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Dead River
My friends and I are spending prom weekend at a remote wooded cabin on the Dead. The Dead River.
I thought it was going to be just us.
I was wrong.
Nothing is what it seems in this creepy paranormal thriller by Cyn Balog.
I thought it was going to be just us.
I was wrong.
Nothing is what it seems in this creepy paranormal thriller by Cyn Balog.
242 pages, Hardcover
First published April 9, 2013
26 people are currently reading
1928 people want to read
About the author
Cyn Balog
15 books877 followersCyn Balog is a normal, everyday Jersey Girl who always believed magical things can happen to us when we least expect them. She is author of young adult paranormals FAIRY TALE (2009), SLEEPLESS(2010), STARSTRUCK (2011), TOUCHED (2012), and her most recent release: DEAD RIVER (2013).e. She lives outside Allentown, Pennsylvania with her husband and daughters.
She also writes under the pen name Nichola Reilly. Nichola Reilly is Cyn Balog's post-apocalyptic fantasy-writing alter-ego. The first book in her series, DROWNED, will be releasing from Harlequin TEEN sometime in 2014, followed by a sequel, BURIED, in 2015.
She also writes under the pen name Nichola Reilly. Nichola Reilly is Cyn Balog's post-apocalyptic fantasy-writing alter-ego. The first book in her series, DROWNED, will be releasing from Harlequin TEEN sometime in 2014, followed by a sequel, BURIED, in 2015.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
May 11, 2016
CONTENT WARNING: Suicide and suicidal attempts. Grief. Drowning. Murder. I'd forgot this was paranormal, and went in expecting a contemporary thriller. A teen girl hates camping and the outdoors, yet still agrees to on a white water rafting weekend with her boyfriend, her best friend, and a tag-along. It does not go well. She falls out, drowns, but is rescued by a guy who's...a ghost or something. And there's this other ghost, and it's all very confusing and nonsensical. But the only way the girl can access the ghostworld - namely the ghost of her dead mother - is by drowning. Yes, it gets a bit suicidal. The rafting is interesting, and the grief regarding her mother is relatable, but the paranormal element is a fail, and that epilogue is ugh.
July 17, 2017
This book was... interesting. It was short so things happened fast but I think I liked it?
April 23, 2013
Spooky and atmospheric. Definitely spine-tingling.
While there were some things I really liked about this book, there are unfortunately as many things that I don't like. That makes reviewing a little tough, so here goes.
The main character, Kiandra's, motivation seems to be all over the place. First, it is all about how scared she is of the river, how she hears voices near the river, how she doesn't want to go rafting, but is doing it anyway because it makes her boyfriend happy(she wanted to go to the prom instead). Then, after a near-death/death experience during which she hallucinates/experiences what's on the other side of the river and is warned several times to stay away from there, she is obsessed and must go back. No, she mustn't. Yes, she must. No, she won't go. Yes, she will. And most of this back and forth takes place in her noggin. So, anyway.
Kiandra seemed a bit self-centered and yet a little bit too self-denying. She can't seem to think beyond what she wants when she wants it, but then she is on a rafting trip she doesn't want to be on but pretends she does while internally whining constantly about it. She has told a whopper of a lie to her father and almost completely forgets him in the space of two days. Oh, yeah, he might be upset if she died. Huh. Imagine that.
I think the story simply tried to be too many things in too many directions. There is the teenage love story or rather the story of Justin, Kiandra's boyfriend. Then, there is the rafting/hiking weekend and what occurs with the living teenagers. There are superfluous characters who seem to exist simply for the needs of the main character. Hugo is a throw-away character as is Spiffy and the twin brothers/rafting business owners sideline, bones found, goes nowhere and is dropped. The evil Jack character just fails to show up at the end. I kept waiting for him to turn up, but nope. Okay, then.
I wish the focus has just been the supernatural stuff. I think that would have made the story better and it sort of rambles back and forth without making much headway. This ghosty person says run away, but this ghosty person says come over here. It's all a bit much and yet a little too little. Too much flitting about with too little movement in the story.
And there is both insta-love and love of a young adult male for a seven year old girl, neither of which I can abide. Yes, the teenager doesn't act on his feelings for the little girl, but it still a big pile of ewwwww. Teenage boys should NOT fall for babies/children. This is simply not a good thing and not a foundation for later romance.
Having said that and putting aside those objections, the ending was lovely and I did buy into that part of the story.
I also liked the stories of those of the other side, the ghost stories. The truth of them was very interesting and I didn't see those things occurring, so well done there. I liked how they all tied in together when I thought they were all separate stories. I did like the lore that the person becomes what they most wished they were while living. That was different and very creative.
So, middle of the road. I liked the dark tone of the book and it was a good supernatural chiller, but didn't unequivocally love it. It is a like with some reservation. Hope that makes sense.
While there were some things I really liked about this book, there are unfortunately as many things that I don't like. That makes reviewing a little tough, so here goes.
The main character, Kiandra's, motivation seems to be all over the place. First, it is all about how scared she is of the river, how she hears voices near the river, how she doesn't want to go rafting, but is doing it anyway because it makes her boyfriend happy(she wanted to go to the prom instead). Then, after a near-death/death experience during which she hallucinates/experiences what's on the other side of the river and is warned several times to stay away from there, she is obsessed and must go back. No, she mustn't. Yes, she must. No, she won't go. Yes, she will. And most of this back and forth takes place in her noggin. So, anyway.
Kiandra seemed a bit self-centered and yet a little bit too self-denying. She can't seem to think beyond what she wants when she wants it, but then she is on a rafting trip she doesn't want to be on but pretends she does while internally whining constantly about it. She has told a whopper of a lie to her father and almost completely forgets him in the space of two days. Oh, yeah, he might be upset if she died. Huh. Imagine that.
I think the story simply tried to be too many things in too many directions. There is the teenage love story or rather the story of Justin, Kiandra's boyfriend. Then, there is the rafting/hiking weekend and what occurs with the living teenagers. There are superfluous characters who seem to exist simply for the needs of the main character. Hugo is a throw-away character as is Spiffy and the twin brothers/rafting business owners sideline, bones found, goes nowhere and is dropped. The evil Jack character just fails to show up at the end. I kept waiting for him to turn up, but nope. Okay, then.
