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S.T.A.G.S. by M. A. Bennett
Aug. 7th, 2017 10:37 pmThe Blurb On The Back:
Nine students. Three blood sports. One deadly weekend.
It is the autumn term and Greer MacDonald is struggling to settle into sixth form at the exclusive St Aidan the Great boarding school, known to its privileged pupils as STAGS. Just when she thinks she’ll never make any friends, Greer receives a mysterious invitation with three words embossed upon it: huntin’ shootin’ fishin’.
When Greer learns that the invitation is to spend the half-term weekend at the country manor of Henry de Warlencourt, the most popular and wealthy boy at STAGS, she is as surprised as she is flattered.
But when she joins the chosen few at the ancient and sprawling Longcross Hall, it becomes apparent that Henry’s parents are not at home … and that the only adults present are a cohort of eerily compliant servants. The students are at the mercy of their volatile host.
Over the next three days, as the three blood sports – hunting, shooting and fishing – become increasingly sadistic, Greer comes to a horrifying realisation … It’s not the wild game that Henry is hunting, but the very misfits he’s brought with him from school.
( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )
The Verdict:
M. A. Bennett’s debut YA novel is a predictable thriller that can’t escape the flaws in its premise and is further hampered by bland characterisation (notably of the antagonist who never rises above the page) and Bennett’s reliance on referring to films as a shorthand for description.
S.T.A.G.S will be released in the United Kingdom on 10th August 2017. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the ARC of this book.
It is the autumn term and Greer MacDonald is struggling to settle into sixth form at the exclusive St Aidan the Great boarding school, known to its privileged pupils as STAGS. Just when she thinks she’ll never make any friends, Greer receives a mysterious invitation with three words embossed upon it: huntin’ shootin’ fishin’.
When Greer learns that the invitation is to spend the half-term weekend at the country manor of Henry de Warlencourt, the most popular and wealthy boy at STAGS, she is as surprised as she is flattered.
But when she joins the chosen few at the ancient and sprawling Longcross Hall, it becomes apparent that Henry’s parents are not at home … and that the only adults present are a cohort of eerily compliant servants. The students are at the mercy of their volatile host.
Over the next three days, as the three blood sports – hunting, shooting and fishing – become increasingly sadistic, Greer comes to a horrifying realisation … It’s not the wild game that Henry is hunting, but the very misfits he’s brought with him from school.
( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )
The Verdict:
M. A. Bennett’s debut YA novel is a predictable thriller that can’t escape the flaws in its premise and is further hampered by bland characterisation (notably of the antagonist who never rises above the page) and Bennett’s reliance on referring to films as a shorthand for description.
S.T.A.G.S will be released in the United Kingdom on 10th August 2017. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the ARC of this book.
