Literally Dead Book Club discussion
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Fragments of the Lost
Fragments of the Lost DISCUSSION
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Fragments of the Lost PAGES 1 -119
I’ve started a little early and I’ve hit the end of the first part just now.1. There isn’t much mystery about cleaning up an ex-boyfriend’s room and think about shared memories while boxing up things. I sincerely hope that some red herrings will lead to interesting developments, but there is not much at the moment other than reminiscing some lost romance.
I also feel that there is some sloppiness in the writing that could have been avoided with a simple editing, but I’m willing to read past that.
2. I’ve read a few in the past and I particularly enjoyed Tarryn Fisher with Marrow and Mud Vein. The latter one being about confinement could make a great read at this moment.
3. 3 stars, but it has potential to reach a higher score. I am curious how it will further develop.
1. I feel like there isn’t much of a mystery or suspense thus far in the book, but I could see it picking up soon. (Hopefully) I am enjoying it because it is making me think what it would be like to empty out an ex boyfriends bed room and find these things. I hope there is a stronger suspenseful mystery coming up. 2. I have read a few YA thrillers and my favorite has been one of us is lying
3. So far I would give it 3 stars but if they mystery/thriller bits get better I could see it getting a higher rating
So far it’s keeping me reading, but there has to be more then meets the eye. If I had to rate it at this point I would give it 3 stars. I am not loving it, but I’m not hating it.
1. So far, I'm not impressed. It has potential, but I'm hoping it starts to pick up soon. The mom and sister seem weird and cold and I wonder what happened but I wouldn't call this "suspenseful" or "thrilling".. yet.2. Yes, occasionally, but I haven't read one that I'd rate above a 4 star
3. 2 star - I am so bored, but I am willing to see it through! Hoping things pick up quickly..
1. It is fine for a book that is about someone cleaning out her ex-boyfriend's room. I'm waiting for some twists to happen, his family seems shady. Oh and Max seems like the nicer guy, maybe she should've been with him. 2. No, not really. I do read YA books as a teacher, but I try to read the books that seem interesting for my pupils.
3. ⭐⭐⭐
Just got here today! 1. Book is going well. I’m wondering, are we supposed to be figuring out how/why Caleb died? Why did max think Caleb stole the money? What did Jessa and Caleb break up? Why does she think his death is her fault?lots of questions to be answered, but not a thriller per se to me.
2. I liked One of us is lying by Karen McManus
3. I would probably give it three stars.
1. So far the book is going okay. I’m waiting for something exciting to happen. because i’m getting a little bored. She’s just cleaning the room, the memories are cool to read through, and then she says “I’m looking for more secrets!” And nothing happens for 20 pages then she finds a clue. LOL... 2. I read One Of Us Is Lying by Karen McManus and enjoyed that!
3. As of right now, I’d rate this a 3 star. It has potential but it’s kinda dragging.
This is not a thriller and I’ve yet to decide if it’s a mystery. As a mother I’d have a hard time with my child being asked to clean out her dead ex boyfriend’s room. So I can’t even connect with this story. I’m going to continue to read it but so far I’m very unimpressed. 2 stars if I had to rate it right now
1. This book is kind of dragging and it’s to the put of irritation. This lost high school romance (that this girl thought would last forever) is not interesting to me anymore. I really hope there’s something deeper at play, something darker and twisted. The mom and sister are really cold and I’m not exactly sure why, especially since the mom asked her to clean out his room. Something is definitely up with Max and Jessa, they were acting suspicious when he was in the room looking for money. 2. Ive read a few YA mystery/thriller and liked a few but they’re always high school kids and that can be annoying sometimes. I see a lot of people mentioning one of us is lying so I might read that next.
3. Right now I’ll give it a 2.5, i was really interested at first but it’s slowly dying out.
1. The book feels a bit slow. I am waiting for some higher stakes. I do understand Jessa and how secrets were not something she wanted to explore in a new relationship. I will say the private school does not really feel like a private school, coming from someone who went to one. 2. Not really. Sadie is the only one that comes to mind that I have read and enjoyed, but I am excited to get more into this genre.
