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stephslibrary's review against another edition
4.0
This book took me by surprise.
I think by the time I'd read the book it had been so long since I properly read the synopsis that I'd forgotten that the book was supposed to take a sinister turn and was under the impression that whatever bad thing happened on this weekend of huntin' shootin' fishin' was just an accident. But from the moment I began the book, I felt a sense of unease. The setting and the overprivileged students gave me the impression that something very wrong was going to happen, and that these kids would prove themselves to be snooty and believe that they are above everyone else. I was right.
As a film buff myself I really enjoyed the numerous references to films, (though I disagree with Greer's opinion that The Princess Diaries is a bad film). I enjoyed Greer as a character and found her actions and choices to be believable but didn't agree with her opinions on what happens towards the end. For once the idea of incredibly stuck up high school students didn't seem utterly ridiculous considering the upbringing of the kids and so the plot felt really organic given the setting and situation. I also was surprised to find that this was set in England, I was convinced it would be an American book but was actually quite glad to see that I was wrong in that assumption.
I read this book via audiobook, and very much enjoyed the experience. I thought the narrator was engaging and was able to switch between various English accents in a way that suited each character and their varying accents (which in some cases was actually relevant to the story).
Overall, I quite enjoyed this book and with the way it ended, I intend to also read the sequel whenever it comes out.
I think by the time I'd read the book it had been so long since I properly read the synopsis that I'd forgotten that the book was supposed to take a sinister turn and was under the impression that whatever bad thing happened on this weekend of huntin' shootin' fishin' was just an accident. But from the moment I began the book, I felt a sense of unease. The setting and the overprivileged students gave me the impression that something very wrong was going to happen, and that these kids would prove themselves to be snooty and believe that they are above everyone else. I was right.
As a film buff myself I really enjoyed the numerous references to films, (though I disagree with Greer's opinion that The Princess Diaries is a bad film). I enjoyed Greer as a character and found her actions and choices to be believable but didn't agree with her opinions on what happens towards the end. For once the idea of incredibly stuck up high school students didn't seem utterly ridiculous considering the upbringing of the kids and so the plot felt really organic given the setting and situation. I also was surprised to find that this was set in England, I was convinced it would be an American book but was actually quite glad to see that I was wrong in that assumption.
I read this book via audiobook, and very much enjoyed the experience. I thought the narrator was engaging and was able to switch between various English accents in a way that suited each character and their varying accents (which in some cases was actually relevant to the story).
Overall, I quite enjoyed this book and with the way it ended, I intend to also read the sequel whenever it comes out.
zealous_bibliophile's review against another edition
3.0
If you like Hunger Games this is probably a book for you. Set at a prestigious boarding school in modern-day England three outcasts find themselves suddenly included in the elite inner circle. There isn't ghe same dystopian aspect or the tinge of paranormal your find in the hunger games. This is contemporary Britian with the children of the elite of the world and someone scholarship students thrown in for good measure. I believe this is a stand alone, although the epilog sets up the possibility of a related book. Bennett also seems to have written similar books. There are some elements that don't make sense and seem to have been forced to create the situation Bennett wanted, hence the 3 star rating (I touch on those points below but they are spoilers).
Mild spoiler: If you did not enjoy the Hunger Games after the second half of the third book you aren't going to enjoy this one either.
Spoilers:
The book relies heavily on the kids readily giving up all contact with the outside world. That doesn't make a lot of sense for the main character. Her two cohorts you can rationalize it once all the facts are in. He's been in school with these kids since he was eight, he doesn't have anyone else. She didn't have anyone else at home. The main character however did have friends back home, friends she missed, and being so isolated at her new school you would expect her to further delve into spcoal.medoa and what not after the first few weeks of being ignored.
