This book was entertaining and is a light, easy read to put between some heavier, lengthier reads. It was fun to recognize actual places in NYC. I thought overall it had more depth than similar books. I liked the assortment of characters. I rounded up from 3.5 because I thought the ending was a bit rushed and I didn’t like how everything worked out. I absolutely hated how the affair partner was treated like a victim, when she chose to start a relationship with the one bf, knowing a) he had gf; b) knowing the gf; and c) continuing the relationship knowing he still had a gf. She was just reaping the consequences of her choices,

This was YA thriller set in the rich/elite circle in NYC. One student dies. Was it murder or was it an accident?

review

I was cheering for Tori the entire way through the book. Her dad, siblings, and girlfriend were all wonderful, sweet people!! I was wondering how she got into such an elite school. Don't worry, that question is answered by the end of the book. I went to school with kids like Bernie, Isobel, and Skyler. I didn't care much for them in HS, and I didn't particularly like them in the book. However, we're supposed to like them. They aren't the “good guys" in the story. It was a steady pace and fairly tense throughout the whole book.

There were a few developments I didn't see coming. I appreciated that a lot. Sometimes, it's easier to predict the twist in a YA thriller. The author did a great job with the balance of out of the blue twists, but they were not overly dark. I hope that makes sense.

Again, this is another one I read and listened to simultaneously. I enjoyed both versions and recommend both. There were multi-POV and multiple narrators. I personally enjoy this when I'm listening to an audiobook.

Thank you, @jessicagoodman & and @netgalley, for a gifted e-copy of this book. It is out now!!

Read This Book If:

You liked A Good Girl's Guider to Murder

You want a YA thriller

You want a moderately paced book

"The Legacies" by Jessica Goodman is an engrossing YA thriller that intricately weaves themes of privilege, mystery, and the burden of expectations against the backdrop of an elite prep school setting. Goodman's novel is a compelling exploration of the lives of the young and privileged, where legacy admissions and familial expectations cast long shadows over the futures of the students at an exclusive institution.

Goodman excels in creating a suspenseful atmosphere that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Her prose is sharp and engaging, effectively drawing readers into the world she's crafted. The setting of the elite prep school is not just a backdrop but a character in its own right, embodying the pressures, secrets, and ambitions that drive the plot forward.

The narrative centers around the protagonist, whose journey through the web of lies, secrets, and expectations is both captivating and relatable. Goodman does a remarkable job of developing her characters, making them multidimensional and real. The protagonist's struggle with the weight of her family's legacy at the school, coupled with the unraveling of a mystery that threatens to expose the dark underbelly of this privileged world, is compellingly portrayed.

One of the novel's strengths is its ability to address the themes of privilege and the moral complexities it entails. Goodman doesn't shy away from examining the consequences of unchecked privilege and the ways in which it can shape, and sometimes warp, the lives of those who bear its weight. The characters are forced to confront their own privileges and prejudices, making for a thought-provoking read.

The plot of "The Legacies" is tightly woven, with twists and turns that are both surprising and satisfying. Goodman masterfully maintains suspense throughout the novel, leading to a climax that is both unexpected and impactful. The resolution of the mystery is handled with skill, providing a satisfying conclusion while also leaving room for deeper reflection on the themes explored throughout the book.

However, the novel is not without its flaws. At times, the pacing can feel uneven, with certain sections dragging a bit in the middle. Additionally, while the exploration of themes like privilege and legacy is commendable, some readers might find the treatment of these issues a bit surface-level, wishing for a deeper dive into their complexities.

I’m not sure I would consider this a Thriller, it is a YA version of a Gossip Girl/ Pretty Little Girls mash up. This started out with a big bang in the current timeline, and then flipped back and forth between the current timeline and explaining how the Legacy week unfolded. It was a good mystery, but I was never really hooked and driven to finish the story.

The Legacies are the upper crust club that controls everything in the city. Each year, they initiate a new group of Legacies into the Legacy club, which opens doors for literally anything that person can want. But, it’s not just money and knowing the right people, they also have secrets to protect, and will do anything to do so. When a body is found after a fall from the roof of the Legacy Club the night of their big ball, will the police figure out the real story? Or will it be what the Legacies want them to conclude.

I’ve really loved some Jessica Goodman books, but this one is not one of my favorites. It starts off interesting in the world of the privileged and elite clubs, but I felt like the story became a bit convoluted and a bit too out there and/or unbelievable with respect to the story’s execution and motive. 3 stars ⭐️ rating for this one. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the advanced copy for review.