I wish the focus has just been the supernatural stuff. I think that would have made the story better and it sort of rambles back and forth without making much headway. This ghosty person says run away, but this ghosty person says come over here. It's all a bit much and yet a little too little. Too much flitting about with too little movement in the story.
And there is both insta-love and love of a young adult male for a seven year old girl, neither of which I can abide. Yes, the teenager doesn't act on his feelings for the little girl, but it still a big pile of ewwwww. Teenage boys should NOT fall for babies/children. This is simply not a good thing and not a foundation for later romance.
Having said that and putting aside those objections, the ending was lovely and I did buy into that part of the story.
I also liked the stories of those of the other side, the ghost stories. The truth of them was very interesting and I didn't see those things occurring, so well done there. I liked how they all tied in together when I thought they were all separate stories. I did like the lore that the person becomes what they most wished they were while living. That was different and very creative.
So, middle of the road. I liked the dark tone of the book and it was a good supernatural chiller, but didn't unequivocally love it. It is a like with some reservation. Hope that makes sense.
April 15, 2013
This book had a richly dark theme that I thoroughly enjoyed. It read the way a really well done Sundance thriller film plays out and for that I loved it. Imagery like a little girl in a pink party dress whose mouth spews a constant flow of mud is disturbingly beautiful to me and, as I'm currently writing a thriller myself, inspiring as well.
If I have one complaint, it's that I wish the story was a little longer. Typically Cyn's ability to write such a great story in so few pages is something I love. I've come to appreciate being able to easily devour a book in a handful of hours in the last year. While this didn't necessarily feel rushed, I would have preferred the end to last a little longer. So that I'm not being spoilery, I'll just say that there are relationships I would have liked to see a little more detail of - between family, friends, and love interests.
I will say, though, that this tale could easily have a sequel and I'm curious if Cyn will pursue it one day. I'd definitely be interested in seeing this Mistress of Waters powers be put to use some more. ;)
If I have one complaint, it's that I wish the story was a little longer. Typically Cyn's ability to write such a great story in so few pages is something I love. I've come to appreciate being able to easily devour a book in a handful of hours in the last year. While this didn't necessarily feel rushed, I would have preferred the end to last a little longer. So that I'm not being spoilery, I'll just say that there are relationships I would have liked to see a little more detail of - between family, friends, and love interests.
I will say, though, that this tale could easily have a sequel and I'm curious if Cyn will pursue it one day. I'd definitely be interested in seeing this Mistress of Waters powers be put to use some more. ;)
May 23, 2013
The first thing you will want to know about Dead River is the protagonist’s name. I don’t know if I missed it, but everyone refers to her as “Ki” and it was driving me insane not knowing what her full name was. It’s Kiandra. Now for the storyline: Kiandra, her long-term boyfriend Justin, her best friend and cousin Angela, and some annoying guy Hugo all go to Angela’s family’s cabin at Dead River to go rafting. Kiandra has to lie to her father in order to go as he hates her being anywhere near water since her mother killed herself when she was seven. Once at the cabin, Kiandra realizes that the voices she used to hear as a child have returned once she gets near the river, and she spends a lot of time trying to look like she’s not crazy as these whispers fill her head. Soon after arriving, she realizes that her mother’s suicide might not have been as black and white as she has seen it, and that the whispers aren’t the result of her losing her sanity, but real.
This book had a lot of good points and a lot of bad points. Kiandra hates being outdoors. She wanted to go to prom, but for some reason, could not let her boyfriend of three years know this, so she spends a lot of time internally whining about everything having to do with nature. The first half of the book is repetitive – Kiandra hating being at Dead River, hearing whispers and not knowing what they mean, complaining about being cold, and generally being a total buzzkill. The second half of the book finally introduces the point of the book and the extended plotline, but it’s too little, too late. I mean that literally – I was reading and turning pages and realizing there were a lot of unanswered questions and not many pages left. There are some “mysteries” that are brought up, and then never mentioned again. Kiandra finds out certain things about herself, but the descriptions are confusing, and aren’t consistent. By the time I was really nearing the end of the book, I was sure there was a sequel. No one likes it when authors unnecessarily draw out a story simply to make it into a trilogy, but this book either needed to be longer, have a sequel, or spend more time on the complex parts and less time on Kiandra being a whiny high school student.
It’s a short book and a quick read, so I’m not sure why there are several extraneous characters that don’t need to be in the book. One of the characters seems to be a major character with a great mystery, but that just fizzles out and you wonder why he was there in the first place. The climactic scene was also disappointing simply because it wasn’t explained. You’re left thinking, “Wait…what? Can that happen? I didn’t think…” I do think I would recommend this book because it takes a spin on the paranormal that I haven’t seen before. Parts of the story are unique, but it’s disappointing to see how little elaboration is put into them. I would be interested in reading one of the author’s other books to see how the creativity compares to the writing style/plotline development compare to this book. http://cynbalog.blogspot.com/
This book had a lot of good points and a lot of bad points. Kiandra hates being outdoors. She wanted to go to prom, but for some reason, could not let her boyfriend of three years know this, so she spends a lot of time internally whining about everything having to do with nature. The first half of the book is repetitive – Kiandra hating being at Dead River, hearing whispers and not knowing what they mean, complaining about being cold, and generally being a total buzzkill. The second half of the book finally introduces the point of the book and the extended plotline, but it’s too little, too late. I mean that literally – I was reading and turning pages and realizing there were a lot of unanswered questions and not many pages left. There are some “mysteries” that are brought up, and then never mentioned again. Kiandra finds out certain things about herself, but the descriptions are confusing, and aren’t consistent. By the time I was really nearing the end of the book, I was sure there was a sequel. No one likes it when authors unnecessarily draw out a story simply to make it into a trilogy, but this book either needed to be longer, have a sequel, or spend more time on the complex parts and less time on Kiandra being a whiny high school student.
