[Blog Tour] The Half Life of Molly Pierce by Katrina Leno: Review & Giveaway
Author: Katrina Leno
Release date: July 8th 2014
Publisher: HarperTeen
Series: N/A
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Contemporary / Psychological Mystery
Tour organized by: The Fantastic Flying Book Club Tours
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | The Book Depository
Add to your library: Goodreads
You take it for granted. Waking up. Going to school, talking to your friends. Watching a show on television or reading a book or going out to lunch.
You take for granted going to sleep at night, getting up the next day, and remembering everything that happened to you before you closed your eyes.
You live and you remember.
Me, I live and I forget.
But now—now I am remembering.
For all of her seventeen years, Molly feels like she’s missed bits and pieces of her life. Now, she’s figuring out why. Now, she’s remembering her own secrets. And in doing so, Molly uncovers the separate life she seems to have led…and the love that she can’t let go.
The Half Life of Molly Pierce is a suspenseful, evocative psychological mystery about uncovering the secrets of our pasts, facing the unknowns of our futures, and accepting our whole selves.(via Goodreads)
Review
I was so excited when I first heard about this novel. I just love mystery. Given that this is a psychological one was a bonus for me.
I've been having a hard time writing a review for this so I decided to put everything together in a list. I know it looks like a formal book report but hey, this is the best that I can do just so I wouldn't give away something. Also, I'm pretty sure this will sum up all my feelings and thoughts for this novel.
1. Writing.
One of the best. I believe that good mysteries can only be written by the best writers. Okay, hold up. That's my opinion so no need to look at me with judge-y eyes. In all honesty, I believe that Katrina did a great job in writing this psychological mystery. She used the right amount of words needed so that the novel will be felt by the readers. I'm seriously guessing it's not just me, right?
2. Molly Pierce.
The moment I met Molly, I knew she was unique. Not just because she cannot remember what she have done but also because her voice was consuming. I felt like I was inside her thoughts. I mean, really inside. The way she thinks about things was so personal you couldn't help but feel you were inside her head. So yes, I also felt weak and helpless because hello. She cannot remember what happened and she felt isolated at all. I'd never want to actually go through what she went through. I guess no one does. All I can say is that Molly was such a complex character that there were a lot of things about her that you didn't know were present but were always there.
3. Minor Characters
Generally, I liked most of the minor characters because they helped Molly in the best way possible. Even though it felt like they were betraying Molly in a way, I believe what they did was actually what they should have done in the first place. I mean, it's annoying they did what they did but I guess that was really for the best.
4. Hazel, Alex, Bret.
I hate playing favorites but these three minor characters cannot be not mentioned in my review. Hazel is Molly's sister, Alex is Molly's therapist and Bret is just a random schoolmate. Hazel and Alex were obviously really helpful to Molly because they should be. Bret was just a random person to Molly's life but I'll never forget what he did at the end. I know it was just a small gesture but that was it. It showed me how even not people close to you can actually care for you.
5. Plot.
I read this around 4 am when I realized I wasn't going to sleep. I was so hooked the moment Molly cannot remember why she was in her car which was not in the school parking lot where she was supposed to be at. How could I not be intrigued by that alone? There were a lot of possible explanations going through my mind. I mean, a lot. Of course, I was still on the psychological stand. The more the story went on, the more it became clear to me what was happening to Molly. I never had my guess confirmed till the latter part of the story. Though it was somehow obvious with the little hints dropped. But it was hard to take note of all those hints because you'll get so engrossed by the story. Alright, did I even say anything about the plot? I don't want to give away anything, really. Oh, this is one of the most unusual plots I've ever encountered. I know the issue itself was already used a dozen times but it never gets old for me. So I guess there's that. I'm a fan, eh?
4. Psychological Mystery.
Intense. Mind-boggling (you know how much I want to say that it was mind-f****** but I can't because I don't want to curse here but there I've said it.) Mind-f******. I guess that term sums it up, you know. It, oh goodness, I can't even describe it in words. But I'm pretty pretty sure this novel will tear your mind apart. If not, then I guess it's not on your radar?
5. The End.
Many readers wouldn't have liked the way it ended because it was somehow open-ended. It solely depends on the reader on how will he or she interpret those words. Yet that's the reason why I liked it. I have the power to think about what was going to happen to Molly. Was it done already? Or will it continue for her?
6. Katrina Leno and to all the others out there.
I read the acknowledgements and I loved the novel even more because I knew right then that it was really personal. Thank you to Katrina for taking up the courage to write this. I'm sending you all my love straight from our country. Well, as much as I know this is personal, I know a lot of people were reflected in this one. To all the people who have the same issue, may it be exactly the same or not (it sounds redundant but you know what I mean), thank you for not giving up on yourselves. Know in your heart that there are people who are supporting and loving you just the same the moment you were born.
I hope I was able to reach out all my feels right there. Oh, you know how much I love this novel? I sent an email to Katrina right after reading it. I just cannot NOT tell her how I feel. I know I pretty much fangirl-ed over the email.
