LOOOVED this book. And the narrator. I actually liked it enough that I bought it on amazon too. Good story. Held my interest. Kept me wondering what was going to happen.

3/5 Stars

This book just wasn’t for me. Animal cruelty is a hard no. I just don’t understand the necessity of it. Much of this book was confusing and I felt like the author, in an attempt to emulate Poe, was going for shock value with the gore. I love a good disturbing read but not like this.

Tress Montor had status in Amontillado, Ohio until her prominent parents vanished without a trace while driving her then best friend, Felicity Turnado, home one night seven years ago. After being orphaned Tress went to live with her grandfather at his wildlife attraction, aka, the White Trash Zoo. Tress's fall from grace was swift and her friendship with Felicity was over. Tress could not accept Felicity's claim that she had no memory of that fateful night. So Tress does what she needs to get by and she stews and plots until she has the perfect plan to get Felicity to talk. At a Halloween party in an abandoned house Tress lures Felicity to the basement, where she begins to bury Felicity alive behind a brick wall that she lays a row at time. Meanwhile, upstairs, the town's teens suspect nothing. They are falling victim to the flu that is spreading like through Amontillado. Also, a panther is on the loose.
Inspired by Edgar Allen Poe's The Cask of Amontillado, this is another dark and mesmerizing offering from Mindy McGinnis. The second book in the duology can't come soon enough.

I was attracted to the premise of this book because of the Poe reference. I am a big Poe fan. Ok, so it seems I am probably not the best reading audience for this book. It is geared towards the ya readers but a lot of ya books can be read by adult readers.

This is one that did not translate that well for me. The characters came off as juvenile. If I was a younger reader, I might not have minded this and could relate but as an adult reader; the antics and persona of the characters came off too young for me. Thus, the story also seemed to move slowly with not a lot happening.

I tried to stick with this book because I was liking the dark vibes I was getting from it but sadly I could not stick with it.

Mindy McGinnis delivers another novel that ventures into dark territory and isn't afraid to stay there. This is one of the many things I love about her books. They feel so real and suck you in and leave you reeling. McGinnis goes into those deep, dark places most authors don't dare to do more than step a toe into, and then she leaves you there.

This was a powerful story and I really enjoyed seeing it told from both perspectives. Their history was heavy and you could feel the weight of it as you read. This was such a unique and engaging story that I found it difficult to walk away. This is one where I wish I'd actually read the physical book instead of listening to the synthetic audiobook. The ending scenes were phenomenal. This is definitely not a book for everyone (not that any book ever is), but I loved every moment of it. McGinnis is a fabulous author and deserves so much more recognition than she receives.

This is an exceptionally well-written YA book that I wholeheartedly recommend. I am a HUGE fan of YA Thrillers and this one does not disappoint. It has a YA spin to works like Edgar Allan Poe, taking inspiration from several of his classic tales of suspense. Highly recommend for all YA Thriller fans.

I likes this book! It was hard for me to get into the audio without it being actually narrated. I did find some stuff to be a little random, but overall a good read and I would definitely recommend to friends.

First,

Audiobook ARCs are amazing. Of course, there's nothing like having a narrator, but this is super useful since I have a lot to do during the day but hearing the audiobook is useful.

As for the book, it held my attention with how strange and fast-paced it read. From the beginning to the end, you can say reading The Initial Insult is a journey. A ride. An experience.

3.7/5 stars

Trigger warnings for: Drugs and alcohol abuse, bullying, cyberbullying, death, animal death, epileptic fits, PTSD

Crazy, fast-paced and utterly weird, this book was certainly...an experience. One of my favourite books of all time is also a book by McGinnis, so I was really excited to pick this one up, and I was not disappointed. Although it reads like a high-school thriller, which is not my favourite type of books to read, I enjoyed every minute of it, found myself listening to it to relax or to turn agitated, and literally binged it every time I decided I wanted to proceed with it.

This was...a clever read, to say the list. Filled to the brim with references to Edgar Allan Poe's short stories, all strung up and stitched together to create an unbelievable plot with twists and turns that are both shocking and expected, both outrageous and perfectly logical, it is a labyrinth of weirdness, mixed with high school impulsivity, revenge and a generous amount of gore which I really enjoy. McGinnis' particular writing made this even more of an interesting read!

