I am a big reader of this genre, and I thought this was a really good book. I like reading the perspectives of the students and what was going on inside their heads.

Read the synopsis and really thought this was going to be a breakfast club type of read -- especially since it broke down the characters and what they represented. I wasn't terribly obsessed with the premise, especially since I was expecting there to be a point to all the madness. I've read several books about events that occur at school (ie. shootings) and they always need to have a point or run the risk of just being unnecessary. I liked the book but truly, truly wanted a clearer, more transparent message underneath it all.

I received a copy from the publisher via Netgalley for an honest review.

First, I absolutely LOVE Joelle Charbonneau's books....however, I feel like I much prefer her dystopian and magical thriller books to her contemporary. Although, Need was pretty fantastic.

Time Bomb is an interesting viewpoint from multiple teenagers who are all kind of outcasts in their own ways at this high school. I liked that we got different points of view from each character through each chapter, even when they were brought together as a whole.

This book did not really "wow" me because I felt like it was a bit predictable and felt like a take on a darker Breakfast Club type scenario or even Stephen King's (written as Richard Bachman) book Rage. King chose to take Rage off the market after the Columbine shooting, while this book had a bomb rather than shooting, it was a similar concept of all these people in a room together and figuring things out.

This was entertaining and I do love her writing and also a quick read, however, not one of my favorites. That still belongs the her Testing trilogy which did NOT get the attention it so deserves. Regardless, I will ALWAYS pick up a book by this author!

Unable to read this proof copy as book was archived before downloading and this was impossible. Neutral rating to show this.

Time Bomb is the story about a school bombing told through six students' perspectives who are trapped together during and after the explosions. Through the eyes of the six teens, we get to see what exactly each of them was doing at school, as it was the day before school started for the year, and we learn some pretty heavy secrets, too.

Usually, when you get a book or story about a school tragedy it comes in the form of a mass shooting. This book was unique in the fact that not only was the school bombed but there technically wasn't supposed to be anyone in the school when the bombs went off. Those two factors alone would have made an interesting enough plot but this is a Young Adult book so BAM, whoops there were people in the school

The suspense of the story really had me hooked. I couldn't figure out who the bomber was but once it was revealed it was very obvious and I felt pretty stupid. Each of the students had a vendetta of their own and there were really only three of them that I was truly suspecting to be the bomber but still finding out who it really was and their motive behind it was like DUH! How did I not see that?

In the end, If you are looking for a book to read after One of Us is Lying or All Your Twisted Secrets then I highly suggest picking this book up.

Overall, I have the book 4/5 stars.

When I started this one and seen how many POVs there were I was so scared that I was going to be so confused. But I learned early on that that wasn’t going too be the case. This story about a school bombing stayed true to each character and ended not as I expected.

It has some major twists and and a final outcome that blew me away (bad choice of words). I enjoyed how each character was facing their own trauma and hardship and that you got to spend a little time with each one. It game this story that edge that a lot of stories don’t have.

I was really hoping that Cass was going to end up with a certain football player but that just was not the case. I think that the author did something that most do not. She stayed true to how each character was brought up. And as for Frankie he doesn't look back, because that is just not who he is. So my feelings of them two falling for each other were dashed and that made me sad. But it worked very well for this story. That in the eye of tragedy people want to forget.

Each character in this one was amazing. We learned about what made them tick (another bad choice of words) and were given a little bit about each one before the explosions started. The cast of characters were so vast in this one. There was a girl who thought she needed to be perfect for her Senator Father, a boy that was gay and his mom couldn't come to terms with it, there was another girl that was so sad and was going to end her life (this one hit home hard), another one that was Muslim and was not exactly ashamed of his faith but he felt like he needed to fit in, Another one that had lost his mom to cancer (that one hit home hard as well), and one more that wasn't sure if he was gay or not. I don't think I am forgetting anyone.

Overall this was one book that will make you open your eyes to the people around you. That just because someone is muslim or they wear a head scarf etc. that they are bad people. If your child comes out as bisexual, gay, or whatever, you should accept that as they are and love them no matter what. If you are feeling like the world is crashing down around you seek help. I know that might be hard to get out of. Trust me!! I KNOW!! But there is always someone you can at least talk to, to get what you're feeling off your chest.


Go Into This One Knowing: School Bombing, LGBT, Attempted Suicide, Death of a Parent from Cancer

I was unable to read this book due to format issues. The one star rating is a reflection of the technical problems, not the books content.

