Still Waters by Emma Carlson Berne

But once Hannah and Colin get there, things start to seem a bit…off. They can’t find the town on any map. The house they are staying in looks as if someone’s been living there, even though it’s been deserted for years. And Colin doesn’t seem quite himself. As he grows more unstable, Hannah worries about Colin’s dark side, and her own safety.

Nothing is as perfect as it seems, and what lies beneath may haunt her forever.

I kept hearing negative reviews (or at least semi-negative) of Still Waters, actually, I take that back. I had seen 3 star and below ratings for it. I didn’t read any reviews, because it seemed to be the sort of book I wouldn’t want spoiled. (As always, this review is spoiler free, so no worries there!) I rarely read reviews before I read a book, but anything thriller or mystery I’m even less inclined to. I’d rather be completely be surprised at the big turn of events than have even the slightest inkling. Despite the low ratings I saw, I was still very intrigued by the cover and the synopsis so I had to give it a try. (Upon looking now, the ratings are actually higher than they were when I was given Still Waters.)

If you have read my reviews for any length of time you know I love being scared and creeped out. I’m one of those freaks who find it kind of fun. I don’t spook easily though, I’ve grown up on horror movies and books.

Still Waters is actually pretty good. The first 3/4s I was actually in love with it and couldn’t believe that anyone wouldn’t love it, too. It’s a bit spooky and action-filled, once it gets going. There are intense moments that kept me I found myself wanting to know what was going to happen. I found myself bouncing between wondering who was crazy and just what was really going on.

The characters were enjoyable enough. I don’t usually connect with characters in this type of book, these weren’t an exception. I kept finding myself wondering why Hannah kept making such stupid mistakes for someone who really did seem to be an intelligent girl. That aside though, she’s a teen girl in love who risks losing her boyfriend. Maybe not immediately, but she does fear it’s possible. I get she’s doing what she’s doing out of desperation.

Like I already said, there are some pretty intense moments. Then the big reveal happens, it was shocking. I kept waiting for the next shoe to drop, because there were several pages left…then it fell flat. It has one of those endings that left me going “what the…”. It wrapped it up to a point. It could’ve ended at the reveal or a little beyond and been perfect in it’s mystery and intrigue. Instead it went a bit further and tried to tie up more loose ends, all that did for me was left me with more questions. I’m not one to tell an author who to write their book. I did enjoy Still Waters a lot. The ending just didn’t do it for me. I know a lot of readers like endings that wrap things up perfectly, I’m not one of those readers. I didn’t hate it, but I’m pretty indifferent to the ending.

If you are looking for something kinda creepy, check out Still Waters  . If you’ve already read it and loved it (or hated it), comment with a link to your review or leave a few thoughts – spoiler-free, please. I’d really like to hear thoughts on this one.

 

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