Review of Premeditated by Josin L. McQuein
This Review of Premeditated by Josin L. McQuein will give you the scoop on this book on my list of 2010s YA books like Pretty Little Liars.
Premeditated by Josin L. McQuein
To be published by Delacorte BFYR on October 8, 2013
Source: requested for review from the publisher. Thank you, Delacorte, for sending me an ARC!
Why is Premeditated on my list of Books Like Pretty Little Liars?
- Character who is not who they seem
- Revenge plot
- Dark themes combined with wacky humor
Summary of the book from Goodreads: A week ago, Dinah’s cousin Claire cut her wrists. Five days ago, Dinah found Claire’s diary and discovered why. Three days ago, Dinah stopped crying and came up with a plan. Two days ago, she ditched her piercings and bleached the black dye from her hair. Yesterday, knee socks and uniform plaid became a predator’s camouflage. Today, she’ll find the boy who broke Claire. By tomorrow, he’ll wish he were dead.
My take: I’ve been dying to read Premeditated ever since I heard about it in a publisher’s preview nearly a year ago. Premeditated combines so many things I enjoy in a book: a revenge story, a going undercover story, a story about family relationships, and a story about preconceptions and prejudice. While there were a few suspension of disbelief moments, like a teenager with not a single picture of him/herself online? What?????
As the story begins, Dinah is pulling up to the Eleanor Lowry school, ready to enroll as a new student. She’s actually taking her cousin Claire’s spot after Claire was admitted to the hospital. Dinah’s not at Lowry to make new friends or improve her Latin — she’s a huntress on the prowl, out to find and punish the boy who caused Claire to attempt suicide.
“We’re going to end up on one of those ‘ripped from the headlines’ shows, aren’t we?”
That sounds like a pretty dark plot, and Premeditated does have some dark themes, but I was pleasantly surprised that the book also had a fair amount of quirk and humor. I have to give the author credit for this. It’s actually pretty hard to combine serious stuff with humor, but Premeditated did it well. At one point the book makes a Heathers reference. If, like me, you’re a big fan of that darkly comic 1990s movie, you’ll love Premeditated.
Dinah sets out on her revenge mission, but pretty soon I thought I had figured out the ending. I was right. The book offered up so many clues in this regard that I had to wonder if it was intentional. It was still fun for me to watch Dinah, knowing what I thought I knew.
“English, Brucie. I don’t speak Star Wars.”
Another strength of Premeditated was the cast of characters. Dinah was a great heroine. She’s a former pageant contestant (I would have loved to hear more about that!) and she’s tough and snarky, but also incredibly devoted to her cousin. She’s aided on her revenge mission by her friends, computer geek Brucie and badass Tabs, and some of their exchanges are hilarious. Dinah’s Uncle Paul is another stand-out character, as well as Chandi, a fellow student at Lowry.
I definitely recommend Premeditated. It’s a story with plenty of drama and suspense but also a lot of humor and heart.
Check out my post on Books To Read if You Like Pretty Little Liars!
I really, really can't wait to get my hands on this one. Your review confirmed it even more. Thanks!
I hope you love it as much as I did!
Brucie sounds delightful-I speak Star Wars 🙂 Like you I think this one sounds really good and I hope I enjoy checking it out. I might even be someone who doesn't figure it out because I'm really bad at that.
Ha — I speak a little Star Wars. Brucie cracked me up.
I think whether you figure out the ending or not, you will still love this book!
Sounds great! I love a strong heroine who is strong. I can't stand weak girls always making bad choices. Love your review.
Dinah's not perfect, but she's very strong and determined. I think you'll love her!
This actually sounds like something I'd enjoy. I had the impression that it wasn't going to be a good read. I might have read another review of it somewhere. Your review just made me to a 180. 🙂
I was actually happy that the book was more than just a revenge story — I love books that have me in suspense AND make me laugh.
Characters make it sound worth the read
Definitely great characters!
This is one of Nicole's most anticipated reads this fall! I am so glad you enjoyed it, I plan to read it eventually when Nicole finishes it 🙂 I am glad that it is not too dark and still has some humor to it!
Ashley @The Quiet Concert
I'm always nervous to read books I've been waiting for, but this did not disappoint!
I'm surprised to see that this one is funny! I've been coveting it for ages because it sounds so dark and twisted. I'll still be reading it, though, because it sounds like just my kind of book. I'm glad you enjoyed it!
I was surprised and charmed by the humor. I always love a book with humor, no matter what the genre…
Great review, Jen! 🙂
It sounds like a really good book with so many different things going for it! I love the premise and I don't mind suspending my disbelief for a moment, if the story is interesting and meaningful overall 🙂 I'm so happy you enjoyed it so much, I can't wait to read it, too!
Evie @Bookish
It was just a very fun book to read!
I haven't heard of this book till today and now after two great reviews I need it. I'm not really big on thriller stories but this one seems to have more than that and it sounds so appealing. I'm so glad you enjoyed it 🙂
I definitely like my thrillers to have some emotional depth, and this one does!
This sounds amazing– I like the idea of a revenge story that has quirk and humor! <3 Dinah sounds like a really good character, and the drama sounds amazing. Awesome review, Jen!
So I remember seeing Heathers with a friend and being not quite sure what to make of it. I just wasn't expecting the sheer extent of darkness it contained. If I had, I think that would have affected my thoughts on it. So it's good to know upfront that this story contains lots of dark material but also a bit of humor. That's good that guessing the ending didn't bother you. I'm the worst at guessing endings, so I'll be curious if I guess correctly early on! Great review, Jen!
A Heathers reference, you say?? SOLD. 🙂 You know I like my dark 80's movies! I actually have had my eye on this book as well–I love all those things that you mentioned: revenge, undercover stuff, preconceived notions and prejudice. And I'm doubly impressed that this one also is quirky and has some humor–even better! I may have to buy this one sooner rather than later:) Great review.
I'm so glad you enjoyed Premeditated.I've had my eye on this one- and your review confirms all the things I thought I'd like about it. I'm glad to hear that there's some humor to go along with the drama and suspense! I love the reference to Heathers too, as well as the quote "English, Brucie. I don't speak Star Wars" had me smiling. Can't wait to check this one out!
OMG!! This book sounds amazing. I'm going to get it for my Kindle right now!! I am a huge fan of dramatic stories and it seems like this one has LOTS of drama. I'm sorry you guessed the book right at the beginning. I hope it won't happen to me (even though usually I'm a good book guesser.. >_<)
Great review!!! <3
Sapir @ Diary of a Wimpy Teen Girl
This sounds PERFECT for me. I love revenge stories, especially ones that are dark AND comical. 😀
I have this one on my wish list and can't wait to read it.
Thanks for your great review.
Andreea
I'm not really into revenge stories, but I might look this on up because of the humor. I can handle if a book is dark, but also light at the same time, if you know what I mean.