A congressman's daughter who has to be perfect. A star quarterback with a secret. A guy who's tired of being ignored. A clarinet player who's done trying to fit in. An orphaned rebel who wants to teach someone a lesson. A guy who wants people to see him, not his religion. Time bomb follows the perspective of six different individuals, trapped inside their High School, as a series of bombs rocks their world. Time Bomb is a riveting story of school bullying, stereotypes, anxiety, depression, and most importantly, survival.

After reading This Is Where It Ends, hearing the premiss of Time Bomb I was extremely intrigued. We get to bounce back and forth between the different characters slowly as we're introduced to each one, and basically lead to creating our own ideas of who the possible bomber could be. Of course, as soon as I thought it could be one person, I would read the next chapter and question my choice. In the end, I have to say that I was thoroughly surprised at who the actual culprit was, and also surprised by the actions that follow as the students discover for themselves.

Time Bomb is a very fast paced enthralling read that once you pick it up you just want to continue reading it. I thoroughly enjoyed everything as I read the story and seeing the student develop and grow as well as learn more back story and what the characters had to face. Unfortunately in our time, this is a very serious topic and I think this book did justice to it very well. I would highly suggest picking this up and taking the time to understand the issues that the book presents to us as readers.

I wanted to check this one out to consider for my middle school's collection, but wasn't overly impressed. The author takes a Breakfast Club-like group of teens (homecoming queen, football star, another football payer who is gay, a Muslim student, an overweight girl, and a stereotypically misunderstood "bad boy") and places them in a high school the week before classes start, during registration. When a series of bombs rocks the school, they find themselves trying to survive. The problem? There are more bombs. Oh, and the bomber is one of them. The culprit was pretty clear from the start, and the gory details of the book make me lean toward recommending this to high school readers.

This was a very quick read for me, because I couldn't put it down. I quickly became attached to some of the characters and wanted to make sure they survived. I think people will be able to relate to this book because the characters cover a wide range of the "types" you see in high school. I think most readers will be able to identify with someone in the story. I was not overly surprised to see who was responsible in the end, or to see who the hero was. Great story!

A week before school new school year is about to begin, students, staff, and faculty are in the school getting ready for the new year. A bomb explodes and many are trapped inside, including the bomber. Those inside are trying to find a way out. This is a very suspenseful story that will keep you guessing. I am giving this a solid 4-star review.

It's the week before High school starts and the school should be empty but for six people, they needed to get to the school a week before for their own reasons. We have Z, who is now homeless after his mother just passed away. Diane, the congressman's daughter who is in the school to get Yearbook done and a head start on the upcoming year , Frankie - a football player who is getting prepared to prank the newcomers , Tad - an outcast and a guy in love with Frankie who has come to confront him , Rashid - here to update his school ID since he has now shaved off his beard and doesn't look like a muslim terrorist and Cas who is starting the new school but secretly has come to play her clarinet one more time before offing herself. During the morning, there is a bang and soon they are about to discover that someone has bombed the school. As more bombs go off, revelations are revealed and secrets come out and it becomes clearer that one of the six is the school bomber. Which one though is it and why? Time Bomb is told from six POV's and follows each of the characters lives with glances of what brought them to school today and how the rest of the day plays out. I have to say I did not see the twist coming when the "bomber" was revealed. It definitely surprised me but afterward, it did start to make sense as sometimes when we are pushed to our limits, we all do things that others thought was not possible. This was a good YA novel and quite a timely read as I have just finished season two of 13 Reasons Why?

Time Bomb has lots of POVs, uneven character development, and a rushed, info-dumpy ending that left me completely confused. I also wish it had handled a very serious subject with a little more finesse.

You're thrown right into the action with a characters who is trapped in their school in fear of their lives and the book needs to get you to quickly relate to and care about them. I had tremendous empathy/concern for their situation, but I didn't feel like I got to know each of them the way I hoped. Points for diversity, but some characters were better-developed than others. I kept getting the two athletes mixed up. Diana was a walking stereotype - the rich, uptight blond girl we've seen a million times before. Z and Cas felt very flat to me. I think Rashid had by far the most interesting POV, though I can't speak to its authenticity.

It was not the author/publisher's fault at all, but it was very unfortunate timing that this released a month after the horrific Parkland school shooting. This book seemed to have a (slight) political bent, but given the recent surge of anger and frustration surrounding school violence, this felt out of touch with the current mood of the country.

