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library_dreamer's review
4.0
I would say this is more of a middle grades book than YA. Keeping that in mind, for the target audience it is pretty good. The blurb seems to be for a much earlier version of the book as it doesn't exactly match up and the ending is very rushed after slow build up. The mystery was good and there is a solid cautionary tale about safety on the internet. That lesson is presented with all the subtlety of a bulldozer, but I think it is perfectly appropriate for someone in the target age range. This would have been a winner for me at 11 or 12 for sure.
ingridsbooknook's review
1.0
Cover:
I love the blue colour on the cover, but I don't really like the cover xD
Synopsis:
Sabrina Sebastian's goal in life is to be an investigative reporter. For her first big story, she researches a popular website called Scream Site, where people post scary videos and compete for the most "screams." While Sabrina's friends and her sister, Faith, talk nonstop about the creepy viral videos, Sabrina just hopes that covering this trend will get her the internship she's wishing for. But as she digs into the truth behind the website, she begins to suspect that these aren't only aspiring actors and videographers at work. Some clips seem a little too real. And when Faith goes missing, Sabrina must race against time to save her sister from becoming the next video "star."
Writing style / Plot:
It was just one boring hell of a ride. I'm sorry. But I did dnf this book at 25 percent. I just couldn't get into it and it was just so boring that I almost fell asleep ... (I'm so sorry).
I love the blue colour on the cover, but I don't really like the cover xD
Synopsis:
Sabrina Sebastian's goal in life is to be an investigative reporter. For her first big story, she researches a popular website called Scream Site, where people post scary videos and compete for the most "screams." While Sabrina's friends and her sister, Faith, talk nonstop about the creepy viral videos, Sabrina just hopes that covering this trend will get her the internship she's wishing for. But as she digs into the truth behind the website, she begins to suspect that these aren't only aspiring actors and videographers at work. Some clips seem a little too real. And when Faith goes missing, Sabrina must race against time to save her sister from becoming the next video "star."
Writing style / Plot:
It was just one boring hell of a ride. I'm sorry. But I did dnf this book at 25 percent. I just couldn't get into it and it was just so boring that I almost fell asleep ... (I'm so sorry).
beautifullybookishbethany's review
3.0
Scream Site is a fast-paced, kind of creepy mystery that tackles safety on the internet and would be appropriate for younger teens, say 12 or 13 years old. High school freshman Sabrina dreams of becoming an investigative journalist and needs the perfect article for her internship application. When she begins investigating the link between missing girls and website for amateur horror videos, things become a little too real and connected with her own life.
This was a quick and pretty enjoyable read. The writing level definitely feels like it's on the younger end and it gets a bit didactic about the the importance of internet safety with things like identity theft and stalking. But overall it was an interesting, slightly creepy if ultimately tame story. Sabrina sometimes does some stupid things in her investigation, but to be fair, the adults in her life seem very quick to attribute everything to her overactive imagination and grief over the death of her father. The family dynamics (widowed mom who works all the time, distant older sister) felt realistic, if sad. Some of the plot points were a bit convenient, and couple of things with the ending didn't quite make sense, but overall I think this could be a good mystery-thriller introduction for a young teen. I agreed to review an early copy of this book via NetGalley.
This was a quick and pretty enjoyable read. The writing level definitely feels like it's on the younger end and it gets a bit didactic about the the importance of internet safety with things like identity theft and stalking. But overall it was an interesting, slightly creepy if ultimately tame story. Sabrina sometimes does some stupid things in her investigation, but to be fair, the adults in her life seem very quick to attribute everything to her overactive imagination and grief over the death of her father. The family dynamics (widowed mom who works all the time, distant older sister) felt realistic, if sad. Some of the plot points were a bit convenient, and couple of things with the ending didn't quite make sense, but overall I think this could be a good mystery-thriller introduction for a young teen. I agreed to review an early copy of this book via NetGalley.
books_and_a_blanket's review against another edition
2.0
It's fine; a moderately entertaining read with Scooby Doo vibes. I would, however, like a WORD with whoever wrote that blurb.
hauntedbybooks's review against another edition
4.0
Scream site is an interesting read that will make you want to keep reading until the end! It is a very quick and fun read!
hollowspine's review against another edition
3.0
2.5
I had high hopes for this since I had enjoyed Ireland's writing in Dread Nation, but while the writing is still good, this book just doesn't stand out from the crowd. Also it's very young for YA novel, this would be suitable for middle grades as well, 6+.
It's more Scooby Doo comedy than suspense/horror, there are a few creepy moments, but nothing that had me on the edge of my seat. The story centers on main character Sabrina and her attempts to solve the disappearances of girls that seem linked to Scream Site, a horror-focused YouTube like social media/video posting site. There are red herrings, people who are obvious suspects and therefore most likely innocent, and a villain reveal ending with a twist.
Sadly, though I really liked the characters, the slow pace of the novel let me down. I was easily distracted from reading the book and easily lost interest, I felt no real fear or tension for the characters, which is definitely what I was looking for here.
I wish the author had added more creepy details about the various locations, especially the 'abandoned' theme park and added a little more horror/tension to the novel to bring up the stakes for the characters and readers.
I had high hopes for this since I had enjoyed Ireland's writing in Dread Nation, but while the writing is still good, this book just doesn't stand out from the crowd. Also it's very young for YA novel, this would be suitable for middle grades as well, 6+.