Probably 2.5 stars.
1. Was interesting at first but is so slow. Having a hard time continuing at this point.2. Listened to audiobook of One of Us is Lying and enjoyed it. Don't really read a lot of YA.
3. 1.5 to 2 stars
1. So far it is a little bit slow and doesn’t seem like a thriller/mystery but I have read the first part quite fast so it isn’t a bad read just not what I was expecting.2. I think I have only read 1 YA mystery/thriller
3. I think maybe three stars at the moment, like I said it’s a good book just not what I was expecting when I started it
1. I'm about 73 pages in based on where I am in the audiobook. It hasn't done anything to grab me at all yet. I am starting to get hints that something will be happening "soon," or that a secret will come to light, but it feels pretty boring so far.2. Unless old-school Nancy Drew books count, I don't know that I've read a YA mystery/thriller before.
3. As of right now, this is hovering right around a 2 star for me. I could DNF this easily and never look back.
1) I am enjoying the book but wouldn’t call it a mystery or thriller. I am hoping more will start to happen to pick it up because while I have enjoyed what I’ve read of cleaning out his room, I don’t think I would enjoy a whole book of just that and no bigger mystery. 2) yes, I read YA mystery-thriller books even though I am an adult and a mom.
3) 3 stars so far.
1. I am quite enjoying it, even though the mystery is literally non-existent so far. It kind of feels like I’m reading a (hard-hitting) contemporary story rather than a mystery/thriller (though i also quite enjoy those).2. I haven’t read many YA mystery/thrillers to far, but want to in the future.
3. Probably 3 stars
1. I was only 14 pages in and already obsessed with Caleb. I'm enjoying that each item has a story that takes us back in time to look at their relationship. I feel like Jessa and Max might of done something together... I'm pretty sure that Caleb isn't dead. I think he faked his death and ran away. Also the letter Jessa found in the book i feel is maybe Caleb's father (like he also didn't die) just a thought???2. This is actually my first YA Mystery/Thriller. Going good so far.
3. I'm hooked and want to keep reading so i would say i would rate it a 4 at this time.
Ahh so excited to start this book. Because of this book of the month, I’ve decided to have Megan Miranda May! I have finished All the Missing Girls, now reading this, and will continue with The Perfect Stranger, The Last House Guest, and her other YA books.Note: a bit surprised that Kayla picked this book, as she DNFed 2 Megan Miranda books in the past 😁 (sorry for stalking your Goodreads Kayla!).
1. Thoughts so far?
So, up to this point of the book, I agree with majority of the comments here that this is not a Thriller. The Mystery element is mild and slowly unfolding, more in the style of urban contemporary mystery books (think Big Little Lies), rather than, say, Riley Sager books. I like the idea of describing someone we’ve lost based on the items they left behind though, so I think the title of the book is spot on.
Guesses/theories so far: flings with Mark, possible financial problem for Caleb, and Julian is not as perfect as he seems to be.
2. Do you traditionally read YA Mystery/Thrillers?
(Would love to hear ones you've loved and hated in the past)
Yes, although I prefer Adult Mystery/Thrillers instead, like
and anything written by JP Delaney, Ruth Ware, and Riley Sager. I also recently found a favourite Sci-fi Thriller which was a combination I didn’t know I needed in my life: The God Game.
For YA Thriller, a recent favourite is
, which surpassed my expectation of a YA Thriller book.
3. If you had to rate it right now, what star rating does this section get?
Probably 2-3 stars. Need something to happen really soon for this rating to increase!
I do enjoy Megan Miranda’s writing style though, so the slowness isn’t really painful.
