by Romily Bernard
Read: August 2 - 3, 2013
Published: September 24, 2013 by Harper Teen **UPCOMING**
Source: Edelweiss - THANK YOU Harper Collins!
Category: Thriller, mystery, YA
These are the words written on Tessa Waye’s diary. The diary that ends up with Wick Tate. But Tessa’s just been found . . . dead.
Wick has the right computer-hacking skills for the job, but little interest in this perverse game of hide-and-seek. Until her sister Lily is the next target.
Then Griff, trailer-park boy next door and fellow hacker, shows up, intent on helping Wick. Is a happy ending possible with the threat of Wick’s deadbeat dad returning, the detective hunting him sniffing around Wick instead, and a killer taunting her at every step?
Foster child. Daughter of a felon. Loner hacker girl. Wick has a bad attitude and sarcasm to spare.
But she’s going to find this killer no matter what.
Because it just got personal.
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Wick is a hacker, and she's very good at it. She especially likes that it's something she can do on her own, without relying on anyone else. Wick lives with her sister and a foster family that is miles better than when she used to live with her controlling, criminal father. However, Wick still feels like an outsider in her life and is determined not to get too comfortable. When Wick's classmate - and former friend - Tessa Wayne commits suicide, Wick is understandably shaken, but she doesn't think it has anything to do with her life. That is until Wick receives Tessa's diary and finds out that something happened to Tessa when she was alive, that she kept carefully hidden until she couldn't take it anymore. Wick's own sister Lily might be next, and Wick will do anything to protect her.
Find Me focuses on three main plot lines. The first revolves around Tessa Waye and what really happened to her in the months before she committed suicide. I don't want to say a lot about this, except that Wick will do anything to prevent her sister Lily from experiencing the same fate. She is determined to use her hacking skills to expose the secrets of the person responsible
The second major plot direction focuses on Wick's less than stellar dad, who has disappeared off the radar, although he is wanted by the police for his criminal activities. Wick and her sister are finally in a stable foster home in a nice neighborhood, but Wick knows that he could return at any time. If her dad wants something from her, there's nothing she can do to escape his control. When Wick gets a call about a "job" from her father's friend, she knows she has no choice but to go and see what it is.
The second major plot direction focuses on Wick's less than stellar dad, who has disappeared off the radar, although he is wanted by the police for his criminal activities. Wick and her sister are finally in a stable foster home in a nice neighborhood, but Wick knows that he could return at any time. If her dad wants something from her, there's nothing she can do to escape his control. When Wick gets a call about a "job" from her father's friend, she knows she has no choice but to go and see what it is.
The third part of the story involves a boy from Wick's school. Griff lives in Wick's old neighborhood, and somehow, despite Wick's protests, he also becomes tangled in Wick's life. Although Wick's not sure if she can trust him (she doesn't trust anyone), she finds herself falling for him. This is the romance portion of the plot.
Plots two and three were clear favorites of mine. While the main mystery surrounding Tessa kept me on the edge of my seat, it isn't really my thing. Plot one went into a psychopathic direction that always freaks me out. Any time there's possible preying on young girls, I usually try to avoid the book. However, I really liked that Wick is a geeky hacker who gets thrown in dumpsters, and I was interested in her own struggles to balance her past and her present life. I actually wish that this part of the novel had been explored even further.
Find Me was entertaining, fast paced and it kept me turning the pages. I also really liked Griff, but I am a sucker for those tortured boys. However, I found some of the plot to be predictable, and the story was a tad far-fetched, at least in the fact that a few characters seemed overly suspicious (though I do appreciate that it was tough to tell the truth behind every character). I think that might have been one reason why I didn't feel like I got to know many of the characters well: most of them were suspects. I also figured out the "bad guy" before Wick did. Even so, I was on the edge of my seat during the last 1/4 of the book. Although I wasn't completely surprised by everything in this story, and was pretty nervous about one of the plot lines, overall this book was a positive reading experience.
Love Triangle Factor: None
Cliffhanger Scale: Low - Completed story, but last chapter teases a possible second book called Remember Me.
I don't mind far-fetched or even predictable, as long as there are characters I'm rooting for and as long as it's well-written. Otherwise, it ends up in the DNF pile. Humm...I think this one is on my shelf...maybe I'll push it to the top to check it out.
ReplyDeleteI agree. This one did hook me in, and kept me turning the pages quickly. As I said, much of my issues were in the fact that this subject freaks me out. Wick is also hard to connect with, but some of that is the nature of this type of book. Curious about your reaction!
DeleteThe fact that the MC's name is Wick keeps throwing me-I keep thinking of a candle. I do really like the sound of this book especially Wick's drive to protect her younger sister, which is a motivation I always resonate with (being an older sister myself.)
ReplyDeleteHA! That's funny. The name didn't really bother me at all. Though it is pretty unique. YES. A lot of what Wick does is to protect her sister, who is basically the only real family that she has. I hope you enjoy this one.
DeleteOoh, I'm starting this one later this week so I'll be back to comment then!
ReplyDeleteI really want to talk about this book! Glad you're reading soon. Though I did read it over a month ago, so hopefully my feelings are fresh enough.
Delete'Any time there's possible preying on young girls, I usually try to avoid the book. '--OMG yes. That's just.. disturbing. I don't get it and it makes me nauseous. Hmm.. funny how you found Wick to be a great character. I think Becca (or Krista, I may be wrong here) from Nawanda Files really loved this title whereas Sam from Fiction Scoop totally smashed this in my eyes. You've managed to build it up in some ways. I think this book is either a hit or miss depending on what you expect when you go into it, but I do think the premise sounds cool and while it's not my kind of a book, I'm very glad you enjoyed it. By the way, good job for managing to 'catch' the bad guy before Wick ;)
ReplyDeleteI've actually seen overwhelming negative reviews for this one and as the synopsis didn't intrigue me all that much, I'm not picking this up. I'm glad to see, though, that despite some flaws, it's an entertaining read and one you enjoyed. I certainly adore that cover. Wonderful review, Lauren!(:
ReplyDeleteIt's too bad that it didn't manage to surprise you more. I've been enjoying the mystery/thrillers but they have to be edge of the seat for me. I haven't read a lot of reviews on this one so I'm not sure if I'll read it or not, we'll see.
ReplyDeleteI was going to dismiss this book as "not me" and move along, but I recently interacted with the author on Twitter and she seems really nice. Her tweets actually reminded me that there was a point in time when I did love mysteries. And, of course, your positive reviews also go a long way towards me considering whether to read a book. I actually imagine that I'd enjoy plotlines 1 and 2 the best haha. What can I say though - YA romance has left me jaded lately. Still, this does sound like a different sort of novel. Lovely review, Lauren!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds really interesting. I like that she's a hacker and the the last two plots you mentioned will probably be my favorite as well (plot 1 intimidates me already). Nay on predictability (although it's so common nowadays that I'm trying to not let that affect me too much anymore) and unrealistic. But yay on you enjoying it! Adding it :)
ReplyDeleteI really liked Find Me, maybe it's because part of me wishes I was capable of even hacking, but either way I love this story plus the mystery aspect of it. I love all the minor details in this story.
ReplyDeleteAly @ My Heart Hearts Books