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Burying Eva Flores
"Everyone thinks I killed Eva Flores.
Sure, I hated how everyone was over the moon about Eva's stupid TikTok fame. And I suppose I got a little bit carried away with vengeance after the girl tried to ruin my life.
When my friend gave me that leather journal, I’d never felt so much power in my life. It was intoxicating. Who wouldn’t have done what I did to Eva?
But now, everyone thinks that just because she vanished in a local forest in the middle of the night that, "hey, of course Sophia killed her." They point to the blood found on the jackets. The text messages. The slightly weird thing I had with Eva's dad. And the fire.
But the whole thing is far more complicated than you’d think.
So what happened to the horribly obnoxious Eva Flores at the end of the school year? I can't really say."
Perfect for fans of Holly Jackson and Karen M. McManus, Burying Eva Flores unwinds the mystery of two very different rivals with text messages, documentary interviews and more. If you're looking for an unputdownable thriller with supernatural suspense, then pick up Burying Eva Flores today!
Sure, I hated how everyone was over the moon about Eva's stupid TikTok fame. And I suppose I got a little bit carried away with vengeance after the girl tried to ruin my life.
When my friend gave me that leather journal, I’d never felt so much power in my life. It was intoxicating. Who wouldn’t have done what I did to Eva?
But now, everyone thinks that just because she vanished in a local forest in the middle of the night that, "hey, of course Sophia killed her." They point to the blood found on the jackets. The text messages. The slightly weird thing I had with Eva's dad. And the fire.
But the whole thing is far more complicated than you’d think.
So what happened to the horribly obnoxious Eva Flores at the end of the school year? I can't really say."
Perfect for fans of Holly Jackson and Karen M. McManus, Burying Eva Flores unwinds the mystery of two very different rivals with text messages, documentary interviews and more. If you're looking for an unputdownable thriller with supernatural suspense, then pick up Burying Eva Flores today!
388 pages, Paperback
First published March 14, 2022
10 people are currently reading
3040 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Alsever
6 books111 followersGet a free copy of Ember Burning when you sign up for Jennifer's VIP Reader Group:
www.jenniferalsever.com/free-book
Jennifer Alsever is a Colorado-based young adult author and a national business journalist. In 2017, she published her first work of fiction, the Trinity Forest Series, (Ember Burning, Oshun Rising and Venus Shining). The young adult trilogy is set in nearby Leadville, Colorado and is about a girl who becomes entangled in a local forest teeming with urban legends of witchcraft and strange disappearances and must not only find herself but ultimately save the world.
The series won five YA book awards.
In 2020, Jennifer Alsever published her fourth novel, Extraordinary Lies about two girls from vastly different backgrounds who are thrust together for psychic testing at the Stanford Research Institute. As the scientists’ experiments begin to get creepier, the two girls must discover the truth about who they are and the secrets that keep them in the dark.
In 2022, she published her fifth YA novel, Burying Eva Flores, about a war between two teens that spins out control when one of them finds a new unique power.
For more than two decades, she also has contributed to such publications as Fortune Magazine, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, Wired and Fast Company.
You’ll most likely find Jennifer at her keyboard or under a blanket with a great book, enjoying a handful of frozen chocolate chips. She reveres her mountain bike, and enjoys skiing and being on the lake with her family. Most people say she needs her yoga mat to stay sane.
AWARDS:
*Gold Medal Best YA Ebook Independent Publisher Book Awards 2018
*Gold Medal Best YA Horror/Mystery 2018
*Finalist Dante Rossetti Book Awards 2018
*Honorable Mention Best Indie Ebook: Writer's Digest 2019
*Finalist: Publishers Weekly Book Life Awards 2017
www.jenniferalsever.com/free-book
Jennifer Alsever is a Colorado-based young adult author and a national business journalist. In 2017, she published her first work of fiction, the Trinity Forest Series, (Ember Burning, Oshun Rising and Venus Shining). The young adult trilogy is set in nearby Leadville, Colorado and is about a girl who becomes entangled in a local forest teeming with urban legends of witchcraft and strange disappearances and must not only find herself but ultimately save the world.
The series won five YA book awards.
In 2020, Jennifer Alsever published her fourth novel, Extraordinary Lies about two girls from vastly different backgrounds who are thrust together for psychic testing at the Stanford Research Institute. As the scientists’ experiments begin to get creepier, the two girls must discover the truth about who they are and the secrets that keep them in the dark.
In 2022, she published her fifth YA novel, Burying Eva Flores, about a war between two teens that spins out control when one of them finds a new unique power.
For more than two decades, she also has contributed to such publications as Fortune Magazine, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, Wired and Fast Company.
You’ll most likely find Jennifer at her keyboard or under a blanket with a great book, enjoying a handful of frozen chocolate chips. She reveres her mountain bike, and enjoys skiing and being on the lake with her family. Most people say she needs her yoga mat to stay sane.
AWARDS:
*Gold Medal Best YA Ebook Independent Publisher Book Awards 2018
*Gold Medal Best YA Horror/Mystery 2018
*Finalist Dante Rossetti Book Awards 2018
*Honorable Mention Best Indie Ebook: Writer's Digest 2019
*Finalist: Publishers Weekly Book Life Awards 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 198 reviews
March 11, 2023
This is a story, very different to what I have read before. A YA mystery which has some complex character development & rivalry.
The story revolves around a set of teens and is set in the town of Paonia. It is said that the town suffers a curse of indigenous people who were evicted from their lands. Eva is a TikTok star with a large number of followers who eagerly await her videos. She has suddenly disappeared and as the days pass it appears that she may not be alive. The suspicion falls on Sophia, due to their bitter relationship. The Sherriff feels that she was evasive when questioned, but knows he must find the body if he has to establish guilt.
Earlier, Eva had accused Sophia of stalking her – publicly shaming her in a video. Sophia is enraged as she feels it is Eva who is copying her. There are friends including Morgan, Ethan & others and her brother Dylan who watch as the rivalry seems to be going out of hand. Eva’s stepdad is her career guide and keeps up the pressure on her to grow her success. Sophia has a job at a fast-food restaurant and has to tolerate the barbs Eva throws her way when she comes in. Eva’s family purchase the house Sophia and her family live-in and they have to move.
I found the nature of interactions & bitterness building between Eva and Sophia to be very well written and interesting. The snippets of messages exchanged, and social media posts add nicely to the narrative. Some aspects revealed in the later part of the story on Eva’s disappearance came across as far fetched & impractical but there was a touch of charm.
Overall, an easy-going and well-paced relaxing read,
My rating: 3.5 / 5.
Thanks to Netgalley, BooksGoSocial and the author a free electronic review copy.