There are some things in this book that made me awkwardly twist in my seat or swallow hard, and some others that made me even tear up. Conflicting images passed through my mind as I read, and it all felt like a peculiar fever dream which just got crazier and crazier the more the plot proceeded. The ending wrecked me, but it also made perfect sense considering the story on which this one was based.

Is it a book I recommend? I do not know. Is it, though, a book I believe many people would find it interesting? Definitely. Read this if you liked Pretty Little Liars in high school, are a fan of Edgar Allan Poe and want to stare at a screen/page for a while, trying to process what the heck just happened! Until the next review, stay safe ♥

~Mary ♥

I listened to the audiobook for this title in exchange for an honest review. Mindy McGinnis is one of those authors I either love her books or they fall flat for me. This book started out good. The premise was interesting but for me, it was a little hard to follow. A lot of the storyline was so unrealistic-like a teen living on a zoo and caring for dangerous animals and this strange uncle that didn’t provide her with basic life necessities. It was ok for me but not my favorite. 2.5 stars

It is cool how McGinnis takes Poe and makes it contemporary. I feel like some of the violence and scenes are overly gory just for the sake of shock value. The gore did make it difficult to read through.

The synthetic voice of the voice galley was off-putting and hard to follow. I am going to have to listen to the audiobook or reread the book in order to review this book.

This is a story of two friends. Tress and Felicity were the best of friends, the two halves of a heart pendant split apart so both friends can wear it close to their own hearts. Then it all went wrong.

Tress Montor has the name, one of the names that stands for prestige and power in their small town. But when she was in fourth grade, her parents disappeared without a trace. She was sent to live with her grandfather Cecil, in his trailer, by his roadside zoo. Where before her life was school, dinners with her parents, and sleepovers with her best friend, now her life is helping to care for the animals and watching her former best friend party with the cool kids at school, her parents new fortune making her life so easy.

Felicity Turnado doesn’t have the name that means something in town, but her parents have the money. Felicity is a good daughter, listening to her parents and trying to do what’s best for everyone. Her parents tell her not to flaunt their wealth, so she doesn’t. Her parents encourage her to have the “right” kind of friends, so she does. Her parents want her to keep her epilepsy a secret, so she does. No one is supposed to know, which is difficult when the drugs and alcohol she ingests at parties interfere with her anti-seizure medicine. But she can’t stop using. Because she was there the night Tress’s parents went missing, and she can’t forgive herself for that.

When they were in fourth grade, Tress and Felicity were the best of friends. On a sleepover at Tress’s house, Felicity felt a seizure coming on. She knew her parents didn’t want her to seize in front of everyone, so she asked Tress’s parents to drive her home, even though it was after midnight. The next thing Tress can remember is being on the side of the side of the road, alone and wet. Tress’s parents were nowhere to be found.

In the seven years since that night, both girls have been trapped in their secrets and their lies, trying to piece together what possibly could have happened and dealing with the consequences. Felicity insists that she remembers nothing. Tress doesn’t believe her and comes up with a plan to scare her into finally telling the truth. Tress is going to find out what happened that night, no matter the consequences.

Author Mindy McGinnis is known for her taut teenage thrillers, and The Initial Insult is no different. Inspired by the Edgar Allan Poe story “The Cask of Amontillado,” this story will keep you guessing the outcome until the very last page. Told in alternating perspectives of Tress, Felicity, and the panther in Tress’s grandfather’s zoo, The Initial Insult is an engrossing tale of secrets between friends and how those secrets can destroy the foundation of any relationship.

I was genuinely shocked at the ending of The Initial Insult. The voices of these characters drew me in to their stories, and I could feel their pain. I heard their secrets. I paid attention to their hopes and dreams. And then I couldn’t believe what happened to them. This is one intense, often painful novel to read, but if you decide to buy a ticket for the ride, it is one you will never forget. The Initial Insult will stick with me for many weeks to come, and I will never think of high school friendship quite the same way again.

Voice galleys for The Initial Insult were provided by Harper Children’s (Katherine Tegen Books) through NetGalley, with many thanks.

FIVE STARS and my current favorite read of 2021. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and Katherine Tegen Books for this audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review.

