Although the book started on a strong note and a strong protagonist, they soon begin to become creepy. I liked it when I started but towards the end, I just wanted to be done with it. Ivy’s unhealthy obsession with her cousin was definitely one of the creepiest things about this book. She continuously follows Heather around trying to find out what she’s doing and of course, it pisses Heather off to no end so she has an unofficial break up with Ivy while telling her that she’s needy and that she needs to get a life of her own.
Ivy then goes to her horses for comfort when her crush, Rook finds her there. Ivy accuses him of getting it on with Heather and then he comforts her by feeling her up a little ’cause that’s not weird at all. The most annoying this is that Ivy’s been portrayed as this virginal character but she has no problem talking about drugs and then engaging in some sexy times with Rook later on in the book WHILE HE’S INJURED! But it’s not okay for Heather to discuss her first kiss with her best friend. Like who does that? Then Heather has been crowned the May Queen at the town festival which Ivy secretly hates. And sometime later, Heather goes missing. Ivy and her not-so-ok friends go out to find her but don’t.Animals and what-not start showing up dead and Ivy, being the most superstitious people in this book thinks it’s because of all her secrets that Heather has gone missing. Because just before, she saw death omens following Heather everywhere. Ivy starts to uncover all of Heather’s secrets when she finds Heather dead. And her big secret, SHE’S GAY. Can you imagine my disappointment when that’s what her big secret was? She didn’t even trust Ivy enough to tell her ’cause she’s judgy. I really thought it would be something cool like she’s part of a satanist cult or something but no, it had to be that she’s gay. All of this finally led to the murderer which just happened to be the most insignificant character in the book, August. All ’cause he was a crazed psychopath. I don’t think I need to say anything more ’cause the premise of the story was based on total confusion on who’s who. The most irrelevant characters turn out to be murderers and the protagonist needs to take a serious chill pill and alight at the next station off Crazy Train and move out of that goddamn town. ( )

4.5 stars.

Set in the Missouri Ozarks, The May Queen Murders by Sarah Jude is an atmospheric, spell-binding young adult mystery.

Rowan's Glen is home to generations of families who are deeply rooted in the insular community. Ivy Templeton is a strong believer of the folklore, omens and superstitions that have been handed down by her grandma but her cousin and best friend, Heather, is not. With various animals turning up dead, the town blames Birch Markle, a troubled young man who murdered a young woman twenty-five years ago then disappeared into the surrounding woods. For the first time since the tragic murder, Rowan's Glen has decided to celebrate May Day despite the concern from some the villagers. In the weeks leading up to the celebration, Ivy and Heather are at odds when Ivy fears that her cousin is courting danger by sneaking around with someone from the neighboring town. Her fears soon are realized when, shortly after being crowned May Queen, Heather disappears and days later, her lifeless body is discovered. Shattered by her loss, Ivy is determined to uncover the truth about Heather's murder but will her search for answers endanger not only her life, but her loved ones as well?

Although the community is close-knit, Ivy's closest friends are Heather and Rook Merriweather. She is hurt when Heather begins to exclude her and they begin to drift apart. Ivy grows deeply worried for her cousin's safety when she realizes that Heather is sneaking around after dark, but her concerns fall on deaf ears. Hurtful words are exchanged during a heated confrontation, and Ivy is devastated when Heather dies before they reconcile their differences.

Despite the heightened security in the Glen following Heather's murder, Ivy and Rook begin investigating the puzzling clues that Ivy discovers amongst Heather's belongings. One of their discoveries answers a decade's old mystery but this information raises some very serious questions about some of the events occurring in the present. Another troubling murder puts the town on edge as the search for killer intensifies. Rook and Ivy stumble into a rather macabre situation that quickly turns deadly, leaving both of their lives hanging in the balance.

The May Queen Murders is an eerie, suspense laden mystery that is full of unexpected twists and turns. With a plethora of long buried secrets, chilling revelations and spooky folklore, Sarah Jude obscures the perpetrator's identity until to the novel's shocking conclusion. An outstanding young adult novel that is sure to be a hit with readers of all ages. ( )

2.5 Stars
I don't know if it was Ivy's superstitious nature or the wafting environment of the Glen, but this story never felt grounded to me. I never felt the heavy weight of terror Ivy did, or felt the town's sense of urgency to find the urban legend Markle.

I personally felt that we didn't spend enough time with the adults of the town to be invest in their history (The May Queen, Tarra's murder, and Markle), which was the entire setup for what happened in the present. ( )

Cool concept, slightly creepy, and amazing setting, but this wasn't a slam dunk for me. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed it and read it mostly in one sitting, but the ending was too intricate and over-involved for my taste. Rowan's Glen is an odd little community, almost cultish in their old beliefs and attitudes, but really, more old world and secluded. Ivy and her best friend Heather, have never had any secrets between them, but overnight that practically changes. Heather starts seeing someone and sneaking off with townies and Ivy gets concerned. Especially when mutilated animal corpses are becoming a common occurrence and the legend of Birch Markle re-surges. Many years ago the May Day queen was viciously murdered by the unstable madman Birch, and for years Glen folks have thought he had retreated into the woods for good. But when the mutilated animal carcasses appear, bad omens come, and Heather disappears, many believe he has come back for good. Ivy is determined to figure out what's going on, save her friend, and stay alive. Dark and creepy, this was a fun book to read at night. I wish I loved it more. ( )

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book or my review itself.

This book was absolutely nothing like what I expected. And that was pretty awesome.

Jude is an author who is clearly unafraid to take risks. I went into this expecting a young adult psychological suspense book, like so many I've read (and loved) recently. And while this is a book with psychological suspense, it is also a book with an urban legend at its core, set in a village surrounded on the outside by modern times but keeping to the old ways within.

It is a book about a young girl discovering herself, and finding love, but it is also about missing animals and missing girls.

There is graphic gore and there is tender love.

There are moments of sheer terror and moments of absolute heartbreaking humanity.

At it's heart, this is a book about what it means to grow up under the shadows of a terrible, haunting evil. Everyone in the village knows there is a man who lives in the woods, who is insane and terrible and once murdered their May Queen. When it seems he's come back, been drawn back somehow, the protagonist, Ivy, must come to terms with what it means to live in fear, all while she falls in love, and all while her best friend and cousin begins to pull away.

I really look forward to seeing what Jude comes out with next. She is a really original writer writing in a genre of her own making. ( )