A review by agiali
The Lake by Natasha Preston

3.0

The cliffhanger ending was the best part of this book. Partially because it was finally over and partially because it was the only thrilling part in this entire YA thriller.

Esme and Kayla are back at Camp Pine Lake as counselors (in training) instead of campers. The last time they were here they did something that has haunted them ever since, but have sworn off ever speaking about it. Now 17 and back at the scene of the crime, someone knows, and the lake never forgets.

BORING. YAWNING.

I gave this a three because I was entertained and I read it very quickly, but that doesn't mean this is a god's greatest gift to this Earth. In typical Natasha Preston fashion, the main characters did something shitty, then they tried to reform themselves as they keep the secret, BOYS! SO HOT, and then their past comes up and people die. Taadaa.

I don't want to say my main thought and reasoning for disliking this thriller, mostly because that does spoil the whole plot, but my main takeaway is this was not great. You're basically wondering throughout the whole book if this thing is actually happening or if there is something else and you're just WAITING for the reveal. Basically, The Lake was so dragged out for unnecessary reasons, like when you're writing an essay in English class and instead of "don't" you write "do not" so you hit the word count.

If this book were cut in half or even a novella, it would have been better. I've read three of Preston's works prior to this one and this one felt the worst written of the three. I was in it for a summer slasher or just a summer camp thriller but instead was hit with such silly plot lines to further the main thrill.

Definitely skip this one because she's just mid. My first Preston book, The Haunting is so far still my favorite.