characters are a part of this book as well. Enjoy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 18, 2020
Initial Opinion:
The intro is a bit overly dramatic and repetitive, like it's trying to capture Jug's narrative voice yet falling into a stereotype instead. So many of the plots I hate are name dropped, and I get the feeling I'll end up disliking the experience, but I already own the book so I might as well rip off the bandaid quickly!
I make it to Cheryl in the first chapter. I read the quote: “Oh, j’adore! The Riverdale Revels! The Royal Maple pageant! What a delightfully OTT festivity we have in store, my darling TeeTee.” I regret every life choice which has led me to this atrocious combination of words.
Please let me wake from this nightmare. Please, I beg thee, almighty deity of literature, spare me from the tortures which await.
And yet, I've already committed to this and I have a book goal. There will be no mercy for me this week.
* * * * * *
Final Views:
I don't even know how to properly unpack everything noteworthy about this book or my feelings thereon, but I'll begin by saying it gets off to a slow and boring start - so much so, in fact, that I often chose to use my spare time catching up on Unus Annus videos and playing House Flipper instead of reading. This quickly became a trend, and what should have been a short read ended up taking two weeks.
The first third of this book drags, bogged down by all the hoopla about an unplanned town event and how the characters feel about the sudden revelry. There's way too much meandering and not enough murder mystery.
This trend dominates the book: far too many pointless side plots drag down the story and take focus away from the actual mystery regarding the eponymous Maple Murders. While some of these side plots are only uninteresting because I hate the general plot of Riverdale season three, some irked me for more notable reasons. Because the review length limit is paltry, I'll use a list and write under the assumption that anyone reading this has already seen at least the first half of Riverdale's third season. (If you haven't, then you won't understand what's happening in this book anyway.)
- - -
* First off, I just can't let go of the ick factor of Veronica and Betty deciding to get Kevin into a gay club using a fake ID. No, the club wasn't a problem; it painted a wonderful mental image of the setting and seemed to be handled well for the most part. The problem is: they wanted to find a hookup for Kevin, a minor, in a club aimed at adults. At no point does anyone question the morality of what amounts to a plan of tricking someone into statutory rape. Thankfully, nothing really comes of the plot, but still. Yikes.
* There's a smattering of uncomfortable, casual mentions of "Dark Betty" which treat it as a cosplay thing (actual term used by Kevin) instead of a sign of Betty's fractured mental health and desperate need for therapy. I know the show itself has started doing that, as well, but this is one thing which I feel an absolute need to call out regardless. It's a desperate cry for help from the damaged psyche of a teenage girl in a broken home. Can we please stop treating it like some silly, 'sexy' cosplay?!
* Veronica insists an all genders, opt-in beauty pageant is oh so horribly misogynistic and sexist. Apparently, she doesn't care that it's inclusive and those who don't want to compete have the option to simply not. Why, it's a horrible affront against females that it exists! (If you say so, kiddo. Congrats on raising a stink over the only outlet queer kids in the town will likely ever have...?)
* At one point, Cheryl suggests Toni utilize her bisexuality and race to earn favour in a contest due to diversity. Toni gets upset because she feels like that's exploiting her identity and says she needs a moment alone to collect herself since the exploitative suggestion came from her own girlfriend. Instead of actually getting that moment, something immediately occurs to derail the situation and suddenly Toni is no longer upset about feeling exploited.
- - -
Even if these bits were in a completely new universe, using characters I'd never seen before, I'd still take issue with them. I hold that separate from things like "ugh, no, please stop dwelling on that stupid religious cult, I don't give a crap" which are not really fair to the book since they're set-in-stone aspects of canon.
Speaking of canon, though? It's literally impossible to fit this book into the canon as written. Let me explain, using bits copied from the Wikipedia writeup of Riverdale's episodes:
Season 3, episode 9: "Cheryl and Toni are both kicked out of the Serpents"
Season 3, episode 10: "Hermione appoints F.P. as the new sheriff of Riverdale"
Now, call me crazy, but I'm pretty sure nine comes before ten. Yet the book treats FP as the well-established sheriff and Cheryl and Toni as still-loyal, proud Serpents. These aren't just casual mentions, either; they have actual impact on a handful of subplots. How do you mess up something like that? At least the other inconsistencies are more subtle and require a deeper dive into sorting out the timeline. This one is just egregious.
But I digress. Before getting into the main plot, I'd like to follow tradition set by this book and provide more filler, specifically about characters.
VERONICA is, much like in the previous two books, a snobby rich girl who borders on being a complete jerk and looks down on everyone around her. She's also, frustratingly, still a comically bad caricature of an SJW. She has no qualms with treating her gay best friend, Kevin, like he's a novelty but she's all too willing to act like calling silly, inoffensive things 'misogynistic' makes her a wonderful person.
It's also incredibly difficult to parse what she's saying half the time. She's nowhere near as obnoxious as Cheryl, but she speaks in overused references to expensive things and uses flowery language which makes her sound more like a pretentious stereotype of Rich Girl From New York than a three-dimensional being. It's unpleasant to read, but she's pretty in-character for later seasons of the show.
JUGHEAD doesn't feel anything like, well, Jughead. He doesn't have that air of being a tortured soul and just serves as a stand-in for failed comic relief and Betty's sidekick. Simply put: the quote in season one about sardonic humour is the only thing which comprises his personality.
He's reduced to stammering and blushing over simple social interactions at least twice, turning him into a character who's literally nothing like any iteration of Jughead I have ever witnessed over the seasons of Riverdale and especially nothing like who he is when he's a Serpent. It's more like the weak, socially awkward caricature people use in fanfics when they can't be bothered to figure out how to portray him with nuance. I'm disappointed by what was done to my favourite character.
BETTY feels... off. While I praised the previous book for how well Betty's emotions were handled, I'm afraid I'll have to scold this one for making her come across with no depth. She talks about things like her self-harm with such a disinterested voice that you'd think she was discussing the weather. Yeah, we're told that she feels certain ways, but it's never shown with enough depth to feel genuine.
Betty's sections are also usually framed as diary entries, but they cover detailed actions and exact dialogue. It's weird, and makes the detached emotion feel even more pronounced because usually people are very impassioned when writing about important events in a diary.