It’s a short book and a quick read, so I’m not sure why there are several extraneous characters that don’t need to be in the book. One of the characters seems to be a major character with a great mystery, but that just fizzles out and you wonder why he was there in the first place. The climactic scene was also disappointing simply because it wasn’t explained. You’re left thinking, “Wait…what? Can that happen? I didn’t think…” I do think I would recommend this book because it takes a spin on the paranormal that I haven’t seen before. Parts of the story are unique, but it’s disappointing to see how little elaboration is put into them. I would be interested in reading one of the author’s other books to see how the creativity compares to the writing style/plotline development compare to this book. http://cynbalog.blogspot.com/
June 23, 2013
Review: Creepy, raw and terrifying. A ghost story that winds you through a ghostly tale of destiny and fighting for where you belong.
Spending a weekend rafting on the Dead River, instead of prom, leaves Kiandra with more to worry about than just hiding the trip’s whereabouts from her father. Convincing herself this is just the weekend getaway she needs, ends up turning fatally wrong.
Kiandra has spent her life trying not to think about what goes through a person’s mind before they plunge themselves in a river, to never be heard from again. Her life was happy and surreal spending her days on the river as a child fishing in the best spot on the Delaware, until the fateful day her mother waded into the river to end her life. Kiandra’s life was uprooted instantly, leaving everything she has behind at a moment’s notice, starting a new life away from the water’s edge.
Soon she feels the call of the water, pulling her towards it just as it did for her mother. Even with the precautions her father took to protect her, the tragedies that lay in the undercurrent of her family history, has no match for the pull of destiny.
The moment Kiandra arrives at the Dead River the water beacons her, calling to her as if it was a sweet lullaby. Lulling her to be pulled underneath into its angry, unforgiving wrath, spinning promises like a delicate web. Only after it’s too late, does she discover that the Dead River is unrelenting and unwavering in its deceit, unable to deliver on its promise.
With Kiandra’s freak accident, the Dead River changes everything. Destiny is finally able to present itself, where she can discover who and what is most important in her life as well as the truth behind her mother’s suicide.
Constant brushes with death add to the paranormal level of this thriller. Chapter after chapter, life and death resonate through the ghostly beings presented throughout the storyline, with each of their personal stories being brought to life in a captivating way.
This is an amazing ghost story, unlike any other traditional ghost stories that are told. A story that legends are created from, and destined to be campfire stories for years to come. Hang on while the undercurrent catches you unaware through the build up and the twists and turns. For in the end, you will lay there washed up in its wake, amazed at the story that lay before you.
This genre of book is where the author Cyn Balog should have been the whole time. Horror fans, open your door whole heartily and welcome her in, you will not be disappointed.
For more of my reviews please check out my newspaper column For the Love of Books in Dixon's Independent Voice or my facebooks page:https://www.facebook.com/pages/For-Th...
March 8, 2015
Review written for WASHYARG:
Ever since Ki’s mother walked into a river and committed suicide, her father has been incredibly over-protective. All kinds of water (rivers, lakes, even swimming pools) are just off limits to Ki, which is why she’s incredibly nervous that her boyfriend, Justin, and best friend, Angela, have decided to go white-water rafting on the Dead River instead of going to prom. Ki’s not really an outdoorsy girl anyway, so when she starts having visions of strange people no-one else seems to be able to see, all Ki really wants to do is go home to her nice warm bed and running water. It seems, however, that the river has other plans. Though there is a deliciously creepy setting, Balog’s novel never really finds its footing, and it teeters on the edge of horror and paranormal romance. Because of this, the book never really finds its audience; it is too scary for paranormal romance fans, and too romantic for horror buffs. Ultimately, the thin character development combined with these factors makes this novel a shrug.
Ever since Ki’s mother walked into a river and committed suicide, her father has been incredibly over-protective. All kinds of water (rivers, lakes, even swimming pools) are just off limits to Ki, which is why she’s incredibly nervous that her boyfriend, Justin, and best friend, Angela, have decided to go white-water rafting on the Dead River instead of going to prom. Ki’s not really an outdoorsy girl anyway, so when she starts having visions of strange people no-one else seems to be able to see, all Ki really wants to do is go home to her nice warm bed and running water. It seems, however, that the river has other plans. Though there is a deliciously creepy setting, Balog’s novel never really finds its footing, and it teeters on the edge of horror and paranormal romance. Because of this, the book never really finds its audience; it is too scary for paranormal romance fans, and too romantic for horror buffs. Ultimately, the thin character development combined with these factors makes this novel a shrug.
June 4, 2013
The cover of Dead River looks freaking awesome! I am a huge fan of ghostly things and in reading the synopsis, I couldn't wait to read it. What I found wasn't exactly what I expected but nonetheless, it was a good read. This is the first book that I've read by Cyn Balog and I'm looking forward to reading more by her.
Having to sneak off from her overprotected father to spend time with her boyfriend Justin and BFF Angela, Kiandra can't wait to get away. What she finds on this trip ends up being incredibly close to what her father had always been so scared about. It wasn't some exciting white water rafting trip. It's a trip that ends up explaining things from the past. Things about her mother, who died suddenly and this has always left Ki curious. This isn't the only thing she finds out. There are secrets happening right behind her back, and with it, comes new beginnings and final endings.
Having to sneak off from her overprotected father to spend time with her boyfriend Justin and BFF Angela, Kiandra can't wait to get away. What she finds on this trip ends up being incredibly close to what her father had always been so scared about. It wasn't some exciting white water rafting trip. It's a trip that ends up explaining things from the past. Things about her mother, who died suddenly and this has always left Ki curious. This isn't the only thing she finds out. There are secrets happening right behind her back, and with it, comes new beginnings and final endings.
December 27, 2013
4.5 stars
This wasn't the book that I thought I would be reading, but it was written so beautifully, and everything was brought to life that I didn't mind. It was told from first person POV which I love, but Cyn Balog can write really well in first person. Ki's voice felt genuine and real, and she never said more than what needed to be said. Sometimes you get a writer who rambles in the first person which can be annoying. I felt everything wrapped up nicely so another book is not necessary to feel a sense of completion. Although if there is another book, I would read it in a heartbeat.
