Twins & mysteries will get me every time!! I had so many theories while reading this book (which is always a good sign for a mystery), and I just had to keep reading to see if any of them were right. The only thing I wanted more from were the characters-- I wished they felt just a little more alive. It's not the most thrilling YA mystery I've read, but it made up for it with a surprising amount of heart. Jess was a pretty clinical, matter-of-fact girl, but in the end, she got me choked up with feelings.

A great debut!! ( )

This one was sad and depressing (I knew it would be) but I really enjoyed it. I enjoyed the evolution of the main character over the course of the book (there's hope for me yet!) and admire the author for not wrapping up the last little bit the way you'd expect her to. ( )

A teen who has a hard time fitting in wonders why her identical twin, who didn't, jumped out of a window to her death, unless she didn't jump after all; maybe the boyfriend her sister kept secret knows something, if she can just figure out who it is. Not really a YA reader, but I thought it was quite good, especially in terms of character development and in the way it raises difficult issues about sexual violence.

What I liked was how the clues that Jess uncovered were so hard to obtain. I feel like she worked really hard for every single bit of information she learned about Anna’s activity prior to her death.
What I disliked was how hard it was to get to the clues; I felt like the book dragged a bit in places or maybe that was just my impatience because I really wanted the truth about what had happened with Anna. ( )

Well now, this was a pleasant surprise! I don't think I've read too many YA mystery novels, or if I have I don't quite remember them, so this was a nice place to settle in. My first thought is that Amelia Brunskill has quite a talent for pacing, which I'll expand on in a bit. The Window drew me in, and I ran through it so quickly that it actually surprised me. I love effortless reads, and this book definitely fits that bill.

Jess and Anna. Anna and Jess. The twin angle was a beautiful addition to this story, because of the even sharper contrast between their two personalities. The same on the outside, but so very different in all other aspects. I loved how Brunskill slowly unveiled Anna's thoughts and feelings, as Jess slowly dove further and further into her sister's life. I think it's such a truth that we never really know someone, even an identical sibling, as much as we think we did. For Jess, Anna's life is this enigma. It takes her death to change to that at all.

I usually hesitate to the use the phrase "compulsively readable", because it's one of those phrases that's tossed casually around the book world and shows up endlessly on covers. However, I can honestly say that this phrase applies to this book. Reading The Window is effortless. Maybe not content wise, since Jess' hurt is palpable and tough to read at times. Plot wise though, this book pulls you along in its wake. I found myself having to forcefully put this book down at bedtime, because I just kept wanting to know what would happen next. Brunskill has this beautiful slow burn going through this story. It gives you just enough to tempt you to the next chapter, and then does it all over again. I didn't mind one bit.

My only complaint, and the reason I gave this book 4 stars rather than 5, is the fact that it felt a bit anti-climactic to me. Now, again, I'm used to reading this genre in the more adult section of things. So I had to step back and remind myself that this book is written for a younger set of readers, and features a much younger protagonist. I had to point out to myself that many of the scenarios in other books I've read wouldn't play out in the life of a high school student. So, just take this as my personal preference more than anything. I enjoyed this book immensely. I powered through it like a madwoman. It just didn't hit that unforgettable mark that I look for in a 5 star book, and that's totally okay.

Long story short, read this. It's excellent. ( )