After the beginning 20% set up, I was hooked! This story is sinister and creepy until the final satisfying menacing end. And since I’m a sucker for a fabulous cover, can we take a moment and marvel at great it is! Fans of Stephen King will probably enjoy this one. Thank you Netgalley, Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine, and the author for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Set in an abandoned amusement park begins a competition. 14 contestants competing in a massive week long game of Hide and Seek, and the one winner earns a whopping 50k. Seems like a good deal right? Low stakes, big payoff.
Unfortunately for the contestants, things are definitely not what they seem.

I was SUPER excited to receive an e-ARC via NetGalley for this, I found myself just a bit underwhelmed.
White's writing is compelling, and we more or less follow one main character throughout this book, while occasionally popping into the heads of the other contestants to get their current viewpoint. This book was definitely quick to read, and held some Greek myth inspiration that I was entirely not expecting.
I devoured this in one sitting, but unfortunately don't think that it will really be a book that sticks with me. It's part contest, and part social commentary, which I think is always interesting and can be very intriguing. I didn't really connect with the characters until the very end, and then I found I didn't have much time to really "root for them" because the book felt like it ended very quickly.
I believe the physical copy of this book will come in at just over 250 pages, and I personally feel that with another 50 or so pages, my enjoyment would've gone up because I would've had more time to really feel for these characters, and maybe an epilogue or something as well. As it is in it's e-ARC form, it's very "full speed ahead" with an abrupt ending.
It boils down to personal preference of course, but this is one I'm happy I've read even if I won't find myself thinking of it a few months down the line. 3/5 stars.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and DelRey for the advanced reading copy. All opinions are my own.

I was excited to read Kiersten White’s adult debut, especially after hearing that it was set in an abandoned amusement park.
The main character, Mack, is trying to make it on her own when she gets an unusual opportunity—compete in an extreme hide and seek competition in an abandoned amusement park. The winner receives a money prize. The resulting story focuses on a few of the contestants—there are so many in the beginning that it’s hard to keep track, but the body count climbs fast, so you don’t have to remember too many people’s names.
The story went in a different direction than I thought it would, but I did enjoy it. The pacing was good and the writing was sharp. It had some good commentary on what people in power will do to maintain that power.
I read this book in about 5 days, so not the quickest read for me, but I was able to knock it out pretty quickly.

I had a lot of fun with this read! I've seen other reviewers complain that this book doesn't bring enough new content to the genre, but I was so entertained that I didn't even care. Books don't always have to be flashy or new - sometimes they are just a good ride. And this one felt positively addictive.

I especially enjoyed the way White introduced and developed her characters. It felt almost like watching a reality show, where most characters fit into their stereotypical little boxes, but as the show goes on the viewer gets to know their backstory and their personality more and more. Even the POV swaps were reminiscent of the confessionals that are so valuable in most reality shows. As a reader, this felt like a cool way to frame the large cast of characters. It also feels like a nod to campy horror films, so bonus points for that. But don't let the casting types fool you - there are some fantastic characters in these pages and readers will quickly find themselves rooting for their faves.

The story itself is pretty solid as well. While I will admit that the plot went in a very different direction than I anticipated, I was happy to roll along with whatever twists White threw at us. The world she created felt so off right from the start and only became more and more wrong feeling as the tension escalated. She hooked me right in and I couldn't wait to keep turning pages.

Overall, for White's debut in adult literature, I'd say it's a success. Check this out if you're interested in mythological retellings turned horror survival show in a creepy abandoned theme park. What's not fun about that??

Special thanks to NetGalley and Random House/Del Ray for an ARC in exchange for review.

When I first got back into reading a few years ago I picked up #AndIDarken by @authorkierstenwhite and I fell in love. She’s one of those authors that consistently writes you into a captivating world and #HIDE is no exception.

With her adult debut, @authorkierstenwhite brings you an absolute banger.

The moment I read the description I was hooked.

Playing hide and go see in an abandoned theme park for a cash prize?!

Plot twists?!

Just a sprinkle of romance?!

This is definitely a 2022 must read.

Special thanks to @netgalley and @randomhouse for sending me this ARC

3.5
Hide is Kiersten White's adult horro debut. Her Young Adult novel, The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstien was one of my favorite reads of the year when I read it. I will say for an adult horror novel, it's not as horrific as it could be, fairly room temperature. The setting was great. I did confused with all of the POVs at first, but felt more confident keeping track of the perspectives in the second half. I really loved the themes of class and how the older generations have no moral issues sacrificing the younger generations to maintain a lifestyle they think they're entitled to, BUT it's a little bit too similar to another horror property that has a similar premise IMO. There are definitely differences, I liked the incorporation of another mythos into the mix, but I just kept thinking about that similarity.
Fun and very readable.

I flew through this book! The concept is very compelling and I love monster horror.

My main issue with this book is that things were revealed too soon. There wasn’t enough creep factor to the horror because so little happened to create tension before discoveries were made by the characters. For me, that feeling of holding your breath while reading horror is necessary to delineate it from just a slightly gory adventure book.