ARCHIE has about as much nuance as unflavoured gelatin. He's just... there. Occasionally, there's a brief mention of the things he's been through, but he serves as little more than a narrating voice for other characters' plots.
KEVIN is fun. I loved seeing him just completely unapologetically be himself while exploring a (presumably, based on the show) new facet of his identity by entering a beauty pageant. However, there are some disappointing ventures into stereotypical dialogue straight from a late-90s sitcom. He calls himself Veronica's "gay husband" unironically and basks in the chance to be her "life-size Ken doll," both things which don't feel in-character for him. But, hey, he actually got to exist without becoming a bad person to advance the plot! That's better than canon!
JOSIE feels more in-character than the previous installment. I enjoyed seeing her handle the emotions surrounding her want for close connections vs. her desire to hyper-focus on having a musical career. Watching her bond with Kevin as a future step-sibling was also nice.
TONI is a weak-willed sidekick for Cheryl, barely even her own person. Whatever Cheryl wants, ultimately Cheryl gets, even when Toni has said she isn't interested several times prior. She's her girlfriend's arm candy and mindless supporter. I mean, seriously, Cheryl can be a narcissistic bully and Toni will basically just smile and go "oh, you... that's so cute." (Thankfully not an actual quote, but it's close.) I miss back when Toni had a personality beyond being Cheryl's yes-(wo)man. Unfortunately, though, I must concede that this version of Toni is canonically valid for season three.
CHERYL is a hot mess, in the insulting way. Her sections are full of such purple prose that it made me think several times I'd unlearned the English language. I ended up skimming just to avoid a headache at least twice.
She domineers her girlfriend as if what she really wants is a pet who will love her unconditionally and never question her flaws. Her portrayal makes me sad for the strong, decent human she could have been, if only the myriad of teachable moments she's endured in the past three seasons had been absorbed. But alas, when she isn't busy crying over not getting her way, she thinks and acts like a she-devil who believes everyone else is beneath her. Still. Despite having a girlfriend who comes from a lower financial class than herself and being part of a gang made primarily of people who are homeless and/or from the low-income side of town. It's as gross as watching a skinny girl with an overweight girlfriend constantly talk down about everyone else with a little extra weight on them.
So, y'know, she's also written true to character for season three.
EVELYN is a character I barely met before giving up on the show, so I can't say if she's accurately portrayed. I can, however, say that I actually liked the way she presents herself as an upbeat person while something sinister simmers just beneath the surface. I'm not fond of how her arc in this book ended, but the journey to get there was interesting and her motivations felt believable for the daughter of a cult leader.
Nobody else left enough of an impression to warrant mention, and the ridiculously short character limit for reviews is nigh. So, time for the main event!
Actually, don't trust the build-up; I don't have much to say about the overall plot. It's so bogged down by everything else that at times I honestly forgot what was going on with the murder mystery aspect.
The overarching mystery was not particularly well handled - at times, feeling like an aside to all the mundanity - but it did hold my interest enough to keep me from giving up on this book. I didn't care for how certain elements of the mystery were telegraphed from miles away or revealed in flashback sections, mostly because I prefer to discover clues and figure things out along with the main characters instead and see if I can figure things out myself. Nor was I happy with how it went mostly untouched for so long then suddenly hit a rushed wrap-up. The solution felt too cliché and unsatisfying for my tastes, though it did surprise me on certain elements. Since engagement and intrigue are big parts of a successful mystery story, I'm willing to give credit where it's due there.
It's just: I wanted more about the past, more about the mystery, but it was all over and I'd wasted my time on so much dull filler that it felt much like getting a photograph of food while hungry. Now I have a strong idea of what I wish this book had been, and the fact it didn't deliver is disappointing.
Do I think it was a worthwhile journey? Well... no, not for me. But also yes, for someone who enjoys the season where it takes place and has an easier time turning off their suspension of disbelief. Me, I couldn't even handle how Instagram was name-dropped in a world where even its parent company, Facebook, is censored into SpaceBook and they watch ViewTube instead of YouTube. Believing some of the other inconsistencies was just way too much to ask of my poor, little brain.
For example: Why do Alice and Polly act as if Betty doesn't live with them? They tell her off for making an "impromptu visit" but Jug calls it the Cooper house and last I checked Betty is a minor with an imprisoned father and no foster family so that should mean she also lives there with her mother and sister. So... did I miss something?
Or, more lightheartedly: Why is Toni called TeeTee but Jason is called JJ? Shouldn't there be some kind of consistency in how two-letter nicknames are spelled?
It's just too much. But, since I feel like leaving on a fun note, have some ridiculous quotes found in this book. Consider it a little cringe compilation, if you will.
- - -
* "What fictions did our respective parental figures peddle to us all, respectively?" -- Veronica
* "With the seedlings of a nascent plan in place, we split up." -- Cheryl
* "Okay, okay, you did it. You’re on record as an objector and the leader of Riverdale’s own Mayday resistance. You shall henceforth be known as Elizabeth Cady Stanton Lodge. Done and done. You’re making me mix my girl-power metaphors, and it’s messy." -- Kevin
* "Jerry Seinfeld’s Amagansett house isn’t too far from Lodgehampton; I’ve had better access to his car collection than half those comedians he takes for coffee." -- Veronica
* "But alas, as I’m sure you suspect, based on the look on your face, we’ve got some other fish to fry right now.” --Jughead
- - -
Yeah, this... sure was an experience. I'll tell you what, though: I'm going to be fair to how much of the boredom and campiness originate from canon and rate this book two stars. It would have been a respectable middle ground of three, if only it didn't suffer from such a massive timelining failure. But since that's something which will likely count against it even in the eyes of those who enjoy the third season, I can't justify not docking a star.
The intro is a bit overly dramatic and repetitive, like it's trying to capture Jug's narrative voice yet falling into a stereotype instead. So many of the plots I hate are name dropped, and I get the feeling I'll end up disliking the experience, but I already own the book so I might as well rip off the bandaid quickly!
I make it to Cheryl in the first chapter. I read the quote: “Oh, j’adore! The Riverdale Revels! The Royal Maple pageant! What a delightfully OTT festivity we have in store, my darling TeeTee.” I regret every life choice which has led me to this atrocious combination of words.
