The book was very well paced and I couldn’t put it down, finished in one sitting. Each chapter going back and forth between perspectives of our dual protagonists and skipping through flashbacks helped to craft an engaging and fast-paced story. The use of name references and story mirroring was fun to pick out as a reader, while the addition of clearly new and modern elements helped to keep me reading until the end.

This is the book that I wanted to like very much but only ended up being average on. The purpose for the book is to friends you’ve had a falling out and one friend wants to seek revenge which is actually a good premise for a story. Somewhere along the way though the story kind of loses its footing.

A thriller modeled off of Edgar Allen Poe's Cask of Amontillado, in this book we have a city named Amontillado, Ohio, where Tress Montor seeks revenge. There are a lot of Poe references throughout: their high school team mascot is the raven, Tress;s parents are named Lee and Annabelle. Also her aunt is Lenore Usher. The entire story focuses around the disappearance years earlier of Tress's parents. What really happened the night they disappeared? Tress wants answers and the only person who has those answers is her ex-best friend, If you know the story The Cask of Amontillado, you;'l know how this story goes for a while. But the ending! I;m so glad there is another book coming.

Mindy McGinnis is one of my favorite authors, and I always have high expectations for her work. The Initial Insult did not disappoint at all!

This is a YA adaptation of The Cask of Amontillado, told from 3 perspectives. I was a bit surprised by the 3rd perspective, but it works! This is about Tress and Felicity, who used to be best friends until a tragedy struck, with a devastating impact on Tress especially. Being from a small town, I could really relate to the teenage cliques and shenanigans going on in this book - very much realistic.

When this book ended, I literally yelled "Noooo" because I need to know what happens! That's how good this is.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC of The Initial Insult by Mindy McGinnis.

What in the Tale Tell Heart did I just read?! This book is ca-razy pants.

When Tress loses her parents, she also loses her status, her comforts, and her loving environment. Now she lives with her one eyed uncle at what has been deemed the "white trash zoo," equipped with Panther and all.

Felicity does have it all, including a huge amount of guilt every time she looks at Tress, who was once her friend. But now she knows too much about Tress's parents, things that no one else knows, and there's no way she can tell Tress. Unless she's forced to...

I saw that this is a part one of a series? I truly hope that is the case because otherwise this is just one big panic attack with a pretty cover. The amazing thing is that even though the premise is total batcrap nuts, it works! And it totally had Edgar Poe vibes and I can't wait to read the next one.

Well that was definitely a good creepy read to get Halloween season kicked off! I really enjoyed the dual POV and the flash backs. The ending is crazy. I won't forget this one anytime soon!

I love "The Female of the Species" by Mindy McGinnis, so I was incredibly happy to receive this ARC. This is probably the best thriller that I've read this year. There a twists and turns galore and plenty of mystery. I loved that all of the characters were flawed, as it makes them feel realistic. I am eagerly anticipating the sequel.

I think I struggled with this in on the Kindle. Keep getting confused.by time hops and characters. Will look at it when actual book aerie was to reevaluate.

This is a story about the love & hatred only a best friend can inspire.

I adored this book! It was creepy, beautiful, and tragic. The story was reminiscent of Poe without being derivative & was full of the unique, strange, violent touches I’ve come to expect & love from @

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Thank you Netgalley & HarperCollins Children's Books for the advanced e-ARC