"The Legacies" by Jessica Goodman offers a captivating premise with its exploration of a prestigious boarding school's dark secrets. Goodman crafts a suspenseful narrative that keeps readers guessing until the final pages, weaving together mystery, friendship, and betrayal. The characters are well-developed, each with their own motivations and secrets, adding depth to the story. However, some readers may find the pacing inconsistent, with certain plot points feeling rushed or underdeveloped. Additionally, while the twists are intriguing, they may not always land as effectively as intended. Overall, "The Legacies" receives a solid 3/5 rating for its intriguing premise and compelling characters, despite some pacing issues and occasional predictability.

IThank you to the publisher and netgalley for this review copy

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the twists, this author is very good

I loved this young adult thriller! I am a sucker for a prep school novel with a secret society. This gave off Gossip Girl and Pretty Little Liar vibes which was what originally drew me to the book. This was easily read in one day because I couldn’t put it down! I love a spoiled rich kid setting! Well done Jessica Goodman!

I love Jessica Goodman's books and I LOVED this one!!

There were so many twists and turns that I wasn't expecting or able to figure out on my own. I loved following several different characters and the jumping back and forth between the Ball prep, and the Ball events themselves.

I don't always think this about thrillers and mysteries, but I would actually really love some follow up about what happened after the epilogue! I think that this would make a really good limited TV series too, so if some streaming service wanted to hop on that, I'd be so sucked in.

Overall, I liked this one! The chapters were quick and made this a fast read. Commentary on status and wealth was spot on. None of the characters were particularly likeable. Strong Pretty Little Liars vibes.

The writing style of this book leaves you no room for guessing! You’re sitting on the questions the entire time as this is extremely fast-paced and has you wondering until the very end.

This definitely has the New York ritzy vibe and you can tell by the drama runs through the group of teens.

If you’re looking for a fast-paced, mystery - then I’d absolutely recommend this one!

I love young adult mystery thrillers. This one had a lot of twists and turns I didn’t see coming, and I loved the mysterious aspect.

Mean girls, private school, outsider who doesn't fit in....it may all be familiar, but remolded in a murder mystery is just part of this story is a great read. Trying to figure out where loyalties lie is hard when everyone has secrets and the money to keep them quiet.

'The Legacies' by Jessica Goodman is exactly what is says it is. It hits every cliché you could want from a Gossip Girl-esque murder mystery. The rich kids are out of touch and snotty having too much sex, doing too many drugs, and generally unlikable. The outsider does all the things. It is enjoyable for what it is.

This book will keep you on your toes! A blend of Dark Academia and horror with twists and turns until the end!

Thank you to the publisher Penguin Teen for sending me this ARC!

This was a 3.5⭐ read for me.

The Legacies is a riveting teen mystery full of secrets, drama and money. Taking place in the upper classes of the NY social circles, it reminded me of gossip girl, but with a dark twist.

I love a good preppy high school and the multiple POV served it's purpose, although I was more interested in Bernie and Tori than Isobel. For me, the character voices were a bit too similar, but story wise it was nice to see the events from different angles.

The writing style is fast paced and makes it an easy read, I wanted to come back to this book at any time and the plot got me wondering what would happen next. Some stakes could have been higher and sometimes the conflicts were somewhat too vague to keep the secretive vibe for my taste. The ending left some plot points open, which makes me wonder if there'll be a part 2...

I know I'll be there to read it! I'd recommend this to anyone looking for a YA whodunit with high school drama!

I'm a sucker for elite campus drama. This is totally giving Gossip Girl vibes with the privileged vs. underprivileged. The secrets. lies, and twists kept me reading. There were very few likable characters, but that seems par for the course in books like this. However, I still needed to know what happened. Jessica Goodman is quickly becoming a favorite author of mine.

This book really just took me for a ride. I loved the build up, the character development, and the writing. I find myself loving every book Jessica Goodman writes!

The Legacies is a crime young adult thriller that reminds me of Gossip Girl and Pretty Little Liars. Each chapter is told from the point of view of one of the legacy nominees who hopes to achieve the dream of being part of the club of high society.

Read this book if you enjoy:
Manhattan Elite
Gossip Girl
Pretty little liars
Dual timelines
multiple character pov
dark academia
This one was a solid 3 for me as it was not my usual genre, and the thriller part felt more like a cozy mystery. I found it a quick read, perfect for the young adult crowd, but not a show-stopping story.

This was a fun read and reminded me of the rich kid atmosphere of Gossip Girl. However, for being a thriller, the pacing was confusingly slow. I didn’t understand large parts of the plot and the dual POV wasn’t engaging like I expected. The ending tainted the rest of the story, but maybe that was the point.

I received an advance review copy for free via Netgalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily.