I forgot to review this one when I read it years ago but the storyline is really intriguing. Maddie can see people's "death dates". This paranormal/sci-fi book was a quick read.

When is a brilliantly written YA debut from Victoria Laurie. Maddie's narration is raw, honest, and down-to-earth. She's a heroine who makes the best of her circumstances and even as life constantly tries to put her down, she gets back up every time, stronger than ever. I admire her will and determination and throughout the novel, all I wanted to do was shield Maddie from the false accusations and difficult situations she was forced to face as a result of the FBI's interference in her life. The FBI are ruthless and they are desperate enough to put an end to these string of murders--each gruesome, targeting minors, and filled with torture--that they're willing to put the blame on an innocent girl like Maddie.

I requested this title back before my blogging break. I have ended up with a number of titles that are overwhelming to catch up on now I am back from my blogging break. I am regretfully not going to be reading and reviewing this title, but now I am back from my blogging break, I am looking forward to reading and reviewing some of your future titles. Thank you so much for the opportunity and apologies.

Book source ~ NetGalley

Maddie Flynn is 16, a Jr in high school, and shy. She has a best friend named Stubby and that’s it. Her mom is an alcoholic and her uncle is a lawyer, but lives a couple of hours away. Ever since her dad died, she’s been taking care of herself and her mom. But there’s one thing I didn’t tell you about Maddie. She can see the date a person dies by looking at their forehead. That’s where the numbers are and when she was little she had no idea that’s what they were or that she was the only person who could see them. Her dad’s death was the catalyst for knowing what the numbers were. Because the date he died matched the numbers she saw.

She and her mom earn some extra money to help support themselves by reading people their numbers. Or someone in the family since Maddie can see the numbers in photos and video as well. She sees them all unless they’re too far away or have something covering their forehead. But it’s these readings that land her in trouble with law enforcement when kids loosely connected to her are kidnapped then brutally murdered. How is she going to prove her innocence now?

Wow. I thought the blurb was interesting, but I had no idea how compelling this story would turn out to be. I couldn’t put it down. Poor Maddie. Her life has been hard, but it’s about to get a whole lot harder. The kidnappings, the murders, the investigation are a shitton to deal with, but there’s also her alcoholic mom on top of that. And on top of THAT are the bullies at school. So much crap coming at her on all sides, but she handles it fairly well. Sort of. I mean, she’s still only 16 so it’s okay that she loses it a few times. I think anyone would, really. Or just go on a shooting spree. She does not do that, btw.

The characters, the world, the pacing, and Maddie’s voice make this a sweet spot story. Add in a murderer that’s hard to pin down and you get a fantastic paranormal mystery. I was sad, mad, and enraged throughout the book. The one thing I was not? Bored. If you like YA Paranormal Murder Mysteries with tons of heart then do not pass this one up.

I recently bought a new kindle after my old one broke. For some reason I was unable to download this title from the cloud onto my kindle, therefore I will be unable to review this title. I am sorry for any inconvenience caused

It was okay. It's very similar to a trilogy called Numbers by Rachel Ward, similar concept but this book is more mystery.

When just didn't do it for me. Everything felt very far-fetched and I lost interest in what was going on. I also like a little more romance in my books, so it didn't keep me going. Thanks so much for the opportunity.

My thoughts as I read this:

30.0% Ugh I really hate her mother. Especially when she claimed to love her daughter. Hah!
47% I am impressed by her uncle in his worrying about her. Although I wouldn't let her have stayed all these years.
60.0% Yikes! That evidence might be circumstantial but since it is a kid...
98.0% Good story, kept me interested the whole time. But lots of "GRR" and stupid moments with the characters.

My Opinion:
I really enjoyed this book. The premise was amazing. I loved that Maddie could read the dates of people's deaths which she didn't even realize until her father passed away. We are taken on her journey of her father's death and the meaning of those numbers. She is someone you will root for from the first page. This author gives us a wonderfully written tale of Maddie and everything she feels and you feel it with her. You feel bad for her, glad, sad, angry and everything else. I cannot even imagine living with a gift/curse like this. Maddie tries to save people with their dates but is unable to and we are taken on a beautifully written story of her trying to do that. I found myself not wanting to put this book down and for good reason - I had to know! I could not stand her mother and liked that this book wasn't a romance book. There was a little bit of it, but the book centered on the numbers and for good reason.

You get pulled into this storyline and don't want it to end. It was beautifully written and the author is descriptive. You feel all the emotions that Maddie feels and all the characters have a life of their own. I would recommend this book. It's a great read and wish there was more to this book i.e. a series of them!

I give this book 4.5 of 5 stars!

As an adult, I found the idea utterly intriguing but the execution was a bit melodramatic. But I get that Laurie is trying to channel a teenage mind. As a teenager, I might've tolerated the melodrama more but at times, when the melodrama hampers the plot, it would've irked me anyway.

This was a really enjoyable YA novel! I didn't expect to like it so much. What a neat concept! I loved how the author really portrayed the real reactions most people would have to someone who claimed to be able to see death dates. It was exactly the sort of reactions you would expect. Mostly skeptics, but of course those who wanted to believe so badly. And then those who got angry when you told them something they didn't want to hear! Which was the whole problem, for Maddie.

I thought it a little odd how neatly things wrapped up at the end - and I totally didn't catch that her love interest was the offier's son, despite many dropped hints! - but I guess that is all right for a YA novel; you don't want to be too bleak, of course! (Usually. And not in a book like this.) Overall, it was really fun & I couldn't put it down - until it got a bit spooky, and then I had to force myself to get through that part, haha!