Cover Image: #MurderTrending

#MurderTrending

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Member Reviews

Definitely a fresh twist on a unique concept! This is definitely a chillingly fun read over a wintery weekend.

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Thank you for approving me for this title. I have found that I am no longer interested in reading this one and will not be reviewing it on my blog or anywhere else.

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This was ok, I wasn't able to finish it completely but plan to try reading it again. I feel like I want to give this another chance.

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The teens that come to our library YA sections have not been disappointed. They love the story and futuristic vibes. Will be ordering more from this author.

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❝The instant Dee Guerrera peeled open her eyelids and gazed around the dimly lit warehouse, she knew she was screwed. Fifty million people are about to watch me die. ❞

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own!

This book totally pulled me in from page one with its unique premise, a charming main character, and the mystery of an unsolved murder. #Murdertrending deserves more attention and is a fun read that I tackled in just two days.

First, let's jump into the premise. this is a future where the USA has turned to a figured called The Postman for a solution to its crime problem. with a blend of reality TV entertainment and twisted murder scenes, #Murdertrending is sure to be a hit with fans of Hunger Games and similar dystopian novels.

In Alcatraz 2.0., prisoners try to survive as long as they can on an island that hides twisted serial killers called executioners. The mysterious Postman controls everything on the island and with his special app, anyone and everyone in the world can tune into the hundreds of cameras on the island to watch every second of each gruesome death.

Dee is the newest inmate on the island and her arrival sets a dangerous game into motion. it also forces her to remember memories best left in the past. with a new group of allies, Dee begins to uncover the secrets of Alcatraz 2.0. She quickly becomes a new internet sensation after her first run-in with one of the executioners, which earns her the nickname #CinderellaSurvivor.

❝ Screw the Postman, screw the criminal-justice system, screw the government for letting it all happen. She wouldn't play their game, and if that meant she died faster, so be it. ❞

Aside from this interesting dystopian element, another aspect that I loved in this book was the writing style. McNeil really works the social media element by including snippets of forum posts from The Postman app. I thought this was a really thoughtful and cool addition that tied into the whole feel of the book very well.

While the prisoners of Alcatraz 2.0. were certainly interesting and well written, I think the over-the-top executioners really appealed to me. They were a little cheesy but I loved it. They were pretty colorful characters and had some interesting murder techniques. I like Prince Slycer who dressed his victims as Disney characters and Gucci Hangman who killed his victims in fashion. There were others, of course, but I'll let you discover them for yourself.

The pacing was fast in this one; every chapter was full of action and kept the plot moving. The constant progress fit well with the fast-paced lifestyle of Alcatraz 2.0. Prisoners didn't get a chance to catch their breath and neither did we. The story had me hooked from the beginning and the plot carried me through.

Finally, the conclusion of the book felt perfect and left things just broken enough to leave me craving more. I'm excited to see what McNeil does for the rest of the series. I'd really love to get the opportunity to see what the Death Row Breakfast Club does next.

#Murdertrending is a fun weekend read that fans of the horror/thriller and dystopian genres will enjoy. Definitely take some time to check this out!

#Murdertrending was released on August 7th, it's a book that's worth checking out!

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Whoa! This technically sci-fi book takes place in such the close future that it seems like it could happen tomorrow. And that is terrifying! The premise was extremely fascinating and the mystery was unpredictable. All in all, a nailbiting book that was a fascinating read.

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I received a digital copy of this book from Netgalley for an honest review.

This was definitely creative but I found the whole thing just rather silly. If you like campy horror movies you would probably like this. I don't, so it just wasn't for me.

