Disclaimer : I was Provided a free ARC copy
of this book from Netgalley in return for an honest review.
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Blurb
I Know What You Did Last Summer meets Point Horror in this YA début.
Friendships unravel and lives are risked in this suspenseful début thriller where no one is above suspicion...
For sixth-form student Grace Becker, The 100 Society is more than just a game; it's an obsession. Having convinced her five friends at Clifton Academy to see it through to the end, Grace will stop at nothing to carry out the rules of the game: tagging 100 locations around the city. With each step closer to the 100-mark they get, the higher the stakes become. But when the group catches the attention of a menacing stalker - the Reaper - he seems intent on exposing their illegal game, tormenting Grace with anonymous threats and branding their dormitory doors with his ominous tag.
As the once tight-knit group slowly unravels, torn apart by doubt and the death of a student, they no longer know who to trust.
With time running out, Grace must unmask the Reaper before he destroys everything she cares about for ever...
Carla Spradbery's début novel The 100 Society and is expected to publish on the 4th of September 2014.
I think that the book being set at a boarding school was perfect for the plot. The book is creepy and spooky and the setting I feel helped with making you feel like you had to look over your shoulder whilst reading. I have to say my two favourite characters were the janitor and the art teacher as side characters we knew less about them than the main six but they added so much in the scenes they were in for me even if it was at times just adding atmosphere. Some of my favourite scenes were because of them and the atmosphere or witty lines that came with them being in them.
As I said above the characters were not as well fleshed out as I would like, this making them harder to relate to for me. I am still unsure on how I feel about Grace especially as the main character out of the main group. I did not dislike her or have a strong like for her. She was okay, I do feel she did not develop as much as she should have the situations she was in and the way she reacted at times did not feel real in a way. Although I guess when you factor in her age they might be more appropriate. As for the other main characters Trick, Pete, Ed, Cassie and Faith were much of the same all had their own backgrounds, personalities and mysteries. They too were a bit flat I wish we could have maybe had more background to them. Although the dialogue between them all was good and sometimes found myself laughing out loud. If i had to pick a favourite from the six of them it would be Trick he just seems more relatable. His actions and reactions more believable.
I have talked a great deal of negatives to do with the characterization in this book which I enjoyed so much and this will seem strange to some of you. The characterization being so marred in your eyes usually detracts from the story and your enjoyment from the book. However I think that if it had been better I do not think I would have enjoyed the book any more than I did not meaning the book was bad regardless. The lack of characterization is what drew me more into the book and plot and allowed me to guess to and fro without any real feelings making it more enjoyable for myself.
Overall I really did enjoy reading this book and I am shocked at how much I honestly did enjoy this book considering the things I did find that would normally make me have a hard time finishing never mind enjoying a book. It's been awhile since I found myself so spooked by a book. I am a sucker for a good who done it? Mystery. It was also a nostalgic read for me because of the point horror feel. I have recommended this to friends already not only for their tweens and teens but for themselves. I will also be purchasing a couple of copies nearer Christmas for gifts for some of the younger members of the family and friends. I hope this is the start to a return of good horror books for the younger generations and young at heart. If you are looking for a easy and quick read full of creepiness and mystery do consider this book.
I wish Carla much success on her début and in the future.
MY RATING:
Review
I have a confession to make before I start on my review. My usual way I find the next victim on my TBR follows a process 1) the cover or title draws me in 2) I read the blurb 3) I read reviews and perhaps a little about the author 4) I decide if it's something I want to read. So I didn't even get the Blurb finished before I decided to hit request on Netgalley. As soon as I finished reading the first sentence I Know What You Did Last Summer meets Point Horror in this YA début, I knew that I would have to read this book, despite being anxious about the then lack of positive reviews or reviews above 3 stars.
When I was younger every time I walked into the library (which was at least once a week) I rushed straight over to the point horror shelf. I devoured that section like it was a red velvet cupcake LOL. So I was excited to see that since after years they had seemingly vanished if this book would hold up to my precious memories. (If only I could get mini cupcake to read point horror I would have an excuse to read them all again) This book did not disappoint in that respect it was everything I would have/do expect from a point horror book.
When I was younger every time I walked into the library (which was at least once a week) I rushed straight over to the point horror shelf. I devoured that section like it was a red velvet cupcake LOL. So I was excited to see that since after years they had seemingly vanished if this book would hold up to my precious memories. (If only I could get mini cupcake to read point horror I would have an excuse to read them all again) This book did not disappoint in that respect it was everything I would have/do expect from a point horror book.
The author's writing may not be as elegant as some people like and there was minor flaws that you would expect from an arc. However this was not an issue for myself. Although the writing felt a little rough in patches and the characters were not as fleshed out and as relatable as I would normally like. The plot was so unique and refreshing I found myself quickly lost and absorbed in the book. A real page turner I did not want to put it down. The plot was slow at first but soon gathered pace and was full of mystery, action, twists and turns. I soon got drawn into trying to guess who was the reaper and my first guess was right and went back to that person being my only suspect towards the end. I found myself chopping and changing. It was so fun I love books and films that make me do that. Even though my first and final guess before the reveal was correct I did not find that this meant that the book was predictable. I also think that the plot tied in well together and was a nice finished bundle without a nonsense ending. Although I do think that we should have had more of Grace's dad and brother, that is the only part that to me did not seem to have a definite ending.
I think that the book being set at a boarding school was perfect for the plot. The book is creepy and spooky and the setting I feel helped with making you feel like you had to look over your shoulder whilst reading. I have to say my two favourite characters were the janitor and the art teacher as side characters we knew less about them than the main six but they added so much in the scenes they were in for me even if it was at times just adding atmosphere. Some of my favourite scenes were because of them and the atmosphere or witty lines that came with them being in them.
As I said above the characters were not as well fleshed out as I would like, this making them harder to relate to for me. I am still unsure on how I feel about Grace especially as the main character out of the main group. I did not dislike her or have a strong like for her. She was okay, I do feel she did not develop as much as she should have the situations she was in and the way she reacted at times did not feel real in a way. Although I guess when you factor in her age they might be more appropriate. As for the other main characters Trick, Pete, Ed, Cassie and Faith were much of the same all had their own backgrounds, personalities and mysteries. They too were a bit flat I wish we could have maybe had more background to them. Although the dialogue between them all was good and sometimes found myself laughing out loud. If i had to pick a favourite from the six of them it would be Trick he just seems more relatable. His actions and reactions more believable.
I have talked a great deal of negatives to do with the characterization in this book which I enjoyed so much and this will seem strange to some of you. The characterization being so marred in your eyes usually detracts from the story and your enjoyment from the book. However I think that if it had been better I do not think I would have enjoyed the book any more than I did not meaning the book was bad regardless. The lack of characterization is what drew me more into the book and plot and allowed me to guess to and fro without any real feelings making it more enjoyable for myself.
Overall I really did enjoy reading this book and I am shocked at how much I honestly did enjoy this book considering the things I did find that would normally make me have a hard time finishing never mind enjoying a book. It's been awhile since I found myself so spooked by a book. I am a sucker for a good who done it? Mystery. It was also a nostalgic read for me because of the point horror feel. I have recommended this to friends already not only for their tweens and teens but for themselves. I will also be purchasing a couple of copies nearer Christmas for gifts for some of the younger members of the family and friends. I hope this is the start to a return of good horror books for the younger generations and young at heart. If you are looking for a easy and quick read full of creepiness and mystery do consider this book.
I wish Carla much success on her début and in the future.
MY RATING:
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