A chilling thriller set in the world of prep school academies with secret societies.

Maren’s best friend and roommate Polly has gone missing. Based on some clues discovered in their friends, Maren believes Polly has been kidnapped by a secret society up to no good. Enter Remington, a classmate and friend who is also missing a best friend and fears she has befallen a similar fate.

As Maren and Remington done deeper into the secret society, they find that their lives are at risk and not everything is as it seems.

Thanks to NetGalley for the digital advanced reader copy.

They're Watching You is a thriller that captivates you from beginning to end. There's so much to love about this book. Marin has one friend at Torrey-Wells Academy, her name is Polly. When Polly disappears Marian is determined to discover what has happened to her—taking the reader with her on an enthralling journey to save herself and Polly from the school's secret society and their games.

They're Watching You is a great read. That will keep readers on the edge of their seats.

3.25 Stars

They're Watching Us is written from the perspective of Maren Montgomery, a high school student whose best friend, Polly, has disappeared. Polly's parents and the authorities have concluded that she simply ran away, but Maren isn't convinced, especially after finding out that Polly was a member of a secret society known as "The Gamemaster's Society". Maren is determined to figure out what happened to Polly, so she decides to try and infiltrate this society. To rise through the ranks and get the information she needs, Maren needs to win challenges - but when the stakes turn out to be deadly, Maren is left questioning whether they know what happened to Polly or whether they are what happened to Polly.

In this regard, I found this book much more interesting than Ichaso's other novel. An elite school? A secret society? I couldn't ask for much more. That being said, one of the biggest issues I had to grapple with while reading this is that I didn't really believe how such a society that seems to be run primarily by high school students could have as much influence and reach as it does. I also don't understand why anyone in their right mind would join this society - and maybe that's the point, but I just couldn't rationalise why so many sensible seeming people would be a part of something so,,,strange. Even the "benefits" of membership just seemed too vague and convenient and did not really convince me of the society's appeal (but then, not seeing the appeal is probably not a bad thing...).

As for the characters, Maren was probably my favourite - but I did definitely question some a lot of the choices she made. She was indecisive and a little short-sighted, but I really respected her dedication to helping her friend. Apart from Remington and Gavin, who are our two points of a love triangle - which I did not enjoy, but especially because I chose the loser - the other characters aren't that incredibly well-developed. Since this is plot-driven book, I don't think this really matters - if anything, it helped to maintain that fast pace that made this book easy to read. While I did find the ending to be a little anti-climactic, there are enough twists and turns in this story to keep you intrigued.

Overall, I recommend this to anyone looking for a quick but entertaining read.

This teen mystery about a secret society could have been another average 3 star read but it steamed along at a great pace and kept me guessing which of the two main male characters should be trusted. The twists were believable and added to the complexity of the story. I appreciated that it was a clean read, making it suitable for younger teens. So often there is one unnecessary scene that means I am only able to recommend a book to older teens.

I received this arc from netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

dark-academia, spooky, mystery, YA type book. a combination of deadly games, suspicious characters, secret society. i like that this book has twist and turns, i like books that have an academy, school vibe. great thriller that has you guessing. would recommend to readers.

THANKS TO NETGALLEY AND THE PUBLISHER FOR THIS REVIEW COPY IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW.

Private Academy and Secret Society----It only took words to convince me. Maren's best friend, Polly, has been missing for two weeks and Maren can't get over it. Rumors say she ran away but Polly shared everything with Maren, does she? wasn't her behavior a bit odd from the last few months? Something strange happened to her but Maren needed a shred of evidence to convince others.

This book started really well, with dangling suspense, slow introduction, and character development along with a good amount of suspense. But as the story proceeded, this book wasn't much different from Dead Girl Can't Tell Secrets.

