Just a girl obsessed with books and movies sharing her thoughts.

OMG IS IT TRANG? Yes I’m back after a whole week hiatus LOL 

After Flame in The mist, I noticed that my opinion might differ a lot from the popular ones. Usually I find something bad when it’s hyped but for the last novel I actually loved while the majority hated it.

Thankfully, STAGS feel like the same thing. It got everything I ever wanted in a novel.

However, I must warn you, there are A LOT of mixed reviews for this one.

rating

Nine students. Three bloodsports. One deadly weekend.

why I like

So as always, I will state why I loved it and just keep in mind you are reading my very subjective opinion about it. It’s my review after all right ? 😉

  • The boarding school setting. Something about schools and academic life always attracts me in novels and anime. The world is so immersive. And this one is no different. We got introduced in the fancy life of them private schools and their teenagers. I love the fact that this school was so secluded from everything else that it survives the evolution of times. Time seems to be still and they are left to create a society on their own. 

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  • The villain theme. A lot of people complain about this is not the morbid-gory-thriller they expected, but I believe they’ve missed something that’s by far better than the gore. Because the obvious facts cannot be seen, it would be too boring. The author plays with the hypocrisy and disguise theme to reveal to us a frightening fact:  humans can convince themselves that they are so right by doing evil things. 

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  • Constantly adding new twists and that ending was just perfect. If you noticed in my reviews, endings and the mindblowing plot twist fact is a huge deal to me ( I even mentioned it in my rating system). And to be honest, if I didn’t like the rest of the book, the ending alone was worth the reading experience. 

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An easy read while keeping me on the edge of my seat on some parts and some pretty exciting chasing scenes to pump up my adrenaline. 

This novel reminds me of Katherine Pierce from The Vampire Diaries meets Downtown Abbey  (there’s no vampire but just the villain character of Katherine 😉 hehe) 

I was lucky to be part of the STAGS Blog Tour 😀

Check out those awesome bloggers for more! 

STAGS_BlogTour_REVISED

Thank you to Penguin Teens for giving me a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review 🙂 

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57 responses to “S.T.A.G.S by M.A Bennett | Blog Tour”

  1. honya Avatar
    honya

    Hey, be proud of your different opinions! It’s important to be true to what you truly think. Besides, that uniqueness is part of what makes your blog interesting anyhow. 😀

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Trang (Bookidote) Avatar

      HONYA ❤️❤️ Awwn thank you so much!! It’s always a pleasure to read that the blog is unique 🌸

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Claire @bookscoffeeandrepeat Avatar
    Claire @bookscoffeeandrepeat

    I’m hoping for a sequel… 😆

    Like

    1. Trang (Bookidote) Avatar

      ME TOOO ! And the author says… ITS IN THE PROCESS !

      Like

  3. Books, Vertigo and Tea Avatar

    This definitely sounds like my cup of tea! I think I may say that too often 😉 Love how cleverly executed this sounds! Hope the headaches have been staying away ❤

    Like

    1. Trang (Bookidote) Avatar

      HAHA ❤ I have to warn you about the cliche teenagers though 😉 But hope you can find enjoyment like I did! The headaches were back a couples of days ago T_T I just have to cope with them. How about you? :O

      Like

      1. (Danielle) Books, Vertigo and Tea Avatar

        Have ypu tried ice at the base of your skull? This provides a small ampunt of relief for me at times when meds make zero dent. I am sorry you are dealing with them 💕

        I can handle cliche if it is fun 😘

        Like

  4. Kim @ Traveling, Gladly Beyond Avatar

    I read ‘Flame in the Mist’ on your recommendation, and I loved it! The pacing in the last third was a little too fast and could have been drawn out a bit more, but overall, it was great!

    Like

    1. Trang (Bookidote) Avatar

      OMGAD REALLY?! You made myyy dayyy ❤ Honestly, just the fact that you've read it following my recommendation is an absolute YES TO MY HEART 😀 Thank you! I hope the sequel will be as good 😉

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Kim @ Traveling, Gladly Beyond Avatar

        You’re welcome! I hope it’s as good as the first one, too!

