Bookanistas Review: Truth or Dare by Jacqueline Green

mood: daredevil-y

pandora/ipod: "cars" by gary numan

This week I'm reviewing Jacqueline Green's debut TRUTH OR DARE, which hit shelves on Tuesday. I was fortunate enough to read this contemporary mystery a few months ago when Jacqueline's editor at Poppy asked me to blurb it. So, I suppose, my blurb just about sums up my review...

"An intricate web of secrets and lies, retribution and revenge, that will keep you guessing until the very last page!" - Gretchen McNeil, author of TEN and POSSESS

Kidding, kidding.  How about the full synopsis?

It all started on a whim: the game was a way for Tenley Reed to reclaim her popularity, a chance for perfect Caitlin “Angel” Thomas to prove she’s more than her Harvard application. Loner Sydney Morgan wasn’t even there; she was hiding behind her camera like usual. But when all three start receiving mysterious dares long after the party has ended, they’re forced to play along—or risk exposing their darkest secrets.

How far will Tenley, Caitlin and Sydney go to keep the truth from surfacing? And who’s behind this twisted game?

Set against the backdrop of Echo Bay, an isolated beach town haunted by misfortune, Truth or Dare is a highly charged debut that will keep readers in suspense from beginning to end.

I know, right? Exactly the kind of book I love.  And actually, just the kind of book I'm writing now with the Don't Get Mad series, GET EVEN and GET DIRTY.  So of course I loved it!

Basically, this book moves.  From the opening chapters, establishing our main characters to the final, climactic scene, you desperately want to keep turning pages to find out what happens next.  And as you all know by now, that's my favorite kind of novel.  Tenley, Angel and Sydney have distinct voices, and distinct issues, all of which seem to involve the other girls, despite the fact that they are not and never have been friends.  The mystery of who is behind the dares that keep popping up in their lives, threatening vial consequences if they are not followed to a "T" twists and turns, spotlighting one character, then another.  At one point, you're absolutely positive you know who the antagonist is, only to change your mind three chapters later.  Then again and again until your head is spinning.

And just when things seem completely wrapped up, one final twist will leave you begging for the earth to speed up, just so you can get your hands on the sequel, not due out until 2014.

Looking for a modern take on an old-fashioned thriller?  TRUTH OR DARE won't disappoint.  I dare you to read it!

(See what I did there?)

What else are the Bookanistas reading this week?  Check it out!

Lenore Appelhans  is blown away by REBOOT by Amy Tintera

 

Carrie Harris adores BEYOND DINOCALYPSE by Chuck Wendig -- with giveaway!

 

Tracy Banghart  & Debra Driza join THE GIRL GUIDE by Christine Fonseca book blitz!

 

Corrine Jackson is stunned by BREAKING BEAUTIFUL by Jennifer Shaw Wolf

 

Nikki Katz  wonders at THE GRAVE WINNER by Lindsey Loucks

 

Gretchen McNeil talks TRUTH OR DARE by Jacqueline Green

 

Elana Johson admires INSOMNIA by Jenn Johannson

 

Tracey Neithercott celebrates THE YEAR OF SECRET ASSIGNMENTS by Jacqueline Moriarty

 

Katy Upperman fawns over FINNIKIN OF THE ROCK by Melina Marchetta

 

Rebecca Behrens is wowed by THE FIFTH WAVE by Rick Yancey