It's time for another great blog tour stop, this time for Nerve by Jeanne Ryan (September 13, 2012 from Dial Books). I have for you all today my review of this technologically-driven thriller where nothing is as it seems and trust isn't guaranteed. Be sure to keep scrolling after the review for your chance to win a signed hardback copy of Nerve!
publisher: Dial Books
date of publication: September 13, 2012
format: digital review copy
pages: 304
source: Netgalley
From Goodreads:
A high-stakes online game of dares turns deadly
When Vee is picked to be a player in NERVE, an anonymous game of dares broadcast live online, she discovers that the game knows her. They tempt her with prizes taken from her ThisIsMe page and team her up with the perfect boy, sizzling-hot Ian. At first it's exhilarating--Vee and Ian's fans cheer them on to riskier dares with higher stakes. But the game takes a twisted turn when they're directed to a secret location with five other players for the Grand Prize round. Suddenly they're playing all or nothing, with their lives on the line. Just how far will Vee go before she loses NERVE?
Debut author Jeanne Ryan delivers an un-putdownable suspense thriller.
Vee has spent much of her life in the shadow of her vivacious, dramatic friend, Sydney. Behind the scenes both on the stage and in everyday life, Vee longs for two things: a career in fashion and a date with the object of her affection, Matthew. When Vee experiences jealousy toward her friend, she decides to do something no one would expect: she completes a very public (and very embarrassing) dare for the live game NERVE. From then on out, both temptation and a need for revenge lead Vee to do some of the most unspeakable dares NERVE can throw at her. She stands to win everything she wants most... but at what cost?
Nerve takes a well-known concept (reality game shows) and gives it a whole new twist with a mysterious game of dares watched by thousands and taking place completely online. I found some of the themes to be very appropriate due to current events and enjoyed thinking through all of the conundrums Vee faces as she advances through the rounds. The sheer pervasiveness of NERVE made it a very frightening idea to ponder. The fact that they are able to dig up information beyond the realm of the characters' expectations exhibits the perfect type of threat for such a storyline.
At first, I was a bit put off by Vee. While she comes off as sweet for much of the first few chapters, it quickly becomes apparent that she is a flawed character. Her penchant for letting her feelings for an obviously undeserving boy dictate her actions was a hard pill to swallow. However, this can be used as a lesson in self-knowledge. Vee reasons that she wants to shake things up when, in reality, she wants to gain the attention of the object of her affections. The fact that this is a gateway that opens her up to greed which will put her life in danger further illustrates the dangers of her actions. Seeing her figure all of this out and stand up for herself is an amazing thing after all of this, making for an action-packed conclusion.
Nerve proved to provide oodles of action and a lot of nail-biting moments. Some of the scenes, while distasteful to me personally, illustrate just how much is wrong with this game of dares. It all lends a chilling atmosphere that keeps your interest right up to the end. Fans of conspiracy theories and spy scenarios should really enjoy this one. If you want a thriller with a technological angle, give Nerve a try.
Buy Nerve at the Following Locations:
Obligatory legal statement: This digital review copy was provided to me free of charge by the publisher via Netgalley. No monetary compensation was received in exchange for this fair and unbiased review.
I've been seeing quite a few reviews for Nerve, and from the sounds of your review, it makes me think of Arnold Schwarzenegger in The Running Man. While I don't know if this book is quite for me, I definitely know some readers who would appreciate the action-packed and thrilling story. Thank you for your review! :)
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