        Like

  5. raistlin0903 Avatar

    Welcome back 😀😀! I read a review for this one about a week ago and immediately added it to my to read list as I really liked the concept for this one. Your review only makes me want to read it even more! Looking forward to reading this 😊😊

    Like

    1. Trang (Bookidote) Avatar

      MICHEL!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!! I hope youre gonna like 😀 It’s def different and very teenage at times but if you can find some enjoyment in it, I’ll be more than happy 😉 ❤

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Arrvee Rusia Avatar

    I’ve nominated you for the Blogger Recognition Award! I admired your blog and it’s content, and wanted you to know!
    https://arrveereadingthis.wordpress.com/2018/01/23/blogger-recognition-award-yey/

    Like

    1. Trang (Bookidote) Avatar

      WOOT WOOT ❤ REALLY! Thank you so much!!! I will check it out ASAP

      Like

  7. Dani☆Touch My Spine Book Reviews☆ Avatar

    This book sounds awesome, Love! Yay!🙌🙌🙌 I am so glad you enjoyed it and your last novel! I hope your hiatus went well!😊 You have been missed and know that you are LOVED!😍

    Like

    1. Trang (Bookidote) Avatar

      YOU ARE THE SWEETEST DANII !! 😀 Thank you so much, I miss you guys too 😀 ESP YOU MY LOVE ❤ Hope everything is going to be okay for you, I'm sending you all my positive vibes !

      Like

  8. todaysechoes Avatar

    I’ve never heard of this book before, but your description of it being Katherine Pierce meets Downtown Abbey is intriguing!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Trang (Bookidote) Avatar

      I loved Katherine Pierce HAHA So happy you got the reference 😉

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Beware Of The Reader Avatar
    Beware Of The Reader

    I so need this one! I was so sad when Netgalley did not open this one to international bloggers 😦 Fantastic review!

    Like

    1. Trang (Bookidote) Avatar

      Omg I heard Netgalley is closing some books to itnernational bloggers 😦 That sucks!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Beware Of The Reader Avatar
        Beware Of The Reader

        Yes indeed! But that’s life so…

        Like

  10. Marie Avatar

    I love boarding school stories SO much, I don’t know why but I love it when books have this kind of setting, it’s just so much fun to read 🙂 I’m glad to hear you enjoyed that one, Trang! I’m really intrigued about the whole mystery aspect of this, but I’m not sure it’d be a read for me? I’m glad it’s not too gore somehow, haha 🙂

    Like

    1. Trang (Bookidote) Avatar

      HAHA YAS that’s like me !! 😀 I LVOE BOARDING SCHOOLS SETTING 😀 I think its fun to read all the school drama ! It’s not too gore but it was pretty entertaining 😉

      Liked by 1 person

  11. Raven @ Dreamy Addictions Avatar

    Great review, trang! I’m so glad you loved this book! After seeing a lot of mixed reviews, I’ve been sitting on the fence about reading this book. Your review convinced me enough to give it a shot! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Trang (Bookidote) Avatar

      Thank you Raven!! Yeah the number of mixed reviews are huggee hahaha xD But that’s the beauty of book reviewing after all!

      Like

  12. Sophie @ Blame Chocolate Avatar

    I’ve heard great things about this one and everyone seems to love the twisted/psychological vibe it gives off? So I’m not sure we’ve read the same reviews xD (maybe they have changed since I first came to know this book)
    I love boarding schools as settings! And I think it worked perfectly here. Katherine Pierce meets Downtown Abbey… Man, that is a winning pair for sure!
    Great review/tour, Trang 🙂 ❤

    Like

    1. Trang (Bookidote) Avatar

      It was honestly so unexpected !! The psychological thriller vibe was actually good and it’s really rare to have that in Young Adult books somehow LOL

      Liked by 1 person

  13. Cait @ Paper Fury Avatar
    Cait @ Paper Fury

    Ohh I really want to try this one! It sounds so twisty and morally grey (also that cover is kind of freaking awesome) so I’m glad you liked it and it was everything you wanted in a book!! 😀

    Like

    1. Trang (Bookidote) Avatar

      That cover is one of the best !! 😀 Thank you so much for coming to our blog ❤ And yesss morally grey very well put 😉

      Like

  14. stephaniesbookreviews Avatar

    This looks kind of intriguing. I’m going to add it to my TBR!

    Like

    1. Trang (Bookidote) Avatar

      Hope you get the chance to read it some day! 😀

      Liked by 1 person

  15. thebookwormdrinketh Avatar

    You should never think twice about your own opinion! I figure being online means you’ll never please everyone, but if you can’t at least be honest, then what’s the point?