Please let me wake from this nightmare. Please, I beg thee, almighty deity of literature, spare me from the tortures which await.
And yet, I've already committed to this and I have a book goal. There will be no mercy for me this week.
* * * * * *
Final Views:
I don't even know how to properly unpack everything noteworthy about this book or my feelings thereon, but I'll begin by saying it gets off to a slow and boring start - so much so, in fact, that I often chose to use my spare time catching up on Unus Annus videos and playing House Flipper instead of reading. This quickly became a trend, and what should have been a short read ended up taking two weeks.
The first third of this book drags, bogged down by all the hoopla about an unplanned town event and how the characters feel about the sudden revelry. There's way too much meandering and not enough murder mystery.
This trend dominates the book: far too many pointless side plots drag down the story and take focus away from the actual mystery regarding the eponymous Maple Murders. While some of these side plots are only uninteresting because I hate the general plot of Riverdale season three, some irked me for more notable reasons. Because the review length limit is paltry, I'll use a list and write under the assumption that anyone reading this has already seen at least the first half of Riverdale's third season. (If you haven't, then you won't understand what's happening in this book anyway.)
- - -
* First off, I just can't let go of the ick factor of Veronica and Betty deciding to get Kevin into a gay club using a fake ID. No, the club wasn't a problem; it painted a wonderful mental image of the setting and seemed to be handled well for the most part. The problem is: they wanted to find a hookup for Kevin, a minor, in a club aimed at adults. At no point does anyone question the morality of what amounts to a plan of tricking someone into statutory rape. Thankfully, nothing really comes of the plot, but still. Yikes.
* There's a smattering of uncomfortable, casual mentions of "Dark Betty" which treat it as a cosplay thing (actual term used by Kevin) instead of a sign of Betty's fractured mental health and desperate need for therapy. I know the show itself has started doing that, as well, but this is one thing which I feel an absolute need to call out regardless. It's a desperate cry for help from the damaged psyche of a teenage girl in a broken home. Can we please stop treating it like some silly, 'sexy' cosplay?!
* Veronica insists an all genders, opt-in beauty pageant is oh so horribly misogynistic and sexist. Apparently, she doesn't care that it's inclusive and those who don't want to compete have the option to simply not. Why, it's a horrible affront against females that it exists! (If you say so, kiddo. Congrats on raising a stink over the only outlet queer kids in the town will likely ever have...?)
* At one point, Cheryl suggests Toni utilize her bisexuality and race to earn favour in a contest due to diversity. Toni gets upset because she feels like that's exploiting her identity and says she needs a moment alone to collect herself since the exploitative suggestion came from her own girlfriend. Instead of actually getting that moment, something immediately occurs to derail the situation and suddenly Toni is no longer upset about feeling exploited.
- - -
Even if these bits were in a completely new universe, using characters I'd never seen before, I'd still take issue with them. I hold that separate from things like "ugh, no, please stop dwelling on that stupid religious cult, I don't give a crap" which are not really fair to the book since they're set-in-stone aspects of canon.
Speaking of canon, though? It's literally impossible to fit this book into the canon as written. Let me explain, using bits copied from the Wikipedia writeup of Riverdale's episodes:
Season 3, episode 9: "Cheryl and Toni are both kicked out of the Serpents"
Season 3, episode 10: "Hermione appoints F.P. as the new sheriff of Riverdale"
Now, call me crazy, but I'm pretty sure nine comes before ten. Yet the book treats FP as the well-established sheriff and Cheryl and Toni as still-loyal, proud Serpents. These aren't just casual mentions, either; they have actual impact on a handful of subplots. How do you mess up something like that? At least the other inconsistencies are more subtle and require a deeper dive into sorting out the timeline. This one is just egregious.
But I digress. Before getting into the main plot, I'd like to follow tradition set by this book and provide more filler, specifically about characters.
VERONICA is, much like in the previous two books, a snobby rich girl who borders on being a complete jerk and looks down on everyone around her. She's also, frustratingly, still a comically bad caricature of an SJW. She has no qualms with treating her gay best friend, Kevin, like he's a novelty but she's all too willing to act like calling silly, inoffensive things 'misogynistic' makes her a wonderful person.
It's also incredibly difficult to parse what she's saying half the time. She's nowhere near as obnoxious as Cheryl, but she speaks in overused references to expensive things and uses flowery language which makes her sound more like a pretentious stereotype of Rich Girl From New York than a three-dimensional being. It's unpleasant to read, but she's pretty in-character for later seasons of the show.
JUGHEAD doesn't feel anything like, well, Jughead. He doesn't have that air of being a tortured soul and just serves as a stand-in for failed comic relief and Betty's sidekick. Simply put: the quote in season one about sardonic humour is the only thing which comprises his personality.
He's reduced to stammering and blushing over simple social interactions at least twice, turning him into a character who's literally nothing like any iteration of Jughead I have ever witnessed over the seasons of Riverdale and especially nothing like who he is when he's a Serpent. It's more like the weak, socially awkward caricature people use in fanfics when they can't be bothered to figure out how to portray him with nuance. I'm disappointed by what was done to my favourite character.
BETTY feels... off. While I praised the previous book for how well Betty's emotions were handled, I'm afraid I'll have to scold this one for making her come across with no depth. She talks about things like her self-harm with such a disinterested voice that you'd think she was discussing the weather. Yeah, we're told that she feels certain ways, but it's never shown with enough depth to feel genuine.
Betty's sections are also usually framed as diary entries, but they cover detailed actions and exact dialogue. It's weird, and makes the detached emotion feel even more pronounced because usually people are very impassioned when writing about important events in a diary.
ARCHIE has about as much nuance as unflavoured gelatin. He's just... there. Occasionally, there's a brief mention of the things he's been through, but he serves as little more than a narrating voice for other characters' plots.
KEVIN is fun. I loved seeing him just completely unapologetically be himself while exploring a (presumably, based on the show) new facet of his identity by entering a beauty pageant. However, there are some disappointing ventures into stereotypical dialogue straight from a late-90s sitcom. He calls himself Veronica's "gay husband" unironically and basks in the chance to be her "life-size Ken doll," both things which don't feel in-character for him. But, hey, he actually got to exist without becoming a bad person to advance the plot! That's better than canon!