There are things in life you don't know exist. Some may confuse you. Some may annoy or irritate you. Some may hurt you. But know that at the end of the day, it's all on you. It's all on your will. When sometimes it isn't, remember that there are people who always got your back. The Half Life of Molly Pierce is an intense, mind-boggling read that will tear your mind and heart to the core. Be prepared for life-shattering moments and realizations.
P.S. PLEASE READ THIS NOW.
I've been having a hard time writing a review for this so I decided to put everything together in a list. I know it looks like a formal book report but hey, this is the best that I can do just so I wouldn't give away something. Also, I'm pretty sure this will sum up all my feelings and thoughts for this novel.
1. Writing.
One of the best. I believe that good mysteries can only be written by the best writers. Okay, hold up. That's my opinion so no need to look at me with judge-y eyes. In all honesty, I believe that Katrina did a great job in writing this psychological mystery. She used the right amount of words needed so that the novel will be felt by the readers. I'm seriously guessing it's not just me, right?
2. Molly Pierce.
The moment I met Molly, I knew she was unique. Not just because she cannot remember what she have done but also because her voice was consuming. I felt like I was inside her thoughts. I mean, really inside. The way she thinks about things was so personal you couldn't help but feel you were inside her head. So yes, I also felt weak and helpless because hello. She cannot remember what happened and she felt isolated at all. I'd never want to actually go through what she went through. I guess no one does. All I can say is that Molly was such a complex character that there were a lot of things about her that you didn't know were present but were always there.
3. Minor Characters
Generally, I liked most of the minor characters because they helped Molly in the best way possible. Even though it felt like they were betraying Molly in a way, I believe what they did was actually what they should have done in the first place. I mean, it's annoying they did what they did but I guess that was really for the best.
4. Hazel, Alex, Bret.
I hate playing favorites but these three minor characters cannot be not mentioned in my review. Hazel is Molly's sister, Alex is Molly's therapist and Bret is just a random schoolmate. Hazel and Alex were obviously really helpful to Molly because they should be. Bret was just a random person to Molly's life but I'll never forget what he did at the end. I know it was just a small gesture but that was it. It showed me how even not people close to you can actually care for you.
5. Plot.
I read this around 4 am when I realized I wasn't going to sleep. I was so hooked the moment Molly cannot remember why she was in her car which was not in the school parking lot where she was supposed to be at. How could I not be intrigued by that alone? There were a lot of possible explanations going through my mind. I mean, a lot. Of course, I was still on the psychological stand. The more the story went on, the more it became clear to me what was happening to Molly. I never had my guess confirmed till the latter part of the story. Though it was somehow obvious with the little hints dropped. But it was hard to take note of all those hints because you'll get so engrossed by the story. Alright, did I even say anything about the plot? I don't want to give away anything, really. Oh, this is one of the most unusual plots I've ever encountered. I know the issue itself was already used a dozen times but it never gets old for me. So I guess there's that. I'm a fan, eh?
4. Psychological Mystery.
Intense. Mind-boggling (you know how much I want to say that it was mind-f****** but I can't because I don't want to curse here but there I've said it.) Mind-f******. I guess that term sums it up, you know. It, oh goodness, I can't even describe it in words. But I'm pretty pretty sure this novel will tear your mind apart. If not, then I guess it's not on your radar?
5. The End.
Many readers wouldn't have liked the way it ended because it was somehow open-ended. It solely depends on the reader on how will he or she interpret those words. Yet that's the reason why I liked it. I have the power to think about what was going to happen to Molly. Was it done already? Or will it continue for her?
6. Katrina Leno and to all the others out there.
I read the acknowledgements and I loved the novel even more because I knew right then that it was really personal. Thank you to Katrina for taking up the courage to write this. I'm sending you all my love straight from our country. Well, as much as I know this is personal, I know a lot of people were reflected in this one. To all the people who have the same issue, may it be exactly the same or not (it sounds redundant but you know what I mean), thank you for not giving up on yourselves. Know in your heart that there are people who are supporting and loving you just the same the moment you were born.
I hope I was able to reach out all my feels right there. Oh, you know how much I love this novel? I sent an email to Katrina right after reading it. I just cannot NOT tell her how I feel. I know I pretty much fangirl-ed over the email.
There are things in life you don't know exist. Some may confuse you. Some may annoy or irritate you. Some may hurt you. But know that at the end of the day, it's all on you. It's all on your will. When sometimes it isn't, remember that there are people who always got your back. The Half Life of Molly Pierce is an intense, mind-boggling read that will tear your mind and heart to the core. Be prepared for life-shattering moments and realizations.
P.S. PLEASE READ THIS NOW.
About the Author
I am a writer from the East Coast, currently living in Los Angeles.
My first book for young adults- The Half Life of Molly Pierce- will be published on July 8, 2014 by Harper Collins.
