Review: The Murder Complex by Lindsay Cummings

 

The Murder Complex

(The Murder Complex # 1)

By: Lindsay Cummings

Pub. Date: June 10, 2014

Publisher: Greenwillow

Pages: 400

Source: Edelweiss

Meadow Woodson, a fifteen-year-old girl who has been trained by her father to fight, to kill, and to survive in any situation, lives with her family on a houseboat in Florida. The state is controlled by The Murder Complex, an organization that tracks the population with precision.

The plot starts to thicken when Meadow meets Zephyr James, who is—although he doesn’t know it—one of the MC’s programmed assassins. Is their meeting a coincidence? Destiny? Or part of a terrifying strategy? And will Zephyr keep Meadow from discovering the haunting truth about her family?

I received this galley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Edelweiss and Greenwillow.

What was one of my most anticipated books of 2014 ended up disappointing me, which is always a sad thing. How can a book with the tagline, "She's Trained to Survive, He's Programmed to Kill" not be amazing? But unfortunately, there were more things that bothered me about the story then I liked about it.

One of my problems with The Murder Complex was that I spent most of it confused. I had no idea what was going on. I didn't know who the good guys were, who the bad guys were. I didn't understand the government or the language used. I also didn't like that we never really got any explanation about why the world was the way it was. "The Murder Complex" isn't even mentioned until half way into the book, and by then I already gave up on trying to understand anything. Even after The Murder Complex was explained and we learned how it came to be, I still had so many questions, and no answers.

I did like that the story was told in two different view points, but I didn't think the characters were fleshed out enough. I couldn't stand Meadow. I found her to be annoying and immature. I did like Zephyr though. While he had so many more reasons to complain about his life then Meadow, he never really did complain. Just dealt with his life the best he could. Meadow couldn't see how lucky she was in such a horrible society, and this angered me to know end. Meadow and Zephyr didn't really have any connection and I just couldn't see the attraction between the two. I can understand why Zephyr felt connected to her though. I won't say why here because it is a spoiler. But I really did not understand why Meadow felt a connection to Zephyr. I just wish I understood the characters better.

I think The Murder Complex had a wonderful premise and despite what I have heard others say, I do think the storyline is very original. I am interested to see where this story will go next, so I am excited for the next book. I am also hoping to learn more about the society and the characters in the next book!