The story revolves around a set of teens and is set in the town of Paonia. It is said that the town suffers a curse of indigenous people who were evicted from their lands. Eva is a TikTok star with a large number of followers who eagerly await her videos. She has suddenly disappeared and as the days pass it appears that she may not be alive. The suspicion falls on Sophia, due to their bitter relationship. The Sherriff feels that she was evasive when questioned, but knows he must find the body if he has to establish guilt.
Earlier, Eva had accused Sophia of stalking her – publicly shaming her in a video. Sophia is enraged as she feels it is Eva who is copying her. There are friends including Morgan, Ethan & others and her brother Dylan who watch as the rivalry seems to be going out of hand. Eva’s stepdad is her career guide and keeps up the pressure on her to grow her success. Sophia has a job at a fast-food restaurant and has to tolerate the barbs Eva throws her way when she comes in. Eva’s family purchase the house Sophia and her family live-in and they have to move.
I found the nature of interactions & bitterness building between Eva and Sophia to be very well written and interesting. The snippets of messages exchanged, and social media posts add nicely to the narrative. Some aspects revealed in the later part of the story on Eva’s disappearance came across as far fetched & impractical but there was a touch of charm.
Overall, an easy-going and well-paced relaxing read,
My rating: 3.5 / 5.
Thanks to Netgalley, BooksGoSocial and the author a free electronic review copy.
April 19, 2022
This story kept me on the edge of my seat! I loved how it flipped from present day “interviews” to the actual events in the past. The interviews provided a little reprieve from the intensity of the action. The story had lots of twists and surprises that kept me on my toes. Great read!
March 31, 2022
The characters, the ambience, the suspense and the relationships make this book a winner. As a writer of Young Adult fiction, Jennifer Alsever really makes you feel part of the story. She creates characters you get to know quickly and a page-turner storyline that keeps you diving in for more. Social media is such an important part of our changing culture these days and reading about it from the point of view of teens from different walks of life (from the popular TikTok star Eva to Sophia and Ethan from single home families, the wealthy to the less fortunate) makes you stop and think about how easy it is for young people today to hide behind personas, to feel pressured to be ‘as talented, as hot, as hip’ and for judgements to be made that can lead to potentially dangerous outcomes (like the lead characters in this story). I love books that weave the reader through time and following part of the story in broken interviews is brilliant. The teen-speak is current and humorous. This is a novel for our changing times and I would HIGHLY recommend it to teens, parents and anyone who uses social media (and enjoys a touch of the mystical) - pretty much everyone! Add it to your read list today, you can thank me later.
March 30, 2022
This was a book unlike any other that I have read. I loved the layout of the book; structured as interviews with different characters interspersed throughout the book, and even using text messages as part of the conversation. This was a great way to develop all of the characters and the story in a way that is clearly a sign of the times. I also enjoyed the supernatural happenings that underlies the story, which seems to be one of the author’s, Jennifer Alsever, interests, as she tends to explore in her other books as well. If you are looking for a fun, interesting, different type of read, pick up Burying Eva Flores. I highly recommend it!
February 16, 2023
ARC audiobook provided in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed the variety of narrators on this book. It made it very clear to know who was speaking and when, even via text messages. The story is about a girl in high school who is down in her luck and being bullied. Her friend gives her a journal from her Grandma that she discovers to be magical and everything she writes down comes true, though not always in the way she intended. It was an interesting and quick read and most teens/young adults would enjoy this, as I’m sure many have dreamed that something of this nature would happen to them!
I really enjoyed the variety of narrators on this book. It made it very clear to know who was speaking and when, even via text messages. The story is about a girl in high school who is down in her luck and being bullied. Her friend gives her a journal from her Grandma that she discovers to be magical and everything she writes down comes true, though not always in the way she intended. It was an interesting and quick read and most teens/young adults would enjoy this, as I’m sure many have dreamed that something of this nature would happen to them!
March 19, 2022
Although I don't often venture into YA, high-school set stories, I absolutely loved this book. It's a genuinely clever, twisted, yet unique take on a classic coming-of-age story that hit all of the notes. I laughed, I cried, I bit my nails, everything, and I highly recommend that you experience it for yourself.
May 14, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. I was hooked from the book's description and was kept intrigued until the end. I enjoyed the characters, portrayal of how social media impacts teens, the writing style, and the way the book had me guessing right until the end.
* Note: I received a free copy of this book from Voracious Readers Only in return for my honest review.
* Note: I received a free copy of this book from Voracious Readers Only in return for my honest review.
April 5, 2022
this is a really well done young adult suspenseful novel, the story is so well done and I was hooked on the mystery from the start to the end. The characters were great and I look forward to more from Ms. Alsever.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 10, 2023
Eva Flores is infamous for her vivid blue hair and her Tiktok following. She is the queen bee of her high school and the attention she receives doesn't end when she goes missing. Sophia is thought by many to be Eva's stalker, and is deemed responsible for her disappearance. Did she have a role to play in the burying of Eva? If not then why did she pen such sinister fairy-tale-esque stories and why do they bear such a strong resemblance to real life occurrences, involving Eva?
I adored the format for this novel! The interview transcripts, jumping timelines, and different perspectives aided in the authenticity of each character's construction, as well to involve the reader in understanding and empathising with all viewpoints.
I begun the novel very much on Sophia's side before switching completely when other elements were unveiled in other perspectives. You truly never knows what goes on behind closed doors and this novel really emphasises how online friends, sky high likes, and social media fame does not indicate that reality is anything like the happy and calm existence that is portrayed. This novel became dark terrifyingly fast and the author did a stellar job of handling all scenes with sensetivity, in my opinion.
The potentially fantastical occurrences that was introduced was another intriguing inclusion in this novel. I had much fun discovering the truth behind both it and Eva's disappearance and whereas I usually prefer a definite ending, I liked how this left some elements to the reader's imagination, at its close.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, Jennifer Alsever, and the publisher, Sawatch Press, for this opportunity.
I adored the format for this novel! The interview transcripts, jumping timelines, and different perspectives aided in the authenticity of each character's construction, as well to involve the reader in understanding and empathising with all viewpoints.
I begun the novel very much on Sophia's side before switching completely when other elements were unveiled in other perspectives. You truly never knows what goes on behind closed doors and this novel really emphasises how online friends, sky high likes, and social media fame does not indicate that reality is anything like the happy and calm existence that is portrayed. This novel became dark terrifyingly fast and the author did a stellar job of handling all scenes with sensetivity, in my opinion.
The potentially fantastical occurrences that was introduced was another intriguing inclusion in this novel. I had much fun discovering the truth behind both it and Eva's disappearance and whereas I usually prefer a definite ending, I liked how this left some elements to the reader's imagination, at its close.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, Jennifer Alsever, and the publisher, Sawatch Press, for this opportunity.
