“Asking for help isn’t failure, it’s strength. It means you trust yourself enough to be flawed and to learn. Because here’s the secret: You don’t have to be infallible. You don’t have to know it all. No one is and no one does.”

I just wanted to share this specific quote because it really hit me and made me do some thinking. It’s so important to allow yourself to be vulnerable and accept our flaws so we can receive and ask for help when needed.

The only reason I didn’t rate this book higher despite loving how it was written and the characters that were represented (especially trans and nonbinary characters being the main focus for the romance aspect of the plot - which I hardly ever see in books) was the fact that I knew who was behind the killings from the get-go.

However, I still really enjoyed this book and would read again. ( )

Mentioned in a blog post at https://booksbeyondbinaries.blog/2020/05/25/be-our-guest/ ( )

Okay, I found the first half of this book to be legitimately terrifying. I couldn’t put it down mainly because I wanted to know what would happen next, but also because I was sort of scared of what would be waiting in the dark for me when I did.

Unfortunately the story was unable to sustain that level of suspense beyond around that halfway mark, and once the sense of immediate danger dropped the book slowed down to a dribble of an ending that lingered for maybe a chapter longer than it needed to. The lack of urgency in later chapters, paired with a climax and conclusion that could be anticipated by someone familiar with the tropes and themes common in other mysteries and thrillers, was definitely somewhat disappointing.

On the other hand, I’m definitely a sucker for any story based around an RPG gone awry. That right there gave this book a lot of points to make up what was lost in execution. Overall, an interesting (and super inclusive!) spooky tale. ( )

This was a fast-paced, interesting YA mystery thriller. Diverse characters and a suspenseful plot kept me turning the pages, but it was the mystery that kept me hooked. I enjoyed the way the characters' RPG roles intertwined and influenced their realities, but found the game itself a bit distracting (although I'm sure there are people who will love it).

The mysterious ghost story about the cabin was a nice touch - I would have liked to see a little more of this element, if only to keep the reader guessing, as the ending was a little predictable - not enough was done to make everyone a viable suspect. But all in all I enjoyed this story and look forward to her next book!

I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. ( )