Every Breath: Review

November 20, 2014 2014, 4 star books, australian authors, contemporary, Kim, mystery 32 ★★★★

Every Breath: ReviewEvery Breath by Ellie Marney
Series: Every #1
on October 14, 2014
Genres: contemporary, mystery
Pages: 335
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
Amazon • Indiebound • Barnes & Noble • Goodreads
four-stars
When James Mycroft drags Rachel Watts off on a night mission to the Melbourne Zoo, the last thing she expects to find is the mutilated body of Homeless Dave, one of Mycroft's numerous eccentric friends. But Mycroft's passion for forensics leads him to realize that something about the scene isn't right--and he wants Watts to help him investigate the murder.

While Watts battles her attraction to bad-boy Mycroft, he's busy getting himself expelled and clashing with the police, becoming murder suspect number one. When Watts and Mycroft unknowingly reveal too much to the cold-blooded killer, they find themselves in the lion's den--literally. A trip to the zoo will never have quite the same meaning to Rachel Watts again...

There are perhaps some things you should know about me before I embark on this review:

  • I am not traditionally a fan of either contemporary or mystery
  • I am not a fan of the popular BBC series Sherlock nor any other Sherlock adaptation
  • I really do not like bad boy love interests
  • I freaking adored this book

When I saw that my friend Gillian was absolutely losing it over the ship in this book I knew I had to get my hands on it ASAP! And boy, did she not let me down! It’s going to take something really special to get this SFF loving gal to even read a contemporary let alone love it. Congrats, Ellie Marney. You succeeded in spades.

Man, how good is the characterization in this book? I loved Rachel so much. It’s rare that I think that a character in YA comes across as an actual teenager, but Rachel does. In all the best ways. She’s angry and angsty, but still smart and responsible. She’s not a stereotype; she’s a human being who is adjusting. She’s amidst the abrupt trauma of being uprooted from her happy home in the country to her struggling home in the city. Rachel’s issues never feel like they take the backseat and all are handled with deft skill by the author.

And then there’s Mycroft. Is Mycroft really a bad boy? I feel like if Mycroft is a bad boy then he’s the most decent bad boy I’ve ever encountered. Okay, yeah, he smokes cigarettes which is a major, major turnoff. I trust YA readers to chalk this off to the inherent imperfectness of humans. Don’t smoke, kids! Anyway, Mycroft still has the whole skinny!tall British boy vibe going on. There is a very, very fine line to walk with the “I’m a charming and rakish scamp.” vibe without taking it into jerk territory. Ellie Marney walks that line with aplomb.

I don’t normally find mystery storylines compelling but this one kept stringing me along. I mean, even to the point where I (disappointingly) guessed who the villain was fairly early on into the story, I kept going because the rest of the story and the characters themselves were so compelling that I had to find out what would happen. Ellie Marney knows how to play our emotional chords.

And it was so enjoyable to get to experience the darkly glittering aspects of Melbourne through Watt’s eyes. The gritty sparkliness of that city really comes to life through Marnie’s narration. Rachel isn’t super in love with the city yet she’s able to appreciate the sort of grim beauty all the same. I was super appreciative, too, how her issues are never made into a “thing” but are handled skillfully as a normal part of teenage life.

I especially loved the action packed climax of the story. My heart was going to pound right out of my chest with the anticipation. I know there are sequels. Obviously Watts and Mycroft will survive. It makes the writing that more impressive that I actually feared for their lives at the end there.

But what makes this book really special? It’s the undeniable sexual tension between Watts and Mycroft. Throughout the book the relationship between the two is a very slow burn, sort of smoldering tension. Things really culminate in the final third of the book where all of that slow burning finally pays off. Honestly, these two get so cutesy I just want to squee! Actual real life squee! It’s the sort of hard fought relationship that really feels worth it in YA.  Watts and Mycroft are my favorite new-to-me couple of 2014. Hooray for new ships to ship! The tension and build up are pitch perfect.

Now I just spend my days thinking about what exactly it would take to get a copy of Every Word into my grubby little mitts. Watts. Mycroft. In London. *grabby hands intensify* *Kim dies of the waiting* Yes, very tragic.

Anyway! This book is a wonderful swirl of atmospheric, gritty mystery and Aussie contemporary and SHIPPY SHIP. You can tell I really liked the ship. You should ship it too. Read it. Now. That way we can all cry together about waiting another year for the sequel. Misery loves company.