1: I'm not loving it. Like everyone has said, it reads more like a hard hitting contemporary than a thriller. That would be fine if it was a *good* hard hitting contemporary, but I find both Jessa and Caleb really annoying and I don't care about their relationship. I really hope there are more mysterious elements introduced soon.2. I'm quite new to thrillers and I've read more adult than YA. Some favourites are Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn, we need to talk about Kevin by Lionel Shriver and Mr Mercedes by Stephen King. All of those are slower, more character focused thrillers so that's not an issue for me but unlike this book they had characters I was actually interested in
3. Currently 2 star, maybe 2.5 to be generous
1. I'm intrigued! I can't get over how MEAN Eve is to Jessa, it's really starting to annoy me. I hope we find out why she is so cold soon. I also think something was going on behind the scenes with Jesse and Max...There was something that Max said in the chapter titled "Sunday Afternoon,""He narrows his eyes. 'And best friends never take each other's things, right?'
The heat rises to my face, I can't stop it."
Something HAS to be there right?! Anyways...This book is definitely holding my interest, looking forward to more information about Caleb and their break up.
2. No I have not.
3. Right now, maybe 3 stars? I'm enjoying it, but I have a hard time when Kayla asks this because I can never rate so early in the book when I don't have all the information.
So far I’m not enjoying this one. The writing style or narration isn’t grabbing my attention. Her thoughts about her boyfriend make me feel like he was more of a creep than anything else. I read a lot of thrillers but I’m not sure about YA thriller. I can’t really think of one right now. So far the rating I’m giving this is ONE star lol. I’m gonna give it another chapter or two before I decide if I can continue with this one.
1. Have to say I'm falling in line with many of the other comments here; so far, so slow. I can see the potential for some mystery; the dad, the money, the supposedly dead ex boyfriend, the step dad gone, the note. There's building blocks for sure but ... based off the pace and the writing style, I'm feeling like the coming reveals might be a bit lack lustre. Not super impressed yet. 2. I usually don't read YA mystery/thriller, and can't remember the last one I did...I'm not a big YA reader in general.
3. A tentative ⭐️⭐️
1. It's keeping me interested and I like the short chapters, but it's definitely SLOOOW haha, I haven't gotten a thriller vibe at all so far.2. I've read my fair share of YA mystery thrillers, but I do tend to prefer adult thrillers more in general. Two that have impressed me are Little Monsters by Kara Thomas and One of Us Is Lying by Karen M McManus. Also, I think it's technically an adult thriller as the characters are college aged, but The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James was great, too! As for ones I hated, the standout to me is definitely We Were Liars by E. Lockhart. Just no.
3. I'd probably give it a 3-3.5 rating as of now. It's difficult to sway one way or the other as this section was almost exclusively exposition/background info.
So far this book seems so depressing to me. I feel like I'm slogging through. The whole premise is daunting right now. Do I want to read a whole book of someone going through a dead persons room? Though I am enjoying that the mystery is ramping up (even if it's ever so slowly), but this sections is going at a snails pace. I don't traditionally read YA mystery/thrillers, but I also didn't really know that was a thing until about 6 months ago when I found Booktube :)
If I rated this 1/3 of the book, I'd say probably a 2.5-3 right now. It just feels so heavy and depressing.
1. It seems like the book is a slow read for me and by that I DON'T mean I'm bored or that I think it's bad. I kinda like the atmosphere of the book so I'm taking my time reading it.I wonder if we'll find that Caleb was murdered (suspects are Julian and Sean) or maybe it was suicide. I just hope it won't be, as someone mentioned here, that he faked his own death.
Anyway I think there will be more mystery bits in the next part.
ad 2. I have a hard time calling any ya I've read thriller/mystery.
ad 3. No rating so far - with this type of books it's about the ending and how well it'll handle that.
1. I agree with a lot of the comments here about the slow pacing, however it hasn't bothered me as I feel it's still a quick read. I've been enjoying Miranda's writing and the subtle clues we've received so far (possible Jessa and Max fling, the letter being from his dad maybe, and that Caleb had left to go meet with him.)2. This is my first one. I avoided reading the synopsis so I didn't realize it was YA until I started reading!
3. 4 stars. If it keeps my interest and the plot pulls through, it'll most likely stay at 4 stars.
