The Fear
AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY BESTSELLER •
A viral fear meme turns deadly in this chilling thriller from #1 bestselling author Natasha Preston, where teens are being murdered one by one in the exact ways they fear most.
It’s just a stupid meme that’s going around their small fishing town in the dead of winter—people reposting and sharing their biggest fear. But when her classmates start turning up dead—dying in the way that they said scared them the most—Izzy knows it’s no joke.
With each death hitting closer to home, Izzy sets out to try to stop the killer. Could her older sister’s friend Tristan have something to do with the deaths? He’s given her some strange vibes. Or what about his brooding cousin, Axel? But he’s in her classes at school. He’s not a murderer . . . is he? Izzie’s soon on a path that will lead her right to the killer . . . and her own worst nightmare.
A viral fear meme turns deadly in this chilling thriller from #1 bestselling author Natasha Preston, where teens are being murdered one by one in the exact ways they fear most.
It’s just a stupid meme that’s going around their small fishing town in the dead of winter—people reposting and sharing their biggest fear. But when her classmates start turning up dead—dying in the way that they said scared them the most—Izzy knows it’s no joke.
With each death hitting closer to home, Izzy sets out to try to stop the killer. Could her older sister’s friend Tristan have something to do with the deaths? He’s given her some strange vibes. Or what about his brooding cousin, Axel? But he’s in her classes at school. He’s not a murderer . . . is he? Izzie’s soon on a path that will lead her right to the killer . . . and her own worst nightmare.
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Community Reviews
Natasha Preston knows how to make you uncomfortable in the best way, and this one had me on edge from the start. It’s tense, creepy, and so bingeable.
It’s that classic secluded setting, everyone has secrets, no one is safe kind of thriller that I love. The atmosphere is cold and unsettling and I kept second-guessing everyone. I went in thinking I knew where it was going and I was so wrong, which is exactly what I want.
No spoilers, but it’s fast-paced and twisty with that slow dread that builds and builds. The main character is easy to root for, even when you’re screaming at her choices, and the ending absolutely delivered.
If you love locked-in suspense, dark secrets, and a story that keeps you guessing until the last page, this is an easy five stars for me. I couldn’t put it down.
Holy Guacamole! There are times where you can definitely tell that this is a YA book just based on some of the writing and some of the character decisions but that doesn't mean this won't keep you on the edge of your seat! This book starts when a meme is posted asking everyone about how they fear to die. Most just think it is some kind of joke or prank and repost it with their worst fear. Little do they know that the person who posted it is going to use that information! After two of their classmates die, most don't think there is a connection but Izzy does. The rest of the book we follow Izzy, with a few chapters from "Fear," to solve this mystery. Who is killing their classmates? What does the meme have to do in all of this? What is the motive behind this horror? But trust me, if you think you know who it is or what direction the book will go, just wait for the next chapter. There definitely were some details where I was screaming at the book asking why that had to happen or telling a character not to do something. But that is the great thing about a mystery/thriller. I wasn't crazy about the ending but I understand it and it definitely shocked me for sure! Go into this book remembering the intended audience and I guarantee you will want to keep reading long after you should have gone to bed! Highly recommend!!!
"Soon they will all know that I'm not playing. This isn't just some stupid meme. This is revenge. Death is coming" pg. 3
"He walks around the desk but keeps his eyes on me. 'Falling, burning, illness, being buried alive, crushed, strangled, suffocated, stabbed, shot, beaten. They're all bad. Everything is running around arguing over whose fear is the scariest, as if they have everything figured out.' He shakes his head. 'The truth is, when death comes, no matter how it comes, it's always scary." pg. 15
"There's a reason I chose this barn. I'm not an idiot. I plan perfect murders" pg. 180
"When he died, I found a couple of notes he'd kept. Or maybe he just forgot to throw them away. One of them is here, pinned to the wall. A constant reminder of why I'm doing what I'm doing. His messy scrawl: Kid has no respect and needs drowning. Needs drowning. As if that's an acceptable punishment for a bit of backtalk" pg. 182
"No one perfects anything without a little practice. My childhood may have hardened me to many things, but I wasn't sure that I would be able to kill, to take someone's life with my own hands. I was wrong. I can do it, and I do it well." pg. 207
"Like you're an angel? Murder runs in the family, bro' Tristan laughs but his eyes are firing daggers at his cousin. Tristan might not care about his parents, but he does care about what he's doing. He will defend himself and what he's done until his last breath." pg. 329
"Axel? Where are we going?' I grab the door handle at the same time he pressed the lock button. Fear ripples down my spine. 'Axel?' I croak. 'It's like Tristan said, Izzy. Murder really does run in the family." pg. 339
"Soon they will all know that I'm not playing. This isn't just some stupid meme. This is revenge. Death is coming" pg. 3
"He walks around the desk but keeps his eyes on me. 'Falling, burning, illness, being buried alive, crushed, strangled, suffocated, stabbed, shot, beaten. They're all bad. Everything is running around arguing over whose fear is the scariest, as if they have everything figured out.' He shakes his head. 'The truth is, when death comes, no matter how it comes, it's always scary." pg. 15
"There's a reason I chose this barn. I'm not an idiot. I plan perfect murders" pg. 180
"When he died, I found a couple of notes he'd kept. Or maybe he just forgot to throw them away. One of them is here, pinned to the wall. A constant reminder of why I'm doing what I'm doing. His messy scrawl: Kid has no respect and needs drowning. Needs drowning. As if that's an acceptable punishment for a bit of backtalk" pg. 182
"No one perfects anything without a little practice. My childhood may have hardened me to many things, but I wasn't sure that I would be able to kill, to take someone's life with my own hands. I was wrong. I can do it, and I do it well." pg. 207
"Like you're an angel? Murder runs in the family, bro' Tristan laughs but his eyes are firing daggers at his cousin. Tristan might not care about his parents, but he does care about what he's doing. He will defend himself and what he's done until his last breath." pg. 329
"Axel? Where are we going?' I grab the door handle at the same time he pressed the lock button. Fear ripples down my spine. 'Axel?' I croak. 'It's like Tristan said, Izzy. Murder really does run in the family." pg. 339
Whoa. Just whoa. I was really enjoying this one. It is fast paced and has a really intriguing premise. The protagonist plays a game of mental tennis with the suspects to a nearly dizzying degree, but it's still pretty good, ya know? The problem is with the ending. I know why the twist was there, but it really made zero sense. The author should have left well enough alone and just opted to forgo the twist. I would have liked this soooo much better. Buuuuut she didn't and I ended this book with literal incredulous laughter. I felt like I'd been totally conned out of my time and enthusiasm. I don't think I can say that I would recommend this book, especially when the ending was clearly just meant to be a "gotcha!" moment for no good reason, but it was divertive- so do with that what you will.
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