Review: The Girl Who Was Supposed to Die by April Henry

Title: The Girl Who Was Supposed To Die

Author: April Henry

Publisher: Henry Holt & Company

Publication Date: June 2013

Genre: Young Adult Fiction/Thriller

Series or Stand Alone: Stand Alone

Synopsis can be found here.
NetGalley review

Review:

A girl, unknown name, wakes up to find herself being held captive. Her two kidnappers are discussing what should be done about her. One addresses the other- to take her out and back and take care of her. And so the girl must fight for her life and flee, trying desperately to remember her identity and her life, before it's too late.

Let me say that April Henry's books plots are always so intriguing. I love the ideas of them - a teen in danger, real true danger, fighting the odds and fighting for her life. She takes real events and puts the characters in such real and dangerous situations, the stories are page turners.

But The Girl Who Was Supposed To Die maybe is too outrageous, even for me.

Girl, and I won't tell you her name, wakes up and is on the run. There are a lot of unanswered questions as she tries to flee the cabin where her captors have her held.

I don't want to give too much away on plot because I think part of the intrigue of these books is not knowing what's going to happen.

The story moves fast, and I did read it in one sitting.

But I have some problems with the book in general. First of all, the main character, while sympathetic, is bland. She is supposed to be any girl probably, but her personality is so middle of the road, even by the end of the book, I wasn't sure if I liked her or not. There's nothing that sets her apart from anything, anyone except her circumstances. Fair enough. But even as she's running for her life, you'd think some aspects/quirks of her personality would shine through.

Also, some of the events in the story are so outrageous, I found it unbelievable. Especially at the end. Some of it I got, the parents, and what really happened and the events leading up to her waking up on the floor. But certain things in the book are too out there, even for me and my suspended disbelief. That, sadly, includes Ty. The boy who works at McDonalds and who starts to help her out. Sorry, Ty, but given the crazy circumstances, I'm not sure if either of you would be worried about what her body felt like on yours during that one instance when you're trying to get away. (I'm talking about a specific instance that this came up and it seems silly.) 

I know, I know. Sensitivity is heightened, blah blah blah. But he's helping her from a garbage bin...never mind.


Overall, the story is a quick fast paced read that I am sure many will like.
But there wasn't enough character development or heart for me.

Rating 5- Okay