Started reading: December 26th 2017
Finished the book: January 1st 2018
Pages: 155
Genres: Horror, YA
Published: October 9th 2017
Source: Got a digital copy from the author
Goodreads score: Not enough ratings
My score:
Here's how last year's Gypsy Cob Music Festival should have gone. Lenora "Lenny" Ragno was supposed to rock her duet with her long-time crush, Jeb, during the open-mic competition. Then, swept up in the glow of success, he'd finally kiss her. Instead, Lenny choked on stage and spent the whole year dodging him online. And avoiding playing her fiddle in public. She thought her worst nightmare was behind her, but she was way wrong.
She's back at Gypsy Cob where avoiding a public performance is about as impossible as hiding from Jeb. She thinks facing him will be the scariest part of the festival, but when one of their friends talks everyone into trying astral projection, Lenny catches the eye of a demonic entity that marks her as its own.
My thoughts
I liked this book. It was easy to read, easy to get through, I liked the story and the fact that music is playing a large role. Their were some little things that I didn't really like so it wasn't a favorite but still very enjoyable and I would recommend this book if you like creepy stories.
Pros
- Creepy: There were moments that I chose not to read the book in the dark, in my bed, alone. Especially the beginning when Lenny has no clue what is happening was very creepy. It spins out of control really fast and even gets gruesome. I like horror a lot so that was a welcome surprise. Silent Hill is one of my favorite movies ever and the gruesome horrors in this book reminded me a bit of that movie!
- Character development: Lenny is actually going through a rough period and at the ending of the book I really felt like she developed as a person. She became more mature but also had a bigger self esteem and learned a lot of important lessons. The author did a great job, portraying it that way.
- Music: Music.. Yay! I'm a person that is always listening to music, even when I get into my classroom in the morning to prepare the day, and when I get home, the first thing I do is turning on the radio or my Spotify. The fact that music is playing a big role in this book was awesome. It gave the story another layer.
- Title: I totally get the title now. It has different meanings, in my opinion. The broken chord is a metaphor for Lenny not having contact with her best friend, but the broken chord is also playing a very big role in the plot of this story. Great choice!
Cons
- Cringy moments: There were some 13-yo love moments in this book that made me cringe so hard. Like putting your finger on someone's lip and saying Shhh. Oh gawd, I can't take it. It happened a few times and I do it sometimes myself to make fun of the gesture, because come one, who does that?
- Predictable: I like to be shocked by a book. To fall from my chair, run around my house screaming while tearing my hair out because I DID NOT SEE IT COMING. This could've been a great book where a big plot twist or shocking moment would've made it a 5-star rating right away. The shock or tension wasn't really there for me.
Overall
A quick to read, creepy story that involves character development and a nice portion of love for music. It's not that long, you can easily read it and if you like horror, YA and a bit of romance, you should pick it up and give it a try!
Other opinions about this book
"Romantic, eerie and deliciously creepy. Broken Chords is a modern-day love letter to Lois Duncan that will have you turning pages well past bedtime!"
- Micol Ostow, bestselling author
Thanks for reading!
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