Title: Dead To You
Author: Lisa McMann
Release date: February 7, 2012
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 243
Source: Publisher
Ethan was abducted from his front yard when he was just seven years old. Now, at sixteen, he has returned to his family. It’s a miracle… at first. Then the tensions start to build. His reintroduction to his old life isn’t going smoothly, and his family is tearing apart all over again. If only Ethan could remember something, anything, about his life before, he’d be able to put the pieces back together. But there’s something that’s keeping his memory blocked. Something unspeakable…
Dead To You is a gripping read that is unlike anything I have read before. I’m a huge fan of Lisa McMann’s books and this is another one of hers that I greatly enjoyed.
Ethan DeWilde has been returned to his family at the age of 16; 9 years after he was abducted. It should be a happy time but Ethan feels like he has been replaced by the child they had after he went missing. It’s only made worse because he can’t remember anything about his life before his abduction. He doesn’t remember his family, his friends, nothing at all. His family is falling apart all over again and he knows it’s his fault. He just doesn’t know how to make things better. In fact, maybe it would be better if he just wasn’t there at all.
Ethan was the main thing I didn’t like about Dead To You. He was almost impossible to relate to. He was so damaged and traumatized. His thoughts and how he acted really reflected that. At times he just couldn’t seem to function. He was very messed-up. The times he was normal were when he was with Cami and Gracie. Those were his best moments. I also did not care much for his family. Blake was a selfish jerk, Mama was way overprotective, and Dad was just kind of there. Gracie was the only one with a personality and I loved her. Cami was also a good character. She was smart, funny, down to earth, and above all, kind. She accepted Ethan, even with his hysterics.
The story though makes up for everything! It was so unique and captivating. Ethan had some tough things to go through and Lisa McMann writes about them all with compassion and a touch of humor. Things seem to be getting better for Ethan and then Lisa McMann throws everyone for a loop. That ending will surprise everyone!
Overall, Dead To You is not my favorite book by Lisa McMann but it is still a strong story that will have people reluctant to stop reading. I really hope there will be a sequel after that ending!
This sounds great! I just got Dead To You yesterday and am even more excited to read it!
Wow…think I will be picking this up very soon. Thanks
I thought this one was just ok I agree wasn’t a fan of Ethan at all!!
I’ve never read any of Lisa McMann’s books, but this book has a fairly unique plot, so I may check it out. I think it would be interesting because we don’t always see what happens when a victim of a crime like kidnapping returns home and how that can be super stressful.
I find it near impossible to like a novel if I don’t like or can’t relate to the characters, so I’m not sure if this book is for me. However, I’m glad you enjoyed it, Katie! I love when stories captivate me completely. 🙂 And, of course, a bit of a humor can never hurt. Fabulous review, Katie!
Literally JUST finshed reading ‘Dead to You’ and I’m trying to get a 100% answer on how I feel about it. I completely agree with you on the characters though. This was the first of Lisa McMann’s books that I’ve read and I think that overall it was a pretty good book but I think that with this plot she could have taken this concept much farther.
All I have to say is, I hope there is going to be a sequel!
love this book!
I too love Lisa McMann. Her Visions series is wonderful. She knows how to write great families, even if dysfunctional, so it’s weird they weren’t as good in this one, although I think it might’ve been done on purpose, so you didn’t like them.
Too bad you didn’t like Ethan. He could’ve been a wonderful character to connect with and live his story with.
Lovely review 🙂