Hysteria, by Megan Miranda

Title: Hysteria,

Author: Megan Miranda

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Mystery-Thriller-Murder, Romance, Ghosts

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Book #: Standalone

Publication: January 7, 2014, by Walker Childrens

Format: Paperback





Goodreads Summary: 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.

Review:

    Megan Miranda has definitely pleased me with her debut novel, Fracture, and I couldn't wait to read more from her. Hysteria has been on my to-read list for a long time and I'm so glad that I've gotten to read it quickly. But, guess what? I wasn't too pleased.

     This is all about Mallory, who's parents have just enrolled her into Monroe, a prep boarding school where she can have a fresh start after her rough past. She killed her boyfriend Brian (but it was for self-defense). When one of her new classmates turn up dead, she still doesn't remember what had happened both nights. So, her secrets began to unravel and her memory is all jumbled up and she's hearing voices and weird things.

      This is a common idea found in books. Many young adult books have this sort of touch on them- a girl enrolling into a boarding school and then finds something mysterious at the school and falls in love with someone but isn't able to tell that someone about her feelings and mysterious sightings. That's exactly what this book basically went through, in stages. In the beginning, I expected this to be different than other books and I hoped that it would end up surprising. But, I didn't really see this differently than other boarding-school based books. It was just the same, and I didn't want that.

        The beginning began very fast-paced and addicting. How was I supposed to put this gorgeous book down when I wanted to know what would happen and what really happened that night? As soon as I realized that this book is not different from others and was predictable, I got a little bored. I wasn't feeling the captivation and strength of the writing. I got a little confused and didn't feel the awe that I was supposed to be feeling, but I wasn't bored out of my mind. It was still bearable to read and likeable.

         But I could say that I was creeped out. Megan Miranda can really send chills down your spine, and I'm not lying. Although I kind of knew what would happen, her words just get stuck with you and terrorize you. 

          Mallory was a strong character. She was manly (have to say it xD) and she fights for what she believes in and she won't let anyone change what she thinks. She's not those easy, whiny characters that most books have. She was different and kick-ass, don't you like that?

           I liked all of the other characters equally as well. And then we have Reid.

            Reid was just beyond of words amazing. I loved him. EEEEEEEE. *breathes in and out* He was just so amazing and I love Mallory and him together. He's the only person who could calm Mallory down and keep her normal, and when you're psychologically distressed, I think that's really hard to do. So Reid, you have just unlocked an achievement: keeps a mental person normal. Congrats!

             In conclusion, this has its ups and downs, but it was enjoyable. Some people might like it, others won't. It really depends on how you judge your books and what you're looking for in a mystery/thriller. 

Mini Review:

-I didn't like the idea. It was too mainstream and predictable.

-The characters were plain awesomeness. Reid is my bias. 

-Some will like this, others won't. Give it a try if you like a good mystery.