A quick review for a short quick book.
The Book:
Title: Cold
Author: Mariko Tamaki
Published February 8th 2022 by Roaring Brook Press
Genre: Mystery, YA
Pages: 230
“Who was Todd Mayer, and why don’t any of his fellow students at Albright Academy seem to know, or want to say, anything about him?
Todd Mayer is dead. Now a ghost, hovering over his body, recently discovered in a snow-covered park, naked and frozen. As detectives investigate Todd’s homicide, talking to the very people linked to the events leading to his death, Todd replays the choice that led him to his end.
Georgia didn’t know Todd. But ever since she heard about his death, she can’t stop thinking about him. Maybe because they’re both outcasts at their school, or because they’re both queer. Maybe because the story of Todd people keep telling feels like a lot of fake stories Georgia has heard people tell. Plus Georgia has a feeling she’s seen Todd somewhere before, somewhere he wasn’t supposed to be.” –Goodreads
My Book Review:
I read this book within three hours. Was it an easy read? Yes. Was it interesting enough to not just skim through? Not really.
The book was interesting, but it didn’t have what I went into it for. I picked it up because it seemed like it was going to be a murder mystery. I thought that it was going to have a bit of a creepy aspect to it. It didn’t have any of that.
I thought there was supposed to be an investigation of Todd’s death done by Georgia, but she really doesn’t do any Nancy Drew-style investigating as I thought.
Plot:
The premise was good and so was the plot. It just did not play out well. It was all cut and dry. There were no intense moments there was not suspense. The ending had a bit more suspense. Learning the ending was relieving, but it was predictable.
Characters:
The two main characters, Georgia and Todd, were awesome. They were almost like the one redeeming quality of this book. Georgia puts together all these little facts. Todd’s point of view was interesting because he was dead, so we are seeing his thoughts as a ghost and some of his old memories.
Ease of Reading:
The reading was super easy. It was a 300-page book, but I read it in under three hours. It definitely is a YA novel and would be a good read for younger audiences.
What I Liked:
- Todd POV
- Death
- Cover
- LGBTQIA+ characters
- Good premise
What I Didn’t:
- Too easy
- Predictable
- Everything was told not shown
Read This Book If You Love:
- YA
- Murder mysteries
- LGBTQIA+
- Easy writing
Star: 3
As always, thanks for reading,
A Bookie
