It’s been a long time since I have been creeped the hell out by a book. Hats off to Jeannine Garsee for writing what I see as the YA version of a Stephen King book with The Unquiet. Y’all, that is a huge compliment coming from me. Also, while it is a little bit early to recommend Halloween books, I’m pretty sure this is one tale that definitely has the approval of the midnight society.
The Unquiet
Rinn Jacobs, 16, moves suddenly from California to her mom’s hometown in Ohio. The change of scenery is rather huge. Rinn is not only dealing with being the new girl, but also with being bipolar and having been involved with a tragedy that happened when she was off her meds. Rinn quickly falls into the popular crowd at school and manages to catch the attention of Nate Brenner, the nice boy next door. Unfortunately, there’s a ghost named Annaliese who is dead set on vengeance and attacking and possessing Rinn and her friends.
I thought Garsee was sensitive in her portrayal of a person who is bipolar. She didn’t really sensationalize the illness. Plus, she made Rinn more than her diagnosis. At first I was worried I wouldn’t like or be able to relate to Rinn, but was proved wrong. Honestly, though, she has a good heart and it comes across in her character and her reactions to the Annaliese situation.
The romance in The Unquiet is sweet and well-developed. There’s no instalove here, but friendship which becomes something more. Plus the two, Nate and Rinn actually have chemistry and get this: JOKE AROUND. It’s not entirely all doom and gloom or sitting there staring at each other discussing who is hotter. I have to say, it’s a very refreshing relationship.
Despite being long for a YA book, The Unquiet by Jeannine Garsee is fast-paced. I was clicking the next button on my Kindle pretty quickly while reading and was unable to set this book down. But y’all, fair warning, parts of this book are put it in your freezer scary. If you want to read a book that will scare the ever loving heck out of you, this is absolutely THE ONE to pick.
Disclosure: Received for review via Netgalley.
Other reviews of The Unquiet by Jeannine Garsee:
The Reading Geek – “a creepy story that I just couldn’t put down”
My Shelf Confessions – “definitely creeptastic”
The Flyleaf Review – “as far an spine-tingling books go, this one has definitely got that”
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I cannot wait to read this one – though I’m a bit afraid to, as I am the biggest wimp ever and hate scary/creeepy things.
Ha ha ha, I can pretty much guarantee that parts of The Unquiet will totally creep you out. 😛
I am such a big scaredy cat but you’ve really made me take notice of this book! I love that Rinn is relatable and as soon as you mentioned that it would be a good Halloween read I started searching online stores for it – I need a book for a Halloween blog hop – thanks, April!
A Halloween blog hop? Cool. The Unquiet is PERFECT for that.
A YA version of a SK book? Yes! I must read this one. Maybe I’ll save it for around Halloween. 🙂
I really think this is the PERFECT Halloween book and probably an October release date would have been a good idea because they could play up that aspect. That stated, I think you’ll like this if you like Stephen King AND YA.
Wow! Awesome review! I’ll totally check this one out! (Maybe save it for Halloween, though!) I’m all for something that’s both awesome and scary! 😀 Thanks for the review! 😀
Indeed, it is both awesome and scary, aka a winning combination!
I was trying to decide yesterday if I should purchase this book for my library’s YA collection and your review just helped me realize that this is a book to add to the shelves. I think sometimes the teens want something different from all the paranormal romance out there and this sounds like the perfect alternative. Thanks for your review!
There are definitely paranormal elements in The Unquiet, but to me it does stand out from the sea of paranormal romances, in that neither of the main characters are paranormal creatures, and really there’s just one ghost.
Oh, yes! This is one I will definitely be picking up. I love a good scary read, though it seems nothing is THAT scary … I’ve been eyeing this one for a while now. It looks great! And a page-turner, too? AWESOME!
Great review, April!
Well, The Unquiet isn’t the most scary story ever but parts of it are definitely chilling. And yeah, it’s pretty hard to set down.
I hope you like The Unquiet when you read it!
Ah! This is a great great review. Particularly: “Plus the two, Nate and Rinn actually have chemistry and get this: JOKE AROUND. It’s not entirely all doom and gloom or sitting there staring at each other discussing who is hotter. I have to say, it’s a very refreshing relationship.”
