Friday, September 23, 2011

Review: The Shattering

The Shattering by Karen Healey

Review by Kristy Z

3 of 5 stars

GoodReads SynopsisSeventeen-year-old Keri likes to plan for every possibility. She knows what to do if you break an arm, or get caught in an earthquake or fire. But she wasn't prepared for her brother's suicide, and his death has left her shattered with grief. When her childhood friend Janna tells her it was murder, not suicide, Keri wants to believe her. After all, Janna's brother died under similar circumstances years ago, and Janna insists a visiting tourist, Sione, who also lost a brother to apparent suicide that year, has helped her find some answers.

As the three dig deeper, disturbing facts begin to pile up: one boy killed every year; all older brothers; all had spent New Year's Eve in the idyllic town of Summerton. But when their search for the serial killer takes an unexpected turn, suspicion is cast on those they trust the most.

As secrets shatter around them, can they save the next victim? Or will they become victims themselves?

Kristy's ReviewThe Shattering deals with the aftermath of suicide. The three protagonists of the story, Sione, Keri and Jana had older brothers who committed suicide, Jana's begin 7 years prior to Sione and Keri's less than one year. They are all still reeling from the loss and trying to re-find themselves and their place within their families. The three decide to come together and work on a theory--that maybe their brothers were murdered. It is too coincidental that one boy has committed suicide after vacationing in the town or Summerton, New Zealand during the New Year. Once the three stumble upon this theory, they are in hot pursuit of proving it and saving the boy who will be the next victim. 

There is a level of suspense within the book, but not as much as I had hoped. The main three characters were likable enough, but nothing really stood out in any of them. The best part of the book was the end when Keri makes a startling discovery that is a game changers for her. I think that this book does a great job taking a hard subject matter like suicide, adding in a bit of LGBTQ, and paranormal/suspense and making it all work. It was an odd book...but I like odd! I recommend the read. It won't be the best book you've ever read but it won't be the worst either!

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