After her parents disappear, Tress’ life changes forever and she loses everything - including her best friend, Felicity that happens to be the last person to see Tress’ parents alive.
After years of grief and unanswered questions, Tress decides to force the answers out of Felicity and brick-by-brick, exact her revenge at the same time.

I LOVE a modern retelling of Poe stories and The Cask of Amontillado happens to be one of my favorites. I loved the overall retelling, the nods at other works by the king of macabre, and the brutal portrayal of loss, grief, and regret. McGinnis always does a fabulous job at creating some fucked up characters that her readers can resonate with.
When the sequel comes out, I’ll be first in line to buy it.

Mindy McGinnis has absolutely done it again! This one might even be her best yet. The characters are realistic, while the writing is completely gripping. I dare you to read this one and not need the sequel right away! The story is filled with suspense and an addictive plot. Tress’s parents disappeared seven years ago driving her best friend, Felicity, home. She lost everything. Meanwhile, Felicity gained everything and is popular. Tress is determined to find out what happened to her parents and she is certain Felicity knows more than she claims. She’ll do anything to get those answers. The story is dark with a mystery at the center of the story. Highly recommended to anyone who enjoys dark YA mysteries.

This is not a review but a note to the publishers, I enjoyed this book. It kept me hooked and I needed to find out how it ended. I intend to purchase the book for the library but a synthetic voice narrated by this audiobook. Without hearing the true narrator, I can't make any decisions on the audiobook.

2.6 stars
WHAT HAPPENED HERE?
This was me reading this book...
YES! ANOTHER BOOK BY MY FAV AUTHOR!!! WHOHHOOOO!
What?
ok rewind
What???
wait rewind
Oh. ooook. I got it *I think*
Hum?
Oh. ok got it!
huh???
hummmm...
what is going on?
Yes! Now we are talking!
THIS IS THE MINDY I LOVE!
*goes to start drafting a 5 star review: "Mindy did it again! Did not disappoint!"*
Huh?
oh ok.
yes!
huh?
ok let's wait.
Now we are reaching the end.
Now I will understand EVERYTHING!
{the end}
huh?
no way!
let me check
yes. it is the end.
WTH?????

Tress' parents disappeared seven years prior and the only person who knows what happened to them is her ex-best friend, Felicity. Tress will either get her answers or her revenge. I found it interesting to see short chapters from a panther. This is the first book i have read/listened to from Mindy McGinnis. This isn't really fantasy and if it is please don't tell me. I liked this book and can't wait til book 2. Fans of YA books will love this book.

I really enjoy MIndy McGinnis' writing and this book was no different! The writing gripped me the entire time. There was a few times I couldn't tell the characters apart but other than that, it was a great book.

Tress is an impoverished high school student who lives with her grandfather in a trailer on the grounds of the semi-legal Amontillado Zoo, also know as White Trash Zoo. Felicity is Tress's former childhood best friend whose fate in life and family's standing in the Amontillado community is changed the night Tress parents takes Felicity home and disappears without a trace. Tress is convinced that Felicity knows the truth about her parents' vanishing, she's been plotting for years how to extract that knowledge from Felicity, the razing of the old Allen House the day after Halloween, gives Tress the perfect opportunity learn the truth about her parents' disappearance and build her evidential case against Felicity layer by layer, one brick at a time.

So, I really did enjoy this book even if the ending fell a tiny bit flat, but Initial Insult is book 1 in a duology, so I think some of the resolutions we hoped to receive in book 1 will most likely be answered in book 2. Nevertheless I still really liked this book. It is a modern interpretation of a short story by Edgar Allen Poe which is one of my favorites, A Cask of Amontillado, which got me started on my love of macabre gothic horror. I think McGinnis does a fantastic job of retelling this story, she provides you with two frenemies whose fates are intricately linked because of the horrors of one night. Their story is told through Tress and Felicity's dual points of view, presented as a series of flashbacks from middle school to high school, and the reader is made to feel like a juror hearing evidence presented through each character's recollection of events. McGinnis shows no favorites in this book which I liked, she puts the reader in the mind of Tress and Felicity and I found myself empathic to each character's plight. In addition, Initial Insult, overtly tackles small town high school politics as well as stealthily telling the story of Amontillado's families legacy, and small town politics social structure, and stigmas. So, if you like your young adult fiction mixed with elements of mystery and horror, simple prose but elevated social commentary/critique, then this book is for you.