Initial reaction: This was a whole journey of teens being terrible to each other and a steadily unfolding mystery with high stakes, but in a way that I think is meaningful and realistic for what it chooses to explore. The comparisons to "Ace of Spades" and "Tiny Pretty Things" make a lot of sense (of course the latter since the same authors penned this). I followed the characters in this very well and my heart ached for a few of them. Take the trigger warnings seriously, there are quite a bit here and they don't pull punches.

Full review:

"The Rumor Game" is an experience that I'd give a pretty solid 4 stars - immersive, intense, and while I wouldn't say it's necessarily a thriller, it definitely had a driving mystery and emotionally invested moments where you could feel the weight of events for what they were. I received this book as a galley, but I also listened to an audiobook copy of the novel after it was published, so I'm actually rounding this up to about a half-star more because of the strong audio performances by Joniece Abbott Pratt, Taylor Meskimen, Deepa Samuel, and Julie Nathanson.

Granted, this is not a book that is an easy read - take the trigger warnings seriously because there are quite a number of them to be had. To reiterate, content warnings for the book include bullying/cyberbullying, sexual abuse, sexual assault, weight loss/ED issues, body image, fatphobia, and racism (both in the form of microaggressions and overt displays). I do like that there's quite a bit of pushback/emotionally invested dialogue from the characters on these issues, especially when they come up.

This is a stand alone story from both Dhonielle Clayton and Sona Charaipota, authors of the "Tiny Pretty Things" series. I enjoyed that duology for what it offered for the intensely emotional mystery, setting, and the showcase of the cast of characters and their subsequent development through the series, dramatic twists in tow. "The Rumor Game" illuminates yet another competitive environment - Foxham Prep - centering on a group of three very flawed teens embroiled in a rumor scandal that shakes their respective lives in different ways. We have Bryn, former queen bee and political hopeful involved in causing a vehicular accident that put her Student Council presidency on the line, alongside a heavily tarnished reputation. We have Cora, Black cheerleading captain whose social status has improved, but strongly pushed rumors by a mysterious tipster threaten to tarnish her relationships, both with her boyfriend and a new girl. And then there's Georgie (oh Georgie...), an Indian teen who has transformed physically and emotionally with a weight loss journey and tries to strike the balance of navigating those changes while becoming a newfound target for scrutiny.

I think this is a realistic novel to portay the issues of bullying/cyberbullying and how cruel teens can be to each other, though it also has some events that are a little more out there and you can tell it's more for the driving conflict of the novel. Fair point to make: Bryn, Cora, and Georgie alike all are quite flawed characters where their fallibilities are put for full display online and at school. Told in a mixed media format combining prose, simulated text messages, articles, among other features, you follow Bryn, Cora, and Georgie as they navigate past and present events while also trying to determine who might be trying to sabotage their relationships with each other. The answer is a little more closer to home than any of them expect, and the game of trying to add on to the tide of rumors results in some horrible events that spiral out of control as the novel marches to its respective conclusion - revealing all and noting the fallout. I didn't think the consequences of said fallout were evenly handed when it was all said and done, but I did at least appreciate the journey overall.

The novel is a slow-burn in places, establishing the backgrounds of each of the girls and how they navigate some of the bigger conflicts at the center of their lives while also navigating the dialogue spiral the rumors become. I did not expect the twists, did not expect some of the respective players who had their hand in the conflict to be what they were, so it kept me guessing and wanting to find out who had the most to gain and lose. There were times I internally raged at some of the things the characters did, but I also understood emotionally where each of the teens were at the time (Georgie goes through...a lot. Whew. There were times I had to put my book down and re-center with all of her respective body issues and the blows she's dealt with her social reputation.) I think those who are familiar with "Tiny Pretty Things" will see parallels in the kind of dramatic and petty plays the teens make, alongside misunderstandings (*cough* lies, lies, LIES *cough*) the characters engage in.

I think teens will be engaged with this to see what happens and how far it goes, though it falls in line with having moments where its realistic and others are the more drama-style conflict you see in series like PLL, Gossip Girl, Private, etc. I would argue that there aren't as many moments to see the teens really flourish in happier spaces to round them out a little more from the heavier events, but I did like seeing their respective arcs in this.

Overall, I think it was an engaging read and it makes me want to see more collaborations and offerings from both of these authors alike.

Overall score: 4/5 stars.

Unfortunately this one didn't do it for me. I was a huge fan of this author duo's last series but this fell flat. The rumors and stakes never felt big enough and the middle really slogged. It felt like nothing was happening for the longest time, so I ended up quitting on this one sadly.

