HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY TO KATHERINE LAURIN!
Today, I’m excited to review this thrilling young adult mystery novel. These Vengeful Hearts, written by Katherine Laurin is out in the world today, September 8, 2020. Fans of mysteries and secret societies, this one is for you.
Thank you so much, NetGalley and Inkyard Press, for the e-copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Synopsis – These Vengeful Hearts by Katherine Laurin
Anyone can ask the Red Court for a favor…but every request comes at a cost. And once the deed is done, you’re forever in their debt.
Whenever something scandalous happens at Heller High, the Red Court is the name on everyone’s lips. Its members–the most elite female students in the school–deal out social ruin and favors in equal measure, their true identities a secret known only to their ruthless leader: the Queen of Hearts.
Sixteen-year-old Ember Williams has seen firsthand the damage the Red Court can do. Two years ago, they caused the accident that left her older sister paralyzed. Now, Ember is determined to hold them accountable…by taking the Red Court down from the inside.
But crossing enemy lines will mean crossing moral boundaries, too–ones Ember may never be able to come back from. She always knew taking on the Red Court would come at a price, but will the cost of revenge be more than she’s willing to sacrifice?
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Book Review
The Vengeful Hearts was a very nice surprise. I went almost blind here because I liked the cover and the title… I know! Lol I’ll be honest I expected a fantasy novel and had to read the synopsis after the first few lines. I’m very happy I stumbled onto this one. This is a bit different from what I usually read, and a great read.
This story is about Ember Williams who is on a mission to avenge her sister after a terrible accident caused by The Red Court—a secret society in her school. Ember’s sister tells her about the Red Court and she comes up with a plan to stop this secret society from hiring more innocents once and for all.
Ember is a smart girl, determined to avenge her sister. As the story progresses, we learn what happened to her sister and why this is so important to her. I very much enjoy the plot, the intrigue, and the mystery behind who the Red Queen is. Secrets are the currency in this society and it’s a particularly interesting power play. I enjoyed how each plan was executed (good and bad).
The cast of characters was entertaining. Gideon is a true friend from end to finish and exactly what Ember needs. As for Chase, I very much enjoy the banter between the two characters. The romance doesn’t take too much space in the story but it feels right. Her plan to take down the Red Court and the friendship she creates as she goes are the main focal point in this story. I very much enjoy that part. Ember is very relatable because she is often in a gray area and she knows it. She questions herself many times.
Overall, this is a great story where the plot keeps you going. It’s well-paced and with the right amount of drama. If you enjoy reading YA mystery, suspense/thriller, I would definitely recommend it. You won’t regret it.
Sources for material and content: Goodreads and Amazon
“Ember draws readers into the drama of finding the members of the Red Court… Recommend this to fans of E. Lockhart’s The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks and Daisy Whitney’s The Mockingbirds.” –School Library Journal
“Laurin’s novel tackles the destructive power of high school bullying through characters who are compelling in their complexity.” –Kirkus Reviews
Book Excerpt – Chapter 1
Chapter-1-These-Vengeful-Hearts-excerptAbout The Author: Katherine Laurin
Katherine Laurin lives in Colorado with her husband, two sons, and tiny dog. When she’s not writing, Katherine enjoys reading, traveling, hiking, and listening to true crime podcasts. These Vengeful Hearts is her first young adult novel.
This book sounds SO good! I’ll add it to my TBR 😍✨
It really is. Hope you like it. 😊