Reviews

As someone who frequently bounces around genres, there are few times when I feel that the sequence of my book selections directly influences my appreciation for what comes next. For me, reading S.T.A.G.S. in (unintentionally!) quick succession with The Secret History definitely shaded my overall enjoyment of this book. Although the subject matters are innately different, there were enough nagging similarities that I found myself constantly comparing the two and, ultimately, pitted them against each other.

In the case of S.T.A.G.S., I felt that the early reveal of the climax/mystery (similar to TSH) eliminated any suspense I felt moving through the plot. Knowing the outline of the narrator's actions in the first few chapters eased the tension of the build up, regardless of the terrible situations the characters found themselves in. Being given bread crumbs to how heinous the Medievals were ahead of time dulled the reaction of "the reveal" of the happenings at Longcross.

This book also highlighted a few of my personal narrative pet peeves, including overbearing pop culture references (a character trait that felt more like a crutch to avoid full visual/emotional descriptions) and repetitive language (describing colors as "arterial blood" in various situations). Overall, appreciated that S.T.A.G.S. had not-so-happy and open ending. I am glad to have read this as an entry on my growing list of campus-novels/students-go-bad books.

morguebooks's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

3.0

sarah06r's review against another edition

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5.0

The plot twists,the drama, the dark academia aesthetic… Everything in this book was written to perfection. The story follows Greer, a girl from Manchester attending an elite school on a scholarship who gets invited to what appears to be a weekend of her wildest dreams at Longcross hall. However her and two other students at STAGS six form, Chanel the daughter of a new money millionaire and Shafeen the son of Indian royalty, are hunted by the Medievals led by Henry de Warlencourt, a boy with more money and power than you can imagine. The way the characters one by one realise what is wrong fills you with suspense as you realise along with themthat something very wrong is going on here. And just as you think they have broken the cult that infects the school light shining through a stained glass window and familiar faces remind them that the order never dies. Bennet writes about the abuse of power and money beautifully and makes you feel the same fear the characters do when they realise their fate. Overall amazing book and recommend to anyone who like thrillers. Also honourable mention to all the movie references intertwined into the books that help you not only picture the book better but also break the tension and lull you into a false sense of security.