The concept had the potential but the execution was half-baked. The characters were so flat and dull. I couldn't think of anything else after reading Remington's name except hair straightener 😂. The force love triangle was one of the worst I've ever read, everything sounded so middle school so maybe the target was a young audience but I am not sure. The entire concept of secret society couldn't be executed more poorly. There were so many plot holes and loose strings that I stopped thinking about logic. The story was far from reality-I agree that it is fiction but the entire concept of running a secret society for centuries didn't sit well with me, I needed more background stories to believe that people were able to keep it secret for YEARS.

I don't think I'll read another book by this author, It was pure disappointment.

Thank you netgalley for the opportunity to read they're watching you.

Loved this book, missing people, lies, betrayals and games had no idea who to trust. Was a nice mix of one of us is lying and the inheritance games.
A must read

Rating : 4 out of 5
Blurbs :
It's been two weeks since Polly St. James went missing. The police, the headmistress of Torrey-Wells Academy, and even her parents have ruled her a runaway. But not Maren, her best friend and roommate. She knows Polly had a secret that she was about to share with Maren before she disappeared— something to do with the elite, ultra-rich crowd at Torrey-Wells.

Then Maren finds an envelope hidden among Polly's things: an invitation to the Gamemaster's Society. Do not tell anyone, it says. Maren is certain her classmates in the Society know the truth about what happened to Polly, though it's no easy feat to join. Once Maren's made it through the treacherous initiation, she discovers a world she never knew existed within her school, where Society members compete in high-stakes games for unheard-of rewards—Ivy League connections, privileges, favors.

But Maren's been drawn into a different game: for every win, she'll receive a clue about Polly. And as Maren keeps winning, she begins to see just how powerful the Society's game is—bigger and deadlier than she ever imagined. They see, they know, they control. And they kill.

Thoughts : This is a dark-academia / cult YA book full of games and riddles about Greek Myth because this 'secret society' is based on Greek Myth. I personally not a big fan of YA books, but I gave this book a try because I'm still craving some mystery-thriller books. 50% of the book is super fun and I can't stop reading this book. It just sucked me in. Sadly, after 60% of the book, I can't really say the same about the rest 40%. It's full of dangerous games, riddles, and twists. Unfortunately, the ending is the weakest point here (I think it always happens with any murder-mystery-thriller books). I thought the resolution and the ending are going to be epic and nail-biting. It's pretty anti-climatic to me. I don't even like the ending, I think it's too easy that way but it's been pretty fun and fast read to me so I don't really mind. I'm still team Gavin at the end of this book.

They're Watching You by Chelsea Ichaso follows Maren Montgomery as she finds herself involved in a twisted secret society following the disappearance of her best friend. As se delves further into the society, taking part in their secret 'games' in order to win back her friend, Maren finds that her entire school, as well as the wider community, has been run by the society, leaving her no where to turn.

This novel is a perfect mystery, with enough suspense and intrigue from page one to keep the reader hooked as they weave their way through the catacombs, finding clues and red herrings galore. While belief must be suspended when it comes to some of the more, shall we say, extravagant details, this is exactly what you want from a mystery about how the rich elite live.

Some characters may have needed some more development and the love triangle remained lacklustre, the final twists in this teen thriller are exactly what is needed to make this a 4-star novel!

Thank you to SOURCEBOOKS Fire, and NetGalley for providing me with a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

2 stars

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for gifting me an arc in exchange for my honest review.

This isn't a bad book, and the writing is good with moments of suspense, however, the actual story and characters fell flat to me. There were also some confusing bits and elements that I thought were incredibly far-fetched (even for this kind of a story). Another big turn-off for me was the love triangle when I think the plot could've moved forward without one or even the romance altogether. While I didn't see the plot twist coming, I also wasn't that invested in finding out. I'm glad I managed to finish this book, I will say, I might have enjoyed this much more if I had read it when I was still in high school, as it did feel a little young for me.

Overall, if you like twisty YA stories that focus on prep schools and secret societies, then I'm sure you'll like this book more than I did.