April 16, 2022
I just finished this book and it’s absolutely amazing! It keeps you on your toes the whole time and you will never guess the next move. Completely unexpected. I loved the connection to current problems involved with social media and it’s affects. I highly recommend reading this book if you want a good teenage heart racer. :)
March 24, 2022
What a twisty and thrilling read! I liked how the characters unfolded throughout the book and I went back and forth not knowing which character was telling the truth. I also liked the modern-day structure of the book with the text messages and interview clips woven throughout the story. It was unputdownable with a fast-paced, keep-me-guessing ending. I really liked it so much! Now I miss it.
March 24, 2022
A fun, twisty thriller that keeps you guessing even as you wonder which character you should be rooting for! Loved seeing the characters' individual journeys as they collide in unexpected ways.
May 14, 2023
3.25 stars
A magic journal that makes the future come true just by writing in it…sign me up! The premise of this book was fantastical. I loved the magical realism. Sophie and Eva are seniors in high school. Eva is an internet sensation with hundreds of thousands of followers. Sophie carries the weight of the world on her shoulders with her single mom out of work, their family on the verge of eviction from their home and protecting her disabled brother. Sophie can’t stand Eva and her need for constant attention. Eva doesn’t like Sophie either and thinks she’s a bully. The two teens start an ongoing battle of sorts that further solidifies their hatred towards one another. However, when Sophie discovers that she has a magical journal in which her stories come true, she starts to use it to make Eva’s life difficult.
We know at the start of the book that Eva has disappeared, possibly murdered. The audiobook was terrific and fit the set up of the book well. Amidst the third person narrative from Sophie’s perspective, there were also sections of mockumentary interviews with students, teachers, family members and law enforcement along with text message clips taken from cell phones.
This easily could’ve been a five star read for me. The only reason it wasn’t was because the execution of the final third of the story lacked a strong climax.and the ending didn’t deliver the much needed punch. The magical realism just sort of fizzled. It seemed like there could’ve been a better way to execute the ending. Up until that two thirds point I was very much intrigued and engaged but then the plot kind of lost me. The resolution just couldn’t keep up and some of the decisions that Sophie made just didn’t make sense or seem that realistic. It felt as though the author decided it was time to wrap things up and essentially did just that with very little thought and planning. There were loose ends that didn’t make sense.
Thanks Netgalley for an advanced audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
A magic journal that makes the future come true just by writing in it…sign me up! The premise of this book was fantastical. I loved the magical realism. Sophie and Eva are seniors in high school. Eva is an internet sensation with hundreds of thousands of followers. Sophie carries the weight of the world on her shoulders with her single mom out of work, their family on the verge of eviction from their home and protecting her disabled brother. Sophie can’t stand Eva and her need for constant attention. Eva doesn’t like Sophie either and thinks she’s a bully. The two teens start an ongoing battle of sorts that further solidifies their hatred towards one another. However, when Sophie discovers that she has a magical journal in which her stories come true, she starts to use it to make Eva’s life difficult.
We know at the start of the book that Eva has disappeared, possibly murdered. The audiobook was terrific and fit the set up of the book well. Amidst the third person narrative from Sophie’s perspective, there were also sections of mockumentary interviews with students, teachers, family members and law enforcement along with text message clips taken from cell phones.
This easily could’ve been a five star read for me. The only reason it wasn’t was because the execution of the final third of the story lacked a strong climax.and the ending didn’t deliver the much needed punch. The magical realism just sort of fizzled. It seemed like there could’ve been a better way to execute the ending. Up until that two thirds point I was very much intrigued and engaged but then the plot kind of lost me. The resolution just couldn’t keep up and some of the decisions that Sophie made just didn’t make sense or seem that realistic. It felt as though the author decided it was time to wrap things up and essentially did just that with very little thought and planning. There were loose ends that didn’t make sense.
Thanks Netgalley for an advanced audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
July 20, 2022
With just the right touch of supernatural, this is a small town suspense, which grabs and doesn't let go until the last page.
Sophia is in her last year of high school and thanks to one individual, her life is being destroyed. Although Eva's family moved to the small town only a couple years ago, she's got everyone worshipping the ground she walks on thanks to her success on TikTok...which wouldn't bug Sophia usually, but thanks to Sophia's uninterest, Eva has it out for her. And it goes way beyond the normal high school bullying as Eva's family ruins Sophia and her family's life step by step. Now, Eva has gone missing during a forest fire and thanks to a journal Sophia kept, many believe that she's the one, who killed her. And in a way, she feels like she did.
The author has done an amazing job at dribbling in just enough clues to jack the suspense into high gear and keep the reader guessing until the end. Some of this is due to the carefully placed text messages and interviews among the usual story. These allow little dabs of insight into the thoughts and perspectives of all characters involved, even the very side ones, before the next 'phase' of the story begins. The chapters then, fluctuate between the main characters' points of view. Together, these draw the reader in and make each character gain personality and depth. Each becomes suspect and each holds their own shadows.
There are so many directions and personal sub-plots to twist the secrets this way and that. At first, everything seems to be clear, but the buried negative thoughts and feelings drip out from every direction. Sophia holds the center-stage and it's clear why, but there are more then a few possible directions the story could take. And while the ending was one of these, it was one of many, making it impossible to guess, which way everything truly would go until the last chapters.
Each of the characters has obvious flaws, and some are in difficult situations. So, this read does hit upon some issues such as sexual harassment, bullying, eating disorders and more. But there are enough aspects to keep it from weighing down thanks to a few unique characters with more positive vibes, and the supernatural aspect. This last one nods to Indian myth and lore, and adds the perfect touch of magic. I received a complimentary copy and read this book in one sitting.
Sophia is in her last year of high school and thanks to one individual, her life is being destroyed. Although Eva's family moved to the small town only a couple years ago, she's got everyone worshipping the ground she walks on thanks to her success on TikTok...which wouldn't bug Sophia usually, but thanks to Sophia's uninterest, Eva has it out for her. And it goes way beyond the normal high school bullying as Eva's family ruins Sophia and her family's life step by step. Now, Eva has gone missing during a forest fire and thanks to a journal Sophia kept, many believe that she's the one, who killed her. And in a way, she feels like she did.
The author has done an amazing job at dribbling in just enough clues to jack the suspense into high gear and keep the reader guessing until the end. Some of this is due to the carefully placed text messages and interviews among the usual story. These allow little dabs of insight into the thoughts and perspectives of all characters involved, even the very side ones, before the next 'phase' of the story begins. The chapters then, fluctuate between the main characters' points of view. Together, these draw the reader in and make each character gain personality and depth. Each becomes suspect and each holds their own shadows.
