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A review by katykelly
S.T.A.G.S by M.A. Bennett
4.0
Running Man, Hard Target - human hunting now hits schools
A school of privilege, and one in which the wealthiest invite 'lesser' classmates home for the weekend, to be targeted in blood sports. Many films have used similar themes - Battle Royale and Series 7 The Contenders as a sign of a weakening, immoral society, as well as those mentioned above. It's a concept that shocks but also fascinates - who would hunt a fellow human?
At STAG (St Aidan the Great) Boarding School, Greer is a scholarship girl, the only student without money at a highly privileged and ancient institution run by monks. Invited to a fellow sixth former's ancestral home one weekend with fellow misfits, she is put to the test as she begins to suspect her host and his friends of using them as sport.
It moved quickly, but I was a little disappointed in the danger the threesome were put in - rather convenient escapes and near misses, it never had the feeling of 'The Wicker Man' when everyone turns on the victim and you fear for their lives. The final twist isn't too much of a surprise, though I did enjoy the reasoning behind the whole scheme.
Greer herself benefits (to my film fan mind) from a quirky love of films, seeing significant events as key moments in films and telling us what she is reminded of. Personally, I loved these references though I can imagine that not all readers will recognise the references.
Enjoyable enough, not really any surprises but a few elements that make it memorable. Would transfer well to the screen.
With thanks to Netgalley for the advance reading copy.
A school of privilege, and one in which the wealthiest invite 'lesser' classmates home for the weekend, to be targeted in blood sports. Many films have used similar themes - Battle Royale and Series 7 The Contenders as a sign of a weakening, immoral society, as well as those mentioned above. It's a concept that shocks but also fascinates - who would hunt a fellow human?
At STAG (St Aidan the Great) Boarding School, Greer is a scholarship girl, the only student without money at a highly privileged and ancient institution run by monks. Invited to a fellow sixth former's ancestral home one weekend with fellow misfits, she is put to the test as she begins to suspect her host and his friends of using them as sport.
It moved quickly, but I was a little disappointed in the danger the threesome were put in - rather convenient escapes and near misses, it never had the feeling of 'The Wicker Man' when everyone turns on the victim and you fear for their lives. The final twist isn't too much of a surprise, though I did enjoy the reasoning behind the whole scheme.
Greer herself benefits (to my film fan mind) from a quirky love of films, seeing significant events as key moments in films and telling us what she is reminded of. Personally, I loved these references though I can imagine that not all readers will recognise the references.
Enjoyable enough, not really any surprises but a few elements that make it memorable. Would transfer well to the screen.
With thanks to Netgalley for the advance reading copy.