[UNEDITED/UNFINISHED REVIEW]

"'You did it, Cheyenne!' Griffin shouted. 'You knocked him out! I can’t believe you did that.'”

Yes, Cheyenne. I can't believe you did it either.

...

I didn't really read this, I just skimmed through and found what I thought were important plot events and read those. Please keep that in mind, and the fact that I'm not the audience intended for this book.

As you might imply from the above, Cheyenne did a lot of things in this book that were unbelievable. She did so in the first book as well, but now its become worse.

I don't know what I'd do if I was kidnapped, and that's what the first book had going for it (I suspended my disbelief somewhat). The second book, not so much.

I hate giving bad reviews (and I'm not just saying that), but the most I can give it has to be a number before or at 1.5. (At least Girl, Stolen, had a plot that for the most part stayed on track and continued steadily [even if some events were unbelievable]).

My overall thoughts:

April Henry has some good points to her writing, not the least of which is her ability to write individual scenes uniquely and with suspense at times, and to write what is (in my opinion at least) a satisfying ending. I hope she ventures out to write a plain Young adult or suspense/thriller, not combined.

I think her writing would benefit in sticking to either/or genre, considering her YA scenes are great, and he suspense scenes could be seriously great, given more practice and study, and the condition that she rely less on easy plot points and gravitate towards more realistic, believable events. Personally, I think the admonition "kill your darlings" would be great writing advice here (regarding plot points and otherwise). I regret to admit this wouldn't be great for business. I'm sure there are many teens who like these books.

I believe her writing flaws would improve, either with time and effort, a great editor, or study into character arcs and development, plot mountains, etc. or maybe just not writing a sequel. Sequels are so dang hard to write. (especially if you never meant to write one...)

one specific complaint I will leave you with is that some of her sentences need work, and some of them are too long to read (thus I skim).

(p.s.... why all this obsession with Cheyenne?) ( )

Really quick read. Good for "reluctant" readers. I'd say this was more geared to middle schoolers. It did hold my attention, and was well plotted and paced. ( )

This is the sequel to Girl, Stolen which is a highly popular book in my 9-12 grade library. I’ve even have had a few kids who’ve wanted to read it multiple times. In Girl, Stolen, Cheyenne was in a vehicle that was carjacked. At the time, the perpetrator had no idea she was lying in the backseat of the car. Complicating things for Cheyenne and the carjacker is the fact that she is blind. What began as a simple theft of a car turns into kidnapping-for-ransom. Cheyenne’s patience and strength get her through the ordeal.
Count All Her Bones takes place six months after Girl, Stolen ends. Cheyenne is back with her family and facing uncomfortable changes on that front along with trying to recover from her experience. She’s having to prepare for a trial, she has a bodyguard now, and she’s trying to deal with her feelings for her kidnapper and rescuer Griffin. Griffin’s father, on trial for Cheyenne’s kidnapping, holds a lot of contempt for Cheyenne and Griffin and can’t seem to let go of his need for revenge. Count All Her Bones is just as riveting and action-packed as Girl, Stolen so fans of April Henry’s books will definitely not be disappointed. ( )

Six months ago, Griffin Sawyer stole a car . . . and the girl asleep in the back seat. His father decided to hold the blind teen for ransom, but Griffin helped her escape. Now his father, Roy, is about to go on trial; Cheyenne and Griffin reconnect and plan to meet. But that meeting isn’t quite what Cheyenne expects and she soon finds her life in danger.

Is Griffin the kind boy Cheyenne remembers or is he instrumental in helping his father’s henchmen capture her? And now that she’s a prisoner once again, will Cheyenne be able to escape?

The events of Cheyenne’s kidnapping are recounted in “Girl, Stolen;” this story follows those events, telling “what happens next.” With its unexpected plot twists and fast pace, this young adult tale will keep readers rooting for the likeable heroine. Although a sequel to the earlier book, this one can stand on its own.

Recommended. ( )