There are so many directions and personal sub-plots to twist the secrets this way and that. At first, everything seems to be clear, but the buried negative thoughts and feelings drip out from every direction. Sophia holds the center-stage and it's clear why, but there are more then a few possible directions the story could take. And while the ending was one of these, it was one of many, making it impossible to guess, which way everything truly would go until the last chapters.
Each of the characters has obvious flaws, and some are in difficult situations. So, this read does hit upon some issues such as sexual harassment, bullying, eating disorders and more. But there are enough aspects to keep it from weighing down thanks to a few unique characters with more positive vibes, and the supernatural aspect. This last one nods to Indian myth and lore, and adds the perfect touch of magic. I received a complimentary copy and read this book in one sitting.
September 22, 2022
What a breath of fresh air. Praise for Burying Eva Flores! I had no idea what to expect going into this book and it ended up having such a interesting premise that I thoroughly enjoyed throughout the entire book.
We follow Sophia, a high school student who has a rivalry with Eva Flores, who just recently moved to Sophia's town. Everyone in Sophia's school adores Eva, falling at her feet. Eva being a TikTok star who craves attention, Sophia can't stand Eva and everything she stands for. They start a full-blown war of childish banter and revenge. As their rivalry gets out of hand, Eva goes missing and Sophia is the prime suspect.
The way the book plays out is unlike anything I have ever read and kept me on the edge of my seat. The characters are well developed and intriguing. The book gives off an ambience I can't quite describe, but that I loved. I enjoyed that the book jumped between past and present and also included text message conversations. Although the book is YA, this is one I would also recommend to adults who love horror. Kudos to Jennifer Alsever for her creativity and writing a book that keeps the reader interested and engaged!
A big thank you to Shelby Leigh Marketing and Jennifer Alsever for sending me a copy of this book and allowing me to review.
We follow Sophia, a high school student who has a rivalry with Eva Flores, who just recently moved to Sophia's town. Everyone in Sophia's school adores Eva, falling at her feet. Eva being a TikTok star who craves attention, Sophia can't stand Eva and everything she stands for. They start a full-blown war of childish banter and revenge. As their rivalry gets out of hand, Eva goes missing and Sophia is the prime suspect.
The way the book plays out is unlike anything I have ever read and kept me on the edge of my seat. The characters are well developed and intriguing. The book gives off an ambience I can't quite describe, but that I loved. I enjoyed that the book jumped between past and present and also included text message conversations. Although the book is YA, this is one I would also recommend to adults who love horror. Kudos to Jennifer Alsever for her creativity and writing a book that keeps the reader interested and engaged!
A big thank you to Shelby Leigh Marketing and Jennifer Alsever for sending me a copy of this book and allowing me to review.
August 17, 2022
Deftly crafted YA story that tiptoes along the line between thriller and supernatural in a way that makes it impossible to put down. Sophia is as content as a teen with an absent dad and the family finances being tight could be. She has two close friends and little interest in the popular crowd. Then Eva, a Tik-Tok sensation moves to her small Colorado town and tries to befriend her. When Sophia shuns her, Eva begins a revenge campaign that's over the top, not only threatening Sophia's fragile tranquility, but her mom's job, their home, and even the cafe where Sophia works.
When things rush toward a confrontation, the results are at first painful for both girls, then extremely surprising. It's a great read for thriller and suspense junkies.
When things rush toward a confrontation, the results are at first painful for both girls, then extremely surprising. It's a great read for thriller and suspense junkies.
February 17, 2023
4.5 stars
This was definitely the *craziest* book I’ve ever listened to. I’m still not quite sure how to describe it. It was Podcast style format about a missing high school girl, with a touch of magical realism and fairy tale. I think that sums it up. I can’t go into too much detail without spoilers. You should go into this blind anyway! Kudos to the full cast audio! 👏
*Thanks to BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for this audiobook.
This was definitely the *craziest* book I’ve ever listened to. I’m still not quite sure how to describe it. It was Podcast style format about a missing high school girl, with a touch of magical realism and fairy tale. I think that sums it up. I can’t go into too much detail without spoilers. You should go into this blind anyway! Kudos to the full cast audio! 👏
*Thanks to BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for this audiobook.
February 18, 2023
This was so amazing! I loved every word and OMG the narrators were perfect. The kids were so evil and irresponsible. I wanted to lock them in the house and take away their journals.
It was fun.
The end was so perfect for the characters.
My favorite part was the sibling relationship.
It was fun.
The end was so perfect for the characters.
My favorite part was the sibling relationship.
March 11, 2023
The story was intriguing, unique and kept you drawn in. A fast paced page turner. This is a YA paranormal, mystery, thriller. I enjoyed the variation in chapter styles switching between a podcast about a missing high school girl to interviews, text messages, evidence files, journal entries and the regular story. The storyline is also told in alternating timelines from multiple POV's. The MC's are complex and well developed and very much gave "Mean Girl" vibes. The novel gave an interesting look at the effects of social media's influence on teens as influencers and those influenced. And the way people react to being in a position of power. The magical realism was a wonderful addition to the storyline. There were so many twists and the ending was insane in the best way possible. I did not expect the story to come to that conclusion at all. The characters are all kind of unlikeable throughout the story but as we get to the end the MC's have all grown. There were many elements to this story but they all went together so well. I did a combination of the audiobook and hard copy. The audiobook was fantastic. I love an audiobook with a full cast. It made listening even more entertaining. Thank you @netgalley for the ARC #BuryingEvaFlores #NetGalley #BooksGoSocialAudio
January 23, 2023
Jennifer Alsever’s “Burying Eva Flores” submerges readers into the stormy waters of teen-age existence in 21st Century America – particularly that of teen girls.
Alsever fashions a propulsive plot that moves from the tensions and jealousies of cliquey high school rivalries to dangerous and unexpected territory. During the journey, she exhibits a marvelous command of adolescent angst and the lingo of a generation of digital natives.
Set in a rural Colorado mountain town, the story’s remote locale provides no refuge from the toxic effects of social media that are magnified when Eva, a popular TikTok influencer, takes up residence there with her ambitious, controlling parents. Conflict soon develops between Eva and the brooding teen rebel Sophia, as the young women struggle to navigate the perilous path to adulthood, complicated by family pressure and setbacks.
A magic leather notebook, the secret hideout of a man prepping for the end times and coveted but strained friendships all contribute to this textured narrative. The action-packed climax gives readers some thrilling twists and revelations, as well as insights into the minds and motivations of these young adults.
While the story tests the bounds of credulity a time or two, the guts of it are sure-footed and the take-away rings true: We don’t always know everything about people that we think we do, whether we’re a kid or a grizzled old guy.
Steve M.
Alsever fashions a propulsive plot that moves from the tensions and jealousies of cliquey high school rivalries to dangerous and unexpected territory. During the journey, she exhibits a marvelous command of adolescent angst and the lingo of a generation of digital natives.
