Title: This Darkness Mine
Author: Mindy McGinnis
Type: Fiction
Genre: YA, Contemporary, Thriller, Mystery
Imprint: Katherine Tegen Books
Publisher: HarperCollins
Date published: October 10, 2017
Format: Paperback
Page Count: 352
Source: Publisher

A physical copy of this book was kindly provided by the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.

Sasha Stone knows her place—first-chair clarinet, top of her class, and at the side of her oxford-wearing boyfriend. She’s worked her entire life to ensure that her path to Oberlin Conservatory as a star musician is perfectly paved.

But suddenly there’s a fork in the road, in the shape of Isaac Harver. Her body shifts toward him when he walks by, her skin misses his touch even though she’s never known it, and she relishes the smell of him—smoke, beer, and trouble—all the things she’s avoided to get where she is. Even worse, every time he’s near Sasha, her heart stops, literally. Why does he know her so well—too well—and she doesn’t know him at all?

Sasha discovers that her by-the-book life began by ending another’s: the twin sister she absorbed in the womb. But that doesn’t explain the gaps of missing time in her practice schedule or the memories she has of things she certainly never did with Isaac. As Sasha loses her much-cherished control, her life—and heart—become more entangled with Isaac. Armed with the knowledge that her heart might not be hers alone, Sasha must decide what she’s willing to do—and who she’s willing to hurt—to take it back.

Edgar Award–winning author Mindy McGinnis delivers a dark and gripping psychological thriller about a girl at war with herself, and what it really means to be good or bad.

– MY REVIEW –

3.5 to 4 stars. This has to be one of the most difficult books for me to review, and there are multiple reasons for this. The main issue is that I cannot share some of the reasons with you, without spoiling the book (which is not something that I want to do). This was a very addictive book, and I’m happy to have finally read something by Mindy McGinnis (since all of her books have been on my TBR for quite some time). I really enjoyed her writing, and found it to be very attention-grabbing, and just pleasant to read and breeze through.

It has been brought to my attention that some readers had issues with some of the content of this book, but I also cannot discuss that because I want to avoid spoilers. You see my issue? But I will try to express how I feel about this book, while avoiding spoilers, or even any hints at spoilers, because trust me…this was quite the thriller, and I don’t want anyone to miss out on the full experience because they find out about some content too early. This also means that my review will be a little shorter than usual.

So, again, I really enjoyed the writing, and I especially appreciated the use of musical terms or comparisons in order to get Sasha’s perspective across to readers as genuinely as possible. Also, the people categorizing this book as a “thriller” on Goodreads, are 100% correct. There was never a dull moment, and I read this book in two sittings not only because the writing was great, but also because of how the plot progressed, as well as the characters and what took place. I sound very cryptic, I know. When I attended the Fall event at HarperCollins in Toronto, the staff mentioned this book and how twisted and addictive of a read it was. I remember hoping that they were right, and I was not disappointed. I definitely recommend this book to those who enjoy psychological thrillers, and those not feint of heart!

– ABOUT THE AUTHOR –

From author’s website: Mindy McGinnis is an Edgar Award-winning author and assistant teen librarian who lives in Ohio. She graduated from Otterbein University with a degree in English Literature and Religion, and sees nothing wrong with owning nine cats. Two dogs balance things out nicely. Mindy runs a blog for aspiring writers at Writer, Writer Pants on Fire, which features interviews with agents, established authors, and debut authors. Learn how they landed their agents, what the submission process is really like, and how it feels when you see your cover for the first time. Mindy does query critiques every Saturday on the Saturday Slash for those who are brave enough to volunteer.

– PURCHASE LINKS –

THANK YOU FOR READING MY REVIEW! HAVE YOU READ THIS BOOK? WHAT DID YOU THINK? AND IF YOU HAVEN’T READ IT YET, DO YOU WANT TO, OR NOT? HOW COME? LET ME KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS IN THE COMMENTS BELOW!