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A review by 8bitreader
#murdertrending by Gretchen McNeil
5.0
I could say a lot about the flaws of this book. I could talk about how the only two queer characters had giant targets on their backs since they were both introduced, or how the social commentary is a clear swing and a miss. But you know what? That's irrelevant because I had fun.
I know it's a lame excuse to say that "oh some things were bad but I had fun," but that's what it comes down to. It was a quick, enjoyable ride with an interesting plot, and it was fun. The characters bounced off of each other well. The banter was entertaining. The backstory was interesting, and the way that so many elements were drip-fed really fed into the rising tension well. The climax was a blast to read. The twist at the end had just enough substance that it didn't feel utterly predictable.
I also just loved the Twitter/Reddit thread forums that sometimes popped up between chapters. It was such a nice bit of worldbuilding to see what society is like outside of Alcatraz and made the whole bit about hashtags and catchy names seem a little less hokey. Though, don't get me wrong. The hokeyness is sometimes the best part of the book. The entire climax is carried by its hokeyness (special shotout to the exploding Frisbees and the 1 brain cell the Painiacs share).
Most importantly, though, there was never a time while reading this that I stopped and said to myself, "I'm bored." In fact, I read this book over the span of two days. Not only was it a quick read, but it also is very easy to put down and pick back up because of the short chapters. It also easily feeds into the "just one more chapter" syndrome.
I think the best way to go into this book is to go into it fully aware that you are not reading the next Hunger Games . Just admit that you're reading Fun, Kitschy but Self-Aware Murder Island and you'll have a blast.
I know it's a lame excuse to say that "oh some things were bad but I had fun," but that's what it comes down to. It was a quick, enjoyable ride with an interesting plot, and it was fun. The characters bounced off of each other well. The banter was entertaining. The backstory was interesting, and the way that so many elements were drip-fed really fed into the rising tension well. The climax was a blast to read. The twist at the end had just enough substance that it didn't feel utterly predictable.
I also just loved the Twitter/Reddit thread forums that sometimes popped up between chapters. It was such a nice bit of worldbuilding to see what society is like outside of Alcatraz and made the whole bit about hashtags and catchy names seem a little less hokey. Though, don't get me wrong. The hokeyness is sometimes the best part of the book. The entire climax is carried by its hokeyness (special shotout to the exploding Frisbees and the 1 brain cell the Painiacs share).
Most importantly, though, there was never a time while reading this that I stopped and said to myself, "I'm bored." In fact, I read this book over the span of two days. Not only was it a quick read, but it also is very easy to put down and pick back up because of the short chapters. It also easily feeds into the "just one more chapter" syndrome.
I think the best way to go into this book is to go into it fully aware that you are not reading the next Hunger Games . Just admit that you're reading Fun, Kitschy but Self-Aware Murder Island and you'll have a blast.