Hysteria

I'm not normally a reader of thrillers, but this one sounded really good! Unfortunately, I should have stuck with gut and passed on it. First, the blurb is a little misleading. We don't know what Mallory doesn't remember everything from the night she killed her boyfriend. We get bits and pieces of the story throughout the book, but it isn't until the end when Mallory mentions that she's remembered something new. Also, her past does indeed follow her to the new school, since someone there does know what she did and why she had to transfer, and they know her from the past. So that blurb isn't totally accurate.

One of my first problems with Hysteria was that the writing felt very repetitive. Almost every chapter or tense scene ends with some variation of "And then I was running" or "I ran away." Mallory was always running from something, all the time. She'd go to class, overhear something on the way to her dorm, pop some sleeping pills, think she sees something and runs away. Lather, rinse, repeat. It got boring fast.

My other problem was why she was sent to a boarding school in the first place. It seems like a strange decision for parents to send their teenager away after she's been through something terrible. Out of sight, out of mind? Definitely. Mallory does not do well at the new school at all, so clearly it was a bad decision.

As for the mystery aspect, I was intrigued. Is Mallory suffering from hysteria, or did someone really follow her to her new school? Or is Brian haunting her and leaving bruises on her shoulder? I was surprised by the answer to these, but once it was revealed I still had questions. I can't say what those questions are without spoiling anything though. Then there's the whole murdered student plot. Of course, Mallory is the number one suspect, but who else could have done it? I didn't figure this one out either, but the big reveal was really lame. I still don't understand what the motive was, and the whole thing felt incomplete. What happened to the murderer(s) at the end?

In the end, this one left me with more questions, instead of resolving everything. I am just really bothered by the lack of reason or motive behind the murder and other crimes committed, which kept me from enjoying this one.

*Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley for review. No compensation was offered or accepted.

Echoing everyone else's sentiments about a great premise with poor execution. When things started getting answered, my reaction wasn't a stunned gasp or shock or anything, it was just a casual "Oh? That's it?" That's not really how a novel marketed as an "intense psychological thriller" should tie up the story. I did like the main character and her love interest a lot, and I'm a sucker for boarding school stories, but the ending was such a let down for all the build-up we got, convoluted twists with no real payoff.

I was expecting great things from Megan Miranda's latest after loving Fracture and Hysteria did not disappoint. The setting (private boarding school out in the boonies) may sound a bit cliche...but I assure you that it works completely. Though I admit that I may have a thing for small town/rural New England settings. Miranda's prose and dialogue flow effortlessly and are completely believable for a young adult read without feeling in the least bit "dumbed down."

The story unfolds a few months after Brian's death and is presented as a combination of the present mixed in with Mallory's flashbacks/memories of what happened the night Brian died and the weeks leading up to it. I love how we slowly learned the story of what happened that night as the book progressed while we were simultaneously trying to figure out what was happening at the boarding school.

Mallory is a typical teen - stupid at times but very likeable. Reid is...well...amazing...anyone looking for a new book boyfriend? I nominate him! Miranda keeps us guessing with the supporting characters: who can Mallory trust and who isn't what he/she appears?

The action and suspense grab the reader from the start and never lets up. The pacing is perfect, pulling the reader in and keeping one captivated until the very end. I couldn't put this one down...in fact I stayed up way past my bedtime to finish this one because I just had to know what happened. I think you'll need to know too...

Hysteria was spooky and mysterious and still managed to squeeze in a few swoon worthy moments. Trust me, you don't want to miss this one...

NOTE: Review copy recieved from Publisher in exchange for an honest review

*review from books-anovelidea.blogspot.com*

Boy, is this book a psychological thriller and then some. It really has something for everyone: complicated characters, creepy scenes, literary symbolism, and a plot that'll leave you wondering what the actual heck is going on.

