I Am Margaret Moore by Hannah Capin didn't disappoint. I loved everything about it. Thank to you NetGalley for the ARC!

I Am Margaret Moore by Hannah Capin is a paranormal thriller that dives deep into the bonds of sisterhood, the power of secrets, and the dark corners of the human psyche. Set at the Marshall Naval School, the story follows Margaret and her three best friends – Rose, Flor, and Nisreen – during their final summer at camp. But this year, everything changes: girls are missing, a boy is dead, and all fingers point to Margaret. As the mystery unravels, Margaret must confront her own role in the events of that fateful night and the lies that have bound her to her friends.
Margaret Moore is our narrator, but her reliability is questionable from the start. She’s consumed by her love for a boy and the secrets of a previous summer, which cloud her judgement and leave her at the center of a haunting mystery. While I found Margaret’s perspective intriguing, her character is often hard to connect with due to her disjointed and repetitive narration. Her devotion to a boy who clearly didn’t deserve her felt frustrating, and her inability to see through his manipulations made her seem naive. The narrative unfolds through Margaret’s memories and present experiences, and though this deep dive into her mind is meant to be immersive, it often left me feeling detached.

The supporting cast – Margaret’s friends Rose, Flor, and Nisreen – represent the strength of sisterhood but also the fragility of their bond when tested by tragedy. Their relationships are the heart of the story, but I wish they had been more fully developed, as their individual arcs felt overshadowed by Margaret’s turmoil.

The plot weaves between past and present, gradually revealing the events of the previous summer that led to the death of a boy and the unraveling of Margaret’s world. The timeline shifts frequently, jumping between different summers, which initially caused some confusion, but eventually, I adjusted to the rhythm. The story has a dreamlike quality, filled with repetition and a sense of foreboding that builds as the truth slowly comes to light. However, the pacing felt uneven; the middle dragged with redundant details, and the twists, while intriguing, were sometimes obscured by the book’s abstract narrative style. Despite these issues, the mystery of what truly happened that stormy night kept me turning the pages, even if the payoff was a bit muddled.

Hannah Capin’s writing style is highly poetic, almost like a stream of consciousness that flows in and out of clarity. While this style captures the ethereal and disoriented state of Margaret’s mind, it can also be challenging to follow. The prose is often repetitive, using lyrical language to evoke the foggy, haunted atmosphere of Margaret’s memories and emotions. For me, this approach created a sense of disconnection from the characters and story, making it difficult to fully immerse myself in the narrative. If you enjoy experimental and non-linear storytelling, you might appreciate the artistry here, but it may not resonate with everyone.

The novel explores themes of sisterhood, betrayal, and the dark consequences of lies. At its core, it’s about the bonds that hold us together and the secrets that can tear us apart. The book delves into the idea of what it means to be a monster, both in the literal and metaphorical sense, and questions how far one will go to protect those they love – or to seek revenge. The paranormal elements add a layer of suspense and intrigue, blurring the lines between reality and the supernatural, and leaving the reader questioning what is real and what is imagined.

I Am Margaret Moore fits within the paranormal thriller genre but with a distinctive twist. Its experimental writing style and non-traditional narrative structure set it apart from typical YA thrillers, making it more of a psychological journey than a straightforward mystery. The book also flirts with gothic elements, using its naval school setting and foggy atmosphere to enhance the eerie, suspenseful tone. However, the unconventional approach may make it a polarising read, appealing more to those who enjoy genre-blending and narrative experimentation.

Positives of I Am Margaret Moore
Atmospheric Writing: The lyrical and poetic prose creates a haunting, dreamlike atmosphere that mirrors Margaret’s internal turmoil.
Exploration of Sisterhood: The book delves into the complex dynamics of female friendships, highlighting both their strength and fragility.
Intriguing Mystery: The central mystery of what happened that fateful night is compelling and keeps the reader guessing.
Unique Narrative Style: The experimental approach to storytelling sets this book apart, offering a fresh take on the paranormal thriller genre.
Negatives of I Am Margaret Moore
Disconnected Narrative: The non-linear timeline and repetitive, abstract prose can make the story hard to follow and hinder emotional connection to the characters.
Unreliable Narrator: Margaret’s perspective is often frustrating, and her obsession with a toxic relationship may be off-putting to some readers.
Slow Pacing: The plot drags in the middle, with too much focus on trivial details that don’t significantly advance the story.
Lack of Clarity: The writing style leaves many questions unanswered, making the conclusion feel unsatisfying and muddled.
I Am Margaret Moore by Hannah Capin is a unique and haunting read that blends paranormal elements with a psychological exploration of sisterhood and betrayal. While the book’s poetic and repetitive style might not suit everyone, it offers a distinct voice and an eerie atmosphere that sets it apart from typical YA thrillers.

