YA Buddy Readers' Corner ♥ discussion

This thrilling debut, reminiscent of new fan favorites like One of Us Is Lying and the beloved classics by Agatha Christie, will leave readers guessing until the explosive ending.

Welcome to dinner, and again, congratulations on being selected. Now you must do the selecting.

What do the queen bee, star athlete, valedictorian, stoner, loner, and music geek all have in common? They were all invited to a scholarship dinner, only to discover it’s a trap. Someone has locked them into a room with a bomb, a syringe filled with poison, and a note saying they have an hour to pick someone to kill … or else everyone dies.

Amber Prescott is determined to get her classmates and herself out of the room alive, but that might be easier said than done. No one knows how they’re all connected or who would want them dead. As they retrace the events over the past year that might have triggered their captor’s ultimatum, it becomes clear that everyone is hiding something. And with the clock ticking down, confusion turns into fear, and fear morphs into panic as they race to answer the biggest question: Who will they choose to die?

Checking in!

Might be tomorrow that I get to start this - got to get cracking on another one today.

Opening is stereotypical, but it sets the tone well. The group have history, and there’s hints of secrets that could be revealed.

I'm up to 30%, "44 Minutes Left"

Agreed that the books opens in a very stereotypical way. It basically feels like Karen M. McManus watched Saw on a Friday night and spent the rest of the weekend writing a book lol

I went into the book expecting each character to have a perspective, and didn't know until I started the audiobook and it was only one narrator reading from one person's perspective. To be honest I'm not finding any of the characters very interesting and I'm not all that engaged in the story, but I've heard that the book doesn't get really good until the final third of the story.

It's super stereotypical in the beginning but I feel like hey if it works, then use it! I kind of liked it a bit though.

Farren I definitely agree with you hoping that it would be from more than one character and I feel like that would have been a very interesting take on the novel if that was the route that the author would have gone.

It's definitely a slow burn for something that's supposed to be so intense!

26% - it does seem odd to spend so much time telling us about the characters and their stories, but from the viewpoint of one narrator. (view spoiler)[ I'm wondering how relevant the dead sister will be - is our narrator the one behind it all? (hide spoiler)]

40% - as they try to work out who could have put them here, I am amused at their lack of self-awareness.

63% - (view spoiler)[ The switching time frame offers a little more insight into why these teens have been selected, but I’m still convinced our narrator is more aware than she’s letting on. Although Diego’s film interest also gives him an incentive for setting something like this up. (hide spoiler)]

Finished. Review on home page. Unbelievably, I called it...even though it seemed too far-fetched. Though I understand why, I can’t agree with the how. It all seemed rather implausible, though it was entertaining.

I'm up to 73%

I'm having so much trouble dealing with our main character. Amber? Eh who cares. She can't possibly be no naive can she? I mean, I'm sure if anyone tells a story from their perspective, they make themself out to be an innocent bystander, but Possibly Amber seems unbelievably blind to the world around her. (view spoiler)[ I had suspicions from the start that her best friend, who is made out to be super sweet but is behaving super strangely, set them all up, but as the story goes on I feel like Amber is guilty. When in the present, she doesn't even have much of an inner monologue, just dialogue with other characters. (hide spoiler)]

This book is kind of just a big pile of meh.

Forgot to give my final thoughts yesterday, as I promptly forgot this book as soon as I finished it...

(view spoiler)[ I felt like the book was heading towards a revenge plot, that Amber was trying to make Sasha see how terrible she is and expose her with the video feed. And I was basically right, except that she never planned to record and expose her, which to me was a wasted opportunity. Sasha was so clearly manipulating Possibly Amber and everyone else that all of the reveals weren't exciting or anything. However, I gave extra credit for the surprise that Sasha was the cyberbully instead of her older sister. I actually didn't see that coming because of the age gap. (hide spoiler)]

The book was fine, it was entertaining enough that I finished it, but I agree that it wouldn't happen in real life in a million years.

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Date changed. Restarting July 18th 2020. Happy Reading ☺

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40% It's interesting how this book starts off. The characters feel a bit flat, and maybe the author will elaborate more on their individual personalities? I'm also kind of surprised by all the flash backs, I'm wondering what's happening inside the actual room more.

