GoodReads Summary: Mallory killed her boyfriend, Brian. She can't remember the details of that night but everyone knows it was self-defense, so she isn't charged. But Mallory still feels Brian's presence in her life. Is it all in her head? Or is it something more? In desperate need of a fresh start, Mallory is sent to Monroe, a fancy prep school where no one knows her . . . or anything about her past.But the feeling follows her, as do her secrets. Then, one of her new classmates turns up dead. As suspicion falls on Mallory, she must find a way to remember the details of both deadly nights so she can prove her innocence-to herself and others.
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Source: NetGalley
Expected publication date: 14/02/13
Thoughts:
Unfortunately this is another case of "had potential but failed in execution."
Hysteria was a let down on so many levels. After seeing the cover and reading the synopsis I was expecting a thriller with a mysterious atmosphere and an unpredictable plot. What I actually got was an unlikable heroine in a boarding school with means girls and two guys vying for her attention.
Mallory was an annoying and immature mc who I could not muster any sympathy for. In a flashback she explains that she was interested in Dylan (Brian's brother) and the feeling was mutual (even though he had a girlfriend) so she flirted with him and then one day decided to kiss him. She thought that after the kiss he'd break up with his girlfriend, but he doesn't as he's not sure about the whole thing. After that rejection what does Mallory decide to do? She goes after his brother Brian because apparently she knew "He'd kiss [her] back" and he was "a way to forget". Ughhh...
After killing her boyfriend it's obvious that Mallory is traumatised. So you'd think school, or more specifically boarding school wouldn't be the wisest place for her to be only months later. But no, she gets sent there and somehow manages to steal a knife at one point. Is it just me or does this seem hard to believe?
Reid, one of the love interests was more likable than Mallory, but I honestly, couldn't for the life of me figure out what he saw in Mallory.
The first few chapters are interesting, but the rest of the book is filled with flat/stereotypical characters, over the top boarding school drama and a number of spooky happenings which although at first are creepy quickly become predictable.
Rating:
28 comments:
Yuck. Its sad when a story has potential but falls flat. Hope your next book is better.
Happy reading,
Brandi @ Blkosiner’s Book Blog
Eh. I have this for review, and I'm not particularly looking forward to it after seeing so many not-so-good reviews on it. It's such a shame the potential was wasted!
I actually really liked this one - but Fracture was definitely a LOT better. I quite liked Mallory but I didn't get the whole boarding school thing either - or at least it didn't really work for me.
Lovely cover and intriguing blurb. Sad to hear it wasn't as good as it looked.
Ouch, it's such a shame you didn't enjoy this. I haven't read it but it's always so ugly to read books in the 'meh' category. At first this sounds awesome but what a disappointed..
- And OMG, my blog is in your 'Blogs I Heart' section!!!! This is seriously too amazing!
Ah, I'm so, so sorry that you didn't like this one, Renu. I hate when books fail your expectations. It's awful being disappointed. And this one sounds so good! Ah, I think I'll have to pass. Thanks for your honest review, Renu.
I know this book was buzzing all over the internet and everyone was excited about it, but I have been reading reviews that are like yours... I guess this is a flop... Glad I resisted it. I did enjoy Fracture, though.
Oh boy, it's always a shame when a book disappoints you. It does sound like a book I might put on the DNF pile. Annoying, immature girl and two boys, sounds like a story I've read more than enough now.. Thanks for the honest review and I will keep this in mind! :) I think I will wait a little longer before I try this one.
Mel@thedailyprophecy.
Ahh, I'm sorry you didn't love this book sweetie :( I actually liked it, gave it a four star ;p but reading your review, I can see why you didn't enjoy it. Thank you for your honest review, though :D (Psst, they do not have Entertainment Weekly in Norway. I bought it from the UK via http://www.newsstand.co.uk/ :D They ship anywhere. Cost me aboyt £6 with shipping to Norway, think it's much cheaper with shipping to the UK :))
Thank you for commenting on my WoW and my IMM. <3
Love, Carina @ Carina's Books
I can't remember who Jason is, which probably tells you something, but I did like Reid well enough. I liked this book just a fraction more than you did, but I probably wouldn't try anything else by this author in a hurry. Great review, Renu!
Awwww, it's such a shame this book let you down! :( It sounded to me like it had a lot of potential too... It's such a pity when that happens.
Great review anyway! :)
It's such a shame this was a disappointment, especially with the cover and premises, but I do recall seeing plenty of disappointed reviews for this, so I can't say I'm too surprised. I hope you have better luck with your next read, Renu and thank your honest and helpful review! :)
I guess when the main character is not likeable, it's hard to appreciate the story. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us!
This mirrors my thoughts on this one. Actually, it's pretty much what I wrote on GoodReads.
I find it hard to believe they'd let Mallory in a borading school after what she'd done, it just isn't very likely.
I've read a lot of mixed and disappointing reviews for this book lately Renu. It's sad as this book did have a a highly enticing premise! Sorry it didn't work out for you as you'd hoped, I hope your next read is a lot more enjoyable!
Aw, too bad you didn't care for this one. I haven't really been interested in it, so I guess I'm not missing out on much. lol
"What I actually got was an unlikable heroine in a boarding school with means girls and two guys vying for her attention." Uh oh! After learning a bit more about Mallory, I'm not sure I want to read this one though I have it for review. Maybe after my TBR pile decreases a whole lot ... Great review, Renu!
I've seen this book on NG and though about requesting it, but now I'm happy that I haven't. Damn it really sounds so good from the blurb and I'm sorry that it disappointed you. Thanks for the great review, Renu :)
oh boy... I was very excited for this book! I read her debut novel, Fracture, and LOVED it... Though Mallory does sound like an annoying character.. eh.. thanks for your honest review!
- Farah @ MajiBookshelf
Oh man, this sounds so disappointing! Characters are the most important thing to me in a book, and these sound just... meh. I'm sorry you didn't enjoy this one, and I probably won't read it anytime soon!
At least I know I'm not missing out by having foregone this on Netgalley. Thanks for the super review, Renu :)
I have been seeing a lot of bad reviews for this one. It is not a genre I usually read but it looked interesting,though after reading your review I guess I'll give it a pass.
Janhvi @ The Readdicts
Ohh, sad to heard that Hysteria wasn't to your like! I hate stereotypes for characters:( I might still give it a try though since I really liked Facture! Thanks for your honest review:)
Grrr... not my kind of book. Mean girls drive me crazy and when the main character is unlikable too... calls for a skip.
Ugh this sounds like a mess. I could never read it simply because of a MC who is unlikable. That doesn't mean the protag has to be perfect, but I have to at least empathize with them, even when they're making crazy mistakes. Unfortunately it doesn't sound like this would be the case here. :/
Oh no, this sounds... I don't want to say awful but yeah, that what pops into my head. I have received the book from Netgalley and I had the same expectations with you when I saw the interesting cover and synopsis. I don't really read many thrillers/mysteries of YA so maybe this isn't the one I want to read straight away. Though I haven't read Facture, so maybe I need to read that first! Anyway's I'm sorry it disappointed you!
Ugh! I was so excited for this book, since the premise promises something good. I can't stand immature heroine and judging from the whole "I'll go after the brother to forget the other", Mallory isn't a very bright person. Doesn't really seem like a protagonist I can connect with.
Sounds like a fantastic read, Sara. Love the Tell-Tale Heart reference.
regards,
rowena of Floating Candles for Wedding
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