I thoroughly enjoyed this and will be picking up other books by Cyn Balog.
This wasn't the book that I thought I would be reading, but it was written so beautifully, and everything was brought to life that I didn't mind. It was told from first person POV which I love, but Cyn Balog can write really well in first person. Ki's voice felt genuine and real, and she never said more than what needed to be said. Sometimes you get a writer who rambles in the first person which can be annoying. I felt everything wrapped up nicely so another book is not necessary to feel a sense of completion. Although if there is another book, I would read it in a heartbeat.
I thoroughly enjoyed this and will be picking up other books by Cyn Balog.
May 7, 2013
I picked this up, thinking it would be a horror novel. And in some ways it was. The creepy imagery is great (Pink dress girl is my favorite), and I loved the fear of the water in the main character, and the reasons for it. Balog's descriptions are fantastic and really draw you in.
It did not, however, end up where I thought it might. The twist was interesting, and it worked. I do wish there had been more explanation of some things, though.
Definitely liked the characters, and enjoyed the story. A quick read, and if you enjoy creepy things, definitely pick it up!
It did not, however, end up where I thought it might. The twist was interesting, and it worked. I do wish there had been more explanation of some things, though.
Definitely liked the characters, and enjoyed the story. A quick read, and if you enjoy creepy things, definitely pick it up!
February 27, 2014
Yes, it was a bit predictable, and the author gave the book an oddly happy ending, but I really enjoyed reading the book and thought it had some genuinely creepy moments.
December 4, 2017
I haven't read any YA paranormal in about a year so Dead River was quite refreshing for me. Having read some of Cyn's work before I kind of knew what I was going into. I love how her books are indepth and you get a real feel for the characters.
Dead River is a great little story. I read this in 1 sitting and it kept me captivated in a way that I didn't get a lot else done. Books like that I really love even in my family doesn't!! The story has enough of a flow that it keeps its self moving but there's also those little breadcrumbs as you read that have you begging like a dog for a biscuit. Reading YA paranormal took me again took me a while to get my head around. I kept thinking there would be a logical reason for things and then when things did go a bit 'out there' then had to tell my brain that's how things were supposed to be.
I liked the characters, especially the 'river' ones and found them all fairly interesting and different. In fact the only reason the book got a 3.5 and not a 4 star was because of the actions of the characters, it just felt a little (I want to say immature but this is a YA book) silly maybe? How Ki acted when her boyfriend told her stuff (I'm not giving spoilers so this is hard) at the surprise felt right. But then later in the book it was almost like nothing. For a 17 year old girl that felt wrong. Also the creepy friend, they accepted his actions but there was never any confrontation. Again, felt a bit off. Also at the end, the last chapter its like things were too accepted and there was no explanation as to how they were explained. God, its hard to say what I mean without spoilers. I hope for those who have read it they understand what I mean.
Over all though i liked this book, enough for me to pick up a few more YA paranormals again. 3.5 stars.
Dead River is a great little story. I read this in 1 sitting and it kept me captivated in a way that I didn't get a lot else done. Books like that I really love even in my family doesn't!! The story has enough of a flow that it keeps its self moving but there's also those little breadcrumbs as you read that have you begging like a dog for a biscuit. Reading YA paranormal took me again took me a while to get my head around. I kept thinking there would be a logical reason for things and then when things did go a bit 'out there' then had to tell my brain that's how things were supposed to be.
I liked the characters, especially the 'river' ones and found them all fairly interesting and different. In fact the only reason the book got a 3.5 and not a 4 star was because of the actions of the characters, it just felt a little (I want to say immature but this is a YA book) silly maybe? How Ki acted when her boyfriend told her stuff (I'm not giving spoilers so this is hard) at the surprise felt right. But then later in the book it was almost like nothing. For a 17 year old girl that felt wrong. Also the creepy friend, they accepted his actions but there was never any confrontation. Again, felt a bit off. Also at the end, the last chapter its like things were too accepted and there was no explanation as to how they were explained. God, its hard to say what I mean without spoilers. I hope for those who have read it they understand what I mean.
Over all though i liked this book, enough for me to pick up a few more YA paranormals again. 3.5 stars.
January 10, 2018
The story I chose for the month of December was Dead River by Cyn Balog. The main character, Ki, goes on a trip with a group of friends to Dead River. Her dad has always been overprotective, so obviously she lies about her trip. You see, her mother drowned when Ki was just a little girl. So, obviously, she’s always been wary of any water. Her boyfriend, Justin, talks her into this trip; which would also cause her to miss prom. She wanted to go so badly, but as usual kept quiet. Once there she allows herself to be dragged along on a whitewater rafting trip. She can’t shake the uncomfortable feeling that something will go horribly wrong.
Like many people in the world, once something bad happens to us or someone we love we automatically create a fear of that something. Whether we realize it right away or not. Being presented in a similar situation may make us freeze, or our breathing may speed up. It can be absolutely terrifying. I bet you all have a memory that just popped into your head. But with time you can overcome your fears; just as Ki did. Put yourself out there, try new things, live.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. A definite four star rating. The author kept a nice flow during the entire book and there was the perfect amount of drama and plot twists. I would definitely recommend this book to my friends and any other person out there. They say never judge a book by its cover, but this cover is what immediately drew me in. It is perfectly done and really sets you up for a fantastic book.
Like many people in the world, once something bad happens to us or someone we love we automatically create a fear of that something. Whether we realize it right away or not. Being presented in a similar situation may make us freeze, or our breathing may speed up. It can be absolutely terrifying. I bet you all have a memory that just popped into your head. But with time you can overcome your fears; just as Ki did. Put yourself out there, try new things, live.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. A definite four star rating. The author kept a nice flow during the entire book and there was the perfect amount of drama and plot twists. I would definitely recommend this book to my friends and any other person out there. They say never judge a book by its cover, but this cover is what immediately drew me in. It is perfectly done and really sets you up for a fantastic book.