JOSIE feels more in-character than the previous installment. I enjoyed seeing her handle the emotions surrounding her want for close connections vs. her desire to hyper-focus on having a musical career. Watching her bond with Kevin as a future step-sibling was also nice.
TONI is a weak-willed sidekick for Cheryl, barely even her own person. Whatever Cheryl wants, ultimately Cheryl gets, even when Toni has said she isn't interested several times prior. She's her girlfriend's arm candy and mindless supporter. I mean, seriously, Cheryl can be a narcissistic bully and Toni will basically just smile and go "oh, you... that's so cute." (Thankfully not an actual quote, but it's close.) I miss back when Toni had a personality beyond being Cheryl's yes-(wo)man. Unfortunately, though, I must concede that this version of Toni is canonically valid for season three.
CHERYL is a hot mess, in the insulting way. Her sections are full of such purple prose that it made me think several times I'd unlearned the English language. I ended up skimming just to avoid a headache at least twice.
She domineers her girlfriend as if what she really wants is a pet who will love her unconditionally and never question her flaws. Her portrayal makes me sad for the strong, decent human she could have been, if only the myriad of teachable moments she's endured in the past three seasons had been absorbed. But alas, when she isn't busy crying over not getting her way, she thinks and acts like a she-devil who believes everyone else is beneath her. Still. Despite having a girlfriend who comes from a lower financial class than herself and being part of a gang made primarily of people who are homeless and/or from the low-income side of town. It's as gross as watching a skinny girl with an overweight girlfriend constantly talk down about everyone else with a little extra weight on them.
So, y'know, she's also written true to character for season three.
EVELYN is a character I barely met before giving up on the show, so I can't say if she's accurately portrayed. I can, however, say that I actually liked the way she presents herself as an upbeat person while something sinister simmers just beneath the surface. I'm not fond of how her arc in this book ended, but the journey to get there was interesting and her motivations felt believable for the daughter of a cult leader.
Nobody else left enough of an impression to warrant mention, and the ridiculously short character limit for reviews is nigh. So, time for the main event!
Actually, don't trust the build-up; I don't have much to say about the overall plot. It's so bogged down by everything else that at times I honestly forgot what was going on with the murder mystery aspect.
The overarching mystery was not particularly well handled - at times, feeling like an aside to all the mundanity - but it did hold my interest enough to keep me from giving up on this book. I didn't care for how certain elements of the mystery were telegraphed from miles away or revealed in flashback sections, mostly because I prefer to discover clues and figure things out along with the main characters instead and see if I can figure things out myself. Nor was I happy with how it went mostly untouched for so long then suddenly hit a rushed wrap-up. The solution felt too cliché and unsatisfying for my tastes, though it did surprise me on certain elements. Since engagement and intrigue are big parts of a successful mystery story, I'm willing to give credit where it's due there.
It's just: I wanted more about the past, more about the mystery, but it was all over and I'd wasted my time on so much dull filler that it felt much like getting a photograph of food while hungry. Now I have a strong idea of what I wish this book had been, and the fact it didn't deliver is disappointing.
Do I think it was a worthwhile journey? Well... no, not for me. But also yes, for someone who enjoys the season where it takes place and has an easier time turning off their suspension of disbelief. Me, I couldn't even handle how Instagram was name-dropped in a world where even its parent company, Facebook, is censored into SpaceBook and they watch ViewTube instead of YouTube. Believing some of the other inconsistencies was just way too much to ask of my poor, little brain.
For example: Why do Alice and Polly act as if Betty doesn't live with them? They tell her off for making an "impromptu visit" but Jug calls it the Cooper house and last I checked Betty is a minor with an imprisoned father and no foster family so that should mean she also lives there with her mother and sister. So... did I miss something?
Or, more lightheartedly: Why is Toni called TeeTee but Jason is called JJ? Shouldn't there be some kind of consistency in how two-letter nicknames are spelled?
It's just too much. But, since I feel like leaving on a fun note, have some ridiculous quotes found in this book. Consider it a little cringe compilation, if you will.
- - -
* "What fictions did our respective parental figures peddle to us all, respectively?" -- Veronica
* "With the seedlings of a nascent plan in place, we split up." -- Cheryl
* "Okay, okay, you did it. You’re on record as an objector and the leader of Riverdale’s own Mayday resistance. You shall henceforth be known as Elizabeth Cady Stanton Lodge. Done and done. You’re making me mix my girl-power metaphors, and it’s messy." -- Kevin
* "Jerry Seinfeld’s Amagansett house isn’t too far from Lodgehampton; I’ve had better access to his car collection than half those comedians he takes for coffee." -- Veronica
* "But alas, as I’m sure you suspect, based on the look on your face, we’ve got some other fish to fry right now.” --Jughead
- - -
Yeah, this... sure was an experience. I'll tell you what, though: I'm going to be fair to how much of the boredom and campiness originate from canon and rate this book two stars. It would have been a respectable middle ground of three, if only it didn't suffer from such a massive timelining failure. But since that's something which will likely count against it even in the eyes of those who enjoy the third season, I can't justify not docking a star.
January 23, 2020
2.5/3?? I'm indecisive.
So basically I'm a sucker for bargains and when this was on sale, I couldn't resist.
I'd seen some of the show, was a fan of some of it (*cough cough* seasons 1 and 2*) and not so much of other parts of it (*cough* season 3/4 *cough*).
But, at the end of the day, I love crime-solving mysteries (I was a Scooby-Doo fanatic, after all).
So, what the heck. I bought it, I read it, and here's my review.
Let's start from the top.
The book is split into 3 parts (I think) but I'll be sectioning it off differently for this review.
The Beginning (1-86):
It takes a while for this book to find it's footing, and whilst it does so, there seems to be some inconsistencies in the characters (especially Betty), some over-the-top language (I get that Veronica is from upstate New York and Cheryl can speak French but-"you guys do realize you're basically speaking a different language now, right?"-Archie's got my back), and diary entries that start out as diary entries, but then turn into description like the rest of the novel.
