In a lot of ways this was kind of like watching one of those Police Procedural shows. Criminal Minds or Cold Case, maybe even CSI (when Grissom was in charge). We have what's going on now--Mallory's life at Monroe, trying to move on, trying to make sense of that night and then we have what happened before. Her and Reid's history, her and Dylan's history, her and Colleen's history, her and Brian's history. Everything kept weaving around itself and at times it became one big ball of tangled.

As I was reading this book I grew more and more confused, wondering what one thing had to do with another, why that detail was so much more important then some other. In hindsight the narrative works really well, but a reader doesn't read in hindsight.

In hindsight its fairly obvious that what she had with Brian was not the stuff of dreams. In hindsight it was obvious that Dylan was manipulating her just as surely as Brian. As a narrator of both then and now, Mallory is mostly unreliable. She built so many things up in her head about her relationships with everyone that her memories were tainted.

So yeah I spent up until the very last chapter thinking that Mallory was a murderer and possibly psychotic as well.

When the truth comes out about the murder at Monroe it kind of makes sense and kind of doesn't. Mallory spent so much time worried about her problem and what other people were thinking of her, that any inferences she had about the murdered victim and the circumstances surrounding their death wouldn't have been enough if not for the deus ex machina Miranda pulls.

Look convenient plot info dump is convenient and noticeable. Instead of saying 'Of course that makes perfect sense!' because as a reader I put the clues together, it was 'Well I guess that makes sense'. The lead up to the reveal was just so muddied by everything else happening to Mallory that it just kind of happened and then it was the next day.

It was entertaining and was different from other boarding school set books. I just wish it had been more.
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Mallory stabbed and killed her boyfriend, but she's not going to jail since the police ruled it self-defense. Now she's going to Monroe, a boarding school her father is an alumnus of and also happens to be hundreds of miles away from her home and her BFF Colleen. Of course everyone at Monroe knows her story and she has to endure the whispers and stares, but there is also Reid... a boy who she's known through her dad. Even though Mallory knows it's probably too soon to get involved with somebody, she just can't help herself. But being with Reid doesn't stop her from hearing and seeing things that may or may not be there.

Then another guy winds up dead in Mallory's dorm room, and all hell breaks loose.

I mostly really loved this book. It was page-turner for sure. It was part mystery and part creepy thriller. I HAD to know what was going on with Mallory. She was hearing things at night that seemed to be in her head, but then tangible things were really happening to her... I couldn't figure out if she was crazy, there were ghosts, or Brian's mom was really out there. I loved that the title of the book really put all of these questions into context and painted picture for what was really going on... but of course there was still the murder. The murder definitely wasn't as big of a mystery as what happened to Brian and what was haunting Mallory. It was sort of obvious what was going on, but that didn't bother me.

I loved all the flashbacks and the way the flashbacks were tied into what was happening in the present. My favorite part was the friendship between Colleen and Mallory. They were fractured in a way after Brian's death, but the way they came through it all.... it was heart-warming and had me wishing I had a friendship like that.

Overall: I definitely recommend this book! It is a quick, exciting, addicting read. I LOVED the writing and the way Mallory interacted with everyone in her life, especially Colleen. If you liked [b:The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer|8591107|The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer (Mara Dyer, #1)|Michelle Hodkin|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327885944s/8591107.jpg|13460686], you will probably like this book. (Although I actually think I prefer this one over Mara).

PS- LOVE LOVE LOVE the cover!!!

http://pinkpolkadotbookblog.blogspot.com

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(This review can also be found on my blog The (Mis)Adventures of a Twenty-Something Year Old Girl).

I am a HUGE fan of Megan Miranda. I love the way she writes, and I love the plot of her stories. When I saw Hysteria by her, I knew I had to read this book! I must say that she didn't disappoint me.

