(ARC) REVIEW • Welcome to Three Peaks (Rocks Fall, Everyone Dies by Lindsay Ribar)

[note note_color=”#283C5E” text_color=”#ffffff”]Rocks Fall, Everyone Dies by Lindsay Ribar • June 7, 2016 • Kathy Dawson Books (Penguin)
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Twin Peaks meets Stars Hollow in this paranormal suspense novel about a boy who can reach inside people and steal their innermost things—fears, memories, scars, even love—and his family’s secret ritual that for centuries has kept the cliff above their small town from collapsing.

Aspen Quick has never really worried about how he’s affecting people when he steals from them. But this summer he’ll discover just how strong the Quick family magic is—and how far they’ll go to keep their secrets safe.

With a smart, arrogant protagonist, a sinister family tradition, and an ending you won’t see coming, this is a fast-paced, twisty story about power, addiction, and deciding what kind of person you want to be, in a family that has the ability to control everything you are.[/note]

[note note_color=”#BFD1D1″ text_color=”#ffffff”]I received this book for free from Penguin Teen for review consideration. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.[/note]

First sentence: “Brandy and Theo were about to break up.”

You know what two words convinced me that Rocks Fall, Everyone Dies is everything I need in my life? Twin Peaks. This book is not quite like the delightfully, campy Twin Peaks, but you get that weird supernatural vibe that’s almost familiar.

Welcome to Three Peaks!

Since you’re new to this place, you should expect these good, yet strange things: a small mountain town in upstate New York that resembles Twin Peaks or Gilmore Girls in size; a huge May Day tree with random little presents at the tree’s base; the Quick family who have graciously protected Three Peaks for generations from being crushed by the Cliff that looms over the town; thoughts, feelings, memories suddenly disappearing (but you won’t notice that!); dark family secrets and glorious magic; teenagers trying to enjoy their Summer; and plenty of more things that I won’t say too much about.

When you visit Three Peaks + Rocks Fall Everyone Dies, you should do these things:

• Visit the May Day tree!

In Three Peaks, you can do things like hike, go to the Lake, or walk down the quaint Main Street, but the one thing that’s on top of every to-do list for tourists of this small town is to visit the beloved May Day tree!

In person, this beautiful tree is such a sight! Residents of Three Peaks and strangers leave little presents at the base of the tree. (You can too if you want to get into the small town spirit.) It’s a weird tradition that many people say is a tribute or payment to keep the Cliff’s from falling down on the town. Neat, right?

• Find out about all the Quick family history.

The Quick family has a rich history in Three Peaks. Did you know they can do magic? For generations, they have conducted rituals that protect Three Peaks from the Cliff. Remember those little presents that are left at the base of the May Day tree? They take those for the rituals. The Quick family and the Cliff has a really weird give-and-take relationship.

It’s not known to the most of the residents, but I’ll let you in on a little secret: the Quick family is “the source of everything weird and supernatural” in Three Peaks. They have a secret that’ll surely intrigue you. They’re a really weird family. (I don’t even remember one of the members.)

• Be careful of the cliff that looms over this small town!

That Cliff may be dangerous, but don’t let it intimidate you. It’s a really beautiful landmark, if you can get over the possible impending doom if it avalanches and crushes Three Peaks. The Quick family’s job is to keep the Cliff up through any means necessary. It’s all tied to their magic.

They try to seal up the faults through their magic. It’s a very fascinating process that involves people and energy. You should experience it.

• Befriend that Quick kid, but don’t let him touch you or your belongings.

If you really want to experience Three Peaks to the fullest, befriend the Quick boy who’s visiting for the Summer. You’ll find him at the Lake with his friends—Theo Valdez, his best friend, and Brandi McAllister, Aspen’s crush and also Theo’s girlfriend…for a time. Full disclosure though: Aspen Quick (yes, that’s what he goes by) is kind of an asshole. Very arrogant. Doesn’t really have any regard for other people’s feelings. He is always out for #1 (himself) even if he thinks differently. He’s a great character who will frustrate and entertain you. (Isn’t that what we want to see?)

Always be alert in his presence. Don’t let him touch you or your belongings. (Lest you want certain memories, thoughts, scars, etc to disappear.) Remember he and his family can do magic, and it’s the kind of magic that steals a part of you.

• Learn about how to “reach” and ponder about the consequences of doing so.

This is that Quick family secret: when they touch a person or a person’s belongings, they know how to “reach” inside them and steal the inner most things that make them themselves. They can take away memories of how to make breakfast, traits like their humor, or a person’s love for the water. Anything. It may seem cool, but the implication of such power is very frightening.

This type of magic leads to so many problems and questions. When is it okay to steal from someone? Is it okay to take someone’s free will to feel, remember, think, be themselves if you think it was for their own good? But is it really justifiable? The Quick family has shown no genuine concern for the people they’re affecting nor of the side effects of their power.

At the end of the day, everybody (especially the Quick family) have to realize that there are consequences to magic.

• Stop by the local bookstore.

If you’re a book lover, make sure to stop by the only bookstore in Three Peaks. It’s nothing special but you’ll meet Leah Ramsey-Wolfe, who can convince you to purchase a book you couldn’t imagine reading. She has history with the Quick family. Good or bad? She has quite a story on her.

Should you read Rocks Fall, Everyone Dies? Yes! Rocks Fall, Everyone Dies is one of a kind. You will never find a beautiful, yet strange supernatural town and residents than in Three Peaks! I may have visited because of whispers likening this town to Twin Peaks, and although it’s different, I have to say Rocks Fall, Everyone Dies is a mighty good town.

Don’t you want to learn more about this powerful Quick family and their magic? See the arrogant Aspen Quick begin to see the side effects and consequences of his magic? Fear the ominous Cliffs that hangs over this small town? Yearn for something you didn’t know you lost? Pick up Rocks Fall, Everyone Dies, and visit this town!