Set in a rural Colorado mountain town, the story’s remote locale provides no refuge from the toxic effects of social media that are magnified when Eva, a popular TikTok influencer, takes up residence there with her ambitious, controlling parents. Conflict soon develops between Eva and the brooding teen rebel Sophia, as the young women struggle to navigate the perilous path to adulthood, complicated by family pressure and setbacks.
A magic leather notebook, the secret hideout of a man prepping for the end times and coveted but strained friendships all contribute to this textured narrative. The action-packed climax gives readers some thrilling twists and revelations, as well as insights into the minds and motivations of these young adults.
While the story tests the bounds of credulity a time or two, the guts of it are sure-footed and the take-away rings true: We don’t always know everything about people that we think we do, whether we’re a kid or a grizzled old guy.
Steve M.
October 21, 2022
I just finished this book and I was up until 2am reading because I HAD to know how it ended - and it wasn't how I expected. Alsever is a master at creating suspense, weaving in magic, and capturing the teenage mind in her stories. I loved how this story flip-flopped from the past to the present day as the mystery of what happened to Eva Flores unfolded. Will there be a book 2? I hope so!
March 10, 2023
1.5 ⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial Audio for accepting me to be a reviewer of this audiobook, this is my honest review.
Basic plot summary is Sophia (high school photographer/artist) is having her life ruined by the TikTok sensation that is Eva Flores - she copies her, frames and accuses her, her family buys her house and workplace and so forth. Sophia’s friend Morgan gives her a journal which when written in the story comes to life so she uses this to get revenge on Eva and there is more sinister things going on in Eva’s home life. There’s also the plot line with another friend Ethan trying to buy a car to escape his paranoid end-of-the-world-obsessed dad. More can be expanded on but I do not care to do so and the 7.8 hours I spent *wasted* listening to this means I’m even less inclined but I shall still deliver my thoughts.
What did I like? Very little in all honestly. The mystery element and storytelling was alright. The teenage drama and angst was again okay (???) but nothing stood out. Sophia and Eva to an extent were the most developed characters with interesting aspects to their personality. Sophia’s brother Dylan was by far my favourite and I’m super pi**ed about a certain thing that I’ll explain later. Ethan and Morgan were alright but pretty one-dimensional, I believe Ethan was gay/bi (yay!) but like I don’t think it was spelled out. In terms of representation, it’s quite ambiguous as not explicitly stated so yhh.
I think the dialogue and a lot of what happened was unrealistic, cringy and gave me mega *eye roll* energy. I really don’t think teens talk like that in many parts of this book and it’s just all very ‘meh’-ey. And I know the journal coming to life aspect is quite clearly unrealistic but there’s actually other parts that made me fully question Alsever on her decisions. The messages were also like not good - I’ll expand in a sec on this. It deals with themes of grooming, sexual harassment, self harm and suicidal thoughts, fatphobia and eating disorders in an unhelpful manner with nothing really being questioned or resolved. It felt like an additional ’omg’ part at times, and then with no real conclusion… um okay. I didn’t get why we got multiple POV chapters for, it’s quite clear Sophia is the MC with most chapters and Eva is the antagonist so her parts were alright but Ethan’s and Morgan’s were just unnecessary which, combined with the tangented storylines and other things made this book a lot longer then I think it should’ve been - I also just cared less and less as it went on so I felt it dragggggggged.
Audiobook specific notes: the multi cast aspect was good, it was narrated clear and with some differences that aligned with what was happening. Ethan’s narrator was too old in my opinion for the character he was portraying. And how Dylan’s sections that were not narrated by the person doing him (i.e. the Sophia’s speaking his parts) were the typical ‘dumb’ person voice (he’s meant to have learning/mental problems) which was rather offensive I thought, like they should’ve just deepened his voice not make him sound like that. Rude and unnecessary in my opinion.
If you care about SPOILERS don’t read on. Here’s my ranting coming out now.
So around the 70% mark (I think? I don’t care so it doesn’t matter) when Aiden takes the journal and Sophia calls Dylan where he tells her this, she insults him about having no brain. This is something we’ve already been told is a common bullying tactic used against him and she’s usually the one to console and defend him. But then she goes ahead and says that!! Ummm, hun?? I get she was obvs stressed and pissed but it wasn’t his fault - pissing off Ethan and Morgan (and Eva) wasn’t enough for you was it miss Sophia? Anyways, what I am even more annoyed at is this isn’t resolved at all!! Dylan isn’t mentioned once again in the rest of the book, she doesn’t apologise or make it right like she does with the other characters. And he’s the one we all care about and love like Jennifer why did you do this? We get all this sh*t about so much but what I cared about (the adorable, kind and lovely Dylan) is just insulted and forgotten about. Ughhhh - why is no one else talking about it?!?
Sophia trying to get back at Eva by seducing her creepy - but apparently handsome - stepdad is just ewww. Thankfully it only went so far as a kiss but nope this is wrong and we all fkn know it. Do not do this! Bad behaviour. And he’s a creep for his actions too which weren’t addressed. Then Eva goes about slut shaming Sophia too, fkn hell another problematic addition that isn’t resolved. Following on…
So Eva had to basically go missing, hide out and start a whole new life just to get away from her step dad Manny?! What does that teach?! Ughhh!!!! It’s so problematic and like when you read about injustice, mistreat and general ‘eww’-ness you want conclusions and justice. But no, he gets to live his life probably being a predator to other young women. Eva did have other reasons for a new life but like the centre point was Manny. Nope!!!
There is more but I need to take my mind off this book for now so Yhh, maybe I’ll film a ranty YouTube video on it later. Bye
Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial Audio for accepting me to be a reviewer of this audiobook, this is my honest review.
Basic plot summary is Sophia (high school photographer/artist) is having her life ruined by the TikTok sensation that is Eva Flores - she copies her, frames and accuses her, her family buys her house and workplace and so forth. Sophia’s friend Morgan gives her a journal which when written in the story comes to life so she uses this to get revenge on Eva and there is more sinister things going on in Eva’s home life. There’s also the plot line with another friend Ethan trying to buy a car to escape his paranoid end-of-the-world-obsessed dad. More can be expanded on but I do not care to do so and the 7.8 hours I spent *wasted* listening to this means I’m even less inclined but I shall still deliver my thoughts.
What did I like? Very little in all honestly. The mystery element and storytelling was alright. The teenage drama and angst was again okay (???) but nothing stood out. Sophia and Eva to an extent were the most developed characters with interesting aspects to their personality. Sophia’s brother Dylan was by far my favourite and I’m super pi**ed about a certain thing that I’ll explain later. Ethan and Morgan were alright but pretty one-dimensional, I believe Ethan was gay/bi (yay!) but like I don’t think it was spelled out. In terms of representation, it’s quite ambiguous as not explicitly stated so yhh.