0%: Super excited! Seems really sinister from the description. Gotta start reading!! I'll update more later.

32% I'm liking the format so far as we're trying to explore what led to this situation (and it's rather tense right now, at least to me). The characters do have a bit of personality, I think (with Amber being the exception) they are so far a bit underdeveloped and I have gotten lost on who's who several times. Plus it doesn't help that I'm not usually a fan of high school drama.

26%: (view spoiler)[ Really interesting. So, based on the mistakes of their pasts, these six kids are locked in a room with a bomb and poison and they must kill one kid? Okay. Whoever is doing this must have been really wronged. I have a suspicion that whoever did this to them is actually in the room with them as one of the scholarship kids. I think it either has to be Scott because of how calm he was or Sasha because of how panicked and over-the-top she is. Hmm...their past hasn't really warranted any real wrongness. I mean, so far, Amber's been focused on writing an original score for Romeo and Juliet, the school play. She's been trying to butter up Sasha, who's in charge of the play. Priya is Amber's best friend at this time, but they must have a fallen out or something. Robbie is intrigued with Amber. Amber's family was wronged by Diego's family. Scott is the only one who I can't figure how he has a part in this. Need to read more. (hide spoiler)]

64%: (view spoiler)[To think all of these friendships and relationships can fall apart due to all these secrets and strain, ouch. I still can't connect to all the characters, but Amber and a couple of others I can understand. Still interested what's the angle. It still feels like typical high school drama fare to me at least. (hide spoiler)]

34%: (view spoiler)[ Whoa! Phil Pratt brought a gun to school?? Maybe he is behind the whole thing. Unlikely, though. I still think it's one of them. (hide spoiler)]

Janine wrote: "32% I'm liking the format so far as we're trying to explore what led to this situation (and it's rather tense right now, at least to me). The characters do have a bit of personality, I think (with ..."

I really like it so far. The format is interesting, and I think it helps the the plot line of the book. I can understand where you could mix up the characters, it is kinda confusing. I don't think they're underdeveloped. We're still in the beginning-ish of the book, so the author can still build up the characters.

34%: (view spoiler)[ Phil Pratt brought a gun to school??? I would be suspicious of him, too. I don't think he's the one who is doing this to them, though. I'm still convinced that it's one of them. (hide spoiler)]

Janine wrote: "32% I'm liking the format so far as we're trying to explore what led to this situation (and it's rather tense right now, at least to me). The characters do have a bit of personality, I think (with ..."
I agree. It's a bit difficult to keep track of all these characters.

62%: (view spoiler)[ Wow...it is intense. I'm in a flashback right now. Sasha is being really mean to Prisha, and she has been the entire book. What's her problem? I feel like she's hiding more than she lets on. Hmm...I wonder. Now, I'm also questioning who did this? Who locked them in? I think it's Sasha now. What's her motive??? (hide spoiler)]

40% I think I'm actually starting to get into the story more... now that there is an established base to sort of contextualize stuff. I do sort of feel like the whole story is building up to one dramatic moment... but in the mean time, that one moment is an excuse for a lot of drama and backstory. (view spoiler)[ I think the more suspicious the characters are... the less suspicious they actually are if you take my meaning. I think the most likely bets are Scott and Amber... the calm ones. (hide spoiler)]

75% Things are escalating fast!!! It's like watching a train wreck... just waiting for the moment one of them snaps and decides to end it all.

Janine wrote: "64%: [spoilers removed]"
I agree, I think Amber is pretty understandable but I'm not sure if that's because she's narrating herself as an innocent.... victim?

85%: (view spoiler)[I have a bad feeling that this whole bomb plot was all just a ruse from Amber and she's the one behind everything as a revenge scheme...and she's playing dumb and fooling everyone, including the reader. (hide spoiler)]

Finished: (view spoiler)[Whoa, that was a great finish! While it wasn't the best book in the world, the last quarter was really good with the plot twists and it pulled off the narrator playing dumb trope really well, as I had an idea that Amber might have done it, it wasn't until late I really clued myself into it. Biggest problem was that it starts slow and took me a while to get into it. Really entertaining and a nice high school thriller. (hide spoiler)]

Darkmoonlark wrote: "40% I think I'm actually starting to get into the story more... now that there is an established base to sort of contextualize stuff. I do sort of feel like the whole story is building up to one dr..."

