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nhdk's review
3.0
I have mixed feelings about S.T.A.G.S. Broadly it was an easy read, that I finished comfortably in a day and that is typically a good sign, books that take me ages are usually a slog for a bad reason.
The story is about bullying, a conspiracy at England’s oldest private school, and the class divide. It starts out making a bold claim about the main student’s and to avoid spoilers I won’t go into detail, but that claim, I felt, doesn’t really come to fruition. Which made the ending a bit of a disappointment, although there was a somewhat predictable twist right at the end.
It’s a simple plot that’s easy to follow with pretty engaging characters, I liked the scene setting too, although the first 15% of the book reads very bizarrely. It’s almost like a shopping list. I think it could have done with a further edit to make the description flow better.
The main character was likable, and the constant references to films could have been a big risk – a cheat for metaphors and description, but actually, I quite liked how the character viewed the world and compared it to movies.
Overall, this was an okay book. It was a good, quick read, with characters I liked to hate, but it didn’t blow me away. That being said, I probably would read another book by this author.
The story is about bullying, a conspiracy at England’s oldest private school, and the class divide. It starts out making a bold claim about the main student’s and to avoid spoilers I won’t go into detail, but that claim, I felt, doesn’t really come to fruition. Which made the ending a bit of a disappointment, although there was a somewhat predictable twist right at the end.
It’s a simple plot that’s easy to follow with pretty engaging characters, I liked the scene setting too, although the first 15% of the book reads very bizarrely. It’s almost like a shopping list. I think it could have done with a further edit to make the description flow better.
The main character was likable, and the constant references to films could have been a big risk – a cheat for metaphors and description, but actually, I quite liked how the character viewed the world and compared it to movies.
Overall, this was an okay book. It was a good, quick read, with characters I liked to hate, but it didn’t blow me away. That being said, I probably would read another book by this author.
kitkat13's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
telly_in_town's review
4.0
This book was great! The first half was very slow, but gave a description and did a great job at world building. Second half was crazy, there was so much going on but at just the right pace for me to still understand and enjoy it! The story was so good and the idea of the school being a cult was so out of nowhere but still so believable. Loved this!
sarabovington's review
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
ugh
thebooklender's review
4.0
Greer MacDonald has won a scholarship to the sixth form of St Aidan The Great School (S.T.A.G.S. to its students), a prestigious and ancient boarding school for the offspring of the British upper classes. It is, quite literally, old school - the oldest school in England!
Greer finds herself ostracised and alone, very much a 'Savage' (the outsiders at S.T.A.G.S. - the scholarship students, the foreigners, the new money) in a world of 'Medievals' (the posher than posh old-money landed gentry). Just when she thinks she'll be spending the whole two years alone and friendless, she receives an anonymous but prestigious invitation to spend a weekend at a grand stately home, revelling in the traditional country pursuits of Huntin', Shootin', Fishin'.
When she discovers that the invitation is from Henry de Warlencourt - the most popular (and attractive) boy in school, she thinks things are starting to look up. But what - or rather who - are the intended prey?
That someone dies is revealed on page one, even though the death doesn't occur until near the end of the book. We also find out who dies - and who is responsible - very early on, so I wouldn't call this book a murder mystery (the only mystery is how and when the death happens). Rather, it is a tense, atmospheric British horror-thriller, with plot twists that keep coming right until the end. It reads like The Wicker Man meets Midsomer Murders with teens!
Greer was a likeable and (mostly) relatable protagonist. I did find myself getting a little annoyed at her blindsided determination to fall for The Bad Guy, although Bennett does manage to make this feel quite realistic. The book also had a fantastic atmosphere - the tension, menace and faded glory have stayed with me long after reading.
I would recommend this book to older or more mature students, although this is more to do with interest and subject matter than anything explicit or gory.
Greer finds herself ostracised and alone, very much a 'Savage' (the outsiders at S.T.A.G.S. - the scholarship students, the foreigners, the new money) in a world of 'Medievals' (the posher than posh old-money landed gentry). Just when she thinks she'll be spending the whole two years alone and friendless, she receives an anonymous but prestigious invitation to spend a weekend at a grand stately home, revelling in the traditional country pursuits of Huntin', Shootin', Fishin'.
When she discovers that the invitation is from Henry de Warlencourt - the most popular (and attractive) boy in school, she thinks things are starting to look up. But what - or rather who - are the intended prey?
That someone dies is revealed on page one, even though the death doesn't occur until near the end of the book. We also find out who dies - and who is responsible - very early on, so I wouldn't call this book a murder mystery (the only mystery is how and when the death happens). Rather, it is a tense, atmospheric British horror-thriller, with plot twists that keep coming right until the end. It reads like The Wicker Man meets Midsomer Murders with teens!
Greer was a likeable and (mostly) relatable protagonist. I did find myself getting a little annoyed at her blindsided determination to fall for The Bad Guy, although Bennett does manage to make this feel quite realistic. The book also had a fantastic atmosphere - the tension, menace and faded glory have stayed with me long after reading.
I would recommend this book to older or more mature students, although this is more to do with interest and subject matter than anything explicit or gory.
booksareneat_'s review
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
librarylilac's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
readintowonderland's review against another edition
5.0
This book is not too scary. Any acts of violence or moments of stark fear are not described in too much detail.
If you are a fan of many different films, you will unexpectedly enjoy this book. There are a ton of film references all throughout that cover all different genres of film.
At times the narrator becomes a bit too self-aware and breaks the fourth wall frequently, to the point of addressing the readers directly. For some readers, I know this can be a non-starter. While that is not my preference for books, it did not detract from my enjoyment of the story.
I found the entire story incredibly thrilling and hard to put down. This feeling is great evidence of how naturally engaging this book is.
I think I might keep this book as an open-ended standalone in my reading experience because I am not necessarily interested in following another narrator tackling the same issues.
I think I might keep this book as an open-ended standalone in my reading experience because I am not necessarily interested in following another narrator tackling the same issues.
This book is full of entirely morally grey characters. Even the allegedly good and bad guys are a mix of both. I like how even with a reliable narrator, Greer was never entirely in the right or entirely innocent.
The book plays with modern vs ancient ideals very well. The main trio at the center of this book are more connected to the modern world than the rest of the student body. They show how modern technology in moderation can alter the course of their lives for better and for worse.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book and highly enjoyed the unique perspective of a group of students who dress and act like priests. That said, I would not classify this book as having religious theming. I highly recommend this book to those who like a medium-paced thriller that isn't too dark.
For a more in-depth review please see my blog: https://readintowonderland.blogspot.com/2024/03/S.T.A.G.S.html
For a more in-depth review please see my blog: https://readintowonderland.blogspot.com/2024/03/S.T.A.G.S.html