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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
dark
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a book that proves YA horror can be just as horrific as adult horror. It starts with a bang of a cold open and then we see it unfold. Something I loved about this book is there are no simple characters. All of the teens are complicated and doubt themselves and their place within their friend groups and lives. We never get the self-assured final girl, but one whose fear doesn’t stop her from doing what needs to be done. There are awkward missteps and moments that felt very true to the high school experience!
I really liked having the perspective of the villain and heroine though out the story. This is not a book that shies away from violence or toned down the serious topics. But it felt purposeful and not gratuitous.
I really liked having the perspective of the villain and heroine though out the story. This is not a book that shies away from violence or toned down the serious topics. But it felt purposeful and not gratuitous.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Murder
Moderate: Drug use, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Gun violence, Vomit
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Loved the full production audio on the audiobook!
This one is definitely really dark, but so good!
This one is definitely really dark, but so good!
dark
tense
medium-paced
Aaron Fortin, a new student and secret online influencer, arrives in town with a flashy and captivating persona. Crystal, part of a misfit group, senses his insincerity. As Aaron's true nature is revealed, he targets Crystal and manipulates her friends. Crystal must decide whether to protect her friends or succumb to Aaron's influence.
I received an ARC of this book from Net Galley and this is my voluntary and unbiased review. It is currently available on Audible only, but is being released in October in physical and digital format.
I requested this ARC because I absolutely love Adam Cesare's Clown in a Cornfield series, and will be reading the third one soon! Something I love about his writing is that he is not afraid to make YA gory, which is something I look for in thrillers. The opening scene of this book hooked me right away!! YA can be frustrating to read at times because the characters, teenagers mainly, are stupid. I did find there to be too much boring friendship dynamics for the first third of this book that probably could've been pared down. However, the premise of this was really fun and it was also a topical look at the power of social media in 2024.
I received an ARC of this book from Net Galley and this is my voluntary and unbiased review. It is currently available on Audible only, but is being released in October in physical and digital format.
I requested this ARC because I absolutely love Adam Cesare's Clown in a Cornfield series, and will be reading the third one soon! Something I love about his writing is that he is not afraid to make YA gory, which is something I look for in thrillers. The opening scene of this book hooked me right away!! YA can be frustrating to read at times because the characters, teenagers mainly, are stupid. I did find there to be too much boring friendship dynamics for the first third of this book that probably could've been pared down. However, the premise of this was really fun and it was also a topical look at the power of social media in 2024.
This is probably a 3.5* for me, and I was going back and forth between a 3 or 4* - however the prologue is SO good that it deserves the higher rating. Like Scream meets The Strangers meets Inside, I was gripped immediately.
The rest of the book doesn't quite live up to that, but its still an excellent story. I've seen a lot of reviews mention You, and it's a very apt comparison. The exploration of manipulation in the social media era is genuinely chilling at points.
I did think that certain events and character changes happened very abruptly. It's probably not necessary to explore why in detail, but somethings that would likely take months in real life seems to be hand-waved over a few days.
The audio presentation is great - all 3 narrators are strong, the sound effects and music are used just enough to be effective without becoming overwhelming. Exactly how I hope all audiobooks like this are done.
The rest of the book doesn't quite live up to that, but its still an excellent story. I've seen a lot of reviews mention You, and it's a very apt comparison. The exploration of manipulation in the social media era is genuinely chilling at points.
I did think that certain events and character changes happened very abruptly. It's probably not necessary to explore why in detail, but somethings that would likely take months in real life seems to be hand-waved over a few days.
The audio presentation is great - all 3 narrators are strong, the sound effects and music are used just enough to be effective without becoming overwhelming. Exactly how I hope all audiobooks like this are done.
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Okay! I broke away from my usual romcom/fantasy/hist fic scene to try this thriller and I really enjoyed it! It took a couple chapters to have my brain not keep picturing Conrad Fisher as a raging psychopath LOL but Christopher Briney did. Great job bringing the dark twisted mind of Aaron to life. I agree with other reviewers that this is a dark read because it feels like a scenario like this could happen and that gives me shivers. The story itself moved quickly and I’m satisfied with how it ended but wish we could’ve gotten more of a follow up on how everyone is doing later/more removed by the final scenes. Audible has this story listed under teen and young adult but I’d go ahead and say put this under horror thriller. There are some disturbing scenes that I wouldn’t have wanted to read as a teen; but if you’re a true crime fan like me, this was a good pick!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Torture, Stalking, Murder
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Drug use, Gore, Sexual assault
Minor: Homophobia, Violence
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes