Hide by Kiersten White

(And isn’t it sad that after working hard to establish a livelihood out of her face and beauty, making a horrible mistake to cater to an audience that never existed, playing ruthlessly to win, and sacrificing herself after discovering the true consequences of her plans–she remains the Other Ava). Legrand was an interesting character. Given I had just finished Together We Rot right before this, he mostly reminded me of Elwood. Ava and Mack had a great dynamic and developing relationship, learning to be trusting and vulnerable again after the traumas they suffered. Brandon holds a special place in my heart, though, and I figured from the beginning that he’d meet a tragic end. So happy and earnest and desperate for friends, his exposure to human cruelty plus the overtaking anger and despair was particularly heartbreaking for me.

Such as: Buzzed Ava can’t be killed by the monster and Brandon’s body is left untouched, so the monster requires more sacrifices. Buzzed Ava’s fake-out death was a true shock. Just as the characters thought, I also believed this competition would take more of a Squid Game approach where only one would make it out (though I couldn’t decide if it would be Mack or if she’d sacrifice herself for Legrand). I’m extremely grateful that Buzzed Ava and Mack didn’t lose another partner. Once we hit that reveal, the twists just kept coming. They make it out of the park, but Mack seemingly gives herself up to Linda to ensure Legrand’s sister is taken care of and to appease her own guilt for her indirect part in her sister's death. But then Mack pulls out the “I said we’d give her sacrifices. I never said they’d be us.” Only, that’s still not the real plan because instead of offering up the park guards they blow up the gate!

The trio frees the monster and then Mack leaves Linda to be eaten, not caring for what the monster does beyond that. I kept rewinding my audiobook, afraid I had missed something.

I would’ve loved a more definitive answer on what happens to the town and the monster. I can to some extent acknowledge and appreciate the almost dystopian answer where our main characters have survived, but may have severely messed up the world. Given Asterion boasts that the monster’s blessing helped them build the country into a better place by getting footholds into technology, the economy, politics, and the courts, maybe it’s the people and not the monster who will collapse the system. My big question, however, revolves around Elmera. They spend so much time planning to get Legrand out so he can save his sister from their cult and yet that problem remains unsolved. Logistically speaking, it couldn’t fit into the book. I thought when they escaped the first time, the novel would end after they had saved Elmera, but since White pulled so many twists to get them back in the park, that subplot was abandoned. I guess it is grounds for a sequel, but White hasn’t professed any interest in a follow-up.