This was okay. I spent the first half of HIDE trying to remember/figure out who was who due to the cast of 14. The writing was good, but the constantly changing third person POV made the story confusing for me. The overall set up and twist were kind of interesting, but I didn’t feel enough connection to the characters to care much by the end. The setting was the best part of the novel for sure.

"Hide" is Kiersten White's adult debut, and it is a lean horror story of people trying to survive a week in an abandoned amusement park to win a life-changing prize. It's a simple set-up, and its execution is similarly simple. It just felt a little too insignificant to me. That's not a valid criticism in my book, since some books are truly just here to be fun, but White has written interesting horror/fantasy novels in the YA space for years, and this just felt like a step backwards. It's still a fun time though, and if the premise speaks to you, you may enjoy it!

There is a disconnect between how the book starts and how it ends and it’s disjointed enough to make the entire thing less cohesive and enjoyable. There are too many POVs for a novel this length several of which are so short-lived they are unnecessary.

Like many bibliophiles, I cannot answer who my favorite author is because there are too many authors to limit that answer to just one. Instead, I have a special list of authors who make up my auto-buy list. Jay Kristoff, Samantha Shannon, Holly Black, and Nora Roberts are just a few of the authors who make that list for me. Kiersten White is also on that list, so it was with eagerness I picked up her latest book, Hide, and started reading. What unfolded was something I wasn't expecting but which I enjoyed nonetheless. I wouldn't say Hide is my favorite novel by Ms. White, but it does reiterate how well she can create spooky stories with plenty of eerie twists. Her mash-up of old-school horror, fantasy, and psychological thriller doesn't work as well as I hoped, but I still think her writing is strong. Thanks to Ms. White, after reading Hide, I will never look at amusement parks in quite the same way again, which speaks volumes.

I loved the mythology and set up of this, but wish I’d felt more satisfied by the ending. I won’t be giving anymore of the secrets away though. It’s still worth a read.

An abandoned theme park is just the latest spooky setting for a terrifying ritual that has been continuing in secret for generations. Fourteen challengers take part in a survivor-type game of hide-and-seek. The last person not found will win enough prize money to change their life. Nothing is like it seems in this competition and those who lose are not seen again. In this suspenseful story of desperation, horror, and possible hope, you can travel right along with the players. Be quiet while you read. It's very important to hide.

I honestly didn't know what to expect when I picked this up - Kiersten White has such a wide range of ages, themes, and general "feelings" in her work that an adult horror was new for me. That said, I ended up really enjoying this. It didn't feel as "horror" as I was expecting - I had no problem reading with the lights off or anything like that. But, where I usually don't love monster horror, this one worked pretty well for me. I'd solidly recommend this!

I recommended this to a few students and some family. The audiobook (which I purchased later) was terrific as well. I'll probably keep a physical copy in my office to give out to students that are less interested in my normal science fiction/fantasy offerings.

I really loved the sense of place in the book. The included map really helped visualize the park and made for some interesting discussion as we mapped the travels of the contestants throughout the story.

Well... that was unexpected. I definitely went into Hide expecting something a little different - an abandoned amusement park, 14 contests, and someone (or something) hunting them - and while I got all of that, there was a couple unexpected twists. Surprisingly, I was more invested in the plot, in the 'what' and 'why' and 'what's going to happen', than I was in the characters. I know this was a "me" problem but I really just struggled to connect with the writing style. Although not even remotely written like a script, that's the general vibe I got from the book (and I have to say I do think it would make an incredibly fun Netflix series!).

All in all, though, it was a quick, fun, not quite as spooky as I was hoping for read.

Quick and satisfying little read with a fabulously anti-capitalist message. (As a side note, loved the author's comment about the "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" saying at the end of the book!)

Honestly unsure why the rating on this book is rather low. I read this in just over a day and enjoyed the entire ride. It flowed easily, had a creative plot and setting, and even features a lesbian storyline that is a focus but doesn't take over the entire book (LGBTQ+ anything in a horror novel is something I'm always happy to see). It leaves just enough mystery throughout it until the last third when everything is gradually revealed, and those reveals tie nicely into hints dropped earlier in the story. I'd actually really love to see this one made into a movie; I'm an absolute sucker for horror based in and around amusement parks, circuses, and fairs, and this really hit the spot.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

Absolutely gripping. I love an amusement park thriller and this didn't disappoint. Could definitely see it being made for the big screen.

This book got me out of a long reading slump. I read the literal first half of it on one sitting, and only stopped because I was exhausted and my brain stopped comprehending sentences.

I loved the concept, the reveal of the characters that allowed me to care about them but by bit, and the realistic way the protagonist was driven by her trauma and eventual hope. I will say the foreshadowing made what was actually happening very obvious, but even that did didn’t take away from my enjoyment of watching it all unfold.

I may be recommending this one for my library’s 2023 Library Picks.

This story starts off with 14 competitors, who think they are going to be playing an innocent game of hide-and-seek for a grand prize of $50,000. Seems easy enough. Too bad they aren't hiding from each other.

I really enjoyed this book! I did not want to put it down. It did take a bit to figure out the characters at first, but not to fear, they all won't be there long. I liked our main character, Mack, and what we get of her back story. She seems to have already played a deadly game of hide-and-seek before.

I was really liking the book until the last.....85%? <spoiler> I kinda wished everyone would have just succumbed to the monster? I know that not the right thing to want....but....that's what I wanted.</spoiler> It Just seemed to almost be a different story. It wasn't what I was expecting to happen.

Overall, I did enjoy the story and would recommend it!

Thank you to Kiersten White, Del Rey Books, and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Didn’t really build to much. Slow in quite a lot of parts. I felt like this had so much potential but felt it didn’t leave up to it.

Combining an abandoned theme park, reality show contestants, and an ancient curse is an unusual combination that works for Kiersten White in Hide. There is a wide cast of characters that are entertainingly relatable, but the setting itself shines as the brightest star, providing a haunting backdrop for the ghastly game within the game. Hide is a fast-paced ride on the bumpiest thrill coaster in the park.

Creepy story, not what I thought it would be, but I enjoyed reading this book! Once you realise that the story would progress like a regular monster story, Kiersten throws in a twist with a great concept. It didn’t grab me from page 1 like some reviews said tho, took me a few chapters to get hooked. If you are expecting scary, you’ll be disappointed. The story has some creepy moments kind of like a combination of supernatural mystery and thriller but its an exciting story regardless.

Thank you Delrey via Netgalley for the arc.

Lost interest early and not as into it as expected. Good concept, just wasn't my cup of tea.

Thanks to Ballantine and NetGalley for the ARC.

Oh dear. This one was a miss for me. The development of the characters was not enough to keep me invested. I was excited for the premise of the story, but just couldn't seem to get into this one, it was just so slow for me. It is a dnf unfortunately. I am sorry.

Thank you to NetGalley and Publishers for the arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

I would check out my review on Youtube for all the details on my ooinions of this book as there is so much to say. The beginning of this book was a struggle to get into. There are a ton of characters and it just feels dry. Then they are at the park hiding and the adventures and weird things begin to happen and although I would've liked more details and creep factor I was enjoying this part. There is also an interesting back story as to how the game came to bestarted. And then the ending happened which I am still a bit confused about and a bit bummed over.

3.5 Stars

This was the Cabin in the Woods/ Black Mirror combination that I never knew I needed! I had so much fun reading Hide! The characters were interesting, the settings were immaculately written, and I loved the twists and turns. Some parts felt a little long winded and discombobulated, but I enjoyed the story overall!