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|date=August 2017
|isbn= 978-1471406768
|aznuk=1471406768
|aznus=1471406768
M.A. Bennett (I later found out) is a pseudonym for writer Marina Fiorato, who I was already familiar with through her delightful historical novels. This is her first shot at YA but I doubt it'll be her last because she writes effortlessly. From the outset, you know something has gone wrong – you're told that on the first page. But the journey throughout is gripping and I was sucked in to Greer's story as she becomes swept up in a mysterious and dangerous game. The plot is fast but it doesn't hold back on fleshing out its characters and providing believable character arcs for a novel that feels slim, but one that ultimately packs a punch. And whilst a fun read, it sheds light on issues such as class and morality. It's entertaining but there's a deeper meaning to the story which shines through.
Although a YA novel, S.T.A.G.S has a thriller-mystery spark to it that makes it stand out from so many other Young Adult novels. It's contemporary but the tranquil English country setting gives it a unique edge that compliments the entire feel of the book. It's thrilling and despite the dark elements to the story, I enjoyed the fact that there was a strong friendship at the centre. I like to root for the characters I'm reading about and spur them on, and that's exactly what I did with Greer and her companions throughout. There's definitely potential for a sequel, but even as a standalone this works brilliantly. Definitely one of the best YA books I've read all year. Many thanks to the publishers for providing The Bookbag with a copy. We also have a review of [[The Island by M A Bennett]].
If this book sounds like it might interest you then I would recommend checking out [[How to Fall by Jane Casey]] for another compelling YA thriller.
{{amazontext|amazon=1471406768}}
