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booksaremypeople's review against another edition
4.0
As a huge fan of Dial A for Aunties, I was eager to read this young adult novel, which, according to the author’s notes, looks as though it was written before Dial A for Aunties. This is the story of Lia, an Indonesian American, who procures a spot at the coveted Draycott Academy in Northern California under a track scholarship. The days she arrives on campus she witnesses police hauling away an Asian student who is kicking and screaming, no longer a student. But now Lia has moved into her room. On the surface, Draycott looks beautiful and feels safe, but Lia soon learns about DD short for Draycott Dirt, an online platform where students can anonymously spread gossip about one another. Before she’s had a chance to settle in, someone wants Lia gone and she’s has been dragged into the school’s dark underbelly rife with morally corrupt adults, drug dealers and liars. This dark and entertaining novel explores friendship, identity, class, race and bullying. Thank you to Sourcebooks and Netgalley for the advanced review copy of this book.
gorgi's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
the book was good, there was a big plot twist at the end. and i liked it
jamiedee24's review against another edition
5.0
Holy. Crap.
I was expecting the usual teen drama with some clear boundary pushing. But this book was a new take on an old trope and kept my attention the entire time. Intrigue and deception. Love and loss. Anger. Greed. What are you willing to do to have it all? I love this new author and will definitely be reading more from her soon. Asa former track athlete, it DOES get crazy. Not THIS crazy, but it was fun having some background knowledge on the sport and the author clearly did her research before writing about it. Private school isn't for the weak!
I was expecting the usual teen drama with some clear boundary pushing. But this book was a new take on an old trope and kept my attention the entire time. Intrigue and deception. Love and loss. Anger. Greed. What are you willing to do to have it all? I love this new author and will definitely be reading more from her soon. Asa former track athlete, it DOES get crazy. Not THIS crazy, but it was fun having some background knowledge on the sport and the author clearly did her research before writing about it. Private school isn't for the weak!
mikaelabooks's review against another edition
3.0
first book of 2023 and it was ok. it was a stranded private school thriller.
rachyc's review against another edition
4.0
Ugh I love Jesse Q Sutanto’s books, they never disappoint. Always full of action and thriller. Love the ‘rich kids are evil’ theme lol. This one was kinda predictable with Danny, especially with the emphasis on him pouring their drinks all night on the yacht, but I still really enjoyed it.
thejoellachapter's review against another edition
4.0
I read The Obsession a few months ago, and this one is set at the same private school, so I figured I would check it out! There were some overlapping characters, but this one takes place before The Obsession, so we see some events that are mentioned, but for the most part they are completely separate.
This follows are main character Lia, a scholarship transfer to Draycott Academy. Unsurprisingly, most of the other kids are pretty cruel to Lia.
This story was absolutely batshit crazy. It definitely kept me engaged and reading, but man it threw some things out of left field! I felt for Lia, and even though she made some crazy choices, I can appreciate that she was just trying to do her best under terrible circumstances.
I would definitely recommend this book to people who go all in for over-the-top YA Mysteries. Sutanto's got a very unique style that I am loving.
This follows are main character Lia, a scholarship transfer to Draycott Academy. Unsurprisingly, most of the other kids are pretty cruel to Lia.
This story was absolutely batshit crazy. It definitely kept me engaged and reading, but man it threw some things out of left field! I felt for Lia, and even though she made some crazy choices, I can appreciate that she was just trying to do her best under terrible circumstances.
I would definitely recommend this book to people who go all in for over-the-top YA Mysteries. Sutanto's got a very unique style that I am loving.
hitbooksnotgirlz's review against another edition
5.0
An excellent fast paced thriller that I couldn’t devour quickly enough. Shitty, privileged private school kids are my fucking jam.
I almost thought this was a a prequel to Obsession due to Sophie & Logan’s presence, but it wasn’t. It was still cool to see familiar characters. Logan was only mentioned a few times, but Sophie played an integral role in this story even though she wasn’t one of the main characters.
I almost thought this was a a prequel to Obsession due to Sophie & Logan’s presence, but it wasn’t. It was still cool to see familiar characters. Logan was only mentioned a few times, but Sophie played an integral role in this story even though she wasn’t one of the main characters.
thenextgenlibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
“She’s a liar. A cheater. A murder. And it’s only her first semester.”