Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Lia Finch, 16, has evidence that the Death Mob's Swarm will strike again after a two-year absence. In Chicago, dozens of disguised teens have beaten and kicked their victims to death. Lia's father, a prosecuting attorney who was investigating the Swarm, became one of their victims. After deciphering a tweet indicating that a new attack will take place, Lia goes to the waterfront site alone to try to document the mob's activities. While there, she's saved from the violence by a gray-eyed teen, who tosses her into Lake Michigan. Her rescuer, Ryan, later introduces himself as a Swarm member who also worked with her father. As Lia, along with her friends Adam and Katie, works to identify members of the Swarm to help stop the Death Mobs, Ryan stays in the shadows, trying to protect Lia. Despite suffering from both asthma and panic attacks, Lia often acts recklessly, adding to the story's excitement but detracting from her depiction as a savvy teen. Inspired by real-life flash mob attacks in Chicago, Gabriel's debut demonstrates how technology can be used to incite violence, and fans of Barry Lyga and Morgan Baden's The Hive will find a similarly themed, and similarly frightening, story here. Ages 13--up. (Nov.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 7 Up--Two years ago, Lia's father was killed by the Swarm, a vicious mob of teenagers who seemingly choose random victims to beat to death in the streets. Lia thinks her dad may have been researching who is behind the attacks and that he was targeted because he was close to an answer. With the help of her techie friend Adam, she works tirelessly to try to find the teens who killed her dad. But the Swarm is everywhere, and now they might be after Lia. As the danger to her increases, she encounters Ryan, a young man with a shady past who is hell-bent on protecting her, but she's not sure she can trust him. Pushy reporter Emi Vega is also investigating the story, but Lia questions her motives, too. While the concept of this book is original, unfortunately the characters are not, falling into cliché as soon as readers meet them. The plot moves quickly, but most of the turns fall flat, and while there seems to be the promise of romance, that fails to deliver. VERDICT The interesting premise should draw in some readers and the intensity of the pacing may keep them reading. Recommended for larger collections.--Mandy Laferriere, Fowler Middle School, Frisco, TX
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