The Skulls meets Hunger Games. What an absolute thriller in this story!
How can Maren really figure out what happened to her roommate when she doesn’t know who to trust?
This book left me guessing the entire time and kept me up reading all night because I had to know what happened!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my
Copy of this book.

Maren’s friend Polly had been missing for two weeks and she doesn’t buy the excuses she has been given. Her friend had been acting strange, but she wouldn’t just leave school surely?!

While investigating Maren comes across a secret society and the gamesmaster. Asking around it doesn’t seem like anyone knows anything. Maren knows there is a link to Polly’s disappearance but how can she find out.

Maren eventually manages to wangle an invitation for initiation along with Remington and two others. A series of ‘games’ follow.

Is the society as innocent as they initially seem, who is involved and just who student or staff can Maren trust.

The suspense in this book was amazing. Just the right amount of creepy too. Absolutely loved it and couldn’t turn the pages of my kindle fast enough.

Definitely a 5 star recommendation from me!

Another book with a fancy private school that has a secret society and everyone is in on it, including the faculty, except for the main character. Of course. Sound familiar? It should, because I've read at least 4 other books with the same idea this year.

There are so many good reviews for this book, I have to wonder what people saw in it. Did we read the same preview copy? Because I wanted to stab my eyes out after 30% it was so bad. It seemed to go on and on forever with very little action to drive it. Just the same thing happening over and over again until it was finally over. In short, and I don;t say this often: I hated this book. It was painful to read.

It took me a couple of chapters to get into this book, but once I was in, I was hooked. This is a very fast paced book, which I appreciated, and for a good while, I didn't know who to trust. I will say, inklings of the plot twists did emerge and I wasn't too surprised at the ending. I was, overall, happy with how it ended however, but the vindictive person that I am, could have done with more justice. A 4.5 out of 5.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

A wonderful page turning thriller. I binged this book within a few hours of reading.
A secret society that has the ability to give you the life of your dreams or take it all away. One student plans to infiltrate them to save her best friend but things aren't always what they seem. Who can she trust if anyone. As she is pitted against another member only one can save the person they care for most. They are led through a series of dangerous games and challenges but there can only be one winner. And to lose is death.
I loved this book it was a fun read with lots of twists and turns and second guessing. I recommend this book to thriller and psychology twist lovers.

A secret society with secrets ready to be uncovered in this moody, historical private school in NY. A fast paced young adult novel that keeps your attention.

This was THRILLING!!! A secret society and deadly games? Count me in! I didn’t love or enjoy the romance part of the story, but a decent read I couldn’t put down!!! Be sure to pick this one up!

I'm a sucker for secret society books, but this one didn't quite hook me, mostly because the plot twists were very predictable and it featured a love triangle where there never had to be one. Also, this is a bit nitpick-y but in Greek mythology, cult did not have the same meaning that it does today, so the idea that the secret society is based on a "cult" formed because of the worship of a Greek deity that features human sacrifice... doesn't fully hold up. But I digress.

The book is a very fast read though, it speeds by and it definitely leaves you wanting to know more because the twists keep coming and don't stop until the very end, which works well for a thriller. I wish the book had given more time earlier on to Remington because he feels especially shortchanged by plot twist after plot twist, leaving his actual character a bit murky. I did really like how Maren and Polly's friendship was handled - it was the aspect of the book that landed the most and felt the most realistic.

ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I know that this book has gotten a lot of praise, but I have to be honest and ask "where we reading the same book".

The plot line was interesting to me - dark and atmospheric and unfortunately, the writing is a turn off. Too slow with too many details that I did not need.

I realized that I had tried another book, written by this author, and could not finish it. I obviously don't like this writing.

I loved this & devoured it so quickly.

It was thrilling and kept me entertained beyond all reason. Maren was perfection.

Dark Academia isn't something I usually gravitate to, but I couldn't get this plot out of my head. The riddles and twists kept my head going in circles in the best way possible. I questioned EVERYTHING, which would probably make the author happy to hear.

It really was so much fun!