Obert Skye

Spoilers are ahead. But to be honest, there isn't anything you should be too worried about hearing about.

I really, really, really wanted to like this book. The idea and cover intrigued me from the second I saw it. Reform school in the woods? Amnesia? Kids saving themselves from the creepy reform school? It sounded awesome.

It wasn’t.

The characters? I feel like I know nothing about them. I couldn't tell the siblings apart and, to be honest, when I finished the book I couldn't even remember show more their names because they were so thoroughly uninteresting. All I know about them was that they were rotten kids to their governess. She was supposed to be awful, but to be honest, I'd probably be just as awful if I had to deal with these two because when they're not being boring, they're being brats. Their father made no sense to me. He drives them to a terrible, terrible place, feels bad about it, and then can't remember who he is. To put it in simple terms, he's pretty lame. I feel like there was no one to root for. I didn't even mind when the villain took away their memories because I didn't care one way or another about what happened to them. The narrator was mildly interesting, but I couldn't figure out WHY there was a narrator.

The book presents more mysteries than it solves. It felt like an odd prequel instead of starting a story. Writers, you OWE your readers a story. I might be able to forgive bad characters, terrible setting (okay, this should have been cool. I read the book for the idea of the school, but I didn't think it was interesting except for maybe the monsters prowling around it) but I can't forgive a book that doesn't have a story. It sets up the rest of the series, but... nothing really happens. Even if it's just one book in a series (just like one episode in a TV show), each part of the series MUST have its own plot, even if there are unanswered questions to leave room for the other books. This book just... ends. No questions answered. No resolution. Not even any good questions to leave the reader wanting another book (okay, so maybe a little curiosity about if their dad will remember who they are and if they're going to go to an unclear terrible fate, but, like I said, I didn't care enough about them to be interested in what kind of terrible fate might be waiting for them). The entire book: they get dropped off at the school for being brats. They're upset. They sneak around the school at night. They get their memories removed. There's a weird parade for no reason. They get their memories back. They try to escape. They fail. They lose their memories. The book ends. I think they'd all be better off if the kids and their dad never got their memories back.

Just disappointing.

Review also found at The Cardboard Box show less

They’re trapped at a creepy reform school full of monsters, mysteries, and mind control.

After a slight misunderstanding involving a horrible governess, oatmeal, and a jar of tadpoles, siblings Tobias and Charlotte Eggars find themselves abandoned by their father at the gates of a creepy reform school. Evil mysteries are afoot at Witherwood, where the grounds are patrolled by vicious creatures after dark and kids are locked in their rooms. Charlotte and Tobias soon realize that they are in show more terrible danger―especially because the head of Witherwood has perfected the art of mind control.

If only their amnesiac father would recover and remember that he has two missing children. If only Tobias and Charlotte could solve the dark mystery and free the kids at Witherwood―and ultimately save themselves. publisher show less

Beck Phillips is a troubled teenager with a special gift. When his mother dies suddenly, he finds himself shipped off to an unknown uncle who lives outside a strange village called Kingsplot. But Beck’s family holds a deep, dark secret. Why is the backyard forbidden? Why did they bury the basement? And why do plants seem to act strangely around Beck?

This young adult fantasy had me hooked from beginning to end. The mystery and suspense were enthralling, and the build-up was incredibly show more engaging. Obert Skye has created a wonderful legend with characters that pull you into the story. He has a real gift of creating suspense. And thankfully, the reveal was just as exciting. One of my favorite details was the addition of pages from a mysterious family book that Beck stumbles upon, which precede each chapter. We get glimpses of the family secret as the story unfolds.

Pillage is a wonderful book for all ages containing a fun mystery, adventure, interesting characters, magic, surprises, a climactic battle, and a moral about the negative aspects of greed. show less

I'm really not sure how I feel about this book. It was recommended by the woman who works in children's books at the local B&N and I do agree that the writing is entertaining and very good. But it bothers me that basically every adult/figure of authority - parents, teachers, whatever - is portrayed as cruel and essentially evil. The descriptions are beyond neglectful or mean, they're downright abusive, and I don't think it really adds to the story. Kids can be isolated, lonely, and unhappy show more without being abused like that, or it didn't have to be such a big part of the book.

Other than that, I enjoyed the story and as I said, the writing is very good. show less