Review: A Semi-Definitive List of Worst Nightmares by Krystal Sutherland
SYNOPSIS:
Ever since Esther Solar’s grandfather met Death, her entire family has been doomed to suffer one great fear in their lifetime—a fear that will eventually lead each and every one of them to their graves. Take Esther’s father, for instance: He’s an agoraphobe who hasn’t left the basement in six years. Then there’s her twin brother, Eugene, whose fear of the dark goes far beyond the things that go bump in the night. And her mother, Rosemary, is absolutely terrified of bad luck.
As for Esther, she’s managed to escape the curse…so far. She doesn’t yet have a great fear because she avoids pretty much everything. Elevators, small spaces, crowds—anything that might trigger a phobia is off-limits and is meticulously recorded in her semi-definitive list of worst nightmares.
Esther thinks she has it all figured out, until she’s reunited with an old elementary school classmate—and first crush—Jonah Smallwood. The encounter leaves her stranded at a bus stop and swindled out of her phone, all her cash, a Fruit Roll-Up she’d been saving, and her list—not to mention her dignity. But the theft is also the beginning of an unexpected friendship between the two, one that sends the pair on a journey of self-discovery as they try to break the curse that’s consumed Esther’s family. Together they face their greatest fears, one debilitating phobia at a time, only to discover the one fear they hadn’t counted on: love.
REVIEW:
*Book Received in Exchange for Honest Opinion/Review*
This book was bizarre, that is the only word I can think of to accurately describe it. The story also took absolutely forever to finish, which was surprising because I figured it would be a quick read. Alas, the first 2/3 of the book were slow and it is hard to describe why but the story wasn’t hooking me. I didn’t exactly hate the story but it was simply boring to me. As days passed by, I would read a chapter here and a chapter there but during those interludes, I forgot the characters names, the plot, etc. and as a result, I wasn’t excited or enthralled to continue reading.
Again, this is another novel where I wanted to know how the main story would play out but I wasn’t emotionally invested or captivated by the subplots and characters. I think this is because the characters are just a little too out there for anyone to find them relatable. While some may find the family’s quirks as silly, I found them to be eccentric and over the top. The story did ultimately pick up a little bit and the last 1/3 was far more enjoyable than the first portion of the book but that late into the novel….I was already over it.
I think the biggest disconnect in the book was that this entire story seemed to be about accepting yourself…which isn’t exactly portrayed at all in the book. It felt sloppy and rushed and if the author didn’t exactly explain that, I would have never guessed that was the take away message. I am just feeling confused and disoriented. You know that feeling after a mediocre meal where you are full but you didn’t exactly enjoy what you ate…that is how this book made me feel. I came, I read it, I won’t go back and I feel very meh about it all.
LINKS:
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