High school is not for wimps. Even if it's a high dollar high school for celebrity level kids. The most popular kids are the biggest targets for rumors. As the characters develop, their lives and the school backstory reveal many more warnings than celebrations. But most adults share the opinion than high school is the hardest part of life to survive and THE RUMOR GAME proves them right.

I usually love prep school thrillers, but unfortunately this one was a bit disappointing. I just had a hard time getting into it.

I’m not sure how I feel about this one still. I liked it while I was reading it but I found it very forgettable. I did really like the characters and the story line.

"The Rumor Game" by Dhonielle Clayton is not within my training data, but if you're interested in a speculative review based on Clayton's previous works and common themes in young adult literature, I can certainly craft one for you. Clayton, known for her insightful exploration of societal issues through compelling narratives, likely delivers another thought-provoking novel with "The Rumor Game."

Speculative Review:

Dhonielle Clayton's "The Rumor Game" plunges readers into the heart of a contemporary high school setting, where the spread of a single rumor spirals out of control, showcasing the author's keen understanding of the complexities of teenage life and the impact of social media. Through her nuanced writing, Clayton examines the consequences of gossip, the fragility of reputation, and the difficult choices facing young adults today.

The novel is expected to be character-driven, focusing on the perspectives of multiple protagonists whose lives are intertwined by the rumor. This narrative choice likely enriches the story, allowing readers to understand the motivations, insecurities, and aspirations of each character. Clayton's ability to create relatable and multifaceted characters may shine through, offering readers characters they can empathize with, even when making questionable decisions.

Given Clayton's previous works, "The Rumor Game" probably weaves themes of friendship, trust, and redemption into its narrative fabric. The book likely challenges its characters to confront their own biases and the consequences of their actions, making for a compelling journey of personal growth and understanding.

One of the strengths of the novel could be its commentary on the power dynamics at play within social media and high school social structures. Clayton is known for her social commentary, and "The Rumor Game" presumably tackles these issues head-on, prompting readers to reflect on their own digital footprints and the real-life implications of online behavior.

However, readers seeking a light-hearted escape might find the novel's themes heavy, as Clayton does not shy away from addressing the darker aspects of teenage life. Yet, her skilled storytelling and the hopeful undertones that permeate her work are likely to leave readers with a sense of optimism about the ability to overcome adversity and the importance of compassion.

In conclusion, while this review is speculative, Dhonielle Clayton's "The Rumor Game" is anticipated to be a thoughtfully crafted novel that resonates with both young adults and older readers alike. It promises to be a poignant exploration of the challenges of navigating life in the digital age, underscored by Clayton's characteristic warmth and empathy.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for an advanced copy to review for my honest opinion.

Thank you so much to net galley and the publisher for sending me a copy of this book! I was super excited to read this book and it did not disappoint. I would highly recommend this book for everyone!

Okay, it's no secret that I love books that are centers around a prep school/boarding school . . . which this was. However, I didn't get that vibe. There was no school vibe involved, really.

Let's just ignore that, though.

The book dragged on. I wasn't bored exactly, but there was a lot of this book that could've been cut out and the story would've continued seamlessly.

One thing I will give this book is it covers the toxic nature of social media among teens. (I'm so glad I grew up in the generation that didn't have social media). It covers how it takes one rumor to completely derail someone's life.

The characters, however, just completely got under my skin. I didn't like a single character.

While receiving acclaim for its exploration of high school dynamics and the repercussions of gossip, " The Rumor Game " by Dhonielle Clayton and Sona Charaipotra lands in the middle ground for me. The novel's portrayal of teenage relationships and the consequences of rumors is commendable, and the authors successfully capture the authenticity of high school life.

However, the pacing of the narrative feels a bit inconsistent, leading to moments where the story loses its grip on the reader. While the characters are well-crafted, some may find them falling into predictable patterns, and the emotional resonance, though present, might not hit as deeply as expected.

While "The Rumor Game" addresses relevant issues faced by teenagers, the execution occasionally lacks the nuance needed to elevate it beyond a standard YA narrative. It's a solid read for those interested in the genre, but it falls short of the expectations set by the hype surrounding it. In the vast landscape of YA fiction, this one settles into the middle tier with its strengths and drawbacks.

The Rumor Game shows just how damaging rumors can be when they run rampant. This book shows what happens in a modern high school when rumors spread like wildfire - the queen bee falls, while a new face rises, only to become the target herself. Social media adds an entire new layer to the rumor mongering and only makes things worse. While I haven't been in school in a long time, this is definitely a modern twist on what actually happens. Some of the characters are ruthless, and some are just bewildered. The story was written very well, and it was a very quick read.

I initially started this book thinking of it as a regular high-schoolers behaving badly trope. It was not. This is a meaningful story in the subject matter. It explores the way rumors can spread and cause real life harm to people. There were important messages in this story. The things that I disliked were the elite high school was presented almost like a university and Greek life and the characters were not likable.
#TheRumorGame #NetGalley #Disney

Dhonielle Clayton never disappoints! She is a master with words and her storytelling is amazing. I’m kept on my toes and intrigued from beginning to end.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy of The Rumor Game by Dhonielle Clayton.

