Tabitha FreemanCritiques

A good one time read

The Life We Unmade—member giveaway—Tabitha Freeman
From the very first lines, I fell into the author’s style and cadence—it felt like such a comfortable read—that is always a good thing.
The story is complex, which is good because it kept me guessing but also bad because at one point I needed to backtrack to see what I may have missed, and the ending still left me puzzled as to exactly “when” the characters were at the end of the book—who the supporting character were in the last manifestation and how they related to the main characters in their latest life. Sometimes I do not mind a little confusion—it gives you something to chew on even after the book is finished, but this seemed more like something to work at rather than something to puzzle over.
And as much as I enjoyed the author’s style and word choice, I was very disappointed in several grammatical errors. I don’t know if I just got a reader’s copy, but the editor failed the author if mine was a finished copy. An error as common as the ones that occurred take the read from a smooth, enjoyable journey to a rock in the road that totally disrupts the flow. Very disappointing. (Copper & I vs. Copper and me—that type happened multiple times.)
Overall, I enjoyed the book and I may reread it with a sharper eye to the previous lives.

Actual rating 3.25
Through this story, we explore past lives and how the events of those lives affect us in the current life. The author asks the question of what do we bring with us from those age-old journeys?

The story was good; the characters were distinctive, but the disconnected association from present to past started to become exhausting to read. The story begins on one timeline, jumps to the fourteen months wake up in another life, then move back and forth through the present and past. In the second act of the story, we get an entirely different story, the backdrop of the events of the future. Finally, everything comes full circle. Sounds like a lot? Well, it was, and it made the story move on for quite some time. As a person very interested in the idea of past lives and carnelian stones, I began to get leery of the sequence of the events. Ready for things to settle on one event. This book felt as if I was reading two, rather than one book.

I liked the idea of the book and the "what if" question that it posses. I didn't like how long it took to get to it. And the stubbornness of the main character became less endearing with each risk she took.

It is hard to place The Life We Unmade in a category - Paranormal Romance, Thriller, Fictional Historical Romance, maybe? Not that the genre matters but I find it hard to recommend this book to a particular reader. The romance of the book is light yet to mystical art of the book is also limited. The story could have done with a little bit more of one or the other . . . or maybe both.

This well-written novella begins in a sweet and happy home sprinkled with a touch of mystery. An adorably innocent little boy melts the hearts of those around him. With the passing of time, the mystery grows.

All families have their secrets. Closets are filled with skeletons bearing the names of various embarrassments and horrors. Nobody wants the public to know their great aunt was psychotic or that Cousin Fred was a murderer. Hospitals and shelters see numerous cases where the abused refuses to report the guilty party. Living a lie is easier than seeing the judgement reflected in the eyes of others. Pretending is much easier. It’s natural for a person to want to live in a safe environment, even if it is fabricated.

In this case, however, the well-kept family secret affects more than just the family. An unseen force is unleashed on this sleepy little town. The terror lasts long enough to forever scar the residents of Warm Springs.

A group of former students of Newton High School has dwindled even further. The death certificates list the cause as suicides. The young men and women know different. Overwhelmed by paralyzing fear and guilt, they come together to plan a way to appease the entity.

The strength and reach of this being’s influence is infinite. I rode along on the waves of terror at each appearance hoping to avoid another death. I held my breath anytime a symptom would mysteriously manifest. Anxiety made me step away a few times.

Unlike Colin, I lost hope of anyone left living after the murderous rampage. The attacks were invasive. They were too personal to allow any survivors. There’s no difference between guilt and guilt by association. This being was making a statement.

I really enjoyed this novel. I found it to be well written and to deal with relevant topics. I would highly recommend this book to my friends. I'm looking forward to it being published so that I can buy a hard back copy.

This was a well constructed story with engaging quirky characters. The pace flagged at times with the love element. The discovery of the existence and extent of horror was too drawn out for my taste but good for the lead up to tipping from passive encounters to active doing something about it. Macabre was well written. I received this as a LibraryThing Member GiveAway. Thank you.½