Title: Be Not Afraid
Author: Cecilia Galante
Genre: YA, horror
Publication date: April 2015
Published by: Random House Books for Young Readers
Source: Purchased hardcover
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Synopsis: Marin spends a lot of time avoiding things. She avoids thinking about her mother's suicide and what she could have done to prevent it. She avoids looking at people directly-because she can see their pain as bright, colorful shapes. And she avoids Cassie Jackson, who used her in a sinister ritual months ago, although Marin's not exactly sure why.When Cassie stands up at school, screaming, raking her nails down her cheeks, and pointing a finger at Marin, whispering "YOU," Marin's days of avoidance come to an abrupt end. Cassie's older brother believes that Marin holds the secret to Cassie's illness. So they team up to solve the mystery of what Cassie has unleashed. But as they look deeper into the darkness and things begin to go bump in the night, can Marin trust what she sees?
This book sounded very intriguing to me. There’s some sketchy past between Cassie and Marin—Cassie did something and now something bad is happening to her. Cassie’s brother Dominic asks Marin for her help because she’s the one who knows about whatever thing it was that Cassie did. Marin very reluctantly helps. VERY reluctantly. Marin also has a very cool ability where she can see pain.
Unfortunately, I was not the biggest fan of this book. I was not liking Marin right from the start. Look, I totally get that Cassie did something pretty bad to Marin, but now sweet Dominic is coming to her for help and she’s like NOPE. The fact that she gave negative fucks for this girl who was now in trouble was just WOW. It’s called empathy, Marin! Jeez! She also had these outbursts that came out of nowhere that just... what? I don’t get it. And it was frustrating when they were directed at Dominic, because he was such a sweet guy. And at one point at the end of the book she says that she wants to do the right thing but that she doesn’t know what that is... Ummm, NO. Her saying this was incredibly unbelievable because there was absolutely no character development to show that she changed her mind when it came to helping Cassie. Throughout the whole thing she was just so bitter and angry about everything. So because the main character was so unlikable, it just made for a very unenjoyable read.
Oh and then the climax? There was a whole lot of nothing for a very long time! And it’s FINALLY in the last 10 pages that Marin freaking does SOMETHING to help Cassie! I was so annoyed!
I do want to mention that the thing that Cassie did was pretty awful. I can see why Marin was upset. But the reason WHY Cassie did that thing was also understandable. But ultimately, it was a frustrating book. I hated the main character which hindered my enjoyment of the book. But overall, I can't say that I hated the book itself. I liked the supernatural aspect to it, her ability was cool... but that’s it. Lol. This was just not for me.
This premise does sound intriguing and it's too bad that the author didn't make it work, at least for you. I don't necessarily have to like a character, but to have no character growth arc and then BAM the character does something she'd never do based on what happens/has happened is so maddening to me. Great review to explain why you rated it so low.
ReplyDeleteYes! Exactly! I like an unlikable character, but here there was absolutely no arc so her actions at the end made no sense.
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