Cryer's Cross in Once Upon a Twilight blog

Dec 01, 2010 Mundie Moms & Mundie Kids rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2011-release, arcs, 2011-100-book-challenge, mundie-moms-reviews

Creepy, haunting and very addictive, Cryer's Cross will lure you in and leave you needing more.

Like the rest of her fantastic books, Lisa's writing is captivating. She has an ability to bring her world to life and makes me fall in love with her broken characters, as they're realistic, relatable and they always leave me feeling satisfied with the end of their story and wanting more all at the same time. Cryer's Cross is no different. Only this time, the hunt is on to find out who or what is makin Creepy, haunting and very addictive, Cryer's Cross will lure you in and leave you needing more.

Like the rest of her fantastic books, Lisa's writing is captivating. She has an ability to bring her world to life and makes me fall in love with her broken characters, as they're realistic, relatable and they always leave me feeling satisfied with the end of their story and wanting more all at the same time. Cryer's Cross is no different. Only this time, the hunt is on to find out who or what is making people disappear with out a trace in the tiny town of Cryer's Cross, Montana.

Kendall is a character I really enjoyed getting to know. She's real, she's not stuck on the latest trend, and instead she helps out on her family's farm, plays soccer, and enjoys spending time with her best friend Nicco, and deals with living each day with a serve case of OCD. I was completely fascinated with the way Lisa introduces us into Kendall's world, and the compulsions that rule it. Having OCD myself, I found myself both drawn to Kendall in understanding and sympathy. Though her OCD is much more extreme than mine, I really liked that it's Kendall's OCD that makes her realize there's something sinister going on. She's the only one who sees the writing on the desk, the plea for help, that is etched into the desk that sits in the one room school house where her missing best friend Nico once sat and the girl who disappeared before him, Tiffany.

Lisa takes creepy to a whole new level. I'm not one who enjoys horror movies or reading creepy books (call me a whimp), but I was hooked with this book and found I couldn't "look away" or put the book down. I had to know what was going on. Not only did I want to see how Kendall would handle so much change in a short amount of time, but I wanted to see how her and Jacien's relationship developed, but I had to know more about the "We". Although most of the book is written in third person, the "We" has a freakishly, addicting voice that makes me you want to know what/who they are, and what exactly their need is. Let me just say, I will never look at a desk the same again.

Cryer's Cross has an intense creepy factor to it, but also a fantastic, realistic romance. In true Lisa fashion she brings together two broken characters, Kendall and Jacian and writes a beautiful romance that continues to build as the mystery surrounding Nico and Tiffany's intensifies. I liked that they both have something to offer the other and help each other to heal in a way no one else can. Not one for crying, Kendall's grief over losing Nico literally poured off the pages and had me crying. This is fantastic read that I couldn't get enough of. I highly recommend picking up Cryer's Cross! There is some minor language, but nothing too bad. I would recommend Cryer's Cross to those 14 yrs & older. ...more

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Dec 18, 2010 Once rated it it was amazing

I began reading Cryer's cross yesterday afternoon and finished the book about 6 hours later. I was literally sucked in and could not break the pull the book had on me. The way Lisa McMann wrote this book, its like she put a hex on the book to suck you in. The level of creepy in the book is high and I love it but not in a morbid way. The only downside I will say is I wanted more, maybe a little bit more on what was casing the disappearances in Cryer's cross or maybe I just want the story to keep ...more

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Jan 16, 2011 Jodie rated it it was amazing

http://jodiesbookreviews.blogspot.com/

I had seen lots of very positive reviews on this book but it still didn’t grab me as a must read. To be honest l read it next because l only had 8 days left to read it and it’s a short story (240 ish pages). BUT l am VERY glad l read this and chose to read it next!!! Wow.
From the start this book is very interesting because of Kendall and how much of a unique character she is, she suffers from OCD which plays a big part in this story and is brought up a lot i http://jodiesbookreviews.blogspot.com/

I had seen lots of very positive reviews on this book but it still didn’t grab me as a must read. To be honest l read it next because l only had 8 days left to read it and it’s a short story (240 ish pages). BUT l am VERY glad l read this and chose to read it next!!! Wow.
From the start this book is very interesting because of Kendall and how much of a unique character she is, she suffers from OCD which plays a big part in this story and is brought up a lot in the book and follows her struggle. Also because she lives in a small town it makes for very interesting relationships with characters, how these change as the story goes on and the things which she comes to realise about her relationships with people around her (Explained on my blog in the review). I did really like Kendall, l thought she was a very normal girl who l would get on with myself if she was a real person. She pretty much kept herself to herself and enjoyed doing normal things.
I had been told this was a creepy book and l am a bit of a wimp so l was scared l wouldn’t enjoy it as it would freak me out too much but being honest, if you read this in the day you will be fine! Yes it’s creepy but in the good way which keeps your heart beating fast and desperate to find out more! It’s definitely one of those books where you wish you could skip a few lines or read faster just to find out what’s going to happen!
With a book which is built up so much around one thing and finding out about the one thing, eg who is causing something, the answer to your BIG and main/only question throughout the whole book has to be a good one. I have read a few books which are so intriguing but when you read the end its kinda like, Oh. Is that it? This WASN’T one of those books! I loved the whole story behind it and felt the story is nicely wrapped up and answered all the questions which l had throughout the book.
Overall
I can’t say l was bored at any point in this story and the pages whizzed by. I am glad Lisa didn’t try to force anything else in the story just to make the book big, l sometimes feel like authors do this and some books could be half the size. You get to know each character just enough and the plot is just gripping. SO worth a read!
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Dec 26, 2010 Jenna rated it really liked it

Shelves: reviewed, ebook, s-s-galley-grab, books-read-in-2010

Written in Lisa McMann's unique writing style, Cryer's Cross is an enthralling thriller set in a small town with a literally haunting past.

I loved Cryer's Cross. It was spooky with just the right amount of foreshadowing to keep readers turning pages, wanting to find out how the story would conclude. What I liked best was that McMann had such a flawed main character in Kendall, who suffered from OCD, a rarely written about disease, yet Kendall was still a strong young female who wouldn't stop unt ...more

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Feb 09, 2011 Jennifer rated it it was amazing

"Cryer's Cross" is a creepy YA horror that definitely keeps you enthralled. I loved the flow of McMann's writing; it gives you just enough details to pull you to the next page and at the same time dousing the reader with mystery. The plot unfolded, revealing a sinister past to the small town Kendall loves. The cover definitely fits the story well. As horror is not completely unheard of in YA, it's nice to see McMann splash this genre with an eye popping novel that keeps you on your toes.

Kendall ...more

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Feb 03, 2011 Rebecca Sutton rated it really liked it

I started this last night and finished this morning. I found myself skimming over a few places so I could find out what the heck was going to happen. Very well written and SO creepy. I like dark but this creeped me out a little too much! I prefer paranormal that feels more like fantasy, this was almost too realistic. haha But if you like dark twisty, totally creepy, mysterious stories you'll love Cryer's Cross. ...more

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Dec 30, 2010 Cesy rated it it was amazing

Wow! Got to say this book caught me by surprice. The summary drew me in, what with two teens go missing and the only connection is an old desk they so happen to sit in. Once I started reading and got hooked with how Kendall (main character) dealt with her OCD. You feel how confused and lost she is when she can't fix things. I won't give too much details because it'll ruin the fun of turning the page and not seeing it coming. I recommend this book to anyone you like horror with teens and just a g ...more

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