The Suicide Tree Paperback – October 23, 2018

One of the first things that stuck out to me was how detailed the settings were. Tiny touches transported me and the first person POV made it easier to imagine the sequence of events. It's clear that a lot of research went into the book and with the use of language in the book, I found myself parroting a lot Italian as I read along.The characters served their purpose while being memorable. Norah was a notable stand out. And with the strength of vivid description, the author was able to conjure an image of what she looks like. The main protagonist, Knox Kevel, had clear motivations and had proper hang-ups that correspond with the plot. With the trauma that he experienced, there's plenty to work off and it's fascinating how it all comes to play. Arlo was a wild card that raised the stakes when his traits were explored. There was a consistent throughline that kept him together but there was still a lot of mystery around him.A favorite scene of mine had Knox took a tour in a famous site. The parallel between the history of the locale and the plot of the book gelled together in a satisfying way. This was evidence of an advanced writing style that engaged with me as a reader. Tiny flourishes made it easier to identify the characters when they were highlighted. Arlo's different interactions at different times were so distinct that these scenes left an impression in my mind.I highly recommend the book if you're looking for an entertaining read that will transport you into the setting. The attention to detail is what makes the whole experience a lot of fun. The characters are very likable and the plot will keep you hooked. Of particular note was the descriptions done for food. I do not recommend reading without a snack close by.

✍🏻: Shayla Raquel📖: The Suicide TreeRating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (a solid 5 stars)Good books really have a way of finding me and this is another one added to the shelf of great reads.I am so happy I found Shayla Raquel on Instagram, she was one of the first writers I followed when starting my “bookstagram” account a month ago and fell upon her AMAZING NOVEL. I mean really guys, this book was intriguing from beginning to end with absolutely no lag in the middle!The name of the book “The Suicide Tree” definitely threw me for a loop in terms of what I was expecting the book to be about (yea i could read the back but I don’t do that really, I love a good surprise). The name is so fitting and unique by the second chapter I screamed “BINGO”.Knox Kevel has gone through a horrific event that no person should have to go through.. losing his parents on the same day, watching it live on television, and watching their name dragged through the mud. This hacker is talented no doubt but finds himself in trouble with the law. As a mysterious man waltzes into his life with half a million dollars and the power to get Knox out of his sticky situation, he dives into the opportunity.. with none of the major details on the bored. Knox and his new gang embark on their journey for the truth, hunting down the devil herself, and uncovering answers he been so desperately seeking.I want to spill every detail of this book right now but I truly don’t want to ruin it, just read it and love it like I did

This book is FUN! It’s a somewhat dystopian romp with an uncanny resemblance to reality. Yes, I mean the weird reality of Covid that we are experiencing right now, which we all know is soooo NOT fun. Living in the time of “stay at home” is causing me to crave the company of youthful exuberance, and that is what this book delivers through fast pacing and colorful characters. I really appreciate that the protagonist is a bit of a scoundrel and the villain is so hideous. In fact, I would like to have met her earlier in the book. Also, because of the descriptive setting, I’m obsessed with the idea of flying to Italy as soon as possible. Oh, how I appreciate the escape of a fun and fast read! It doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to work for me.

Shayla Raqual blew my mind away with this wonderful book! Every time I read the pages I felt like I was being transported to another place in the world. Her descriptions of Italy are breathtaking, and I devoured every place we adventured to.Her cast of characters are unique, and you can’t help but fall in love with the book’s protagonist, Knox Kevel, a twenty-year-old hacker who gets himself into more trouble than he probably expected.The plot is twisting with so many questions that kept me racing to the end. I don’t want to give away spoilers, so I’ll just say it was unexpected and kept me glued to the page. I love books with a psychological edge, and The Suicide Tree delivered.By the end I was left with a warm and satisfied feeling, which was perhaps the best part. The characters grew, they found family and love, and I’m so glad Shayla published the book so I could know them, too.4.5 out of 5 stars!