Member Reviews

Great mistery thriller book. The twists and plot was just amazing,I was trying to guess who was the murder throughout all the book and was so close but didn’t had it right. Every chapter had a twist that kept me wondering what was going to happen next. Very entertaining story, if you haven’t read it , added it to your list now.

Was this review helpful?

When Jess’ very original short story becomes fact when her classmate is killed she feels obligated to begin investigating. The police are useless, and possibly paid off, so she and her friends have to do their job. Their school seems to have lots of secrets that only the earthy can afford to keep and Jess’ status as a scholarship student means she feels like she has to walk on eggshells. Jess learns that friends are once who lift you up and listen and that maybe she is a damn good writer and investigator. This was a good read not just as a murder mystery but a commentary of class and privilege.

Was this review helpful?

This was an interesting read. I didn’t figure out the ending, though I was close. I liked the whole premise of the story and I enjoyed the descriptions of life at this particular British boarding school. Probably my favorite thing, though, was the snark! There was some seriously good dissing and I dug it! 🤣

However, I think the book was way longer than it needed to be. I liked the short chapters, but I swear there could have been about half as many as there were. I also thought the secret society stuff was not well-integrated. Ultimately, it took away from the story more than it added.

Was this review helpful?

Omg, this book was amazing. There were so many plot twists, and I never once guessed the ending! It was so suspenseful and so enthralling and I would absolutely recommend it!

Was this review helpful?

I enjoyed many different aspects of this book including the characters, there were plenty of twists to keep you invested, but not too many that drag out the story. However, the one thing I didn't enjoy was that the story goes from present tense to past tense interchangeably. That was a bit distracting to me, but I did enjoy the plot.

Was this review helpful?

This story was fun and I loved how strong the author's voice was. It nails the teenage mentality and youthfulness. It started to drag in the middle of the story but was still engaging. The ending was... surprising. I had to stop and think back because at first, the killer didn't make sense but after thinking about it, it did. How the story wrapped up was satisfactory. It's not the best YA thriller/mystery I've read but it's not the worst either. It's a fun, fast read.

Was this review helpful?

Murder mystery at an elite bording school with a secret society! Sign me up! I was all for it. I was all for it, but I think I was expecting more. I'm definitely glad I read it though.

Was this review helpful?

This Book Kills, by Ravena Guron
3.5/5⭐️⭐️⭐️

TRIGGER WARNINGS-
.
.
.
Murder, death, violence

The writing started off kind of juvenile and the names are just very hard to get past because they are so outlandish that it made me almost not even want to start the book because they’re right at the start. I mean one wonky out there name is ok but a whole bunch is over used. She over uses the phrase, “Er…” a lot which is irritating.
But I’m glad I pushed through as it was a good read. Had some good twist and turns and kept you wondering.
I loved that it had a diverse cast of characters with different race, class, and sexuality.

Thank you to NetGalley and sourcebooks Fire for giving me an E-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

what HAPPENED?!!!!!!
i lowkey hate reviewing thrillers cause its so hard to talk around it. but i love a good boarding school story along with great characters
i loved every single good characters in the books. Jess was so easy to understand and her story telling is impeccable ◡̈ and her character development was slow but amazing.
the friends she made along the way along with the enemies she made were so worth it.
i didn’t expect the murderer, i was so SURE and then nope.
anyway i was really intrigued and k know you’ll love too.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to the author/publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

This book sucked me in from the beginning and I couldn't put it down. I thought I had it figured out and then the big twist got me! I can't wait for others to read this book. The only thing that was slightly annoying was the excessive use of "er..." in the characters monologues and discussions. Otherwise great read.

Was this review helpful?

This book was very cute. A super quick read and definitely felt more YA than major thriller, but it was advertised as such. I had an inkling about who the killer was, but it still does a good job of creating a list of suspects and creating a process of elimination. I wouldn’t say that it was my favorite book of all time, but this is likely and author that I would read again.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Fire | Sourcebooks Fire for the ARC!

"This Book Kills" by Ravena Kaur Guron is an exhilarating and thought-provoking thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The story centers around Jess Choudhary, a high school student who becomes embroiled in a deadly game after her fictional murder story seemingly comes to life.

Guron's writing is sharp and engaging, masterfully blending elements of mystery, suspense, and young adult drama. The characters are vividly portrayed, particularly Jess, whose wit and determination drive the narrative forward. The high school setting is rendered with authenticity, capturing the social dynamics and pressures that add layers to the plot.

The storyline is filled with unexpected twists and turns, making it difficult to predict what will happen next. Guron explores themes of identity, justice, and the power of storytelling, all while keeping the tension high and the pages turning.

Overall, "This Book Kills" is a gripping and clever read that will appeal to fans of YA thrillers and mysteries. Ravena Kaur Guron delivers a fresh and compelling story that leaves readers questioning the boundaries between fiction and reality.

Was this review helpful?

This Book Kills by Ravena Kaur Guron is a story about murder, betrayal, and injustice.

