Summary:
Oleander, Kansas is a sleepy little, but something is waking up within it. The people are starting to act different. The Killing Day comes where 12 people were murdered and the killers were people from their own town. The killers sacrificed themselves as their purpose was over. The citizens of the town are starting to turn on one another. Soldiers have blocked off the roads leading in and out of the town. Only 5 teens, Daniel, West, Jule, Cass, and Ellie, have the ability to find out what is happening, save their little town, or find a way out. While they have nothing in common, they are the only current survivors and they have to band together. Unfortunately, they also have to dive deep into the secrets that may be ripping them apart.
My thoughts:
There are some pacing problems within the novel, but overall it was a very good read. It is a true horror book with some mystery thrown in as well. Honestly, the mystery didn't keep me as interested as the horror of revealing humanity and the inner darkness within each character. The character development is very onion like. As we get to know what is going on within the novel, each character is opened up layer by layer. In some cases, these layers are bloody, but in most cases they are digging through their psyche. I really loved the character studies that were brought to life before my eyes. I loved how they were not supernatural, but real people with both strengths and weaknesses. With the exception of the age of the main characters, this is a really mature novel.
The hardest part for me is to state that this book shouldn't be in a lot of libraries. This is not made for younger teens. Please be aware that there is sex and a lot of violence. I would be very careful with anyone under about 16 years old. With my juniors and seniors, I'm not sure that I would have a problem with anyone picking it up, but younger audiences should be aware that there are explicit scenes.
Oleander, Kansas is a sleepy little, but something is waking up within it. The people are starting to act different. The Killing Day comes where 12 people were murdered and the killers were people from their own town. The killers sacrificed themselves as their purpose was over. The citizens of the town are starting to turn on one another. Soldiers have blocked off the roads leading in and out of the town. Only 5 teens, Daniel, West, Jule, Cass, and Ellie, have the ability to find out what is happening, save their little town, or find a way out. While they have nothing in common, they are the only current survivors and they have to band together. Unfortunately, they also have to dive deep into the secrets that may be ripping them apart.
My thoughts:
There are some pacing problems within the novel, but overall it was a very good read. It is a true horror book with some mystery thrown in as well. Honestly, the mystery didn't keep me as interested as the horror of revealing humanity and the inner darkness within each character. The character development is very onion like. As we get to know what is going on within the novel, each character is opened up layer by layer. In some cases, these layers are bloody, but in most cases they are digging through their psyche. I really loved the character studies that were brought to life before my eyes. I loved how they were not supernatural, but real people with both strengths and weaknesses. With the exception of the age of the main characters, this is a really mature novel.
The hardest part for me is to state that this book shouldn't be in a lot of libraries. This is not made for younger teens. Please be aware that there is sex and a lot of violence. I would be very careful with anyone under about 16 years old. With my juniors and seniors, I'm not sure that I would have a problem with anyone picking it up, but younger audiences should be aware that there are explicit scenes.