Short and sweet synopsis:
Mallory killed her boyfriend (though it was in self defense) and gets shipped off to prep school where everyone seems to know her story. After that traumatic experience, it's no wonder she can't sleep, and you expect her to have terrifying nightmares. But you don't expect her to have these nightmares when she's not sleeping and then when she does wake up, she has the physical scars from last night's dream. Also, she has a really hard time fitting in at school, especially considering how snobby and mysterious her class mates are. Basically, the school operates under the idea that secrets are currency, and those with the best secrets to share are the most popular.

So, this story is crazy and scary and confusing, but really wonderful at the same time. Am I making any sense? No? That's okay, neither does the plot line sometimes. But really, you spend most of the novel trying to figure out what's wrong with Mallory. You get clues in the form of flashbacks to the night that Mallory killed Brian, along with other flashbacks that kind of clue you in to their relationship. But I like the fact that you're kept guessing until the end, that's what good books do after all.

So here are the things I really liked. I love Mallory and how resourceful she is. Like if she doesn't want to be somewhere, she will literally do everything in her power to not.be.there. She also doesn't really care that none of the girls at school like her, she's too busy concentrating on her own problems and that's totally okay. Another thing I liked was the role that Lord of the Flies played into this book. There's a really cool discussion on it in one of the classroom scenes and you can see how much that theme stays throughout the book and influences it. Yay for classic literature shout outs!

Here are the things that I would have liked to see different, and I phrase it that way because they didn't make the book a disappointment, I was just expecting it to go in a different direction. I wish that the secondary characters would have played a bigger role. And when I say secondary characters, I really mean Chloe and the other nice people at Monroe. They existed, and I wish there was some kind of friendship developed between Mallory and Chloe at least. Though I understand that it wouldn't have exactly forwarded the plot, I just like nice people. I also kind of expected the ending to be a bit more dramatic considering how the climax panned out, but I did like the way it was all tied up and I think it's a satisfying ending for readers.

Basically, if you like psychological thrillers, this is the book for you. There were definitely times where I was reading at night and might have heard noises that weren't really there because I got that into the story. Don't read this in the dark (if you get scared like I do), and you'll be all good!

We learn right from the beginning that Mallory killed her boyfriend Brian. What we don't know is the details on what happened that night just like Mallory who can't remember much of anything but her parents got her a really good lawyer and they marked it off as self defense. Her parents also decide it's a good idea to send her off to boarding school to get her away from everything including Brian's mom who is turning a little crazy with the grief of losing her son. So off to boarding school Mallory goes for a fresh start except it's not really that fresh of a start when rumor spills out about her and she is pretty much alienated by everyone there also.

Hysteria was a really fast read for me. I liked how the author didn't waste any time in letting us know what happened between Mallory and Brian and pretty much kept us in the dark on what happened that night for majority of the book only revealing events from that night in bits and pieces.

For majority of Hysteria I really thought there was something paranormal going on. Mallory thought the ghost of Brian was haunting her every night by whispering in her ear Wait and grabbing her shoulder which was leaving a very visible bruised hand print on her. Lets just say this part of the book made me really curious because I'm sitting here wondering why is he keep saying wait...wait for what? Needless to say I kept turning the pages faster and faster. Anyways it turns out there was nothing paranormal going on it was all psychological, which actually made me wonder how she really got those bruises on her back since that part was never fully explained.

As far as the characters go Mallory was a broken girl who was scarred emotionally and psychologically...obviously. But I really did feel really bad for her since she was a good person who just happened to get thrown into some really bad situations. We also have Reid who was the love interest, I don't have much to say about him, he was sweet but things just seemed to happen a little to fast between the two. Then there were the kids at the prep school, lets just say they were really cruel and well the one who ended up dead I really don't feel sorry for him.

Also I did have a little issue with the ending, for some reason it just fell a little flat I guess I was expecting more. Anyways overall I would recommend this book to fans who enjoy reading mysteries and thrillers.

Everyone knows that Mallory killed her boyfriend, Brian, and that it was done in self-defense.

