Publisher: HarperCollins
Genre: Young Adult Fiction - Contemporary Thriller/Horror
Release Date: September 16, 2014
Source: Review copy provided by the publisher, opinions are honest and my own. – review policy here.
When Eva Tilling wakes up in the hospital, she’s confused—who in her sleepy little North Carolina town could have hit her with their car? And why? But before she can consider the question, she finds that she’s awoken with a strange new skill: the ability to foresee people’s deaths when they touch her. While she is recovering from the hit-and-run, Nate, an old flame, reappears, and the two must traverse their rocky past as they figure out how to use Eva’s power to keep her friends—and themselves—alive. But while Eva and Nate grow closer, the killer grows increasingly frantic in his attempt to get to Eva.For the first time, New York Times bestselling author Melissa Marr has applied her extraordinary talent to contemporary realism. Chilling twists, unrequited obsession, and high-stakes romance drive this Gothic, racy thriller—a story of small-town oppression and salvation. Melissa’s fans, and every YA reader, will find its wild ride enthralling. - via Goodreads
Oh what a tangled web we weave...
With three point-of-views Marr guides us through protagonist Eva's accident recovery and detective skills, Judge's psychopathic ramblings, and Grace's, Eva's best friend, fill-in moments.
Judge, not his real name, is convinced it's God's will that Eva is to be his true love/wife. We quickly learn he is CRAZY PANTS!!! I can't even describe how fast I read through his chapters because he scared me that much with all his crazy talk.
Eva is burdened with her new ability and the idea that someone wants her dead. Eva also has a boyfriend, Robert, and another boy, Nate, who is interested in her. Basically, her milkshake brings all the boys to the yard. However, she handles most things as any fierce southern woman would. She's polite and firm, kind of like sweet tea.
There is a delusional romance, one that's at the end of it's rope, and one budding. They all have their place in Eva's life and there are FEELS. I actually would've liked to hear a chapter or two from Nate or Robert to round out some of these feels.
Southern teenage royalty lives on...
Judge's anger stems from Them which are the "in-crowd" of the small town, Jessup, and essentially describes most small towns in the south where the founding families still reside. Class and socio-economics determine the adolescent experience and into adulthood if you don't escape. For Grace, a northerner, her place is sealed with Eva at her side. For others in town it means getting as close as you can to join the court.
What we don't get to see, but feel through Judge's anger, is the influence and privilege that comes with being small town royalty. (Side note: As someone who grew up in the south and went to high school with people who had the same last name as the town name, this stuff is powerful while in the city limits.)
This culture however is what makes Eva a strong protagonist. While not perfect, she understands her place, and owns it, but the balance comes with her humility, resolve and awareness. Her ability to be self-aware allows for the compassion of Judge's other marks and the character flaws of those around her. No matter your status, everyone has issues and Eva gets that.
Judge's anger stems from Them which are the "in-crowd" of the small town, Jessup, and essentially describes most small towns in the south where the founding families still reside. Class and socio-economics determine the adolescent experience and into adulthood if you don't escape. For Grace, a northerner, her place is sealed with Eva at her side. For others in town it means getting as close as you can to join the court.
What we don't get to see, but feel through Judge's anger, is the influence and privilege that comes with being small town royalty. (Side note: As someone who grew up in the south and went to high school with people who had the same last name as the town name, this stuff is powerful while in the city limits.)
This culture however is what makes Eva a strong protagonist. While not perfect, she understands her place, and owns it, but the balance comes with her humility, resolve and awareness. Her ability to be self-aware allows for the compassion of Judge's other marks and the character flaws of those around her. No matter your status, everyone has issues and Eva gets that.
But that paranormal though...
Felt like a cheap trick to help the plot along. Womp, womp! The visions are not revolutionary or earth shattering, I felt like she could've drawn all these conclusions with common sense or natural plot development... or maybe it's just me.
The back of the ARC blurbs that Made for You is "southern gothic". I found this further interesting once I looked at how its been shelved on Goodreads. I do not agree that this is any sort of gothic, landscape or world building wise, and only slightly gothic in narrative and themes. I really feel this is true once you discount the "paranormal" element. This doesn't change my opinion of the book but did make me raise an eyebrow.
Woo me with the prose and pacing...
Read it in one sitting, even took it to dinner in a restaurant with my significant other. No shame, I'd do it again! The prose and pacing work in tandem to take control over your heartbeat and page turning. The alternating chapters really move in a cat and mouse rhythm, exposing bits-o-truth to keep you guessing what is going to happen next.
This is my first Melissa Marr book but it will not be my last. Crazy awesome standalone novel that you should've pre-ordered yesterday!
You'll like this if...
If you enjoy crime procedurals, southern culture, and horror. Bonus for pleasant parents, building healthy relationships and no slut shaming. Edit: I realize that there is slut shaming, female to male, which would be the double standard if we tolerated this. There are also instances of body image shaming.
Judge really, really reminded me A LOT of James Van Der Beek's character Tobias Hankel on Criminal Minds. Creepy!!!!!!!
4.5 Stars - Hide your kids, hide your wife, hide your husband!
And don't forget to buy your own copy for reading... while you're hiding.
And don't forget to buy your own copy for reading... while you're hiding.
I like Melissa Marr's writing, and I love books set in the South. Reminds me of home.
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