March 13, 2020
I’m conflicted about this book. The supernatural elements were intriguing, and if this idea had been explored more, it could have been fantastic. But the book was just too short to explore this world properly. That and a strange, almost forced romance toward the end just made this book average.
The story of Kiandra is interesting enough. After losing her mother to the river, her father moved her far away. Now, against her father’s wishes, she is planning a trip to the Dead River with her boyfriend and best friend. But when she gets there, visions that she hasn’t seen since she was a child begin to swim through her mind. As she fights to figure out what is true and what isn’t, trouble with her boyfriend begins to build. Is the Dead calling to her? And what will happen if she goes to the other side?
While I loved the writing style and the characters, and the supernatural characters were fun to meet and learn about, this just isn’t as fleshed out as it should be. I would have loved to explore the other side of the river more, and then maybe the romance wouldn’t have been so out of nowhere. Still, if you’d like to read a spooky book chock full ghosts and mysterious powers and visions, this book is for you.
The story of Kiandra is interesting enough. After losing her mother to the river, her father moved her far away. Now, against her father’s wishes, she is planning a trip to the Dead River with her boyfriend and best friend. But when she gets there, visions that she hasn’t seen since she was a child begin to swim through her mind. As she fights to figure out what is true and what isn’t, trouble with her boyfriend begins to build. Is the Dead calling to her? And what will happen if she goes to the other side?
While I loved the writing style and the characters, and the supernatural characters were fun to meet and learn about, this just isn’t as fleshed out as it should be. I would have loved to explore the other side of the river more, and then maybe the romance wouldn’t have been so out of nowhere. Still, if you’d like to read a spooky book chock full ghosts and mysterious powers and visions, this book is for you.
August 27, 2021
Honestly, this book wasn't very good at all, there are a continuity errors that distract from what's important. There's also some lines in it that just make it super clear that a white person wrote it, like the white main character calling the only black character "coco puffs" I'm not mad but I am black and it just rubbed me the wrong way. However I was willing to look past all that because I got invested in the mystery.
Spoilers: The end ruined it for me, it's kinda gross and not thought through well because when Ki met Trey, she was 7 years old. It's creepy in a bad way for him at 17 to have fallen in love with a 7 year old.
Spoilers: The end ruined it for me, it's kinda gross and not thought through well because when Ki met Trey, she was 7 years old. It's creepy in a bad way for him at 17 to have fallen in love with a 7 year old.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 31, 2019
It was okay...but it leaves a plot hole. A major plot hole that’s never even mentioned again.
Also you learn Trey has been in love with Kiandra (stupid name) since she was 7! What the hell. That’s not dreamy or cute or anything. It’s creepy and pedophilloic. Not cool at all Cyn. In reality I give this book 2.5 stars.
Also you learn Trey has been in love with Kiandra (stupid name) since she was 7! What the hell. That’s not dreamy or cute or anything. It’s creepy and pedophilloic. Not cool at all Cyn. In reality I give this book 2.5 stars.
September 13, 2020
What a silly book this is- kind of like a bad back to school special where the ghosts are all hot, and the main character is more worried about her hair. I guess I didn't realize what this would be about, thought it would be more 4 kids haunted in a cabin than 1 girl with mystical powers focused on prom.
Not an awful book, just fluff for the teenager set.
Not an awful book, just fluff for the teenager set.
October 8, 2020
I really liked the characters, and the writing was good, but it wasn't what I was expecting. I thought it would be scary, but it was creepy at best. I also felt like there were elements of the story that could have been either further developed or left out completely. Overall, not bad but not great.
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January 14, 2025Kiandra has imaginary playmates. When she was seven her mom died. Then the visions started. The hallucinations started getting more real and often scary. I enjoyed this book and thought it was well written. I usually don't read paranormal novels, but after reading this I would read more by this author.
April 22, 2023
This book was phenomenal! I love the the little plot twists and the romance in this book was enjoyable but not overwhelming. The only thing I didn’t enjoy was how quickly the book went; I felt as if it was hurried.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 7, 2018
I love the book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 19, 2019
Review to come
January 20, 2022
Absolutely loved this book. An easy read and really interesting and creative. With an adorable love story mixed in. Highly recommend.
August 8, 2022
Cyn Balog is hereby a goddess.
April 12, 2025
Absolutely loved reading this book, loved the premise and the set up and the story was just so good!
December 16, 2013
I go by Character, Plot, and then Author's style in my reviews.
Overall rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
I'm giving this one four stars, because there were parts of the story that I simply didn't get at times. Like the fireballs in the forest near the end, and some of the scenes were rather jarring and disjointed, which may have been a style choice on Balog's part. But they threw me for a loop and made me pause in my reading more often than I would have liked.
I also think the story is pitched incorrectly, or could be pitched better to gain a wider audience. Because instead of a typical mystery/thriller, this book takes on a heavy paranormal vibe that stays true to the "I see dead people" phrasing.
Characters: ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
I've given characters an overall three. They were real enough to seem to be legitimate people in the world, and everyone's reactions seemed appropriate for most of the story. I just didn't quite feel a heavy connection to them. They came off as more of the friends that your friends tell stories about all the time, but you've never actually met.
I felt like an observer, even in Ki's head. They were all her thoughts, not mine, or ours like you get in most first-person-POV books. Ki's also your typical seventeen-year-old senior. She wants to go to prom, but decided to be nice and participate in the weekend at the river to make her boyfriend happy--something a lot of quiet girls would do.
She's got a spunky best-friend/cousin, and her boyfriend is one of your "I hike and fish and ride rapids all the time" outdoorsmen--something I can attest to. But there was no overall, "I LIKE THIS GUY CAN WE KEEP HIM" feeling like I usually get with a character out of every book.
I think the thing that disappointed me most though was that we saw very little of Trey and Jack--Ki's ghostly friends throughout the book, and whenever we did, they withheld so much information and backstory that Jack felt like he was there for no reason sometimes, or his entrance would go unnoticed. I also got the sense throughout the entire book that there was more to Trey, and Balog does well with getting his living past across, but I still wish she would have spent more time with his character.