No one, including Mallory is sure what really happened though. With her parents’ fear and the curiosity and contempt of the community beating at her incessantly, they have become the constant companions to her own anxiety.

Mallory’s parents ship her off to Monroe, which is a fancy prep school with the hope of giving her a fresh start. It is also the place where the currency fueling the social interactions are secrets. It doesn’t take long before Mallory’s secret is uncovered. It is then used against her. Someone wants Mallory dead and they also know exactly what happened between Mallory and Brian. Mallory needs to remember the details of that night because until she does, Mallory and everyone around her, is in grave danger.

This is book that keeps the reader guessing until the very end as to what really happened between Mallory and Brian. Just as the reader thinks they have it figured out another clue is revealed that makes the reader start guessing all over again. The action is fast and moves the story along at a very fast pace. This book will also have readers wanting to check out this author’s other books as this one is written very well. If you love suspense this is definitely the book to check out.

My Thoughts:

When I first saw the cover I was a little freaked out. Then I read the synopsis and the cover sort of grew on me. It's weird... but there's something thoroughly awesomely creepy about the whole thing. Just like reading the book. It is a mess of confusion, there's no doubt, but it is worth it.

I felt compassion for Mallory from the start. Her family is so distant, and it makes my heart break, especially knowing the struggle Mallory is facing INSIDE her head alone. They force her to go to the prep school, and she's basically alone there, even though she does have people she can talk to. I really liked the way Mallory interacted with her best friend Colleen and with Reid, the boy she knew before she transferred to the school.

She keeps getting these strange feelings that overcome her, weird sensations that take over her mind and body. She doesn't know who to trust, or if she can even trust herself. As you're reading, you sometimes think you know what happened but then you doubt yourself. Especially when you're nearing the end. With all the tricks of the mind that Mallory has had, along with the realities coming to light, you just don't know what to think. The actual end, where we find out the truth, had moments of insanity but I was surprisingly pleased with it.

Reading Hysteria was a ride and a half. Everything that Mallory goes through, real and imagined, is so completely thrilling and scary at the same time. There is so much going on, and not going on, that it keeps you on the edge of your seat. All in all, Megan Miranda can really create a story that is both chilling and pulls you in until you can't get enough.

My Rating: Very Good

Mallory killed her boyfriend, Brian. Yes. It was self-defense. Yes. Kind of.

She feels that she is being haunted by him in her house. She can still feel him there -- see the blood stain, even though it's been cleaned. Her parents treat her differently. Her mother is on pins and needles around her. Her parents enroll her in the boarding school, in another state, that her father attended. Mallory is sad to leave her best friend, but also jumps at the chance to get away from her parents and the feeling of Brian being around her.

After arriving to her boarding school, she meets creepy Jason -- the headmaster's son. He knows what happened with Mallory. He's just all around guy you really want to slap because you know he's creep, but other girls swoon all over because they're oblivious to his level of creepiness.

We also meet her roommate, who moves out the next day...after she finds out about Mallory. She fits right in with the clique girls who ignore and make life harder for Mallory.

We also meet swoony Reid! Reid is the son of Mallory's dad's best friend. Got that? :) The last time Mallory saw him was at his father's funeral. There was some awkwardness then. But 3 years later, Reid is there for her and is trying to be her friend.

Just when Mallory thought she had left Brian's ghost behind, she starts having the same issues at school with his memory and what she thinks is his ghost. There are noises that scare her and bruises on her shoulder. Also, she keeps spotting Brian's mother's car. So, being the genius that she is, she grabs a knife one day while she and Reid are at a diner and hides it in her room. Oh, Mallory!!!

So, remember creepy Jason that I mentioned? He ends up murdered. In Mallory's room. Her parents show up and her mom stays in a hotel with her while the police do their investigating. We have a nice moment between Mallory and her mom. Mallory's best friend showed up...only to disappear. Dun, dun, duuuuuun!