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Librarian: Like many other librarians (and other professional readers) I will admit to the fact that I am getting slightly sick of YA Dystopias. There's just so many of them, and for the most part they're all quite similar. There's a few general types (ie corrupt government, people divided up into some type of social classes, protagonist thrown into prison for a crime they didn't commit, etc). This one is of the "protagonist in prison for a crime they didn't commit" type. In this case, the crime is murder, and the prison is a town where prisoners systematically hunt one another down, all while being live-streamed around the world.
If that sounds like a Black Mirror episode, while it feels like one too. And that's part of why this YA Dystopia is a bit more fun and less formulaic than some others. It's not as heavy on the corrupt government thing as most examples of the genre, which may appeal to readers who feel like they see enough government corruption in the real world. This book also feels more mystery centered, and I think that might make it appeal to a slightly larger audience than it might otherwise.
Reader: As I said, this book feels like an episode of Black Mirror (and not the one with the two women who fell in love in the virtual reality world). As such, the dystopian aspects are more focused on the evils of technology than on the type of government who would find this a good idea in the first place. That's kind of nice. Also the story is fairly fast paced and enjoyable. It's a tad predictable at times, but then, what YA novel isn't? 3.5/5 Stars

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This was such a cool and intense read. It really reminded me a lot of those 90 teen horror flicks like Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer. It seems a bit weird to say this was a fun read, but it was. I loved the element of not knowing who to trust and how Dee’s past was somehow connected to her present situation.

The concept behind Alcatraz 2.0 is interesting but also hella scary given the political climate we’re in.

I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.

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*A book that has a little bit of everything, mystery, thrills, romance, horror, humor, and likable characters*
Dee Guerrera, a 17 year old is sent to Alcatraz 2.0 for murdering her sister. Alcatraz 2.0 is no ordinary prison because while there everything is being filmed and the more the audience likes you the longer you stay. This story is the perfect story to read if you want something unique and out of the ordinary. This book did a good job of putting a fun twist on social media not only was it well written it was well thought out. By using social media as an important factor in the story the author is able to reach a wider audience. While the story started out strong it did start to loose me towards the end but I am glad I kept reading because it was an overall enjoyable read. I would recommend this story to others. 4/5 *Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

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Horror with a bit of humor!
Thanks to NetGalley and Disney Book Group for the opportunity to read and review Murder Trending by Gretchen McNeil!
Government-sanctioned serial killers entertain citizens on The Postman app, which shows them hunting and killing convicts. A seventeen-year-old has been convicted of killing her stepsister. This teen’s name is Dee and she says she’s innocent. After the trial, Dee woke up on Alcatraz Island in a cell that reminded her of when she’d been kidnapped as an eleven-year-old. She has no recollection of the time between her trial and waking up in a cell on Alcatraz Island. The back and forth telling of the kidnapping and Alcatraz Island was difficult to follow for a while, but I kept reading and the story did get better. The characters grew on me and the unique plot and setting drew my interest. With some twists and turns and a bit of humor, #Murdertrending is entertaining, 4 stars!

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Set in the near future, eighteen year old Dee has been convicted of murdering her stepsister, and is sentenced to a new type of prison, known as Alcatraz 2.0, run by a mysterious figure known as The Postman. Located on an island, Alcatraz 2.0 is always under surveillance, and the public can tune in at any time to watch the live feeds of the prisoners. What makes this prison different is the fact that there are killers on the island, who, allowed by the government, torture and kill the convicted felons that end up there. The audience can watch the murders and place bets on who they think the killer will be for each inmate.

Dee swears she's innocent, and refuses to become one of the island's next victims. She forms a group of friends, nicknamed by the public the Death Row Breakfast Club, and together they try their best to stay alive day by day. Dee is determined to find a way off of the island to prove her innocence, but in doing so, has placed herself right in the The Postman's line of sight.



As soon as I read the blurb for #MurderTrending, I knew I had to read it! I am a huge fan of books that incorporate social media into the plot, given how prevalent social media is for most people these days. Reading the book was an interesting experience, because while we know from the beginning that Dee says she's innocent, you can't help but rooting for not just her, but her entire posse of friends, even knowing that they've all been sentenced to the island because they are convicted killers (regardless of whether or not they say they are innocent). 

Another element to the book that I loved was the mysterious character, known as The Postman - a former reality TV producer, who no-one knows the identity of, but who runs the island. There are a few chapters that are told from The Postman's point of view, which made him even more intriguing. 

