Cover Image: Secrets Never Die

Secrets Never Die

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

Every Halloween Sam and his group of friends gather in the forest to whisper their sins to "The Dark Place", an abandoned hut in the woods. This year, they are interrupted when someone throws eggshells filled with blood at their meet up spot. The next day, each of them receive a text message from Sasha Craven, blackmailing them with the knowledge of their darkest secrets.

I found this to be an extremely average thriller. I usually read thrillers pretty quickly, but this one took me a bit of time. I liked the fast-pace and short chapters, but overall I didn't think that the twists were that exciting. At times I found it a bit hard to keep track of who was who. The majority of the characters were very one-dimensional, and unremarkable. I wish that we had gotten more POVs from other characters other then Sam, as I think that would have given us more insight and details into the other character's lives. I wasn't able to guess who the culprit was, but I found it to be a bit anti-climatic in the end, hence the 3 star rating.

Was this review helpful?

Free ebook, review is my own.

This was an interesting YA thriller. Entertaining enough but I think I was not the right audience for this story. Action packed but a story line I have read too many times before. Good for YA readers/intro to thriller. The secrets were good and life changing to the individuals but they didnt hold water for it to be so ritualistic for the kids to feel compelled to do it yearly.

Was this review helpful?

A quick paced, dark YA Psychological Thriller sure to keep you on the edge of your seat. This one kept me thinking the whole time, and I had no clue who the culprit was. I loved the questionable reliability of the narrators, and how the plot unfolds. The Dark Place is an incredibly unique concept too.

Was this review helpful?

Oh, I got really into this one. It wasn't super scary or anything like that. But it was really intriguing and it did keep me guessing the whole time. Usually, I try to guess who it is and whats happening. But things twisted and turned so much that I eventually gave up and just enjoyed the ride.

Was this review helpful?

A good book filled with shocking revelations, deceit, lies, and many twists and turns. I couldn't wait to see what would happen next. I recommend this one.

Was this review helpful?

I've read a book by Vincent Ralph before which I enjoyed, so this one disappointed me a little bit. It was a quick read, but I felt underwhelmed by the resolution and the reveals. The characters felt very one-dimensional and I wasn't rooting for any of them. I did want to find out what everyone was hiding, but always felt let down when I did. Maybe this is more for teens and less for young adults. I think I would've enjoyed this so much more had I been a few years younger.

Was this review helpful?

Absolutely captivating read! This book kept me hooked from start to finish. The characters were well-developed, the plot was engaging, and the writing style was simply superb. A definite must-read for anyone looking for a thrilling adventure!

Was this review helpful?

This was a fast paced read with short chapters (win). I think it was a good thriller for YA, with lots of twists. I think it was a little too YA for me personally but I think it would make a great read for teens!

Thank you Wednesday Books and NetGalley for the arc!

Was this review helpful?

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's/Wednesday Books for providing me with an early copy of this book. Below is my honest review.

Secrets Never Die by Vincent Ralph was a YA mystery / horror book that didn't disappoint. This fast pace book kept my attention from start to finished. I was constantly thinking and guessing about what would happen next. The writing style was wonderful and I loved how I was able to visualize the story so well. I also loved how short the chapters were. Being short allowed me to justify reading "just one more" chapter that always led me to more than one.

This was my first book by Vincent Ralph and it definitely won't be my last. I highly recommend this book. I rated this 5 stars!

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. An interesting young adult thriller for all ages, who doesn't love the idea of holding a funeral for your secrets?

Was this review helpful?

I love young adult mystery thrillers. This one had a lot of twists and turns I didn’t see coming, and I loved the mysterious aspect.

Was this review helpful?

Ooo y'all know when these titles are intense it is going to be a great read! Loved this suspense/thriller novel. Absolute must read if you like to keep on guessing and be surprised at the end!

Was this review helpful?

I don’t know what to say, so I’m going to keep this review short and sweet

— This was very fast paced as I read this in one sitting; I couldn’t put it down
— I didn’t see any plot twist coming
—But this isn’t a book I’m going to remember one year from now

I’d for sure read another one of their books in the future as I was entertained the entire time

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an e-arc in exchange for an honest review

Was this review helpful?

this wasn’t bad, i feel like this would be scarier for younger people. this didn’t feel like a horror to me so maybe someone younger would think it’s scary.

Was this review helpful?

"The only way to free yourself from your darkest secrets is to bring them into the light."

Thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for access to an eARC in exchange for my honest review!

Since they were kids, Sam Hall and his friends Haran, Dom, Lauren and later Sam's girlfriend Elisha have been traveling out into the woods once a year to tell all of their deepest, darkest secrets to the Dark Place. It's their secret place away from the rest of the world where they can air out the worst of themselves in peace where no one will ever hear them--not even each other. They don't see any harm in the ritual. In fact, it's what keeps them feeling like they're doing all right sometimes. What makes them feel like they can move forward from some of the worst of themselves.

But when they sneak out of one of Dom's noisy, crowded Halloween parties to go and visit the Dark Place this time, it turns out they aren't entirely alone. Someone is there with them in the woods, and they make their presence known while it's Sam's turn to vent his secrets to the darkness. When they rush out into the woods, they find no one around, but what initially seems like a simple prank of eggs thrown against the side of the little hut proves to be far more sinister when they realize the eggs were full of blood. Blood that now paints the sides of the Dark Place, taking that safe space away from them. Someone was there. Someone heard them. Someone knows their secrets. Now they have to do whatever it takes to keep not only their secrets safe, but also themselves and the people they love most.

Secrets never die was such a wild ride. The twists and turns the story took kept me on my toes constantly, the story was well paced and packed with action and suspense, and the characters were all flawed and interesting and had so much to learn as they grew in the story. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a fun, tense thriller.

A few content warnings:

Suicidal ideation, failed suicide attempt, fire, injuries and scars due to fire, mortal peril, car accident, violation of privacy, violence with a knife, cyberstalking, cyber abuse, threat of danger to a child.

Was this review helpful?

I'm not sure what I was expecting with this book, but it didn't exactly hit the mark. I liked the short chapters which helped with pacing and that it was full of action and some twists. I think the twists and action just wasn't big enough and I didn't fall in love with the characters, they weren't exciting. I think if I knew more backstory about all the characters, the story would've felt more complete. I did enjoy the ending though with is why I gave it three stars.

Was this review helpful?

This will be enjoyed by fans of Karen McManus and Natalie E. Richards. It's not excessively original, but it is really enjoyable and fast-paced.

Was this review helpful?

I really enjoyed this book! There were so many twists, and I couldn't put it down. Excited to add this one to my classroom library as I think my students will really enjoy it as well.

Was this review helpful?

WOW! I pride myself on being able to figure out mysteries before the author wants you to but this book kept me guessing until the very end. I loved it and couldn't put it down.

Was this review helpful?

The book description does a good job of describing the plot and I would hate to tip my hand and spoil things. There were a few twists and turns along the way. Some I saw coming and some I did not.

Was this review helpful?