STITCH
Stitch Trilogy #1
by Samantha Durante
Publisher: Self-Published (Aug. 2012)
Genre: Dystopia, Sci-Fi, Young Adult
Format: Paperback (314 pages)
Source: Won
Purchase: Amazon Print | Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble
Rating: ★★☆☆☆ (2 stars)
Her heart races, her muscles coil, and every impulse in Alessa’s body screams at her to run… but yet she’s powerless to move.
Still struggling to find her footing after the sudden death of her parents, the last thing college freshman Alessa has the strength to deal with is the inexplicable visceral pull drawing her to a handsome ghostly presence. In between grappling with exams and sorority soirees – and disturbing recurring dreams of being captive in a futuristic prison hell – Alessa is determined to unravel the mystery of the apparition who leaves her breathless. But the terrifying secret she uncovers will find her groping desperately through her nightmares for answers.
Because what Alessa hasn’t figured out yet is that she’s not really a student, the object of her obsession is no ghost, and her sneaking suspicions that something sinister is lurking behind the walls of her university’s idyllic campus are only just scratching the surface…
The opening installment in a twist-laden trilogy, Stitch spans the genres of paranormal romance and dystopian sci-fi to explore the challenges of a society in transition, where morality, vision, and pragmatism collide leaving the average citizen to suffer the results.
At A Glance
I am so conflicted. I can’t deny it, I was so bored most of Stitch, but I am fascinated by the story.
The Good
This is a hard review because there are so many twists, turns, and surprises in Stitch that I would ruin it for anyone if I said too much. This is the kind of book you have to read to understand it for yourself. I think the mystery of it all made it so excited. You never know what’ really going on. And once you find out, you are dumbfounded. Never would have guessed these twists at all.
Since I covered the first two-thirds of the book in The Bad section, let’s just focus on the last part here. Once you get to the meat of the story, be prepared for a whirlwind of intrigue, terror, and mind-blowing surprises. You do NOT want to live in the world of Stitch. Not. At. All. Especially if you were not chosen to be one of the privileged. But that’s why I love this world. It’s so horribly fascinating.
Isaac and Alessa are caught up in the middle of a war that very few people know about, and it has brought them together. These two are very resilient. They’ve chosen to represent the minority, the resistance and have paid a heavy price for their choices. But really there is no choice, because the world cannot remain the way it is being run. It’s sick, its wrong, it’s terrifying. I was happy to see that at least they had each other.
The Bad
Really, I was just bored for most of Stitch. The meat of the story didn’t come until the last one-fourth or one-third of the book. The beginning “ghost story” part was so…unnecessary. I get how it related to the story but it was played out for too long. Because, in the end, the people we meet in the first part of the book are not the people they become in the last part. Needless to say, the first part of the book is very much disjoined from the last part.
The abundance of flashbacks was a little nauseating. I want to read a book and be in the moment, not told over and over again what happened before.
The character development was lacking. I didn’t really feel much of a connection with any of them.
The Snuggly
There is not much romance in this book. Isaac and Alessa don’t get to spend much time together and most of what we see of their relationship is in flashbacks. And kissing is as far as the sexual content goes.
Final Thoughts
I did enjoy myself once we got to the main story, so Shudder, the second book in the series is a go. I actually signed up for the blog tour. I think the concept of this trilogy is creepy as hell and really interesting. I want to see where this all goes. I would recommend this book to those who can handle a boring first two-thirds to get to a crazy intriguing one-third.
“Still holding the guards in place to complete the release of the doors, Isaac reached towards Alessa, wrapping his arm around her waist and pulling her close to his side. He beamed down at her, his sapphire eyes filled with pride. Her eyelids fluttering shut, Alessa reached her lips towards his, craving his touch after so many weeks apart.
But as Alessa closed the space between them, her lips met nothing but air. Opening her eyes with alarm, she found Isaac crumpled on the floor, a massive snarling guard looming over her holding a heavy baton.”
Sarah Elizabeth
Totally agree with you on this one, I thought it was pretty boring too. I also thought that the start of the story and the end of the story were really disjointed.
Jennifer Bielman
Yeah, this one had such potential. But it’s obvious what went wrong. I so hope book two is better.
Elisa
I agree with your comments, but I guess I just wasn’t as bored as you were during the first 2/3 or so. But yeah, totally disjointed action-wise! I am looking forward to the second one because it should hopefully have a lot more action and a lot more reality to it.
Jennifer Bielman
I’m happy you enjoyed though. I really do hope Shudder is better.
kimbacaffeinate
I see where you are coming from, but I really enjoyed this and slipped right into the tale. Great review and I hope you try Shudder.
Jennifer Bielman
That’s awesome. I get happy when people like a book I don’t because then I know it’s just me and others can enjoy it.
Brandi Kosiner
Sorry it didn’t keep your attention for the first part but the ending does sound good.
Jennifer Bielman
Yes, for sure the ending was pretty amazing.
Annah Schoonover
I absolutely agree with your review. I just recently read Stitch and I was entirely too bored for the first 2/3 so when the action started happening I got way too excited. The rest of it was fantastic. It would have been much better to kick that stuff off earlier. I’m reading Shudder right now and I’m only a few chapters in but it’s already miles better. I hope you enjoy Shudder!
Annah
Jennifer Bielman
Yup, I just started Shudder. It is better. Still a tiny bit slow but way way better.
Jaclyn Canada
I was soo looking forward to this review, and seeing the two stars was a bit disappointing. I’m sorry it was so boring in the first part. I have a hard time sticking through that to get all the way to the end if that’s the case. I do love the twists and turns aspect, but with how full my to-read list is now, I think I’m going to look over this one and maybe come back to it later. Thank you so much for a great review 😀 Jaclyn @ JC’s Book Haven.
Jennifer Bielman
Yeah, no rush on this one. Though I am reading Shudder right now, and WOW, so much better. Though I tiny bit slow, it’s still way better.
Neyra
I agree the beginning was a slow start, but the ending was awesome! I do have to admit that Shudder isn’t quite blowing me away like this one did. *sigh* I hope it’s better for you though 🙂
Jennifer Bielman
Uh Oh, I think Shudder is way better. I like the action. Hopefully it gets better for you.