Famous Last Words Review

Hollywood history, mystery, murder, mayhem, and delicious romance collide in this unputdownable thriller from master storyteller Katie Alender.

Willa is freaking out. It seems like she's seeing things. Like a dead body in her swimming pool. Frantic messages on her walls. A reflection that is not her own. It's almost as if someone -- or something -- is trying to send her a message.

Meanwhile, a killer is stalking Los Angeles -- a killer who reenacts famous movie murder scenes. Could Willa's strange visions have to do with these unsolved murders? Or is she going crazy? And who can she confide in? There's Marnie, her new friend who may not be totally trustworthy. And there's Reed, who's ridiculously handsome and seems to get Willa. There's also Wyatt, who's super smart but unhealthily obsessed with the Hollywood Killer.

All Willa knows is, she has to confront the possible-ghost in her house, or she just might lose her mind . . . or her life.

Acclaimed author Katie Alender puts an unforgettable twist on this spine-chilling tale of murder, mystery, mayhem -- and the movies.

I went into this book with low expectations. So I was very surprised when it turned out to be a book I couldn't put down. It did have some flaws, but nothing too bad that it took away from the over all story. 

This book is a suspense/mystery YA book with paranormal aspects to it. But it is a realistic paranormal if that makes sense? This book had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I sat down today at 11% through and couldn't put it down until I finished it. I busted out my note book and took notes on all my theories about who the killer was and the clues I had drawn to get that prediction. In the end it was rather predictable, but still fun to see it play out.


Things I loved:

  •  Wyatt. He was such a great character. I loved the way she wrote him so much. At first you hate him and then through the entire story there is always a little voice in the back of your mind wondering if he does have something to do with the murders.
  • The Murders. Is that bad? I love the way the murders were written and how you got to see them through Willa's eyes. They were based off old movie death scenes and I just thought that was a clever idea.
  • The Suspense. In the visions or dreams they were always so descriptive. I could imagine exactly what Willa was seeing and most the time it was terrifying.
Things I Liked:
  •  The Ending. Won't add spoilers, so I can't say anything about this. But just wow. 
  • Willa and Jonathan's Relationship. I like how it isn't instant happy family, but it isn't always fighting with each other either. Willa tries to get along with Jonathan, her stepfather, for her mother's sake. Which most girls in Willa's shoes would do.

Things I Didn't Like:
  • Flow. The writing was good, but it had a problem with the flow. It might have just been my copy, but it would just jump places or times without warning. You'd be in the middle of something and in the very next sentence somewhere else. It was very distracting and confusing at times.
  • Predictable. It wasn't predictable through the entire thing. But in a lot of moments I knew what was going to happen chapters before it did.
What I Would Change:
  • I would develop the relationship between Wyatt and Willa more. The whole two enemies, but allies thing was really cool and I wanted to see more of that.

Would I Recommend:
  • I would recommend this book to anyone that likes YA and has been thinking about trying a mystery or suspense. It is great to get you into that genre.

I got this book through netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

No comments