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julierambaeck's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
3.5
Fast paced, fun but also very young.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Alcoholism, Fire/Fire injury, Eating disorder, Death, Child death, Toxic friendship, Torture, Suicidal thoughts, Panic attacks/disorders, Kidnapping, Grief, Gaslighting, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Medical trauma and Death of parent
aformeracceleratedreader's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.5
I really enjoyed this! I was flipping between who the main culprit behind Anonymous1 was, and I was right on one of my guesses. It kept me engaged and wanting to know what would happen next. I will def check out more from this author (I think this is the second book the author has published so I will be checking out their first one). The ending was satisfying enough for me.
I read this while also listening to the audiobook and the narrator, Kate Rudd, was fantastic.
I read this while also listening to the audiobook and the narrator, Kate Rudd, was fantastic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gaslighting, Grief, Murder, Blood, Child death, and Injury/Injury detail
disneygirl08's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Child death
Minor: Eating disorder
nerdybirdy101's review
dark
tense
4.0
*Thanks to NetGallery for the e-ARC*
I actually read this book in one day that is how pulling it was. I thought it was an interesting thriller targeted towards teenagers, but there are some more violent themes than in typical teen thrillers. I liked the use of the cell phone in this thriller because it helped create the thriller aspect and even showcased the danger cell phones can have. If you like video games that are also a huge portion of the read because that is the unifying activity between the main friend group. The book does jump back and forth between the past and the present, which can be confusing at first but really does help the plot form. I could see this book being translated into a movie. The reason I gave this book a 4 out of 5 stars is mostly that there were some scenes and characters that I did not find realistic. It felt like there were stereotypes that were used to help create drama that did not fit with the way the character was written.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Bullying, Gaslighting, Blood, Kidnapping, Cursing, Grief, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, and Eating disorder
inkdrinkershorde's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Gaslighting, Child death, Kidnapping, Stalking, Panic attacks/disorders, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Addiction, Alcoholism, Torture, Confinement, and Death
Minor: Eating disorder, Car accident, and Death of parent
looseleafellie's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This YA thriller follows esports aficionado Crystal Donovan, who must complete challenges set by a mysterious app to save her sister from a kidnapper. But when the app starts directing her to hurt — and even kill — her friends, Crystal must outwit the culprit and bring them to justice!
This book grabbed hold of me and would not let go! I was on the edge of my seat wondering what the killer would make Crystal do next, and how it would end in disastrous consequences. I felt like few places toward the middle weren’t as focused on the actual game as I would have liked, but overall I was hooked.
I did sort of guess the culprit by about the 50% mark, but there was another big twist regarding the killer’s identity that I didn’t see coming, so I was still shocked by the reveal! The plot also leans into making the main character — and the reader — question reality given that the killer covers their tracks so well, which I TOTALLY loved!
Overall, if you’re looking for a cracking YA thriller that plays tricks on your mind, keep an eye out for this one when it releases on February 1st!
Thanks to Wednesday Books for the ARC!
CWs: Kidnapping, murder of a friend, child death, grief, domestic abuse, cyberbullying, doxxing, stalking, panic attacks, gaslighting, suicide, and mentions of eating disorders and racism.
This book grabbed hold of me and would not let go! I was on the edge of my seat wondering what the killer would make Crystal do next, and how it would end in disastrous consequences. I felt like few places toward the middle weren’t as focused on the actual game as I would have liked, but overall I was hooked.
I did sort of guess the culprit by about the 50% mark, but there was another big twist regarding the killer’s identity that I didn’t see coming, so I was still shocked by the reveal! The plot also leans into making the main character — and the reader — question reality given that the killer covers their tracks so well, which I TOTALLY loved!
Overall, if you’re looking for a cracking YA thriller that plays tricks on your mind, keep an eye out for this one when it releases on February 1st!
Thanks to Wednesday Books for the ARC!
CWs: Kidnapping, murder of a friend, child death, grief, domestic abuse, cyberbullying, doxxing, stalking, panic attacks, gaslighting, suicide, and mentions of eating disorders and racism.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Gaslighting, Grief, Kidnapping, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, and Stalking
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Suicide
Minor: Eating disorder and Racism
I tagged this for suicide becausevicktorea's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
wtf man???
this was actually terrifying to read. The content itself wasn't gory or anything but the premise was actually terrifying and well-executed - i kept wondering to myself, what would my 16 year-old self do in this type of situation and the thought, together with the plot, had me at the edge of my seat!
This had me hooked from the first chapter, but after the 40% mark, i refused to put this down and couldn't stop until i finished (which turned out to be 12:30AM, and now I'm very tired this Tuesday morning on my commute to work but it was worth it!)!
This book also tackled a few side issues, which I appreciated. There are mentions of abusive parents, alcoholism, death of a friend, gaslighting, racism, and acknowledging privilege. All of these are brief (except the abusive parent, alcoholism and death of a friend which happen on page but aren't super explicit).
Something i enjoyed most about this book was that I didn't quite see the reveal coming until it happened; I saw the connection but still couldn't quite piece together who was behind it and then it all clicked into place. I love this about a mystery - when the pieces actually make sense and you're left like "oh, yeah! that does make sense!". Diana Urban truly delivered that in this mystery and I look forward to more of her future works!
Thank you to NetGalley & St. Martin's Press for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review
this was actually terrifying to read. The content itself wasn't gory or anything but the premise was actually terrifying and well-executed - i kept wondering to myself, what would my 16 year-old self do in this type of situation and the thought, together with the plot, had me at the edge of my seat!
This had me hooked from the first chapter, but after the 40% mark, i refused to put this down and couldn't stop until i finished (which turned out to be 12:30AM, and now I'm very tired this Tuesday morning on my commute to work but it was worth it!)!
This book also tackled a few side issues, which I appreciated. There are mentions of abusive parents, alcoholism, death of a friend, gaslighting, racism, and acknowledging privilege. All of these are brief (except the abusive parent, alcoholism and death of a friend which happen on page but aren't super explicit).
Something i enjoyed most about this book was that I didn't quite see the reveal coming until it happened; I saw the connection but still couldn't quite piece together who was behind it and then it all clicked into place. I love this about a mystery - when the pieces actually make sense and you're left like "oh, yeah! that does make sense!". Diana Urban truly delivered that in this mystery and I look forward to more of her future works!
Thank you to NetGalley & St. Martin's Press for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child death, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, and Murder
Minor: Physical abuse and Racism
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