The Quiet Concert: REVIEW: Premeditated by Josin L. McQuein

Dec

2013

REVIEW: Premeditated by Josin L. McQuein

Title: Premeditated

Author: Josin L. McQuein

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Release Date: October 8, 2013

Pages: 336, Hardcover
Source: Library

Summary from Goodreads:

A week ago, Dinah’s cousin Claire cut her wrists.

Five days ago, Dinah found Claire’s diary and discovered why.

Three days ago, Dinah stopped crying and came up with a plan.

Two days ago, she ditched her piercings and bleached the black dye from her hair.

Yesterday, knee socks and uniform plaid became a predator’s camouflage.

Today, she’ll find the boy who broke Claire.

By tomorrow, he’ll wish he were dead.

The premise of this book is great. Who doesn't love a revenge story? But it was more than that. It touched on relationships and difficult issues like teen suicide without feeling preachy.

The loyalty of these characters. Dinah went to great lengths because of her love for Claire. Claire's parents cared for Dinah despite the grief over their daughter. Brooks was loyal to a fault. Jordan's loyalty to Chandi. Dinah's father. So many well done relationships in this book.

The ending. The ending of this book was unnecessarily heartbreaking but it was also well written and soothed some of my frustrations.

I can't help but feel a little disappointed in this story. There was not nearly as much fun to be had getting revenge as I had expected there to be. Sure some things happened, but nothing major and somehow it felt like it was in the background to everything else going on.

The plot twist was SO OBVIOUS and way too soon in the book. And knowing what I knew when I knew it kept me from really enjoying the book because I felt terrible and I was frustrated that things went as far as they did until Dinah realized it. I don't know if this is cryptic or not but I'm trying not to give too much detail.

My expectations for this book and my frustrations over the plot twist kept me from fully enjoying the story. But I still think this book has a lot of great points, including strong characters, and I know several other readers who really enjoyed it. It also gets bonus points for being a standalone. So I do recommend it.

Comments (8)

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Pam@YA Escape · 591 weeks ago

Not sure about this one. I did like Arclight and I definitely like that it's a stand-alone, but with so many other books to read, I may wait a bit on this one. And an unnecessarily heartbreaking ending? Maybe it's just my mood right now, but I'm tired of books with sad endings. Thanks for the honest review!
My recent post Series Review: Incarnation (Alchemy is Forever and The Impossibility of Forever) by Avery Williams

1 reply · active 589 weeks ago

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The Quiet Concert 59p · 589 weeks ago

I think others liked this more than me so it would still be worth your time when you are in the mood.. Part of my disappointment could have from from the fact that I was SO excited for this book and I LOVE revenge stories and this didn't turn out quite how I had hoped it would.

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@itchingforbooks · 591 weeks ago

Good review. I've been curious about this one.
My recent post Waiting on Wednesday #76

1 reply · active 589 weeks ago

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The Quiet Concert 59p · 589 weeks ago

thanks! I hope you like if/when you read it!

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mel1704 86p · 591 weeks ago

Oh no! This book sounded very interesting, but it's a shame that the plot twist is so early revealed in the story :(

1 reply · active 589 weeks ago

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The Quiet Concert 59p · 589 weeks ago

yeah that added a lot of frustration. And I don't think it is me being overly perceptive either. I think most readers will pick up on it.

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Kay · 591 weeks ago

Okay, so I'm going to read this either way because I've been waiting so long to get my hands on it. BUT, I am really sad to hear that the plot twist was so obvious...:( and that there wasn't as much action type revenge stuff going on. The synopsis sounds like there would be. I still can't wait to read this, but it doesn't sound like it is going to be as awesome as I had hoped. Thanks for your review! I've been keeping my eyes open for it.
My recent post Waiting on Wednesday #9: Conversion by: Katherine Howe

1 reply · active 589 weeks ago

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The Quiet Concert 59p · 589 weeks ago

I will want to compare thoughts Kay!! I kind of hope my review brought down your expectations some though because I don't want you let down like I was. Maybe going in with no expectations is the key.