REVIEW: Hysteria, by Megan Miranda

Hysteria

Published 2013

Mallory killed her boyfriend, Brian. She can't remember the details of that night but everyone knows it was self-defense, so she isn't charged. But Mallory still feels Brian's presence in her life. Is it all in her head? Or is it something more? In desperate need of a fresh start, Mallory is sent to Monroe, a fancy prep school where no one knows her . . . or anything about her past.

But the feeling follows her, as do her secrets. Then, one of her new classmates turns up dead. As suspicion falls on Mallory, she must find a way to remember the details of both deadly nights so she can prove her innocence-to herself and others. 

The first line of this book is "My mother hid the knife block."

Wow. Six words that I MUST have explained. What an awesome first line. And with Mallory being a completely unreliable narrator...um...wow. 

Or it should've been. Don't get me wrong, I really did like the story. But I didn't love it. 

Like the characters, especially Mallory, even when she becomes unlovable (not usually a good thing in a narrator). I liked the whole private prep school setting, and even the weird little paranormal things that seemed to be happening. But so many situations just didn't work for me. I mean...really? You're allowed to return to your high school in a small town after having had your boyfriend die by your hand? Self-defense or not, I'm just not buying that the school would've been excited to get you back. Then, once she gets to the private school and gets settled with a roommate, the room mate is gone and turned against her....does it really happen that fast and with no warning? I don't know.

The story was fine, the events worked. I think I just wanted...more. More.. more. I'll put it on the library shelf and recommend it. It's not a glowing review, I know. 

What do you think??

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this ebook galley from Bloomsbury USA Children's Books through the netGalley publisher/reader connection program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.