I also found the writing at the beginning of the book to be much stronger than the end. The tone and style shifted somewhere in the back half of the book making it lose the little tension that had been created.

I would give this 3.5 stars. I really enjoyed Mack and Ava as characters as well as the setting, so that redeemed it for me. Plus it’s a very easy read!

I received an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

An abandoned amusement park. A “reality-show” type competition between 14 people. A race to $50000. An supernatural presence within the park. Stay alive from sun up to sun down and don’t be one of the two that don’t return to the camp. Everything is not what you think during this competition. Definite twists and turns that I didn’t see coming. A very broken but strong and determined protagonist who wants to survive to the end while keeping her sense of self and sanity. Definite Stranger Things vibe crossed with Hunger Games & Get Out along with nods to Mythology and the sacrifice of some for the “good of others” . This one will keep you up at night. Thank you NetGalley for the e-ARC. Definitely one for the older YA/Adult crowd.

Hide
Kiersten White

Thanks to @netgalley and @randomhouse for the ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review. Posted to Goodreads and @dark.oracle.reads IG on 5/4.

What immediately grabbed me with this novel is the premise. I mean, sinister hide-and-seek in an abandoned amusement park? Yes please! We need more horror set in creepy old amusement parks.

This story is really readable— I flew through this entire book in just a few days. The writing flows well and I really enjoyed the subtle character development throughout. The only thing that really annoyed me was the characterization of the silversmith. As a silversmith myself, I found the “jewelry as the only personality trait” v cringey and unrealistic. (That’s obviously something personal to me, so I digress…) I appreciated the different POVs throughout and thought that added depth to the story.

About halfway through the story, the big reveal was a little laughable and made it less interesting to me. I thought the idea behind the “what is actually happening” in this novel was a little clunky and made the book less readable after that. It seems like the author didn’t have a very clear picture of where this one was going to end up or how to find their way out of this story, so ended up relying on obvious points of action. The tension melted away after the reveal, and the novel wasnt able to capture that same emotion in me once it was released.

There’s some poignant social commentary here—How human suffering is acceptable as long as it benefits us, how privilege always comes at the cost of someone else’s exploitation, and even a bit of slick commentary on Boomers and their undeserved pride, misguided resentments, and the depths to which they’ve destroyed the world.

The ending definitely fell apart for me. The suspension of disbelief was upped in such a way that made it hard to get through and not very enjoyable to finish. I was kind of just over it at a certain point, but I still enjoyed much of the ride getting there.

3.5 rounded up

14 contestants, an ancient monster hunting them all. In an abandon amusement park in the middle of nowhere play hide and seek Comtesse will start. You don’t have to hide, but you cannot under any circumstances leave! The seven families have been doing this every seven years since who knows win, but nothing last forever right? That’s was a really good interesting book. I can’t say I was really scared but they have some really scary parts. It’s more intellectual horror as a oppose to jump scares and cheap tricks. I think anyone who likes a good plot with great dialogue during the interim will enjoy this book. The characters were well thought out with Backstories that either made you love them or hate them, but all made for an awesome read! I gave it four stars because I thought it could’ve had more horror, but it was still awesome! I was given this book by Nat Galli and I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any grammar or punctuational errors because I am blind and dictate my review but all opinions are definitely my own.

I was immediately hooked by the premise of Hide; the concept of the death game is one of my favorites to explore in horror, and what better setting than an abandoned amusement park? I went into this book expecting something similar to Squid Game and was surprised when it went in a different direction, but certainly not disappointed.

Hide is a quick and very engaging read; I finished after gradually reading over a span of about 24 hours, but its something one could do in one sitting if compelled. This is the first book I’ve read in a while where I felt the need to take notes as I was reading, and it certainly helped me keep track of the characters (as well as when they were picked off). The book feels very cinematic both in tone and in prose; I wouldn’t be surprised if this is optioned for a movie sometime in the next few years.

Our protagonist is Mack, a young woman and the sole survivor of the “Hide and Seek Massacre”; it happened when she was a child and she still carries the guilt and trauma with her. Personally, I did not find Mack’s voice very interesting at all, and there was very little to her character other than her trauma. I think this book could have been improved if it was a true ensemble piece; there are fourteen contestants, and I wish we had gotten to see through the eyes of the other thirteen for more of the book. I also think this would have made the sudden shifts in perspective less jarring. At the same time, because there were so many characters, there was a lack of characterization beyond mere archetypes.

This book also comes with a lot of social commentary. In her author’s note, White says she started writing Hide after seeing what her daughter had to go through at school to prepare in the event of an active shooter. This book is a takedown of the idea that “the children will save us” and as someone who has had to go through many active shooter drills, it was cathartic to read; the book also touches on classism and white privilege, but to a lesser extent. Sometimes the commentary felt heavy-handed, but it was certainly necessary to the book as a whole.

Overall, this was good, but I felt it definitely could have been great if some elements had been modified. Regardless, I enjoyed reading it, and I think a lot of others will too. 3.5/5 stars.

