unfortunately around the 30% mark i had to dnf this book. it was just SO MUCH! a lot of characters that were extremely unlikeable, which got confusing with all the back and forth when there was chapters that went back in time. it was also sort of cringey?? i feel awful for saying that because i really wanted to continue this book i just couldn’t.

This story feels like a teenage slasher film, but instead of the usual slashing, there's a series of murders. A group of friends embarks on a school trip to the mountains, where they're stranded with no cell phone service in the midst of a severe storm. As one of them starts killing the others, the question becomes: who is the killer?

The narrative alternates between the present and a party from several years ago that sparked some drama.
Overall, this is an engaging, fast-paced read that would translate well into a horror movie. Fans of slasher films and books will likely enjoy this one.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for this arc!!
ya mystery thrillers are always a good idea! The story takes place up in the mountains during a blizzard which sets the perfect eerie atmosphere.
We get to meet all the characters in the beginning & I really enjoyed that we find out more and more about them while reading. Also the changing perspective and present and past chapters kept me on the edge of my seat.
Once you think you figured out of did all of it comes another plot twist along. You really never know who to trust!
This definitely won‘t be my last Alexa Donne book! Highly recommend.

This is like a teenage slasher minus the slashing and insert all kinds of murder. A couple friends go on a school trip into the mountains with no cell phone access during severe weather with no way out. One of them starts killing people, but who is it?

I suspected different people at different times and everyone is suspicious in a way. I was surprised when I found out who it was. The book flashes back and forth between a party that happened several years ago that cause some drama and now. To be honest, one thing that bothered me was that at the end there was a mystery that was never solved or explained of what happened. I am not sure if this will be corrected by time they release the official copy, but I feel that it should be.

Overall, this is a fun and fast paced book. It would make a good horror movie for sure. I think people that enjoy slasher type films and books will really enjoy this one. There is never a dull moment.

Thank you to netgalley for this free advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

"The Bitter End" is a stand-alone YA thriller/mystery novel by Alexa Donne. A group of high school seniors go on a trip to a remote hotel in the Colorado mountains for a senior trip "tech detox," with no phones, tablets, laptops, etc. Accompanied by their strict guidance counselor, things don't seem to be shaping up for a fun senior trip. Everyone has secrets that they are hiding from each other. POV in the novel jumps between a few of the characters. When they are completely snowed in and one of the seniors is found dead, everyone starts to panic. A fun and quick thriller that will keep you guessing. A recommended purchase for YA collections where thrillers are popular.

Extremely well written novel featuring high school students at a prep school getaway. Reads like a script for a teenage horror movie.

Alexa Donne delivers another heart-pounding, edge-of-your-seat thriller in The Bitter End. Set against the chilling backdrop of a snow-covered Colorado ski chalet, eight high school seniors find themselves trapped in a deadly game of survival. What starts as a promising senior excursion quickly turns into a nightmare as their classmates start dying under mysterious circumstances.

Donne expertly crafts an atmosphere thick with tension, where secrets are unearthed, and trust is shattered. The dual timeline adds depth to the story, allowing readers to piece together the dark history that binds these characters. Each character is distinct, and while some may initially come off as unrelatable due to their elite status, their backstories eventually draw you in, making their fates all the more gripping.

The alternating points of view keep the narrative dynamic, with Piper’s perspective standing out as particularly compelling. While the plot twists are plentiful and keep you guessing until the end, the final reveal might leave some readers wanting a bit more clarity. However, this doesn't detract from the overall thrill of the ride.

The Bitter End is a perfect winter read for fans of locked-room mysteries and survival thrillers. Donne's ability to weave suspense with complex character dynamics makes this a must-read, and despite its minor flaws, it's a book that will leave you eagerly anticipating her next release.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children's | Random House Books for Young Readers for sharing this gripping YA thriller's digital review copy in exchange for my honest review.

Agatha Christie on a snowy mountain top!

What a wonderfully exciting and thrilling novel! Eight elite high school seniors go on a senior excursion. It’s a “Device-Free Weekend,” on a snowy mountain top. A storm surges in and the group is stranded. A killer is among them. They’re trapped and unable to call for help because all their devices were confiscated at the beginning of the trip! Who will survive the weekend and who is destined to die?

This is a wonderful story! Ms. Donne keeps the reader guessing as she weaves a tapestry of resentment, jealousy and lies. I found the characters original and the scenery stunning! This is one of my favorite books this year! I definitely recommend it!

***There is a typo on the first page of Chapter 36. W1hat instead of What. There are also formatting errors throughout with word spacing.

