“My choice is I can die now, or I can die in seven days?” (Jackson, 27). Not Quite Dead Yet, Holly Jackson’s latest book, is as intriguing as books come. It’s a story full of mystery that keeps the crisp pages brushing against the reader’s fingertips, turning one page after another.
Holly Jackson, the author of the A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder series, has taken the reading world by storm. With the series now becoming a TV show on Netflix, it’s no secret how much everyone adores her writing. Back in July, Jackson released a new book called Not Quite Dead Yet. The book is thrilling and full of twists that nobody would see coming. The main character, Margaret Mason, also known as Jet, is a compelling young adult, trying to figure out the rest of her life, which is only seven days. Jet’s personal countdown to her death makes the book seem like its own ticking time bomb.
Jet is courageous, admirable, and the detective we all want to be. Well written with her personality, Jackson gave Jet the perfect interpretation of an adult who wasn’t ready to grow up. She has a fun, but slightly negative outlook on life with a big personality. Jet’s persistent and knows what she wants, when she wants it. With curse words in almost every sentence, and her thoughts to herself, it’s the most personable character to teens today. Jackson’s descriptive writing style allows the reader to live through Jet and experience the story themselves.
The storyline is full of twists that flow through each page, keeping them turning one after another. It is full of creativity and provoking thoughts. It’s easy to stay up late, engrossed in the story of Jet trying to figure out her own murder – uncovering secrets that were meant to stay hidden.
Every detective needs a partner, and Jet is no different. Alongside her journey is her old childhood friend, Billy. There’s chemistry between them that Jet doesn’t seem to acknowledge, giving readers a heartbreaking experience of a boy chasing after a girl he loves despite only being able to see her for seven more days. I felt myself sympathizing with Billy as he watched the girl he’d loved drive herself to the edge. Billy’s obvious love for Jet is captivating for readers who love romance.
Although the book is well-written and has dynamic characters, the ending is heart-wrenching. Despite the warning in the description and the knowledge that Jet is going to die in seven days, it keeps the readers hooked, wondering if Jet will actually solve her murder before the week ends. As character relationships become close and secrets emerge, it becomes harder and harder to let Jet go, knowing she wouldn’t be able to live her life to the fullest. It was almost too hard to reach the end of the book, knowing there was no way Jet was going to escape death.
This 380-page book is definitely worth picking up. Not Quite Dead Yet deserves a 10/10 rating for its captivating storyline and plot twists. In the book of trying to find her murderer, secrets are revealed, and relationships form (and break). Readers can learn to appreciate their life more, and live it to the fullest because they’ll never know if it’ll last 50 more years or seven days.
