Status
Available
Genres
Publication
Kathy Dawson Books (2015), 304 pages
Description
Horro Romanc Young Adult Fictio Young Adult Literatur HTML:For fans of We Were Liars and How I Live Now comes an addictive, sexy, twisty YA novel you won't want to miss. Every October Cara and her family become inexplicably and unavoidably accident-prone. Some years it's bad, like the season when her father died, and some years it's just a lot of cuts and scrapes. This accident season�??when Cara, her ex-stepbrother, Sam, and her best friend, Bea, are 17�??is going to be a bad one. But not for the reasons they think. Cara is about to learn that not all the scars left by the accident season are physical: There's a long-hidden family secret underneath the bumps and bruises. This is the year Cara will finally fall desperately in love, when she'll start discovering the painful truth about the adults in her life, and when she'll uncover the dark origins of the accident season�??whether she's re… (more)
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User reviews
LibraryThing member JanJanFreeman
This story is about siblings Cara, Alice, and Sam (who is technically their ex-stepbrother) as they unravel the secrets that have formed patches in their lives. Supported by Cara's best friend, Bea, the four of them are faced by challenges in school, life, love, and secrets. Their mother is
As a reader, it is difficult to categorize this book as it has quite a bit of mystery, fantasy, physical abuse, sexual abuse, taboo love, thriller, and ghosts. I wish I could say it all blends together well but, to be honest, it somewhat misses the mark. Perhaps it might have been better if it were shortened to a novella, as the plot does not begin to pick up until about page 170. In my opinion, the pages previous to that were redundant and often times boring. For example: When the main character (Cara) feels surprised, the phrases used were similar and repetitive: "Suddenly my face stings as if it’s been slapped" (152), "I feel like I have been slapped"(233), or "My cheek stings like it’s been slapped" (251). However, I will say, the metaphorical parallel storyline of the "changelings" did become a strong development of characters as the book progresses. Therefore, I am giving this 3/5 stars because the story finally becomes deep, dark, and interesting in the last few chapters of the book.
Lastly, although there is sexual abuse referenced in the book, it is not discussed at length. The language and intimate situations are, in my opinion, rather mild, if any.
Please note: this ARC was generously provided by Penguin Books First To Read Program in exchange for an honest review.
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convinced that the month of October is "Accident Season" and all precautions must be taken in order to protect each of them. They must wear protective layers, avoid using appliances such as the toaster, and check in with their mother frequently. But children will be children and accidents will happen. "Accidents happen. Our bones shatter, our skin splits, our bones break. We burn, we drown, we stay alive" (291). As a reader, it is difficult to categorize this book as it has quite a bit of mystery, fantasy, physical abuse, sexual abuse, taboo love, thriller, and ghosts. I wish I could say it all blends together well but, to be honest, it somewhat misses the mark. Perhaps it might have been better if it were shortened to a novella, as the plot does not begin to pick up until about page 170. In my opinion, the pages previous to that were redundant and often times boring. For example: When the main character (Cara) feels surprised, the phrases used were similar and repetitive: "Suddenly my face stings as if it’s been slapped" (152), "I feel like I have been slapped"(233), or "My cheek stings like it’s been slapped" (251). However, I will say, the metaphorical parallel storyline of the "changelings" did become a strong development of characters as the book progresses. Therefore, I am giving this 3/5 stars because the story finally becomes deep, dark, and interesting in the last few chapters of the book.
Lastly, although there is sexual abuse referenced in the book, it is not discussed at length. The language and intimate situations are, in my opinion, rather mild, if any.
Please note: this ARC was generously provided by Penguin Books First To Read Program in exchange for an honest review.
