Book Review: Gone Too Far by Natalie D. Richards

Image (c) Ballantine Books

Gone Too Far by Natalie D. Richards
Publication Date: January 6th, 2015
Format: Library book

Keeping secrets ruined her life. But the truth might just kill her.

Piper Woods can't wait for the purgatory of senior year to end. She skirts the fringes of high school like a pro until the morning she finds a notebook with mutilated photographs and a list of student sins. She's sure the book is too gruesome to be true, until pretty, popular Stella dies after a sex-tape goes viral. Everyone's sure it's suicide, but Piper remembers Stella's name from the book and begins to suspect something much worse.

Drowning in secrets she doesn't want to keep, Piper's fears are confirmed when she receives an anonymous text message daring her to make things right. All she needs to do is choose a name, the name of someone who deserves to be punished...

I feel like this book is sort of akin to Pretty Little Liars - with the anonymous texting and such. But instead of receiving threats, Piper's given the power to choose who's secrets will be thrown out in the open. It's how these secrets are revealed that really makes me think its similar to the TV show/ book series. So, in a sense, it's reverse to what the TV show is doing. (I have yet to watch the fifth season yet, though, so no spoilers please!)

This all starts from Piper randomly finding a notebook filled with random facts about her classmates. Or.. she assumes. All the names in the book are replaced with nicknames and it's difficult to figure out who are who until she started to see a connection between herself and some of her classmates. It doesn't mean much, other than someone just keeping track of other people's actions, until one of the classmates killed herself as a result of bullying.

This is when the random texting start from the stranger that Piper's not quite sure who it's from. But the message is loud and clear: 

"Send me a name. Make them pay."

 With the thought of her former classmate still fresh in her mind, she sets the aim at the bully as the first victim. As promise, they receive their paid dues and get embarrassed in front of the school. But it doesn't just end there... the texter keeps texting her for more names who deserves to be embarrassed and punished publically in front of everyone. As the texting keeps going and going, she realizes that she can't turn back now. Especially since there's a secret that could tear her world apart if she refuses to cooperate. When you're backed in a corner... what is there to do?

 This was a simple 'cat and mouse' book but I enjoyed this book. As simple as it was, it really does make you think about things in a different light. It's so easy to just assume that some people are horrible by their own actions but this book shows that things truly are not what they seem.

I think, needless to say, my mind was stuck on Pretty Little Liars while I was reading this book. I don't know if I should be mildly ashamed or not. I know that it's going to be a while til Season 6 will be released, so if you're looking to find something while you wait for PLL... this book will definitely whet your appetite. This is also a standalone book so you don't have to commit to about eighteen books (I actually had to look up how many books there were and I never ever realized how many books there were in this series til now... wow!) at least.

All in all, it's a light read and I definitely recommend it. Even if you aren't a fan of Pretty Little Liars. Errr... maybe I should shush about that show now... yeah...

(Originally posted on A Court of Ink and Paper, previously known as Cosying Up With Books)