A YA mix of mystery, teen friendship and x-files!
****3.5 Rounded UP!***
I was very interested in reading this mysterious YA book as it intrigued me with the boarding school student disappearances mixed with X-File vibes. The book started rather slowly, with much description about the school schedules and rules and detentions, which detracted a bit from moving the story forward. The teen characters were a great team to uncover this mystery, but I wished for more description into their characters (one liked art, but the other 2, I had difficulty getting an accurate feel for who they were besides "brainy" and liking trivia about the school). About midway through, the story picked up momentum, so I really didn't want to put it down! There were many surprises as well as some confusion (I didn't feel like the whole process of what/why/how/history of the Changing Man was fleshed out well enough to completely understand--a bit murky). Also, the friends seemed platonic at times and others, there seemed to be some hints of flirting, so I was never quite sure if there was potential for more between them. The ending was satisfactory, along with a hint of a potential sequel?? I would be very interested in reading the next book, especially if some of these questions are answered. Also was hoping to see a decipher for the Friend Code that Ife had with her best friend Zanna!
I was very interested in reading this mysterious YA book as it intrigued me with the boarding school student disappearances mixed with X-File vibes. The book started rather slowly, with much description about the school schedules and rules and detentions, which detracted a bit from moving the story forward. The teen characters were a great team to uncover this mystery, but I wished for more description into their characters (one liked art, but the other 2, I had difficulty getting an accurate feel for who they were besides "brainy" and liking trivia about the school). About midway through, the story picked up momentum, so I really didn't want to put it down! There were many surprises as well as some confusion (I didn't feel like the whole process of what/why/how/history of the Changing Man was fleshed out well enough to completely understand--a bit murky). Also, the friends seemed platonic at times and others, there seemed to be some hints of flirting, so I was never quite sure if there was potential for more between them. The ending was satisfactory, along with a hint of a potential sequel?? I would be very interested in reading the next book, especially if some of these questions are answered. Also was hoping to see a decipher for the Friend Code that Ife had with her best friend Zanna!