Famous Last Words by Katie Alender

Famous Last Words by Katie Alender

Release Date - September 30, 2014

Publisher Website - Scholastic
Publisher Social Media - Twitter
Pages -  320 pages
My Rating - 3/5
**received in exchange for an honest review**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Hollywood history, mystery, murder, mayhem, and delicious romance collide in this unputdownable thriller from master storyteller Katie Alender.

Willa is freaking out. It seems like she's seeing things. Like a dead body in her swimming pool. Frantic messages on her walls. A reflection that is not her own. It's almost as if someone -- or something -- is trying to send her a message.

Meanwhile, a killer is stalking Los Angeles -- a killer who reenacts famous movie murder scenes. Could Willa's strange visions have to do with these unsolved murders? Or is she going crazy? And who can she confide in? There's Marnie, her new friend who may not be totally trustworthy. And there's Reed, who's ridiculously handsome and seems to get Willa. There's also Wyatt, who's super smart but unhealthily obsessed with the Hollywood Killer.

All Willa knows is, she has to confront the possible-ghost in her house, or she just might lose her mind . . . or her life.

Acclaimed author Katie Alender puts an unforgettable twist on this spine-chilling tale of murder, mystery, mayhem -- and the movies.

A novel that mixes my love of mysteries with my obsession with Hollywood? Yes, please. Famous Last Words seemed to be everything that I would love in a novel. While it was mostly enjoyable, some elements did not work quite as well, for me at least, and it ended up just being a rather average read.

The supernatural element mentioned in the synopsis almost takes over the entire plot. The Hollywood inspired murders are woven in to this supernatural element, but are secondary in the focus. I found that it did not quite mesh well with the setting and felt disjointed. The plot all ties together at the end, but it still wasn't enough for me to forget my disconnection at the beginning. Personally, I would have enjoyed this more without the supernatural element to the story.

Willa was different than I expected her to be. She's being haunted by these ghosts, and yet she's handling it remarkably well. She was taking control, and dealing with it. Her attitude was one of action, rather than sitting back and letting things unfold. She didn't feel sorry for herself, and instead focused on actually fixing the situation. While she wasn't as developed as I would have liked, there was more than enough to make her interesting. In particular, her father's death and it's impact on her while subtly done, resonated rather well.

The romance felt rushed, but I think that is because it was such a background focus. The time spent together was mostly plot driven, and related back to the mystery at the focus of the story. There were some promising elements as they began to share deeper aspects of themselves, and I would have greatly enjoyed it if the 'love' word had not been used. It could have been a cute, initial starting out with the potential for more. Willa has a lot going on, with being haunted and all, so it would have worked to have a slower paced flirtation.

The last few chapters are paced well, and are filled with the tension that wasn't quite there in the rest of the novel. It's a dizzying, chilling ending that was what I was looking for when I picked up this novel. The ending reveal, while one that you'll mostly see coming, is logical, and executed rather well.

A novel that is a mix of realistic and supernatural chills. The focus on the supernatural was unexpected, and did not quite work for me, but the result is an otherwise fairly enjoyable read. A lighter (despite it's subject matter) fluffy read that many will breeze through.

Marie Antoinette, Serial Killer by Katie Alender

Marie Antoinette, Serial Killer by Katie Alender

Release Date - September 24, 2013

Publisher Website - Scholastic 

Publisher Social Media -  Twitter

Pages -  304 pages

My Rating - 3/5

**obtained for review from publisher**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Colette Iselin is excited to go to Paris on a class trip. She’ll get to soak up the beauty and culture, and maybe even learn something about her family’s French roots.

But a series of gruesome murders are taking place across the city, putting everyone on edge. And as she tours museums and palaces, Colette keeps seeing a strange vision: a pale woman in a ball gown and powdered wig, who looks suspiciously like Marie Antoinette.

Colette knows her popular, status-obsessed friends won’t believe her, so she seeks out the help of a charming French boy. Together, they uncover a shocking secret involving a dark, hidden history. When Colette realizes she herself may hold the key to the mystery, her own life is suddenly in danger.

Acclaimed author Katie Alender brings heart-stopping suspense to this story of revenge, betrayal, intrigue — and one killer queen.

The city of romance, a murder mystery, a historical connection. This book seemed to have everything I could possibly want. A well researched, interesting premise that didn't quite leave me wowed.

A novel like this is made by it's research. The amount of time the author spent researching the history of Marie Antoinette, and Paris itself is evident. She also manged to put a fun twist in the story that combines perfectly with the historical facts presented. The setting comes to life, as does it's history.

The characters were, for the most part, rather underdeveloped. What I found out about them, I certainly was interested in. I just wish I had learned a little more. The realistic family dynamic between Colette and her newly struggling family was nicely written. The sibling bond between Colette and her brother rang true for their situation. Her friendships, and reasons for hanging on to them would be recognizable to many teens. The connection was there, I just wish it had gone a little deeper.

The overall plot of the story is fairly predictable, and evident after the first couple murders. The reason behind what is happening is believable. I don't want to any give spoilers but I do wish that this particular aspect had been fleshed out more. The historical aspects relating to the whys of the murders was only lightly touched upon and would have a great impact if we had gotten to know these characters. The grief, betrayal and sadness would have resonated more deeply if we had a larger connection to this part of the story.

The message of the book is plainly clear. It's almost over exaggerated for effect. I do think this will appeal to the younger end of the young adult spectrum than the older readers. It's reminiscent of the Christopher Pike novels I read when I was young teenager, and I feel that age group would appreciate this more.

The pacing felt off to me. Things were happening fast at the beginning, and slowed right down in the middle, only to feel rushed at the end. The end climax where everything is revealed, and our main character is in danger lacked urgency. It didn't feel like they were in danger, and I felt it was resolved rather easily and quickly.

The romance was one of the stronger aspects of the novel. There is no instant love. There is no declarations of forever. This is a rather sweet, fun vacation romance. Each knows that it may not amount to anything, but there is a connection and they both just want to spend time together. It read exactly the way it should have. A whirlwind, epic date in a city that is brimming with romance. A cherished memory that is not tainted by expectations.

A novel that had some amazing research backing it, a well plotted premise that just didn't quite join together to be as cohesive as I would have liked. An enjoyable, but not overly engaging, read that didn't quite meet my expectations from it's fantastic premise.