Author: Katie Alender
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Release Date: September 24, 2013
Source: Netgalley
Goodreads Summary:
Colette Iselin is excited to go to Paris on a class trip. She’ll get to soak up the beauty and culture, and maybe even learn something about her family’s French roots.
But a series of gruesome murders are taking place across the city, putting everyone on edge. And as she tours museums and palaces, Colette keeps seeing a strange vision: a pale woman in a ball gown and powdered wig, who looks suspiciously like Marie Antoinette.
Colette knows her popular, status-obsessed friends won’t believe her, so she seeks out the help of a charming French boy. Together, they uncover a shocking secret involving a dark, hidden history. When Colette realizes she herself may hold the key to the mystery, her own life is suddenly in danger . . .
Acclaimed author Katie Alender brings heart-stopping suspense to this story of revenge, betrayal, intrigue — and one killer queen.
When I first requested Marie Antoinette, Serial Killer on Netgalley, I was crossing every part of my body to get approved and then I started seeing the reviews. People were saying how upset they were with the characters and I'm sad to say that I agree.
The premise of this book had so much potential to be a great mystery/horror but it really left me empty in that department. I was hoping it would be about Marie Antoinette running around chopping people's heads off and the main girl being the only person that could stop her. I guess it was like that in some way but the plot revolved more around the main character, Colette, and her two incredibly snobby "best friends" roaming France and sight seeing.
Personally, I didn't feel any attachment to Colette and her so called best friend, Hannah. She was THE WORST human being ever. I think I've never read a book with a worst best friend. Even in books where the best friend steals the other girl's boyfriend, they had some sort of redeeming quality. Hannah just didn't have any. She didn't let anyone voice their opinions and Colette and Pilar (the other friend) never stood up for themselves. There's a particular scene, when the three of them go dress shopping, that took it over the top for me. I just couldn't anymore. I did like two of the side characters though...so I guess that's something?
Turning back to the plot, I usually wouldn't have an issue with a book where the main characters explore Paris, the problem was that I was expecting so much more and it fell very short for me. Overall, this was an entertaining read but you might want to lower your expectations before diving in.
Rating:
★ ★ ★☆☆
See, in my head I had it the same as you- I have the expectation (or did until I read your review) that it would be Marie chopping off heads and being a little more horror-filled. I am going to have to really think about reading this one.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your honest and wonderfully written review :)
Such a shame that the awesome potential of this book goes to waste :(
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