LOVE THIS. Because you are so right. I don’t know about you but my husband and I don’t really spend much time talking about who is hot (um this never happens) but instead being major dorks. Nice to see that happen in a book. I think that’s a little bit of intimacy that is sometimes missing from this genre.
I’m looking up this book right now and seeing when and where I can read it!
Yeah, my boyfriend never sits around telling me how great looking I am, unfortunately. Oh well.
We do joke around a lot though and laugh over dorky stuff and I like reading that in books, as opposed to omg he’s so hot with his toussled hair or whatever. So yeah big points to The Unquiet for that.
I totally was not sure if I wanted to read this, but your review definitely has me sold. This sounds like an experience. A sweet love story plus I’m going to need to hide this book to be able to sleep tonight horror? Umm, yes, please!
Yo, if you like those individual elements then you’ll definitely dig The Unquiet, I think.
This book sounds fantastic! I’m so glad that Rinn’s being bipolar does not take over and ruin her character and that their is a romance with witty lines! I love those romances! and reading the witty banter! Definitely will check out this book! Fantastic review!
Witty banter is the best.
I will say that Rinn’s bipolarity is a large part of her, but it’s not all that defines her character if that makes sense.
I knew I wanted to read this book the first time I read he synopsis, but now I want to read it even more! I have been searching for a book to creep me out, so I am hoping this is the one 🙂 great review!
Vyki, this could totally be the book to creep you the hell out.
I read this yesterday and the ending had me squeaking. This one pulled no punches and Caspers where ghosts were concerned.
Right? The ending is SUPER freaky. I loved that no punches were pulled.
I love a good scary read sometimes, and this sounds so interesting. I think it’s really awesome that a sensitive issue (being bipolar) was tackled and tackled WELL in this book. I hope I get to read it soon!
Garsee does a great job tackling the issues and yeah this book is terrifying but good, especially if you are in the mood to be freaked out.
Love the scary teen books! Bring on the ghosts!
Me too!
Hey, thanks for the link, April:) I really enjoyed the character of Rinn as well, and I thought the way Garsee portrayed her bipolarity was perfect. And yeah, this book is definitely creepy, the scenes with the indoor pool and the Chlorine smell really freaked me out. You’re right, it would be a great Halloween read:)
I’m more than happy to link!
Oh man, I was so nervous every time they went near the pool. I was like no don’t be an idiot and go there. AND OF COURSE THEY DID.
Great book though, glad you enjoyed it as well 🙂
Sounds like a really good book all-in-all.
I like the idea of it and I’m glad that the topic of bipolarity was handled sensibly without making it seem glamorous or anything like that.
Thanks for this review 😀
The bipolarity is not glorified or anything, but neither does she make Rinn seem less than a person for having it either. Garsee does a great job with her portrayal of mental illness in The Unquiet. I think you’d like this one. 🙂
Oh my goodness! I’m not usually a scary book kind of girl, but I’m just so intrigued that I might have to pick this one up. Maybe I’ll just read it during the day so I’m not scared before bed. 🙂
Ha ha, yeah I would read this before bed which was totally not my most genius idea ever. It’s good though, but read it while there’s daylight.
I’ve heard The Unquiet is creepy, but it’s a little hard to believe since I don’t get that vibe from the cover or synopsis. Your review has definitely convinced me, though. I’ll be sure to read this for my Halloween Creepy Books month ;]
Oh, this would be the perfect book for a Halloween reading event. Seriously, the cover is a little deceiving although water kind of plays a part. But yeah dude this is totally a chilling read.
Hooray for not sensationalizing! This doesn’t seem like a book I would normally be into but I’m intrigued by Nate and Rinn. They seem so sweet in such a creepy book. I’m definitely going to try to read this now. Wonderful review. 🙂
They do stand out as a couple. I hope you like this one Elena, even though it’s out of your comfort zone. 🙂
This sounds completely up my alley. My half-brother is bipolar so I know how awful the mental illness can be, even on the good days. Thanks for the fab review, I will definitely be checking this one out!
This is totally one of those books I had zero interest in until reviews like yours started rolling out. Why the heck do I suddenly love incredibly creepy books? I’ve been such a wimp all my life, and yet you have me so wanting to check out The Unquiet. Creep factor coupled with no annoying insta love and fast pacing, and I’m thinking I WILL have to add this to my fall TBR.