The Murmurings
by Carly Anne West
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Release Date: March 5, 2013
Source: Publisher/Edelweiss
Release Date: March 5, 2013
Source: Publisher/Edelweiss
A teen girl starts hearing the same voices that drove her sister to commit suicide in this creepy, suspenseful novel.
Everyone thinks Sophie’s sister, Nell, went crazy. After all, she heard strange voices that drove her to commit suicide. But Sophie doesn’t believe that Nell would take her own life, and she’s convinced that Nell’s doctor knows more than he’s letting on.
As Sophie starts to piece together Nell’s last days, every lead ends in a web of lies. And the deeper Sophie digs, the more danger she’s in—because now she’s hearing the same haunting whispers. Sophie’s starting to think she’s going crazy too. Or worse, that maybe she’s not….
Everyone thinks Sophie’s sister, Nell, went crazy. After all, she heard strange voices that drove her to commit suicide. But Sophie doesn’t believe that Nell would take her own life, and she’s convinced that Nell’s doctor knows more than he’s letting on.
As Sophie starts to piece together Nell’s last days, every lead ends in a web of lies. And the deeper Sophie digs, the more danger she’s in—because now she’s hearing the same haunting whispers. Sophie’s starting to think she’s going crazy too. Or worse, that maybe she’s not….
Review
Beginning The Murmurings was like starting a horror movie. The anticipation was high and my expectations for some creepiness was set. Unfortunately, the payoff for the book lacked the kind of wow-factor to send it into the YA paranormal hall of fame.
My biggest issue with the book has to be the characters. Sophie and Evan are incredibly boring and they seemed to serve the plot and only the plot. They don't go much deeper than that, and I found it hard to connect with either of them. The romance also felt contrived just to add a romance. It honestly would have been a better book if it just focused on the paranormal.
The next issue I had was the pacing. It's a 370+ page book that sometimes felt like 600 pages. It was very, very slow and there were numerous times I either found myself skimming or wanting to put it down for good. Honestly, reading this book felt like The Little Engine That Could. It wanted to be a great story. It was trying so damn hard, but it just lacked the umph to hurdle it over that hill.
There were also some different writing choices in the story. Sophie's dead sister, Nell, has many journal entries popping up throughout the book. I think I would have found this more original and kind of cool if I hadn't read The Dead and Buried and Deadly Little Secret that use the same format. But it was a nice change of pace from the slow scenes.
Overall, I think that The Murmurings had incredible potential. It's kind of creepy with a American Horror Story: Asylum feel to it. But in the end it sputtered out and became a boring wasteland of blah.
If American Horror Story: Asylum procreated with The Grudge to produce a boring love child, you'd get The Murmurings.
Well, that is highly disappointing. I am always on the search for great, creepy YA reads and there just aren't a lot out there. When I first heard about this one, and saw the freakin awesomely creepy cover, I must admit I got excited. But now I am hearing that it just isn't all that great and I am definitely sad about it. A great book MUST have great characters or it will fall flat every time. At least for me. I am glad that I am not getting ready to read it. I just finished Amber House, and I loved it. I don't think I would have finished it up after reading a truly great, creepy story.
ReplyDeleteThat is so disappointing. I was looking forward to this book because of it's creepiness. It has a great promise, but I don't like flat characters :( Perhaps it's better to stay way from this one for a while. I might pick it up if I see it in the library.
ReplyDeleteMel@thedailyprophecy.
Oh no! I was really looking forward to this novel. So sad to hear that it’s boring and badly paced. That kind of book is never fun. Sorry you didn’t enjoy this too much, Krista!
ReplyDelete"If American Horror Story: Asylum procreated with The Grudge to produce a boring love child, you'd get The Murmurings." - Krista you are unbelievably awesome.
ReplyDeleteThis book sounded so creepy and cool. I wanted to read it and find out what's going on with the voices. Now I could care less. I hate books that drag to the point in which your skimming the page. If you can still follow the story by reading like 5 sentences a page, there's a problem! Thanks for letting me know to stay clear of this one.
BTW you're a AHS watcher/fan?? What haven't we been chatting about it!!!?
Of course I watch AHS, lol :) And yes, I'm a fan! I liked the first season better than the second though. We need to start making a list of our favorite shows and compare because I swear we watch all the same things! Thanks for stopping by :D
DeleteOMG! Yah there was a couple pretty good moments, but season two blew in comparison to season one. What the heck was up with the aliens subplot? It affected pretty much nothing and then fizzled out by the end. I was hoping they'd just focus on the insanity of doctors in the early to mid 1900's asylums but instead they had to throw in Nazis, Aliens, and Demons. I hope season three is more focused.
Delete*Starts making that list...
The aliens subplot could have been taken out and the season would have been soooooo much better. It really did go nowhere. I totally agree that there was just too much stuff. I heard that the next season will go back to how the first season was and focus on one thing...plus they're making it more like a Romeo/Juliet romance like the first season had. Yay for romance! (Even if it is in a Horror Story, lol)
Delete