Yeah, that actually makes sense. I wished I'd seen that when I was reading the book.

100%: It might just be easier to read my review to get my opinion on the novel, so here's the link.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Darkmoonlark wrote: "75% Things are escalating fast!!! It's like watching a train wreck... just waiting for the moment one of them snaps and decides to end it all."

At that point, I had butterflies in my stomach, I was so nervous!

Janine wrote: "Finished: [spoilers removed]"

I know! So many plot twists!

Ch 18 (view spoiler)[I'm not really loving any of the characters at this point. Sad that she went to befriending Sasha for her play and yet it's clear Sasha just uses her. And what was up with Diego ghosting Amber? Not sure at this point who is the 'villain' but I'm thinking it may be one of them locked in the room. (hide spoiler)]

Darkmoonlark wrote: "40% It's interesting how this book starts off. The characters feel a bit flat, and maybe the author will elaborate more on their individual personalities? I'm also kind of surprised by all the flas..."

(view spoiler)[Flat is a great way to describe them all. even with so much background given on them none of them feel legit. (hide spoiler)]

Carolyn wrote: "34%: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I almost feel bad about Phil's situation and him being suspended for a year. I mean I get he was being abused at home but it's still like, dude you brought a gun to school. That's just a no. It's too bad he didn't have anyone at school he could confide in :( Not sure with where I am yet if he's involved. I'm thinking no since he already has enough crazy in his life lol. Time will tell. I definitely think I'm leaning more towards one of them in the room being the threat. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 34 (view spoiler)[Time and time again Amber realizes how shitty Sasha is especially to Priya and does nothing. I’d have stopped being her friend too, she’s a shit friend and doesn’t even try and defend her friend smh (hide spoiler)]

Ch 44 (view spoiler)[Damn Sasha is even worse than I thought. Seriously why is there a question on killing her or not lol (hide spoiler)]

Finished (view spoiler)[ Well I'll be honest I didn't think it would be Amber because I assumed that would be too stereotypical but alas it was her all along. Honestly I could accept this if there was an epilogue or a better resolved ending. Leaving it so open and with so many unanswered questions just pisses me off. Oh and I'm not even a little sad Sasha was killed. She was more atrocious than I expected. (hide spoiler)]

I'm reading this today!

25% (view spoiler)[ The flashbacks are hard because it really seems like Sasha and the others are just using Amber for alcohol and whatever else and don't plan on doing the original play. I just want her to tell Sasha to fuck off.
Also, it really seems like the person behind all this is one of them. Amber's sister died after being bullied so I wonder if it's Amber? (hide spoiler)]

Carolyn wrote: "26%: [spoilers removed]"

Good insights!

❀ Crystal ✿ - wrote: "Ch 18 [spoilers removed]"

Yeah I agree (view spoiler)[ it's hard watching Amber do whatever Sasha wants ugh (hide spoiler)]

50% (view spoiler)[ Sasha is taking drugs, big surprise. I can't stand her, she's a huge bitch. There's one girl that was the biggest bully to Amber's sister and I wonder if it's Sasha's sister or one of the others? (hide spoiler)]

Darkmoonlark wrote: "40% I think I'm actually starting to get into the story more... now that there is an established base to sort of contextualize stuff. I do sort of feel like the whole story is building up to one dr..."

Yes, I'm feeling that way too

Carolyn wrote: "34%: [spoilers removed]"

Yeah, that's scary

❀ Crystal ✿ - wrote: "Ch 34 [spoilers removed]"

Totally agree

66% (view spoiler)[After Priya's accident and her telling Amber all the bullying she's been through, I think Amber is behind everything. She doesn't want Priya to end up like Maggie. (hide spoiler)]

❀ Crystal ✿ - wrote: "Ch 44 [spoilers removed]"

Agreed! (view spoiler)[ Even more why I think it's Amber behind it all. Exposing Sasha (hide spoiler)]

Janine wrote: "64%: [spoilers removed]"

Yeah I don't really care for the characters

finished (view spoiler)[ Is it bad that I don't care Sasha died? She was a terrible person. The twist wasn't shocking but at least it was a bit intense.
I thought this was okay but I had higher hopes (hide spoiler)]