Skip to main content

Book Review: S. T. A. G. S. by M. A. Bennett

S.T.A.G.STitle: S. T. A. G. S.
Author: M. A. Bennett 
Publisher: Hot Key Books
Source: Bought Myself
Rating: 4/5 stars

(Amazon|Goodreads)






Book Summary:

 Nine students. Three bloodsports. One deadly weekend.

It is the autumn term and Greer MacDonald is struggling to settle into the sixth form at the exclusive St. Aidan the Great boarding school, known to its privileged pupils as S.T.A.G.S. Just when she despairs of making friends Greer receives a mysterious invitation with three words embossed upon on it: huntin' shootin' fishin'. When Greer learns that the invitation is to spend the half term weekend at the country manor of Henry de Warlencourt, the most popular and wealthy boy at S.T.A.G.S., she is as surprised as she is flattered.

But when Greer joins the other chosen few at the ancient and sprawling Longcross Hall, she realises that Henry's parents are not at home; the only adults present are a cohort of eerily compliant servants. The students are at the mercy of their capricious host, and, over the next three days, as the three bloodsports - hunting, shooting and fishing - become increasingly dark and twisted, Greer comes to the horrifying realisation that those being hunted are not wild game, but the very misfits Henry has brought with him from school...

 Book Review:

 I had heard a lot about Stags as last year it was doing the rounds at YALC last year which made me want to pick it up. When I did pick it, I was gripped from the first page finishing the book in a couple of hours. Stags is a truly fast-paced, thrilling YA read that everyone should read.

 Stags take on middle-class ideas and class in general which was something that I really did love in the book and I think that it was handled really well. It also worked really well in the story itself especially as it developed.

 I also really enjoyed the dynamic between the main characters especially as this developed over the course of the story. There were obviously characters that you were made to dislike so this is understandable.

 The main draw to STAGS is the plot which kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the book. I really wanted to find out what happened and the end of the book was definitely surprising and I didn't expect it. This leads me to really want to read the sequel and I can't wait for it to come out!

 The Verdict:

 Stags is a truly unique, fast-paced read and I cannot wait for the next book in the series.
Have you read S.T.A.G.S.? If so what did you think of it? Leave me know in the comments below. 

Comments

Charlotte B said…
This was one of my favourite books last year. Such a good book. The sequel D.O.G.S is even better!
20 October 2019 at 11:54
Amy Powis said…
I loved D.O.G.S. too!
20 October 2019 at 17:21
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Book Review: The Great Godden by Meg Rossoff

   * I am reviewing this book which I was gifted for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own. * Title: The Great Godden  Author: Meg Rossoff Publisher: Bloomsbury  Source: NetGalley ( Bookshop UK |  Hive |  Goodreads  |  Storygraph ) Book Summary: Everyone talks about falling in love like it’s the most miraculous, life-changing thing in the world. Something happens, they say, and you know … That’s what happened when I met Kit Godden. I looked into his eyes and I knew. Only everyone else knew too. Everyone else felt exactly the same way. This is the story of one family, one dreamy summer – the summer when everything changes. In a holiday house by the sea, our watchful narrator sees everything, including many things they shouldn’t, as their brother and sisters, parents and older cousins fill hot days with wine and games and planning a wedding. Enter two brothers – irresistible, charming, languidly sexy Kit a...
Post a Comment
Read more

Reviewing All Of The Books

Earlier this year, I decided that I would review all of the books that I read. For the most part, I definitely have but over the last couple of months it has definitely gone to the wayside but that is because I have been so busy. I wanted to do it because I annoyed myself that I reviewed books years after I read them and I often couldn't remember the plot. Trust me this is still the case, but I have kind of run out of books that I need to review this year which is weird for me. My backlog is getting lower and as I am not reading as much, I genuinely think I might run out. This has never happened before. This is of course quite nice because I think that it creates feelings that are much better than remembering a book from two years ago. Thinking about it at the moment does definitely make it easier as it goes into my head on a computer screen and less memory space is always a good idea. I also do think that sometimes it does take the fun out of it though but there are a lot of benef...
Post a Comment
Read more

Book Review: A Semi Definitive List of Worst Nightmares by Krystal Sutherland

* I have received this book for review from Readers First but this in no way affects my review * Title: A Semi Definitive List of Worst Nightmares Author: Krystal Sutherland Source: From Readers First Publisher: Hot Key Books Rating: 5/5 stars ( Goodreads | Amazon ) Book Summary from Goodreads: Ever since Esther Solar's grandfather was cursed by Death, everyone in her family has been doomed to suffer one great fear in their lifetime. Esther's father is agoraphobic and hasn't left the basement in six years, her twin brother can t be in the dark without a light on, and her mother is terrified of bad luck. The Solars are consumed by their fears and, according to the legend of the curse, destined to die from them.  Esther doesn't know what her great fear is yet (nor does she want to), a feat achieved by avoiding pretty much everything. Elevators, small spaces, and crowds are all off-limits. So are haircuts, spiders, dolls, mirrors and three dozen oth...
Post a Comment
Read more