The 100 Society by Carla Spradbery | Rating: ★★★☆☆

The 100 Society is a fast paced thriller/mystery targeted at young adults and is told in a writing style similar to novels such as ABC Family’s show Twisted, Followers by Anna Davies and the Pretty Little Liars book/television series. They each run at a very similar speed, much like this book, and would connect well with fans of those series who are looking for something to fill the space in between.

It’s very much so a psychological scare and while it may not be the best novel of the year, it is certainly worth the read and could very well click with teenagers who are only just beginning to read frequently. I found myself to enjoy it quite a bit and although it could be predictable at times, I was hooked — my only complaint would be that there wasn’t enough of a backstory to the characters or The 100 Society.

Grace Becker, our leading lady, has grown obsessed with the idea of tagging 100 spots in their city to become a part of this society; it is her hope to stand out in life, I suppose you could say, and to step out of her older brothers shadow. She feels very neglected by her father and this is something her best friend, Pete, knows and together (with other classmates, all of which are artists in one way or another) they all embark on this little game.

Things get out of hand quickly — Pete’s feelings for Grace become clearer, though not reciprocated, while it also becomes apparent that one of the group, Faith, has fallen for Pete. And to top it all off, Grace grows closer to another member of their little group — the one who’s never quite fit in — Trick (short for Patrick) and it is all one big mess.


The other members of their group — Ed and Cassie, are dating and their relationship, though in the background, is very sweet.

As they grow closer to their goal, things begin to fall apart at the seams. Tensions run high between friends due to romantic entanglements and the mysterious “Reaper” who defaces all their work with something of his own, seemingly taunting each of the teens in a threatening manner all the while claiming to “help” them. Everyone comes to the conclusion that it is the class outcast, who has feelings for Cassie, who is behind the messages.

Things grow even spookier when one of the group is severely hurt — and Grace suspects the Reaper was behind the attack.

And when the Reaper tries to warn the group of a liar among them, trying to bring them together, things only go downhill from then on out. Now the game has gotten out of hand — with one of their own hurt, and now someone dead, everyone in Grace’s life is in danger. They think they are safe, however, the moment that the supposed Reaper falls to their death.

As the story progresses — Pete’s feelings cause a drift between himself and Grace, with Trick and Grace’s romance blooming into something special. But more messages and warnings keep coming in and soon, another person is dead and those who remain come to terms with the fact that who they’d once blamed for these mysterious happenings is innocent.

So who does that leave? And just why are they doing such terrible things? Answers are revealed and there are twists and turns that will leave you with your mouth open upon the realization of just how twisted someone you supposedly know could be. You’ll feel terrible for those involved — the dead, the scarred and the betrayed.

It’s a heart pounding novel that will definitely stick with its younger audience for a while. The 100 Society is a thrilling ride that will leave you wondering just how well you know the people in your life and as I said, my only complaint was that there hadn’t been more of a backstory — that doesn’t stop it from being a fun read.