All Jess Choudhary wants is to keep her head down, do her work, and make it through high school without any problems. As a scholarship student, her future at the elite school depends on her ability to keep a low profile and spotless record. But when one of the most popular and richest kids in the school ends up dead in the exact same way as a character in a short story she wrote, Jess unintentionally finds herself at the center of the investigation.

And then Jess receives an anonymous text thanking her for the inspiration.

As rumors run rampant about who the murderer could be, Jess knows if she doesn't solve this mystery herself, she'll finally have something in common with Hugh: she'll be dead too.

The book is a good YA thriller. It started off strong but got a bit tedious to read through, and some scenes felt a bit contrived.

Overall, this story was just an okay read for me.

#NetGalley @SourcebooksFire

Was this review helpful?

-Elite Boarding School
-Secret Society
-Murder Mystery
-YA Thriller

This was an unputdownable, fast-paced read! The author took some of my favorite Thriller tropes and crafted a really engaging storyline. I binged this book cover to cover in one sitting.

If you're a fan of reading books in the YA Thriller genre I think you're definitely going to want to check this one out. It was so well written, had interesting characters and a really intriguing setting and plot!

I looked forward to reading more from this author in the future and I will definitely be recommending this book!

Thank you Ravena Guron, Net Galley and Sourcebooks Fire for providing me with an ARC of this book!

Was this review helpful?

Excellent characters and a solid plot that never ceases to intrigue. Red herrings pop out of every corner and each is so convincing. I was riveted by the mystery and holding on for dear life as the twists side swiped me. Excellent unpredictable ending that tied it all up in a thrilling bow.

Was this review helpful?

Book:
THIS BOOK KILLS by Ravena Guron
Thank you Sourcebooks Fire and Netgalley for the Arc (Out September Sept 3)

Review:
4⭐
I've wanted to read this book since it was released in the UK. I was so ecstatic to learn it was coming out in the US, and I knew I needed to read it asap. It took a few chapters to pull me into this book. Once the mystery truly started, I was hooked.
THIS BOOK KILLS follows Jess as she leads her own investigation into who killed Hugh. Not only did everyone have opportunity, but it seemed like everyone had motive: jealous ex-gf, new gf, people who were jealous of his money or his position in the school, etc.
THIS BOOK KILLS is a gripping novel, and the ultimate page-turner. I was constantly changing my mind about who the killer was, and each time I thought I was right, I was wrong.
THIS BOOK KILLS was super twisted. Like, I never saw that ending coming, and it was so shocking. This book is out soon in the US, and I think it's the perfect read for those looking for "that's crazy" revelations and shocks.

What I Liked About It:
*the drama
*the mystery
*how I never guessed the whodunnit

Was this review helpful?

Thank you NetGalley and Source Books for this ARC. I thought this was a fun mystery for young adults. It was basically about a girl named Jess who write a short story about a murderer that whines up happening in her school just as she stated in her story. She now is getting death, rats, and needs to find out who the true killer is. I really enjoyed all the character development, especially the main character Jess. The story had a cool Prep School setting and A plot that was easy to follow . Unfortunately, I did predict the ending, but I still enjoyed the book and I had a good time reading it. I would definitely recommend this book for YE readers and I would be curious as to see what else the author will be writing in the future.!

Was this review helpful?

I'll start by saying, I had a clue off and on as to who the killer was. Not the reasoning why so that was a surprise. But something felt *off* about this character the entire time to me.
There was a lot going on: kids murdering other kids based off the writing, really just the ideas she had, of a murder story, a secret society that rules the school quietly and makes kids quake...why? The dares and punishments were rather weak. Then there's the useless police and even more useless PI. The PI part was really terrible honestly because what did he add to the story? I guess he guided Jess to the right conclusion but if he'd really known the whole time his reasoning for staying quiet was beyond lame. Sorry.

While the book itself kept me interested, I felt there was a bit of fluff that was unnecessary to keep the story rolling. The red hearings were mostly thrown out by Jess trying to take the heat off herself and just throwing people under the bus. Which, ok, was funny to me.

Not a bad read, it is really YA in actions and thoughts. You want to throttle some (all) of these characters.

Was this review helpful?

This book is just. So. Entertaining!

It starts off with such a clear and captivating premise: A short story is the inspiration for a murder. That is already so attention-grabbing. From there, you’re off to the races. The characters are solidly written and the plot woven so cleanly that even though it twists and turns, you are never lost, and never left wondering why something wasn’t tied up at the end. There is more drama than a soap opera but it always feels exciting, never forced.

I could very easily see this turned into a movie, and someday I hope I do.

Was this review helpful?

I went into this book with really high hopes, and sadly it just didn’t live up to the hype. I was intrigued right away just from the first chapter and after that I just felt so bored. When we finally got to the reveal, it felt like that’s it? I guess this book can be really good for a younger audience but I felt like it needed more of a thrill.

Was this review helpful?