I was on my toes through this whole book! One minute, you're questioning Mallory's sanity and the next, you're wondering who is screwing with her! Megan had some great research (that she even talked about at her signing) and a great story. You must read this book!

What a page-turner! That is the first thought that comes to mind when I think about my reading experience for Hysteria. A novel that keeps you on the edge of your seats with questions and theories, this was a hard one to put down!

There are two different parts of the story going on for Mallory. One: she is dealing with the aftermath of the tragic night where she killed her boyfriend, Brian, in the kitchen of her home. She feels this presence surrounding her, following her every move like a shadow. It has all begun to suffocate her and leave her feeling very alone. It was almost like The Tell-Tale Heart of guilt, the constant boom, boom, boom of Brian's heart haunting her every move. Two: she has been shipped off to a prep school. She finds herself on the wrong side of a group of 'mean girls', and the Dean's son. Both of these aspects of the story come together as Mallory continues to have nightmares of the murder and starts to put pieces together from the events that led to it.

I felt the meshing of the two storyline points was very well done. We get to put the pieces of the puzzle together right along with Mallory, and it all comes together really nice. I truly had no idea what was going on, if things were happening in the main character's head, if there was a paranormal type situation going on, or what. That right there made it exciting and a joy to read. I think my favorite parts all had to do with the flashbacks and nightmares surrounding the murder. I desperately wanted to know how Mallory found herself in such a terrible predicament, to have to kill someone she was in a relationship with. I didn't feel like the mean prep school girls were as necessary to the plot, but I can also see how they helped steer Mallory towards finding answers for herself in ways too.

Mallory was very scared and tended to run at the first sign of discomfort in a situation. Who could blame her, really. She does make somewhat of a transformation towards the end. Her relationship with her best friend Colleen was endearing and protective in nature. Never had this girl needed a friend more than she did in this story. And they both had each others' backs, through thick and thin. There was a teeny bit of a romance starting, but nothing huge, which was just fine with me. Honestly, that was the last thing Mallory needed. Just the touch was a perfect addition though.

Overall, I thought this was a wonderful novel if you are a fan of mystery, thrillers, or a good page-turner to keep you on your toes!

~Sara @ Forever 17 Books

Intense, gripping, and smart, Hysteria is a great thriller by a talented author. With enough hints to let some of the picture come together, but plenty of twists to also keep you guessing, this is a hard to predict, satisfying read. Very mentally focused in a lot of ways, and navigating that line between reality and paranoia in the most stunning of ways, Hysteria is a seat of the chair, read in one sitting kind of book.

Mallory is an awesome character, a girl who has her stuff together at least until the night her boyfriend dies. She isn't carrying around tons of baggage previous to that, and she tries to keep it together even after. She has an awesome best friend, someone who brings out the good in her even while still letting her be her normal, sort of reserved self. But then Brian dies, and everything hits the fan, and her story arc is so fabulously done. She falls apart, she makes mistakes, she isn't always totally likeable and yet, she gets stronger as things progress too. She has a totally well rounded development, and Miranda has nailed her story arc.

Then there's Reid, a totally fresh type of love interest in a sea of cocky jerks. He is so real, so normal, and such a total sweetheart. He is intensely caring, and though there are certainly moments where you want to just hug him and protect him, he has such a big role in the book in a lot of ways, and is a boy who has stolen my heart. I loved watching him give Mallory strength, but I loved, more, the ways she was able to figure things out on her own without relying on him either. Their interactions and play offs are beautifully handled, with a rawness to them that shines.

While this is a relatively short book, it holds nothing back and is a potent tale in such a short span of pages. Miranda has a knack for that, and she once again creates a strong and palpable emotional air that will suck readers right in. With a hard to predict who done it kind of thing, blended into a reality versus hallucination kind of element, Hysteria is a book that stuck with me long after being finished. I couldn't get enough of these characters, and was once again left feeling so much, from anger at some characters to heartbreak at others, and wanting more just to have more.