Oh man, I loved this book, but I knew I would. Gretchen’s words are always a favorite and she writes murdery goodness like no one else.

I loved Dee. She’s smart and somehow levelheaded and much more of a bad ass than I would have been. The Death Row Breakfast Club is just as awesome. I loved Ethan’s movie quotes and Gris’s sarcasm, and Nyles had me at being British.

Plot wise it’s quite unique, yet also a bit of a commentary on current events. It was fast paced from the beginning and doesn’t let go until the end. I know this is fairly vague, but I don’t want to spoil anything.

Overall, it was a quick read with characters I was rooting for right from the start. The ending was satisfying and I’m wondering if there will be more. Regardless, I’m 100000% here for Gretchen’s words.

**Huge thanks to Freeform for providing the arc free of charge**

I enjoyed this book quite a bit! I think that teens can relate to the content regarding obsessions with social media/reality television. While Alcatraz 2.0 seems far-fetched, the idea can and should spark conversations about the dangers of reality television. I would have liked a pit more character development from the rest of the Death Row Breakfast Club but perhaps we'll get that in a sequel? Fingers crossed!

I was a little cautious going into this book because I wasn't sure about the description/premise of the story, sounded a little too far-fetched for me. However, even though it is a stretch, I did enjoy the book and the twists and turns it took. This is the kind of book that I will recommend to my students who want a true scary book. There is quite a bit of gore, but nothing that they don't see or hear anywhere else. I will be featuring this one in some of my back-to-school emails about new books.

This is a very dark book, very well written about young people who have committed murders and are sentenced to death at a new and improved Alcatraz. The teens fight for their lives and try to outwit their executioners. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to be an early reader in exchange for my fair and honest review.

I did not finish this book. It just wasn’t for me. I didn’t care for the language used (too much online lingo, acronyms, etc.) and the violent nature of the story.

Plot: Gretchen McNeil snapped with this one. In a not so distant future, the United States elected its first reality-star president who sold the Department of Justice off to an entertainment company. Thus was the end of due process and the beginning of Big Brother-style murders.

As a fan of McNeil's other thrillers, I was instantly drawn to the author's take on reality TV/The Breakfast Club/social media. The basis for the plot was fascinating, but the pacing was just a bit off for me. The first half was mostly Dee getting acclimated to Alcatraz 2.0 and then McNeil hit the ground running and didn't quite let up. While the ending was exciting, the wrap-up felt a bit far-fetched and rushed.

Characters: Dee had a hard life. Her father had to relocate them across the country, her stepsister was found murdered, and she was charged with said murder. I wouldn't say that Dee had much development, but I liked how McNeil slowly unraveled her past. My favorite characters were her fellow inmates at Alcatraz 2.0, some of them read like caricatures, but they were fun and brought some humor to the murder and social commentary.

Worldbuilding: What made #murdertrending so trippy was that it didn't feel too far-fetched. McNeil perfectly captured internet culture and how desensitized we've become to the horrors of the world. I wanted to explore the bizarre world of Alcatraz 2.0 where inmates worked 9-5 jobs and tried to outrun state-funded serial killers a bit more. The most we got was Dee's workplace (a delightful ice cream shoppe) and her home.

Short N Sweet: #murdertrending was a great idea but the execution didn't leave me feeling satisfied.

This book drew me in from the very first chapter and hooked me. It might have been the way Dee seemed like such a bad ass from her first encounter in Alcatraz 2.0. It could be the fact that Alcatraz 2.0 is something that doesn't seem that far out of reach for our current world. It was definitely the author's skill at creating a character you wanted to rally behind immediately. This book was incredible and I had the hardest time putting it down so I could sleep. Can I get some more of this world please?!

I'm between a 3-3.5 star rating here.

We've seen oodles of YA novels published with themes of youth battling each other to the death, which is why I'm amazed at how unique and engaging Gretchen McNeil was able to make #MurderTrending feel. In a sea of similarly plotted novels, does it stand out above the rest? Not necessarily, but it was still a really fun read that I would highly recommend to those YA lovers who need something to bust their reading slump. It was incredibly fast paced and action packed, the type of book that has you gripped with bated breath while sitting on the edge of your seat.

