Kyle Rutkin

3.5 stars to this crazy quick read that kept me entirely entertained as I read it in a single sitting.

Drama! Art! Murder! Cults! Secret societies! Add that to a social media frenzy based on 10 popular influencers being invited to a secluded island in a contest that reads like Hunger Games. The guests find their environs much like those unlucky enough to sign on to the ill-fated Fyre Festival — except they discover quickly that only one of the contestants is meant to make it out alive.

I show more really liked the use of the transcript type format as different characters relate events from their own points of view in a sort of interview style for the podcast produced by Cal Everett. Unfortunately, I did not relate to any of those involved in this entire island fiasco despite the tragic ends for so many. Obviously there was some real insanity behind this plan to basically punish all those who seek fame and fortune by being fake on social media. The connection between the competitors was sort of lame, really, but the story was very fast-paced and the author quite imaginative.

Thank you to NetGalley and Greater Path LLC for this e-book ARC to read and review. show less

I was drawn to this book by the premise. So, I had to check it out. As soon as I started reading, this book got a vivid image of the island and what everyone looked like. I could see this playing out as a television series on Netflix or Hulu.

Where Cal is concerned, he is good. At least I did not mind him unlike the "influencers", which is supposed to be the point of the story. I don't follow celebrities or influencers because of the fact that most put on a "persona" that is not the real show more them and seems so fake. So, in the case of this book, you did not feel bad for what happened to them while competing on the island.

Although, I do wish that a bit more time was spent on the competition. It felt like it was rushed and most of the focus was spent on Cal and him tracking down Wyatt James. show less

Imagine your favorite celebrity has died. Not much is known about the relationship between the deceased celebrity and the man who is accused of murder.

You find yourself intrigued. You had been following this celebrity since the beginning. You are even part of her rabid fanbase and are part of the mourning. After all, this celebrity has been one of the most inspiring celebrities ever, always tweeting to motivate and encourage her followers.

Obsessed with the learning of the motives, you dive show more into the news clippings, special television episodes, rumors, etc to try and learn why your favorite celebrity was murdered. You have already made up your mind about the murderer. After all, you had learned enough about the accused through all the television and papers that seem to know all about him. So, you have already drawn your conclusion.

I was not impressed at all by this story. I felt like I was back in the 90s and reading about O.J. Simpson and Nicole Brown all through the papers, television, etc. All of this is made to give the collective mind belief in a person's guilt. It was the same in the 90s. Whether O.J. Simpson was guilty, I believe he was but his legal team managed to get the jury to see differently.

I just could not connect with any of the characters. I just did not feel like this book was really worth the hype I had seen on Tik Tok. That was one of the biggest reasons why I picked it up. Now I am not sure whether I will read the other books or not. show less

Scrambling to have a person in custody after the shocking discovery of Kelly's body authorities turn to the author Kaleb Reed as their top suspect - his compulsive relationship having been well documented over social media and the tabloids. The solitary author and his fictional novel were shoved into the spotlight when pop star Kelly Trozzo talks about how much she loves it over social media. Fame and backing come with a price and Kelly seems like she is asking for more than just a memoir. show more As Kaleb is woven further into Kelly's life he digs further into her life of duplicity and retribution until it's too late to back out of the role she planned for him. That is where their story began but how did it end? Who killed Kelly Trozzo?

Kelly Trozzo's character is highly reminiscent of our childhood actors and singers but especially brings to mind Britney Spears and Miley Cyrus. Once the general populace traps the child stars in one role it is not easy for them to ever be seen as anything else. Especially when many of them have become "role models" for young girls and boys. This novel is a fictional but dark and damaged look into how fame and popularity is not always what it seems to be. A close look at Kelly's involvement with agents, fans, friends, significant others, sex, drugs/alcohol, social media and tabloids. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I could definitely see this being more accurate than fiction.

"There is darkness inside us all. Sometimes, it makes us want to go into a tower, alone, and drown in that despair and shame. But the darkness can be defeated. Every curse was meant to be broken."

The writing of this novel was broken up in interesting ways that I hadn't experienced a writer do before. Part blog, part interview and part news stories - it broke up the novel nicely but you do need to pay attention to the titles as they go back and forth between time and outlet. This book is not without it's share of sensitive subjects mainly being: sex, drug/alcohol use, suicide and mental disorders. I would recommend this novel to readers who enjoy murder mysteries, suspense and fiction. Thank you to NetGalley and Greater Path LLC for letting me read this novel in exchange for an honest review. show less