Moving past that, it makes zero sense that once they are out of the corrupt little village the kids didn't call the police. Frankly it doesn't make any sense that they wouldn't be live streaming what they found as additional backup and protection. They didn't know what Henry would do or that the others wouldn't be there to act. And where were the others? They conviently just disappears. Also when they are talking to their head master Greer says they don't have anything to pin on the other kids, except for the fact they chased her through the water with boats, tried to snag her with fishing hooks, trapped her with fheir boats and refused to help her out of the water, and then chased her again, you you know attempted murder. And it makes no.sense what so ever why the one kid's dad would send him to the same school he was victimized at no matter how good the school. And then the ending is very bleak. Well, people are evil and in charge of things, what are you gonna do? You can't stop bad guys. That's a horrible and in accurate message to be included in a young adult book.
Mild spoiler: If you did not enjoy the Hunger Games after the second half of the third book you aren't going to enjoy this one either.
Spoilers:
The book relies heavily on the kids readily giving up all contact with the outside world. That doesn't make a lot of sense for the main character. Her two cohorts you can rationalize it once all the facts are in. He's been in school with these kids since he was eight, he doesn't have anyone else. She didn't have anyone else at home. The main character however did have friends back home, friends she missed, and being so isolated at her new school you would expect her to further delve into spcoal.medoa and what not after the first few weeks of being ignored.
Moving past that, it makes zero sense that once they are out of the corrupt little village the kids didn't call the police. Frankly it doesn't make any sense that they wouldn't be live streaming what they found as additional backup and protection. They didn't know what Henry would do or that the others wouldn't be there to act. And where were the others? They conviently just disappears. Also when they are talking to their head master Greer says they don't have anything to pin on the other kids, except for the fact they chased her through the water with boats, tried to snag her with fishing hooks, trapped her with fheir boats and refused to help her out of the water, and then chased her again, you you know attempted murder. And it makes no.sense what so ever why the one kid's dad would send him to the same school he was victimized at no matter how good the school. And then the ending is very bleak. Well, people are evil and in charge of things, what are you gonna do? You can't stop bad guys. That's a horrible and in accurate message to be included in a young adult book.
powisamy's review against another edition
4.0
I had heard a lot about Stags as last year it was doing the rounds at YALC last year which made me want to pick it up. When I did pick it, I was gripped from the first page finishing the book in a couple of hours. Stags is a truly fast-paced, thrilling YA read that everyone should read.
Stags take on middle-class ideas and class in general which was something that I really did love in the book and I think that it was handled really well. It also worked really well in the story itself especially as it developed.
I also really enjoyed the dynamic between the main characters especially as this developed over the course of the story. There were obviously characters that you were made to dislike so this is understandable.
The main draw to STAGS is the plot which kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the book. I really wanted to find out what happened and the end of the book was definitely surprising and I didn't expect it. This leads me to really want to read the sequel and I can't wait for it to come out!
The Verdict:
Stags is a truly unique, fast-paced read and I cannot wait for the next book in the series.
Stags take on middle-class ideas and class in general which was something that I really did love in the book and I think that it was handled really well. It also worked really well in the story itself especially as it developed.
I also really enjoyed the dynamic between the main characters especially as this developed over the course of the story. There were obviously characters that you were made to dislike so this is understandable.
The main draw to STAGS is the plot which kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the book. I really wanted to find out what happened and the end of the book was definitely surprising and I didn't expect it. This leads me to really want to read the sequel and I can't wait for it to come out!
The Verdict:
Stags is a truly unique, fast-paced read and I cannot wait for the next book in the series.
daniellewalsh's review against another edition
2.0
Just going to start by saying I didn't realise this was a YA novel. Obviously since reading The Secret History, any book that mentions an academic setting with an elite group of students and a 'mystery' sounds appealing. It's probably a bad point of comparison because I always expect them to live up to The Secret History, but they rarely do (apart from If We Were Villains, excellent book, highly recommend).
Greer McDonald gets invited to the country manor of the wealthiest boy at S.T.A.G.S., for a weekend of 'shootin', huntin' and fishin'' (doesn't sound like a great weekend to me if I'm honest). The weekend has more in store for Greer and the two other misfits, as the blood sports become more dark and twisted.