I did find some of the character development lacking and the backstory a little underwhelming, but overall those were minor complaints and didn't take away from the fact that this is an enjoyable read. Readers who are squeamish will want to give this one a wide berth though; it is VERY graphic with explicit descriptions of violence of all kinds. If you enjoy the gory stuff like I do though, I think you'll want to pick this one up for the sheer fact that it's so gripping and the plot really draws you in. Gretchen McNeil once again proves that she's a force to be reckoned with in the world of YA thrillers and will continue to hold a place on my list of auto-buy authors. <3

Dee Guerrera is the main character of this story. She was accused of killing her stepsister, quickly convicted on flimsy evidence, and then sent to Alcatraz 2.0 where she will be hunted by serial killers while being constantly available on the App that covers Alcatraz 2.0. In this near-future science fiction story, a man known as The Postmaster runs this part of the criminal justice system. Fans stream and comment on the gruesome deaths and form fanclubs for the killers.

Dee has to find a way to survive Alcatraz 2.0 and she would really like to find out who actually killer her stepsister Monica who was a big fan of Gucci Hangman who uses Gucci scarves to hang his victims. Being an Alcatraz 2.0 brings flashbacks of her kidnapping at age 11 when she was held prisoner in a white room by a fourteen-year-old psychopath. After her rescue, her father moved them both and changed their names.

Dee is met by Nyles who is the one assigned to show her around Alcatraz 2.0. Nyles is currently off the victim list as his case is being appealed and he has diplomatic immunity. Nyles introduces Dee to her new job at the local ice cream parlor where she meets Griselda and Blair. Blair tells her the rules to prolong her survival. The number one rule is to trust nobody.

Dee soon believes that her kidnapping has a direct relationship to her current situation. She and her friends are special targets of the killers.

I enjoyed this story despite the fact that the many murders were quite gruesome. I thought the comments from fans of the feed were interesting and adding a new viewpoint to the story. I liked that Dee was smart. I liked the way the kids managed to outwit the killer. The ending resolved most of the story but had enough of a cliffhanger to allow for more books.

This would be a great story for readers who are obsessed with social media and who want to read a mystery too.

Gretchen McNeil has done it again! #MurderTrending is outstanding effectively blending The Purge and The Hunger Games. The world building is strong creating an Alcatraz 2.0 and adding in a reality show. It is sure to be a hit with young adult readers. The plot is gripping and suspenseful. McNeil's writing is engaging. Highly recommended to readers who enjoy young adult horror.

Posted to Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhTWTDvWg_Y&feature=youtu.be

Posted to Goodreads: In the near future the justice system has changed. Serious criminals, once convicted, are sent to an island called Alcatraz 2.0 to be hunted by government sanctioned serial killers. Dee Guerrera has been convicted for the murder of her stepsister, a crime she did not commit. When Dee awakes on the island prison she knows that she will have to fight to stay alive. Her only hope is to solve her stepsisters murder and with the help of other falsely accused inmates Dee may be able to take down Alcatraz 2.0 from the inside.

This book had such an interesting premise however the execution didn't work for me. The book feels very much like a reality tv show with characters and their backstories just barely being developed and making it impossible to connect with the main character. I never cared what happened to Dee so I never really felt the need to keep reading. Also, the tone of the book felt a little disjointed. I couldn't decide if it was a spoof, a commentary on social media and reality television, a horror book, or a mystery. There were elements of each genre in the book however the book had issues that made it not work for most of the genre. Plus, the story feels like it's trying to be YA however some of the gorier parts felt more adult then teen while the trajectory of the plot and the quickness of the resolution felt more suited for a juvenile book. It was the resolution of the book that was my biggest issue, for a story that has even a sliver of mystery in it the end felt both anticlimactic and obvious.