Plot: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
The plot was.... interesting. I walked into this thinking it'd be more of a mystery than a paranormal novel, and I was wrong. There's a heavy paranormal element which leaves the reader asking why a lot. Why can Ki hear these voices? Why does she have visions, why is she so angry with her mother? Why is Jack so mischievous? Why is Ki so fascinated and terrified by him? Why does Trey keep appearing, and a very general "What's going on?" kept going through my head until the last third of the book.
Which is a good thing for mystery/suspense. And paranormal.
I also like the twist Balog took on the whole, "I see dead people thing." She limited it in a sense so that Ki can only see those whose death involved water or a river, and with good reason. So that was a refreshing direction to take the story.
I got a little confused with how Balog ended the story, with Ki alive and then dead and alive again. But I love the round-about feeling with Trey. So much. So through the little twists and turns, Balog kept her plot fairly simplistic and revolving around the river--which is nice for the paranormal thriller.
Author's Style: ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
I like to think Balog knows what she's doing, but Ki and her friends came off as very cookie-cutter characters in a sense. None of them had any odd quirks, or habits. Even Ki with her whole "water obsession/phobia". Ki's voice is authentic however, making her the quiet girl who's always got a lot of questions going through her head, and constantly doubts her sanity.
The setting was simple and easy to visualize. Balog didn't overdo any descriptions, and made it clear who was living and who... wasn't. Though Jack's character was perpetually confusing, especially when Ki raised the question of his realness in a sense.
Otherwise, Balog's got a good grasp on her language, and there were a few phrases I would have worded differently, such as, "enamored of him" would have been "enamored with him" in my book, but maybe that's just a difference of style and opinion.
I'd recommend this book for anyone who's got the rest of the afternoon and is looking for an easy read that reminds them of the summer, but with a bit of a darker twist. Anyone who likes Kelly Armstrong's The Awakening series or J. L. Bick's Ashes would probably like this as well.
Overall rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
I'm giving this one four stars, because there were parts of the story that I simply didn't get at times. Like the fireballs in the forest near the end, and some of the scenes were rather jarring and disjointed, which may have been a style choice on Balog's part. But they threw me for a loop and made me pause in my reading more often than I would have liked.
I also think the story is pitched incorrectly, or could be pitched better to gain a wider audience. Because instead of a typical mystery/thriller, this book takes on a heavy paranormal vibe that stays true to the "I see dead people" phrasing.
Characters: ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
I've given characters an overall three. They were real enough to seem to be legitimate people in the world, and everyone's reactions seemed appropriate for most of the story. I just didn't quite feel a heavy connection to them. They came off as more of the friends that your friends tell stories about all the time, but you've never actually met.
I felt like an observer, even in Ki's head. They were all her thoughts, not mine, or ours like you get in most first-person-POV books. Ki's also your typical seventeen-year-old senior. She wants to go to prom, but decided to be nice and participate in the weekend at the river to make her boyfriend happy--something a lot of quiet girls would do.
She's got a spunky best-friend/cousin, and her boyfriend is one of your "I hike and fish and ride rapids all the time" outdoorsmen--something I can attest to. But there was no overall, "I LIKE THIS GUY CAN WE KEEP HIM" feeling like I usually get with a character out of every book.
I think the thing that disappointed me most though was that we saw very little of Trey and Jack--Ki's ghostly friends throughout the book, and whenever we did, they withheld so much information and backstory that Jack felt like he was there for no reason sometimes, or his entrance would go unnoticed. I also got the sense throughout the entire book that there was more to Trey, and Balog does well with getting his living past across, but I still wish she would have spent more time with his character.
Plot: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
The plot was.... interesting. I walked into this thinking it'd be more of a mystery than a paranormal novel, and I was wrong. There's a heavy paranormal element which leaves the reader asking why a lot. Why can Ki hear these voices? Why does she have visions, why is she so angry with her mother? Why is Jack so mischievous? Why is Ki so fascinated and terrified by him? Why does Trey keep appearing, and a very general "What's going on?" kept going through my head until the last third of the book.
Which is a good thing for mystery/suspense. And paranormal.
I also like the twist Balog took on the whole, "I see dead people thing." She limited it in a sense so that Ki can only see those whose death involved water or a river, and with good reason. So that was a refreshing direction to take the story.
I got a little confused with how Balog ended the story, with Ki alive and then dead and alive again. But I love the round-about feeling with Trey. So much. So through the little twists and turns, Balog kept her plot fairly simplistic and revolving around the river--which is nice for the paranormal thriller.
Author's Style: ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
I like to think Balog knows what she's doing, but Ki and her friends came off as very cookie-cutter characters in a sense. None of them had any odd quirks, or habits. Even Ki with her whole "water obsession/phobia". Ki's voice is authentic however, making her the quiet girl who's always got a lot of questions going through her head, and constantly doubts her sanity.
The setting was simple and easy to visualize. Balog didn't overdo any descriptions, and made it clear who was living and who... wasn't. Though Jack's character was perpetually confusing, especially when Ki raised the question of his realness in a sense.
Otherwise, Balog's got a good grasp on her language, and there were a few phrases I would have worded differently, such as, "enamored of him" would have been "enamored with him" in my book, but maybe that's just a difference of style and opinion.
I'd recommend this book for anyone who's got the rest of the afternoon and is looking for an easy read that reminds them of the summer, but with a bit of a darker twist. Anyone who likes Kelly Armstrong's The Awakening series or J. L. Bick's Ashes would probably like this as well.
July 24, 2013
Typical Cyn Balog style this was a quick read but the difference this time there was a dark and down right creepy feeling that lurked within the pages. Playing out like a horror movie that you may try and predict what is just around the corner and yet still be surprised by the moment it comes to life or death. When starting this read I was prepared for some odd happenings but Balog created things that don`t just go bump in the night, they haunt you during the day and remind you why to run when those things choose you to play with.