Show Less
LibraryThing member JanJanFreeman
This story is about siblings Cara, Alice, and Sam (who is technically their ex-stepbrother) as they unravel the secrets that have formed patches in their lives. Supported by Cara's best friend, Bea, the four of them are faced by challenges in school, life, love, and secrets. Their mother is
As a reader, it is difficult to categorize this book as it has quite a bit of mystery, fantasy, physical abuse, sexual abuse, taboo love, thriller, and ghosts. I wish I could say it all blends together well but, to be honest, it somewhat misses the mark. Perhaps it might have been better if it were shortened to a novella, as the plot does not begin to pick up until about page 170. In my opinion, the pages previous to that were redundant and often times boring. For example: When the main character (Cara) feels surprised, the phrases used were similar and repetitive: "Suddenly my face stings as if it’s been slapped" (152), "I feel like I have been slapped"(233), or "My cheek stings like it’s been slapped" (251). However, I will say, the metaphorical parallel storyline of the "changelings" did become a strong development of characters as the book progresses. Therefore, I am giving this 3/5 stars because the story finally becomes deep, dark, and interesting in the last few chapters of the book.
Lastly, although there is sexual abuse referenced in the book, it is not discussed at length. The language and intimate situations are, in my opinion, rather mild, if any.
Please note: this ARC was generously provided by Penguin Books First To Read Program in exchange for an honest review.
Show More
convinced that the month of October is "Accident Season" and all precautions must be taken in order to protect each of them. They must wear protective layers, avoid using appliances such as the toaster, and check in with their mother frequently. But children will be children and accidents will happen. "Accidents happen. Our bones shatter, our skin splits, our bones break. We burn, we drown, we stay alive" (291). As a reader, it is difficult to categorize this book as it has quite a bit of mystery, fantasy, physical abuse, sexual abuse, taboo love, thriller, and ghosts. I wish I could say it all blends together well but, to be honest, it somewhat misses the mark. Perhaps it might have been better if it were shortened to a novella, as the plot does not begin to pick up until about page 170. In my opinion, the pages previous to that were redundant and often times boring. For example: When the main character (Cara) feels surprised, the phrases used were similar and repetitive: "Suddenly my face stings as if it’s been slapped" (152), "I feel like I have been slapped"(233), or "My cheek stings like it’s been slapped" (251). However, I will say, the metaphorical parallel storyline of the "changelings" did become a strong development of characters as the book progresses. Therefore, I am giving this 3/5 stars because the story finally becomes deep, dark, and interesting in the last few chapters of the book.
Lastly, although there is sexual abuse referenced in the book, it is not discussed at length. The language and intimate situations are, in my opinion, rather mild, if any.
Please note: this ARC was generously provided by Penguin Books First To Read Program in exchange for an honest review.
Show Less
LibraryThing member TrekkieChickReads
This book began with a lot of questions and there was an overall steady pace that answered some questions, brought up more, and kept the mystery throughout. I don't know if it was intended to be analyzed as deeply as I found myself but I began to wonder how much was supernatural and how much was
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one girls (and her family's) was of coping with the horrible accidents that had happened. The book started out rough but since this book was apart of a book club I participate in, I kept with it. It soon picked up and kept my interest to the very end. Overall I enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys an easy read that has you asking lots of questions. In the end, there seemed to be a healthy balance of resolution and mystery. The party scene chapter was by far my favorite and was very well written with its imagery and leaving the reader feeling like they were right there experiencing it all as the main character did. Show Less
LibraryThing member tamaranewman
Holy. Shit.
LibraryThing member ReadersCandyb
I bought this book strictly based off the fact that the paperback cover was gorgeous... Sadly, that was best part. For me, the story was a tad scattered. I felt like it lacked overall fluidity and came off as very meh. It felt like a chore to finish and that's never fun. The storyline was all over
If you are looking for a ghost story or a halloween read then I'd recommend this one, other than that... I'd say pass.
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the place. You have ghosts and witches and changelings and one big mystery. I feel like the Author just tried way too hard at creating a world where reality meshes with fantasy and sadly it showed. The only thing that kept me reading was the forbidden love. It was a weak attempt at taboo, but it kept me interested enough to get through all 291 pages. If you are looking for a ghost story or a halloween read then I'd recommend this one, other than that... I'd say pass.
