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luminareads's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Oh my god.
This book was so much, I kept reading and reading, I couldn't put it down. It had so many plot twists, and every one of them was a twist. The pace was high, and it was consistent which can be hard sometimes. I'm a big Karen McManus fan but honestly, this was better than any of hers, which is a huge compliment because I love Karen's work. And that ending? While it wasn't super satisfying, it was a surprise and that's what matters for a mystery.
Spoiler section below
I actually gasped at every single death. I was convinced for a while that Graham did it, and then after he died Xander seemed shady too. I never ever would have suspected Celia, the ending was very dramatic. I haven't loved a book like this in a while, and I wish badly that I knew of something this good to pick up next.
My main problem is that the trans character was the first one killed. While I'm mostly sure that this wasn't intentional, this doesn't read great. If any other character was killed first this wouldn't have seemed so off.
This book was so much, I kept reading and reading, I couldn't put it down. It had so many plot twists, and every one of them was a twist. The pace was high, and it was consistent which can be hard sometimes. I'm a big Karen McManus fan but honestly, this was better than any of hers, which is a huge compliment because I love Karen's work. And that ending? While it wasn't super satisfying, it was a surprise and that's what matters for a mystery.
Spoiler section below
I actually gasped at every single death. I was convinced for a while that Graham did it, and then after he died Xander seemed shady too. I never ever would have suspected Celia, the ending was very dramatic. I haven't loved a book like this in a while, and I wish badly that I knew of something this good to pick up next.
My main problem is that the trans character was the first one killed. While I'm mostly sure that this wasn't intentional, this doesn't read great. If any other character was killed first this wouldn't have seemed so off.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Blood, Car accident, Gore, Drug use, Death, Murder, and Vomit
Moderate: Cancer, Death of parent, Suicidal thoughts, Excrement, and Animal death
Minor: Body shaming, Homophobia, and Transphobia
marywahlmeierbracciano's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
In Kansas author Kate Williams’ YA thriller, a diverse group of ten influencers is invited to Unknown Island, a remote luxury resort that attracted worldwide attention amidst a viral marketing campaign. But what is supposed to be a free vacation turns into something much more sinister. Not long after their arrival, the ten guests discover that every one of them is a murderer, and every one of them will be murdered. As each reveals the story behind the death that keeps them up at night, that most have tried to cover up, the influencers are taunted by Unknown Island’s cryptic Instagram feed, broadcast to them on a screen that hoards the island’s only internet access. And then they start dropping like flies. Fyre Festival meets murder mystery in this tense story that examines social media, cancel culture, and what it takes to be a murderer.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Blood, Confinement, Cursing, and Death
Moderate: Gore, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Grief, and Drug use
Minor: Excrement, Vomit, Bullying, Stalking, Car accident, Child death, Suicide, Mental illness, Homophobia, Alcohol, Cancer, and Death of parent
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