anne
Written on Nov 4, 2020
With a smart, arrogant protagonist, a sinister family tradition, and an ending you won't see coming, this is a fast-paced, twisty story about power, addiction, and deciding what kind of person you want to be, in a family that has the ability to control everything you are.
Aspen Quick has never really worried about how he's affecting people when he steals from them. But this summer he'll discover just how strong the Quick family magic is-and how far they'll go to keep their secrets safe.
With a smart, arrogant protagonist, a sinister family tradition, and an ending you won't see coming, this is a fast-paced, twisty story about power, addiction, and deciding what kind of person you want to be, in a family that has the ability to control everything you are.
- ISBN13 9780525428688
- Publish Date 7 June 2016
- Publish Status Out of Stock
- Out of Print 11 May 2021
- Publish Country US
- Publisher Penguin Putnam Inc
- Imprint Kathy Dawson Books
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 336
- Language English
Reviews
Sam@WLABB
Written on Mar 21, 2017
Aspen is part of a family of reachers. Reachers are able to probe the layers of a person or animal and take a part of them away. It could be a memory, a physical trait, an ability, or a desire that they take. They can give this thing they stole away or they can absorb it into themselves. One of the family's biggest responsibilities, though, is stealing to give to the cliff, because if they do not feed the cliff: rocks fall, everyone dies.
This book is sort of a mystery, contemporary, paranormal hybrid.
I found the magical aspect really interesting. Ribar really took me along with Aspen through each layer during a reach. The journey from the initial touch to that particular piece he would be taking away was quite vivid. I found the whole concept of stealing parts of people, and transferring or transforming what you stole intriguing. They way one could steal a small part, and it could result in huge changes in that person. That seemed really profound to me, and played into a this bigger idea in the book regarding morality, responsibility, and freedom of choice.
My favorite aspect of the story, though, was the mystery. They were all these unknowns that had to be uncovered, and I keep reading because I wanted to know the answers. I was able to guess parts of them - yeah me! - and I really enjoyed searching for the clues and putting them together.
I had wished for something different at the end. I get what Ribar was going for with the ending, but I was hoping for a little more. (I wish that after Aspen did what he did, that some of what was done would have been undone. If you read the book, maybe this makes sense to you.)
Overall: A fun and interesting read filled with complicated familial relationships, magic, and morals.
layawaydragon
Written on Aug 8, 2016
Manipulative dick realizes he’s a manipulative dick after discovering his family’s dark secrets.
I didn’t like Aspen. He wasn’t bad at first, just…a dude. Playing third-wheel to his best friend and the girl of his dreams so his train of thought focused on that a lot. Which turned creepy and awful later. Hell, everything did. But I’m getting ahead of myself.
Before:
• The magic was cool and Aspen’s enthusiasm for the ritual was adorable like a little kid’s.
• I liked the mystery of unraveling what the hell happened to his cousin Heather, Leah the hipster book clerk, and how this all got started.
• I liked Leah, the hipster book clerk and Brandy, the dream girl the most.
• What the hell was in those drinks?
• Huh, Aspen’s a fucking asshole...
• Christ, people. RUN AWAY! GET AWAY! SAVE YOURSELVES!
After:
• Holy shit, Aspen got fucked.
• Holy shit, Aspen really fucked them over.
• Thank fuck for Leah.
• Poor cousin Heather & her mother
• His poor mother…
• FUCK YOU [SPOILER]!
• WHAT are YOU DOING, ASPEN?!?! You ASSHAT!
• Good for you Aspen. Try not to fuck up again, dear.
• Want to hug and soothe everyone violated by these fucking people…sheesh.
What you would be like growing up in a hidden magical family like Aspen’s?
The magic is all invasive. It’s supposed to be to save the town, but they use it like a crutch. They’re entitled, selfish and blinded by power. It’s a tale of privilege and family secrets. Aspen’s caught in the middle of it all. At one point an innocent child, now an obnoxious teen. What kind of adult will he be?
The blurb calls it “Twin Peaks meets Stars Hollow” but I’ve never watched either of them. Indeed, I had to Google what Stars Hollow was from and finding it’s from the Gilmore Girls leaves me perplexed.
I think it’s more like if Mary Lennox from The Secret Garden was a contemporary dude with powers. Or Mara Dyer without the physically traumatic past and murderous streak.
It was a good, quick, enjoyable read but if you don’t like protagonists like Aspen, I’d steer clear. While magic is pervasive, it’s more about how and why their using for the majority of the tale. So, if you’re looking for a dramatic, character intensive with a spice of magical realism, go for it. It does the unlikable clueless protagonist well.
Bianca
Written on Jul 7, 2016
“When you take away someone’s thoughts, or feelings, or . . . or impulses or whatever, you’re taking away part of who they are. I fell in love with your mother for exactly who she was. I’d never change that.”
“Even if it meant losing her?”
“Yeah. Even then.”
— Clever, clever book about the meaning of free will and identity. "Am I the same person if the things that make me (thoughts, feelings, memories) are taken away?"