7.9.2014 | Wednesday

Grunge Gods & Graveyards

category: Book Reviews
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Grunge Gods & Graveyardstitle: Grunge Gods and Graveyards
author: Kimberly G. Giarratano
published: 1 June 2014
publisher: Red Adept Publishing
genre(s): fantasy, romance, thrillers
pages: 313
source: book tour, publisher
format: eBook
buy/shelve it: Amazon | B&N | BookBub | Goodreads

rating: five-stars

the blurb

Parted by death. Tethered by love.

Lainey Bloom’s high school senior year is a complete disaster. The popular clique, led by mean girl Wynter Woods, bullies her constantly. The principal threatens not to let her graduate with the class of 1997 unless she completes a major research project. And everyone blames her for the death of Wynter’s boyfriend, Danny Obregon.

Danny, a gorgeous musician, stole Lainey’s heart when he stole a kiss at a concert. But a week later, he was run down on a dangerous stretch of road. When he dies in her arms, she fears she’ll never know if he really would have broken up with Wynter to be with her.

Then his ghost shows up, begging her to solve his murder. Horrified by the dismal fate that awaits him if he never crosses over, Lainey seeks the dark truth amidst small town secrets, family strife, and divided loyalties. But every step she takes toward discovering what really happened the night Danny died pulls her further away from the beautiful boy she can never touch again.


my review

I absolutely loved this book!  I loved the emotions it stirred.  I loved the characters.  I loved the 90s music references.  I loved the mystery and the intrigue.  I loved it all!

Lainey’s character is one that many of us can relate to, I think.  She is grieving and sad and lost.  Nothing in her life is going as she want it to and she is left floundering.  The emotions that her character draws from the reader are often extreme.  There were moments that I wanted to cry with her, others when I wanted to cheer for her.  There were moments that I was so sad for her and wanted to reach through the Kindle and hug her.  There were times when I was so frustrated for her, frustrated with the people around her and the way that she was treated.

All of the characters were wonderful!  Some of them were clear villains, the ones we love to hate.  Others had stories of their own, those stories often changing how we feel about those characters.  I loved that many of the characters had moments of good and bad, never thoroughly slotted in the “ally” role, but given the depth that true humanity has.

The mystery and intrigue was on point and well paced.  There were so many twists and turns that took the story in places that I never expected it to go.  There was a nice blend of themes between that mystery and intrigue, a little romance, and the emotional struggles that the characters were experiencing.

This is touted as a YA novel, which it is.  But I think that the music references are some that will truly appreciated by those of us that were young in that era.  It was fantastic!

Things to love…

  • Well developed characters.  By the end of the book, I felt like I knew the characters!
  • The mystery.  It is a well paced mystery with lots of surprises.
  • The music references.  I loved the 90’s references and chapter titles.

If you love a great mystery with some real emotional pull, this is the book for you!

About Kimberly G. Giarratano

My name is Kimberly G. Giarratano and I’m a YA author. I wrote a YA paranormal romantic suspense set in 1996 that will be published by Red Adept Publishing this year. I also review books for both BookPage and School Library Journal.

I used to be a YA librarian, but I left my job to raise my children. But I still ‘booktalk’ like crazy. And I will shove books into open arms. You’ve been warned.

I’d love to hear from fellow writers and readers. Feel free to email me at kggiarratano@gmail.com

Other tidbits about myself:

I live in Northeastern PA. It’s rural but the taxes are low.

I’m left-handed. I don’t think it’s unusual, but every so often someone stops me and says, “Oh, you’re left-handed.” Apparently, it’s quaint to be a southpaw.

I’m a huge fan of The Afghan Whigs, one of the best alternative bands ever! I’ve loved them since I was 17 and I will love them when I’m 97.

I speak Spanish. Drop me off in Costa Rica and I’ll be fine. Seriously, drop me off there. Please.

I contributed to the Veronica Mars Kickstarter campaign because I am huge VM fan. And nerd. And I ‘ship Logan & Veronica. But, who doesn’t?

I’m also hugely devoted to Mad Men, The Vampire Diaries and The Daily Show.

I’m an Etsy addict.

Rating Report
plot
five-stars
characters
five-stars
writing
five-stars
pacing
five-stars
Overall: five-stars

reading challenges:

::spread the love::

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