If you’re drawn to experimental narratives and don’t mind a disjointed journey through a character’s fractured psyche, this novel may resonate with you. However, if you prefer straightforward storytelling with clear resolution, you might find this book challenging.

I’d rate it 3 out of 5 stars for its ambitious approach and evocative prose, with the caveat that it’s not a story for every reader. If you’re in the mood for a ghostly tale that blurs the lines between reality and the supernatural, give I Am Margaret Moore a try.

To say this story is weird and confusing would be an understatement. It moves through timelines but the progression is unclear. The book is good but you will need to be able to commit your undivided attention to the story to see the whole picture come clear. This group of girls returns each summer to renew their friendship/ closeness. But something happens......sound familiar.......it's not. I enjoyed the book as a whole, but I'm not the only one who struggled some with following the story.

This book took a while to get into but after about the halfway point I started to enjoy it. It still didn't live up to my expectations but someone out there will love this!

I’ve read Hannah Capin’s books before, so I was expecting the style of the prose, which I think threw other readers for a loop. However, the repetitive nature of the writing and the dreamy tone with which she describes the girls’ summers and Marshall school kept me at an emotional distance from the main characters. This would have been a gripping thriller if told differently.

The swoony writing is more fit for a dippy vacation novel, which is completely at odds with the tone of the story, full of disappearances and deaths. That being said, there are some amazing quotes in the story. This is one of my favorites, which I think sums up the book quite well:

“I believe in monsters with wide smiles, beautiful and bright, that live in grand old Victorians; that push girls into the mud; that take our voices and tell us what we are.”

I was also thrown off by the historical setting, and the way Mar’s timelines wove into themselves throughout the novel. This setup left me confused about the events of her summers, and what had happened to the other girls in the meanwhile. I think Capin chose this style so as not to give away the twist, which I will also not spoil for you. I get it, but I think this turns off more readers than it attracts, judging by other reviews.

Before going in, I really wanted to like this one based off of Capin’s past work. I think the story had some choices that worked well, and others that didn’t. I want to leave on a strong note, so I’ll mention something that I did very much appreciate. The setting of the book, Marshall Summer Naval School, was quite unique to me. The blend of camp/Navy/summer school that united the girls and gave them a common cause despite all of their different backgrounds was very interesting to me. I also enjoyed reading Capin’s descriptions of the lake, surrounding towns, and generally atmospheric summer setting.

Thank you for a review copy of this book. This book was a little hard for me to get into. The world building was lacking. The characters were only two dimensional and did not have a lot of depth to them. The premise had a lot of promise but the story did not hold my interest. Overall, I would like to read another book by this author.

Historically I have loved Hannah Capin's work, but something about this just didn't do it for it. It was too poetic, too repetitive. And supernatural doesn't often work for me unless it's done perfectly.

This was definitely not for me. I am not a fan of poetic writing at all. I could not connect with the characters and found myself more confused than anything. There is someone out there for this book, but it was not me.

I was surprised with how low the ratings for this book are.. I actually enjoyed it. Written in prose and poetry, I Am Margaret Moore showed how bad military power and authority could be, their gender biases, and how friendship can be so beautiful.

I enjoyed being in Margaret's stream of consciousness, whether at the parts where she was narrating her story or during the times when she was writing poetry.

I love young adult mystery thrillers. This one had a lot of twists and turns I didn’t see coming, and I loved the mysterious aspect.

This was ok but a struggle to get through. I think the style made it very confusing to follow along, but once you get to the end, you "get it" but by then I was so over it that even finding out the twist wasn't exciting for me.

