Witch Eyes, by Scott Tracey

[rachelmanija]

This is the first selection for my permanent floating YA diversity book clubI apologize for the lateness of this review. I started grad school in October, and the quarter ended this week. I will put up the poll for the December Book club selection today. Please vote

Comments

[tool_of_satan]

Many conversations and character interactions were similarly puzzling, with characters taking action for no clear purpose and having reactions with no clear cause.

Yes. I found most of the dialogue painful. Among other things, this doesn't do the romance any good. The scene where Braden and Trey first kiss isn't bad - I can't remember whether there's actually no dialogue in it or just very little - but every interaction they have after that, up until the end of the book[*], I recall as Trey saying "you don't understand" over and over.

[*]In which Trey offers to kill Braden. Fickle.

[rachelmanija]

Trey was a particularly baffling character. For instance, was he aware that his mom had given Braden the magic truth drug? Was he in on it from the get-go? Did he know it would make Braden sick? (Did Catherine know it would make him sick?)

The make-out scenes were not bad at all. As you say, less dialogue, more action.

[tool_of_satan]

I gave up trying to mentally model the characters midway through, because it seemed pointless.

There were problems with non-dialogue parts, too - e.g., most of Braden's early problems could be solved by wearing wraparound sunglasses with a sports strap to keep them on - but I find those somewhat easier to ignore in passing.

[shveta_thakrar]

The make-out scenes were not bad at all. As you say, less dialogue, more action.

*grin*

[nagaina_ryuuoh]

I tend to cut first-time authors a bit more slack in terms of Getting Stuff Right but you are fundamentally correct on all points here -- it was fair-to-average, and I'd like to see sequels, if only to see if the writing improves, because there are some flashes of good ideas here and some very nice turns of phrase.

[rachelmanija]

I really liked the concept of reworking Romeo and Juliet as a gay paranormal romance. But the execution wasn't there. That being said, I will certainly check out the sequel.

[thecityofdis]

I was especially perplexed by the ending because both Braden and Trey's actions (or would-have-been actions) planted them firmly in the land of Unsympathetic Characters.

And I agree that it is trope-ridden, and the writing I thought was OK. But for some reason - even though it was NOT AT ALL what I expected (I was thinking more Gangs of New York and less Family Feud) I enjoyed it more than I expected to and look forward to the sequel.

tl;dr I HAVE FEELINGS ABOUT THIS BOOK.

[rachelmanija]

I kind of wanted to have more feelings than I actually did. But I will check out the sequel. A lot of the problems had to do with everything being rushed and underexplained, so maybe some of that will sort itself out now that at least some stuff has already been established.

I wasn't even sure how much I should sympathize with what Braden and Trey were doing toward the end, because I couldn't figure out what they (well, mostly Trey) thought they were trying to accomplish and why. Like, how much did Trey actually know about what his mom was doing, and to what extent was he helping her?

The part where the tropiness actually worked for me was when Drew was suddenly all, "OH HAI I'M A WEREWOLF WOLF-SHIFTER," and I thought, "Of course you are."

[thecityofdis]

I agree with you; there were a lot of things that were unclear. But I've noticed this is a (pretty new?) trend lately - after reading the first book in a duology or trilogy, regardless of my enjoyment level I still have no idea what the hell is going on (see: THE UNBECOMING OF MARA DYER. Fairly unoriginal structure/plotting. Fabulous writing. BUT WHY IS EVERYTHING HAPPENING?)

I'm getting less forgiving the more I encounter it, though. There has to be a way to set up sequels without intentionally obfuscating your own debut novel.

Dear Authors: Get out of your own way.

[rachelmanija]

I too have read an increasing number of recent YAs in which very major plot points and character motivations make no sense at all. Just tell us why people are doing what they're doing! It's not forbidden, honest!

[rushthatspeaks]

This is one of those books where I'm really glad it exists but I tried to read it and after twenty pages I went oh the clunky ouch I can't and fled into the night. Which... I'm kind of glad to hear is not me being wildly oversensitive.

[jinian]

who begin relationships with Braden without him having to do anything

I have to admit I have had this happen, but it doesn't sound like that was the only problem. :)

[rachelmanija]

I bet you haven't acquired two platonic best friends, a romance, and a helpful lawyer who provides you with free home and clothing, all within a two-day period!

[tool_of_satan]

I'll spot Tracey the lawyer, since he was working for Braden's father, but the rest got a bit silly. If they had all also been aware of whose son he was, then it might have made sense. But IIRC none of them knew it at first.

[jinian]

Well, I've never had a lawyer.