Sunday, February 21, 2010

Wish You Were Dead

*Barnes and Noble is acting up so no pictures*
Wish You Were Dead
Todd Strasser
Egmont
$16.99
September 2009
FTC: This is a library book. I did not receive it from the publisher or author.

Characters 15/20
Plot 15/20
Setting 15/20
Cover 15/20
Ending 20/20
Total grade: 80% B

Total rating: 13+


Summary: (Amazon)
When a high school student announces on her blog that she hates Lucy Cunningham and wishes her dead, no one takes her seriously—until a few days later, when Lucy disappears. Madison Archer is particularly shaken by the disappearance, as she was the one who drove the missing girl home and was the last to see her that night. In addition to her guilt over not seeing Lucy safely to her door, Madison is also trying to uncover the identities of a cyber stalker who sends her Facebook messages lecturing her about her cliquishness and an anonymous "friend" who leaves her hastily scribbled warnings and pleas for help. When the blogger posts another name, a second student goes missing. And then a third. Madison needs to find her missing friends before it's too late—for them and for herself. The action proceeds at a smooth pace and hits all the right notes of a teen thriller: revenge-seeking outcasts, betrayal, mysterious strangers, and some violence and torture (though it is not graphically depicted).

My Thoughts:
This book had been on my Amazon list for a little while and I found it on my last trip to the library. To be honest I felt that for a “thriller” it was kind of lacking. I wouldn’t go so far to say it was “totally lame” but I would not go buy a copy now. The plot lacked a real spark so I could never feel super connected to the story. I would say fans of not-to-scary stories would enjoy this and should pick up a copy in paperback (once they can) or try it at the library before spending seventeen bucks on it.

Quotes:

Here is a random quote I found by opening to a random page:

“Adam took another slug of the JD.”

2 comments:

Lenore Appelhans said...

I thought I had a copy of this, but I looked, and I guess I gave it away. Oh well.

Sorry it didn't live up to your expectations.

Morgan said...

Too bad you didn't like it better. The summary sounds so cool and unique-maybe I'll give it a try.