S.T.A.G.S. is the New Secret Society YA Novel

The old adage warns us not to judge a book by its cover which is exactly the opposite of what I did with S.T.A.G.S. by M.A. Bennett. The cover grabbed me immediately, with it's chilling juxtaposition of high class decor and the gun scope marking. I was instantly intrigued.

The novel takes place in a fancy English boarding school where the cool kids, a.k.a. The Medievals,  shun technology and opt instead for a weekend of "Huntin' Shootin' Fishin'".  Without giving too much away, this book exceeded my expectations and brought new life into the thriller/suspense YA genre. Despite one gruesome scene, the book was a fast paced read that would find a place onto anyone who enjoys secret society type novels.

Long Black Veil Failed to Grab Me

I usually stick with a book even if it doesn't grab me. This year, however, I made a reading resolution to put the book down if it didn't hook me by the halfway point. Unfortunately the first book to not make the cut for me was the acclaimed novel, Long Black Veil by Jennifer Finney Boylan.

It sounded like a book I would enjoy. However it never really turned it to what I thought it would be. I was hoping for a thriller but it just ended up being an overly pretentious yawn-fest. Skip it.