This is fantastic. Everyone read it.

Saddening. The story line could become confusing at times, because it wandered through so many people and interviews in an attempt to document an entire lifetime, but for the most part you could clearly track Addison's thoughts and gradual decline. It was disturbing at times and beautiful at others. I would tentatively recommend.

a stunning story. absolutely chilling. up there with books like "the chosen one" and "13 reasons why" as one i won't soon forget.

I’ve never heard of Addison Stone, I’m not really an art person. But this book was good, so tragic.

Very original way of story telling - I really liked it!

Holy moly.

I started reading this with an eye toward maybe booktalking it to junior high kids. After the first few chapters I was pretty sure it wasn't quite appropriate for most kids at that grade level, but tragically I was hooked and had to keep reading! It was such a page-turner and such an interesting use of the mixed-media format. It reminded me a little bit of [b:Chopsticks|10710392|Chopsticks|Jessica Anthony|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1364073067s/10710392.jpg|15620818] in that way. And also, like [b:Paper Towns|6442769|Paper Towns|John Green|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1349013610s/6442769.jpg|3364505], it felt a bit like an investigation into the "manic pixie dream girl" trope and what that means for the dream girl in question. Also like [b:I Am Princess X|17408897|I Am Princess X|Cherie Priest|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1415300641s/17408897.jpg|24250459] it's a mixed media mystery with important friendships! ALSO it's a little bit paranormal... or is it?!

I think a lot of tweens & teens looking for a mystery would really get into this. There's some non-explicit sex and some partying and just, well, adult behavior that made me reluctant to booktalk to a whole group of junior high kids but I don't think it's more than the kind of stuff in, say, John Green's books, which a lot of junior high kids have already read.

This was... Definitely an interesting read.

I loved the diversity of the characters whose "interviews" told Addison's life-story. The author clearly gave a lot of thought into each of their personalities, and their unique perspectives on the world and Addison in general. I also think it went a long way in establishing Addison as a complex character.

Because on one hand, you have everybody fawning over her, about what a genius she was; but then you have people who are willing to say "well, actually, she could be a really spoiled, self-centered little brat too". And the best part is, their perspectives still leave room for interpretations, because when you think about it, they are all unreliable narrators: Some, obviously, don't want to say anything too bad about her because she's dead. Others had bad experiences with her and can't say a kind word about her. And others still constantly sing her praises because they were invested in her career.

It's just so fascinating. I don't think I've ever read a fiction book like this before. This really does read like a biography of a real person, with a multitude of people contributing to the story of her life.

One of my favorite lines from the book:

KARL TAEKO: One morning, I wake up and look through the window across the street. I turned to Ele and asked, “Are my eyes going, or did the Easter Bunny vomit all over Roy Stone’s front lawn?”

“Neither,” she said. “Addison’s home.”

This is the most unique and creative book that I have ever encountered. With the help of model pictures and donated pieces of art, Adele Griffin has been able to create the most realistic fictional-documented story I have ever read.

It always amazes me when I read a book where the main character's voice is barely present in the story, but, her presence, essence and livelihood is. With the supporting characters, the model who poses as Addison Stone, the website, etc. - they all bring together an unforgettable story dedicated to a girl who was, who could have been and who will live on.

Addison Stone's story is told by multiple points-of-views, her parents, brother, best friends, ex-boyfriends, colleagues and others; and when you start to think that the author could not possibly introduce us to another 'person', she does, and does so brilliantly. There never once was any confusion as to who was who. Each character brings in their own voice and gives life to who Addison Stone was. Often times I found myself wanting to go on the internet to connect to their stories and timelines, just to be reminded that this is all fictional...

The mystery as to what happened to Addison Stone, how and why she died, starts to unravel very quickly. She was consumed by creativity and passion. So much so, it became difficult to read her low and manic points... it becomes obvious as to who her true friends are; those who cared the most speak freely and genuinely. Others who were guarded and too frank were too quick to point the finger and claim innocence to any negativity in her life, it was obvious that truths were being twisted and reimagined. But overall, everyone's take did add up to create a realistic personality.

There is so much to say about this book! I could go on and on, but it would be so much simpler if you all were to go and read it for yourself so we can discuss it! I highly recommend this! Especially to those who love contemporary and/or documentaries.


* An ARC was sent by the publisher for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.

This is awesome. It's a mystery, but it's also not a mystery at all. Addison is a hot-to-trot artist everyone wants a piece of, but that's the problem in and of itself. When she dies under mysterious circumstances, everyone wants to tell their side of her story and everyone wants to point fingers at the other people in her life.

But Addison had a number of her own problems, including, but not limited to, the pressure of being a young and upcoming female artist,

Spoiler

being haunted by ghosts and by her mental illness

, by being torn between relationships she does/not want to pursue, and more. She's built this identity, but can she maintain it? Does she want to? Who is the performance for, herself or for others?

We don't get Addison's voice much in the story. We get her voices through other people's filtered and biased lenses. We see greed and we see what looks like genuine care and concern -- and we also see where there is and is not follow through on each.

The art in the book tells the story as much as the interviews as part of the investigation do. It's a neat and effective use of mixed media, as we see the allure and pull of Addison right along with those owning a piece of a story that

Spoiler

ultimately isn't one that's theirs to tell

.

This one's a winner. Longer review to come!