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LibraryThing member cassie.peters1
I loved this book.
LibraryThing member cassie.peters1
I loved this book.
LibraryThing member LongDogMom
I really loved this book. The writing was beautiful, and the whole story just moved me in a variety of ways. Painful and sad, but beautiful and hopeful... it was a very creative and interesting way to tell a coming of age story, as well as coming to terms with one's painful past. Can't wait to read
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more by this author. Show Less
LibraryThing member emren
Originally seen on
Emily Reads Everything
I had high hopes for this book. The synopsis really drew me in. I love everything about it and I couldn't wait to find out why this family was more accident prone during a certain month of year. Just the concept is intriguing and interesting and makes me
The book on the other hand fell a little flat for me. I didn't feel like it lived up to the awesome description. Yes, it was about accident season but not in the way I wanted it to be. I can't tell you what I was hoping for, I guess more overt magic or mystery. This book is Magical Realism and the mystical elements are very subtle. This genre can be overt like that or it can be beautiful and subtle like this book was. Unfortunately, I like my paranormal more in your face. I want people to be doing spells or ghost hunting or something. This isn't the book for that at all. That doesn't mean that it's a bad book. It just wasn't what I expected or what I was hoping for.
As much as the story just wasn't what I was hoping for, the writing almost made up for it. Moïra Fowley-Doyle prose is beautiful and haunting. Her word choices were absolutely perfect in this book every time. Her turn of phrase kept me turning pages. You can see an example in the first sentence of the synopsis. "It's the accident season, the same time every year. Bones break, skin tears, bruises bloom." Bruises bloom. I just love that.
I'm just not a subtle person. If you are, this is a perfect book for you.
Emily Reads Everything
I had high hopes for this book. The synopsis really drew me in. I love everything about it and I couldn't wait to find out why this family was more accident prone during a certain month of year. Just the concept is intriguing and interesting and makes me
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want to know more.The book on the other hand fell a little flat for me. I didn't feel like it lived up to the awesome description. Yes, it was about accident season but not in the way I wanted it to be. I can't tell you what I was hoping for, I guess more overt magic or mystery. This book is Magical Realism and the mystical elements are very subtle. This genre can be overt like that or it can be beautiful and subtle like this book was. Unfortunately, I like my paranormal more in your face. I want people to be doing spells or ghost hunting or something. This isn't the book for that at all. That doesn't mean that it's a bad book. It just wasn't what I expected or what I was hoping for.
As much as the story just wasn't what I was hoping for, the writing almost made up for it. Moïra Fowley-Doyle prose is beautiful and haunting. Her word choices were absolutely perfect in this book every time. Her turn of phrase kept me turning pages. You can see an example in the first sentence of the synopsis. "It's the accident season, the same time every year. Bones break, skin tears, bruises bloom." Bruises bloom. I just love that.
I'm just not a subtle person. If you are, this is a perfect book for you.
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LibraryThing member mutantpudding
I'm not sure how to describe this book. Its got magic realism and kinda ghost stuff happening and its a book about family and trauma and secrets. The idea of an accident season isn't really something I have encountered before and I thought it was very interesting even though the book wasn't
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specifically about that as much as I was expecting. I liked it. But I see how some people might find it off putting. The story gets a bit scrambled at times and its not always possible to tell whats really happening in the moment and what is happening in imaginings and memory and magic. And if you need a concrete ending an explanation of events this is not the place to go looking. Show Less
LibraryThing member jennybeast
In some ways, a book about the lies that we tell in order to cope with our realities, in others, a book of secrets. Pleasingly mysterious and dances beautifully in the liminal space, where reality may or may not be hanging out. Good suspense, and a well told tale.
Awards
Yoto Carnegie Medal for Writing (Nominee — 2016)
Best Fiction for Young Adults (Selection — 2016)
CCBC Choices (2016)
Language
Original language
English
ISBN
9780525429487