Broken Things

Broken Things
Written by Lauren Oliver
Mystery, Thriller, Paranormal
416 Pages
Published October 18th 2018
Thank you to Hachette Australia
Add to Goodreads
★★★★☆
It’s been five years since Summer Marks was brutally murdered in the woods.

Everyone thinks Mia and Brynn killed their best friend. That driven by their obsession with a novel called The Way into Lovelorn the three girls had imagined themselves into the magical world where their fantasies became twisted, even deadly.
The only thing is, they didn’t do it.

On the anniversary of Summer’s death, a seemingly insignificant discovery resurrects the mystery and pulls Mia and Brynn back together once again. But as the lines begin to blur between past and present and fiction and reality, the girls must confront what really happened in the woods all those years ago, no matter how monstrous.
The nonlinear narrative accompanies Mia and Brynn, known as The Monsters of Brickhouse Lane, as they investigate potential suspects in the ritualistic death of their friend Summer. Summer Marks is a foster child, her mother a substance abuser, her only possession a novel acquired from her maternal mother. The Way Into Lovelorn is a fantasy novel written by Georgia Wells and despite being published, the novel is incomplete. A point of contention for Summer, inspired to create her own The Way Into Lovelorn sequel.

Although barely adolescent, Mia Ferguson, Brynn McNally and neighbour and suspect Owen Waldmann were ostracised by the community despite being acquitted of her death. Mia was unrolled from school and tutored privately, Owen migrated to Scotland to complete his education while Brynn endured the abuse and aggression of her peers, unafforded the privilege of a private education. Brynn escaped her torment by entering rehabilitation for substance abuse, providing positive samples to remain within the counsellors care, her relationship with her mother and sister fractured.

Mia is returning to Twin Lakes on the eve of the anniversary of Summer's death to help her mother, a hoarder since the tragic incident that finds solace within her abundance of possessions. As Mia's mother enters counselling, Brynn is released from rehabilitation and for the first time in five years, the two former friends reunite to investigate Summer's murder.

The narrative centres on Summer and her interaction with Mia and Brynn as teens, their adoration of The Way Into Lovelorn and the importance of the fictional sequel the three friends created. It explores the motives behind the killing, from her relationship with Owen at Mia's expense, her manipulation of Brynn and her feelings for Summer and her character development from child to a manipulative and often malicious young woman.

Although I've enjoyed Lauren Oliver's novels in the past, Broken Things is considerably her break out novel. The nonlinear narrative is well paced, a blend of mystery and suspense as the storyline adds upon layers of intrigue. Very much a classical whodunit novel that readers will thoroughly enjoy. 

12 comments

  1. The summary alone of this book has me wanting to read but your review and the fact you view this as a break out novel from Lauren Oliver makes me think I need to get a hold of this ASAP and luckily for me my library has a few copies of this in. Amazing review.

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    1. Thanks darling! There's been a few Lauren Oliver titles I've enjoyed and some I haven't been able to read more than a few chapters but this was near impossible to put down.

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  2. Great review Kelly! For some reason I couldn't connect with the characters which impacted my enjoyment (since those relationships are so important).

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    1. Thanks Amber. I can understand that. We need characters and experiences that we find relatable with some books to be able to immerse ourselves. I didn't connect to the characters myself either but really enjoyed it nonetheless. It held the element of surprise and suspense.

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  3. This really does sound like a compelling story. I'l have to add this to my TBR. Great review!

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    1. Thanks Suzanne! If you enjoy thrillers, mystery or books with a surprise twist, you'll really enjoy this one. I'd love to see what you think of it!

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  4. I've never read anything by Lauren Oliver, but I always mean to. I own one of her books, so it will happen. However, I'm so glad to hear that you enjoyed this one because it sounds great and I'm so curious. I definitely plan to read this!

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. I've read quite a few of her titles, if not all of them apart from a few in her middle grade series and for me, this is her best work to date. I was intrigued by the premise but surprised how suspenseful it was. Kept me guessing until the very end.

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  5. I tried reading this one, but the pacing kind of did me in. Now that I know what I'm missing out on, I might try it again later I think.

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    1. It's well worth another try Verushka. The nonlinear narrative threw me a little at first but it was incredible, brilliantly entertaining.

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  6. I have SUCH mixed feelings on this book, gahh. So I mostly liked it. Because I love Lauren Oliver in general, but I think she writes in such a way that really draws me in. And I liked the characters and the story. But there were just a few (spoilery!) things that made me not *quite* love it, though I do still think it was good! Lovely review!

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  7. My good sis, you never cease to amaze me with your reviews! The only book I've ever read by Lauren Oliver was Delirium and I actually REALLY liked it. Her writing style is soo pretty, (if that's even a thing lol) but I'm not sure why I haven't continued the series or moved on to her other titles. Instead of backtracking, I'll go ahead and start with Broken Things. You know I call myself a baby thriller queen these days, and anything that says " murdered " in the blurb automatically deserves a read lol.

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