I think the dialogue and a lot of what happened was unrealistic, cringy and gave me mega *eye roll* energy. I really don’t think teens talk like that in many parts of this book and it’s just all very ‘meh’-ey. And I know the journal coming to life aspect is quite clearly unrealistic but there’s actually other parts that made me fully question Alsever on her decisions. The messages were also like not good - I’ll expand in a sec on this. It deals with themes of grooming, sexual harassment, self harm and suicidal thoughts, fatphobia and eating disorders in an unhelpful manner with nothing really being questioned or resolved. It felt like an additional ’omg’ part at times, and then with no real conclusion… um okay. I didn’t get why we got multiple POV chapters for, it’s quite clear Sophia is the MC with most chapters and Eva is the antagonist so her parts were alright but Ethan’s and Morgan’s were just unnecessary which, combined with the tangented storylines and other things made this book a lot longer then I think it should’ve been - I also just cared less and less as it went on so I felt it dragggggggged.
Audiobook specific notes: the multi cast aspect was good, it was narrated clear and with some differences that aligned with what was happening. Ethan’s narrator was too old in my opinion for the character he was portraying. And how Dylan’s sections that were not narrated by the person doing him (i.e. the Sophia’s speaking his parts) were the typical ‘dumb’ person voice (he’s meant to have learning/mental problems) which was rather offensive I thought, like they should’ve just deepened his voice not make him sound like that. Rude and unnecessary in my opinion.
If you care about SPOILERS don’t read on. Here’s my ranting coming out now.
So around the 70% mark (I think? I don’t care so it doesn’t matter) when Aiden takes the journal and Sophia calls Dylan where he tells her this, she insults him about having no brain. This is something we’ve already been told is a common bullying tactic used against him and she’s usually the one to console and defend him. But then she goes ahead and says that!! Ummm, hun?? I get she was obvs stressed and pissed but it wasn’t his fault - pissing off Ethan and Morgan (and Eva) wasn’t enough for you was it miss Sophia? Anyways, what I am even more annoyed at is this isn’t resolved at all!! Dylan isn’t mentioned once again in the rest of the book, she doesn’t apologise or make it right like she does with the other characters. And he’s the one we all care about and love like Jennifer why did you do this? We get all this sh*t about so much but what I cared about (the adorable, kind and lovely Dylan) is just insulted and forgotten about. Ughhhh - why is no one else talking about it?!?
Sophia trying to get back at Eva by seducing her creepy - but apparently handsome - stepdad is just ewww. Thankfully it only went so far as a kiss but nope this is wrong and we all fkn know it. Do not do this! Bad behaviour. And he’s a creep for his actions too which weren’t addressed. Then Eva goes about slut shaming Sophia too, fkn hell another problematic addition that isn’t resolved. Following on…
So Eva had to basically go missing, hide out and start a whole new life just to get away from her step dad Manny?! What does that teach?! Ughhh!!!! It’s so problematic and like when you read about injustice, mistreat and general ‘eww’-ness you want conclusions and justice. But no, he gets to live his life probably being a predator to other young women. Eva did have other reasons for a new life but like the centre point was Manny. Nope!!!
There is more but I need to take my mind off this book for now so Yhh, maybe I’ll film a ranty YouTube video on it later. Bye
March 20, 2023
I enjoyed the fact that we got both Sophia's point of view and how others perceived the situation from the outside, but it felt a little clumsily done at time and like some parts should have been edited out.
Sophia suffers from a very very bad case of not like the other girls with a side of not as cool and tough as she thinks she is and other people's perspectives really helped be it just as a break from how insufferable she was for most of the story. At its core this is a story of personal growth with a splash of supernatural for Sophia so it makes sense for her to actually need some growing up but she was really hard to put up with for most of the story. Luckily her friends actually called her out on her BS instead of just being her ride or dies so the relationships didn't seem too fantastical.
Alsever seems to actually understand how the clock app works which was refreshing, I have read way too many authors who could not seem to muster even the most basic understanding of how social media apps work and how people behave on them.
The ending was satisfying on one front but kind of a let down on the other.
3.5 rounded up for Goodreads.
I received an eARC of this book from BooksGoSocial through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Sophia suffers from a very very bad case of not like the other girls with a side of not as cool and tough as she thinks she is and other people's perspectives really helped be it just as a break from how insufferable she was for most of the story. At its core this is a story of personal growth with a splash of supernatural for Sophia so it makes sense for her to actually need some growing up but she was really hard to put up with for most of the story. Luckily her friends actually called her out on her BS instead of just being her ride or dies so the relationships didn't seem too fantastical.
Alsever seems to actually understand how the clock app works which was refreshing, I have read way too many authors who could not seem to muster even the most basic understanding of how social media apps work and how people behave on them.
The ending was satisfying on one front but kind of a let down on the other.
3.5 rounded up for Goodreads.
I received an eARC of this book from BooksGoSocial through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
March 2, 2023
YA mystery/thrillers are my go-to audiobooks. So I was super excited when I came across this one. The cover, the description, the narrators? Sounded perfect to me!
But here's the thing -
I went into this, thinking it was just a YA mystery. I somehow missed the part of it also being fantasy-ish. No big deal, that's fine with me. I thought it was a cool idea. I did enjoy that for a bit. But after a while everything that happened post-journal, felt like a fever dream.
Things I liked about Burying Eva Flores:
- The cover? Gorgeous.
- The title? Love it.
- Amazing narrators - they killed it!
- The character growth for both the MC Sophia and the 'antagonist' Eva.
But now on to the things I liked a bit less:
- Multiple (sometimes unnecessary) POVs, timelines, AND interviews. It can be quite confusing at times.
- Super short chapters.
- The entire Sophia and Manny situation.
Sophia was, in my opinion, insufferable.
After the first few entries in her journal, and things actually turning out the same as her story, Sophia suddenly turns into an even more obnoxious person, especially towards her friends. Her entire woe-is-me mindset is annoying as hell. That, and the journal and its supposed power turned her into a power-hungry and delusional monster.
Not my cup of tea, but I'm sure others will love it. My cons could be someone else's pros, and that's cool!
If you do decide to read/listen to Burying Eva Flores, I hope you'll like it more than I did.
But here's the thing -
I went into this, thinking it was just a YA mystery. I somehow missed the part of it also being fantasy-ish. No big deal, that's fine with me. I thought it was a cool idea. I did enjoy that for a bit. But after a while everything that happened post-journal, felt like a fever dream.
Things I liked about Burying Eva Flores:
- The cover? Gorgeous.
- The title? Love it.
- Amazing narrators - they killed it!
