Reading Robyn
I am a lover of libraries, a reader of everything, a girl easily swayed by pretty pictures, and overall just your average, nerdy fairy princess.
2013 is the year I'm finally keeping up a regular reading blog Reading Robyn! There I post extended versions of my GR reviews so be sure to check that out!
I always seem to be on the move having lived in seven cities and counting in my nineteen years. I'm not on the run from the law as many have assumed (at least I don't think so), but moving around has given me an appreciation for how places make stories and people make memories. While change is inevitable, books are the friends that I take with me from place to place. They comforted me when I was sick, they push me to continue to learn and grow into myself, and most importantly they opened me up to the possibilities of living in thousands of places all at once.
I primarily read YA fiction, as well as a lot of graphic novels and manga. However, I tend to be this combination of odd reads, so expect the unexpected!
Cheesy Life Quote: "In this world through which I travel, I am endlessly creating myself." - Frantz Fanon
Deadly Cool
Rating 3.5Deadly Cool proves that murder and high school can be a killer combination. (:D heehehehehe)Our story revolves around Hartley, your average teen girl turn Nancy Drew after her cheating boyfriend (Josh) is framed for murder when the body of his fling, the popular "chaste" Courtney Cline, turns up straggled in his bedroom.The more I read Deadly Cool, the more I got into the story. The way that everything comes together from the who-done-it mystery to the characters involved was all extremely well done.Hartley made for a great detective, she was charming without being annoying and clever without being completely unbelievable. She fit right in with the rest of the high school cast and acted in a way that made clear she really was just trying to find her way, instead of becoming an instant super-sleuth. And while I'm at it I have to say that "Hartley" is possibly one of the best detective names I have ever seen, it's right up there with "Castle" and "Sherlock". It just sounds detective-y. I was however, pretty annoyed by the character of Josh as a whole. He was well written for the role of the cheating boyfriend but I didn't have the connection with him that Hartley clearly had. I really didn't care whether he was guilty or not, which made it difficult for me to invest in the mission of clearing his name. I needed a connection, I didn't need to like him, but I needed more of a reason of why Hartley did. Her trusting ways made me give a few knocks against her character since I had nothing to back it up with.The strength of the mystery plot itself was pretty impressive. All the elements worked and the suspect pool was interesting. I wasn't surprised by who the murderer was but the reasoning behind the killings was great to read. I did have some small problems, like the overly detailed outfit descriptions and the convenience factor of some the events. But overall I really enjoyed Deadly Cool and will most definitely be reading Social Suicide and any other future Hartley mysteries.