The Fever

by Megan Abbott

[Whitney @ First Impressions Reviews]

"The first time, you can't believe how much it hurts."
"It just kind of burns," says another. "You're sore for a few days. I heard the third time you don't even feel it."
~Prologue

I will admit that I was a little nervous to continue reading The Fever due to the straight off sexual innuendos of young girl’s first times; was I walking into a teen Fifty Shades of Grey? Although I would not have given the novel a fair chance if I gave up on page two so I read on.

Like an epileptic seizure, panic ensues. This leads to a fast paced storyline and characters who acted as though they had just exited a haunted house.

Gabby and Skye were as mysterious as a bowl of “brains” in a juvenile Halloween Party only later finding out it is truly spaghetti, or in other words, for what they really are, slimy and in teenage speak eew. Grapes are usually next down the line, and it is through Deenie’s eyes who we see most of the story. Considering the chaos that surrounds her, she seemed like a normal high schooler, grasping the situation as best she can. Lise and her ailment is the shiver one experiences. It is always there, just out of reach and preparing to descend. The gentlemen of The Fever should not be left either, Tom and Eli grounded the book and while I don't have a suitable haunted house reference I think if it wasn't for them The Fever could have gone "Gossip Girl" fast.

I read the novel as fast as the girls dropped like flies and with each convulsion and PTA meeting “I want to be one less one less” drummed louder in my mind. While I was reading I soon realized that even with an effervescent lake and the debate of the HPV vaccine The Fever was a whodunit novel with the understanding that it wasn’t the Butler.

I have only two complaints, the first is that Lise woke up. I’m not trying to sound morbid as I didn’t want Lise to die, just left in a perpetual coma. I thought this would have left a more suitable finality to The Fever and perhaps a bigger affect, affirming the atrocity of the scenario. Second was Tom and Mrs. Bishop hooking up. I didn’t think it added anything to the story and like a one night stand ended as quickly as it had begun.

The Fever reminded me of The Children’s Hour, one misconstrued glance and malevolence can create havoc and unease. Megan Abbott’s novel produced a spooky uneasiness that was hard to shake and stayed with me long after the last page had turned.


I received a copy from the publisher