Influencer by Adam Cesare is a psychological thriller that follows a pretty typical teenager and a psychopathic teenager who is also an influencer. Crystal is suspicious of the new student who everyone thinks is charismatic and charming. When she starts to speak to her friends about her concerns, she comes across as jealous and rude. Aaron is an anonymous influencer known as The Speaker. He uses his platform to influence and manipulate teenagers into committing atrocious crimes.

I really liked this book. The author kept me interested and I had to know how it all turned out. It's weird to me to say I "enjoyed" a book about a teenager murderer, but it gave me 90's/00's slasher thriller vibes (Scream, I Know What You Did Last Summer), and also reminded me of Killing Mr. Griffin by Lois Duncan, a book that had me in a chokehold when I was a teenager.

Definitely recommend this book and the October release date is perfect. It will be a great Spooky Season read!

Very entertaining story that keeps you on your toes. Not a single dull moment in this book. Fascinating insight into the mind of a teenage psychopath as well as the easily influenced. This story explores the evils of social media while staying true to the teenage perspective and experience relative to today’s times. With appropriate guidance and trigger warnings - I would definitely recommend this book to high school aged students to introduce a new perspective to social media.

Adam Cesare's *Influencer* is a gripping and timely horror novel that delves into the dark side of social media fame. With a blend of suspense, gore, and social commentary, Cesare crafts a narrative that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.

Plot and Pacing:

The story follows a group of popular social media influencers who are invited to a mysterious retreat, only to find themselves in a deadly game of survival. The plot is fast-paced and keeps readers on the edge of their seats, with twists and turns that are both surprising and satisfying. Cesare does an excellent job of building tension and maintaining a sense of dread throughout the book.

Characters:

The characters are well-developed and relatable, each with their own unique personalities and flaws. Cesare's portrayal of the influencers is particularly noteworthy, as he captures the superficiality and desperation for fame that often accompanies social media stardom. While some characters may initially come off as stereotypical, their development throughout the story adds depth and complexity.

Themes:

One of the standout aspects of *Influencer* is its exploration of the impact of social media on our lives. Cesare delves into themes of identity, privacy, and the lengths people will go to for fame and validation. This commentary adds a layer of depth to the horror elements, making the book not just a thrilling read but also a reflective one.

Writing Style:

Cesare's writing is engaging and vivid, with descriptive scenes that bring the horror to life. His ability to balance action with introspection ensures that the narrative never feels stagnant. The dialogue is sharp and realistic, further immersing readers in the world he has created.

Conclusion:

Overall, *Influencer* is a compelling horror novel that successfully combines thrills with social critique. While it may not reinvent the genre, it offers a fresh perspective on the dangers of social media and the human desire for recognition. Fans of horror and those interested in the darker side of internet culture will find much to enjoy in this book.

First, Cesare did not hold back. This story is dark, and it delves into some very gruesome and raw horrors. So, prepare yourself. There were pet deaths I had to skip over. Otherwise, this book was so intriguing. Portrait of a modern psychopath.

Who doesn’t love a teenage psychopath?

Told in alternating points of view, Crystal Giordano suspects that she and her crew, best friend Gayle and Paul, Trevor and Harmony (she really doesn’t seem to know the rest of them very well for them to be her best friends, but, whatever) are being targeted by the new kid in town, Aaron Fortin. Probably because they are. And he’s a really, really bad guy who is lucky enough to have his parents move just when he needs them to.

Pretty good for YA, if you buy that teenagers are basically mostly awful people just wearing for permission to BE awful. Up to you.

Adam Cesare has written a timely horror novel about the evil side of social media and how easily manipulated people can be. It’s a fast read, and I found it deeply engrossing and unsettling. Be warned, if you’re sensitive to animal death/torture, there is a disturbing part with a cat that I could have done without.

All in all, a quick, unsettling novel! Thank you for the opportunity to read in advance!

Another YA Horror from Adam Cesare, "Influencer" is a stand-alone novel rather than part of the Friendo the Clown series. Crystal is wary of new student Aaron, who she rightly clocks as an anonymous vlogger that some of her friends are obsessed with. We watch as Aaron influences Crystal's friends into dark deeds (including some that seem highly unlikely) while Crystal tries to save herself and her family from Aaron's revenge. Chapters switch from Crystal to Aaron's point of view. A little too dark for my tastes, specifically pet death. Aaron's hold over Crystal's friends happens a bit too quickly and makes the novel overly unbelievable, but readers looking for dark horror thrillers will enjoy following the twisted plot to the end. A quick read, this book is recommended for YA collections where horror thrillers are popular.

Thank you for the opportunity to preview The Influencer.
This novel will keep you off balance. A young man with privilege performs on the internet as The Speaker. No one knows he is this character because in real life he pretends to be a “human”.
Now that being said, the young man is human but totally devoid of feelings and emotions. He is evil and his goal is to destroy the lives of others.
This is a powerful novel that is about what can happen to when people are influenced and manipulated.
Liked this book a lot. It’s really a horror story. 4 stray

Although Adam Cesare has written a number of books, he has really made a name for himself with his Bram Stoker award-winning Clown in a Cornfield series. Now with Influencer the author tackles a new horror that transcends the horror genre and offers something truly unique.

