An abandoned theme park is just the latest spooky setting for a terrifying ritual that has been continuing in secret for generations. Fourteen challengers take part in a survivor-type game of hide-and-seek. The last person not found will win enough prize money to change their life. Nothing is like it seems in this competition and those who lose are not seen again. In this suspenseful story of desperation, horror, and possible hope, you can travel right along with the players. Be quiet while you read. It's very important to hide.

I honestly didn't know what to expect when I picked this up - Kiersten White has such a wide range of ages, themes, and general "feelings" in her work that an adult horror was new for me. That said, I ended up really enjoying this. It didn't feel as "horror" as I was expecting - I had no problem reading with the lights off or anything like that. But, where I usually don't love monster horror, this one worked pretty well for me. I'd solidly recommend this!

I recommended this to a few students and some family. The audiobook (which I purchased later) was terrific as well. I'll probably keep a physical copy in my office to give out to students that are less interested in my normal science fiction/fantasy offerings.

I really loved the sense of place in the book. The included map really helped visualize the park and made for some interesting discussion as we mapped the travels of the contestants throughout the story.

Well... that was unexpected. I definitely went into Hide expecting something a little different - an abandoned amusement park, 14 contests, and someone (or something) hunting them - and while I got all of that, there was a couple unexpected twists. Surprisingly, I was more invested in the plot, in the 'what' and 'why' and 'what's going to happen', than I was in the characters. I know this was a "me" problem but I really just struggled to connect with the writing style. Although not even remotely written like a script, that's the general vibe I got from the book (and I have to say I do think it would make an incredibly fun Netflix series!).

All in all, though, it was a quick, fun, not quite as spooky as I was hoping for read.

Quick and satisfying little read with a fabulously anti-capitalist message. (As a side note, loved the author's comment about the "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" saying at the end of the book!)

Honestly unsure why the rating on this book is rather low. I read this in just over a day and enjoyed the entire ride. It flowed easily, had a creative plot and setting, and even features a lesbian storyline that is a focus but doesn't take over the entire book (LGBTQ+ anything in a horror novel is something I'm always happy to see). It leaves just enough mystery throughout it until the last third when everything is gradually revealed, and those reveals tie nicely into hints dropped earlier in the story. I'd actually really love to see this one made into a movie; I'm an absolute sucker for horror based in and around amusement parks, circuses, and fairs, and this really hit the spot.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

Absolutely gripping. I love an amusement park thriller and this didn't disappoint. Could definitely see it being made for the big screen.

This book got me out of a long reading slump. I read the literal first half of it on one sitting, and only stopped because I was exhausted and my brain stopped comprehending sentences.

I loved the concept, the reveal of the characters that allowed me to care about them but by bit, and the realistic way the protagonist was driven by her trauma and eventual hope. I will say the foreshadowing made what was actually happening very obvious, but even that did didn’t take away from my enjoyment of watching it all unfold.

I may be recommending this one for my library’s 2023 Library Picks.

This story starts off with 14 competitors, who think they are going to be playing an innocent game of hide-and-seek for a grand prize of $50,000. Seems easy enough. Too bad they aren't hiding from each other.

I really enjoyed this book! I did not want to put it down. It did take a bit to figure out the characters at first, but not to fear, they all won't be there long. I liked our main character, Mack, and what we get of her back story. She seems to have already played a deadly game of hide-and-seek before.

I was really liking the book until the last.....85%? <spoiler> I kinda wished everyone would have just succumbed to the monster? I know that not the right thing to want....but....that's what I wanted.</spoiler> It Just seemed to almost be a different story. It wasn't what I was expecting to happen.

Overall, I did enjoy the story and would recommend it!

Thank you to Kiersten White, Del Rey Books, and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Didn’t really build to much. Slow in quite a lot of parts. I felt like this had so much potential but felt it didn’t leave up to it.

Combining an abandoned theme park, reality show contestants, and an ancient curse is an unusual combination that works for Kiersten White in Hide. There is a wide cast of characters that are entertainingly relatable, but the setting itself shines as the brightest star, providing a haunting backdrop for the ghastly game within the game. Hide is a fast-paced ride on the bumpiest thrill coaster in the park.

Creepy story, not what I thought it would be, but I enjoyed reading this book! Once you realise that the story would progress like a regular monster story, Kiersten throws in a twist with a great concept. It didn’t grab me from page 1 like some reviews said tho, took me a few chapters to get hooked. If you are expecting scary, you’ll be disappointed. The story has some creepy moments kind of like a combination of supernatural mystery and thriller but its an exciting story regardless.

