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3.11 AVERAGE
3.11 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The beginning of this book was quite promising, with most of it being somewhat believable. However, the ending failed to surprise me. I found it disappointing that the dad was merely a supporting character and ultimately chose to turn himself in.
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Narration: 4/5
Overall: 2.5/5
I was lucky to read this both as an egalley and on audio (thanks to Park Row Books, Harlequin Audio, and NetGalley!). I was really excited because it had such a fun concept that I was sure would hold my attention. I mean cmon! A reality show hide and seek game on a remote island turned locked room mystery!? And a crazy storm brewing! Talk about location, location, location. Unfortunately, with all its potential, this book just didn’t wow me.
Let’s start with the narration: the audiobook is well done, especially in capturing the influencer vibes and adventure-seeker personas we all recognize online. I thought that brought some life to characters that otherwise felt flat on the page.
As for the story? It’s a two and half star, rounded to three-star, read for me. A lot of that rating is giving credit to the sharp commentary on influencers. A great conversation around the things that people are willing to do to be seen, obsession, and a society that feeds on that. This book felt even more relevant taking into consideration how we engage with, and ultimately pay, creators who make more dangerous content for likes and views. It absolutely made me think of YouTube stunt channels and influencers like MrBeast. There’s a pointed reminder here that the audience plays just as much of a role in the dangerous spiral for views and virality as the creators do.
This book falters in its lack of depth. While the characters are interesting to a degree, they were also easy to categorize and never really surprised me. In addition to having a lot of characters with perspectives that felt unnecessary. I never felt drawn to any of the characters, including Adele, and their tropey portrayal made the book all the more predictable. I could tell some elements were meant to feel simple, but I still wanted more. Overall this book could’ve used a little more OOMPH. Too much of a slow burn that by the end the pacing is uneven.
Part of the issue, too, is that I recently read another influencer thriller that I loved—and this one just didn’t hit the same. It didn’t turn pages the way I hoped it would. Which is why I really have to give credit to the audiobook for helping me finish.
That said, I would still read more from this author. It seems like they explore entertaining concepts that are sure to draw readers in. I’m just hoping to see stronger execution in future reads.
Overall: 2.5/5
I was lucky to read this both as an egalley and on audio (thanks to Park Row Books, Harlequin Audio, and NetGalley!). I was really excited because it had such a fun concept that I was sure would hold my attention. I mean cmon! A reality show hide and seek game on a remote island turned locked room mystery!? And a crazy storm brewing! Talk about location, location, location. Unfortunately, with all its potential, this book just didn’t wow me.
Let’s start with the narration: the audiobook is well done, especially in capturing the influencer vibes and adventure-seeker personas we all recognize online. I thought that brought some life to characters that otherwise felt flat on the page.
As for the story? It’s a two and half star, rounded to three-star, read for me. A lot of that rating is giving credit to the sharp commentary on influencers. A great conversation around the things that people are willing to do to be seen, obsession, and a society that feeds on that. This book felt even more relevant taking into consideration how we engage with, and ultimately pay, creators who make more dangerous content for likes and views. It absolutely made me think of YouTube stunt channels and influencers like MrBeast. There’s a pointed reminder here that the audience plays just as much of a role in the dangerous spiral for views and virality as the creators do.
This book falters in its lack of depth. While the characters are interesting to a degree, they were also easy to categorize and never really surprised me. In addition to having a lot of characters with perspectives that felt unnecessary. I never felt drawn to any of the characters, including Adele, and their tropey portrayal made the book all the more predictable. I could tell some elements were meant to feel simple, but I still wanted more. Overall this book could’ve used a little more OOMPH. Too much of a slow burn that by the end the pacing is uneven.
Part of the issue, too, is that I recently read another influencer thriller that I loved—and this one just didn’t hit the same. It didn’t turn pages the way I hoped it would. Which is why I really have to give credit to the audiobook for helping me finish.
That said, I would still read more from this author. It seems like they explore entertaining concepts that are sure to draw readers in. I’m just hoping to see stronger execution in future reads.
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Not a single interesting thing happened in this book, tons of plot holes and just dumb made up websites. First of all, the game in this makes no sense - is it a tv show? Or is it being broadcast live on social? Why are different people just going live constantly and airing our dirty laundry / confidential information to the whole world? If the game was hide and seek why was no one filming the game or broadcasting it?? Also I hated all the made up social media - you don’t need to invent “photogram”, just use Instagram!! It’s still stupid but believable!! Also, minor, but the characters saying “you slayed that” was SO ANNOYING. people don’t speak like that in real life!! And what was the miller story?? It was completely pointless with no payoff - there was no reason for him to return? Just a lot of threads in this book that don’t get tied up at all, with weak characters and no development of plot or character
mysterious
slow-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:
Yes
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Ehh honestly I think I had to look up spoilers for the ending, it was boring. It For a book about a game show, it really didn't focus much on it, and was disappointing.
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes