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Wicked
148 pages
A pulpy, fast-paced descent into high school ambition where a desperate bargain leads to terrifying, supernatural consequences.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like stepping straight into the golden age of nineties teen horror, where high school hallways are just as dangerous as dark alleys. The narrative moves at a brisk, addictive clip, fueled by punchy sentences and the author's signature chapter-ending cliffhangers that make it impossible not to read just one more page. It perfectly captures the suffocating pressure of senior year, twisting relatable academic anxiety into a paranoid, dread-soaked nightmare. The tone strikes a delightful balance between genuine suspense and pulpy melodrama, wrapping the reader in an eerie, nostalgic atmosphere. It is an absolute treat for anyone who loves a fast, campy thriller about toxic ambition, dark bargains, and the terrifying price of getting exactly what you wish for.
- Mood
- eerie
- nostalgic
- dread-soaked
- paranoid
- Tone
- melodramatic
- suspenseful
- ominous
- campy
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- toxic ambition · unintended consequences · dark bargains · high school pressure
- The writing
- Punchy, accessible, and heavily reliant on chapter-ending cliffhangers to maintain a relentless forward momentum.
- The arc
- Moves from desperate academic anxiety into a paranoid, escalating spiral of supernatural dread.
- Who it's for
- Readers craving a nostalgic, pulpy teen thriller where high school drama collides with classic horror tropes.
Content notes
- supernatural violence
- teen death
- bullying
- manipulation
About the book
Marla Newman is worried that her dream of becoming valedictorian of her senior class is slipping away, until she meets two juniors who offer her the power to get anything she wants, but she soon discovers that this power comes with a horrific price.
Description from Open Library.
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