Reviews

High Stakes by Meg Cabot

loiereads's review

adventurous fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Diverse cast of characters? No

3.0

Not as entertaining as the first book, but still a great, easy read. 
I do wish Suze would focus more on personality, rather than looks though.

eesh25's review against another edition

4.0

This book wasn't too great. Sure, I love Susannah and adore Jesse, but I feel like, as a series, not much happened.

The name Ninth Key also wasn't a very big part.

The writing has a lot of Commas. But that's the way Suze speaks so I can't fault that. What did irk me was how the dialogue was always interrupted. Like, "What," he asked, "are you doing?" instead of "What are you doing?" he asked.
Almost all the dialogues were like that. It got a little annoying. There was also some present tense- past tense jumble but I'm confused as to whether that was an error or if it was because the book shifted a lot from Suze doing something to her telling us about something that happened earlier or the day before. (Am I making any sense?)

It wasn't a bad book. I liked the ending and the story. It was a quick read. I just wasn't blown away by it or anything. But this is an interesting series and I recommend checking it out. I'll be continuing with it soon.

annashiv's review against another edition

5.0

Better than the last and captivating. Really enjoyed the villain and mystery. I didn't expect any of it to go the way it did, but it was very satisfactory. I can see why the author started with the story she did, but I kind of think this would have been a stronger start since it deals with some family matters in an interesting way. I understand a little more setup was needed as provided in the first book, but this was just an overall stronger book. I hope the rest are as good as this one.

umha's review

adventurous lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

cardaisy's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

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

4.5

I can feel myself entering my born again Meg Cabot stan era. Anyway, this was a lot of fun!

Also, I just need to say that I think maybe my favourite parts of these books are when Suze takes a phone call only for it to be interrupted by a million other people also calling her to discuss other things

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Violence, and Death

Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Death of parent, Kidnapping, Mental illness, and Murder

Minor: Gun violence, Body shaming, Terminal illness, and Animal death

Mental illness/psychosis:

there's a character who believes that he's a vampire, it's also implied at the end of that book that this was brought on by his brother dosing him with some kind of drug after the death of his wife. Lots of discussion of him being a "nut job" and things like that.

// gun violence: the main character is threatened with a gun, but it is not actually used // terminal illness & death of a parent: both in the past

relates to two different characters' mothers, who both died before the events of this book

irenekamau's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious tense fast-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? No

5.0

akookieforyou's review against another edition

4.0

*4.5*

What a solid book! I literally read this in one sitting, I was that pulled in by the story and characters.

Suze is such a fun protagonist, being feminine, especially her love of big name fashion brands, being (mostly) kind to other girls, her constant sarcastic and sassy remarks, and her ability to really kick ass when she needs to. I just love that combination.

All of the side characters add a lot of charm as well, most specifically Jesse, who is such a perfect balance to Susannah and her antics.

But best of all was the high stakes murder mystery type plotline, that might even feature vampires?? I was definitely caught off guard by the idea of vampires being featured.

Honestly I'm pretty interested to see what else will happen to Suze and all of her ghosty shenanigans.

jenna_privatsky's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes

3.0

katiethepenguin's review against another edition

funny lighthearted mysterious slow-paced

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

4.0

sarahrheawerner's review against another edition

2.0

Enjoyable enough. Borrows a LOT from "Buffy".