When it came to setting I`m not sure it could have been any better laid out than it was. There was the feeling of the ghost stories that you hear around a campfire meant to keep you up at night. The fact that Ki (Kiandra) was reliving what she had when she was young and was on the same river her mother had taken her life on but miles up was haunting on its own. Then you take the river where the cabin sits, which is a popular white water rafting site (dangerous) and the cabin that is only used a couple times a year and currently has no hydro. Getting the horror picture yet? Balog created and painted the perfect horror story setting, maybe a little cliche but totally effective.
Ki was a good character but she was also fairly predictable. The biggest emotion I felt when it came to her was pity. Pity because she was still struggling with the loss of her mother to the river years before, her boyfriend that may be sweet but she is knowingly settling and that she was too stubborn to see what was going on. With that said I did love that she had emotions that were real. She hid things because she was afraid of being crazy or turning out like her mother and loosing the stability she has wrapped herself in since the move and loosing her mother. To her credit she is not selfish and when she makes decisions she thinks of the result on everyone not just herself. The fact that she is at Dead River with her boyfriend and cousin even though she basically hates all things outdoorsy is proof enough of that.
The romance actually lay with two guys in a strangely non love triangle way. You have Justin the sweet guy but as far as long term boyfriends go HE SUCKS! He has no idea who his girlfriend really is and despite Ki giving up everything she wanted for him, he still screws her around and leaves her behind frequently. You do see it coming but it one of the times you hope it isn't really coming. Then you have the mysterious Trey that I couldn't quite get a grasp on. He seemed so genuine but is part of an entirely different world that complicates everything. These two guys are never really competition and that kind of pushes out the triangle I think but you can be the judge of that.
A lot of work and build up went into the ending of this one but then I felt that there was a gap at the end. Just before it happened I knew what was coming but I had expected a little more than BAM it happened and this is the way it is now. Not to mention how do you explain that? Admittedly I was happy with the way it turned out though and think I would have been disappointed if there had been another outcome. I would really like to see a follow up (or two) to this book because I would like some more answers as to what Ki can do and how things will play out.
When it came to setting I`m not sure it could have been any better laid out than it was. There was the feeling of the ghost stories that you hear around a campfire meant to keep you up at night. The fact that Ki (Kiandra) was reliving what she had when she was young and was on the same river her mother had taken her life on but miles up was haunting on its own. Then you take the river where the cabin sits, which is a popular white water rafting site (dangerous) and the cabin that is only used a couple times a year and currently has no hydro. Getting the horror picture yet? Balog created and painted the perfect horror story setting, maybe a little cliche but totally effective.
Ki was a good character but she was also fairly predictable. The biggest emotion I felt when it came to her was pity. Pity because she was still struggling with the loss of her mother to the river years before, her boyfriend that may be sweet but she is knowingly settling and that she was too stubborn to see what was going on. With that said I did love that she had emotions that were real. She hid things because she was afraid of being crazy or turning out like her mother and loosing the stability she has wrapped herself in since the move and loosing her mother. To her credit she is not selfish and when she makes decisions she thinks of the result on everyone not just herself. The fact that she is at Dead River with her boyfriend and cousin even though she basically hates all things outdoorsy is proof enough of that.
The romance actually lay with two guys in a strangely non love triangle way. You have Justin the sweet guy but as far as long term boyfriends go HE SUCKS! He has no idea who his girlfriend really is and despite Ki giving up everything she wanted for him, he still screws her around and leaves her behind frequently. You do see it coming but it one of the times you hope it isn't really coming. Then you have the mysterious Trey that I couldn't quite get a grasp on. He seemed so genuine but is part of an entirely different world that complicates everything. These two guys are never really competition and that kind of pushes out the triangle I think but you can be the judge of that.
A lot of work and build up went into the ending of this one but then I felt that there was a gap at the end. Just before it happened I knew what was coming but I had expected a little more than BAM it happened and this is the way it is now. Not to mention how do you explain that? Admittedly I was happy with the way it turned out though and think I would have been disappointed if there had been another outcome. I would really like to see a follow up (or two) to this book because I would like some more answers as to what Ki can do and how things will play out.
September 11, 2017
I was enjoying it until page 170 then all of a sudden the main character decided to have a personality change. She flipped flopped on one of the most important decision in the universe and it just frustrated me.
January 1, 2014
I wanted to like this book, I really did. I mean it has such an interesting and different premise, of a young woman that sees visions of dead people anytime she gets close to moving water (like a river), her mother died in a river, and her dad never lets her near a river. And ok the staying in a cabin in the woods, on a river named the Dead River, sounds like a great horror movie setup. But I was extremely disappointed in this book. (Minor spoilers, but nothing earth shattering)
First of all the characters aren't well developed, even our heroine Kiandra, feel like blank shells of people. We don't spend enough to get to know the surrounding characters at all--her dad feels like a paper cutout--and Kiandra herself...there's just nothing about her that stands out. She's wishy washy, changes her mind every five minutes, and doesn't have the ability to stand up for herself. Even the "villains" of the story are never developed. We're told that they're trying to take over the kingdom on the other side of the river where the dead reside, but...why? We're given three or four different reasons, but never hear it from them themselves. And we're told briefly that they did evil things, but honestly it felt like it was something just thrown out there of "oh year, by the way that one killed two people, that one killed one. no biggie."
Second, it felt like there was to much story trying to be put into this one book. We've got that she sees dead people, that her mom died and is in charge of some kingdom, other people want to take that kingdom over, and we're wanting to right ancient wrongs or something. I mean seriously in one part of the book they mention bones are found on the river, Kiandra knows who it is, but...it's never mentioned again? Why go through the trouble of setting it up, but not ever confirming it? And the whole plot of being on the other side of the river just felt...weak and undefined. What is the place? Why does it exist? We're given a few sentences of information, but this is supposed to be a major plot point and instead it just goes "poof" we've resolved it?
