I like the premise - a filmmaker trying to make a name for herself with an interesting documentary, finds something else completely in the small town her relatives are from. And a group of local kids, outcasts from society, just trying to make a horror movie for an upcoming film festival who manage to get themselves in trouble. Than there is the private school for Delinquents - kids who go there come back missing something, and lets not forget about the ones who don't come back at all. I liked the story, however at times, its told a bit to simply. The center of it all is actually quite scary. ( )

(4.5 / 5)

This was a fun, easy read, with 90s references and characters that seemed all-too-real. Rex & Leif, while best friends, had issues that arose from being too close, almost like sibling rivalry. The mystery of the school developed in a way that kept my attention, and especially had me wanting to come back and keep reading after I'd hit the half-way point. And the ending, which can make or break a thriller more than most other genres, was well-executed.

The main reason for the half-star detraction is that some of Rex & Leif's arguments were a little unrealistic, given what was going on around them when they had them. I know things like that can happen in real life--as someone with 3 sisters, I know that we didn't always take into account whether or not our petty squabbles were a good idea in the current circumstances. But on the other hand, I'd like to think we would have been above that during some of the particular situations in which Rex & Leif argued (not giving specifics to avoid spoilers).

While it's labeled as a horror book, this book was not scary to me at all. I said this in another review recently, but I'm really not into horror much as a genre, in any medium (so why did I just read 2 horror books in a row?). This also means I've not read much horror, so I don't honestly know how it normally works in book-form. But to me, this was suspenseful, but I wouldn't call it horror. If it were made into a movie, I could see some visuals being pretty horrific though, so maybe that means the tone wasn't set right in the book to make parts that could have been scary appropriately creepy.

I've read so many thrillers lately that promise everything up until the last 20% of the book, and then fail to deliver the right punch to drive home the thrills. I was skeptical as I neared the end of this book, but it did its job perfectly! It was just what I would have wanted it to be. Plus, a character that was a minor annoyance (intentionally) throughout the book had me laughing and cheering at the end, which was a plus!

I read this book because my nearly adult son is a big fan of Rhett & Link and Good Mythical Morning. He was interested in reading it and thought I might like to too (mostly just because he knows I've been getting back into reading a lot lately). So we got it from the library as soon as their hardcover copy came in. He hasn't finished it yet (he's never been much of a recreational reader, so he needs nudges to even remember to read it), but I can say that from the perspective of someone who has seen very little of Rhett & Link's online presence, I'm really glad I read this book. I would recommend it for fans of thrillers and horror, understanding that it's a very mild horror. ( )

The front half has a great build, but the back half pacing falls apart. Explanations for the most important plot points are revealed quickly which contrasts with the slow build of tension in the first half. Also features some comedic "bits" which work in many places but not in others. Still worthwhile though if a fan of the authors or exploring the genre. ( )

If you’re a fan of Rhett & Link (as I am), there’s much to like in this novel. There’s definitely an It/“Stranger Things” vibe, and you’ll also get a feel for Buies Creek, NC, where Rhett & Link grew up. The biggest flaw is unevenness of tone: it often interjects humor at inappropriate times. It’s silly where it ought to be somber or sad, funny where it should be frightening. I suspect this is a failing of writing by committee, particularly when two of the committee have a YouTube franchise to consider that might make them want to pull their punches when it comes to heavier or darker material. ( )

🤷‍♀️ ( )