Title: Pretty Wicked
Author: Kelley Charron
Rating: 3/5 Stars
I received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. Thank you so much
This is a spoiler free review.
*Content Warning: Extreme/mature content suited for mature readers or readers over the age of 16/17. Not for young readers. Deals, in depth, with murder, stalking, and sexual insinuation.
Also includes negative talk of mental illness, race, and stereotypes.
Summary
Ryann is known as the sweet, straight “A”, fifteen-year-old student, who also happens to be the daughter of a police detective. She also harbors a deep desire for an incredibly unusual hobby, murder. She spent most of her life preparing and studying from “The Greats” and she now feels ready to fulfill her darkest desires. However, she may not know as much as she thinks because a suspicious person, a.k.a. Unknown, finds incriminating evidence that could alter Ryann’s plans and her future.
Review
I honestly have such conflicting feelings about this story. It incredibly fast paced and easily pushes the reader along. However, I often found myself feeling uncomfortable and upset because of Ryann’s actions towards others. I guess this is a nod to the novel because murder scenes should make readers uncomfortable. At the beginning, I was unsure where the story was going however I lost this in the second half, when her murders started catching up to her. At this point, it felt more like a crime novel and I enjoyed it. I actually found myself rooting for the other characters, hoping that she would fail and one of her victims would live or that the police would finally catch her.
I did not like the main character and this is something new. Most books want some likability from the main character because the reader is in their head but I did not find this. With this, she says and does a lot of things that go against my beliefs. Ryann’s reasons for killing are pretty weak as well, and I can’t understand them. I am not sure that anyone has good reasons for murder but her reasons seem cowardly. She thinks she is a lot smarter than everyone and is very sloppy because of this, making many mistakes that should have lead to her capture like talking about the murders with others and returning to the crime scene. I am actually surprised she kills so many people without getting caught. It does seem realistic, however, that she thinks about the kills a lot after she is finished with them. I have no way of knowing if this is accurate to serial killers but it seems it.
Another reason I have an issue with Ryann is because she says a lot of problematic things. I understand that this is all part of her persona however I disliked reading this. She makes inappropriate comments about mental illness and race.
The only reprieve from being in Ryann’s head is when we are given a few chapters in the perspective of Estevez, a coworker of Ryann’s father. I really enjoyed these chapters and found them to be a good break from Ryann’s mind. However, it was confusing when it happened because there was no indication that there was a switch in POV.
Sorry if this review is a bit confusing. I am rambling because my thoughts and feelings about this book are so jumbled. Although I was often made uncomfortable by the subject material, I enjoyed reading the story and had a hard time putting it down. The story ends with a bang and this is my favorite part of the novel. This book is perfect for those looking for a psychological thriller about a serial killer. The story moves along nicely and I weirdly enjoyed reading this story. It was like reading a version of CSI or Criminal Minds.
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