Lisa McMann

A page-turning realistic novel with a shocking twist from bestselling author Lisa McMann. Ethan was abducted from his front yard when he was just seven years old. Now, at sixteen, he has returned to his family. It’s a miracle…at first. Then the tensions start to build. His reintroduction to his old life isn’t going smoothly, and his family is tearing apart all over again. If only Ethan could remember something, anything, about his life before, he’d be able to put the pieces back together. But there’s something that’s keeping his memory blocked. Something unspeakable...

Dead to You

jess

[review from 2012]

Okay, wow. So I just read Dead to You by Lisa McMann (I keep telling myself to read happy boos, but apparently that’s not happening) and, well, wow. I started last night and the only reason I stopped reading was because I’m falling asleep. It was a really good book. I haven’t read any of her others because dark fantasy scares me. In fact, I heard of this book because the fabulous Aaron Tveit was reading the audiobook. So I got this book because I wanted to imagine his voice. 

It turned out to be much more than that and in the final pages I found myself turning quickly to see what was coming. To be honest I found the ending predictable. The second Blake did his genetics test and the rest of his family had brown eyes and Ethan had green, I knew that something was wrong. However, the ending was kind of abrupt. 

It was a really good book though and I really need to read something happier.

Ethan was abducted from his front garden when he was just seven years old. Now, at sixteen, he has returned to his family. It's a miracle. At first. Then the tensions start to build, and his family starts falling apart all over again. If only Ethan could remember something, anything, about his life before, he'd be able to put the pieces back together. But there's something that's keeping his memory blocked. Something unspeakable.

Eleanor Luhar

This is just a short YA book, but it was really interesting. It's about Ethan, a teenager who was abducted 9 years ago and lived alone on the streets after being abandoned, who has returned to his family at last.

Obviously, it isn't going to be easy for anyone. But Ethan doesn't remember a single detail from his life before the abduction, and his brother, Blake, is adamant that he's an imposter. The family goes through therapy together, and Ethan builds a loving relationship with his young new sister. But even with his new girlfriend, Ethan finds his new life awkward and difficult. The tension in his house is unbearable, and his own anger issues aren't making things any easier.

I personally found Ethan's edgy, youthful narration a bit fabricated. Almost like McMann was trying too hard to make him come across a certain way. But it wasn't a major problem, and I still enjoyed the book.

And the ending was so unexpected, and not in the typical, predictable way. I won't ruin it for anyone who wants to read it, but the ending raised this book from 3.5 stars to 4.

Alissa Delgado

Good twist at the end. I was expecting it but at the same time I wasn't sure

Tiffany Robinson

I thought this book sounded a lot better then it actually was. Through this whole book I felt like something was missing and I never came to care about the characters since I felt you never really got to know them. It was a fast read but not something I enjoyed.

Anastaciya

I don't know what to say about this book. I can't even say the story was incomplete, I believe the author told us what she wanted, but I feel confused.

Mahasin S Ameen

I agree with other goodreads users, this book could do with either a sequel or about twenty pages more. The story itself is pretty good, well written, my problem is the characterization, Mama seems to exist only within her children, no real thoughts of goals outside of Ethan, Blake and Gracie. Dad really only exists for a couple of reasons, to build Ethan's room, to doubt that Ethan is Ethan, and to argue in abstract with Mama. 

Blake is an annoying little shit, and really that's the best, nicest thing I can say about him.

Gracie is typical "cute little sister" who actually had some of the wittier lines and good conversation.

Cami is you typical "cute girl next door who is dating the jock asshat".

Ethan tries to be so complex and in a way he is both complex and one dimensional.

It's sad, it's fucked up and yet somehow it's all kind of beautiful. McMann does a great job in crafting this novel.

But most of the characters grate at small bit of soul I have left and so I had to give this three stars.

Joleen

No. How can it just end like that. I gave this book a chance. Wasn't a fan. I predicted what was going to happen the moment Blake sat at the table for dinner checking everyone's eyes. 1 star is me being nice.

Dead to You

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