While I enjoyed The Ivies, I didn't love the twist, so I've been hesitant to pick up Alexa Donne's thriller titles ever since. But when she mentioned that The Bitter End would be a closed circle mystery in an isolated setting told from multiple points of view, my curiosity got the better of me. And thank goodness it did, because once I started The Bitter End, I couldn't put it down. Donne has become a more confident storyteller, and this mystery, in particular, was so compelling, I was feverishly flipping pages until the very end. I've become pretty good at guessing thriller twist endings, but this one managed to surprise me, which is really all a thriller reader is looking for. And while I'm not the target audience, I think teens will find it just as shocking.

Thank you to Random House Children's and to Netgalley for granting me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I will always be a fan of anything Alexa Donne writes!
I'm not usually a person that likes a multi-POV book, but I was willing to give this book a chance because I have had such success with Aleza Donne in the past. And I'm so glad that I did because I love this book.
The "isolated closed circle mystery" is something I am new to, but I think it was done very well in this book.

I really enjoyed this. The suspense build up was perfect, the red herrings believable. And I hope the ending means there will be a sequel.

I did at times have a hard time remembering if I was reading Willa or Piper's narrative, but overall the differing perspectives worked very well.

"When a winter storm traps eight teens in a remote ski cabin, they find themselves stranded with a killer—who may be one of their own. From the acclaimed author of The Ivies and Pretty Dead Queens comes a YA thriller that will make your blood run cold."

"The trip of a lifetime might be the death of them all."

Thank you to Netgalley and the author Alexa Donne for letting read & review this advanced reader's copy. This was a three star thrilling mystery read that releases Tuesday October 15th 2024. This is the very first novel I have read by this author and it was a great young adult mystery. The Bitter End setting/ storyline reminds me of That Weekend by Kara Thomas. This novel had twists and turns that I didn't see coming.

I thought this was fun! It was a pretty out there plot but Donne made it work really well. I thoroughly enjoyed it - read it in less than a day!

This story is a play on the Agatha Christie novel, “and then there were none”. A group of high school seniors who were supposed to be on spring break got pulled to travel to this cold, lonely cabin on the top of a high Colorado mountain with no cell service…..what could go wrong? A lot when kids start dying. Good and horrific for the the ideas author puts out there.

What a wild ride!
This story was filled a whole cast of characters and literally everyone is a suspect. The story kept me hooked and guessing at all times. I really enjoyed it, as I usually do with Alexa Donne’s books!

My only complaints:
I was so confused about what happened to Noah? I’m not sure if I just didn’t understand or if it was under-explained. And I felt the execution of the dual timeline was a little bumpy. I would have enjoyed it more if it had consistently been a then/now rhythm.

Thanks NetGalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I ate this book up! Such a page turner!

The students at LA's elite Warner Prep eagerly anticipate their Senior Excursion—a five-day, Instagrammable adventure in one of the world's most exclusive destinations. This is no ordinary field trip.
So, eight students are dismayed when they end up on a digital detox at an isolated Colorado ski chalet. What seemed like a boring trip quickly turns sinister as their classmates begin dying in a series of disturbing incidents. The message is clear: this is no accident.As a blizzard strikes, secrets are unveiled, betrayals come to light, and survival becomes a race against time.

I enjoyed this thriller. Was it different than other thrillers of this type? No. Did I have a good time? Yep.
This book reminded me of And then there were None by Agatha Christie which I loved but not as creepy.
It’s a good book if you are just wanting to read a light but intriguing thriller. I would read from this author again

Multiple pov mystery. The string is fabulous and spooky. The story weaves an excellent look at high school rivals and frightening personalities. I enjoyed the writing the twists were good but took a bit to get there. Thanks NetGalley!!

The Bitter End was a hard read for me: the characters were all vapid and unlikable and I had a difficult time tracking who was who. The thrill of it just didn’t grab me, but it might have been because I disliked the cast so much. The number of ways we learn about how entitled, rich and spoiled these high schoolers are is far too many for me. I appreciate the ARC, but this one didn’t work for me.

The Bitter End was a thoroughly enjoyable mystery. It started a bit slow, and there are multiple characters to get to know, but the mysterious lies in not knowing which character is responsible for the deaths of others. Teen readers will relate to the struggles about authenticity, true friendships, betrayal, and keep reading as they are on the edge of their seats to find out who-dun-it!

The Bitter End is a captivating and thrilling read that kept me hooked until the very end. With its wicked and acid-tipped narrative, this book offers unparalleled fun and excitement for readers.