Review: Cryer’s Cross by Lisa McMann

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Kendall loves her life in small town Cryer's Cross, Montana, but she also longs for something more. She knows the chances of going to school in New York are small, but she's not the type to give up easily. Even though it will mean leaving Nico, the world's sweetest boyfriend, behind. But when Cryer's Cross is rocked by unspeakable tragedy, Kendall shoves her dreams aside and focuses on just one goal: help find her missing friends. Even if it means spending time with the one boy she shouldn't get close to... the one boy who makes her question everything she feels for Nico. Determined to help and to stay true to the boy she's always loved, Kendall keeps up the search--and stumbles upon some frightening local history. She knows she can't stop digging, but Kendall is about to find out just how far the townspeople will go to keep their secrets buried.... “Cryer’s Cross is an eerie, gripping, totally addictive, breathtaking whirl of a book with an ending that left me haunted for days. Lisa McMann has done it again—this book is unputdownable!” --Alyson Noël, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Immortals series.

Cryer’s Cross by Lisa McMann has a bit of a fascinating concept and could have been incredibly creepy and horrific, however, the execution left something to be desired on my part.

Cryer’s Cross is the name of an incredibly small town in Montana, as in the population is 212. The school is one room. There’s only 4 kids in each class. Already, my mind goes towards Children of the Corn. I admit, corn fields are hella creepy. Anyways, the book opens with a man hunt for missing sophmore Tiffany. We meet main character, senior Kendall Fletcher and her friend-boy, Nico who take part in the man hunt. Kendall has OCD, plays soccer, and is a dancer. Nico is the boy next door and Kendall’s best friend. Anyways, the man hunt ends and they don’t find Tiffany. Two new people move to town, Jacian and his sister. More things happen. Another student disappears.

Really, as the book is super short, that’s the most I can sum up without giving the entire plot away. Between a few of the chapters are these weird excerpts that begin with ‘We’ and say some freaky, but hilarious things. I mean, unintentionally hilarious. I know it was trying to be scary, but it just completely took me out of the story. I get that is supposed to be paranormal and mysterious, but I would kind of groan and just want to get back to Kendall and the scenes with Jacian.

I also felt like I never really connected with the characters. I would say this is a plot centered book, which is fine. Some people prefer those books. Personally, though, I like my books character-driven. And I sort of felt like Kendall was a blank slate, or an any-girl. I mean, sure,  she has a few defining characteristics, like OCD, but I never felt she was any sort of a special snowflake or real. I did like Jacian, but again, I’ve read him before. The angry bad boy, with a soft exterior, because he’s going through something.

I did enjoy the pacing though. It’s third person present tense. It feels a little bit like a movie. Also, I haven’t read a whole lot of books with this sort of point of view. I thought this was unique and a great way to present the story.

Although Cryer’s Cross was a disappointment to me, I am looking forward to checking out Lisa McMann’s Wake series.

Other Reviews:

All About {N}
The Compulsive Reader
YA Librarian Tales
YA Bliss

The following two tabs change content below.

• Bio
• Latest Posts

April (Books&Wine)

April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.

Latest posts by April (Books&Wine) (see all)

• Two Thrilling Audiobooks For Augtober - August 20, 2023
• 3 Romances To Read This Summer - August 19, 2023
• Two Five Star Reads That I Am Obsessed With - August 6, 2023