If you are a fan of books like The Hunger Games and 1984, movies like The Purge and Untraceable, and shows like Big Brother, I think you'll be a fan of this book. There are elements of survival, voyeurism, social media, dystopia, and corrupt governments and legal systems, and I think some of these things are really relevant to today's society, just on a smaller scale. 

All in all, this was a perfect YA thriller for me, and exactly what I needed to read at the moment. Because it's YA, it was quick and easy to get through, but didn't skimp on the gore or reveals. I also loved the ending of the book - it did a great job wrapping up this story so the reader doesn't feel like they got ripped off, while leaving it open just enough to leave room for a sequel (which comes out next year!).

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This is a book you definitely have to suspend your belief to read and unfortunately I just couldn't do it. I have to be in the right mindset to read these kinds of books and I guess I just wasn't when I tried to pick this up. I can see how it would be pretty fun, but it's not working for me so I DNF'd at 40% and then read a good chunk of the end. If it sounds interesting to you I would still recommend picking it up!

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In a world where a former reality mogul is president, we get introduced to Alcatraz two point oh.

A diverse group of so called 'criminals' - dubbed the Death Row Breakfast Club - are the core players in residence on Alcatraz 2.0, an island off the San Fran Bay where live executions bring...ratings.

This is a gory, quick paced read with a group of characters that will leave you cringing, laughing, and rooting for them. While the backstory lacked slightly the events that take place on the government approved execution island help to make up for it. I wasn't completely surprised by the ending, but I will definitely be reading if there is a sequel!

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#MurderTrending is set in the very near future where reality television has been taken to a whole new level. The Postman is an anonymous television mogul who developed the idea for Alcatraz 2.0, an island in the San Francisco Bay, and the Postman App. People convicted of the most heinous crimes are sent to the prison island, Alcatraz 2.0 and then hunted down by government sanctioned serial killers. All of which is recorded on video and available for the public through the Postman App. This new “show” has become so popular that almost everyone in the country has a favourite serial killer that they follow and know everything about

The story begins with the main character, Dee Guerrera, as she wakes up on Alcatraz 2.0. She is dressed as a princess and immediately has to fight for her life because the executioner, Prince Slycer, is slated to kill her while America watches. But things don’t go as planned and Dee meets up with a group of fellow inmates that become known as the Death Row Breakfast Club.

The story follows them as they all try to survive on the island they were meant to die on. As they get to know each other better, they start to realise that things might be even more sinister and strange because none of them actually committed the crimes they were convicted of.

We see the story unfold on Alcatraz 2.0, but between chapters we also get glimpses of the forums where fans are discussing what they watch on the app. Some are brutal, disappointed when the deaths don’t go as planned and others are hinting at a conspiracy theory. This makes the story such a unique experience as we get to see the perspective from inside the prison as well as a glimpse of what is happening outside.

Throughout we get Dee’s flashbacks from when she was 11 years old and kidnapped as well. She was held captive for a period of time and has a lot of unresolved feelings from that time. So with all of this going on, you can imagine the number of twists and turns this story takes.

This book was such an interesting concept as it really highlights the excessiveness that we’ve come to expect from reality television as well as the way we interact online. It’s a near future that doesn’t really seem that far off. And some of the scenes even seem a bit over the top while still maintaining an excellent storyline.

Though it’s twisty and super interesting, it is also has some gore. Each time a murder takes place on the island it is described on the page and the characters are forced to watch it repeatedly on the TV screens throughout the island. So if you’re squeamish, know going in there may be scenes you need to skim.

Overall, this was a super interesting look at society and where we’re headed and I’ll definitely be picking up the sequel.

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Students will love this book. There is enough action and violence to keep them reading. I really enjoyed the beginning and how it shows students the dangers of believing what you see on social media. However, as the book progressed, it became more and more far-fetched.
On a whole, I will recommend this book to high schoolers looking for a simple pleasure-reading book.