Thank you to Disney Publishing for the #gifted copy of the book.

I enjoy reading YA from time to time because they can be some entertaining! This one was every bit of that. Rumors and lies can destroy your life and this book shows how the modern pressures of social media can do just that with cyber bullying. This books was a bit slow for me, but overall was a decent read.

There's so much going on in The Rumor Game. I truly found it hard to like any of the characters. This doesn't mean I didn't enjoy the book, if anything, it makes the characters more realistic.

It had a slow start but once I got into it I couldn't put it down.
Rumors. They spread far and fast and become like a living being all on their own. For high school students it can be devastating. Georgie goes to fat camp over the summer and comes back to school a while new person.
Georgie's neighbor is another high school girl.
Once a member of the "it" crowd but no now an outcast, Bryn's life is falling apart. Both victims of rumors. Horrible rumors. From my perspective the authors could have done a better job at explaining what really happened with Bryn at the end, it felt like they used an easy out. And I would have really liked to see the characters learn the power of forgiveness and giving second chances which so many people don't do anymore...well for anyone but Jase.

I wanted to love this book, but it just felt a little too basic.

Don't get me wrong, I think this is such an important read for teenagers. With talks of sexual assault, classism, sexism, racism, and the politics of high school, this is a book that transcends time and is relatable for anyone who has been in the hierarchy of high school.

Dhonielle and Sona truly take you on the journey of Foxham Prep and the way in which rumors spread like wildfires. It was heartbreaking to see how these characters were constantly pitted against each other which eventually led to a horrific situation.

Although I did not love this book, I believe this is a warning novel of the catastrophic damage that rumors can do to a person, a school and a community.

This is a very engaging and effective book featuring multiple points of view that shows the impact that rumors can have on individuals, especially in the age of camera phones, texting, and social media. Everyone is human, everyone deserves respect. It felt a little long to me, I think it actually would have been more effective broken into 2 volumes.

This book brings back the memory of high school and the relief I felt when I graduated and didn’t have to deal with the cliques any longer.
I could only image how much worse high school would have been if we had had social media available.

A definite must read if you enjoy the YA genre.

I loved the diverse case of this thriller. The plot is riveting and the characters are well drawn and immediately relatable.

At Foxham Prep, the very ritzy private school for the children of Washington, DC's elite, students are groomed to become the next generation of socialite elites and giants of industry. But they're still students - partying, dating, fighting, and making up rumors about one another. But harmful rumors here could have such a lasting effect as to potentially alter career options. This all comes to the fore for some of the girls currently at Foxham.
Cora is the captain of the cheer squad. She's the 'it' girl at Foxham. Bryn used to have it all. With Cora as her best friend and the perfect boyfriend and an all-but-guaranteed path into politics. But one mistake on Bryn's part starts a scandal that spirals beyond her control.

The talk of the school, though, is Georgie. An overweight Geek a year ago, Georgie has had a complete makeover and now heads are turning when she's around. Her popularity rises quickly and now even Cora's popularity is in danger of being eclipsed by Georgie.

But the quickest way to take down a rising star is with rumors, fueled by students and fanned to flames by social media.

It's been a long time since I've read a strictly YA, not a fantasy novel, full of pathos and angst. I don't remember what it was about this book that had me wanting to read it (it must have been some really well written advertising copy) because this is not the kind of book I'd ordinarily want to dig in to.

What I like about this book is how it addresses bullying and rumors and how nasty social media can be, without being overly didactic. That's not an easy task.

While the characters here are the elite - children of the wealthiest families in D.C. - I think most readers (typically high school teens) can relate to the issues. Our characters are elite in order to (presumably) have more to lose, making the stakes higher, creating more drama. I'm not sure we need that, but I think readers will put themselves into these roles handily enough.

Bullying, rumors, and social media are common enough issues at any school around the country (around the world?) that this will be identifiable to most readers. There is an anti-rumor/bullying theme that runs through here, giving the characters (and readers) hope for different outcomes. But really, there are no easy solutions. And because of that, I find these books either unrealistic (if they pretend there are easy solutions) or incredibly depressing. I'm not sure I need either. But I recognize that there is a reading public that will gratefully devour a book like this. The writing is fine. The pace is quick, but the plot is a bit slow to develop.

Looking for a good book? The Rumor Game by Dhonielle Clayton & Sona Charaipotra rushes head first into a high society private high school and takes on themes of bullying, rumors, and how quickly rumors spread on social media (and how they can't be taken back). Teen readers who love the angsty feelings in books will enjoy this.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

This one took me longer than usual : one reason—because it was hard. And the other reason is I’ve been sick.
Sometimes we read books that make us mad, upset, and sad. Books are written this way for a reason. This was not an easy book to read but very necessary. Words can hurt especially if those words are rumors.
I recommend all teens (especially girls because rumors hit harder for us) and parents read this as a cautionary tale.
Be the best version of you with truth and grace!