Mallory killed her ex-boyfriend in self defense, so she claims, but she can't really remember what happened that night. Mallory's parents ship her off to a boarding school to get her away from everything that happened back at home. However, she can't help but feel that her ex-boyfriend's ghost has followed her. She can hear his heartbeat. She has the impression of a hand indented on her shoulder from where she's being grabbed by his ghost. Not long after Mallory arrives, another pupil is found dead in her room. Mallory claims she was sleeping and can't remember anything. Could she have possibly done it? Is Mallory a killer?

The title of this book called out to me. Hysteria is a brilliant title for this book, and it suits the story rather well.

How wicked does the cover to Hysteria look!?! The cover was another aspect that made me want to read this book. Whilst the cover doesn't really let you know too much about what's going on with the story, the design is still amazing!

I loved how the setting of this book mostly took place at some old boarding school surrounded by a forest. Yes, it is a bit cliched, but it worked well for this book.

The pacing was fantastic. There was never a dull moment in this book. I kept on reading without ever wanting to put this book down. It is very action packed and thrilling!

As for the dialogue, I felt it was fantastic. I imagined it to be exactly how older teens would speak. Be warned that there are a few swear words, but they aren't overly used just for the sake of swearing. The dialogue is smooth and never once feels forced.

The characters of this story were developed quite well. I loved how Mallory seemed very down to Earth, yet was always trying to get her memories back. She just felt very real. Reid was fantastic! I loved the way he wanted to protect Mallory. Colleen was my favourite character. I loved her free spirited attitude towards everything!

Overall, I thought this story was very well executed. There weren't really any major plot twists, I thought, but the story itself was really great!! This had me on the edge of my seat...well my bed as I was laying down reading it.

I'd recommend this book to everyone aged 15 as it's such a good book! ( )

[Hysteria] by Meagan Miranda
3 Stars

From The Book:
Mallory killed her boyfriend, Brian. She can't remember the details of that night but everyone knows it was self-defense, so she isn't charged. But Mallory still feels Brian's presence in her life. Is it all in her head? Or is it something more? In desperate need of a fresh start, Mallory is sent to Monroe, a fancy prep school where no one knows her . . . or anything about her past.But the feeling follows her, as do her secrets. Then, one of her new classmates turns up dead. As suspicion falls on Mallory, she must find a way to remember the details of both deadly nights so she can prove her innocence-to herself and others.

My Views:
Like all of Megan Miranda's books this one held the reader's interest right to the very end. Mallory is haunted by a watchful presence that started coming to her right after Brian died and has followed her all the way to New Hampshire to her new school. In spite of her trying to disbelieve...it just won't go away. Matters aren't helped by the golden boys and prom queen girls that soon disclose Megan's past. Miranda creates a chilling atmosphere...a potentially unreliable narrator...a paranormal element...and manages to do them well. Unfortunately, and the reason for the 3 stars instead of something higher, is that the story loses momentum the more convoluted it grows. Despite the disappointing conclusion I did enjoy the book. ( )

This book holds quite a bit of mystery. You never really know what's really happening to Mallory. Is she crazy, or are there really ghosts of the incident with Brian haunting her?

Mallory is a girl that is beyond confused. She doesn't remember anything but the blood the night Brian died. Not only is she stalked by his ghost, but also his mother. She also feels as though her parents are now afraid of her. They behave differently around her, and aren't sure how to show their support.

The story line moves pretty quickly. Most of the story is how she reacts to different situations. She's not sure how she's supposed to fit in at this new school filled with so many people who judge her without really knowing her. She seems to only have one person who wants to be around her, but she doesn't want to drag him into the place she is in now. She's terrified to let herself feel anything. Throughout the book she begins to remember some things from that night. Slowly things begin to piece themselves together. These memories just might break down the walls she has built around herself involving that frightful night.

Some of the times that Mallory feels the looming presence of Brian gave me the heebie jeebies. The sense of dread snuck up on her, and was very ominous. While this book didn't have the chill factor that I was expecting, I did enjoy the story line. It was easily digested. I also have come to love Miranda's writing. She has a way with words that just pulls you in. I am anxious to read more of her work.

3 1/2 ( )