(I haven't read the comics, but some were saying Betty was more like comic Betty than show Betty in this one)
The Middle (87-190ish):
I LOVED this part.
The author really gets the ball rolling and uses the formatting to her advantage.
We get chilling sneakpeaks, mysterious text convos, and the story seems to flow much more smoothly through this part. We get some meaningful character interactions and events that progress the plot forward.
The End (190 something to the end):
I was a bit disappointed.
For starters, we get 13 and a half pages of a character's trip with their lover...that we didn't really need? I understood what the author was trying to do, but at the same time I felt like they could've got the same- if not better- effect with 2-4 pages.
Also, there was an incident where they find something out and two seconds after this they're like 'we're waiting on a clue'. (Okay maybe a few pages, but you get the jist).
And lastly, I wasn't really surprised by anything that happened/ was revealed (although some of it we weren't meant to be surprised by).
On the bright side, it was a fun, light read (definitely a page-turner) that's encouraged me to step outside of my comfort zone this year and try out some new genres this year!
And maybe I'll try out one of the others? Who knows
So basically I'm a sucker for bargains and when this was on sale, I couldn't resist.
I'd seen some of the show, was a fan of some of it (*cough cough* seasons 1 and 2*) and not so much of other parts of it (*cough* season 3/4 *cough*).
But, at the end of the day, I love crime-solving mysteries (I was a Scooby-Doo fanatic, after all).
So, what the heck. I bought it, I read it, and here's my review.
Let's start from the top.
The book is split into 3 parts (I think) but I'll be sectioning it off differently for this review.
The Beginning (1-86):
It takes a while for this book to find it's footing, and whilst it does so, there seems to be some inconsistencies in the characters (especially Betty), some over-the-top language (I get that Veronica is from upstate New York and Cheryl can speak French but-"you guys do realize you're basically speaking a different language now, right?"-Archie's got my back), and diary entries that start out as diary entries, but then turn into description like the rest of the novel.
(I haven't read the comics, but some were saying Betty was more like comic Betty than show Betty in this one)
The Middle (87-190ish):
I LOVED this part.
The author really gets the ball rolling and uses the formatting to her advantage.
We get chilling sneakpeaks, mysterious text convos, and the story seems to flow much more smoothly through this part. We get some meaningful character interactions and events that progress the plot forward.
The End (190 something to the end):
I was a bit disappointed.
For starters, we get 13 and a half pages of a character's trip with their lover...that we didn't really need? I understood what the author was trying to do, but at the same time I felt like they could've got the same- if not better- effect with 2-4 pages.
Also, there was an incident where they find something out and two seconds after this they're like 'we're waiting on a clue'. (Okay maybe a few pages, but you get the jist).
And lastly, I wasn't really surprised by anything that happened/ was revealed (although some of it we weren't meant to be surprised by).
On the bright side, it was a fun, light read (definitely a page-turner) that's encouraged me to step outside of my comfort zone this year and try out some new genres this year!
And maybe I'll try out one of the others? Who knows
February 22, 2021
Zu den 5 Sternen hat noch iwas gefehlt, aber für ein Riverdalebuch war es ganz gut. Die Mitte hat leider an Spannung verloren, aber das Ende hat wieder alles gut gemacht sozusagen. Außerdem mochte ich, dass dort oft so Chats gezeigt werden, da diese für Abwechslung sorgten.🌪
December 23, 2019
While this book was a fun read because I'm a fan of Riverdale and it felt a bit like a bonus episode of the show, there were also some flaws that left me a bit disappointed. The biggest was that some of the characters felt more like they were based on the original Archie comics characters, rather than the characters as they are portrayed on the show. Betty in particular comes across as sunny to a fault and also a little bit weak, when she is much the opposite on the show. Some of the nicknames the characters have for each other in this book are also taken directly from the pages of the original comics, but have never been used on the show- for example, "Juggie?" I've never heard Betty call Jughead by that name on the show. Beyond that, the plot was solid enough that I was willing to stick it out, but I was not blown away by any means.
January 10, 2022
dude this book? yes i love it. the revels were so captivating and jesus man the end like its riverdale but i absolutely love the towns dark aspect and history and everything about this town. the stories of riverdale are so addictive i cant explain it
book 4 time to fucking go its gonna be so dark
book 4 time to fucking go its gonna be so dark
October 31, 2021
ZERO stars
This is the third book in the Riverdale mystery series starring the four teens from the Archie comic books: Archie, Veronica, Jughead and Betty.
In this episode the mayor (Veronica’s mom) has decided to revive an old tradition of the Riverdale Revels, a celebration of fall that includes a pageant. Seems the Revels were an annual tradition for many years, but stopped inexplicably in the 1940s, shortly after the town was official incorporated/founded, and at which time a time capsule was buried. So this year’s festivities will start with the unearthing and opening of the capsule. But when it’s opened …
Up to this point it seems like a pretty typical YA mystery. But then it goes in all sorts of weird directions. There’s a cult involved, seems there may have been some serious bad business in the past that everyone is covering up. Ostow includes a couple of pages of “The Maple Man” musing about his next victim, which seem to go nowhere. Then there are Betty’s diary entries, which read like no teen’s diary I’ve ever seen. And the occasional series of cryptic text messages. Ostow also is trying too hard, in my opinion, to diversify her cast. There are bi-sexual kids, a lesbian couple, a gay guy who’s planning to be in the pageant.
The whole thing is just a hot mess. Oh, well, at least it fulfilled a challenge or two.
This is the third book in the Riverdale mystery series starring the four teens from the Archie comic books: Archie, Veronica, Jughead and Betty.
In this episode the mayor (Veronica’s mom) has decided to revive an old tradition of the Riverdale Revels, a celebration of fall that includes a pageant. Seems the Revels were an annual tradition for many years, but stopped inexplicably in the 1940s, shortly after the town was official incorporated/founded, and at which time a time capsule was buried. So this year’s festivities will start with the unearthing and opening of the capsule. But when it’s opened …
Up to this point it seems like a pretty typical YA mystery. But then it goes in all sorts of weird directions. There’s a cult involved, seems there may have been some serious bad business in the past that everyone is covering up. Ostow includes a couple of pages of “The Maple Man” musing about his next victim, which seem to go nowhere. Then there are Betty’s diary entries, which read like no teen’s diary I’ve ever seen. And the occasional series of cryptic text messages. Ostow also is trying too hard, in my opinion, to diversify her cast. There are bi-sexual kids, a lesbian couple, a gay guy who’s planning to be in the pageant.