Thank you Delrey via Netgalley for the arc.

Lost interest early and not as into it as expected. Good concept, just wasn't my cup of tea.

Thanks to Ballantine and NetGalley for the ARC.

Oh dear. This one was a miss for me. The development of the characters was not enough to keep me invested. I was excited for the premise of the story, but just couldn't seem to get into this one, it was just so slow for me. It is a dnf unfortunately. I am sorry.

Thank you to NetGalley and Publishers for the arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

I would check out my review on Youtube for all the details on my ooinions of this book as there is so much to say. The beginning of this book was a struggle to get into. There are a ton of characters and it just feels dry. Then they are at the park hiding and the adventures and weird things begin to happen and although I would've liked more details and creep factor I was enjoying this part. There is also an interesting back story as to how the game came to bestarted. And then the ending happened which I am still a bit confused about and a bit bummed over.

3.5 Stars

This was the Cabin in the Woods/ Black Mirror combination that I never knew I needed! I had so much fun reading Hide! The characters were interesting, the settings were immaculately written, and I loved the twists and turns. Some parts felt a little long winded and discombobulated, but I enjoyed the story overall!

Hide had a premise I was beyond excited for. Abandoned amusement park? Deadly hide and seek competition? Sign me up.

While I do think that premise, and its twists, were entertaining, I found the writing style of this book to be a little difficult for me to get into. I found the POV switches jarring, and while I do see the purpose for alternate POVs in this story I really only cared about Mack's until about 50% through the book. I think having specific POV chapters would have worked better than switching multiple times in a chapter–at least for me. Also, having two characters in an ensemble piece named Ava was...a little confusing at first.

That being said, I do think this was a fun read. The characters did grow on me overtime, and it reminded me of a campy horror romp akin to the video game Until Dawn. I think this story in particular would also be a great TV or movie adaption, and it's one I would gladly watch.

Overall, it was a good time!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this arc in exchange for my honest review.

In this thriller with a slight paranormal/horror edge, a young woman who's been forced to hide her whole life is presented with an opportunity to turn her finely honed skill into a pile of prize money. Reluctant to participate in a weird, sponsored hide-and-seek competition, Mack agrees to participate because she has nowhere else to go. She intends to focus on the prize and ignore the thirteen others, outlasting them all as seekers hunt them down in an abandoned mid-century amusement park. Her strategy shifts as things go from odd to downright chilling in the park. The contestants are trapped, and those who are found and removed from the competition leave bloody trails in their wake.

There were several things I liked about this standalone. The spooky ambience worked on me 100%. The story is always in motion, and quick cycles through contestant POVs add tension rather than confusion. Though most characters' perspectives are brief and eventually cut short by a seeker, I felt that the author both used and subverted archetypes to make these windows into their minds meaningful and intriguing. I became attached to our protagonist, Mack, and particularly rooted for her sapphic side plot.

In terms of thriller/horror elements, this isn't the sort of book with a big buildup to a twist that leaves you shocked. I still found each reveal inching towards a full explanation compelling. It's geared toward social commentary veering from biting remarks to frustrated screams depending on the moment. And that worked for me. It's clear and upfront without straying into heavy-handed and annoying territory. The horror elements can be violent, but the suspense reigns, only intermittently interrupted with grisly moments.

I enjoyed this venture into a genre I rarely visit. I have previously enjoyed White's writing, and that held true in her adult debut. I'm curious to see what else she has in store for us even though this story is complete (a bit open-ended but also resolved). Thanks to Del Rey for my copy to read and review!

Kiersten White knows how to write a premise. But more than that, she knows how to deliver on said premise. A deadly hide and seek game for money, without the participants knowing it'll be deadly, has the possibility of falling flat. However, White understands the types of characters that will make your heart hurt while she puts them through hell. As her first adult novel, I'm excited to see what her adult writing career will be after this one, what kinds of plots, characters, and twists and turns she'll give us. Because no matter what the concept, I'll be there with bells on, waiting to see how she surprises me, breaks my heart, and fills me with love.

Yeah no. I’m DNFing this. While I’ve previously enjoyed this author immensely, I am not vibing with this writing style at all. It’s getting on my nerves

An interesting premise, but the execution was a miss for me. POV changes in a weird way and most of the plot is moved forward by info dumps. I rarely read authors who can do the hide/chase scenes this book full of in an interesting way, and this book struggled there as well.