Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Review: Get Even by Gretchen McNeil

Title: Get Even
Author: Gretchen McNeil
Series: Book One in the Don't Get Mad Series
Published By: Balzer & Bray (September 16, 2014)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Contemporary/Friendship/Social Issues
My Rating: 3 Stars

Book Description:
The Breakfast Club meets Pretty Little Liars in Gretchen McNeil’s witty and suspenseful novel about four disparate girls who join forces to take revenge on high school bullies and create dangerous enemies for themselves in the process. 

Bree, Olivia, Kitty, and Margot have nothing in common—at least that’s what they’d like the students and administrators of their elite private school to think. The girls have different goals, different friends, and different lives, but they share one very big secret: They’re all members of Don’t Get Mad, a secret society that anonymously takes revenge on the school’s bullies, mean girls, and tyrannical teachers.

When their latest target ends up dead with a blood-soaked “DGM” card in his hands, the girls realize that they’re not as anonymous as they thought—and that someone now wants revenge on them. Soon the clues are piling up, the police are closing in . . . and everyone has something to lose.








Sometimes I just need a really good YA read and when I can find one from an author that I already love, it is even better. Throw in a well written story, a thought out plot line, a mystery, slight romance and relatable characters and you have seriously just hit the jackpot.

McNeil's debut blew me away when I read it so of course I wanted to read whatever she happened to dabble in next so it was without hesitation that I picked up Get Even.

If her first book NIL taught me anything it was that I just knew I was going to be in for a crazy ride. One where no clear answers are out there in the open and one where you will be left guessing at every single thing that happened from who did it to even who are really the good guys and who weren't. Who can be trusted and who is as guilty as all get out.

There are no clear answers to anything but instead of frustrating you (okay it might still very well frustrate a lot of you) and making you want to chuck the book across the room, you are left with even more curiosity with where the author is going to go next and eager to learn more and maybe even a little disappointed when it comes to the end of the book and you realize you ended up with way more questions than answers hoping the next book delivers then all. 

This turned out to be a roller coaster ride of ups and downs. Friendships being established, broken down and then rebuilt again. With four girls coming together over a common bond and goal. Four girls who couldn't be more different in every single way possible. Learning how to trust one another and get past their insecurities and distrust for others to hopefully accomplish something great in the end, to get justice for those that have been bullied and wronged.  

Was this book perfect? Not at all, in fact I would even wager to believe there are a lot of people out there that will dislike it strongly, but if you go into this without any expectations and an open mind to have a good time with the murder mystery aspect and all the conspiracies and vigilant antics, I think you will have a good time and be able to enjoy it, I know I did.






*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*

46 comments:

  1. HA, I think you're right on point with the fact that many people won't enjoy this because I know a lot of people haven't and admittedly this is the first positive review I've read for it (not that I've read a lot of reviews for the book in general). It's definitely encouraging to see you enjoyed this though, Ali! :) I did want to read this but was a little discouraged by the fact not many people I knew had enjoyed it. I am definitely reading this one now though. You have me sold! I'll definitely lower my expectations though so that I'll enjoy it more.

    Lovely review, Ali! :)

    Rashika @ The Social Potato

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    1. I think if you go into this one expecting little you will like it more. ;)

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  2. It sounds ok but I wonder if i would be upset too and I don't like to be like that with a book. I don't know, I'm not sure.

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    1. You might, I don't know. You would have to try it to find out. :)

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  3. I'm not a big McNeil fan-her writing style is just not for me but I've been wanting to give this one a go. It's the title that does me in really. I know exactly what you're talking about with curiosity. Some authors really know how to spin and deflect and keep you guessing, and somehow you never get tired. Glad to see a positive review for ithe book. :)

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    1. Thanks! I do hope you decide to try it as some point in time.

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  4. I had an idea for a series about girls getting even with bullies...but it was going to be for younger readers--not quite as dark as this one!