The whole thing is just a hot mess. Oh, well, at least it fulfilled a challenge or two.
Read
March 10, 2020Here we see the town of Riverdale reigniting the Riverdale Revels, a town celebration that hasn't happened in decades. To start of the Revels, Riverdale Mayor Hermione Lodge looks to ignite the celebration with a blast from the past by opening up a 75yr old time capsule from the last Revels.. However she was not anticipating a dead body to be inside..
To solve the mystery of the body, the gang must uncover the truth about the Revels and follow the rabbit hole of Riverdale's past.. Which proves to be tough as there is little to no record of the event's past.
This instalment saw the POV's of our favourite four as well as a number of other characters such as Cheryl, Toni, Kevin and Pop's!
This was a fun read and if you're a fan of the show Riverdale then I recommend picking this one up!
To solve the mystery of the body, the gang must uncover the truth about the Revels and follow the rabbit hole of Riverdale's past.. Which proves to be tough as there is little to no record of the event's past.
This instalment saw the POV's of our favourite four as well as a number of other characters such as Cheryl, Toni, Kevin and Pop's!
This was a fun read and if you're a fan of the show Riverdale then I recommend picking this one up!
April 2, 2020
Has there ever been a more addictive TV show? Probably, but boy is Riverdale full of enough drama to keep you coming back. This book series is set outside the TV series and can be read independantly of them, however I think you gain more from knowing what has been happening in the TV show. You don't have to read the book to watch the show and I like that it is an original tale. I felt the connection between our protagonist's and their original comic book selves more keenly in this book, and I'm not sure if I like that or if I think it should stick to the 21st century versions created in the TV series. This story series is brilliant for teens and young adult readers, and also us oldies that love a good academy story. I give this book 4.5 stars out of 5.
Thank you Scholastic Australia for this copy in return for my honest and independent review.
Thank you Scholastic Australia for this copy in return for my honest and independent review.
October 8, 2021
This book does a better job at a complete story line than the previous books. Yet there are disconnects. In this book it mentions Archie's trial from book 2 but it never states if he was found innocent or guilty. He isn't in prison so I guess he was found not guilty but this holdover from book 2 is never explained. Then there is the issue of Jughead's father. In the previous books he is essentially described as a drunk who can't hold a job and engages in murky/illegal business with a motorcycle gang that he leads. Suddenly, in this third book, he is the sheriff and Jughead is the leader of the gang. To totally switch gear with Jughead's dad's character is a real disconnect. Then there is a random road trip that Cheryl and Toni take which adds little value to the story. It appears that chapter was jammed in there for it's "woke" value and not the story.
May 20, 2020
J'ai beaucoup aimé ce livre :)
J'ai adoré me replonger dans l'univers de Riverdale (sachant que j'adore la série).
Les personnages sont vraiment bien décrit et correspondent aux acteurs de la série.
On imagine très bien les scènes et ça c'est super positif pour un roman ;)
Retrouver notre petit duo improvisé de Sherlock Holmes et Nancy Drew version ado c'était vraiment top.
Découvrir une nouvelle histoire en dehors des intrigues des saisons de la série c'était top.
L'intrigue est bien tenue jusqu'au bout. On a la même intensité du suspens que dans la série.
Pour faire simple c'est un super bon roman, on peut le lire indépendamment des autres si on a vu la série donc ça c'est bien.
J'ai adoré me replonger dans l'univers de Riverdale (sachant que j'adore la série).
Les personnages sont vraiment bien décrit et correspondent aux acteurs de la série.
On imagine très bien les scènes et ça c'est super positif pour un roman ;)
Retrouver notre petit duo improvisé de Sherlock Holmes et Nancy Drew version ado c'était vraiment top.
Découvrir une nouvelle histoire en dehors des intrigues des saisons de la série c'était top.
L'intrigue est bien tenue jusqu'au bout. On a la même intensité du suspens que dans la série.
Pour faire simple c'est un super bon roman, on peut le lire indépendamment des autres si on a vu la série donc ça c'est bien.
April 5, 2020
I really enjoyed this one. The alternative points of view were a nice change from the previous two books. Cheryl is one of my favourite Riverdale characters so I especially enjoyed her parts. The Maple Murders was a unique Riverdale story that was simply fantastic to read. Reading the story unravel I was completely hooked. Riverdale has a dark past! This is definitely my favourite of the Riverdale books so far. A great murder mystery.
And can I just say I only just noticed while writing this the skull in the tree on the book. I don't know how I missed it! Very clever.
And can I just say I only just noticed while writing this the skull in the tree on the book. I don't know how I missed it! Very clever.
July 4, 2023
BASIC INFORMATION
explicitness: 1/5 (sex: none)
-a few brief kisses
violence: 0/5
language: 1/5
-"h*ll" used a few times
alcohol/drugs/smoking: 2/5
-multiple mentions of underage drinking
-underage characters go to a bar
intense scenes: 2.5/5
-body found (skeleton)
-mentions of past human sacrifices of young maidens
age rating: 13+
explicitness: 1/5 (sex: none)
-a few brief kisses
violence: 0/5
language: 1/5
-"h*ll" used a few times
alcohol/drugs/smoking: 2/5
-multiple mentions of underage drinking
-underage characters go to a bar
intense scenes: 2.5/5
-body found (skeleton)
-mentions of past human sacrifices of young maidens
age rating: 13+
December 24, 2019
Really loved the third Riverdale novel. It take place at the beggining of the third season I think. I think those novel are fun to read. It like having a bonus episode. Also love the mention of Greendale, town for where Sabrina of Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, lives.
November 27, 2020
Just like with the show (and previous books)-- loved B's chapters, liked C and V's chapters, indifferent about A's chapters, and strongly disliked J's chapters.
August 16, 2023
The third part of the series of books referring to the cult Netflix series - Riverdale.