1. I am not feeling this one but at the same time I'm curious about what's going to happen. It doesn't feel like a thriller or even what we usually think of a mystery; it all just feel like a story about consequences of careless actions told in a mysterious way.I also don't like the characters and Jessa almost made me want to dnf this right in the beginning.
I also realize that she has mentioned more than once about a "bell curve" so I hope that has some meaning.
2. Not a lot, and maybe that's why I have these feelings about it feeling too basic, because, after all, it is YA mystery and not a heavy thriller.
That I remember, I have read One of Us is Lying, and I enjoyed it; and I also have read There's Someone Inside Your House, which I didn't like very much but that was entertaining.
3. I would give this one star so far. I still have hope it'll be higher by the end, tho.
1. This book is threatening to put me in a book slump!!!! I really dont like this book so far! 119 pages in and nothing has happened. Plus Caleb seems like a real ass!!2. I love thrillers. Ruth Ware is by far my favorite thriller writer but i also like Riley Sager, Gillian Flynn and John Marrs (does he count as thriller? Im not sure)
2. Id give this a hesitant 2 stars
I just realized you asked about YA thrillers not thrillers in general and my answer is no because I feel like usually the story isnt as exciting or deep.
1. I’m currently enjoying it. I really like the concept of her cleaning out his room and finding items that lead to a memory, but at the same time I feel like it’s kind of dragging by and I don’t know if I want an entire book of this. I would also say that so far I wouldn’t consider this a thriller, maybe at best a very mild thriller. I do have hope that the mystery aspect of it will progress and we’ll get more out of it. So far, I don’t find Caleb very likable, I think the thing at the train station where he left her behind very off putting. Speaking of, I think there’s something up with her and Max. I think maybe Max had feelings for Jessa before she and Caleb got together, or maybe he even developed feelings for her over the course of the relationship. I also have a sneaking suspicion that maybe Caleb isn’t dead, but I always think that when there’s an unrecovered body. 2. This is my first YA thriller, but I do have Sadie on my tbr and have really high hopes for it!
3. I would say this is a 3 star for me at the moment, but I do have hopes that it will grow. I can’t see it surpassing a 4 star though, but you never know.
1. I don't think that there will be many thriller aspects in this book judging by what we have read so far, and because of what little has happened in the first 119 pages i think that any mystery element will be disappointing... BUT so far the q's that i have are:- how did Caleb die? Why did Caleb hide Jessa in his closet when Sean came into his room? Was Sean abusive to his family? It felt like Caleb was scared of him. Why did Caleb need to borrow money from Max when he was receiving monthly installments from his trust fund? Why did Caleb & Jessa break up and why are his family blaming her for his death? And why is it Jessa's responsibility to pack up his room in the first place??
Honestly i'm finding this book boring so far. It feels very YA but in a bad way... the premise of how the narrative is told relies on Jessa packing up her teenage ex's room which is something that just wouldn't happen in real life... Why are her parents even letting this happen?
The writing itself is average and the only thing that is making me keep on reading and getting through it so quickly are the short chapters. I'm not interested in Jessa and Caleb's relationship and it doesn't seem like he was that interested in her either. The author keeps telling us that they were in that phase where they can't keep away from each other but she doesn't show us this and so it's just not believable and therefore the relationship seems superficial.
We keep getting hints that something is not right and there is more to the story, some kind of mystery, but the exploration of that so far has been very slow and repetitive. I really hope that we don't spend the whole of the present tense in this book in Caleb's bedroom. There are only so many secrets that can be found in a room.
I think that the letter that Jessa found hidden is from Caleb's Dad and not a girl... SO yeah. Definitely room for some real mystery elements to come into play but i don't think that i will be satisfied with the outcome based on how the story has been told so far.
