Review: Dead Popular by Sue Wallman

Author: Sue Wallman

Genre: YA Thriller

Published by: Scholastic

Publication date: 01/08/29

Pages: 288

My rating: ★★★★

I received a free review copy from Scholastic in exchange for an honest review. 

Synopsis from the Waterstones website:

A new, chilling read from the award-winning author of Lying About Last Summer. Kate Jordan Ferreira knows that you don’t become the most powerful girl at school by playing nice, and Kate’s ruthless.But when other students start revealing long-held secrets anonymously, she realizes someone is playing a much more dangerous game – and they know too much about Kate’s past. If she doesn’t figure out who’s behind it all soon, her final year at Pankhurst could be exactly that: her final year. Sue Wallman is one of the UK’s top thriller writers for teens. Her books include Lying About Last Summer, See How They Lie and Your Turn to Die.

I was so excited when I got the email about Dead Popular and jumped at the chance to review it. I can confirm it did not disappoint!

The Plot:

Set in Mount Morton boarding school and follows Pankhurst House Prefect, Kate. With the perfect role comes various responsibilities, and first up is the annual Pankhurst party. Each year each house prefect host a party without the faculty’s knowledge and Kate is determined to put on the best party Mount Morton has ever seen.  Dead Popular is gripping from the first page. I could not put it down until I knew how it ended, devouring it in a day.

Characters:

You know those characters, the ones you’re never quite sure what their deal is? There’s at least three in this book, as the book progresses you pick up on things but never quite connect the dots. I love it! The complexity of the characters, their motives was fascinating to read. Everyone has secrets and it’s only a matter of time before they come out. I can’t say I related to any of the characters, not because I’m not the target audience but because most of them come from a very different background to me. I am a firm believer that you don’t have to relate to a character to like them or try to understand them.

Overall Thoughts:

Overall I really enjoyed Dead Popular, the pacing can be slow, but I think it works for this book. I would definitely recommend giving it a read.

Buy from: Book Depository Waterstones