    Like

    1. Trang (Bookidote) Avatar

      EXACTLYYY !! ❤ Thank you for backing me up on this !

      Liked by 1 person

  16. Beth (Reading Every Night) Avatar

    Welcome back Trang ❤️ and great review for this book as well. 😀
    I read S.T.A.G.S a little while ago (I think it must have been released earlier in the UK) and I really enjoyed it. Even though it wasn’t a blood and gore thriller I loved the twists and the villains and the fact that it felt real in a way, you know? Personally I’m hoping for a sequel one day, especially after that ending! 😀

    Like

    1. Trang (Bookidote) Avatar

      Thank you Beth!! I’ve been away for too long HAHA I was suree you were going to like it too!! I was reading and I wasl ike omg Beth mustve loved this too hahah 😉

      Liked by 1 person

  17. Early Bookish Birds Avatar

    The cover is too beautiful!

    Like

    1. Trang (Bookidote) Avatar

      The cover IS pretty cool indeed ! 😀

      Like

  18. LizScanlon Avatar

    Didn’t think I was going to read this but you’ve convinced me otherwise! Gotta give it a go, fo sho! 😉

    Like

    1. Trang (Bookidote) Avatar

      It’s def not for everyone HAHA 😉

      Like

  19. Dani @ Perspective of a Writer Avatar

    Morbid-gore-thriller is not very thrilling to me so I’m really interested in the hypocrisy theme! I really enjoy villains that highlight an aspect of society and shine a light on it! ♥️ Great review Trang. I passed and now I’m regretting!

    Like

    1. Trang (Bookidote) Avatar

      THANK YOU SO MUCH DANII ❤ It wasn't MINDBLOWING but it's def entertaining for my taste ! 😀 Maybe you can pick it up someday in the near future? 😉

      Liked by 1 person

  20. By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff Avatar

    This definitely wasn’t my cup of tea but I’m glad you enjoyed it Trang. Nice review.😊

    Like

    1. Trang (Bookidote) Avatar

      Thank you Kim for reading the review! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff Avatar

        No thanks necessary Trang. I love reading your reviews.🤗

        Like

  21. Dani☆Touch My Spine Book Reviews☆ Avatar

    I am so torn on this book now! You loved it and Kim hated it! I guess I will have to see for myself!😘

    Like

    1. Trang (Bookidote) Avatar

      DANII ❤ Indeed, I think you need to read it by yourself AHA it's a bit of a tricky situation 😉

      Like

      1. Dani☆Touch My Spine Book Reviews☆ Avatar

        I must investigate! I hope you are doing well beautiful lady and that you have a fantabulous week!!!❤❤❤ You are the BEST, My Blogger Babe!❤💯😍

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Trang (Bookidote) Avatar

        Thank you love!! 😀 YOU ALWAYS MADE MY DAY WITH YOUR COMMENTS ❤️❤️❤️😍

        Like

  22. theorangutanlibrarian Avatar

    I’ve heard loads of mixed things about this too tbh, which has made me nervous cos I have this on my tbr- but I’m so glad you liked it!! I love the sound of the setting (I’m a sucker for boarding school narratives) and YES always to villains. I’m glad the plotting was so good too. Great review!!

    Like

    1. Trang (Bookidote) Avatar

      Yess a lot of people also told they only heard good reviews but I was like what I read a lot of bad ones too AHAH the villains are the best especially when they are well done 😉

      Like

  23. Jackie B @ Death by Tsundoku Avatar

    This is the first time I’ve seen this book around the blogs, but I’ve also been a bit quiet when it comes to blog hopping lately. The plot doesn’t particularly grab me. I don’t like violence and gore. You mention above that perhaps this book does not contain as much gore as the synopsis suggests– is this more of a thriller, then? How would you define the genre of this novel?

    I’m so glad the ending made the book worth it! Those are my favorite books to read, sometimes. They will certainly stick with me the longest.

    Like

  24. Poulami @ Daydreaming Books Avatar

    I love this kind of storylines!! And this book sounds pretty awesome, I’m definitely willing to give it a try!
    Great review Trang!! ❤

    Like

    1. Trang (Bookidote) Avatar

      POULAMII ❤ THANK YOU SO MUCHH 😀

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Poulami @ Daydreaming Books Avatar

        You’re welcome! 😀

        Like

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