Name: Emily C Peterson's review of These Vengeful Hearts by Katherine Laurin
Item: These Vengeful Hearts
Rating: 4
Author: Emily C Peterson

Katherine Laurin

A thrilling novel about a secret society and the dangers that lie in wait for anyone brave enough to join--perfect for fans of Karen M. McManus, Kara Thomas, and Maureen Johnson. Whenever something scandalous happens at Heller High, the Red Court is the name on everyone's lips. Its members deal out social ruin and favors in equal measure, their true identities known only by their leader: the Queen of Hearts. Ember Williams has seen firsthand the damage the Red Court can do. Now, she's determined to hold the organization accountable by taking it down from the inside. But will the cost of revenge be more than she's willing to sacrifice?

These Vengeful Hearts

Emily C Peterson

This was interesting. The idea of a secret society of teenagers who control the ecosystem of the school is terrifying but thrilling. I was surprised by some of the twists, but not by others. The romance kinda bloomed out of nowhere, and it was a little bit cringey lol. It kinda ends on a cliffhanger, but I don't know if there's truly enough there for a potential sequel, but who knows.

Holly

Shan

If you're a fan of One of Us is Lying, this one is for you! I loved the secret club in the high school and how well developed the characters were. This is perfect for Pretty Little Liar fans too!

A thrilling novel about a secret society and the dangers that lie in wait for anyone brave enough to join—perfect for fans of Karen M. McManus, Kara Thomas, and Maureen Johnson. Whenever something scandalous happens at Heller High, the Red Court is the name on everyone’s lips. Its members deal out social ruin and favors in equal measure, their true identities known only by their leader: the Queen of Hearts. Ember Williams has seen firsthand the damage the Red Court can do. Now, she’s determined to hold the organization accountable by taking it down from the inside. But will the cost of revenge be more than she’s willing to sacrifice?

Maegan Kennedy

** spoiler alert **
           Thank you to the publisher for gifting me an arc in exchange for an honest review. 

I thought the premise of the book was intriguing. I mean a secret society, gossip, secrets, and revenge? The perfect setup for an intriguing YA read. The idea was there but the execution was not. I thought the story was super slow and nothing really happened with Ember’s revenge plot. She chose to join the Red Court after they caused her sister’s accident, but once she was a member, the thrill of being bad got the best of her. She was thrilled by the ideas of doing secret things for people in the school. She’s perceived as this goody-two shows student who is also an athlete and on the debate team, but she was very good at doing bed things for the Red Court. I was also expecting more spy-ish things. It was pretty uneventful. I also called that April had been a part of the Red Court when she was injured. It was obvious when we were told how she got hurt. Let’s talk about Ember and Chase. We were told that Chase was a horrible guy and that they were enemies. Once she had to talk to him because of the Red Court, Ember fell in love. Not once did they fight like enemies and there was no banter. He was instantly nice to her and their relationship was cringey. It wasn’t realistic at all. This book was full of cliches and it wasn’t for me. I also had the chance to listen to the audiobook, and I don’t know if it’s the app I listened on, or the format or what, but it sounded echoey and robotic. There was barely any emotion from the narrator and it made it difficult to finish. The end so anticlimactic that I honestly didn’t care what happened. Overall this book missed its mark and just wasn’t for me. 
Rating: 2⭐️

Paige Green

Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book: These Vengeful Hearts

Author: Katherine Laurin

Book Series: Standalone

Rating: 3/5

Recommended For...: revenge novel, mystery, thriller

Publication Date: September 8, 2020

Genre: YA Thriller

Recommended Age: 16+ (revenge, language, violence and gore)

Publisher: Inkyard Press

Pages: 336

Synopsis: 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?

Review: For the most part the book was pretty good! I liked the world building and the characters. The pacing was on key and I loved how it was a vengeful tale on Alice in Wonderland.

However, like most revenge books for me, the story got stale after awhile. Revenge stories are really hard to write and I've not found that perfect one for me, but this was pretty good.

Verdict: It was good!

Wren Hardwick

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced listening! 

The setting is Heller High. At Hell(er) High, the rules are a little different. Your secrets are traded for favors and used by The Red Court, a secret & elite group who makes dreams come true for some and nightmares for others. The Queen of Hearts, their ruler, knows the game, but does not expect someone to be playing for her downfall. Ember Williams is determined to bring down both The Queen of Hearts and The Red Court to extract her revenge for what they did to her sister. Little did she know that with the power of The Red Court, comes a high off power and great responsibility. Ember will need to make a choice to either go through her a plan she has worked on for years or to become the best, and maybe the most vicious, member of the Red Court has ever seen.

I absolutely loved this book. It kind of gave me Gossip Girl vibes mixed in with a sorority, mainly because sororities and fraternities are known for having secret societies and messing with the hierarchy for their own social climbs and Gossip Girl is all about taking down people with secrets. Ember's struggle with sticking to her plan to take down the Red Court while also enjoying the power is so something that would happen too.

The characters were relatable, the story line was believable (as much as a secret society within a high school can be) and I literally finished the book within 24 hours. And believe me when I say, that is a feat when I am rereading three of my favorite books at the same time (2020 is hard, okay? I need comfort reads too lol). There is a lite hate-to-love romance, the best kind of side-kick/best friend (the kind that has your back and has their own story going on as well) and there is sisterly bonds involved. All three are checks for me! 

The audiobook is absolutely fantastic, and you should totally listen to this book when you pick it up! Also, have you ever seen a prettier cover? *drools*

Emily C Peterson &
These Vengeful Hearts by Katherine Laurin

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Emily C Peterson &These Vengeful Hearts by Katherine Laurin

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Emily C Peterson &
These Vengeful Hearts by Katherine Laurin