I was really looking forward to this book, but it ended up a bit underwhelming. It reads a bit like a YA, and I was hoping for more adult horror. It seemed to drag on a bit.

Could you hide in an abandoned amusement park for a week and not get found? If you win, you will get a hefty reward... but if you're caught, well, that just might cost you your life!

This concept was so much fun! Definitely want to read more theme park based thrillers and horrors.

Kept me guessing and stressing for the characters and what would happen next and what the heck was even going on in reality. Very entertaining read.

Kiersten White’s Hide is a gripping and atmospheric novel that plunges readers into a sinister game of survival set in an abandoned amusement park. Known for her ability to weave dark, compelling narratives, White delivers a thriller that is as chilling as it is engaging, exploring themes of fear, survival, and the secrets we hide from ourselves and others.

The story centers on Mack, a young woman with a troubled past who is invited to participate in a high-stakes competition with an enticing grand prize: a life-changing amount of money. The catch? The competition is a game of hide-and-seek set in a decrepit amusement park, where contestants must remain hidden for a week to win. As the game progresses, it becomes clear that there is much more at stake than just the prize money, and the amusement park holds dark secrets that threaten the lives of all involved.

White’s protagonist, Mack, is a complex and sympathetic character. Her backstory, gradually revealed through flashbacks, adds depth and emotional weight to her struggle for survival. Mack’s experiences have left her scarred and wary, making her a resourceful and determined competitor. White’s portrayal of Mack’s internal battles and her resilience in the face of danger makes her a compelling heroine.

The supporting cast is equally well-developed, each contestant bringing their own motivations and personalities to the game. From the confident and charismatic to the fearful and secretive, the diverse group dynamics add layers of tension and intrigue. As alliances form and unravel, White deftly explores the psychological aspects of the competition, heightening the suspense with each passing day.

The setting of the abandoned amusement park is one of the novel’s standout features. White’s descriptive prose vividly brings the eerie, decaying park to life, with its rusting rides, overgrown paths, and haunting atmosphere. The setting serves as both a backdrop and a character in itself, its dark history and hidden dangers adding to the sense of foreboding and mystery. The park’s claustrophobic and unsettling environment amplifies the tension, making the stakes of the game feel all the more real.

White’s pacing is expertly managed, with the novel’s structure alternating between the present-day competition and glimpses into Mack’s past. This narrative technique keeps the reader engaged, gradually unveiling the layers of the story while maintaining a steady buildup of suspense. The twists and turns are well-executed, leading to a climax that is both surprising and satisfying.

One of the novel’s key strengths is its exploration of deeper themes. Beyond the immediate thrill of the survival game, White delves into the psychological impact of trauma and the lengths people will go to protect their secrets. The novel raises thought-provoking questions about trust, manipulation, and the true nature of fear. White’s skillful handling of these themes adds depth and resonance to the story, elevating it beyond a simple thriller.

In conclusion, Hide is a masterfully crafted novel that combines elements of horror, suspense, and psychological drama. Kiersten White’s ability to create an immersive and chilling atmosphere, coupled with her well-drawn characters and intricate plot, makes this book a standout in the thriller genre. Hide is a compelling read that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish, making it a must-read for fans of suspenseful and thought-provoking fiction. Whether you are drawn to the eerie setting, the complex characters, or the intense narrative, Hide is a novel that will leave a lasting impression.

I didn’t know what to expect with this book because I’ve heard so many negative reviews. However, this book worked for me! I was engaged the entire way and thought it was fun and thrilling. I actually enjoyed following so many characters. I thought they each had their own voice and were so unique that it was easy to keep track of each person. I just had a great time reading this!

I really wanted to like this one, I just really didn't. I felt like there was so much jumping around the story with all the characters that it just didn't flow well. I also didn't get to know or care much about any of them, which made it even harder to follow. There just want a lot ot elevate what could have been a really good creepy story... It just kinda dragged.

I loved the beginning and was totally hooked.... but then it lost me. This book had potential. There were tooo many pov to keep track or or even care about any of the characters.

I LOVE Kiersten White, I won't hide it. But this book was not my favorite of hers I won't lie. It felt a little stiff mostly because the character development wasn't what I'm used to from her. Usually the characters leap off the page and nestle in your heart to be your weird new murderous friends, but these ones tried and didn't quite make it. It's fun and suspenseful but the ending felt a bit rushed too. Overall I'd still recommend it to fans of suspense and horror.

An absolutely excellent book and fuckin baller of an author’s note. I totally want this to be a movie!!

This book started out with some promise, an interesting premise, and a great cover. By the second third I was ready for it to be over. So many characters that I couldn’t keep them straight and didn’t care to. The plot could have worked as a straight forward horror but instead devolved into supernatural nonsense.

Hide had me hooked from the beginning. I always value a book that’ll start strong and carrying me through the book without a struggle. I highly recommend!

I was really excited about this one. The concept is right up my alley, but it just didn't do it for me. It felt like there was a lack of depth and it just felt shallow to me,

It was okay, but it just didn't blow me away. And I found myself not even fully understanding what the "game" was.

What started as a competition that will open doors for the contestants, ended up turning into a game of survival.

Individuals from different ways of life were brought into spend a week inside a well-guarded abandoned amusement park.

The rules were simple: you have to hide starting from dawn till dusk.

As the days continued, the number of contestants diminished. Everyone thought they left because they were sought. But as time rolled by, the remaining contestants found the reason behind the disappearance.

This will a well-paced book with a twisted ending. I highly recommend to pick this up!

Thank you #NetGalley and Random House for giving the opportunity to read this!

Creepy and fascinating! I love a good zombie book and sometimes they are not the best. But this was surprisingly good! My library did end up buying a few copies of this book.

I had high hopes for this book. I read the description and I thought it sounded great. A bunch of people trapped in an old abandoned amusement park? They need to survive and the last one is the “winner” The potential for this is amazing. I started reading and I was immediately sucked in. At least up until the point the “monster” appeared. That’s when they lost me. The monster was never really described so you don’t know exactly what it looked like.You also never found out why it was attacking people. You just knew it had something to do with this one family. But why? What started it all? If there is going to be a sequel, fon but I don’t get the impression that there is. Plus, I didn't enjoy it enough to bother reading the sequel. It just left me feeling like I had wasted my time.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

The concept of this book is phenomenal. A giant game of hide and seek in an abandoned amusement park?!?! The cinematic nature of this book has me wishing for a movie adaptation! This book had me on the edge of my seat AND looking over my shoulder. I loved it!

this concept was so promising but it just fell so flat for me. it felt so stupid !! so disappointing

Unfortunately, this book was not for me. I couldn't relate, or even make myself like any of the characters. And I found it all so predictable. I know there is a certain audience for this book specifically, but it was just not me.

DNF at 50%.
The opening chapter in this had me extremely excited, and I couldn't wait to continue. Gave me major Hunger Games vibes, which is one of my absolute favourite books. However, things quickly went downhill from there. The pacing was incredibly slow, and whereas I struggled mildly with the writing style during the opening chapter, it became much worse now up to the point where I just couldn't continue.