Ten

by Gretchen McNeil

[Ashley]

booknook — Young Adult book reviews

I almost didn't read this book for one reason: I don't read horror. I like some horror/mystery movies, but I'm extremely picky. And until now, I had never read a book in that genre.

At first, Ten was an intriguing book with an EXTREMELY annoying side character (Minnie). At the half-way point, I started freaking out. Things went from interesting to downright creepy. I had chills. ACTUAL CHILLS. Not metaphorical chills—real ones. I was suddenly completely on edge, paranoid, and felt like someone was watching me (despite being alone in my apartment).

Ten is so thrilling and suspenseful. I love how we can literally see things spiralling out of control! It's definitely very Lord of the Flies. People turn on each other, question their friends, and question their sanity.

I read this book in one sitting because I literally could not put it down. I had no idea that Ten would have such a strong effect on me! I had to shoot film scenes for uni today and I was whipping my book out in between takes because I just had to find out what happened next!

The best thing about Ten is that I couldn't predict the ending, though I desperately wanted to. The whole time I was reading, I was also speculating and trying to figure out the killer. At all times, I was bouncing around about 5 possibilities, but I couldn't narrow it down. The book kept me constantly guessing!

My one gripe with the book was Minnie. Minnie is supposed to be an annoying character, and it all gets explained at the end, but before that was clear to me, she was pissing me off. She was a horrible, disrespectful, unthoughtful friend to Meg and what annoyed me most was how Meg totally put up with it. At one point even T.J. says to Meg, "You deserve better," and he's totally right. But things change as the book goes on: Meg has less patience with Minnie and Minnie's near-insanity gets a good explanation. But in the beginning, I was rolling my eyes every time her name came up!

I am so glad I read Ten! I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. It's absolutely terrifying, disturbing, psychologically freaky, and totally gripping. Even if you don't normally read this genre (like me), I still highly recommend it. AWESOME BOOK!