My Never Ending List

The beginning of the novel was hilarious; I don’t remember laughing this hard and this much over a novel in a long time. It wasn’t just the predicaments that the characters found themselves in but also the thoughts and the actions that were amusing and I couldn’t keep myself away from this novel. I loved the author’s writing style, it was smooth and carefree and the characters were individuals that I could relate to. I hoped that the humorous tone would continue throughout the whole novel but it wasn’t long before it began to take a more serious note as the characters in the novel began to look at their situation differently.   Where it was all fun and games before, the characters began to add a personal note to their circumstances.  Not everyone agreed on this new perspective and this created conflict within the group. I could see both angles, as everyone personalities are different and that comes into play here. It became a game, a twisted competition where there were losers and winners and there were some individuals who didn’t even know they were part of the game. It was a refreshing novel, clever and remarkable with lots of twists and surprises. There were times that I wanted more details and times that I thought the book was rushed but in the end, I thought the book was amazing and well executed.

The Chaos Club, who is in it and what they do, remains totally anonymous. They get their message across by doing outrageous and outlandish pranks and have been doing so for many years. Max, Ellie, Wheeler, Malone and Adleta have each received an anonymous card from the Chaos Club. As they gather at the field, they each have hopes that this is their invitation to join this elite group.  What a unique group of student, they were remarkably different from one another yet why were these five selected to meet on the field together? The group must perform a task, a mission and it is this first mission that binds them together forever. Climbing up the stairs of the water tower, the darkness consumes them. Making their way along the wall of the water tower, the can of spray paint rolls at their feet. The lights suddenly go on, the police bullhorn screams from below bellowing for them to descend, their eyes catching the writing that has transformed the tower’s face. They are busted for a crime that they have not committed. I really wanted to be a part of this novel, to travel inside and witness the events firsthand. These five students need to come together and decide on their next steps.   Do they retaliate or do they walk away? They have to agree and decide. How can you retaliate on a group which is anonymous and can they walk away when the school knows of their crime?   Their efforts were funny and some of them, painful.   They were such great actors and actresses; I couldn’t quit laughing and their stories, what drama and creativity. This is definitely a great read for 2016 and a book I would recommend.

I received a copy of this novel from NetGalley and Sourcebooks in exchange for an honest opinion.