Twittercide [twit-er-sahyd]: the killing of one human being by another while the victim is in the act of tweeting.
Call me crazy, but I figured writing for the Herbert Hoover High Homepage would be a pretty sweet gig. Pad the resume for college applications, get a first look at the gossip column, spend some time ogling the paper's brooding bad-boy editor, Chase Erikson. But on my first big story, things went...a little south. What should have been a normal interview with Sydney Sanders turned into me discovering the Homecoming Queen-hopeful dead in her pool. Electrocuted while Tweeting. Now, in addition to developing a reputation as HHH's resident body finder, I'm stuck trying to prove that Sydney's death wasn't suicide.
I'm starting to long for the days when my biggest worry was whether the cafeteria was serving pizza sticks or Tuesday Tacos... ~From GoodReads
Last fall, I read and fell in love with DEADLY COOL. Author Gemma Halliday delivered a story with a funny, but completely sincere heroine, an awesome best friend/sidekick in Sam, a hot and mysterious semi-love interest in Chase, and an intriguing mystery. To say I had high hopes for SOCIAL SUICIDE would be an understatement. I've been bouncing to read this one for months, but made myself hold out until closer to the release. SOCIAL SUICIDE was totally worth the wait.
Once again, teen super-sleuth (and I'll admit, busybody) Hartley Featherstone has found herself in the middle of a high school murder mystery. What is going on in San Jose, y'all? First a girl dies by iPod cord strangulation, now another dies by Twittercide?! That's right, Twittercide. I think Halliday has an acute sense for what will draw readers in. When I read the word "twittercide", I knew this book would be the LOL-fest that DEADLY COOL was.
The fact that I still love Hartley despite the fact she does the exact opposite of the smart thing in almost every situation is a testament to her endearing qualities. Hartley is an everygirl. Smart, sincere and brave to a fault, Hartley is willing to do whatever it takes, even dressing like a chicken, to find justice for these poor girls who keep getting offed by technology.
As for the secondary characters, I loved them even more in SOCIAL SUICIDE. Hartley's mom is still a riot, rocking out to Aerosmith in the school parking lot and forcing her to eat things like "texturized vegetable protein balls". Blech. Sam is her awesome self, maybe even more so in this book. She's now choosing clothes for her boyfriend Kyle, obsessed with her GPA and has gone from using "effing" in place of swearing to "fluffing". Too cute! And Chase. Chase is still cool, slightly broody, has that crooked smile, and is always gently nudging Hartley to her limits. I really, really love this character. I may have even put hearts around his name while taking notes. (I totally did.)
The only flaw I found with the story is it's predictability. Having read DEADLY COOL, I could predict almost everything in the plot. I would have liked a bit more of a brain tease, but I still had a great time and enjoyed the story for what it was. And honestly, it's so much fun that I don't mind. If it's not broke, don't fix it.
SOCIAL SUICIDE is a great addition to the DEADLY COOL series. It's a fast paced, light-hearted adventure that's sure to give you a smile on every page. And, I have to say, these books would make a great tv series or movies. I can't wait to see what Halliday serves up next.
Favorite Quote:
(So many great quotes. This is just one of many.)
"This first thing I did was run. Okay, actually, the first thing I did was scream, lose my balance, flail my arms in the air like some kind of uncoordinated bird, then slide down the side of the tree and land on my butt.
Then I ran." (pg. 31, ARC)
Paperback, 272 pages
Expected publication: April 24th 2012 by HarperTeen
You can preorder Social Suicide at:
WOW! great review , this book sound cool :)
ReplyDeleteYou totally had me at "twittercide"
ReplyDeleteIt does sound a little predictable but still super cute. Loved your review.
Oh, this series sounds FUN! Loved your review! I hate that the flaw I find in most books is predictability, too, but do you think that kind of comes with the territory? We read so much that it's kind of hard to surprise us anymore? I want to believe that I'm just overly observant and that none of the blame lies with the author(s), but if that were the case, I'd be a detective or something, right? LOL. But you know what I'm getting at, right? I often find myself wondering if it's me or the book. :(
ReplyDeleteI have the first one on my Kindle but haven't read it yet. Now I am motivated to read it!
ReplyDeleteI have heard Veronica Mars comparisons, are those true? Because I love some Veronica Mars.
I totally still need to read the first book!! I bought it right after it came out and still haven't gotten to it. I a hoping to have more me time soon to read some of my huge TBR pile. This sounds like a series I would really enjoy. Btw I am so imagining you drawing little hearts on your notes right now!!
ReplyDeleteYay! I am so glad that you liked this book. I LOVED Deadly Cool and I have this book waiting for me to read it. I was a little nervous that this book wouldn't be as funny as the first one and that I would be disappointed but im really glad to hear that it was. Thanks for the great review!
ReplyDeleteThat quote made me laugh! I've been eying this series for awhile. Looks like something I'd love. Great review! Glad you liked it!
ReplyDeleteI don't always need a surprise with a story as long as it's good! I've been really eager to start this series!!!
ReplyDelete:) This book IS awesome! I love the quote you picked! this review makes me want to re-read my copy again. Hartley is hilarious!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait for this book! It's pre-ordered! The first book was great! Did I tell you I live less than an hour away from where this takes place? That was cool to read about places I've been to (in the first book) and she mentioned my home town too! Great review Andrea. I love the part about you & the hearts :-) :-)
ReplyDeleteGreat review and I agree with it was predictable but love the characters. This book is funny and all the missed connections.
ReplyDeleteI love the blurb. I haven't read the first book though, so I guess I should start with it. (I think I just made my TBR pile cry by adding more books to it) :)
ReplyDeleteI haven't read the first book but it sounds like a fun mystery even if it is a bit predictable. I've found most mysteries to be predictable but it's still fun to watch the characters figure it out. It does kind of remind me of Veronica Mars which is one of my favorite TV series.
ReplyDeleteI have Deadly Cool sitting on my desk calling to me to pick it up, and this review makes me want to listen to the book. Social Suicide sounds amazing! Shade not Deadly Cool, too many books so very little time. Great Review! That quote is hilarious, and who doesn't want to read a book about Twittercide.
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