The idea of the book was really great, and I can imagine my younger-self loving it, so if you're into YA, it may be right up your street.
I love a film reference in a book, but they weren't just peppered in here, they were constant, and the writing style in general was a bit jarring. It's also a very guided book, with lots of foreshadowing, but again maybe it's for the target audience?
The premise was so good, but everything just felt a little underdeveloped in my opinion. Don't want to be too harsh because the idea is great, and maybe it's my fault for going into it without realising it was a YA book.
Greer McDonald gets invited to the country manor of the wealthiest boy at S.T.A.G.S., for a weekend of 'shootin', huntin' and fishin'' (doesn't sound like a great weekend to me if I'm honest). The weekend has more in store for Greer and the two other misfits, as the blood sports become more dark and twisted.
The idea of the book was really great, and I can imagine my younger-self loving it, so if you're into YA, it may be right up your street.
I love a film reference in a book, but they weren't just peppered in here, they were constant, and the writing style in general was a bit jarring. It's also a very guided book, with lots of foreshadowing, but again maybe it's for the target audience?
The premise was so good, but everything just felt a little underdeveloped in my opinion. Don't want to be too harsh because the idea is great, and maybe it's my fault for going into it without realising it was a YA book.
quequel's review against another edition
2.0
No inicio, pensei vai ser ação pura esse livro, mas que tédio. Não rolou pra mim... só li mesmo, pq a narrativa é bem fluída e fiquei curiosa.
stormiclouds's review against another edition
5.0
STAGS gave me all the delicious Gossip Girl vibes! Even though the "mystery" wasn't too much of a mystery, I enjoyed the tale MA Bennett weaved, especially the twist, and look forward to reading more of the STAGS series.
gabiloue's review against another edition
3.0
This book was definitely intriguing and at times suspenseful, yet often predictable. It boasted an illustrious setting of an elite private boarding schools where the popular kids (known as the Medievals) seem to rule the school, almost literally. When the outcast scholarship kid Greer MacDonald is invited to spend a weekend with the Medievals, her place in the school seems to be changing. Until the weekend turns out way different than expected.
At least to her. To the reader, the nature of the weekend getaway is rather obvious, and so are the supposed plot twists and relationships. The writing of the books itself is also a little odd, but once you get used to it the plot moves rather fast.
I loved the idea of the book and the setting, and I was entertained the whole time. Just don't expect much more than that.
At least to her. To the reader, the nature of the weekend getaway is rather obvious, and so are the supposed plot twists and relationships. The writing of the books itself is also a little odd, but once you get used to it the plot moves rather fast.
I loved the idea of the book and the setting, and I was entertained the whole time. Just don't expect much more than that.
colorfulleo92's review against another edition
3.0
This wasn't my cup of tea unfortunately, not a bad book though
charlie_allin's review against another edition
5.0
I really loved this easy to follow book that was packed with twists and turns! I loved Greer as a main character and loved that it was first person so you see all of her doubts as they come. Also that ending! Long drawn out epilogues bore me but I’m so glad I read all the way because those last two pages! Jeez what a shock! I cannot wait to start D.O.G.S!
lauren_drinkard's review against another edition
2.0
⭐️⭐️ 2.5 stars rounded down. “We’ll, I’ve watched a lot of films. A lot…” and the main character, Greer, reminds you of this on almost every page, too (p. 261). This entire book is riddled with movie references to connect the reader to an idea because it would have been harder to describe it further. Greer breaks the fourth wall often enough that it’s annoying. Then the reader (me) rolls their eyes even harder when this weak, underdeveloped character figures out that she and her 2 other friends are being hunted on vacation but still convinced herself that the rich, entitled ring leader has feelings for her! There is nothing special about Greer, this book, or the resolution. It’s a waste of your time and an insult to your intelligence, reader. If you absolutely must read it, rent it from a library or borrow it from a friend; don’t waste your money on it.