Review: These Vengeful Hearts, Katherine Laurin

These Vengeful Hearts by Katherine Laurin
Published by Inkyard Press on September 8, 2020
Genres: young adult, contemporary, mystery, thriller
Format: ARC
Source: Harper360UK
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Anyone can ask the Red Court for a favor...but every request comes at a cost. And once the deed is done, you're forever in their debt.

Whenever something scandalous happens at Heller High, the Red Court is the name on everyone's lips. Its members--the most elite female students in the school--deal out social ruin and favors in equal measure, their true identities a secret known only to their ruthless leader: the Queen of Hearts.

Sixteen-year-old Ember Williams has seen firsthand the damage the Red Court can do. Two years ago, they caused the accident that left her older sister paralyzed. Now, Ember is determined to hold them accountable...by taking the Red Court down from the inside.

But crossing enemy lines will mean crossing moral boundaries, too--ones Ember may never be able to come back from. She always knew taking on the Red Court would come at a price, but will the cost of revenge be more than she's willing to sacrifice?

I received this book for free from Harper360UK in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

☂️ TRIGGER WARNINGS:

bullying, acts of vengeance, adultery/cheating, partial paralysis, spinal cord injury, broken femur, drinking.

☂️ DIVERSITY: gay MC, POC side characters.

There are no spoilers in this review.

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I ENJOYED…

☂️

• These Vengeful Hearts was one of my most anticipated reads of the year. The whole plot sounded incredible: the main character looking to get revenge on her high school’s secret society for the wrong it did to her sister? I’m all here for that kind of story. I’m happy to say: I wasn’t disappointed by it.
• I really liked the main character, Ember and especially loved seeing her grow as the story goes on. From wanting to get revenge for her sister to losing herself to the adrenaline and thrill of it all, it was great to see her grow, change and see what she would, or could be capable of.
• The relationships between the characters were a highlight for me in These Vengeful Hearts, especially between the sisters. It’s not a flawless relationship, but I loved seeing how protective Ember was of her big sister, and vice-versa.
• I also had fun discovering the side characters in this story. I especially liked Haley and how three-dimensional she felt, with her own issues and secrets and passions, too. Her and Ember’s relationship and tentative friendship was so interesting to follow!
• Talking about friendship… I loved Gideon, Ember’s best friend and found him to be a lovely addition to the story. He’s always supportive, also protective of her and he’s the kind of friend you’d want to have, really. I know I do!
• Overall, These Vengeful Hearts was a very fun read. I read it pretty quickly and was entertained from page one, wanting to know what would happen next, who the famous Queen of Hearts was and how Ember’s plans would pan out.

I HAD A HARD TIME WITH…

☂️

• This is going to sound a bit strange, but stay with me, okay? With a synopsis like that and comps like Riverdale or Pretty Little Liars, I kind of expected this book to be a little darker than it ended up being. The twists and turns surprised me, but it didn’t take that darker turn I somehow expected from the synopsis, or made me G A S P out loud because everything happening was so terrible or something. I was entertained, but somehow expected more thrills? If that makes sense?

OVERALL

☂️

If you’re looking for an entertaining story about a high school secret society, making you wonder how far you’ll go for revenge, I’ll recommend this one. It’s not too dark, it’s highly entertaining and has some great relationships to root for!

FINAL RATING : 4 drops!

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Did you read These Vengeful Hearts or do you want to? What was your latest contemporary read? Let me know in comments!

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