The Lake

The Lake was the first book I read from the author Natasha Preston so I didn’t know what to expect, but I was impressed. This book goes out to an audience who can’t stop reading a book because it becomes so addicting. Natasha Preston was able to lay down a plot to allow me as a reader to be intrigued. I would definitely recommend reading this book if you enjoy suspense and not knowing what’s going to happen next. I would for sure read another one of her books. This book was an attention grabber. I loved the unexpected plot twist that happened at the end of the story which was shocking. The story starts off slow but towards the end it begins to pick up, and it was so worth reading til the end. The author does a brilliant job being able to set the scene for the climax of the story. I liked the setting of the story taking place at a summer camp in the woods, which made the story line more creepy. I liked how all the characters were coming up with insane theories about who was messing with the camp when little did they know that the two main characters suspected who it was all along. Each character in the story had their unique traits that made the book more interesting. Especially since we learn about the two main character’s backstories and the secrets they share with each other. There were many chilling incidents that happened throughout the story which eventually made way more sense towards the end. The author was able to keep me entertained throughout the story by adding many thrilling parts that made me question which characters I could trust. We learned towards the end of the story that not every character was who they truly said they were and many shocking secrets were discovered. I think adding this plot twist regarding the characters made the ending of the story so much more unexpecting. This book was really easy to read and understand with not many challenging words. The recommended reading age for this book ranges from 12-17 years old but I think any age would enjoy reading this book. The story is written from one of the main character's points of view so throughout the story we learn her thoughts and feelings regarding the chaos occurring at the summer camp. It turns out that she knows more information about what's going on around camp than she is willing to share with the other characters, but she does stay in touch with the other main character. She tries in every way to convince herself that someone else is responsible for the creepy incidents but in reality she knows exactly who is causing the trouble. Overall I would rate this book a 5 star because I was satisfied with the content and how it made me want to continue turning the pages to see what’s going to happen next. Finally the book was well written with an in depth storyline and well thought out characters.

I was on vacation while reading this book, I went to camp when I was kid so I definitely related to the setting. Who doesn't like a good summer camp book out by a lake?I tried really really hard to like this book, I kept reading earnestly hoping it would get better, but it never did. I don't even think a sequel or an extra chapter would save it.The characters, despite being 17-18 in age are very whiny, petty, and their driving motivations are completely unrealistic. (I'm 22 so that time isn't too far behind me)Esme is a complete ball of anxiety, and despite that she was correct in her fears, she doesn't approach any of her problems with an ounce of reason or logical thinking.I don't even remember the name of her friend that's how forgettable she was. Just this grey blob who was given the title of "best friend since we were kids."Ollie is way over protective of Esme and then doesn't much of anything to really give some bite to his bark. His friend, (was his name jake?) Was also just as forgettable as Esme's friend. Just the cliché jock weenie.The antagonist of the story. What was her name.... oh Lillian. Let me just get this straight, she spent her WHOLE life being mad at two 9-year-olds? How did she get ahold of a shotgun? How was she living in the woods as a reject of society? How did she make money? Why was she able to move around like a phantom?She was by far one of the weakest villains in a story I've ever come across. Her motives are completely unrealistic. Even to claim her family life was hard or she was mentally disturbed, her ability to simultaneously contact all of her "victims" is ridiculous.Summer camp is all about overcoming fears, challenges and obstacles, the least you could have done was provide us with a satisfying ending of the villain laying her bed of hatred, suffering, and pain and made her sleep in it. Nothing wrong with letting the villain win, but at least make the villain likeable so I don't have to sit here and spend 20 minutes writing about how much I hated this book.I'm glad I brought more books to my vacation, because I stewed and fumed about how bad this was for a solid 3 hours, and even now I'm still just over how annoying the book is.

Amazing book! Leaves you on the edge of your seat! I have read four books of Natasha Preston in the last 7 days!!!! Get them all!!!

Spoilers...Plot: It took a while to become invested in the plot until the threats became more sinister. It was more intriguing once Olly and Esme teamed up and were on the same page. Unfortunately, the promising plot is overshadowed by a very poor ending, it ends in somewhat of a cliffhanger and there is no sequel.Characters: Esme may be a little anxious and obsessive, but she was 100% right so you can’t really blame her thinking. How am I supposed to believe that Kayla was really Esme’s best friend? She was awful to her the entire book. Olly was the only one Esme could actually count on and find support from. Poor Andy was just trying to run his camp and was merely collateral damage. Lillian being a full-on stalker as she followed them around definitely shows her psychotic commitment.Writing: The way the main character continuously brought up that something bad happened in the past was initially repetitive and annoying. As a reader we get it, every innocent scene doesn’t need to be followed with the main character vaguely stating something along the lines of ‘but bad things can happen here, I would know’.

This book is obviously intended for a younger audience, probably more 16-24. The characters are 18 year olds who make dumb 18 year old choices. I have seen a lot of reviews discuss how their biggest problem was that the main girl didn't come out and tell anyone who the stalker was, but again, she's young and dumb and scared, I get it.It did take me a minute to get into the book because the beginning chapters run you through setting up a camp and I do feel like some of the information was unnecessary and never is mentioned again.A few of the things in the book were cheesy and predictable, but one of the things was so obvious that I thought for sure it had to be done to make us think we knew, so I ignored it entirely only to discover it had just been that obvious.Anyway, the ending. The ending was one of the best endings I've read. The last page and a half, pure genius. It saved the book for me (which again wasn't a bad book, just written for a younger audience.)