Reviews with content warning for Blood - Win Lose Kill Die

It was a good book, but the ending , if u could only forget the last 10 pages.
Now to the actual review:
I must say, in the beginning I didn’t think I’d like this book and that it would be a disappointment but it’s actually interesting and I wanted keep on reading. I guess I just wanted to find out who the killer is.
This book reminded me of the naturals, I know a lot of people say it’s like the secret history but YA, but I haven’t read that yet so I can’t compare them. But the gifted kids that go to a special school and are in an exclusive program part reminded me of the naturals.
I loved that it was fast paced and that it was such an easy read I just would have liked for it to be longer.
But I loved the serial killer vibes, and the billy loomis reference from ghostface. And the killer reveal was definitely unexpected.

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izziejasminedelilah's review

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dark tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I actually did not expect the plot twist in the book that much, it occurred to me that maybe I was on the right track but it did have some good twists that threw me off

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lindseyb317's review

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

The most insane plot twist ever was not expecting that lol

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avidreaderandgeekgirl's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

The killer was obvious to me because of the narration if you read a physical copy it may be a surprise. But the choice to use the same narrator and the same voice made the MC suspicious. And I was right.

There were twists and the why of the murders (which to me was stupid, but the mental health part of it was interesting), but it would have been better without the part mentioned in the spoiler. So if you want to read this I recommend a physical or e-copy of the book.

Narrator Rating: 4 stars
The actual narrator was good. Just that choice by the publisher was the issue.

Extra ratings: Fluff - 0/5 Heartfelt- 1.5/5 Helpful -NA Horror -NA Inspiration -NA Love aka Romance- 3/5 Mystery -4/5 Predictability -4.5/5 Spice-0.5/5 Suspense -2/5 Tear- 1/5 Thrill -3/5 Humor-0/5

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novelswithariana's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

🌸 ARIANA'S BOOK REVIEW 🌸

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Genre: Thriller, Mystery, Young Adult, Crime, Romance

Win Lose Kill Die, written by Cynthia Murphy, takes readers on a thrilling journey within the walls of Morton Academy, a prestigious school for high-achievers. As the race to become the coveted Head Girl reaches its peak, dark secrets and unexpected deaths begin to unravel. In this book review, we will explore the suspenseful plot, well-developed characters, and captivating writing style that makes Win Lose Kill Die a must-read for mystery enthusiasts.

Murphy weaves an intricate web of mystery by introducing readers to a competitive environment where everyone strives to obtain the prestigious title of Head Girl. However, as the bodies pile up, our main characters - Liv, Taylor, Kat, Marcus, and Cole - find themselves embroiled in a quest for truth. The author skillfully maintains a high level of suspense, leaving readers guessing until the very end. Each clue and revelation deepens the intrigue, making it impossible to put the book down.

One of the strengths of Win Lose Kill Die lies in its well-developed characters. Liv, Taylor, Kat, Marcus, and Cole are distinct personalities, each bringing their unique perspectives and motivations to the story. As they strive to uncover the truth, readers become emotionally invested in their journey. Murphy masterfully reveals layers of complexity, humanizing the characters and making them relatable. Their determination to find answers adds an extra layer of tension and keeps readers engaged throughout the narrative.

Murphy's writing style is captivating, immediately drawing readers into the world of Morton Academy. With a perfect balance of description and dialogue, the author creates a vivid setting that comes alive in the imagination. The fast pace and well-crafted plot maintain a sense of urgency, making sure there is never a dull moment. Additionally, the author skillfully explores the dark secrets and hidden agendas that lurk behind the prestigious facade of Morton Academy, immersing readers in a world where nothing is as it seems.

Win Lose Kill Die is a gripping mystery that will keep readers on the edge of their seats from beginning to end. Cynthia Murphy's skillful storytelling, engaging plot, well-developed characters, and captivating writing style make this book a standout in the mystery genre. Fans of suspense and unexpected twists will thoroughly enjoy this thrilling read. I highly recommend Win Lose Kill Die to those seeking an intriguing and memorable journey through the halls of Morton Academy.

People who have read ‘Tag, You're Dead’ (Kathryn Foxfield), ‘This Book Kills’ (Ravena Guron) and ‘Five Survive’ (Holly Jackson) may like this book.

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litliz's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

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norwegianforestreader's review

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dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

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harpygon's review

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1.5

Honestly I was really enjoying the book. The school, the Jewel and Bone secret society, the murders, the attempts at solving the mistery. However the ending and the „solution“ really ruined the whole book for me.

I guessed that Liz was the murderer pretty early on. The clues to this are laid threadbare throughout the book. Her being the only person that was at every death, her „blackout“ in the forest before Cole/She found Frank, her headinjury/mental/memory problems, her self worth problems, her having the tiger balm, only the girls from JB dying etc. however, I didn‘t want to believe it. It‘s so easy. So lazy almost. Main character with rough childhood developes mental problems which cause her to murder her entire friend group?

I dismissed that theory as it just wouldn’t make for a good story. Why would this girl go mad for power if almost every kid at the school has a similar background and no history with mental illness (before this summer and theraphy; and the „school report“ mentioned in the second to last chapter After the reveal!!!) was important enough to mention in the book? Why would she kill the people that were a part of my Morton was so much better than her home??

The mystery was so captivating and impressive and fun to read. I was fevering with the characters. The story could‘ve been so good and I‘d have easily given the book 4 stars if the conclusion led to Dr.Patel OR the Cult. But then the conclusion had to ruin everything. The last 2 chapters feel extremely of tone. Liz‘s behaviour does a 180° turn for the crazier and everything goes batshit crazy. Also what is it? She can‘t remember shit, is genuinely scarred by the things she sees, is constantly in shock, unable to remember the scheming and shit OR is she the evil mastermind that instrumented all these murders, eternally aware of everything she did? If second is the case, then why did HER narration include the scarred descriptions of her, except to lead the reader astray? If it‘s only her somewhere, with no one (in the context of the story) to convince, then why?

There was so much this book did right, worldbuilding, characters, setting, however in the end the pitiful attempt at being a mental thriller was what made the entire book fall dead.

But you know, maybe the real pity is that I stayed up till 2 am to finish reading this book (because I was invested), only to now be unable to sleep because I am so disappointed and riled up about the ending of the book.

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