Though it has its weak spots, PaperQuake is a fun read and an involving mystery. The ending is also somewhat open, leaving readers to decide for themselves about Laela’s actions in the past. The mystery, which has supernatural elements, is intriguing and will keep readers guessing. Readers may have trouble with the dialogue, if only because it seems somewhat forced at times. However, as the plot develops, we begin to see more of Violet’s relationships with other characters – her parents, her best friend, and her new neighbor, Sam – and as a result, Violet grows as a person. Violet is somewhat flat at the start of the book, focusing only on her sisters and how she compares to them. PaperQuake is a slow-paced mystery that takes some time to really capture the reader’s attention. In the end, Violet must prevent a tragedy from happening and face her fears.

As Violet gathers more clues, she becomes more confident and self-reliant. Each letter takes Violet a step closer to solving the mystery of “V” and Hal’s romance. However, when each quake hit, Violet receives a mysterious message written during the months surrounding the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. And, now that a series of earthquakes is hitting the Bay Area, she’s the one that’s terrified of quakes. But to the rest of her family, she will always be Baby, the one who needs looking after because of her weak heart. Violet, the youngest of the triplets, wants nothing more than to be just like her sisters.

Paperquake by kathryn reiss