This time the author describes the adventures of a group of Riverdale teenagers related to the resumption of an old town tradition - the Riverdale Revels.
It turns out that there are many mysteries behind this event that befriended high school students explore. Unfortunately, they face various threats.
This time the author describes the adventures of a group of Riverdale teenagers related to the resumption of an old town tradition - the Riverdale Revels.
It turns out that there are many mysteries behind this event that befriended high school students explore. Unfortunately, they face various threats.
March 6, 2024
Found this book to be very slow and didn’t have much suspense throughout. Not seen Riverdale series, so may be why I didn’t quite get the book🤷🏻♀️
August 20, 2024
If you are a Riverdale fan these are a must read. The writing of character Jughead Jones is still at it's finest in these books. These books tie in with the series but not actually in the series.
November 29, 2025
I had 3 suspects!!! the novel was giving some parts to the show!!!
November 13, 2021
But something always go bad in Riverdale
This is why we can't have nice things.
Not even a nice town jubilee without something bad. But here's what bothers me. They go through all that trouble to figure out who the girl in the time capsule was and why she died, then just... buried (haha) it? Jughead and Betty agreed to just let it go? I just don't buy it.
Something else I don't buy- Ronnie not being on board. She loves to show off and dress up and get attention. This should be right up her alley. I just don't get it. Has this author watched the show?
And of course, Pop Tate has all the answers. Go figure.
Random Thoughts:
--Betty really is Nancy Drew. Like even more than Nancy Drew is.
--Archie would make a great Golden Retriever, doing whatever he's told.
--How do the adults not give a damn about anything in this town?
--Of course it was Ethel and Evie. So obvious.
--Most importantly, WHO FREAKING WON????
January 6, 2020
I think I’ll stick with the tv show 🤷🏼♀️
June 28, 2020
You would probably be surprised by looking at me, but I am a huge fan of Riverdale as a show. It is delightfully campy, stylistically dramatized, and at times very cringe-y. It is a show that understands what niche it has carved for itself and embraces it...sometimes a bit too much, in some cases.
Which is why when I found out there was a Riverdale novel series, I was intrigued, if not a bit skeptical. Sometimes, novelizations of television shows and films don't really work out that well. But nonetheless, I decided to give The Maple Murders, the third novel in this series (yes, I read out of order, don't look at me like that), a chance to see how it played out. And, for the most part, I liked what I read.
Reading Micol Ostow's interpretation of the show in novel form was a bit jarring at times, especially in the beginning, as you are used to experiencing the Archie and friends exploits on screen. But I have to say, it really fits in with how the show is presented. Reading this book was almost like watching an actual episode of Riverdale for me, and I have to say that it is definitely a plus.
There was a moment about two-thirds of the way through The Maple Murders that I was beginning to feel a bit restless. The story didn't really seem to be going anywhere and was actually taking a few detours. The last eighty or so pages really being to pick up and I feel as though the end of the novel is worth it. I was expecting a bit more action by the end, perhaps a chase or something like that, once the mystery was close to being solved. But I still really liked how the solving of the mystery played out.
There were some instances of cringe-y dialogue on this novel, as is the custom when it comes to anything Riverdale. I think the best instance is early on when Veronica is speaking with her mother, and Veronica says, "Gloria Steinem called; your betrayal of second-wave feminism is complete." It definitely warrants a bit of an eye-roll, but I still love the quote and I love how over-the-top quotes from Riverdale like this can be. Also, the text-speak ("OMG," "AF," "TTYL") within the actual passages as well as some of the blatant teen lingo ("lit," etc.) felt a bit jarring to me as well, considering that I am not a teenager who uses text-speak in normal conversation. But, it definitely did add a little bit more immersion to the story.
Overall, I don't think you'll be disappointed with this novel. You get to experience some of your favorite characters in a much larger capacity than you are used to; instead of forty-five minutes, you get to see them for nearly three hundred pages. The mystery of the skeleton in the time capsule is very intriguing and it plays out really well in the end. It won't blow you away by any means, but it will keep you wanting to read until the final page. And that's all you can really want in a book.
8.0 / 10
Which is why when I found out there was a Riverdale novel series, I was intrigued, if not a bit skeptical. Sometimes, novelizations of television shows and films don't really work out that well. But nonetheless, I decided to give The Maple Murders, the third novel in this series (yes, I read out of order, don't look at me like that), a chance to see how it played out. And, for the most part, I liked what I read.
Reading Micol Ostow's interpretation of the show in novel form was a bit jarring at times, especially in the beginning, as you are used to experiencing the Archie and friends exploits on screen. But I have to say, it really fits in with how the show is presented. Reading this book was almost like watching an actual episode of Riverdale for me, and I have to say that it is definitely a plus.
There was a moment about two-thirds of the way through The Maple Murders that I was beginning to feel a bit restless. The story didn't really seem to be going anywhere and was actually taking a few detours. The last eighty or so pages really being to pick up and I feel as though the end of the novel is worth it. I was expecting a bit more action by the end, perhaps a chase or something like that, once the mystery was close to being solved. But I still really liked how the solving of the mystery played out.
There were some instances of cringe-y dialogue on this novel, as is the custom when it comes to anything Riverdale. I think the best instance is early on when Veronica is speaking with her mother, and Veronica says, "Gloria Steinem called; your betrayal of second-wave feminism is complete." It definitely warrants a bit of an eye-roll, but I still love the quote and I love how over-the-top quotes from Riverdale like this can be. Also, the text-speak ("OMG," "AF," "TTYL") within the actual passages as well as some of the blatant teen lingo ("lit," etc.) felt a bit jarring to me as well, considering that I am not a teenager who uses text-speak in normal conversation. But, it definitely did add a little bit more immersion to the story.
Overall, I don't think you'll be disappointed with this novel. You get to experience some of your favorite characters in a much larger capacity than you are used to; instead of forty-five minutes, you get to see them for nearly three hundred pages. The mystery of the skeleton in the time capsule is very intriguing and it plays out really well in the end. It won't blow you away by any means, but it will keep you wanting to read until the final page. And that's all you can really want in a book.
8.0 / 10
November 5, 2019
Not as good as the first 2 Riverdale novels, but I did enjoy that Kevin Keller and Cheryl Blossom had a lot to in this. Finally 2 of the best characters get to be front and centre.