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Okay, this book was just kind of...weird. I loved the premise--I'm super into any and all reality show books. However, the execution was...less cool. I almost feel like the book would have been more interesting if the main character was actually guilty? Or if the island was a little more Hunger Games-y? Just my opinion. Then things just got super weird with Kimmy, etc. In the end, just okay.

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I can’t quite comprehend what I read. I love the premise of this book, but the scenarios and explanations for how everything occurs is absolutely absurd. Typically, I don’t have many issues with stories that have far-fetched worlds (this is fiction, after all), but I have tremendous issues with this particular setting. I refuse to believe that the government would sanction such a grotesque solution to capital punishment, and that they would choose to broadcast this to the outside world. How has the fan base for this morbid show escalated to the millions? We reside in a world where thousands upon thousand of people commit crimes, and yet the vast majority of people disprove of violent treatment towards any felon, regardless of their crimes. Am I expected to believe that the same population who considers hate speech to be a cruel and unjust transgression, will welcome the idea of executing criminals through horrific methods? Furthermore, the human race relishes this concept so much, that they develop a social media addiction to this show? Pardon me, as a roll my eyes. I am not denying the fact that a wide percentage of our population is more infatuated with social media than is necessary, but I find it awfully implausible that we would ever stoop this low.

Even if I could stomach the concept, the characters are another issue altogether. To describe them in a single word: fake. I never once felt that these characters were genuine human beings. The decisions they all make, in addition to the cheesy, dramatic, and forced dialogue are written purely to create drama and needlessly violent scenarios. Personally, if I was in these characters’ predicaments, I would be frightened out of my wits, not worrying about crushes and which wardrobe option suits me best. Perhaps I won’t be murdered if I don the pale yellow dress today. Call me crazy, but I think an ounce of fear in the hearts of these characters would’ve helped me relate to them on some meager level.

Hyperboles should be used in moderation. In all earnestness, is this novel supposed to be taken seriously or is it a parody? I honestly don’t have a clue as to what the tone of this novel is implied to be. This story reminds me of Scary Movie and other Hollywood satires, that poke fun at the tacky, high-school horror movie genre. Again, the actions and dialogue of the protagonist, Dee, along with the other members of the Death Row Breakfast Club felt so outlandish, that the only clarification I can conjure is that it must be a parody of sorts. Not to mention, their homage to the original Breakfast Club characters seemed too out of proportion to be sincere. The mystery element also isn’t too enticing, since it’s fairly clear what’s happening from the start.

I wanted to enjoy this one. Truly, I did. I dived into it with an open mind, but I couldn’t swallow the lack of realism in the world and plot, and the characters weren’t able to redeem it. The one element I did enjoy (assuming the story is in fact, satirical) is how the side character, Ethan randomly recites famous quotes from movies, despite the dire situation the characters are in. They made me chuckle more than once, and I appreciated the lightheartedness they brought to the story. I’ve never been a fan of over-the-top horrors such as this, so it isn’t too shocking that this one is no exception.

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/sigh.... I really wanted to like this book more than I did....I did like it enough to finish it out of curiosity but the YA market is so over saturated with this type book right now and nothing really stood out to me to really LOVE it. There was over the top gore and violence that made this book seem like it was on the edge of YA to adult.The cheesy names in this book bothered me too. i.e.-Molly Mauler...(insert eye roll here). The info dumping in this book was on a whole different level. It was way too informative and read more like statements than a fiction ya.

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This book was unexpectedly well written and I did find enjoyment in it all. The book is graphic and descriptive and it's surprising how eloquently the author describes it without going too far into detail. You can get lost in describing things like that so it was nice that she knew when to let your mind do the rest of the work.

However, the plot twist I thought could have been executed a lot better and we could have used more down time with the murderers breakfast club in order for us to get attached to them. There was quite a bit of telling and not enough showing which is why I only gave this 3 stars. It's a solid read and I know my teens will enjoy themselves, but we could have had more character establishing moments. Just my thoughts.

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