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    1. I am sure it wouldn't be and probably more "fun" geared as well. ;)

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  5. I'm glad you enjoyed the mystery and the buidling-up of friendship in Get Even. Every now and then I get in the mood for one of these mystery books that lead you all the place, so I'm keeeping this one in mind Ali! Thanks :)

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  6. Sometimes I just need books like this Ali - ones that I read for the entertainment value and nothing else. There are times when lots of questions drive me crazy, but I think there are certain stories that just call for unanswered questions and being left in the dark adds to the reading experience, and I love that this is that type of story. Looking forward to this one!

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    1. I hope you can have fun with this one Jenny. :)

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  7. I have no idea if I would like this one or not. I might have to give it a try and see!

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  8. I will try to keep an open mind if I do get a chance to pick this one up. Thanks for the great review :)

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  9. Hmm... I am on the fence with this one. I liked Ten well enough but I am not the biggest fan of revenge books and so I think I might pass on this one.

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    1. I did like Ten much better than I did this one. ;)

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  10. Hmm, I quite liked her previous books, but I have no idea how I'll feel about this. It's actually coming up on my schedule next week so I'll find out soon enough. I'll definitely keep an open mind.

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    1. Can't wait to read your review for this Maja. :)

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  11. I was really close to downloading this one and then I realized it's a sequel so I gave up. Well frustrating is not how I like my books so yeah I totally understand your feelings. Great review :)

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    1. This isn't a sequel, it is the first book but it was frustrating at times.

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  12. To be honest I'm still on the fence about this one because I haven't heard all that many good things about this one. I mean, this one sounds promising and i love the synposis but I'm not sure it's for me since so many of my blogging friends haven't had all that kind things to say about it and I think yours just might be the frist positive review I've read for this one! I'm still on the fence but i'm glad you enjoyed this one :)

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  13. I haven't read anything by Gretchen McNeil and I think it's because I get the idea that all her books are creepy because of the covers lol. Sounds like this has so much drama but I'm glad that and the frustrating bits didn't dampen your enjoyment. I love Contemporary books that make me think though so thanks for the recc!

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    1. They aren't really creepy but they are definitely unique!

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  14. I like that all the girls were different, and even if it isn't perfect I am glad you enjoyed it enough to continue.

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  15. Way to keep things positive and in perspective!

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  16. I'm glad you were able to enjoy this one overall, but that's a bummer it didn't keep your interest as much as you had hoped.

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    1. It was especially since I loved her debut novel so much but, it happens. ;)

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  17. Wow, I actually don't know what to think of this one....because I NEED clear answers. xd Maybe one day. Great review, Aly!!

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  18. Wait .. I'm confused about Nil. Isn't that the one on the mysterious island? I read Ten and wanted to off the main character so bad. So I've been hesitant about her books since.

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    1. Yep, NIL is the island and that is the one I loved! I think that was her debut.

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  19. I loved her book, Ten, and have been very curious about this one.Think I'll take the dive and get it, thanks for the review! :)

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  20. I haven't read Nil or this yet. I am swaying more towards Nil right now, I'd be more tempted to try that before Get Even. It sounds like a good read, but not an amazing one. Great review :)

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  21. Interesting. I am glad that you ended up enjoying it even if you didn't really get all the answers that you wanted. Thanks for the review!

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  22. I've been curious about this book. Thanks for the honest review.

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  23. I've actually been kinda looking forward to this one since I heard about it, but I have seen some less than stellar buzz. Nice to see your review. I like the different backgrounds coming together to take on the bullies, think it's a neat premise. I'm not sure how I feel about the open ended nature of it, it may irritate me to not get the answers, but I'll probably try it. Thanks for the heads up.

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  24. I Love-Love-LOVED GET EVEN! This was a combo of every awesome teen thriller movie I grew up on, plus some amazing pop culture references. The force is strong with this one.

    Mariz
    The Maids of Warwick New York

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