This was (also unfortunately) a book that focused more on the suspense than shedding light on a complex and important topic. The guilty person's motivation was incredibly confusing. The quick info-dump explanation at the end made it all seem not very well thought-out.

For me this one needed more thought, more psychological depth, more political edge.

I enjoyed this one a lot. While maybe not the best of Joelle's books, I like the premise of questioning who a person was based on our own assumptions

A good mystery/suspense novel.. Lots of suspects, all plausible but some better developed characters than others. While I might find the book a bit predictable, I knew when reading it that my students would really enjoy it, and they have loved it.

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Joelle's Charbonneau's Time Bomb is a standalone, young adult, thriller & suspense novel featuring a variety of characters, and a variety of narratives. It is 9 days until the start of the new school year. As a bomb goes off in the school, it is possible to say that every one of these characters could be the one responsible. For 7 teens, their lives are about to be changed forever.

16-year old Diana Sanford is the daughter of a congressman, past homecoming queen, and on the yearbook committee. She's been told that she has to be perfect all the time. That means close to perfect grades, and not wearing hand me down clothes. Her father's bill has divided people, and put her in the spotlight. Diana seemingly knows every action the rescuers will make since she is the most noticeable and known character in the school.

Hallwood H.S. Junior Frankie Ochoa is the schools star quarterback and captain. Frankie is a prankster. It is his turn to prank the new kids as they prepare to enter a new school year. Little does he know that he will soon be at the center of a major incident that will forever change his life.

Tad is a star receiver on the football team. Even though he has come out to his family, nobody else knows he's gay. He's tired of being ignored by the boy he thought had feelings for him. Tad is told to stay away from the school by Frankie, but ignores him. Tad finds that being angry all the time instead of listening may be deadly to his health.

Cas (Cassandra) Armon is a clarinet player who's done trying to gain people's approval. Things were supposed to be different. The school was supposed to be different. Nothing is different. People have judged her, and bullied her because she is overweight. She's had enough. Then bombs start going off in the school, and Cas finds herself trapped with 6 others.

The mysterious Z recently lost his mother to cancer. He is labeled a troublemaker by teachers. Teachers who think they can judge him without actually knowing what he's been through. He wants to teach someone a lesson they won't soon forget. His only real friend is Kaitlin O'Malley who he continues to push away to keep her from being stained with his troublemaker label.

Rashid Farsoun is a guy who wants people to see him, and not that he is a Muslim. He believes that the best life has balance. After shaving off his beard, he believes that he will no longer be called names, or thought of in a bad way. Then tragedy strikes the school and guess who is the first person to be blamed for the bombs going off?

There is a lot that has been said about the timing of the book, so I won't. Besides, an author doesn't have control over world events. They can't control when a publisher schedules a book to be released. They can't control what will happen before their book is released to the public. There is a very diverse cast in this book. You have a Muslim teen who deals with teasing and racial stereotypes, an overweight girl who continually gets bullied, and a mixed race teen who is gay and a football player.

There is also a political message that the author is sending out as well. But, until we, as a society, can shut our mouths, and open our ears, we will never come together to solve the countries biggest issues. The synopsis mentions that there are 7 characters in this book. However, Kaitlin isn't one of the main characters who is introduced in the book. She is a character who genuinely cares about Z, and ends up in the worst possible place. This is a story that will keep you guessing as to who the bomber is, and why this person chose to do something so drastic. In fact, the entire cast has a whole lot of issues to resolve before they judge others. The hero of this book, for me, is Rashad. The weakest characters are Diana and Cas.

I'd like to thank Netgalley for providing me an eARC of Time Bomb! When I first read the synopsis, it instantly gave me vibes similar to One of Us is Lying which was one of my favourite reads of 2017 so I was super keen on reading it. And for the first half, the book lived up to my expectations since I couldn't put it down! Although it was nothing like what I thought it would be, I was still so interested since there were multiple POV involved and an aura of mystery that surrounded the plot which I greatly enjoyed. But sadly I didn't find the second half as gripping as the first and the story line seemed to drag on for way too long that I resorted to skimming some POV because I was starting to get bored. There are some deeper messages behind the story line that I appreciated but in terms of my own enjoyment, I found it a bit lacking. Not sure how I feel about the ending since it took me by surprise and hit me in the feels a little since I didn't think things would end up the way they did but then again things in real life rarely do so I guess it's a good depiction of that 👏🏼

I really enjoyed this read. it was a mix of One Of Us Is Lying and This is Where it Ends. I don't think the characters were given much depth but the story line was well paced and once I was hooked I was really hooked!