Summer camp is a place where strong friendships can develop. This is true of the Deck Five girls at Marshall Naval School. Margaret, Flor, Rose, and Nisreen have been together during the summers and have formed a deep attachment. The final summer Margaret is different. Everything has changed and a boy is dead.

This is not an easy book to read. The writing is a cross between prose and poetry. It almost feels like stream of consciousness. The writing style is good for showing emotion, but it’s confusing when you are trying to follow the plot. The confusion isn’t helped by moving the plot back and forth between summers. Sometimes it’s not clear which summer you’re in.

From the blurb, I thought I would enjoy the book, but for several reasons, I didn’t. Although the book was filled with emotion, I couldn’t relate to the characters, particularly the main character. The pace was slow. I sensed that there was a deep story underlying the narrative, and I guessed what it was within a few pages. That didn’t help the suspense. I think the idea for the plot was great, but the writing just didn’t come off for me.

Deck Five’s girls return to Marshall Naval School every summer for a dose of sun, sea, and sisterhood. They march, sail, and bond in a world away from the rest. But this summer, something’s not quite right. Margaret Moore’s friends start disappearing, and rumors swirl around a boy's death. The boys point fingers at Margaret. Can she untangle the web of lies and secrets that threaten to pull her under?
This book is a haunting mix of summer nostalgia and spine-tingling mystery. The storytelling and world-building are so vivid; you can almost smell the salty sea breeze. The female friendships are beautifully eternal. The writing style may take a bit of getting used to, but the payoff is worth it. By the end, you'll be left with a lot to ponder. A one-of-a-kind read that's definitely worth checking out!

This is a difficult book to review because the narrative style is challenging to follow and at times frustrating to read, but the structure serves the plot and there's truly no better way to deliver it. Reading I Am Margaret Moore is an experience of sisterhood and friendship, of growing up and running free, and of darkness. This is a book where close reading will be rewarded and re-reads would be an entirely different experience.

"I do not scream. I sit, silent, as the echoes fade. As my ears ring from the noise of it."

I loved Foul is Fair, which is also challenging as a result of the narrative style but in a different way. I found myself lost between reality and poetic imagery, confused and frustrated that it took as long as it did to tell the reader what happened Last Summer. Margaret's first person narrative dances around time, using repetition with slight variances at times to poetic affect. It feels almost like listening to the thoughts of someone who's experienced a trauma and almost relives the event, but it's more than that as time isn't linear in the story. The girls discuss the idea that time isn't linear and reading I Am Margaret Moore reminded me of Billy Pilgrim being unstuck in time in Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse Five, only Margaret doesn't seem to be aware it's happening.

"Time, and space -- it isn't one line. It is strings all tangled together, a million different nows happening at once, and the past hasn't happened yet, and the future is already over."

My absolute favorite part of this book is the ride-or-die friendship and comradery between Margaret, Nisreen, Flor and Rose. Oh, and men are scum.

Overall, reading I Am Margaret Moore is confusing as hell but it's supposed to be and the payoff is worth it... if you can get that far. I almost DNF'd this book a handful of times but the writing is poetic and the emotion is so raw that I kept at it, and ultimately I'm glad that I did. There are so many things that I'd love to call out and discuss but they'd be spoilers, so I shall refrain. I do recommend this book with the caveat that it will be a challenging literary read, just know that it serves the plot well and answers will be had.

ARC provided by the publisher for my consideration. This does not affect my opinion nor the contents of my review. Quotations are from an unfinished proof and subject to change upon final publication.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for giving me a free eARC of this book to read in exchange for my review!

This was a great read. I had a hard time putting it down and was left with a bit of a book hangover afterward. Definitely recommend.

I sadly have to agree with many others. This book was so confusing. What the hell happened? The writing was poetic and beautiful but I needed to jell with the characters but it didn't happen. The time jumps and structure were way too confusing

Such a strange type of writing style. Very difficult to enjoy the story with this choppy delivery.

I feel that there was a beautifully sad story within the covers but it’s very challenging to get to it.

Honestly just not for me. I struggled getting into the story with the style. I think someday I will pick it up again, but I just did not get swept up in the story like I would have liked.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me a free advanced copy of this book to read and review.