Social Suicide - Gemma Halliday

Synopsis: Twittercide [twit-er-sahyd]: the killing of one human being by another while the victim is in the act of tweeting.
Call me crazy, but I figured writing for the Herbert Hoover High Homepage would be a pretty sweet gig. Pad the resume for college applications, get a first look at the gossip column, spend some time ogling the paper’s brooding bad-boy editor, Chase Erikson. But on my first big story, things went... a little south. What should have been a normal interview with Sydney Sanders turned into me discovering the Homecoming Queen-hopeful dead in her pool. Electrocuted while Tweeting. Now, in addition to developing a reputation as HHH’s resident body finder, I’m stuck trying to prove that Sydney’s death wasn’t suicide.I’m starting to long for the days when my biggest worry was whether the cafeteria was serving pizza sticks or Tuesday Tacos...(From Goodreads)

I absolutely loved Deadly Cool. It was smart and fun, and it felt like it was saying something very important. The ending totally snuck up on me, not only because the killer is revealed, but because I realized the book was a commentary on an important and relevant aspect of society. Plus, Hartley is one of those characters that you come to feel is one of your best friends by the time the story ends. So I was so excited for Social Suicide because I couldn't wait to see how it would surprise me, and I really missed the characters.

Hartley is still her sparkling self and Sam is still a great sidekick. Chase is still dreamy and he still has that little bit of an edge. And there's a whole new parade of high school students who each are wrapped up in their own dramas and schemes. I do think, minus the body count, Gemma Halliday does an excellent job of portraying snap shots of high school life - as far as I can tell anyway. There are a few issues raised, particularly the nature of cheating and the competition between teenagers. But I was a little disappointed that I didn't get that same dawning realization that there was something really important behind the drama and the humor. This book just didn't hold the same weight as Deadly Cool did.

My other disappointment was the lack of growth in the characters. While they've all gone through so much, they still seemed to be in pretty much the same place they were at the end of the first book. But, it's a good thing Hartley and her Scooby gang are so likeable. This really is a group of people I'd love to be friends with.

Even with these few minor short-comings, I still thoroughly enjoyed this sequel. It's a quick read and it's thoroughly entertaining. And while I know that if more people drop dead around Hartley, it's going to start being slightly more implausible, but I will definitely will keep reading if the series keeps going.

Deadly Cool - Gemma Halliday

Synopsis: First I find out that my boyfriend is cheating on me. Then he’s pegged as the #1 suspect in a murder. And now he’s depending on me to clear his name. Seriously?
As much as I wouldn’t mind watching him squirm, I know that he’s innocent. So I’m brushing off my previously untapped detective skills and getting down to business. But I keep tripping over dead bodies and I’m still no closer to figuring out who did it. And what’s worse: all signs seem to point to me as the killer’s next victim.
I really need to pick a better boyfriend next time.


I had read so many raving reviews about this book, most saying that the story was actually much deeper than it appeared to be. Yet, I was still completely shocked when it turned out to be a smart and perceptive social critique. I just want to say right off the bat, that if you are skipping over this book because you think it looks shallow or superficial, then stop it. Trust the reviews - this book is so worth reading. 


It does come off as a simple, light read - which is why I picked it up in the first place. I wanted something fun. And it is fun, despite the grisly murder that the whole book revolves around. I thoroughly enjoyed Hartley's narration. Her voice was just so wonderful, and I honestly felt like she was one of my best friends by the time I finished. After I closed the book, I felt like my BFF went home after a slumber party, only I wished my parent's would have consented to let her live with us. (You can't deny that you've had a friend like that!) I also loved that she does sometimes talk like she's a peppy, air-headed teenager, but she actually is very smart - whether it's figuring out ways to solve a murder or just knowing when enough is enough and kicks her boyfriend to the curb. 


I finished this book and felt like Gemma Halliday was performing magic tricks - playing with the distraction of *look at this shiny object over here, while she was laying down the foundation of some really important topics over there* - so by the end I saw something amazing, but I didn't know how it happened. I think my best guess is that the secret lies in the secondary characters. They all carry some piece of the puzzle and they all serve significant purposes, whether it's representing beliefs, demonstrating different teenage issues, or acting to unite different social circles. Even if some of the secondary characters are stereotypes, they still have some depth, particularly when seen through Hartley's eyes. 


I'm so excited that Hartley will be back in Social Suicide, which is slated for release on April 24, 2012. I would say that I don't know if I can get enough of Hartley and her sleuthing, but it worries me how many people would keep dying around her. Still, April can't come soon enough! I just highly recommend that if you haven't picked up Deadly Cool yet, or if you have but haven't opened it, then you should do that as soon as possible. 

November Top 5

Every month I come up with the top five books I read that month. I'm a little behind on reviews (as you can probably tell by my left side bar) so the reviews for these books are coming up early in December. But I still think it's worth mentioning these books. This is my way of distinguishing what I loved to what I freaked out about. My mom asked me this week if I just love everything I read - and while I like a lot of things (I do dislike books every now and again) I do have my books that surpass others and become the ones that jump into my head any time I'm asked for recommendations. These books are the ones that stood out to me this month.

1. Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

This book is definitely in my top five for the entire year and has made it onto my top favorite YA books EVER. It's so imaginative and gorgeous. It's not only an incredible and unique story - the way that it's told is so magnificent. I can't praise this book enough - you just have to read it.

2. The Pledge by Kimberly Derting

This one I have actually reviewed, and you can read that here. This was a great November release. I love that it's a cross between a dystopia and a fairy-tale, which makes it feel different than other dystopias. I also had a lot of fun putting together a playlist for this novel, which you can check out here. 

3. The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

This one just makes me want to sigh with far off wonderment. Theres something so magical in this story. It's written with such grace, especially for such a brutal setting, that it just wraps you in its pages until it becomes a part of who you are.


4. Deadly Cool by Gemma Halliday

Okay, so over Thanksgiving break I went on a total contemporary kick. I usually read a contemporary book here and there, but I just plowed through one right after the other. And this one completely shocked me. I expected it to be pretty fluffy, nothing too important. Imagine my surprise when there was actually an important reflection on social conventions that surfaced at the end.


5. The DUFF by Kody Keplinger

Part of my contemporary marathon. I've been meaning to read this book for ages and I finally picked it up. I fell in all kinds of love with everyone in this book. Another really great, really raw, portrayal of high school life. And it's from a new voice - the girl who always feels like a sidekick. I think most girls will be able to relate to this story.


What were your top reads this month?