Well written, entertaining & page-turning, but I don't think I'm feeling the big reveal. ( )

CW: Girl sets herself on fire ( )

McCreight is an excellent writer but this young adult work didn't reflect that as much as I'd hoped. She holds back on main character development and furthering the plot. I think she could have been a bit more risky in those areas as I believe young adult readers would still follow it easily. All in all, it's an interesting premise, though I wish she fleshed it out more; perhaps in the follow up story. ( )

Ugh, just no. Check, check, check. Ick, ick, ick. I definitely sped read this today--I could hardly believe this one. Scooby Doo and the gang do this much better. Here are some of my problems with this one:

1. Wylie has agoraphobia--she just miraculously manages to leave the house with the boyfriend of her bf that she hates?
2. Best friend texts she's danger needs help and they don't tell any adults?
3. They just get in a stranger's car for a ride, when their vehicle suddenly doesn't start? TSTL
4. Best friend is in cahoots with the bad guys?
5. Government conspiracy?
6. Religious nut jobs?
7. Cliff hanger ending?
Yes to all of the above. I will not be finishing this series.


( )

This book was about a girl named Wylie who was suffering from pretty bad anxiety because her mom had passed away from a tragic car crash that occurred four months ago. Later on, her best friend named Cassie, that wasn't her best friend anymore because of drinking problems, mom came up to her house and begged for help in finding her (for she had disappeared). Wylie then received a text message from Cassie saying that she really needed her help! She finds Cassie's boyfriend Jasper and even though they both don't start off on good terms they realize that they have to focus and work together in order to find Cassie. Cassie leaves specific instructions and vague information which leaves the pair still quite clueless. However, this game of hide and seek soon becomes dangerous and mysterious. The whole situation is pretty death-defying for everyone and crazy enough, that also includes Cassie herself!
Filled with so many twists and turns, I enjoyed this book! There was so much action and mystery that really kept you going. Twas a hard book to put down for sure, and even though I thought that the story could have been a little more realistic nevertheless it was still a good read. I look forward to reading the next book now because the story left off at a cliffhanger. All in all, a really great, thrilling experience that I recommend to all my fellow eighth graders! ( )