- The character growth for both the MC Sophia and the 'antagonist' Eva.
But now on to the things I liked a bit less:
- Multiple (sometimes unnecessary) POVs, timelines, AND interviews. It can be quite confusing at times.
- Super short chapters.
- The entire Sophia and Manny situation.
Sophia was, in my opinion, insufferable.
After the first few entries in her journal, and things actually turning out the same as her story, Sophia suddenly turns into an even more obnoxious person, especially towards her friends. Her entire woe-is-me mindset is annoying as hell. That, and the journal and its supposed power turned her into a power-hungry and delusional monster.
Not my cup of tea, but I'm sure others will love it. My cons could be someone else's pros, and that's cool!
If you do decide to read/listen to Burying Eva Flores, I hope you'll like it more than I did.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 17, 2023
Thank you so much for an audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was audio, so let's start with the narrator first. This is a mixed media book (one of my favorite things!) And the audiobook used several voices to portray that and I loved that!! And all of the voices were excellent and nice to listen to. The audio is also under 10 hours, huge plus!
Second, the story in general was a little silly, but also highly entertaining, so it kept me into it. The stuff with Eva's dad was cringe and icky. But I get how it went into the story.
Solid YA!
This was audio, so let's start with the narrator first. This is a mixed media book (one of my favorite things!) And the audiobook used several voices to portray that and I loved that!! And all of the voices were excellent and nice to listen to. The audio is also under 10 hours, huge plus!
Second, the story in general was a little silly, but also highly entertaining, so it kept me into it. The stuff with Eva's dad was cringe and icky. But I get how it went into the story.
Solid YA!
April 8, 2023
*2.5 Stars
“Everyone thinks I killed Eva Flores.”
I'd like to thank the author for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review!
I've also posted this review on Instagram and my blog.
Instagram Post
Blog Post
Content Warnings: bullying, disordered eating, sexual harassment, sexual abuse (mentioned), stalking, parental abuse, inappropriate relationship between an adult and a minor, attempted suicide (mentioned), self harm (mentioned)
I was intrigued by the concept of this book. Small town mysteries are so much fun, especially when you have an interesting cast of characters. There were a lot in Burying Eva Flores and I enjoyed learning more about them as time went on. One of my main concerns was the supernatural aspect of the plot. When this was introduced it felt disjointed from the mystery itself. For me, it took away from the thrilling aspect of the story since many plot points were because of the magic and not the characters themselves. My favourite aspect was the different medias that the author used to tell the story. There was everything from text messages, documentary interviews, and more. In terms of the ending, it did wrap up the loose plot points but I wish it was drawn out a bit more so that it would feel less rushed. I listened to the audiobook which was full cast, something I love to see! It was really well produced and brought the story to life.
Overall, I liked the concept but didn't enjoy the supernatural element.
“Everyone thinks I killed Eva Flores.”
I'd like to thank the author for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review!
I've also posted this review on Instagram and my blog.
Instagram Post
Blog Post
Content Warnings: bullying, disordered eating, sexual harassment, sexual abuse (mentioned), stalking, parental abuse, inappropriate relationship between an adult and a minor, attempted suicide (mentioned), self harm (mentioned)
I was intrigued by the concept of this book. Small town mysteries are so much fun, especially when you have an interesting cast of characters. There were a lot in Burying Eva Flores and I enjoyed learning more about them as time went on. One of my main concerns was the supernatural aspect of the plot. When this was introduced it felt disjointed from the mystery itself. For me, it took away from the thrilling aspect of the story since many plot points were because of the magic and not the characters themselves. My favourite aspect was the different medias that the author used to tell the story. There was everything from text messages, documentary interviews, and more. In terms of the ending, it did wrap up the loose plot points but I wish it was drawn out a bit more so that it would feel less rushed. I listened to the audiobook which was full cast, something I love to see! It was really well produced and brought the story to life.
Overall, I liked the concept but didn't enjoy the supernatural element.
May 5, 2022
Thank you, BookSprout, for the ARC!
This was definitely an interesting premise.
Sophia was a fascinating protagonist and I enjoyed reading her deep thoughts. Eva was interesting too with her seemingly antagonistic role in comparison. Both of them had unlikeable traits but they were kinda entertaining to read and how they each had motives for their actions.
My issues with the story lie with the format. It reminded me of Rules For Vanishing by Kate Alice Marshall which I actually DNF’d for that reason. This story didn’t feel smooth with the short chapters, changes in format (chapters, video transcripts, tweets), especially with the alternating POVs and timelines. Also the way everyone texted bothered me. Nobody messages like that anymore. The book felt too long. Nothing important was happening so it dragged. I honestly skimmed the first half because it picked up after (and thankfully).
This was definitely an interesting premise.
Sophia was a fascinating protagonist and I enjoyed reading her deep thoughts. Eva was interesting too with her seemingly antagonistic role in comparison. Both of them had unlikeable traits but they were kinda entertaining to read and how they each had motives for their actions.
My issues with the story lie with the format. It reminded me of Rules For Vanishing by Kate Alice Marshall which I actually DNF’d for that reason. This story didn’t feel smooth with the short chapters, changes in format (chapters, video transcripts, tweets), especially with the alternating POVs and timelines. Also the way everyone texted bothered me. Nobody messages like that anymore. The book felt too long. Nothing important was happening so it dragged. I honestly skimmed the first half because it picked up after (and thankfully).
February 20, 2023
I did not like this book.
Burying Eva Flores had so much potential. From the description, it had all the makings of being a Heathers-esque exploration into toxic female friendships and ‘feral’ girlhood like Bunny by Mona Awad, or The Things We Do To Our Friends by Heather Darwent. Instead, the execution was poor and I genuinely have nothing positive to say about it. The one plus of my reading experience was that I read it via Audio, and the multiple narrators worked well with telling the story, especially as it involved video transcriptions, etc.
There was plenty wrong with it, but the following were my main issues:
1. There wasn’t a single likeable character. Sure, not every character needs to be rainbows and sunshine, and within the narrative of this particular book it makes sense not to have a shiny, perfect protagonist, but when every character bar one is horrible and you don’t care what happens to 99% of them, it just feels draining to read and a waste of time. The main character was the worst ‘not like other girls’ girly I’ve ever read in my entire life.
2. Due to the previous reason, the ending was so incredibly unsatisfying. Truly awful characters were given happy endings that they did not deserve one bit. Not only that, but so many plotlines were left unresolved and the one character that was good and deserved a good ending was treated like shit, and then never brought up again.
3. The story centres on a TikTok star, and yet the pop culture references are two decades out of date. Counteracting this, whenever Gen Z slang is used, it is either not used correctly, or is shoehorned in the most random places that it is genuinely jarring. I had to pause the audiobook multiple times to allow myself a cringe break.
