Review: Hysteria

Hysteria
By: Megan Miranda
Release Date: February 5, 2013

Description:
Another gripping psychological thriller from the author of the highly acclaimed debut novel Fracture.

Mallory killed her boyfriend, Brian. She can't remember the details of that night but everyone knows it was self-defense, so she isn't charged. But Mallory still feels Brian's presence in her life. Is it all in her head? Or is it something more? In desperate need of a fresh start, Mallory is sent to Monroe, a fancy prep school where no one knows her . . . or anything about her past.But the feeling follows her, as do her secrets. Then, one of her new classmates turns up dead. As suspicion falls on Mallory, she must find a way to remember the details of both deadly nights so she can prove her innocence-to herself and others.

In another riveting tale of life and death, Megan Miranda's masterful storytelling brings readers along for a ride to the edge of sanity and back again.

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Megan Miranda is the author of Fracture. She studied Biology and Anthropology at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where she twice won a coveted award for research in Bioengineering. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and two young children.

Links
Megan Miranda's website

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Review:
I never got a chance to read Fracture, or at least haven’t really had the time but when I saw this cover and this premise I was definitely curious about this book. So I was excited when it was accepted at Net galley and I was able to read this book for review. It was really one of those psychological kinds of books; you didn’t know what was real and what was all in her mind. I loved that because really who doesn’t like surprises.


So we start off with Mallory having just killed her boyfriend but not remembering the events of the night, only that it was self defense, well at least that’s what her lawyer sold to everyone. Now that Brian is dead, his mother has gone a little off her rocker and Mallory needs to get a restraining order. It gets so bad she has to move and go to a new school. Here is where she rekindles her friendship with Reid.

Monroe used to be a school her father attended, good private school, but even they have their secrets as do most. Somehow everyone seems to know about Mallory’s past and because of this she’s ousted in the beginning, until Reid finds her. He seems like a sweet guy although a little lost himself. Regardless there is another boy who gives Mallory the creeps, his name is Jason and there is just a little something off about him.  Every turn he seems to be doing something to someone, usually in a harassing manor.  There are pieces to the puzzle there but Mallory just can't seem to put them together.  As if she's missing the bigger picture.

Needless to say he turns up dead, in her room, as she’s covered in blood – can we say déjà vu? But did she do it? Or was she completely out with her sleeping pill that someone is trying to set her up. This folks is when things start getting interesting. But I’ll have to leave it at that because it’s a book you are going to have to experience yourself. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book like this, yes killing but not a psychological part to it, or at least not in a while. I have to say I rather liked it. I hope you get a chance to check out this book as well.

Let’s talk about that cover, usually I don’t really comment much on it because it’s a beautiful girl in a beautiful magical place or something like that. But this one reminds me of the book so well and it just fits perfectly. She’s there, but not completely there. The picture frame is covering her but then again it’s not, sort of. The background definitely looks like it could belong to the Monroe school. It’s just a great cover and I think that they did a great job it, had to give the cover creators a little nod.

Overall the book was interesting and will keep you guessing at what exactly is going on. I know I was probably half the time he he. Check it out. And just for your interest here’s the dictionary definition of Hysteria, only because I was curious myself:

hys•te•ri•a
noun
1. an uncontrollable outburst of emotion or fear, often characterized by irrationality, laughter, weeping, etc.
2. Psychoanalysis . a psychoneurotic disorder characterized by violent emotional outbreaks, disturbances of sensory and motor functions, and various abnormal effects due to autosuggestion.
3. Psychiatry. Conversion disorder.

Disclaimer:
I received this book from NetGalley and Bloomsbury USA Children's Books, so that I may give my honest opinion and a review. Whether it is good or not please do not let it discourage you from purchasing/reading the book yourself and forming your own opinion. What might be good for me may not be good for you and vice versa. With that said, Happy Reading Everyone!!!