Lastly, the creepy ass romances. I mean seriously? Kiandra is with her boyfriend, who is her female cousin's bestfriend and these two have known each other since they were 5, and the cousin is Kiandra's bestfriend, who invites another boy along who is seemingly a psychopath in the making. But the cousin and the boyfriend aren't really interested in each other, no....why would they be, even though they like the same things and can finish each others sentences and oppp! Nope, never mind they do like each other! And Kiandra's thing with the ghosts? Two ghosts that died in the 1930's? No, no of course it's not creepy at all of have what amounts to a horny 17 year old ghost who has been around for over 80 years to fall for a 17 year old girl. No...not at all.
OK I get it, I'm probably not the target audience for this book. I think it's geared towards teen girls (maybe?), but I can honestly say that I'd recommend it to anyone. Maybe someone that liked Twilight or similar style of book, but...even then I'd try to point them to something better. 1 out of 5 stars.
First of all the characters aren't well developed, even our heroine Kiandra, feel like blank shells of people. We don't spend enough to get to know the surrounding characters at all--her dad feels like a paper cutout--and Kiandra herself...there's just nothing about her that stands out. She's wishy washy, changes her mind every five minutes, and doesn't have the ability to stand up for herself. Even the "villains" of the story are never developed. We're told that they're trying to take over the kingdom on the other side of the river where the dead reside, but...why? We're given three or four different reasons, but never hear it from them themselves. And we're told briefly that they did evil things, but honestly it felt like it was something just thrown out there of "oh year, by the way that one killed two people, that one killed one. no biggie."
Second, it felt like there was to much story trying to be put into this one book. We've got that she sees dead people, that her mom died and is in charge of some kingdom, other people want to take that kingdom over, and we're wanting to right ancient wrongs or something. I mean seriously in one part of the book they mention bones are found on the river, Kiandra knows who it is, but...it's never mentioned again? Why go through the trouble of setting it up, but not ever confirming it? And the whole plot of being on the other side of the river just felt...weak and undefined. What is the place? Why does it exist? We're given a few sentences of information, but this is supposed to be a major plot point and instead it just goes "poof" we've resolved it?
Lastly, the creepy ass romances. I mean seriously? Kiandra is with her boyfriend, who is her female cousin's bestfriend and these two have known each other since they were 5, and the cousin is Kiandra's bestfriend, who invites another boy along who is seemingly a psychopath in the making. But the cousin and the boyfriend aren't really interested in each other, no....why would they be, even though they like the same things and can finish each others sentences and oppp! Nope, never mind they do like each other! And Kiandra's thing with the ghosts? Two ghosts that died in the 1930's? No, no of course it's not creepy at all of have what amounts to a horny 17 year old ghost who has been around for over 80 years to fall for a 17 year old girl. No...not at all.
OK I get it, I'm probably not the target audience for this book. I think it's geared towards teen girls (maybe?), but I can honestly say that I'd recommend it to anyone. Maybe someone that liked Twilight or similar style of book, but...even then I'd try to point them to something better. 1 out of 5 stars.
February 12, 2017
Reviewed on Lili Lost in a Book
Ki, her boyfriend Justin, her cousin Angela, and Angela’s friend (or whatever) Hugo go to Angela’s cabin for a weekend of rafting on the Dead River. Ki lied to her overprotective father in order to come to this trip. One she didn’t even want to go on in the first place because A.) she wanted to go to prom instead. Justin didn’t want to, preferring to go rafting. And since Angela is also outdoorsy, Ki apparently didn’t have any other choice but to go. Seriously? Just tell him you want to go to prom instead! *sigh*
And B.) she hates water. You see, her mother committed suicide by walking into the Dead River and drowning. Oh, and every time she is near any body of water she hears voices in her head. And after so many year of quiet, yes, the voices are now back. And seeing the dead is just another added bonus, or minus. Whatever ;)
The idea of this book was certainly interesting, but I don’t know that the execution was that great. For starters, there was too much going on, and yet, the mythos of the Mistress of the Waters and her kingdom was confusing AF! I mean, I didn’t understand the rules of this undead world. More explaining and a little more detail was needed for me to completely comprehend what the heck was going on. Plus, the payoff was no good for the build up we got. It kinda fell flat for me.
I loved the creepy setting and the creepy ghosts we met, but I wouldn’t say it was horror. Which is unfortunate ‘cause I love me a good horror story. I would say this is more of a thriller, which isn’t a bad thing either. And the characters themselves were fine, but there was no true deep connection there so I found myself not really caring for them all that much.
Dead River had a weird world with tons of potential, had it been explained a bit more, but had an amazingly creepy setting that almost made up for it. Almost.
Ki, her boyfriend Justin, her cousin Angela, and Angela’s friend (or whatever) Hugo go to Angela’s cabin for a weekend of rafting on the Dead River. Ki lied to her overprotective father in order to come to this trip. One she didn’t even want to go on in the first place because A.) she wanted to go to prom instead. Justin didn’t want to, preferring to go rafting. And since Angela is also outdoorsy, Ki apparently didn’t have any other choice but to go. Seriously? Just tell him you want to go to prom instead! *sigh*
And B.) she hates water. You see, her mother committed suicide by walking into the Dead River and drowning. Oh, and every time she is near any body of water she hears voices in her head. And after so many year of quiet, yes, the voices are now back. And seeing the dead is just another added bonus, or minus. Whatever ;)
The idea of this book was certainly interesting, but I don’t know that the execution was that great. For starters, there was too much going on, and yet, the mythos of the Mistress of the Waters and her kingdom was confusing AF! I mean, I didn’t understand the rules of this undead world. More explaining and a little more detail was needed for me to completely comprehend what the heck was going on. Plus, the payoff was no good for the build up we got. It kinda fell flat for me.
I loved the creepy setting and the creepy ghosts we met, but I wouldn’t say it was horror. Which is unfortunate ‘cause I love me a good horror story. I would say this is more of a thriller, which isn’t a bad thing either. And the characters themselves were fine, but there was no true deep connection there so I found myself not really caring for them all that much.
Dead River had a weird world with tons of potential, had it been explained a bit more, but had an amazingly creepy setting that almost made up for it. Almost.
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