S.T.A.G.S

Promising premise, horrible beginning, mediocre middle, cliched ending.

There were a couple of points in this book where I almost started to enjoy it; Ms. Bennett isn't a terrible writer its just that the whole thing is structured so badly I could never get into it. I kept getting distracted by things like a newly-introduced character's accent not being described until two entire pages later. The first third of the book suffers from tell-itis to such a horrifying degree that even our narrator comments on it; sadly, such clever self-reference does not advance the plot in a useful way. And I'm quite charmed by the narrative voice but it could have been love if only the rest of the book didn't make me so mad I could spit. Save your money, kids, maybe her next book will be better.

I received this book free from Penguin Random House for review.

DNF @ 20%

I shouldn't have waited to write this mini-review up because I can't remember much about the book now. I remember I didn't like the writing style, mostly. While I usually don't mind the narration talking from the future–adding in “Now I wish I had missed that car...” or “While I was happy then, it would have better if I hadn't...” I get it. It adds to the mysterious air, but I just felt annoyed. It felt like I was waiting for the story to start– eventually that type of talking has to float away. It can come back once in a while, but gosh 20 whole percent of the book thus far??? Too much.

I also disliked the Medievals.
Which I mean, obviously?
But, I couldn't understand why anyone would actually like them or would want to follow their example up to the point of not using any electronics. There is no one who could have made me stop using my phone or stop using my iPod in high school– No. One.
I couldn't suspend my belief.

I think some people might enjoy the thrilling aspect though and I'm sure once the murder happens things will pick up, so if you can last until then, perhaps you'll enjoy the book!