2. No- i rarely read YA in general.
3. Right now i would rate this a 1.5/2
1. to be honest: i was asking myself, if i bought the wrong book. it does not feel like a mystery/Thriller so far. there is one scene , where i would see a hint for something strange: after the ballgame in New York,when jessa gets lost, Caleb came for her. When they meet their friends later, Max says "you left her alone". So maybe Jessas memories are not reliable? 2. i really liked the Truly Devious trilogy
3. the writing is ok so it is a 3 Star rating up until this point
1. There is nothing mysterious or thrilling at this point, it just feels like a contemporary which is a genre I’m not really into. I’m really hoping that it picks up but right now it’s slow and boring. Definitely not the “fast paced thriller” that it says on the back of the book.2. I have read very few YA thriller and none of them have really stood out.
3. At this point I’d rate it 2 stars but hopefully things will turn around.
1. I like the idea of piercing a story together by found items. Eve is acting odd. I wish the pace was a little faster.2. YA yes, often. mystery/thriller ... never. I want to read from all geners so I thought a YA mystery/thriller is a way to ease me into more intense mystery/thrillers.
3. ⭐: 4 out of 5 I think so far. I've been reading this first section almost in one swoop which I always like when a book is captivating. I just wish it was a little faster paced. around page 60 we finally get a hint that he might not be dead and that could have come sooner...
1. I’m enjoying it for the most part. But I’m really for some action! Seems typical for a YA novel. The content is a little dull, a teenager packing up her dead, Ex-boyfriend’s room. Why? Imo since they broke up it really isn’t her place. I also am getting weird vibes off his family. If they really think she’s “responsible” then 1) notify police and 2) don’t invite her to the house! 2. I don’t read much YA, but I enjoy branching out to other genres. I won’t discount YA novels bc of Twilight and HP, I know there’s potential there. Last memorable YA novel was The Hate U Give.
3. 3 1/2 stars unless it changes.
1. I agree with most people in that it is quite slow, but I am enjoying seeing how objects tell stories to a persons life which feels similar to the plot premise in The Keeper of Lost Things which I enjoyed a couple of years ago. 2. I read a lot of YA but rarely pick up mystery or thrillers but I’m trying to challenge myself to not only read more but read differently than usual which is interesting.
3. At the moment I would give it 3 stars but it could be more further down the line but it’s definitely not living up to the genre at the moment.
Honestly, I am not sure how I feel about the book so far. Confused at the fact that Caleb’s mother is making Jessa pack up his bedroom. I don’t think I have ever heard of such a thing, no mater how difficult it is while grieving. I will admit, I do find it intriguing that he had been keeping secrets from him. I am finding it very slow paced, with too many questions that haven’t been answered. Hopefully it picks up I have seen a lot of people mentioning One of Us is Lying, which I have read in the past year and have loved. I’ve recently bought the sequel to it and cannot wait to dig my claws into it.
As of right now, my rating would be a 2 stars read unfortunately. Unless if something happens or it picks up, I could see it being bumped to a 3 stars, but you never know.
1. It’s very slow; not a lot is happening besides cleaning up a room, and there isn’t anything thrilling about that. There also seems to be a lot of unnecessary punctuation. I’d theorize that she had an affair with Max, and that’s why Caleb’s family is so distant towards her. 2. I don’t typically read YA. I’ve read a few, but they usually only average around a 3 star for me. Having said that, I LOVED Dangerous Girls by Abigail Haas and gave it 5 stars.
3. I’d say it’s between a 2-3 star right now. I’m bored, but willing to see where it goes.
1. I agree with everyone saying this is not a thriller and I'm not sure if it's even a mystery. I guess we'll see how it goes. So far it's a slow read but luckily the short chapters make it easier for me. I don't think it's a bad book, I like the concept of an item that leads to a memory, I just wish the pace was a little faster.2. This is my first YA mystery/thriller (I normally prefer adult mysteries) but I see a lot of people mentioned One of us is lying and since it's already on my tbr I guess I'll start it soon.
3. So far I give it 3 stars but it has potential.
My opinion on this book is just repeating everyone else’s comments: slow, not a thriller, etc. Don’t really read YA
Give this a 2.5. I’ll finish it, but hope the story picks up the pace.
