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jennywrennn's review
2.0
Yeesh, what a flop. Wondering if 3 stars might be too generous? Let’s call it 2.5. Look, it was pretty well written, as in nice imagery, etc, but that’s about it. I guessed the twist/villain immediately after they were introduced. Also, this book is not a mystery. You do not get any mystery elements until page 190. 190!!! Up until then all you get is prep school drama, then at the last second surprise! There’s a twist! Let’s solve a mystery in the last 4 chapters! I was so ready for a dark and twisty New England YA thriller but y’all this ain’t it.
vonderbash's review
2.0
The concept and cover were amazing, but the execution fell flat. The mystery is fairly easy to guess, and I had no connection to the characters. I've read the author's other book and liked it more, so I think she has the potential to grow as a writer.
shelbylynne00's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review against another edition
5.0
There was a time my mom gave me Dan Brown's Angels and Demons. I was fascinated by it, obsessed by it and I didn't sleep for a week without the light on. I then thought that thrillers were not for me. But I grew older. And I discovered that I maybe don't do good with too much violence and murder, but I do truly enjoy the more emotional YA-thrillers. So, when I heard about this book I added it to the wishlist and I was quite happy when it was in a bookswap package!
Everything about this story works for me. Most of all the setting. I've been walking around in the student sorority circles and I know what it's like. Everything about the entire process to become a Player therefore seemed familiar and also very realistic. And since Goodman really took the time to describe everything in very vivid details I really felt that the world of the Players totally came to life, both in the past and in the present timeline.
On top of that there was a lot of attention for the life behind the public life. Of course, mostly because no one knows that our heroine is a scholarship student, but the more she opens up about her personal situation, the more others start to talk too and we discover that most of their lives aren't as pretty as they like it to seem. And that also means that the characters get the chance to really grow and learn throughout the book. And it's that character growth that made me love this book to pieces!
Especially because the character growth is the main focus of the story. Yes, there is a murder mystery too, but it feels like it's simply one of the events forcing our characters to think about what they're doing, to themselves and to others. The pieces of the case were scattered throughout the book perfectly though and therefore the question, what really happened, constantly keeps us on the tips of our toes. Even though I already suspected who the killer was from the very start.
Everything about this story works for me. Most of all the setting. I've been walking around in the student sorority circles and I know what it's like. Everything about the entire process to become a Player therefore seemed familiar and also very realistic. And since Goodman really took the time to describe everything in very vivid details I really felt that the world of the Players totally came to life, both in the past and in the present timeline.
On top of that there was a lot of attention for the life behind the public life. Of course, mostly because no one knows that our heroine is a scholarship student, but the more she opens up about her personal situation, the more others start to talk too and we discover that most of their lives aren't as pretty as they like it to seem. And that also means that the characters get the chance to really grow and learn throughout the book. And it's that character growth that made me love this book to pieces!
Especially because the character growth is the main focus of the story. Yes, there is a murder mystery too, but it feels like it's simply one of the events forcing our characters to think about what they're doing, to themselves and to others. The pieces of the case were scattered throughout the book perfectly though and therefore the question, what really happened, constantly keeps us on the tips of our toes. Even though I already suspected who the killer was from the very start.
readwkatie's review against another edition
4.0
Jill is entering her senior year at her upscale prep-school in Gold Coast, Long Island. Jill has been a member of a secret society called “The Players Club” for the last three years. It was during the hazing period that one of her best friends, Shaila, was murdered by her boyfriend, Graham. Three years later and it still weighs heavy on Jill’s heart and on the hearts of her group of friends also in The Player’s Club. Now that they are all seniors, they are in control of picking the next group of members and they vow that this year's hazing will be different. During this process, Jill starts to learn more about Shaila’s murder and she no longer thinks Graham is responsible for Shaila’s death. Jill starts to turn against her friends, risking her entire future to uncover what really happened the night Shaila died.
This book felt like a cross between Gossip Girl and The Lying Game. I was really excited to read this one and it was on my list for quite some time but I ended up being a little bit let down. The book itself was okay, the author did a good job of keeping the suspense but I guessed early on who I thought the killer was and so the ending fell a little flat for me. I really liked Jill and the fact that she stood up for what she believed was right even when no one else had her back. Overall if you’re looking for a light “who dunnit” I say pick it up.
This book felt like a cross between Gossip Girl and The Lying Game. I was really excited to read this one and it was on my list for quite some time but I ended up being a little bit let down. The book itself was okay, the author did a good job of keeping the suspense but I guessed early on who I thought the killer was and so the ending fell a little flat for me. I really liked Jill and the fact that she stood up for what she believed was right even when no one else had her back. Overall if you’re looking for a light “who dunnit” I say pick it up.
squinngoff's review
1.0
just really bad. extremely predictable, literally NONE of the characters were likable and the actual plot of trying to find out the murderer doesn’t start until more than 50% throughout the book…. why they’re making this into a show beats me. this book sucks
kaelaceleste's review against another edition
3.0
Not sure if I'm obsessed with crazy rich high school murder stories because of how much I hated my own high school experience or what but I just can't seem to get enough of these freaks!
This one was not terrible but nothing mind-blowing. I thought it was fairly predictable and the characters were largely pretty boring and stereotypical. I like when books like this are either extremely OTT clearly meant to be read in a suspension of disbelief type of way OR mostly realistic, and I feel like this one was kinda toeing the line the whole time.
I did not like the ending -
Overall it was a fun little read, easy to get through pretty quick and best not taken too seriously. It was fine. I'll probably forget about it within a few days :-)
This one was not terrible but nothing mind-blowing. I thought it was fairly predictable and the characters were largely pretty boring and stereotypical. I like when books like this are either extremely OTT clearly meant to be read in a suspension of disbelief type of way OR mostly realistic, and I feel like this one was kinda toeing the line the whole time.
I did not like the ending -
Spoiler
such an obvious ~we were recording you the whole time!!!~ scene, it's just so played out and felt like a let down. I almost wish it had been more explosive lmao and I wish she would have exposed the Players at the end rather than all of them just moving on and forgetting it, but I guess it makes sense why that didn't happen. Also too many loose ends for my liking - what happened to the shady principal who was threatening her or the pervy English teacher who wasn't a murderer but still pretty creepy??Overall it was a fun little read, easy to get through pretty quick and best not taken too seriously. It was fine. I'll probably forget about it within a few days :-)
izzys_internet_bookshelf's review
2.0
2.5/5
I have finally finished this book. I feel like I’ve been reading it forever. The plot of the book sounded really promising but it was just slow.
I have finally finished this book. I feel like I’ve been reading it forever. The plot of the book sounded really promising but it was just slow.
th3list3n3r's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0