Amanda Panitch

I loved this book from page 1. I loved the amusement park setting, the dark secrets, and of course, I love a good twist. It wasn't the MOST surprising twist (as it's definitely been done before), but it was satisfying.

Can't wait to read more from Amanda Panitch!!

Hooked from page 1. The setting, the writing, the secrets & twists!!! It was everything I wanted and more.

First off, I think I'm in love with amusement park settings for YA books. Lauren Oliver's [b:Vanishing Girls|22465597|Vanishing Girls|Lauren Oliver|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1414618400s/22465597.jpg|41903598] also featured a character that worked at an amusement park, and I loved it there. This book has not only a girl working in the amusement park, but it has the girl working in an amusement park based on a comic book w/ badass female hero/villain stars. Everything about Five Banners made this book better.

Also, there was Connor. He's the guy Scarlett meets on her first day, and he's the type of YA boy I love to see. He's funny and charismatic without trying to be. He wants to do the right thing, but obviously, there are obstacles and forks in the road. Who I didn't like?? Cady. UGH. She's Connors sort-of ex-girlfriend, and I'm pretty sure she was a stock character out of the WORST GIRL EVER handbook. She knew the girl that was missing from the park-- which okay, I feel for you--but she seemed to like the drama and attention of it all. Getting attention because your friend is kidnapped and maybe dead is gross.

The heartbreaking sister relationship in this book made me all kinds of sad/mad. Scarlett was gone for years and years and instead of her sister being protectful of her, or just like thankful to have a sister again, she was SO MEAN to her. It was enraging for me. It was a good part of the book though, and I'm honestly thankful that Ms. Panitch gave me such conflicting feelings. It was entertaining.

Now, the ending. It was twisty as hell, but it didn't really surprise me. I feel like it's been done before (maybe a few too many times), and it's something that you kind of have to suspend disbelief to actually believe.

OVERALL: YES!! After liking [b:Damage Done|19542831|Damage Done|Amanda Panitch|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1414587724s/19542831.jpg|27669899] okay, I wasn't sure what to expect from this book. It was so much better than that!! I was hooked on the amusement park setting, the not very nice sister relationship, and the mystery of it all. It was twisty and dark at times, but also sweet and adorable at others. I so recommend!!

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Pink Polka Dot Books… (altro)

Damage Done/Amanda Panitch This book is about a teenage girl who's forming a new identity when a figment from her past comes back to supposedly haunt her.
 
I couldn't put this book down once I'd started, and ended up reading it through class because I had to know what would happen. Panitch did an incredible job with the voice of this story and with keeping tension high throughout the story.
 
Julia's realizations about love and the way she goes about exploring the manner of relationships and the way people feel are very poignant and well written. The two decisions she makes in the final chapter will have me thinking for a while about her values and priorities and how she was thinking in those moments.
 
I would have liked seeing Julia's relationship with Michael built up a little more as it felt like they dove in but had no real reason for the depth of emotion they had. However, Julia and Alane's relationship felt very real
 
I enjoyed the way the book was set up, with Julia being a first person narrator but with reports from a psychologist interspersed between her chapters. This added an outside perspective that was quite honest, and even though he didn't get much space, I felt like I understood his motives quite well.
 
I loved the details Julia gave throughout the novel that sparked little bells in me head and had me wondering. The air of uncertainty was palpable. Details that she'd learned, too, such as her thoughts about lies, came back later to be haunting. I was impressed with the manner of writing and the way each thread became part of the bigger picture.
 
Though I was able to predict the ending of the book pretty early on, this still had me tense and at the edge of my seat, and I recommend it.
 
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.… (altro)