 

 

kim teal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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32 Responses to “Every Breath: Review”

  1. Alexa S.

    I remember seeing Every Breath get quite a lot of attention in the past month! It made me curious, but I’ve also been hesitant. Like you, I’m a much bigger fantasy reader as opposed to anything else and I’m not much for mysteries. But this ship? This ship sounds so shippable and so great and it makes me just the teensiest bit curious ;)
    Alexa S. recently posted…Top Ten Clues You’re Clueless – Liz Czukas

  2. Michelle

    I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed this – it’s such a great series! The sexual tension ramps up a lot more in Every Word which I thought was a really fab sequel to this. Really excited for the third book!
    Michelle recently posted…Every Word by Ellie Marney

  4. Carina Olsen

    Aw, yay :D Amazing review Kim. <3 I am so glad you loved this book. I have seen so much about it lately. So many are loving it :) Makes me think I should get it too. Hmm. I am like you, though, I don't watch any Sherlock, I don't really read this genre. But so many love this. And you loved it too. Hoping to buy it one day :) Thank you for sharing sweetie. <3
    Carina Olsen recently posted…In My Mailbox #160

    • Kim

      Yes and so many are loving it for good reason! I’m always so wary of the hype machine but the hype machine did not lie in this case! It’s really one of the better books I’ve read in 2014 and I’m so glad I took a chance on it even though mystery/Sherlock/contemporary really aren’t my things! I hope you get to read it soon!
      Kim recently posted…Sublime: Review

    • Kim

      Thanks, Mel!

      I am doubly glad it got picked up here! My life would have been so much the poorer without the gloriousness that is Mycroft and Watts! So great. And lucky you! You can’t wait for Book 3 but I can’t wait for Book 2 gah! Guess now I know how it always feel when this is flipped!
      Kim recently posted…Sublime: Review

  6. J. Oh

    I’m not a big fan of mystery either, but your review makes me want to read this ASAP. :)

    • Kim

      I was so glad I gave it a shot! I think as long as you’re still really down for a lovely YA romance then this book will have no problem drawing you in!
      Kim recently posted…Sublime: Review

    • Kim

      I knowwwww. I’m right on the same boat with you! I finally found a copy on Fishpond and the sequel will shortly be on its way to me. I’m gonna the hug the hell out of that book when it arrives. I’ve heard the romance only gets better. Anticipation is killing me!!

    • Kim

      Oh sit no longer! Believe the hype on this one. I don’t think not being a Sherlock fan will get in the way of enjoyment at all. It’s really not like you need to be familiar with Sherlock stories to appreciate the book. It’s a very loose adaptation.

  11. Jasprit

    I have seen some really praising reviews for this book so far Kim, so I’m glad that you were one of those readers who were able to enjoy this book too! It’s always annoying when you’re able to guess who the villain is early on, but I’m glad that this didn’t put you off in not continuing with this story, and also the romance sounds wonderful!!! I must read this book asap!
    Jasprit recently posted…Review & Giveaway: Made For You by Melissa Marr

    • Kim

      There’s always a bit of wariness when a book comes with so much hype. And I often find myself the black sheep when I suddenly see all of my friends praising a book. But I was so happy to be right along on the bandwagon for this one! I really didn’t mind the villain thing. The rest of the story was so enjoyable that it was really just a minor distraction-so that’s an endorsement for sure! The romance is so good. So, so good. I love these two! Even a month after reading the book they make me all smiley to think about!

  12. Pili

    I am a fan of both the Sherlock books and the BBC Sherlock show!! But unrelated with this, because simply by reading your review I know I must try and get this one as soon as I can lift my book buying ban!
    I love mysteries and ships to ship with slow burn build up and genuine teenagers and British boys!!
    Yep, I must get this one!!
    Pili recently posted…Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award!!

    • Kim

      You will really love this one, Pili! I know it! You should read it soon in case it might make your top ten list (pretty sure it’ll be on mine!) I hope that ban ends before the end of the year??? I’m just about to start a ban myself as soon as I acquire the rest of the books that I think might be contenders for my top ten!

    • Kim

      I find that I enjoy Aussie contemporaries more than US ones (what’s that about? something in the water?). I’d certainly read a lot more YA mystery if they were all like this one! You know, served with a healthy dose of romance!!

  14. Emily

    I loveeeed this book. Let’s take a trip to Australia just to get copies of Every Word. Just a quick plane ride there and back?

    • Kim

      Yeah we enjoyed this one a lot. Probably a lot more than most of our picks this year really. I am all for this trip to Australia for a copy. My kingdom for a copy of EVERY WORD!!
      Kim recently posted…Every Breath: Review

  15. Nikki

    I actually really love Sherlock Holmes adaptations and am always looking for good ones (The Great Mouse Detective is NOT one of these). This sounds very interesting and I’ll look forward to reading it. Mystery and YA don’t usually blend well for me but your review has more than sparked my interest :)

    • Kim

      I pretty much never read mystery so I was surprised how much I enjoyed this one! If you already like Sherlock I’m sure this one is definitely for you. Don’t forget the ROMANCE too! The best part! :D

    • Kim

      I know! I’m always so delightfully surprised when I enjoy a contemporary so much! I know you won’t regret adding this to the TBR. I’m pretty sure this one will make my Top 10 list for the year pretty much based solely on how much I love the ship. They are THAT adorable!