It's more Scooby Doo comedy than suspense/horror, there are a few creepy moments, but nothing that had me on the edge of my seat. The story centers on main character Sabrina and her attempts to solve the disappearances of girls that seem linked to Scream Site, a horror-focused YouTube like social media/video posting site. There are red herrings, people who are obvious suspects and therefore most likely innocent, and a villain reveal ending with a twist.
Sadly, though I really liked the characters, the slow pace of the novel let me down. I was easily distracted from reading the book and easily lost interest, I felt no real fear or tension for the characters, which is definitely what I was looking for here.
I wish the author had added more creepy details about the various locations, especially the 'abandoned' theme park and added a little more horror/tension to the novel to bring up the stakes for the characters and readers.
ruthsic's review against another edition
3.0
Scream Site is a thriller novel about a young aspiring journalist working to uncover the mystery behind disappearances of girls connected to a horror site. Sabrina is a high school freshman, and she is determined enough to apply for an internship program at a news outlet - but first she needs a really good article to show her skills with. On the suggestion of her friend, Evelyn, she starts looking into the rumors surrounding Scream Site, that there are girls who use it and disappear. With the cases close to home, and because the police (which includes her uncle) not taking the disappearances seriously because they think them to be adult runaways, she feels she needs to see the investigation through, even if it seems like her life is also being threatened.
For a novel that is supposed to be a thriller, and with a name like that, the writing doesn't lend to much dramatic tension or evoking a sense of dread, except for maybe like one scene in the start of the book (when there wasn't even a real threat, just her nerves!). For the most part, it circles around Sabrina wondering if she should go forward with an increasingly dangerous investigation (she is only 14 so this is valid), and lying to the people worried about her looking into such a thing and endangering herself (also valid, because she is 14!) which means there is some sneaking around, a couple of library trips (which is weird because she has an internet connection and laptop at home), and a risky trip to an abandoned amusement park. Sabrina is convinced the videos posted on the horror site are real, while others are trying to convince her that it is only fake, as it should be. And so it goes over and over with her friend, her English teacher (who I had my eye on), her suspect Asher (thankfully there isn't a romantic arc with him) and her uncle (who learns a lesson in never dismissing evidence just because it came from a teenager).
Additionally, I felt this book lacked any sort of characterization or character development. It is pretty short, so it makes for a fast read, but it loses any meaningful characterization in lieu of making a high-stakes thrilling plot (which, I feel, it failed at). The story itself is good, which is a saving grace, but combined with the non-existent characterization and the lack of an atmosphere where you would feel worried about your protagonist, it doesn't make for an entertaining read. The twist at the ending was good, but also felt rushed when it involved Faith, as it felt like a way to give a personal level of involvement to Sabrina (that she was trying to create throughout the book).
Verdict: good story, but no thrills. Doesn't deliver on the promise of a good mystery novel.
Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review from Capstone, via Netgalley.
For a novel that is supposed to be a thriller, and with a name like that, the writing doesn't lend to much dramatic tension or evoking a sense of dread, except for maybe like one scene in the start of the book (when there wasn't even a real threat, just her nerves!). For the most part, it circles around Sabrina wondering if she should go forward with an increasingly dangerous investigation (she is only 14 so this is valid), and lying to the people worried about her looking into such a thing and endangering herself (also valid, because she is 14!) which means there is some sneaking around, a couple of library trips (which is weird because she has an internet connection and laptop at home), and a risky trip to an abandoned amusement park. Sabrina is convinced the videos posted on the horror site are real, while others are trying to convince her that it is only fake, as it should be. And so it goes over and over with her friend, her English teacher (who I had my eye on), her suspect Asher (thankfully there isn't a romantic arc with him) and her uncle (who learns a lesson in never dismissing evidence just because it came from a teenager).
Additionally, I felt this book lacked any sort of characterization or character development. It is pretty short, so it makes for a fast read, but it loses any meaningful characterization in lieu of making a high-stakes thrilling plot (which, I feel, it failed at). The story itself is good, which is a saving grace, but combined with the non-existent characterization and the lack of an atmosphere where you would feel worried about your protagonist, it doesn't make for an entertaining read. The twist at the ending was good, but also felt rushed when it involved Faith, as it felt like a way to give a personal level of involvement to Sabrina (that she was trying to create throughout the book).
Verdict: good story, but no thrills. Doesn't deliver on the promise of a good mystery novel.
Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review from Capstone, via Netgalley.
alyssasshelves's review against another edition
4.0
OMG THIS WAS SUCH A GOOD, UNEXPECTED READ! I was wondering my library and saw this and the synopsis sounded interesting so I picked it up. I picked it up that night and read it in two sittings!
This was overall a really addicting read. The pacing and the suspense made me not want to put it down. A big thing I would like to point out is this is definitely geared toward the younger teen age bracket. It’s not like a lot of ya nowadays that feels more mature. It reads like it’s geared to early teens (similar to ally carter) but I did enjoy it nonetheless! Justina did such a wonderful job and properly portraying how a freshman would act and think. The way she built suspense was spectacular! Keeping in mind who it’s geared towards, I think this was a wonderful, quick read!
This was overall a really addicting read. The pacing and the suspense made me not want to put it down. A big thing I would like to point out is this is definitely geared toward the younger teen age bracket. It’s not like a lot of ya nowadays that feels more mature. It reads like it’s geared to early teens (similar to ally carter) but I did enjoy it nonetheless! Justina did such a wonderful job and properly portraying how a freshman would act and think. The way she built suspense was spectacular! Keeping in mind who it’s geared towards, I think this was a wonderful, quick read!
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