4. So many unnecessary ‘shocking’ things happened, like explicit references to grooming, sexual harrassment, suicide attempts, self harm, emotional and physical abuse, eating disorders, etc. that were never actually dealt with or even acknowledged. It was only there to make the book more scandalous, and it was just incredibly gross.
5. And by far the worst of all was the blatant infantilization of a disabled character. It is 2023, and people are still writing disabled characters as if they are stupid children. It is appalling.
Thank you to BooksGoSocial Audio and NetGalley for providing me with this Audio ARC. All opinions are my own.
Burying Eva Flores had so much potential. From the description, it had all the makings of being a Heathers-esque exploration into toxic female friendships and ‘feral’ girlhood like Bunny by Mona Awad, or The Things We Do To Our Friends by Heather Darwent. Instead, the execution was poor and I genuinely have nothing positive to say about it. The one plus of my reading experience was that I read it via Audio, and the multiple narrators worked well with telling the story, especially as it involved video transcriptions, etc.
There was plenty wrong with it, but the following were my main issues:
1. There wasn’t a single likeable character. Sure, not every character needs to be rainbows and sunshine, and within the narrative of this particular book it makes sense not to have a shiny, perfect protagonist, but when every character bar one is horrible and you don’t care what happens to 99% of them, it just feels draining to read and a waste of time. The main character was the worst ‘not like other girls’ girly I’ve ever read in my entire life.
2. Due to the previous reason, the ending was so incredibly unsatisfying. Truly awful characters were given happy endings that they did not deserve one bit. Not only that, but so many plotlines were left unresolved and the one character that was good and deserved a good ending was treated like shit, and then never brought up again.
3. The story centres on a TikTok star, and yet the pop culture references are two decades out of date. Counteracting this, whenever Gen Z slang is used, it is either not used correctly, or is shoehorned in the most random places that it is genuinely jarring. I had to pause the audiobook multiple times to allow myself a cringe break.
4. So many unnecessary ‘shocking’ things happened, like explicit references to grooming, sexual harrassment, suicide attempts, self harm, emotional and physical abuse, eating disorders, etc. that were never actually dealt with or even acknowledged. It was only there to make the book more scandalous, and it was just incredibly gross.
5. And by far the worst of all was the blatant infantilization of a disabled character. It is 2023, and people are still writing disabled characters as if they are stupid children. It is appalling.
Thank you to BooksGoSocial Audio and NetGalley for providing me with this Audio ARC. All opinions are my own.
July 4, 2023
If Mean Girls had a baby with Devil's Diary you'd have the inkling of the love child that is Burying Eva Flores by Jennifer Alsever. I had the pleasure of listening to the audiobook that is narrated by a cast of talented voices. This added a fun flare to the different host of characters in the book.
This mystery has a paranormal touch and is told in dual timelines. Present day is a series of investigative interviews that try and pinpoint what happened to the missing popular girl, Eva Flores, through the perspectives of classmates, parents and teachers. All eyes are pointing to her arch nemesis, Sophia. The past slowly unravels what occurred leading up to Eva's disappearance.
Alsever has a way of making unlikable characters mold and grow and feel seen. She twists in the town's folklore of angry indigenous spirits and ties it into the lives of the local popular and not so popular kids. There is one part that I felt was a little off with Eva's dad and Sophia and a few actions that felt over the top but other than that I was pretty engrossed.
This book has a few triggers that readers should note surrounding minors and inappropriate relations, eating disorders and mental abuse. It's a thriller that keeps you on your toes and constantly guessing at the culprits while shinning a light on some of the darker areas that hide behind doors. It even puts the price of power into perspective for those who take things too far.
If you enjoy young adult thriller mysteries with a dash of paranormal lore, you'll want to check this out! All thoughts are my own.
This mystery has a paranormal touch and is told in dual timelines. Present day is a series of investigative interviews that try and pinpoint what happened to the missing popular girl, Eva Flores, through the perspectives of classmates, parents and teachers. All eyes are pointing to her arch nemesis, Sophia. The past slowly unravels what occurred leading up to Eva's disappearance.
Alsever has a way of making unlikable characters mold and grow and feel seen. She twists in the town's folklore of angry indigenous spirits and ties it into the lives of the local popular and not so popular kids. There is one part that I felt was a little off with Eva's dad and Sophia and a few actions that felt over the top but other than that I was pretty engrossed.
This book has a few triggers that readers should note surrounding minors and inappropriate relations, eating disorders and mental abuse. It's a thriller that keeps you on your toes and constantly guessing at the culprits while shinning a light on some of the darker areas that hide behind doors. It even puts the price of power into perspective for those who take things too far.
If you enjoy young adult thriller mysteries with a dash of paranormal lore, you'll want to check this out! All thoughts are my own.
February 20, 2023
This was such a fun, engaging YA suspense! I read this in one sitting.
The story is told by flipping between a past timeline detailing events leading up to the disappearance of TikTok star Eva Flores, and a post-disappearance timeline told in the format of interviews with various characters. We primarily follow the story of Sophia, who is locally suspected of being involved in the disappearance, but we also get points of view from other characters including Sophia's best friends.
The most striking aspect of this story is the character development - and not just of Sophia, but also several other characters. The narrative structure and the writing are so compelling and the characters are well-developed and behave in believable ways in the face of the various issues that arise. Several characters have backstories that really shape their choices and personalities. The story also explores the effect of social media fame and how this kind of success impacts a person as well as their relationships with others.
This is perfect for fans of messy, dramatic stories, magical realism, character development, and small-town suspense.
I listened to this as an audiobook, which was particularly effective. The audiobook has multiple narrators, making it easy to distinguish the various points of view. I think this would also make an excellent TV/film adaptation.
I received an advance reader copy of this audiobook from the publisher via Netgalley. Thank you to to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
The story is told by flipping between a past timeline detailing events leading up to the disappearance of TikTok star Eva Flores, and a post-disappearance timeline told in the format of interviews with various characters. We primarily follow the story of Sophia, who is locally suspected of being involved in the disappearance, but we also get points of view from other characters including Sophia's best friends.
The most striking aspect of this story is the character development - and not just of Sophia, but also several other characters. The narrative structure and the writing are so compelling and the characters are well-developed and behave in believable ways in the face of the various issues that arise. Several characters have backstories that really shape their choices and personalities. The story also explores the effect of social media fame and how this kind of success impacts a person as well as their relationships with others.
This is perfect for fans of messy, dramatic stories, magical realism, character development, and small-town suspense.
I listened to this as an audiobook, which was particularly effective. The audiobook has multiple narrators, making it easy to distinguish the various points of view. I think this would also make an excellent TV/film adaptation.
I received an advance reader copy of this audiobook from the publisher via Netgalley. Thank you to to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
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