Embers

Embers is a YA crime novel set in a fictional mining town in northern Sweden and the village of the midnight sun. Seventeen-year-old Ellen Blind and her brother Simon, a fourteen-year-old with Aspergers, are on holiday. At home, their parents sort out marital problems. With the hope the siblings will bond, the two youths explore the birthplace of their late grandfather, Lars-Erik, and discover their Sami roots. The holiday fun ends when the pair find reindeer heads ceremonially arranged in the forest. Simon insists the reindeer have been poisoned and suspects the townspeople. The police show an alarming lack of interest, and Simon is determined to investigate the case himself, dragging Ellen into the matter. The more the siblings learn, the more Ellen suspects that the reindeer killing connects to their grandfather. Embers by Josephine Greenland is intriguing. Although the animals' killing lends a gruesome element to the tale, the characters are well written and the story interesting. The discovery of past indiscretions and the description of the Sami community held my interest until the end.

For her first book it was good. I have to admit for me it was a little slow. I am use to mysteries of Mary Higgins Clark and this was on the same speed. It is a very good YA mystery.

I just completed Embers by Josephine Greenland. Wow! This was an awesome story. It was not what I expected. It is classified as a YA mystery. I figured it would be a light read. I was sooo wrong. It was pretty dark and gritty. The main characters are a brother and sister duo. They happen upon a terrible crime scene and decide they must investigate. Their investigation leads to finding out about cultural and family secrets. One Thing I loved about this novel was the touch of paranormal aspects. I also loved learning a little about the Sami and reindeer herding. This also reminded me of the first season of True Detective on HBO in that Matthew McConaughey’s character Rustin Cohle was so much like the brother Simon in this story. And that is a good thing! I gave this 4 stars.

(Thank you Netgalley and Unbound for a eARC in exchange for a honest review)

One of the best parts of this book, for me, was how it started straight into the action. In lots of mysteries I've read, it takes a couple chapters for the actual 'mystery' to happen. Whereas, in Embers, it starts straight away with Ellen and Simon discovering the dead reindeer and jumping right into starting to investigate which i appreciated. I loved how the Sami culture and traditions were woven through and found it really interesting to read about as well as learning about the traditional ways of reindeer herding.

I don't have much criticism for Embers except from how it was a bit slow in the middle (but only a little) and how it was a little unrealistic for kids their age to be sent on holiday unsupervised. Overall though, I thought this was a really good YA mystery

This was an awesome story. It was not what I expected. It is classified as a YA mystery. I figured it would be a light read. I was so wrong. It was pretty dark and gritty.

New author, Josephine Greenland's, EMBERS is an excellent YA thriller premiere!

Ellen and Simon are siblings whose parents have been arguing much more since their father's return from a family funeral. They don't know their father's family too well and had been promised a vacation to the Blind family hometown for some time. Now, their parents are making Ellen and Simon take the trip by themselves; a trip that Ellen really has no desire to undertake.

Arriving in the small reindeer-herding town, they find nothing to do except ride bicycles and go exploring. Bored and wishing to return to the hostel, Ellen gives in to Simon's request to ride through the forested areas. Boredom quickly turns to horrific fear and wide-eyed fascination when they stumble upon a grisly sight in an open glen.

Simon's Aspberger's compels him to make this his mystery/detective mission. Ellen realizes that Simon will not rest until he figures out the what, how and why of it all. Suddenly, this vacation is no longer a vacation.
Small towns can hide big secrets and the woods can have eyes at any time. How can two teenage strangers possibly discover what may be the biggest town secret of them all?

Ms. Greenland keeps a great pace throughout her story. She also knows the behaviors of persons on the autism spectrum and how their minds and attitudes come across to others. ( I have a son on the spectrum.) As a thriller it does a masterful job and, as a peek into the world of Aspberger's syndrome, she does an excellent characterization. I would say that his is a excellent read for the YA and parents, too.

Embers was an interesting YA mystery by a first time author. I enjoyed learning about the Sami culture and how reindeer herding was a tradition. Thanks to NetGalley and Unbound for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.