Title: Jinxed
Author: Thommy Hutson
Genre: YA, horror, mystery thriller
Genres: Horror, Thriller, Young Adult
Publication date: March 13th 2018
Published by: Vesuvian Books
Source: For review
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Synopsis:
High School Can Be a Real Killer
Break a mirror
Walk under a ladder
Step on a crack
Innocent childhood superstitions …
But someone at the secluded Trask Academy of Performing Arts is taking things one deadly step further when the campus is rocked with the deaths of some of its star students.
Layna Curtis, a talented, popular senior, soon realizes that the seemingly random, accidental deaths of her friends aren’t random—or accidents—at all. Someone has taken the childhood games too far, using the idea of superstitions to dispose of their classmates. As Layna tries to convince people of her theory, she uncovers the terrifying notion that each escalating, gruesome murder leads closer to its final victim: her.
Will Layna’s opening night also be her final bow?
It’s Spring Break in an elite boarding school on a secluded island right off of Seattle. Most everyone has gone home, but not Layna and her friends. Little do they know, someone is out to kill them. It’s too bad they’re stuck on the island with a murderer... with no way out.
I really enjoyed this book! There were some parts I absolutely loved, and some parts I didn’t care for. They mystery is one of the things that initially grabbed me. So the slight info dump at the beginning, I wasn’t a big fan of. I just wanted to get to the mystery which I found very intriguing. It kept me guessing all the way through the last chapter, which is something I always love in a book. I did end up guessing the killer by then end... mostly by process of elimination since we weren’t left with many suspects. Lol. But I did suspect them early on... which doesn’t say much because I literally suspected everyone! It was a good mystery! I did, however, make the connection between the kill in the event in the prologue and the present mystery. The last line of the prologue just made things so obvious once we met the characters in chapter one. I immediately knew who they were talking about!
Speaking of the character, I... well, I didn’t really care for them. I just could not connect with them, not even Layna. And look, it’s fine. I’m mostly here for the mystery, if I’m honest. Lol. every time we went into exposition and getting to know these characters just—
For example, in chapter 11 we learn a little bit about a teacher, something I didn’t care for. I just wanted more kills! And boy did I get them (more on that later)!
One thing I really, really didn’t care for was the Layna-Max-Dillon love triangle type of thing. I usually don't mind this teen drama stuff, but this? No thanks. At one point we get this dumb relationship stuff after a really great kill, and to be honest, I could not care less. I just wanted to get back in the action! More kills! More blood!
Blood, blood, bloooooooood,
Anyway, my disinterest in the relationship stuff is probably due to the boys. Layna’s current boyfriend, Max, in one instance, objectifies her...
Yeah, no thanks. But there's also Dillon, the ex. At first I felt bad for the way Layna’s friends treated him, but he really is a creeper! He follows Layna around in a stalker-y way, and then the end...
I can see why he gave off weird vibes.
I want to talk about the blood now.
The kills?
They were amazing! They were gory and descriptive, and I absolutely loved it! We actually got the POV of the murder victims as they were being killed, and just—so much yes! It made me squirm and I loved it! So, if you don’t like gory horror, I’m sorry. That was definitely my favorite part of the book! The scenes were just so well written and descriptive and suspenseful! And the victims put up a great fight, which I liked! They really tried their hardest to stay alive—the killer certainly had a hard time subduing a bunch of teenagers. Lol.
Speaking of the killer, I actually suspected someone early on, but dismissed it quickly because it was just too obvious. Turns out the obvious choice was the right choice. Lol. As for the plot twist regarding the reasoning why Layna’s friends were being killed... not that surprised. It gave me serious Fear Street vibes. It was the exact motive from Halloween Party! Had I not read that book previously, this reveal would’ve been more satisfying.
Let’s talk about the ending, because I just loved it! At first I was kind of confused by it—the epilogue. After everything that went down, the killing, the family secrets... where is the trauma that was suffered?! WHERE?! As a nurse, I had a hard time believing the character wasn’t having a hard time. It was all about the rewards and fame, or whatever. Trauma, where?! But then we come to the last page...
I absolutely loved the ending! I think I actually clapped, I was so happy! Lol.
Anyway, I really enjoyed this read, particularly the horror element!
“You want drama?” Layna asked calmly. “You got it.”
His career then took a thrilling turn when he wrote and produced several definitive genre film retrospectives for television and home entertainment: SCREAM: THE INSIDE STORY, NEVER SLEEP AGAIN: THE ELM STREET LEGACY, MORE BRAINS! A RETURN TO THE LIVING DEAD and HIS NAME WAS JASON: 30 YEARS OF FRIDAY THE 13th.
He was also a staff writer on Hulu’s daily web series “The Morning After,” a smart, witty, pop culture program aimed at getting viewers up-to-date on the latest entertainment news and celebrity interviews.
Thommy also produced the critically acclaimed feature THE TROUBLE WITH THE TRUTH, an insightful relationship drama starring Lea Thompson and John Shea. He also produced DREAMWORLD, a quirky, romantic dramedy.
He co-wrote and produced ANIMAL for Chiller Films and Drew Barrymore’s Flower Films. The project debuted in iTunes’ top ten horror films (reaching #1) and became the network’s highest-rated original movie.
Continuing his passion for uncovering the stories behind the story, he went on to produce CRYSTAL LAKE MEMORIES: THE COMPLETE HISTORY OF FRIDAY THE 13th, which is the most comprehensive look at the popular film franchise.
As an author Thommy crafted a limited-edition coffee table book detailing the making and legacy of Wes Craven’s 1984 classic A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET. A trade version distributed by Simon & Schuster reached number one in Amazon.com’s Movie History & Criticism category. He also has a deal with Vesuvian Media to write a YA thriller trilogy with the first book due out spring 2017.
He produced and made his feature directorial debut with THE ID, an independent psychological drama/thriller. Filmmaker Magazine stated it was “a deeply unsettling thriller that’s as moving as it is frightening…with skillful, provocative direction that has echoes of early Polanski.”
Most recently, Thommy wrote the screenplay for CineTel Films’ supernatural horror film TRUTH OR DARE. He is also directing, writing and producing a documentary with Clive Barker’s Seraphim Films in addition to developing other film and television properties with the company.
As an author, he is currently writing another book that definitively details the history, making and legacy of another fan-favorite genre film from the 1980s.
A member of the Producers Guild of America, Thommy continues to develop unique, compelling and provocative projects across multiple genres for film, television, publishing, and home entertainment through his company Hutson Ranch Media.
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Have you read this book? If so, what did you think about it? If not, what do you think? Does it sound like something you might want to read? Leave me a link to your review or comment below! :)
Thanks for being on the tour! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for having me! :)
DeleteSounds good!
ReplyDeletemia2009(at)comcast(dot)net
It was! I enjoyed it!
DeleteI'm looking forward to reading Jinxed. Thank you for your review.
ReplyDeleteIt was a good read!
DeleteSounds so thrilling!
ReplyDeleteIt was!
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