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A review by atomica
S.T.A.G.S by M.A. Bennett
3.0
“The hunter…became the hunted”
S.T.A.G.S by M. A. Bennett was very a e s t h e t i c . The story follows Greer MacDonald, a sixth form student at a classy boarding school where tradition runs deep. Lured in by a desire to belong, Greer embarks on a weekend of bloodsports -Huntin', Shootin', Fishin'- at the handsome Henry de Warlencourt's country manor. The atmosphere in this book is incredible -old money, hunting caps, english settlers, family rings, leather-bound books! I honestly must applaud Bennett for her ability to create such an immersive vibe. The characters also felt incredibly authentic and real. The snobby rich kids and the brave underdogs act as you would expect without being reduced to caricatures.. Yet, despite the fact that the setting and characters were 10/10 amazing, this book lost a lot of points because of predictability. Quite frankly, you can probably guess the entire arc of the novel just from the blurb. But even worse, the book is constantly shooting itself in the foot! Foreshadowing is one thing, *mild spoiler? But not really, because the book spoils itself when it says this at the beginning* but blatantly stating "this character will die throughout the book" and "these characters will live to bond over the murder" instantly kills any sense of mystery or excitement. I never feared for any of the characters or felt any measure of thrill because it was already made clear that they survived.
All in all, an okay book. If you like predictability and you love atmosphere then this is the story for you.
S.T.A.G.S by M. A. Bennett was very a e s t h e t i c . The story follows Greer MacDonald, a sixth form student at a classy boarding school where tradition runs deep. Lured in by a desire to belong, Greer embarks on a weekend of bloodsports -Huntin', Shootin', Fishin'- at the handsome Henry de Warlencourt's country manor. The atmosphere in this book is incredible -old money, hunting caps, english settlers, family rings, leather-bound books! I honestly must applaud Bennett for her ability to create such an immersive vibe. The characters also felt incredibly authentic and real. The snobby rich kids and the brave underdogs act as you would expect without being reduced to caricatures.
Spoiler
Maybe it seems mundane, but the signature Medieval hair flip sold me on this. It just seemed so themSpoiler
Like... was I supposed to be afraid when he got shot? Or when she was chased by the dogs? Greer already told us during the character introductions that they all got home safe and sound.All in all, an okay book. If you like predictability and you love atmosphere then this is the story for you.