About the book: “We never knew there could be people in the orchard. Dangerous people.”
When a mysterious explosion kills her sister, Salem becomes convinced the death was no accident--it was a conspiracy. But no one else at her high school believes her, and all she has so far are theories and clues. With Carrie's killers still out there, Salem's not sure who she can trust. If she can't she prove she’s right before it’s too late, the conspiracy might take another life—hers.
My review: Holy Cow! I loved this book! I loved the way the plot sucked me in and wouldn't let me out until it resolved itself at the end.
I really liked the way the book is all from Salem's perspective. And hers is an interesting one. Growing up, it was just her and her sister and her dad. Salem's mom left when she was young, and her sister, Carrie, had kind of taken over her mom's role in Salem's life. Not only do you see the whole thing from her perspective, but I thought the way that the view jumps back and forth in time was awesome! Being able to see the present and the past made the whole plot make more sense than just having a static time period would have.
I liked the way Salem and actually Carrie too, were able to be strong, fearless young women. I was kind of surprised that Salem went out of her way to find out what had happened to Carrie with really no fear of a similar thing happening to her. And throughout the whole book she has no idea who she can really trust either. I know I was just as surprised as she was when the killer is revealed at the end!
There is a whole cast of great characters that Salem knows, from the kids she goes to school with, to her dad, and the adults in her life as well.
This is a great book that I didn't want to put down until after the very suspenseful ending!
I was sent a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Excerpt: The class is dead silent. Mr. White’s lips tighten. He swallows. There’s something dangerous about the new guy. The teacher leans over AddyDay’s desk and spins her packet so he can read the list of partnerships. “Fine. We’ll break up the threesome. You’ll pair with . . . Salem Jefferson.”
At the sound of my name, I turn to look at my new partner.
The guy near the door is tall. He has the kind of incredible good looks that invite stares, but that’s not the only reason he’s getting them now. The cursive lettering of a tattoo rises from the opening of the guy’s worn flannel shirt. Two gold chains hang from his brown neck. A guy accessorized in gang paraphernalia, not caked with it. His only completely visible marking is an upside down V inked onto his right cheekbone, black and distinct. The tattoo calls my attention for some reason, even though I’m sure I’ve never seen a symbol like that before. An upside down V . . . it seems so familiar.
His expressionless, dark eyes dart to meet my gaze from under a stiff, backward-facing ball cap. My classmates watch him stare at me.
“Salem Jefferson,” he says slowly, putting a slight emphasis on my last name. He waits for my response.
I realize he knows exactly who Salem Jefferson is. Exactly who I am. I’m Carrie’s sister.
Terrified, I whirl back around to face forward. Gang members targeted Carrie, made her frightened. Was he one of them? The skin between my shoulder blades tightens. Why were gang guys after Carrie?
Giveaway: To enter the giveaway comment on my blog answering this question: Tell us what about Shatter most makes you want to read it and/or enter the Inspired by Shatter contest? a Rafflecopter giveaway
About the author: Nikki Trionfo lives in Riverton, Utah with five kids, a CrossFit-training husband who writes computer code, and lots of hip hop background music. Her teen murder mystery, SHATTER (May '17 from Cedar Fort), won grand prize in LDStorymakers’ First Chapter Alongside Heather Clark, she hosts free writing webinars on YouTube at #50FirstChapters.
A committed party-girl, Nikki serves as the social coordinator of LDStorymakers Conference and chair of Storymakers Tribe. Other notable stuff includes an honorable mention in Writers of the Future and a spot in Utah Horror Writer's shorty-story anthology. This all sounds really serious, but if you run into her, she gets down. Truly.
Book Links: Cedar Fort - Website - Dance Off - Playlist - Inspired by Shatter - Shatter WorldLabels: Cedar Fort, clean ya, Giveaways, Nikki Trionfo
