by E Lockhart

YA Mystery/Thriller, 2014 by Delacorte Press, 242 Pages 

What I Didn’t Like:

• The privilege just flows from these characters. Even when someone attempts to point it out, they just don’t quite get it. It’s mildly infuriating. It doesn’t get better as the book goes on. Actually, if you’re sensitive to classism it gets worse. 
• The narrator often overreacts and explains things in a way that is not what is happening in a purpose prose sort of way. In the first instance of this for the book she says she was “shot” and even describes bleeding. It takes you a beat to realize she doesn’t mean literally. This is REALLY tough to sort out as the book progresses. 
• I figured out one of the major “twists” early. Once you have a guess at what is going on, the clues make it ridiculously obvious. Almost to the point of rolling your eyes at the clues that are dropped. I will say this doesn’t seem like a popular opinion. Other reviews are showing me some people were actually blown away by this twist, so blame it on how much I read in the genre, I guess.

What I Did Like:

• The intrigue does suck you in early. It doesn’t take long before you realize things might not be as they seem, which is a fun feeling in a book like this. 
• Unreliable narrator. As I mentioned in things I didn’t like, you can’t trust this overdramatic narrator who has a tendency to use figurative language that is extreme. However, if you like unreliable narrators … you can’t go wrong with her!
• The stories within the story were fun (and also huge hints at what was happening). 

Who Should Read This One:

• This one has been out for a bit so you’ve probably already had a chance to grab it. However, if you like YA contemporary stories that keep their secrets, have unreliable narrators, and utilize purple prose … you’ll like this one. 

My Rating: 2 Stars

• For me the classism really came to a head there with the big reveal in a way that curdled my stomach contents. No spoilers, but it was problematic for me.