This was a pretty good book and another hit from the author duo behind Tiny Pretty Things. The characters were all interesting to read about, but Bryn did get a bit insufferable at times. One of the things I enjoyed most about the book was the storytelling through text messages and sticky notes keeping track of the rumours throughout the book. Had that not been included, I would have been much more lost.

WHAT MAKES SOMETHING TRUE?
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I am often grateful, when I look back on my high school and college years, that camera phones took blurry photos, and that social media was completely new. The most damaging thing we could do online was set a passive aggressive, underhandedly inflammatory, away message on AIM. Rumors could still fly around the halls of the high school, or through the dorms in college, but they didn’t take on the same life of their own that they do now with Snapchat, Instagram, and Tik Tok. If you have teenagers in your life, you know how quickly a misunderstanding, or misrepresentation, can be blown out of proportion. The warped version of the story seems to become true to everyone, except the victim, who is left standing on the sidelines trying desperately to convince their community that there is more to the story. And so, teens end up asking themselves: what makes something true? Is it true because it is said by someone influential? Is it true because the majority believes it? Is it true because it is all over social media and/or the Internet? Does the truth need to be backed up by unbiased evidence (sadly, the answer is usually no). The way that rumors seem to become true, and end up ruining lives and reputations, fuels the storyline of Clayton’s and Chariapotra’s The Rumor Game, leaving readers with a realistic view of the challenges and pressures imposed on our teenagers by social media.

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To be clear, I don’t hate social media. It is a great way to keep up with family and friends, since I know they definitely want to see 27 billion pictures of my dogs and my daughter. But, as a former high school teacher and coach, I saw events like those portrayed in The Rumor Game happen with disturbing regularity, just without the glitter of mansions, society functions, and expensive cars. Whether people live in an urban, suburban, or rural area; whether they have wealth or not… none of those things matter when it comes to how rumors can ruin hopes and dreams, and sometimes end in tragedy. I think the authors did an excellent job of depicting the inner struggles teenagers face relating to issues of weight and attractiveness, race, desire, ambition, and the social hierarchy. Topics like sexual abuse, trauma, and self- esteem were treated with care, while still being realistic. I also appreciated that the authors included a list of resources for readers who may be dealing with various types of trauma in their notes at the end of the book, revealing true empathy for their intended audience. This book would be valuable reading for those who work with teens, and for parents of children of all ages.

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I struggled with assigning a rating to this book. On the one hand, it is timely, and carries a good message. But on the other hand, the main characters were often hard to connect with, and the story stretched on for so long that at times it become convoluted, and ridiculous. Still, as noted above, I think it is a good pick for parents, educators, mental health workers, and the like, who want to understand where kids are coming from when they talk about comments, likes, and mentions, and why those things are so important.

Trigger Warning: sexual abuse, bullying, eating disorders and mental illness.

Ii wanted to like this book. I really did. But it just didn’t add up to what I wanted it to. I’m really disappointed. The writing was good. Based around a bunch of teenagers Navagating love and rumors was a good concept just fell short for me personally

I found it to be such an interesting story that was accurate to the problems teens experience today, even if it was a bit over the top. The over-the-top drama really reminded me of how Gossip Girl grabbed the audience’s attention week after week. All of the characters had lots of layers, and they were still given the same amount of attention, which was really nice to see, as it allowed me to feel like I was getting to know each character. I found each character relatable in one way or another, and I think that was so important in a Young Adult novel. The big twists towards the end are never really completely hidden, as the reader is let in on these secrets fairly early on, which ultimately left me with a feeling of wanting a bit more. I would place more emphasis on the “social” part of “social thriller,” and focus less on the idea of a traditional thriller, and I think I wouldn’t be disappointed. This is my first chance to read Clayton and Charaipotra’s work together and I really enjoyed their work.
Trigger Warnings: (cyber)bullying, sexual abuse & assault, weight loss, body image, fatphobia, racism
Overall Rating: 4/5

So well done! I am a fan of Dhonielle Clayton and I couldn't be more excited that she took on social media with this one.

My teenage students struggle with social media and it effects lives and friendships daily. This book speaks to that as it illustrates just how quickly things can get out of hand online. In a classroom this book will help start hard conversations that students can relate to.

Dhonielle Clayton and Sona Charaipotra once again write a phenomenal first novel in a new series exploring the dangers of rumors and social media. Set at an elite DC private school, the story is told from the perspectives of Bryn, Cora, and Georgie. What start as small seemingly inconsequential rumors grow into potentially life-ruining lies. And with social media, it's that much easier to spread the gossip. The writing is outstanding and flows nicely. This book is a great example for young adults, while also being an entertaining read from start to finish. It doesn't feel as if you're being taught a lesson, but the lesson is clear as day when one reads. Everyone has got to get The Rumor Game into their teen's hands. Highly recommended!

