Thursday, February 28, 2013

Blog Tour: Hysteria by Megan Miranda

Today is our last stop on the Triple Threat Blog Tour and we are finishing this amazing tour with a review of Hysteria by Megan Miranda!


Hysteria Hysteria by Megan Miranda
Release-Feb 5th 2013
Publisher- Walker Childrens
Purchase- Amazon/ B & N

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. In another riveting tale of life and death, Megan Miranda's masterful storytelling brings readers along for a ride to the edge of sanity and back again.

My Thoughts:
Sixteen year old Mallory Murphy killed her boyfriend but can't remember what really happened that night. Mallory's parents worried about all the gossips and threats decided to give her a fresh start, in New Hampshire at a boarding school that her father once went to. Monroe Academy. 
Thinking that her problems might be past her, Mallory starts to feel the boom of an eerie presence that wont seem to let her go. Someone or something wont let her forget that night making Mallory feel like she's losing her mind. When a boy turns up dead at the academy, Mallory is accused, but she doesn't remember that night either. 
Could it be possible that Mallory may have done it again?

Hysteria is a gripping psychological thriller that plays with your mind and pulls at your heart from the very first page on. Megan Miranda was born to write for this element. She has such an amazing flare for bringing mysteries to life in sharp, clever and crisp ways. 
While I was reading this it almost felt like I was in a dream. I wasn't sure what was real and what wasn't. I think that's my favorite part about reading thriller type books. The unknown and just sitting back and trying to figure out whats going on within the minds of these characters. Miranda knows how to take you there.
I loved all the memory flashbacks, it's the glue that really held this story together. It kept going back to that faithful night piece by piece till the reader gets every shred of emotion to add to the devastating conclusion.

I was really impressed with how well these characters were developed. Miranda does a fantastic job of making certain characters feel unhinged in both dialog and personality traits. 
Mallory is the kind of character that your willing to go that extra mile with. She's brave and bold but she's also shattered and confused. Trauma has a way of getting under your very skin to the point of hysteria. At one point I was even questioning her sanity. Miranda does an amazing job making the reader second guess everything they think they know, but still want to believe in them at the same time.
Colleen is the kind of best friend that everyone should have. Her never ending faithfulness brought a smile to my face. But I think it was Reid that really owned me. I love the how protective and loyal he was and I adored the way he always seemed to believe in her when no one else seemed to. 

The story line was a whirlwind of emotions and creeptastic scenes where my paranoia was even getting the best of me. I kept looking over my shoulder to make sure no one was there. Spooky stuff my friends. There was also very little to no romance in this book, but the moments we did get still made me smile.
I really loved the ending to this book as well. We have two story lines that entwine, the one is the mystery of Mallory's missing memories of the night she killed her boyfriend and the other is a boy who was killed at the academy. I liked the fact that the stories complimented each other instead of causing it to feel overwhelming or distracting. It was very well done. 

Bottom line, I had a really great time with this book. The plot was thrilling and suspenseful, the characters were captivating, dark and real while the writing was pulse pounding and exciting. I don't read many mystery-thrillers but the way Megan Miranda writes makes me  want to be a fan of this genre. Looking forward to seeing what she comes up with next! 

Find the Author:

                                                                   4 Snowflakes  

5 comments:

  1. I really liked this one too! And definitely agree about the memory flashbacks. They brought everything together so perfectly and were exciting! Great review! :)

    ~Sara @ Forever 17 Books

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  2. Thanks Sara!:) I love how this one came together. It was creepy but it pulls at your heart at the same time:)

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  3. I keep hearing good things about this book--and I love a good mystery! Thanks for the review, Miss Tina. :)

    Wendy @ The Midnight Garden

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  4. Thanks Wendy:) I had a lot of fun with this one. Hope you do to!

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  5. I really enjoyed this one too -- my review goes up on Friday, and in it I explain that ALL my theories as I was reading were dead wrong.

    regards,
    marlene of Moose Hunting in Alaska

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