Book Review: Endangered by Lamar Giles

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Endangered
Author: Lamar Giles
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genres: Mystery | Thriller
Release Date: April 21st 2015
Review Source: Harper Teen

Her name is Lauren, but everyone calls her Panda.

What they don't know is that behind their backs, she also goes by Gray. As in Gray Scales, the photoblog that her classmates are addicted to because of the secrets Gray exposes: a jock buying drugs, a teacher in a compromising position, a rich girl shoplifting. But no one knows Panda's the vigilante photographer behind it all. At least, she thinks no one knows—until she gets a note from the Admirer, who's not only caught her red-handed acting as Gray but also threatens to reveal everything unless Panda plays a little game of Dare or . . . Dare.

Panda plays along. Anything to keep the secret she's protected for years.

But when the game turns deadly, Panda doesn't know what to do. And she might need to step out of the shadows to save herself . . . and everyone else on the Admirer's hit list, including some of the classmates she's loathed and exposed for years.

This is the second book I’ve read by Lamar Giles, and I have to say I really like his stuff. At first glance, though, I thought Endangered was a sequel to Fake ID, but it is its own story entirely, and what a good one it is.

Lauren, or better known as Panda, is a Hall Ghost. She has mastered the art of blending in and going unnoticed. She does this because she is actually Gray - an online blog that works on exposing the worst Portside has to offer. She would never tell anyone, though, not even her best friend, Mei, better known as Ocie. Then someone starts playing games. Seeing who can top the other’s photography. Things escalate quickly. One of her recent exposés gets murdered, and Ocie is seriously injured, and Gray is revealed for her true self. Now Panda has to track down whoever has been playing games with her is.

This book, very similarly to Fake ID, keeps the story rolling without too much and too little suspense. It keeps you reading and wanting to figure out “who dunnit” before the author actually tells you and at the end is a surprise anyway.

Another consistent thing this author does is not giving me satisfying endings. If it weren’t for that, this book would get 5 trees. From me, anyway. It’s almost as if the crime is solved, and that’s it. You don’t really get much past that, and the relationships in the book just fall a little flat.

Book Review: Fake ID by Lamar Giles

Fake ID
Author: Lamar Giles
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genres: Mystery | Realistic Fiction | Thriller
Released: January 21st 2014
Review Source: Harper Teen

Lamar Giles takes readers on a wild and dark ride in this contemporary Witness Protection thriller, perfect for fans of James Patterson, Harlan Coben, and John Grisham.

Nick Pearson is hiding in plain sight. In fact, his name isn't really Nick Pearson. He shouldn't tell you his real name, his real hometown, or why his family just moved to Stepton, Virginia. And he definitely shouldn't tell you about his friend Eli Cruz and the major conspiracy Eli was uncovering when he died. About how Nick had to choose between solving Eli's murder with his hot sister, Reya, and "staying low-key" like the Program said to do.

But he's going to tell you—unless he gets caught first. . . .

This book is so intense. It’s almost like watching an episode of Scandal; I was almost to the end and I still had no idea who was to blame!

This book follows the story of Nick Pearson, or Tony. Depends on whether we’re talking pre or post Witness Protection Program. Tony’s dad used to work for a very powerful hitman, Kreso; he was the numbers guy. Until he went to the police, and as soon as he did, Kreso disappeared. So now the whole family - mother, father, son - are in the Witness Protection Program. Except they keep getting moved every year because Tony’s dad just loves to make dirty money. As of now, they’re in Stepton, Virginia.

Tony’s making friends, even has a girl he likes (which is strange considering how little time he’s had to act as a normal teen). Then Eli, Tony’s friend, gets murdered, his dad is acting shady, the mayor has sudden interest, and crimes aren’t being reported.Tony and Reya, Eli’s sister, team up to catch a murderer and try to solve whatever Eli has left behind. This story is great.

I feel like it is expected for an author to steer too far off of the actual mystery due to adding twists and turns, trying to make the story more exciting. That didn’t happen here. Giles did an excellent job at getting into the meat of the story quickly, and being consistent, and never steering too far off of the original problem at hand. The ending left me a bit unsatisfied, as far as relationships within the book go.

Book Review: Fake ID by Lamar Giles

Fake ID
Author: Lamar Giles
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Mystery
Released: January 21st 2014
Review Source: Edelweiss /HarperTeen

Nick Pearson is hiding in plain sight…

My name isn’t really Nick Pearson.

I shouldn’t tell you where I’m from or why my family moved to Stepton, Virginia.

I shouldn’t tell you who I really am, or my hair, eye, and skin color.

And I definitely shouldn’t tell you about my friend Eli Cruz and the major conspiracy he was about to uncover when he died—right after I moved to town. About how I had to choose between solving his murder with his hot sister, Reya, and “staying low-key” like the Program has taught me. About how moving to Stepon changed my life forever.

But I’m going to.

The reason why I decided to request this book is because I liked the title and the mystery it contains. I know, right? But who doesn't like the suspense in finding out the truth? Although I was not really thrilled about the cover, I was intrigued to discover why Nick Pearson is in hiding!

Nick Pearson’s family moves to Stepton, Virginia. Actually, Nick is not his real name. This is a fake name that was provided by Witness Protection. Why? Well obviously they are on the run. Nick’s job is to stay low but on his first day of school he meets girl name Reya. (Love, makes us do crazy stuff). He also gets in trouble and is somehow rescued by Eli Cruz, Reya’s brother. Eli tries to get him involve in solving a town mystery, which Nick doesn’t want to do anything with it. But after he finds Eli dead, he must uncover the truth.

Although I had a hard time connecting with the main character, I liked how the story made me second guessed my many theories. I like how I was thrown off guard when I discover the truth and shocked when person behind the crime was revealed.  Well what can  I say, I am not a good  detective.

It amazed me how insane people and how good they can cover their true persona. More importantly, how crazy mysterious a hometown can be. You really do need to research about almost everything in life to be secured with your choices in life. Fake ID is a fun mystery story and those that enjoy reading this genre; I recommend that you read it.