When eighteen-year-old Dee Guerrera comes to in a warehouse, she realizes she’s about to be the next victim of The Postman app, which allows citizens to stream the executions of convicts from Alcatraz 2.0, a suburbanized prison island. It's one thing knowing that the worst of the worst are facing justice at the hands of legalized serial killers, but Dee isn't going to pay the ultimate price for a crime she didn’t commit. Will Dee survive long enough to prove her innocence? Or will The Postman’s cast of executioners pick her off?

#Murdertrending is my first novel by Gretchen McNeil, but I liked it well enough with some minor snags. My favorite aspect of this story is that I felt like I should have been eating a big bag of movie theater popcorn while I was reading this action packed near future thriller. It's a fun and fast paced ride that feels like it meant for the big screen. I also particularly liked that it feels so current with the language, the app, and the social media usage. Plus, I have to admit that the dash of politics (and overall future world) we get don't come across as all that far fetched at the moment actually. The only place where it really stumbled for me was the character development - it's a bit lacking and everyone is little too flat for my taste - and that pacing is a bit choppy from chapter to chapter.

Overall, #Murdertrending by Gretchen McNeil is an over the top, bloody, and darkly hilarious YA mystery thriller. If you like The Running Man, Scream Queens, Battle Royale, The Hunger Games, and bloodshed with a side of Disney princess references, then you may want to try McNeil's newest release. I think I'll have to read for more her work in the future such as Ten and Relic.

Dee knows she is innocent, but that doesn't matter in a society where egregious crimes are met with justice at Alcatraz 2.0. The twist? Being charged with the death at Alcatraz 2.0 means a gruesome murder that is live streamed to the world.

With a plot reminiscent to "The Purge," #MurderTrending was thrilling, and captivating. From the moment I started the book I couldn't wait to see what happened next, the plot was intriguing and moved quickly. Unfortunately there were some things that made the last half of the book fall flat for me.

I thought in this age of social media obsession and making a live video of everything, Alcatraz 2.0 was relevant and thought provoking. Commit a crime? Why shouldn't you have to pay the price? However, I felt like a book marketed as "young adult" should be markedly less gory than #MurderTrending was. I enjoyed the story, but I also thought the author could have left out some of the gore without sacrificing the story line. I felt the same way about the crude language. I am not opposed to author's using explicit language in their books. Teens use this language every day; however, I feel that there are some cases where the author just takes things to far and once again, could have edited the language to make the story more powerful.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and its story. I think it definitely needs to only be in high school libraries but I know some students will gravitate towards the story line and will be excited about the prospect of a sequel.

Unable to share review. Ghostwritten for a website client. NDA protected (between website and writer).

Do not read if you don't like gory murders!

Ok, now that warning is out of the way... wow. This is one of those "this couldn't really happen, right?" books - the idea of Alcatraz 2.0, the app and live feeds, the Postman, etc. all are so over the tip but... maybe... perhaps... it could really happen here. After all, we're in the land of Big Brother (the tv show, not the Orwellian idea, although perhaps that's not so far off) and we have a reality star for a President. This lost points for one (really two) obviously glaring plot holes. But anyone needing an thriller/murder adrenaline rush will appreciate this despite that.

eARC provided by publisher.

“#Murdertrending” is a solid and entertaining thriller that easily pulls the reader in. It feels like “The Running Man” meets a John Hughes movie, and its a combination that McNeil finds a lot to work with. The world building was well laid out and it felt realistic enough to be relatable. From the descriptions of the reality show to the social media commentary, the plot was immersive and addicting. The characters themselves were pretty standard tropes, however, and I wasn’t particularly attached to them. The most important part was that it was a gripping and entertaining read, and entertained I was.

