Jennifer Alsever

3 / 5 ⭐️‘s

"Burying Eva Flores" by Jennifer Alsever

This one kept my attention until the very last page.

Alsever has crafted a complex and intriguing plot that is full of unexpected twists and turns. The characters are well-drawn and multi-dimensional. The pacing is spot-on, with just the right balance of action, suspense, and character development.

Overall, this is a good YA paranormal thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end.

ON SALE at Amazon for $2.50: https://amzn.to/41kGB0w

This ARC was provided by the publisher via @Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.… (mere)

Burying Eva Flores is a mockumentary style novel, similar to the television show American Vandal. It ’investigates’ the disappearance of a local TikTok star Eva Flores, and her hostile relationship with another teen, Sophia. Sophia and Eva used to be friends, but after a falling out there are mutual claims of stalking, lying, and revenge. After Eva’s disappears, Sophia is the #1 suspect.

The novel jumps between past and present—as well as character to character—to answer this question. Nonlinear timelines and multiple view points can be tricky, but Alsever does it masterfully. Instead of distracting from the story, it adds to it. Leading the reader to constantly question the version of events they are being given by each character. While this adds to the confusion over what happened, this is not a detriment but rather an asset to the story. Slowly things are revealed until all the pieces come together into an outcome that is surprising but well supported by prior events.

I was a bit surprised when the book introduced magical realism to the storyline. Although the description mentions a notebook and feeling powerful, I wish this had been acknowledged a bit more clearly in the description. I like magical realism and would have listened to it anyway, but I think because I was caught off guard it was a bit of a distraction from the storyline and had me coming up with all of these conspiracy theories. However, given the mockumentary vibes, conspiracy theories weren’t necessarily a bad thing.

The method of story telling was really interesting and the audiobook cast did a wonderful job bringing the story to life. I am torn about whether I would have preferred to read it or listen to it. I think this might be one of the few stories where both might be the right answer. There’s something so rewarding about reading a mockumentary style book like Daisy Jones and the Six, but the voice actors in the audiobook were amazing and gave so much life to the story. Honestly, you can’t go wrong with either option.

Read/listen if you like
🎥 mockumentary
🎥light magical realism
🎥crime inspired stories
🎥non-linear timelines
🎥multiple view points
🎥unlikeable characters… (mere)

Note: This read does hit drug abuse, some violence, and a rape scene

Ember's world has shattered with the death of her parents, and while she's trying to keep things together, it's like swimming upstream against the world. She no longer fits in, but then, her hobby of collecting pictures of officially missing individuals from around the country has always made her a bit different. Suffocated by her grandmother, she takes a chance to turn things 'off' and finds herself in the not-so-great-crowd agreeing to visit the forbidden Trinity forest, an eerie place where people disappear more often than they should. Drawn by something she can't explain, she wanders too far in and discovers a paradise. With a group of people, who enjoy having her around, and finding her every heart's desire delivered to her door, she's tempted to forget the world beyond the forest and stay. But the place holds secrets, and when she does try to leave, she discovers there is no escape.

This is quite the complex read in the sense that it weaves teen problems, battling through the loss of loved ones, ancient myths, magic, mystery, hard topics, releasing of spirits, and a touch of Hansel and Gretel all together in under 300 pages. So, it packs a fast-paced punch and definitely lays down enough ground for the series. I did find the mystic/magic side very foggy through most of the read, which could have used a bit more clarity, but then, I'm pretty sure this is intentional, since the book ends with revelations in that direction and uses these to catapult into book two. So, everything is nicely flipped on its head, promising a completely new adventure and excitement for the next read, while leaving off in a cliff-hanger. While I'm not usually a fan of cliffhangers, the huge change the plot brings does seem to be best handled by entering an new novel.

When we meet Ember, she's in a bad place. And that's fully understandable. Her choices aren't always great, but they do make her more realistic. The other characters are mostly fleshed out with personalities to love, hate, and doubt. I did wish to get to know some better, though, like the grandmother. But they add a wide array, which feeds toward the plot well.

There are more than a few harsh themes in this read. First, Ember's dealing with the loss of both parents. Her attempts to cope hit failure, since there doesn't seem to be really any help, and that drives her need to escape. The drug abuse builds into the plot with purpose and even foreshadows at things to come. The rape is built in with care, hitting as a memory flashback, which is summed up quick and slightly graphic-ish without going overboard. I wasn't a huge fan, but then, it's really a personal thing on that one, since it was also well handled and did work into some character relationships later on (not only the romance, which was refreshing). All of this does form and shape Ember as she heads into the paranormal mystery and danger, and I'm sure, it will hold more meaning as the series continues.

This is a harsher, darker read and packs bite. I do recommend it to darker YA fans, who love to dive into characters and face inner struggles as much as outer ones. I received a complimentary copy and found this to be an original and well woven read.… (mere)

Deftly crafted YA story that tiptoes along the line between thriller and supernatural in a way that makes it impossible to put down. Sophia is as content as a teen with an absent dad and the family finances being tight could be. She has two close friends and little interest in the popular crowd. Then Eva, a Tik-Tok sensation moves to her small Colorado town and tries to befriend her. When Sophia shuns her, Eva begins a revenge campaign that's over the top, not only threatening Sophia's fragile tranquility, but her mom's job, their home, and even the cafe where Sophia works.
When things rush toward a confrontation, the results are at first painful for both girls, then extremely surprising. It's a great read for thriller and suspense junkies.… (mere)