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avidreaderandgeekgirl's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.25
I didn't know who was going to be the one who was dead until the reveal. However, I guessed the who killed them part. I also say other parts of the story coming, mostly revolving around the settlement. I did like how the past with Tori's mom intersected with the now and Tori's life.
However, most of the characters weren't very likable, which made the book a bit harder to enjoy. Though all the narrators were excellent!
It was overall a good thriller with lots of twists and turns.
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Grief, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Death of parent, Murder, and Gaslighting
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
- 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
3.0
People who like things like Gossip Girl or Pretty Little Liars will probably thoroughly enjoy this one! I found the mystery a little easy to figure out, but that's part of the reason I like coming back to these books. They always guarantee a twisty mystery and definitely make for quick reads.
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, and Alcohol
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Death of parent
Minor: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
hobbithopeful's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
It took me a moment to gain my footing, it really dropped me right into the story at the beginning, I had to take a minute to be like...wait? What's happening? I soon became immersed in the opulent world of the rich and powerful, rich kids and murder really pair well together.
I really loved the Jewish representation, and how some characters had their heads on straight.
I felt like I spent so much of the book waiting for action, or waiting for a reveal. When the reveal did happen at the end it felt....like a let down? It was revealed as if it was a big twist and a huge shock, but I just didn't find myself that into it.
This is one of those stories where everything could have been avoided with communication and one conversation, which makes it a bit frustrating to endure.
There were quite a few characters in this book, and it just felt there were so many at times in order to drag the story out a big longer. It just felt like none of them had any depth. Not in a "shallow/rich" way, but in a one dimensional character kind of way. I didn't really feel like they were in any danger, nor did I care what happened to them at all. They just spent all their time partying and that was it?
Everything regarding Bernies' Mom just felt...meh.
I ended up loving Isobels' POV the most, as she spiraled deeper into addiction the writing really conveyed her mood and unstableness.
I don't know if part of the story was meant to criticize, or be a bit of a metaphor for classism, and what gossip and power does to people. If it was then I don't think it should have ended the way it did. Or maybe showing that rich people can get away with anything was the point of the book.
I liked the concept a lot, but I feel the execution could have been better. It didn't really feel like a murder mystery to me.
If you really like YA Thrillers, then give this a read. If you are on the fence about this book, maybe check out some reviews before delving in.
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Drug abuse, Drug use, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Death of parent
mishale1's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Anyway. Onward and upward. It was still an enjoyable book.
When a book starts with a mystery dead body we immediately have two questions as the reader:
1)Who died?
2)What happened?
This book centers around a short exclusive, very elite club called The Legacy Club.
If you make it into the Legacy club you’re basically set for life. The irony being, most people who get selected are already set for life.
This year is different. This year an “outsider” has been selected.
Meet three newly selected members and our main characters:
Bernie-the daughter of Esther and Rafe Kaplan. Very wealthy. Always gives off the right impression.
Isobel-the angsty artist. Also wealthy, best friends with Bernie and a bit of a wild card due to her substance issues.
Tori-daughter of diner owners. Not wealthy. The scholarship student.
This year, things are different when the scholarship student gets chosen. Tori is the only one who actually needs to win the $25,000 prize given to one new member.
There are secrets basically everywhere in this book. Where is Bernie’s mom? Why has she disappeared? What’s happened to change Isobel to much? Why did Tori get picked? Who picked Tori?
Lots of secrets to unravel throughout the story.
The ultimate reveal of who died and why might have been a little anticlimactic but I was glad that it wasn’t a character that I liked more :)
Will be looking forward to thus author’s next book.
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, and Alcohol
Minor: Death and Death of parent
julienicole1106's review against another edition
- 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
I was pulled in by the cover and title and the description solidified that it was a book I needed to read! (please also note that the version I read was an uncorrected text)
This one pulled me in quick. It is a fun setting taking place amongst a high society elite club that members need to be nominated into. They then participate in a week of events prepping them for the final event- The Legacy Ball.
Throughout the legacy week the members and new inductees anticipate luxurious attire, an opulent ballroom and sumptuous food. No one expected a death.... or worse.... possibly a murder?
Everyone is doing their best to appear deserving of their nominated spot. Who will have secrets revealed? Who can each member truly trust? This story was a quick easy read. It kept me wanting to know what would happen next.
Definitely would recommend. =]
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Blood
beckyremillard's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Excelsior nominees are Bernie, Isobel, Skyler, Lee, Kendall, and - unexpectedly - scholarship student, Tori. Almost everyone has a secret and some are darker than others.
The story is told from the perspectives of Bernie, Tori, and Isobel. There’s also a time jump to After the Ball, where we know there is a body but we don’t know who or what happened.
I’ve seen this compared to Gossip Girl and I highly agree. That’s exactly what I thought of when I was reading it. Entitled teenagers, family secrets, and even set in NYC.
Overall, it was definitely interesting and held my attention. Was I absolutely shocked about what happened? No. Did I tear through this book very quickly because I enjoyed it? Absolutely.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Penguin Group for a chance to read and review this eARC.
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Blood, Death of parent, and Murder
caffeineandcatnapsreads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
3/5⭐️⭐️⭐️
TRIGGER WARNINGS-
.
.
.
Murder, drinking, drugs, death
Past alumni members to the exclusive Legacy Club in New York City, (where you get a life time supply of power and wealth), get to nominate new members every year. Each year these high school seniors get a chance to win the $25,000 cash prize on the night of the Legacy Ball. This year friends Bernie, Isobel, Skyler, Lee and Kendall are nominated from Excelsior Prep along with a new face, Tori. This year is different though as secrets start to emerge, relationships are rattled and on the night of the Legacy Ball there's been a murder.
I was so confused for the longest while on the whole legacy thing and how the schools worked. Like are there multiple schools involved? Only one school? How are all the schools connected? I think I managed to figure it out in the middle.
The story is told from the POV of three of the characters. It's told in the setting of before the ball and after the ball.
It's written a bit different because not only do you obviously not know who the killer is you also don't even know who was killed till almost the end.
It does drag on a bit-the beginning and end were good, but the middle had some long draggy parts.
I'm familiar with her writing, having read her other three novels, and since she writes all her books the same way I know her style so, I know that the obvious isn't always the answer and that there's twists and turns coming so it kind of gives the element of surprise away.
Thank you to Razorbill and NetGalley for giving me an E-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Drug use, Death of parent, and Murder
trippyotter's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
It's intense, mysterious, full of betrayal… By the last page, I was blown away by the extent of gaslighting and deceit the characters will achieve is crazy! But that's also what makes the story so amazing and complex.
The Legacies was my first experience with Jessica Goodman, and I can't wait to read the rest of her books.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Self harm, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
gkaltam's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Drug abuse and Alcohol
Moderate: Death of parent