Wow. Okay, this book was so much more than I was expecting. Centering around a setting that's really a character all its own, Alcatraz 2.0, "Murder Trending" shows us a glimpse into a plausible future America where murderers are hunted and killed on an island and it's all streamed live for sport. What happens when the supposed convicted murderers are all claiming innocence? Five such innocents band together to survive and expose the corruption behind Alcatraz 2.0. Dee is our main protagonist. She's 18 and supposedly killed her stepsister (she didn't - not a spoiler). Through Dee's eyes, we inhabit the island with her and unravel the uncomfortable truths and outright lies in her path. Dee is dealing with so much trauma - her stepsister's death and its fallout, plus the kidnapping she survived years before. Dee is damaged and strong. I think she was an amazing character.

The story itself is heart-pounding. I was completely unable to put the book down. It left me unsettled and captivated and concerned for our future. Gretchen McNeil can WRITE. She's got action and death and brokenness down pat. Details are perfectly sprinkled throughout so the bigger reveals are obvious but also make complete sense. However, there is one thing that will divide her audience. Read the book. You'll figure out what it is in an instant.

#MurderTrending by Gretchen McNeil

It is sometime in the future and Dee Guerra wakes up on Alcatraz 2.0. She was wrongly accused of killing her stepsister, found guilty and sent to the island of Alcatraz. This is not the old prison island but a new one, hence the name 2.0. Dee and several others have been all sentenced there to survive against the executioners in this app driven punishment. Where popularity helps in staying alive. 

Another page turner from Gretchen McNeil that will not disappoint fans nor readers who like fast-moving, trying to escape books. Dee is a character which you begin to like when she befriends her next door neighbor. Each of the characters in this story are quirky on their own but like the movie Breakfast Club, you begin to root for their success and survival. The alternative world does get the reader thinking and at times having to reread the descriptions to get a sense of where the characters are in this world. The end was a twist that the readers will not see coming until the last few chapters. 

Give this to anyone who enjoyed Gretchen's novel Ten or someone looking for a book to cheer on the characters such as the Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins or Maze Runner by James Dasher. 

received an ARC ebook from Netgalley  and the publisher, Disney Book Group in exchange for an honest review.

Are you familiar with the way the movie "Death Race" starring Jason Statham updated the original? Well, this book reminds me of an update of the movie "Running Man." There are the thematic executioners, the well publicized deaths of those convicted and sent by the Justice Department to serve their sentence within the reality show, and the betting on the outcome of each match-up. There is even the rigging of a trial to send someone into the show that does not belong there.

But the updates make the show seem so much more possible, which makes the whole story frightening on an entirely different level. It's bad enough that those sent to Alcatraz 2.0 are killed off by government sanctioned psychos like Prince Slycer who dresses his victims as Disney princesses before stabbing them, or by Gassy Al in his poison chamber. Now add the modern habit of posting everything to social media, creating memes of it, tagging it and watching it trend, all the while discussing whether the video feed is real or not. (#FakeNews)

The characters themselves are varied and interesting. A teen accused of murdering her stepsister. A fitness nut convicted of killing a client. A premed student who supposedly poisoned his own parents. Everyone has a backstory, as well as the role that has been chosen for them within Alcatraz 2.0 - the moody Brit, the hottie, the young princess, etc.

If you enjoy stories that are uncomfortably close to real life in some ways, while being incredibly imaginative in others - then pick up a copy of #Murdertrending as soon as possible. Highly recommended for YA and older readers.

I usually don't post spoilers on my reviews because, well, i hate spoilers. BUT OMG. DEATH BY POTTERY WHEEL? MOLLY THE MAULER? Just some of the gruesomely AWESOME THINGS you will find in #Murdertrending.

This is a fantastic murder mystery (heavy on the murder), set in the near future where anyone who has been sent to Alcatraz 2.0 is fair game to the serial killers there. They mete out justice in any way they see fit - all of them with strange and wonderful motifs. and of course, it's all captured on camera for the viewers of the Postman app to watch and rate!

It was so much fun to read this book. it's heavy on the snark -(which is always a good thing in my book), and while it's definitely full of horrific horrors and ghastly deeds -- you can't help but laugh your way through this book. it's one of the best books i've ever read. i hope that the ending means that there will be another.