The Rumor Games shows the damage rumours can cause and how quickly they can get out of hand. I liked how it highlighted the role social media plays in spreading rumours and affecting people's reputations.

We follow three very different characters; Bryn, Cora, and Georgie. They're all going through their own struggles and trying to navigate high school as their stories intertwine.

Once we hit the big climax and turning point, my heart hurt and I couldn't put the book down. The Rumor Game is a fast read because I didn't want to put it down.

The Rumor Games explores from three points of view the rumor mill at Foxham Prep, which can quickly ruin a student's career and social standing. The narrators are Bryn, whose queen bee status is destroyed when she runs her ex-boyfriend's car off the road in a jealous fit; Cora, her best friend and head cheerleader whose boyfriend Baez was hurt in the accident; and Georgie, Bryn's Desai neighbor who went through a transformation after a summer at fat camp. Looking to regain her social status, Bryn takes Georgie to Cora's party, where Georgie is seen going upstairs with Cora's boyfriend. An online troll posts pictures of them together and creates suspicions about Baez's fidelity. As rumors spin out of control, Bryn sees an opportunity to regain her status by starting an anti-rumor campaign through her role as student body president. Told in four parts, "The Rumor," "The Lies," "The Game," and "The Truth," the story examines the role social media can play in rumors destroying reputations and futures. Who is the troll who is fanning the flames?

A rumor can be harmless, until it gathers enough voices to become truth. The Rumor Game unravels what it's like to be at the center of one and the cost paid when trying to speak the truth. The narration is shared by 3 voices, each have a part in the rumor, each give a view into different ways a rumor can cause destruction. Clayton and Charapotra allow their characters to breath, stumble, and interact authentically with each other. The experiences and situations will make the reader recoil with familiarity because these situations are all too common in high school. While the protagonist are some what fleshed out, their supporting cast seem to be a bit hallowed out. while they could have added context and detail to the plot, they are over looked by the main characters. More elaboration on these characters would have made the book more well rounded.

I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. This is a book that is all about when things are taken out of context. When cruel rumors and pictures hold all the power. There are three girls whose lives are put on display by their classes at an elite prep school. Bryn is glad when the new school year starts that all eyes are no longer on her but pit Georgie and Cora against each other. Bryn does want to make things better and there is someone who is close to them all who could do something about it. But will they make that call to do something or stand by and just keep watching the drama? You will have to read to discover what happens.

Bryn: I wish she had a better arc. I wanted to see a wronged character get her revenge on her enemies or a misunderstood girl proving her true self, but she turned out to be just as bad as everyone in the beginning thought she was (for different reasons, but similar enough). And there was no closure with her at all? I at least wanted to hear from her after the story, but the epilogue had only one POV.

Cora: Probably my favorite character. I liked that she was the queer rep, even though I wish there was more information about her past with Juju, and I liked that she was a multidimensional take on the popular, pretty cheerleader. But having her break up with Baez for a short time over the rumors was very out of character for her, and seemed thrown in just to have them break up. Cora seemed like a character who stood by her beliefs and didn't tolerate anyone's bullshit, so that scene made no sense for her.

Georgie: I couldn't go ONE page without someone obsessing over her and talking about how beautiful and perfect she is. I thought the "ugly fat girl suddenly turns hot over the summer" trope died at least ten years ago, too. And as a former gymnast, there's no way she could've learned all those skills in three months with no prior experience. I didn't really like her until about halfway through the book, and even then, I had no sympathy for her until the third act and her entire past was revealed, but she still felt like a walking combination of "forced sympathy" tropes.

I gave the book 4 stars because I really liked the plot and it kept me interested, but I wish things had turned out differently for some of the characters. I meant to review this way earlier, but it took me a long time to figure out what I thought about all the narrators. I did like the social-media post/texts/sticky notes format, and that was probably my favorite thing about the book.

The Rumor Game by Dhonielle Clayton and Sona Charaipotra

I’m on the fence about this book. On one hand, it is a great example of how teenagers/young adults can destroy lives by gossiping and bullying and perhaps readers could learn something about how devastating those behaviors can be. On the other hand, I genuinely disliked most of the characters and didn’t find it to be an enjoyable read overall; however, that may be because I am not the intended demographic for this book.

This story highlights how gossiping and rumors can evolve from something minor or misunderstood to something huge and out-of-control… spreading like wildfire in seconds. A simple statement or observation about something or someone suddenly gets embellished, exaggerated, or flat out manufactured as it spreads from person to person. Toss in a heavy dose of social media with no accountability for factual information and lives can and do get destroyed.

