We Begin at the End

This book has it all: the most fascinating young female protagonist ever, a mystery with a reveal that I did not see coming, and wonderful writing. In this intricate plot, there is sadness and tragedy, but also joy and redemption. We learn the history of the characters, who have the Dickensian names of Star, Duchess, Walk, King, Noble, and Darke, to name the major ones.

This novel is memorable, and I highly recommend it.

Tough characters, tough children and adults who can't leave their childhood behind, the gritty taste of old western justice and revenge in a decaying modern setting. I can't fault the form for tying in and up every last thread of pain and stretch for redemption.

Gut geschrieben, aber die Story ist - wie so oft im amerikanischen Roman - doch etwas arg übertrieben

This was definitely a book written with an eye towards selling the movie rights: All plot movement and spoken dialogue, not much view of the characters’ interior thoughts, lots of folksy characters that will potentially provide Oscar-bait movie roles, a feisty and precocious teenage lead who perseveres despite challenges, surprising reveals throughout. But it was very entertaining and kept me reading. This isn’t great literature, but it’s a fun mass-market novel that kept me turning the pages.

Leaning to 4.5.

Certainly a very good book and a page turner.

Though I had to fight my way into it. Mainly because the writing style of this book, not bad at all, just was so different to the previous book I read. I nearly gave up on it, but I'm glad that I continued, because I really enjoyed reading it.