Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
After the police declare high school senior Solina Flores's death an accident, her identical twin sister Luna resolves to prove it was murder by finding the killer. Impersonating Solina, Luna infiltrates her twin's school, Kingswood Academy, whose tuition Luna dropped out of public school to help pay in their late parents' absence. Stepping into Solina's shoes reveals a web of secrets surrounding her wealthy boyfriend Hunter and the expensive designer clothes she'd borrow from similarly affluent friend Poppy. As Luna navigates academic pressures and the complex school social scene, she must also confront her growing feelings for Solina's cello prodigy roommate Claudia. It soon becomes clear that the only way to learn more about her sister's death is by understanding herself in this potent portrait of loss and identity. Character interactions informed by economic disparity and the school's commitment to upholding an unbalanced social hierarchy present a grounded mystery by Rose (10 Things I Hate About Prom) that is both an indictment and reflection of the unjust systems that allow instances of sexual violence to go unpunished. Characters are described as having various skin tones. Ages 14--up. Agent: Uwe Stender, Triada US. (Feb.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 9 Up--Now that her twin sister Solina has been murdered, Luna feels completely alone. Their mother died years ago after which their father succumbed to alcoholism, and Luna has been working 80-hour weeks to afford Solina's private boarding school, Kingswood Academy. Desperate for answers and well aware that her poor, Puerto Rican sister's death is not going to be taken seriously by law enforcement, Luna convinces her beloved roommate/guardian Tiffany (who is trans, Black, and fiercely warm and protective) to drive her to Kingswood, where she will pretend to be Solina for as long as it takes to find out what happened to her. When she arrives, what she finds instead is a series of lies Solina has told that may lead her to the killer; no one at Kingswood is who they claim to be. An unrealistic set-up can be easily forgiven in the face of this incredibly fast-paced and twisting mystery exploring how little we sometimes know those closest to us. Haunted by the fight that was their last conversation, Luna experiences violent and aching grief as she discovers Solina's real reasons for wanting to leave Kingswood and decides who she wants to be moving forward, as well as just how much vengeance to exact, and against whom. VERDICT Fast and furious; a must-buy anywhere gritty murder mysteries circulate.--Allie Stevens
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A cunning tale in which a twin's quest for justice pulls her closer to a killer while unraveling everything she thought she knew about her sister. In this gripping novel, Puerto Rican identical twins Luna and Solina Flores face immense challenges that culminate in tragedy when Solina's body is discovered floating in a river, bearing signs of violence. Luna had sacrificed her education, dropping out of school as a sophomore to work at a diner, to support her sister's dream of attending prestigious boarding school Kingswood Academy. Their relationship became strained when Solina expressed reluctance to return for her final semester at Kingswood; Luna's last words to Solina during their fight haunt her, and she grapples with feelings of guilt. The police treat the case as an open-and-shut matter, leaving Luna frustrated and determined to uncover the truth. Impersonating her sister, Luna leaves their rural Eastern Washington town and goes to Kingswood to investigate. There she uncovers the elite institution's dark underbelly. The narrative effectively portrays the complexities of grief and Luna's emotional turmoil, capturing the push and pull of loss, hidden sorrows, and the fierce desire for justice. Gonzalez Rose vividly renders Luna's feelings when she's confronting potential suspects. Ultimately, the novel delivers a bittersweet conclusion that resonates with the harsh realities of losing a loved one. The epilogue emphasizes the importance of embracing change. Masterfully balances themes of justice and acceptance, offering profound lessons on grief and letting go.(Thriller. 14-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
