Book Review - Messenger of Fear by Michael Grant

Messenger of Fear

(Messenger of Fear  #1)

Author: Michael Grant

Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Horror, Thriller

Published: 2014

Pages: 308 pages (Paperback Edition) (Electric Monkey)

Read: November 2014

Rating: 4 Stars

I remembered my name – Mara. But, standing in that ghostly place, faced with the solemn young man in the black coat with silver skulls for buttons, I could recall nothing else about myself.

And then the games began.

The Messenger sees the darkness in young hearts, and the damage it inflicts upon the world. If they go unpunished, he offers the wicked a game. Win, and they can go free. Lose, and they will live out their greatest fear. 

But what does any of this have to do with Mara? She is about to find out . . .

I apologize in advance for any misspelled words or ramblings that mean absolutely nothing. I'm sick, I've a box of tissues right beside me, it's way too hot and cold at the same time and basically my head is just not right today but I want to write this review while the events of this book are still fresh in my mind.

I have read Michael Grant's Gone series  and loved it. I went to his author event up in Dublin not too long ago and well the man was an inspiration and now I've read his Messenger of Fear book too and I can tell you I wasn't disappointed.

For the Messenger of Fear event, as many of you possibly have read from the event post that I did, Michael Grant talked about his new novel Messenger of Fear. This was really the first time I heard anything about the novel. I got to see the trailer which piked my interest and then got told stories from Mr. Grant himself which left me bouncing in my seat just wanting to tear straight into the book immediately. Of course, with a mountain of college work, long days and an already staggering TBR pile, it just had to wait for a little while. I actually hadn't planned to read it this month at all, but it was a spur of the moment discussion which was a good now if I do say so myself.

Down to the actual review now I suppose. Michael Grant's Messenger of Fear deals with a lot of tragic and uncomfortable topics that have taking over this world along with the media in a frenzy these last few years as social media thrives and how people overlook the affects they have on others. That's right, bullying and teen suicide along with murder are key topics in this book. With a message that has long been waited for - if you know what you're doing is wrong, justice will be served.

'Beware The Messenger of Fear.' 

As for the story behind the message, I enjoyed it so much. I enjoyed the thriller aspect and throughout the whole book I was left intrigued and wondering what was going to happen, what had already happened? I can tell you now I did not see the ending coming and I respect Mara now that I know everything, which you don't find out till the end. Yes, this is one of those books that poses an unimaginable, must be answered question at the start and you don't get that answer till the very end. Which was perfect. The story was executed perfectly and I can't imagine any other way it could have been written.

I must admit, that I quite liked this book as a stand-alone and wouldn't mind if it was left that way. I don't know how this story can progress and what events are scheduled for the future books, but I can guarantee that I will be reading them. I'll read this series to the end!!

In hindsight, I believe this book to be for the older scale of the young adult, possibly 15+, just because of the nature and quite disturbing images that are presented throughout the book. But if you are already a Michael Grant fan, you will not be disappointed!!

*PS* - I much prefer the UK cover pictured above, sorry it just catches my attention more :P