May 12, 2025
HORRIBLE news chat
I really liked this book.
The mystery was cute and well foreshadowed. I got multiple scenes of Kevin and Josie as step-siblings that were somehow? Sweet? For the first time in series history the book actually managed to resolve its central conflict???? Jug and Betty were hopelessly in love with each other which is the correct amount of in love for them to be. Just an enjoyable book from start to finish minus the bits where it wasn’t. I am cautiously optimistic about the next one.
I’m proud of you Micol
I really liked this book.
The mystery was cute and well foreshadowed. I got multiple scenes of Kevin and Josie as step-siblings that were somehow? Sweet? For the first time in series history the book actually managed to resolve its central conflict???? Jug and Betty were hopelessly in love with each other which is the correct amount of in love for them to be. Just an enjoyable book from start to finish minus the bits where it wasn’t. I am cautiously optimistic about the next one.
I’m proud of you Micol
November 2, 2019
3,75/5
December 13, 2019
Une série qui ne me plait plus mais un livre qui m'a ravie !
J'ai beaucoup de mal avec la série Riverdale qui, sur les deux dernières saisons, m'a souvent laissée sur ma faim ou avec trop de questions sans réponses. Cependant, en début d'année, j'ai lu le premier tome de cette saga The Day Before. Je l'ai apprécié donc quand j'ai vu que ce troisième tome était disponible sur NetGalley, j'en ai profité pour demander à Hachette Romans de me laisser lire ce livre et ils ont accepté ! Je les remercie chaleureusement pour ça.
The Maple Murders a la particularité de sortir complètement de l'histoire de la série télévisée (ce qui est pour moi un très bon point !). Niveau chronologique, l'intrigue semble se situer au début ou au milieu de la 3ème saison. Pour ceux n'ayant jamais regardé la série Netflix, cela n'est pas nécessaire pour lire ce roman mais ça vous aidera beaucoup à comprendre l'univers de Riverdale et le comportement de ses habitants.
Les habitants, parlons-en justement ! Comme pour le premier tome, le livre est divisé entre divers chapitres narrés par l'un des personnages principaux (Jughead, Betty, Veronica et Archie) mais aussi par deux nouveaux narrateurs (Josie et Kevin!). Les différents points de vue dynamisent la lecture et permettent de ne pas se lasser de l'histoire. J'apprécie aussi les différents modes de narration : on assiste à des échanges de SMS, de mails, Betty parle à son journal et quelques affiches sont aussi inclues dans le livre !
L'intrigue principale est passionnante ! J'ai adoré les retournements de situation et l'importance du passé de la ville. Petit bémol cependant, j'ai trouvé la chute un peu rapide... Les explications finales étaient si prenantes que je ne voulais pas qu'elles s'arrêtent !
En bref, une très bonne lecture ! J'avais quelques appréhensions et je suis ravie de m'être trompée.
Une review plus en détail est à venir sur : brickwallandbooks.wordpress.com
J'ai beaucoup de mal avec la série Riverdale qui, sur les deux dernières saisons, m'a souvent laissée sur ma faim ou avec trop de questions sans réponses. Cependant, en début d'année, j'ai lu le premier tome de cette saga The Day Before. Je l'ai apprécié donc quand j'ai vu que ce troisième tome était disponible sur NetGalley, j'en ai profité pour demander à Hachette Romans de me laisser lire ce livre et ils ont accepté ! Je les remercie chaleureusement pour ça.
The Maple Murders a la particularité de sortir complètement de l'histoire de la série télévisée (ce qui est pour moi un très bon point !). Niveau chronologique, l'intrigue semble se situer au début ou au milieu de la 3ème saison. Pour ceux n'ayant jamais regardé la série Netflix, cela n'est pas nécessaire pour lire ce roman mais ça vous aidera beaucoup à comprendre l'univers de Riverdale et le comportement de ses habitants.
Les habitants, parlons-en justement ! Comme pour le premier tome, le livre est divisé entre divers chapitres narrés par l'un des personnages principaux (Jughead, Betty, Veronica et Archie) mais aussi par deux nouveaux narrateurs (Josie et Kevin!). Les différents points de vue dynamisent la lecture et permettent de ne pas se lasser de l'histoire. J'apprécie aussi les différents modes de narration : on assiste à des échanges de SMS, de mails, Betty parle à son journal et quelques affiches sont aussi inclues dans le livre !
L'intrigue principale est passionnante ! J'ai adoré les retournements de situation et l'importance du passé de la ville. Petit bémol cependant, j'ai trouvé la chute un peu rapide... Les explications finales étaient si prenantes que je ne voulais pas qu'elles s'arrêtent !
En bref, une très bonne lecture ! J'avais quelques appréhensions et je suis ravie de m'être trompée.
Une review plus en détail est à venir sur : brickwallandbooks.wordpress.com
July 17, 2021
Admittedly, I have not watched the show, so it took a while to get a grasp on the many, many characters. There are so many problems, I don’t even know where to begin. Ok, for starters, the book lacks a main character—making it impossible to connect with anyone or anything. Each chapter is narrated by a different member of the super duper diverse and inclusive Riverdale clique, and I am not digging any of them. Also, the characters and storylines are sooooo far removed from the Archie and Jughead comics, so why bother with this whole gimmick in the first place? I’m guessing that without this throwback, another random teen melodrama TV show couldn’t stand on its own two legs...am I right? I went into this book hoping for a good YA murder mystery about ghosts coming back to haunt a cursed town, but it seemed that all took a backseat to chapters upon chapters of mundane teenage crap. Some chapters teeter off into sub-plots that had zero ties to the story—like a lesbian love affair road trip to LA or a fruitless excursion to a gay bar. None of these little side trips had anything to do with the actual plot, but they did let all the readers know that this story is WOKE AF! I embrace diversity in mainstream fiction, but when it seems to be shoehorned in there with the sole agenda of check-marking all the boxes, I get a little annoyed. That said, this was a dud with a major let-down of an ending. By the time I got to the final chapters, it seemed very apparent that the author realized “Oh, whoopsies, I need to tie up this mystery, too.” At least she got her main message across.
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