 Published: October 10, 2017 by Katherine Tegan Books (HarperCollins) Synopsis: Sasha Stone knows her place—first-chair clarinet, top of her class, and at the side of her oxford-wearing boyfriend. She’s worked her entire life to ensure that her path to Oberlin Conservatory as a star musician is perfectly paved. But suddenly there’s a fork in the road, in the shape of Isaac Harver. Her body shifts toward him when he walks by, her skin misses his touch even though she’s never known it, and she relishes the smell of him—smoke, beer, and trouble—all the things she’s avoided to get where she is. Even worse, every time he’s near Sasha, her heart stops, literally. Why does he know her so well—too well—and she doesn’t know him at all? Sasha discovers that her by-the-book life began by ending another’s: the twin sister she absorbed in the womb. But that doesn’t explain the gaps of missing time in her practice schedule or the memories she has of things she certainly never did with Isaac. As Sasha loses her much-cherished control, her life—and heart—become more entangled with Isaac. Armed with the knowledge that her heart might not be hers alone, Sasha must decide what she’s willing to do—and who she’s willing to hurt—to take it back. Edgar Award–winning author Mindy McGinnis delivers a dark and gripping psychological thriller about a girl at war with herself, and what it really means to be good or bad. |
I have only read one McGinnis' books before this and I really liked it. It was a fantastic thriller and so I was really excited to read another one of her thrillers. I had heard some mixed reviews about this one but I wanted to read it and experience it myself. And whit it wasn't what I was hoping for, it was still and interesting read.
I have to come right out and say it, this book is messed up. Like really messed up. It's one of those books that is hard to read because it's a brutal and dark read. It does not pull punches and shows the ready some pretty intense and bloody things. I kind of liked that in the beginning but by the end of the book, it seemed over the top. Like really over the top. Like unnecessarily intense and bloody. I am all for dark and intense reads, but writing a book like that just for shock value isn't what I want to read.
As far as the plot and pacing of this book goes, it was interesting and engaging, but some it too felt unnecessary. 350 pages is pretty standard for a Yong Adult read but this was one of those books that felt lomger than it needed to be. I think we could have done without a sold 50 pages of this one. It would have tightened up the narrative and kept my attention a little bit better. To be fair though, it had my attention. The narrative was twisted and so messed up. I wouldn't call it a mystery and it wasn't too much of a psychological thriller but it did have elements of the later. Mostly it was one of those narratives that messed with your head and left you saying "WHAT DID I JUST READ?!?!?" when it was all done.
One thing I did like however was the characters. This is probably one of the things other readers may not have liked about this book but I really enjoyed them. But then again I like unlikable characters who are truly terrible people. And that is exactly what Sasha Stone is. She is a truly terrible character. She treats people like crap, and really only looks out for herself. When you first meet her she is trying to be perfect. As the book unfolds, Sasha unravels and I loved being a long for that ride.
All in all this was a good read but it didn't blow me away. It was a YA thriller that had me shocked and confused but it seemed to do that just for the purpose of being shocking. I think if it was a little shorter and tightened up I would have enjoyed it a bit more but it still kept me reading until the end which had a pretty good payoff.
I give This Darkness Mine by Mindy McGinnis 8 out of 10 stars
Have you read This Darkness Mine? What did you think? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!
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