Tag: 2018release

mystery · suspense · Young adult

The Island – M.A. Bennett ★★★★

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Blurb; Link is a fish out of water. Newly arrived from America, he is finding it hard to settle into the venerable and prestigious Osney School. Who knew there could be so many strange traditions to understand? And what kind of school ranks its students by how fast they can run round the school quad – however ancient that quad may be? When Link runs the slowest time in years, he immediately becomes the butt of every school joke. And some students are determined to make his life more miserable than others . . .

When a school summer trip is offered, Link can think of nothing worse than spending voluntary time with his worst tormentors. But when his parents say he can only leave Osney School – forever – if he goes on the trip, Link decides to endure it for the ultimate prize. But this particular trip will require a very special sort of endurance. The saying goes ‘No man is an island’ – but what if on that island is a group of teenagers, none of whom particularly like each other? When oppressive heat, hunger and thirst start to bite, everyone’s true colours will be revealed. Let the battle commence . . .

My Review; I have loved the S.T.A.G.S series by this author so I had to give this standalone a go and I wasn’t disappointed. The perfect young adult mystery. What turned out to be a planned two week school holiday takes a turn for the worse… Lies. Deceit. Fights. Anger. Power. Love. Hate. Bonding. Team work. This story has it all. Five totally different kids stranded on a remote island, what will they do?

Link, I loved his character. The main character, the lowest, nerdy child in the whole school becomes the clever, nerdy leader on the island and for once doesn’t face the reality of being bullied… But for how long? I don’t want to give anything away but there is a HUGE twist to this story that I never saw coming in a million years. The twist made this story for me!

It’s brilliant. A real page turner. You just want to know how they will cope… Will they get rescued. It would make a brilliant film. I loved it. Highly recommend. Four stars from me.

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Killers · mystery · suspense · thriller

My Sister, The Serial Killer – Oyinkan Braithwaite ★★★★

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Blurb; When Korede’s dinner is interrupted one night by a distress call from her sister, Ayoola, she knows what’s expected of her: bleach, rubber gloves, nerves of steel and a strong stomach. This’ll be the third boyfriend Ayoola’s dispatched in, quote, self-defence and the third mess that her lethal little sibling has left Korede to clear away. She should probably go to the police for the good of the menfolk of Nigeria, but she loves her sister and, as they say, family always comes first. Until, that is, Ayoola starts dating the doctor where Korede works as a nurse. Korede’s long been in love with him, and isn’t prepared to see him wind up with a knife in his back: but to save one would mean sacrificing the other…

My Review; I have seen this book around a lot, luckily I managed to get a copy from the library to see what it was all about. It is literally what the title says… My Sister, The Serial Killer. I devoured this. Loved it. Found it an easy read. Different… If I had to go off the cover I wouldn’t have picked it up, but I am so glad I did.

The story focuses on the two sisters Ayoola and Korede. Ayoola is the younger sister, likes her men she has plenty of those and is a serial killer. Korede is the older sister, a nurse, the one always cleaning up Ayoolas mess and keeping her safe. Would you do that for your sister?? I look up to Korede as she has to clean up, keep it all secret and try to protect her sister and the next man to come along…

I will say karma works here. But it was not the ending I expected. Will she get away with it? Will she be caught? Other than her sister noone knows… Well… Except one person. Sssh. You must read it. I don’t want to ruin it for you. It’s Brilliant. A well deserved four stars from me. Highly recommend.

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mystery · suspense · thriller · Young adult

Sadie – Courtney Summers ★★★★★

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Blurb; A missing girl on a journey of revenge. A Serial―like podcast following the clues she’s left behind. And an ending you won’t be able to stop talking about.

Sadie hasn’t had an easy life. Growing up on her own, she’s been raising her sister Mattie in an isolated small town, trying her best to provide a normal life and keep their heads above water.

But when Mattie is found dead, Sadie’s entire world crumbles. After a somewhat botched police investigation, Sadie is determined to bring her sister’s killer to justice and hits the road following a few meager clues to find him.

When West McCray―a radio personality working on a segment about small, forgotten towns in America―overhears Sadie’s story at a local gas station, he becomes obsessed with finding the missing girl. He starts his own podcast as he tracks Sadie’s journey, trying to figure out what happened, hoping to find her before it’s too late.

Courtney Summers has written the breakout book of her career. Sadie is propulsive and harrowing and will keep you riveted until the last page.

My Review; This was such a great read! It was an easy read for me and could easily be devoured in one sitting. The story is told in a podcast/interview style with chapters from Sadie inbetween making it an easy and fast paced read.

The love between Sadie and Mattie is amazing. Sisters, but more. Sadie is more the mothering type and eldest. She is ripped apart after Mattie is found dead and she’s out for revenge. Can’t say I blame her.

But warning major CLIFFHANGER AHEAD! Ouch. I honestly loved it. It turned out to be a heartbreaking, eye opening read in the end and I was beside and supporting Sadie the whole way through. A must read from me. Highly recommend. A well deserved five stars from me. I won’t be forgetting this anytime soon.

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