If You Find Me, by Emily Murdoch

If You Find Me, by Emily Murdoch

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Contemporary, Mystery

Rating: 3/5 stars

Book #: Standalone

Publication: March 26, 2013, by St. Martin's Griffin

Format: Paperback






Goodreads Summary: There are some things you can’t leave behind…

A broken-down camper hidden deep in a national forest is the only home fifteen year-old Carey can remember. The trees keep guard over her threadbare existence, with the one bright spot being Carey’s younger sister, Jenessa, who depends on Carey for her very survival. All they have is each other, as their mentally ill mother comes and goes with greater frequency. Until that one fateful day their mother disappears for good, and two strangers arrive. Suddenly, the girls are taken from the woods and thrust into a bright and perplexing new world of high school, clothes and boys.

Now, Carey must face the truth of why her mother abducted her ten years ago, while haunted by a past that won’t let her go… a dark past that hides many a secret, including the reason Jenessa hasn’t spoken a word in over a year. Carey knows she must keep her sister close, and her secrets even closer, or risk watching her new life come crashing down.

Review:

   But I didn't see this book as spectacular. I didn't see the swagger and amazingness at all, am I missing something? Maybe I'm just not fit for these sort of books, it really reminds me of Winter's Bone- especially with the dialogue and plot. Is it just me? x)

    Carey and her little six year old sister, Jenessa, have been in a forest/national park for ten years with their mom, who is somewhat mentally disabled, until Casey and Jenessa are left alone. They are taken into her father's home and is introduced into a whole new world full of boys, clothes and fun. But there's still the mystery behind why she had to spend all of those ten years in the woods... and much more.

     I had problems with this book. Why don't we get to them first?

     It was boring all throughout. I can never say that this was well written, because it wasn't. A well written book is supposed to captivate you, give you the feels, and cause you to want more. During some moments of this book, I couldn't wait for it to be over- *sighs* if that doesn't sound mean or anything. I just didn't feel the magic.

       Next- Casey gave me some anger at times. We all know that she isn't the most confident and happiest character around; finding out the truth behind her past is crazy and a hassle, but at least she could've been more... I don't know, likeable? She's the type of protagonist who some people have problems with and others don't. So you might see the goodness in her, and maybe you won't.

        Also, the idea is a little cliché and not really unique, but that didn't really bother me, so I won't make it sound like a big deal. 

        The plot was slow. What can I say? Nothing was happening, and it was predictable. Where was the speciality? Someone please brighten me up because I didn't see this as a fascinating tragic story- not even close, but it wasn't horrible. It was just okay and bearable and wanting to read.

        Casey was the "spotlight" of this book. Everything revolved around her and she tried to make sure that it'd stay that way. Okay, yes, this was her story and she was here to tell it, but I wish that we could've gotten a two POV perspective thing going on here to brighten things up, but we got none. Nada. 

        The side characters were amazing. I loved Jenessa and Melissa and Delancey, and they really made the book better. What else can I say?

         Other than the bad things, there were a lot of fun things about this book. When you think about it, there were many genres all mixed together. Romance, mystery, survival, abuse, almost anything. And that's really hard to find in a book. Emily Murdoch definitely made it a better read with that.

         This was a hard book to read. Casey's abuse and hardships saddens the reader, but it makes them happier to see her fight it and to see something interesting (at least part of it) in a book. It was heartbreaking, but not the best thing I've read lately. But, I'm glad to have seen what the "buzz" is really about.

Mini-Review:

-A "meh" kind of book, the plot bored me and it was too slow.

-It's a real depressing read, not everyone will like it.

-Casey was ew-ish, but the side characters were amazing.

-Recommended, but not for everyone.