While this book is about teens and the damage they can do to one another (particularly girls – sheesh!), it is actually a microcosm of our world today. Particularly with social media, rumors are shared, facts are embellished, and information is distorted about literally everything… to the point where no one knows what the truth is anymore. We’ve even seen news media report rumors (whether unintentionally or not) and they are the ones we are supposed to trust to report the facts. While rumors and gossiping has always been devastating to those impacted, today it is way too easy to spread rumors far and wide from the anonymity of a keyboard and we’ve witnessed this play out in real life. It’s scary.

Teenagers (and adults for that matter) need to recognize that while they are entitled to an opinion, facts are critical. If you don’t have the facts, don’t act like you do or create information to fit a narrative or objective.

Perhaps this book can help some people realize how devastating rumors can be.

Thank you NetGalley and Disney Publishing Worldwide, Hyperion for an eARC of this book, which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

The Rumor Game is a multi-point of view novel exposing the realities of a rumor gone wrong. It is written in a way that compels readers to follow along with Bryn, Georgie and Cora as they fight high school gossip rumors that may or may not be entirely true. Filled with texts, social media blurbs and captivating details, the Rumor Game is one I recommend for young adult readers. The content warnings featured at the beginning are the icing at the top.

DNF at 31%. I honestly tried though, as the premise sounded interesting and along the lines of books I’ve enjoyed in the past. However, this novel was slow-paced and the characters weren’t very interesting.

I'm making both of my teens read this book! It's a great example of how the rumor mill plus social media can equal disaster. It digs deep into the pressures teenagers face today and features a diverse cast of characters that shows how online bullying affects everyone. I found the story hard to put down despite how much I hated a lot of the characters, and bravo to the authors for tackling some difficult subjects in a non-preachy way.

Thanks to Disney and NetGalley for the copy to review.

Ooooh this one is super juicy and filled to the brim with commentary on toxic social media culture and high school dynamics. I would recommend this one to mature teens who are looking for a book that has both heart and intense stakes.

I couldn’t finish this…it was quite boring…it didn’t keep my attention at all. Maybe I’m too old for this kind of book anymore but I usually love YA books. This one just fell flat.

I've tried to avoid Young Adult novels for a few months now as I feel like I don't connect with the characters anymore. But this story was actually very entertaining, and I liked the book a lot.

I must admit that my high school experience was boring when I compare it with books or TV Shows/Movies featuring high schoolers. This one, especially, made me glad that I don't remember any type of bullying like this when I was in High School.

This story is told from three points of view: Bryn, Cora, and Georgie. While the three wealthy girls have had very different high school experiences, they all share something in common. The three of them have been victims of rumors that started as something small until they grew into something that could potentially ruin their lives and their futures.

Bryn is already dealing with the consequences of the choices she made based on rumors she had heard about herself and her ex-boyfriend. Not only she has lost her boyfriend and best friend Cora, but no one in the school (except for Georgie) likes her anymore because everyone believed the rumors of what happened the night she made an awful mistake. Georgie is about to experience what rumors can do to someone's reputation, and with no mark of reference about how to react to them, she ends up putting herself in dangerous situations that could ruin her life forever. Cora seems to think she is exempt from rumors until her relationship with her boyfriend gets attacked and he gets accused of cheating on her with the new girl, Georgie.

What this book is about is a typical game of telephone but on a large level. Gossip gets repeated over and over again, and distorting facts get worse from one person to another without realizing how a rumor can mentally affect someone's psyche. In this story, the gossip gets repeated not only in person but also on social media. And as more people share the rumor, details are added or changed until the rumor gets so big that can't be stopped anymore. The three main characters in this book are victims of rumors that attack their reputations and put them in the spotlight. Cora, Bryn, and Georgie have to deal not only with the rumors but with the rapid spread of false information that threatens their futures. 

While this book is long, it was a fast read. The authors don't rely only on narration by the characters, but there are also text messages, emails, and Instagram comments. One thing I liked was how the authors presented the evolution of the rumors. Every few chapters, there is a note that includes the rumor and how it has evolved from the initial gossip. Every update includes mentions of moments that had happened in previous chapters that have been misconstrued to make them appear something else. A simple interaction between two people sharing a drink gets distorted into a cheating scandal or someone entering a room with a friend becomes a more-than-friends type of situation. Seeing the evolution of the rumors is pretty scary, so I was glad to have the constant reminder of how things had gotten so bad for Georgie, Cora, and Bryn.

As someone who tries to avoid young adult novels, I actually liked this one. Even though it solely focuses on high school and themes related to it, I enjoyed the story and found it eye-opening. Whether is fiction or not, the cyberbullying and other problematic issues in the novel are realistic, and we all know that they actually happen in high schools regardless of how wealthy the kids attending are. The story sheds light on the issues affecting teenagers nowadays with social media making everything easily spread while keeping the victimizes anonymous. It was a great novel and I truly enjoyed it.