1. Still keen to continue at the moment, although I am having to convince myself to pick it back up each time.Can’t work out if this is a thriller or not - wondering whether there will be some sort of twist and the fact that Caleb’s body hasn’t been found will turn into an important part of the story. This may be wishful thinking though!
2. I’m not usually a fan of YA, so I’m trying not to let this cloud my judgement.
3. 3 stars at the moment.
1. To be quite honest I’m bored. This story needs to pick up or I’m considering DNFing :( I need like a big plot twist to happen to help drive the story and keep me interested because her just finding different items in his room and reminiscing on those moments is getting really old really fast.2. I’ve only a read a few YA mystery/thrillers and they all haven’t been that memorable. The only one that sticks out to me is There’s Someone Inside Your House but even that was mediocre.
3. 2 stars as of right now, but if the story picks up then it could increase to a 3 or 3.5
I'm just gonna DNF it. I cant stand the writing or the main character. shes insufferable. I'll just spoil myself for the ending lol
Hey! I'm finally reading Fragments of the Lost!1. As of now, I don't see how this is categorized as a mystery/thriller. I think it should be a contemporary because Jessa is only cleaning out her ex-boyfriend's room reminiscing about their romance.
2. My favorite genre of all time is Thriller. Some of my favorite books are My Lovely Wife. Her Every Fear and The Silent Patient.
3. I would rate this book 2 stars simply because I do not get any mystery/thriller vibes. Hopefully, things get better.
1. Right now I would say that I am a little confused. I am not sure how this is a mystery yet. All she's doing is cleaning her ex-boyfriend's room and having flashbacks. I do understand that probably more things will unfold, but so far I am finding this a little tedious.
2. I think this is my second YA mystery/thriller. So far I am not a fan. Hopefully this book will change my mind.
3. I am still hooked so it's not that bad. I would give it 3 stars right now.
I am enjoying the narration, I find Caleb's family to be a bit untold. I picked up that it is more about what they do not say. Jessa and Caleb's relationship seems driven and controlled by him.
Pretty boring. Nothing juicy or thrilling is really happening yet. I’m hoping that it picks up at some point. Probably would give it 2 stars right now
I’m not really enjoying her looking back on a lost romance and that has been basically the entire plot so far. I’m starting to get bored, so far I’d give it a 2 or a 3 since it hasn’t really been bad either.
I'm enjoying it so far. I can definitely sense that there is more to the story but there doesn't seem to be much in the way of a thriller aspect to it yet. I'm hoping that changes. I wonder if Caleb is still alive since his body was never found? I also think there is something between Max and Jessa we don't know about yet. Is Julian involved in the mystery somehow? Or Caleb's dad maybe? There are a lot of unanswered questions for sure and I'm looking forward to reading on, I just hope it picks up in the suspense/thriller vibe.I don't generally read YA mystery/thrillers but I see some recommendations here that I may give a try!
So far, its a 3 star for me but fingers crossed that it improves to a 4 or 5 by the end!
It seems like the feelings on this book are pretty homogeneous so far, and I have to say I agree with pretty much all of them. Not really a thriller so far, and the mistery is mildly interesting at this point, which is why I'm continuing. I think the author has a relatively readable writing style and the chapters are short, so it's not hard to pick up. However, it's a little hard to stay engaged with so many repetitive actions (her unpacking and reminiscing).There are a few questions that will potentially lead to interesting places, but so far it's a 3 star from me.
Literally Dead Book Club
Books mentioned in this topic
Long Bright River (other topics)All the Missing Girls (other topics)
The Perfect Stranger (other topics)
The Last House Guest (other topics)
Big Little Lies (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
J.P. Delaney (other topics)Ruth Ware (other topics)
Riley Sager (other topics)
In my hardcover physical copy the chapter that just ended is called RED SKI GOGGLES
Please don't read anything below until you've hit this spot!
If you've read further than this page, please avoid any spoilers for later in the book.
1. Thoughts so far?
2. Do you traditionally read YA Mystery/Thrillers?
(Would love to hear ones you've loved and hated in the past)
3. If you had to rate it right now, what star rating does this section get?