Mortal Danger by Ann Aguirre Pages: 384
Published by Feiwel & Friends, Macmillan on August 5, 2014
Genres: Bullying, Paranormal, Social Issues, Young Adult
Source: Paperback ARC from Publisher
Revenge is a dish best served cold.
Edie Kramer has a score to settle with the beautiful people at Blackbriar Academy. Their cruelty drove her to the brink of despair, and four months ago, she couldn't imagine being strong enough to face her senior year. But thanks to a Faustian compact with the enigmatic Kian, she has the power to make the bullies pay. She's not supposed to think about Kian once the deal is done, but devastating pain burns behind his unearthly beauty, and he's impossible to forget.
In one short summer, her entire life changes, and she sweeps through Blackbriar, prepped to take the beautiful people down from the inside. A whisper here, a look there, and suddenly... bad things are happening. It's a heady rush, seeing her tormentors get what they deserve, but things that seem too good to be true usually are, and soon, the pranks and payback turns from delicious to deadly. Edie is alone in a world teeming with secrets and fiends lurking in the shadows. In this murky morass of devil's bargains, she isn't sure who—or what--she can trust. Not even her own mind...
The Description of Mortal Danger drew me in almost instantly. I was so excited to read it. And then I committed the cardinal sin of book reviewers…I glanced at some goodreads reviews. And I saw that people were polarized on this story, they either loved it or they DNF-ed it. And I got nervous. But I am happy to say that I really enjoyed Mortal Dangers and I can’t wait to continue the series. Now, it should also be said that I understand why some people did not finish this book. The start of the book does make the main character seem pretty shallow. I felt bad for her but I could see where her single-minded plot for revenge on her classmates could seem off putting. But the book is so much better than that initial impression!
The main character, Edie grows so much in this book. And actually, that first kind of shallow impression is a huge theme in the book. I think the author does a fantastic job of blowing all of those stereotypes out of the water. Watching Edie get to know the people beneath the meanness was a great way to handle the plot, in my opinion. Plus, the world that Ann Aguirre created was so dark and sinister and utterly riveting. I am dying to learn more about the “players” in the “game”. The whole book had such a dark and mysterious vibe. I loved it.
I felt so bad for Edie. This girl has had it really rough. I can’t believe the lengths that some of these bullies went to, to get to her. It was hard to reconcile some of how they treated her in the past with some of the awful things that happened to them in the later parts of the book. I didn’t know whether to be happy or sad about it. But I will say one thing, this book really made me think. What would I have done in Edie’s situation? I really am not sure. Edie is such a strong character that questions everything. She takes nothing at face value and she is whip smart. I love that about her so much.
Ann Aguirre does not hold any punches with anyone in the story. She is not afraid to make some bold moves and to kill anyone off. Mortal Danger is intense, creepy, and one heck of a ride. I am so excited to find out what is going to happen in the next book. There are characters that I hate, characters that I love, and the romance is so up in the air right now that I need to see what is going to happen. Mortal Danger is a fascinating new world that is so worth a read. I am glad that I stuck out this book and didn’t listen to the DNF’s because it was a book that just kept getting better and better all the way until the very last page.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
I have heard lots of great things about this one and I am excited to give it a try. I think I might wait until book two though but you never know, I might just dive in before that. 😉
Glad you really enjoyed this one. I love when characters grow so much, even within the first book.
Waiting for book 2 is not a bad idea because then you can read them back to back. I am dying to find out what is going to happen next!
I’m so glad you enjoyed Mortal Danger and continued with the read Michelle! I think many readers who DNF’d it too soon never got to the real point of where Edie had so much growth. IMO I though Ann did a great job of showing how important inner beauty is, family and friends. And how revenge is in the end a bitter, dangerous and wrong option. Wasn’t the whole *game* cool, and all the Urban legends and elements of horror?! Wonderful & thoughtful review, Michelle!!
I thought she did a fantastic job showing those things as well. I’m glad you agree kim 🙂
I love the game, even though it is beyond messed up. Does that make me weird? haha
I have heard a lot of mixed things about this book and I have been like you not sure if I should or shouldn’t. Great review it has actually made me excited to read it and Ive been on a creepy kick lately for some reason so this one might be a good read for me 🙂
If you do read it, be sure to read it all. It really is a book that just keeps building and is so wonderful as a whole
Thanks for stopping by Michelle 🙂
Got to read it, must find time !
Fabulous review. I felt the same way. I checked out Goodreads for other reviews and found a lot of my friends either loved it or hated it as well as DNF. I was kind of worried about reading it. So glad I decided to (reading it now, actually) because so far I LOVE IT! 🙂
– Beckie
The concept of this book sounds interesting. I’ve read some of Ann’s pooks & have liked them. I’m glad you advise people to stick it out.