After reading The Running Dream and loving it, I was excited to read The Steps. Wendelin Van Draanen knows how to write characters that feel real, and Ruby is no exception. She’s smart, independent, and trying to figure things out while dealing with a lot of family drama.
The story is full of twists and keeps you guessing the whole time. There’s mystery, danger, and a ton of secrets, and I couldn’t stop turning the pages. Ruby’s love of chess adds a cool layer to the story, it’s not just a game for her, it’s how she sees the world.
If you like stories with suspense, strong characters, and family tension, The Steps is definitely one to check out. It’s a gripping read that pulls you in and doesn’t let go.

Thank you netgalley for an arc of The Steps by Wendelin Van Draanen

The Steps was a heartfelt and engaging read that really drew me into the family dynamics and sibling relationships. I loved how the story balanced humor and emotional moments, making the characters feel real and relatable. Some parts felt a little predictable, but the warmth and authenticity of the story more than made up for it. Overall, it’s a charming and thoughtful read that left me smiling and reflecting on the bonds that hold families together.

"Riverdale meets the Queen's Gambit in this fun, twisty thriller by an Edgar Award winning author, featuring a deliciously dysfunctional family with dark secret and shifting alliances."

I love the main character a 14 year old Ruby Vassen, a math and chess wizard. She is from the very wealthy and privileged Vassen clan living in her grandmother Oma's estate. Her stepmother Vivian and her two children now live with them, but before them was her mother. When her mother and aunt were killed in a terrible car accident, she watched her family battle each other over an insurance policy, so she no longer can socialize with her cousin and best friend Sterling.
When the gold digging "Steps" move in, strange and dangerous occurrences begin to happen. It doesn't take long to realize their scheming is included with the family's inheritance. Secrets and lies begin to surface, uncovering a multitude of differences. There are red herrings dropped along the way diverting away from the true issues. It may be predictable as an adult, but not as a young adult.
Ruby's character makes this book. She can be calm, collective, and vulnerable but then dramatic as danger arises. When she puts puzzle pieces together, you will find humor and heart, and the serious side of her loss and resilience to bounce back. Danger is imminent with the people living under the same roof, as you will see greed and betrayal at its finest. The same author wrote Flipped and the Sammy Keyes Mysteries. What sets this apart from the rest is a nail biter and constant danger never ceasing. The twists and turns will appeal to all ages. Cinderella's "Steps" will appear gentle in comparison to Ruby's.
Thank you Netgalley and Holiday House for this incredible ARC in exchange for my review.

This was a delightful read! It reminded me of The Inheritance Games and Darkly. I am so pleased to see an author make the choice to have a younger teen protagonist--it can be so hard to find books with these characters! I think most 8th or 9th graders would like this book. I am excited to add it to our library collection!

This fast-paced mystery follows Ruby, a high school student ignored by her father, stepmother, and stepsiblings. They live in a house on land where her grandmother and her uncle's family also live. When her grandma's ring is stolen and other mysterious things start happening, Ruby is determined to figure out what is going on - but will she end up dead first? This should appeal to middle school and younger high school students who like page-turners.

A twisty thriller perfect for a middle school audience! My middle schoolers love thrillers, but it is so rare, to find ones that don’t seem geared towards high school.

I love Wendelin Van Draanen so I shouldn’t be surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time wondering just where she was going with this bizarre family. The tension was palpable and I was never sure who to trust or what was coming on the next page. Definitely one I’ll be promoting to my middle school readers who love murder mysteries.

What a great well written captivating story. There were lots of cliff hangers, reveals of evil doers, and even some strategic conflict. It is a clever, high-energy mystery featuring smart girl whose big heart make her easy to root for. A great combination of dangerous secrets, family feuds, and chess-inspired sleuthing, Highly recommended for readers who love mysteries full of surprises.

Thank you Netgalley and Holiday House for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Wendelin Van Draanen’s “The Steps” is a fast-paced, twisty YA mystery that delivers a potent mix of family drama, deadly secrets, and the sharp logic of a teen chess prodigy determined to outwit those who wish her harm. I would recommend this book for younger YA readers as well as MG readers, though be aware there is a dog death (occurs off-page via poison, but the main character, Ruby) discovers the body.

At the heart of the story is fourteen-year-old Ruby Vossen, a fiercely intelligent and refreshingly unique protagonist who prefers chess strategies to social drama. She lives on her wealthy grandmother’s estate, seemingly surrounded by privilege, but beneath the surface lies a family in chaos. Following the tragic death of her mother and aunt in a car accident, Ruby’s family has splintered. Her father and uncle are bitterly estranged over an insurance payout, and Ruby has been forbidden to see her cousin and best friend, Sterling. Her home life only grows more complicated with the arrival of her calculating stepmother, Vivian, and her stepsiblings Brielle and Liam known as “The Steps” who Ruby suspects may be plotting for the Vossen fortune.

Ruby’s paranoia seems justified when Sterling unexpectedly reappears and the cousins stumble upon their grandmother bound and gagged, with her priceless pink diamond engagement ring stolen. The robbery ignites a chain of sinister events that put Ruby and Sterling on a collision course with dangerous truths. Rooms are ransacked, threats escalate, and family secrets bubble to the surface, revealing just how treacherous the Vossen family can be.

Ruby’s narration is as engaging as it is authentic. She is prone to overthinking, anxiety, and the occasional overreaction, but her vulnerability makes her a compelling heroine. Her obsession with chess and math provides a clever through-line, helping her connect seemingly unrelated clues and strategize her way through a complex web of lies. While Ruby sometimes feels isolated, her chess club friends and a caring aunt form a much-needed support network, offering loyalty and warmth amid the turmoil.

Van Draanen crafts a thrilling plot filled with cliffhangers, unexpected reveals, and plenty of red herrings. There are moments of genuine suspense and danger, including threats that escalate toward violence, which keep you flipping pages at breakneck speed. Despite the serious stakes, there’s humor and heart woven through the story, and Ruby’s voice shines with resilience and wit.

The book explores weighty themes such as grief, trust, betrayal, and the corrosive power of greed while remaining accessible for middle grade and younger YA readers. The family dynamics are intense, sometimes bordering on melodramatic, but they feel true to the tangled emotions of a teenager caught in the crossfire of adult conflicts.

While some of the mystery’s twists may be a touch predictable for seasoned thriller readers, Van Draanen’s storytelling keeps the ride engaging. The conclusion ties the many plot threads together satisfyingly, ensuring that Ruby finally receives the support she needs and offering a glimmer of hope beyond the chaos.

Overall, “The Steps” is a clever, high-energy mystery featuring a standout protagonist whose sharp mind and big heart make her easy to root for. With a combination of dangerous secrets, family feuds, and chess-inspired sleuthing, it’s a gripping read. Highly recommended for middle grade and younger YA readers who love their mysteries smart, emotional, and full of surprises.