Hide is a quick read with lots of tension.. Thrust into a dilapidated amusement park under the guise of competing for 50K for a reality TV show, Mack knows she can leave any time. Walk right out the front gate. No one would care. She’s not hiding because she has to. She’d hiding because it’s the one skill that’s ever done her any good. The only survivor of the hide-and-seek massacre, Mack might change her mind when she sees the evil that stalks her. A modern twist on the Minotaur myth, this novel looks at friendship, redemption, and facing your fears. The book is a bit message-heavy in places, looking at class, privilege, and inherited wealth, so fair warning if that’s not your thing. And there are a lot of characters to keep track of. But it’s a compelling page turner that will please fans of hopeful horror that’s pretty light on the gore.

Hide is described as Squid Games-like story, which had me immediately interested. And while I get the comparison, it’s a very loose one. Honestly, I think the comparison sets the novel up for failure, especially considering how interesting and well-loved Squid Games is. Hide is a fine story with an interesting concept, but there’s just not enough to give it that edge.

There are so many odd details included about all the characters that it starts to feel a little overwhelming. The author’s hand is pretty evident when certain details are repeated over and over again, clearly indicating they’ll be important later. When it comes to the characters, it’s all telling without any showing, and the jumping around can be a little hard to follow. I was shocked (and a little annoyed) by how often the novel checks in with all the characters. And despite how cagey some of these characters are supposed to be, their connections happen so fast they feel shallow. And why are there two characters with the same name? It just gets confusing.

However, the characters do all feel very real, and they’re dealing with very real problems. It was a little anxiety inducing just because some of their situations or reasons for playing the game are so relatable. They just seem a little flat because our time is spread so thin between them. And they’re not super likable, aside from one or two? Maybe because they’re mostly tropes? I’m not sure… I wasn’t really rooting for any of them to win.

This seems like a tough story to write, so I applaud White for their attempt. It just seems like a story that would be better told visually. The concept is very interesting, but there isn’t a whole lot going on. So, it feels like a lot of fluff involving character backstories instead… That being said, Hide is a mostly compulsive and quick read! There are some pacing issues with what should be the climax, but I was still interested to see how everything ended. Despite my problems with the characters, I had a hard time putting Hide down. But, fair warning, the ending is a little lackluster.

On the surface, Kiersten White's "Hide" is a fast-paced supernatural thriller that propels the reader through a labyrinth of suspense and unknown horrors. With each twist and turn, however, the facade peels back, revealing a scathing and timely commentary on the toll that previous generations' actions has taken (and will continue to take) on the youth of today.

This is the perfect summer read! It has everything we look for in a book for Strong Sense of Place — a well-developed setting, tons of atmosphere, plenty to talk about with friends, and a sense of fun. This book will be featured in our June 3 episode of 'The Library of Lost Time.'

Thank you NetGalley, I really appreciate the opportunity. This was a very anticipated read. however, it fell short of my expectations because of the harsh changes of POV and having a large cast of characters that have surface level backstories. The opening chapter was amazing and I was hooked, shortly after things started going downhill and I wasn't connecting to the story or characters.

Hunger Games, Cabin in the Woods, Jeepers Creepers. If you are familiar with any of the aforementioned stories there will be no surprises for you here. Plus, not the amusement park setting I was expecting.

Hide takes place in an abandoned amusement park during a high-stakes hide-and-seek competition.

It is a perfect blend of plot and character work. There is a sense of freak throughout, especially for our main character. The characters are complex; some are lovable, then there are those you can’t help but hate.

Each reveal makes you ask more questions, but it all builds up significantly to the end.

The narration has shifted from third-person omniscient to third-person limited, which is a bit jarring and confusing. One moment we know a character’s name, but the next, he’s the gangly guy, just as Mack, our main character, learns his name.
It’s not just third-person from Mack’s point of view, which adds to the confusion.

The ending was great, but I wish there was at least one more chapter. I don’t like open-ended conclusions.

Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for this incredible arc!!!!

Well, this was absolutely brilliant. Everything I thought I knew... how the story was going, a guess at the ending... this author would flip the switch. And, can I just give this author a huge thank you for that note at the end that revealed the truth behind this story? Bc, Kiersten White, you are magnificent.

It's a reality hide and seek show.... or is it? Because things seem pretty strange from the start. The immediate start with Mack as the narrator gives this whole game a push towards oddness. And, it doesn't stop there. The 14 contestants gather and begin a strange trip with an enthusiastic host to the middle of nowhere... really anywhere, no one knows. The game begins and you'll just have to read the book to find out what happens! Trust me, it's an incredible surprise!

I could not recommend this more to fans of horror!

Out May 24th!

(TW: Death, gruesome depictions, unnerving content, religious topics, serial murder)

Hide by Kiersten White was such a fantastically creep, fun read! Fourteen young people are recruiting to play the ultimate game of Hide and Seek in an abandoned amusement park. The stakes are a little higher than anticipated, as the contestants slowly start to realize they are being hunted down one by one… Highly recommend for a fast-paced, entertaining read!