Influencer is a tense and timely psychological thriller told from alternating points of view about a teenage girl who begins to suspect the charismatic new kid may in fact be a murderous psychopath. As more and more of her friends fall under his influence, her suspicions begin to come across like jealousy. But is she right? And if so, how much more dangerous would he be toward someone who has discovered his secret?

At its core, Influencer is a cautionary tale about the dangers of groupthink and the dangers of social media on easy to mold minds. Cesare expertly captures the peer pressure and social ostracism that can come with trying to stand up for what's right, even in the face of overwhelming opposition. The terror in Influencer comes not from supernatural forces, but from the all-too-real manipulation and gaslighting Aaron uses to turn his friends against each other.

Cesare does a wonderful job tackling the topical issues without ever feeling preachy or heavy-handed. The book focuses around the age of social media love and Adam examines the way social media can amplify bullying and toxic behavior. As always his writing is sharp and a bit witty, with perfectly timed and love over done references to classic serial killers. In addition to the Clown in a Cornfield series, Cesare has solidified himself as one of the greats in modern horror.

Originally released as an Audible Original audiobook, the expanded print edition gave us another opportunity to experience Influencer in a new format and enjoy this amazing novel all over again. While the audiobook was simply fantastic, there truly is nothing like picking up a print novel and diving into the horrors within.

Influencer by Adam Cesare is a visceral and original horror novel that transcends the genre, giving us something unique and truly wonderful. We were hooked on the audiobook, but now that the printed edition hits shelves this fall we will be adding this to our collection. Adam Cesare novels should not be missed.

Very fast paced. Really enjoyed the characters. Shows the results of the young and how they can be manipulated.

4.5 stars

This is a fantastic book. Cesare is a powerhouse in the YA horror world right now, and this book fits perfectly. I was lucky enough to be able to listen to the audiobook months ago, however, I do prefer the written word, so this is doubly awesome!

Parents and teens beware…

Thank you Netgalley and Union Square & Co for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

"Influencer" by Adam Cesare is a psychological thriller/horror novel that shows the dark side of social media influence, even from someone who doesn’t have a million followers. I am not really a fan of audiobooks, so when I looked that Cesare wrote a full-length book, I was ecstatic. I highly recommend looking at content warnings for this book as there is a lot of death and gore. Also, the opening chapter may be difficult to process, though it does set a chilling tone. If you enjoyed Cesare’s “Clown in the Cornfield” books, especially #2 with the followers willingly to do unspeakable things, you will definitely enjoy this book, though there is not a lot of death/gore. Also, before going into the review, there is a scene that involves animal abuse/death (involving a cat) that I was not expecting.

The plot revolves around Aaron, a cunning and manipulative new student at a high school in America. Aaron is not just any student; he is secretly "The Speaker," a masked influencer who uses his online presence to spread propaganda and control his followers. His arrival shakes up the dynamics of a group of friends where the main focus is on Crystal, the perceptive yet awkward member of the group. She quickly unmasks Aaron's true identity, setting off a chain of events that tests the limits of influence.

Cesare alternates between the perspectives of Aaron and Crystal, providing a deep dive into their psyches, which was really interesting, especially when getting a peek into Aaron’s perspective. He definitely seems like a narcissist, even maybe a sociopath, which is clearly demonstrated right from the start. Aaron's character makes him a compelling yet repulsive figure as I actually liked seeing how he thinks. His ability to manipulate and coerce his peers into following his dangerous lead is both fascinating and horrifying, though potentially unrealistic. It’s hard to imagine that teenagers could be so influenced by an online figure that they would be completely willingly to do unspeakable things, but it can happen. Crystal, on the other hand, is a relatable protagonist who struggles with her own insecurities. I liked her perspective as well as she was able to catch all the hints that Aaron isn’t who he appears to be, though the main problem was getting others to believe her.

One of the strong points of the book is its exploration of cult-like influence and the ease with which young people can be swayed by charismatic leaders. The story is a cautionary tale about the dangers of social media and the extreme lengths to which people will go for a sense of belonging. Aaron's tactics are chillingly realistic, highlighting how easily radical actions can be justified in the eyes of vulnerable individuals. While the book is primarily a psychological thriller, it does not shy away from horror elements. The brutality and gore are not for the faint of heart (especially in the opening chapter), but they serve to underscore the novel's themes of manipulation and control. Cesare's writing is sharp and compelling, keeping you on the edge of your seat. The middle was a bit slower paced, though it was interesting to see how all of the pieces came together with Aaron’s plan. The quick transformation of characters' personalities to follow Aaron's lead may stretch believability a bit, though that's what makes the book so much fun to enjoy. There wasn’t as much death as I was expecting (based on Cesare’s previous books), but the ending was quite satisfying.

Overall, “Influencer" is a thought-provoking and disturbing exploration of the power of social media influence and the susceptibility of young minds to manipulation. I definitely recommend this book to fans of YA thrillers/horror as well as fans of Cesare.