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Something's About to Blow Up
WINNER OF THE INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION SERVICES TEEN/YA BOOK OF THE YEAR 2024
When an explosion rips through the chemistry lab at Dublin’s Raven’s Hill School and six girls are injured, the first thought is that it’s an experiment gone wrong. Then the Gardaí start investigating and declare it a potential bomb attack. But – if so – who was it targeting, and why?
Ella, Becky, Maeve and Mackenzie are rushed to hospital, along with the injured Frankie and Sorcha, who team up with Jess to figure out what actually happened. But what they discover is something more sinister than even they could have imagined …
When an explosion rips through the chemistry lab at Dublin’s Raven’s Hill School and six girls are injured, the first thought is that it’s an experiment gone wrong. Then the Gardaí start investigating and declare it a potential bomb attack. But – if so – who was it targeting, and why?
Ella, Becky, Maeve and Mackenzie are rushed to hospital, along with the injured Frankie and Sorcha, who team up with Jess to figure out what actually happened. But what they discover is something more sinister than even they could have imagined …
320 pages, Paperback
First published May 4, 2024
17 people are currently reading
158 people want to read
About the author
Sam Blake
12 books336 followersJoin Sam's Readers’ Club and get a free e-copy of her addictive thriller ‘High Pressure’! Info at www.samblakebooks.com
Sam Blake has been writing fiction since 1999 when her husband went sailing across the Atlantic for 8 weeks and she had an idea for a book.
Her debut novel 'Little Bones' (Bonnier 2016) was a runaway bestseller. Across all her books Sam has been an Eason No 1 bestseller an Irish Times No 1 and shortlisted for the Irish Book Awards (in the crime or teen categories) five times. 2023 saw her multiple award shortlisted YA debut Something Terrible Happened Last Night hit the shelves. In 2024 Something's About to Blow Up won Irish Teen/YA Book of the Year.
Moving away from police procedurals, now writing 'deliciously twisted' (Daily Mail) bestselling psychological thrillers, Sam's focus is on strong female characters and 'creating genuine page turners with metronomic timing.' (Sunday Business Post).
Sam is originally from St. Albans in Hertfordshire but has lived at the foot of the Wicklow mountains, for more years than she lived in the UK. Follow her on social @samblakebooks.
Visit www.samblakebooks.com for more!
Sam Blake has been writing fiction since 1999 when her husband went sailing across the Atlantic for 8 weeks and she had an idea for a book.
Her debut novel 'Little Bones' (Bonnier 2016) was a runaway bestseller. Across all her books Sam has been an Eason No 1 bestseller an Irish Times No 1 and shortlisted for the Irish Book Awards (in the crime or teen categories) five times. 2023 saw her multiple award shortlisted YA debut Something Terrible Happened Last Night hit the shelves. In 2024 Something's About to Blow Up won Irish Teen/YA Book of the Year.
Moving away from police procedurals, now writing 'deliciously twisted' (Daily Mail) bestselling psychological thrillers, Sam's focus is on strong female characters and 'creating genuine page turners with metronomic timing.' (Sunday Business Post).
Sam is originally from St. Albans in Hertfordshire but has lived at the foot of the Wicklow mountains, for more years than she lived in the UK. Follow her on social @samblakebooks.
Visit www.samblakebooks.com for more!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
July 18, 2024
‘She’d heard enough explosions to know exactly what one sounded like. And the sickeningly, deathly quiet after it.’
Something’s About To Blow Up by Sam Blake published May 23rd with Gill Books. It is the second book in this YA thriller series, following on from Sam Blake’s YA debut, Something Terrible Happened Last Night. Sam Blake has also been busy writing adult thrillers, with her latest, Three Little Birds, released earlier this year.
Sam Blake returns to her amateur sleuths at Raven’s Hill School, where much of the action takes place, following an explosion in the chemistry lab. Raven’s Hill is an elite Irish private school set in the fictional town of Kilmurray Point.
‘I really love the girls at Raven’s Hill School, it’s a big cast with a whole mix of personality types, girls who have come together from all over the world. Raven’s Hill is a girls’ boarding and day school in the fictional town of Kilmurray Point, with partner boys’ school, Raven’s Park College, providing much of the drama! I really hope readers can identify with the characters and enjoy them as much as I’ve enjoyed writing them.’ – Sam Blake
The Gardaí are called in to investigate what is initially thought to have been an accident but, as the evidence is gathered and analysed, the possibility that this may have been deliberate is raised. The school community are stunned at the thought that someone would consciously undertake such a heinous crime. Ella, Becky, Maeve, Mackenzie, Frankie and Sorcha all suffer injuries to different degrees of seriousness, with Jess truly shaken from her past experiences in the Lebanon.
As demonstrated in Something Terrible Happened Last Night, these girls are super smart, assertive and tech savvy. When they start to piece together events leading up to the explosion, alongside some curious snippets of information, they begin to assemble a few truths, separating the fact from the fiction
Meanwhile rumours start to take flight on Rave-fess, the schools anonymous confession site. Rave-fess provides the platform for all sorts of conspiracy theories about everything and anything, including the recent vicious attack on a male student, Jasper, from Raven’s Park College. Why was he so brutally assaulted? Who has a vendetta against him and why?
With everything in flux, the girls are determined to get to the bottom of this nightmare but, little do they know, that someone else has other plans. With parallel narratives scattered throughout from differing voices, it’s clear that there is something a little more threatening at play. It’s clear that someone has an agenda.
When younger, I always enjoyed mysteries set in a school environment. What Sam Blake has done here is upgrade it for the 21st century highlighting many relevant societal themes and, of course, adding the technical capabilities of teenagers in today’s world.
To be a teenager today must be very, very challenging. The cyberbullying, the anxiety, the sense of worth, the pure fear of not fitting in are very much a reality for many. In fiction these scenarios can be taken to another level but, the truth is, these days, how far will a young person go before the realisation dawns that something has to stop. In very recent times, we’ve seen some horror stories come out of parts of the world where paranoia and isolation among teenagers can lead to noxious behaviour. Sam Blake highlights this through the medium of an elite Dublin school, where no one would expect such distressing occurrences to happen.
Something’s About To Blow Up is a whodunit aimed at teenagers from 14+ but, as is the case with many YA books today, it can of course be read by older readers also. The drama and peer pressure of the school environment is well depicted with all the added modern references of mobile phones, social media platforms and confession sites that the majority of teens today have experience of.
Something’s About To Blow Up is another entertaining read from Sam Blake. It’s fun while also highlighting some very important themes that will resonate with many. Amateur sleuthing is always an appeal in fiction, no matter what your age so be sure to pick up a copy of Something’s About To Blow Up and discover for yourself the antics of this confident and bright bunch of teenagers.
Something’s About To Blow Up by Sam Blake published May 23rd with Gill Books. It is the second book in this YA thriller series, following on from Sam Blake’s YA debut, Something Terrible Happened Last Night. Sam Blake has also been busy writing adult thrillers, with her latest, Three Little Birds, released earlier this year.
Sam Blake returns to her amateur sleuths at Raven’s Hill School, where much of the action takes place, following an explosion in the chemistry lab. Raven’s Hill is an elite Irish private school set in the fictional town of Kilmurray Point.
‘I really love the girls at Raven’s Hill School, it’s a big cast with a whole mix of personality types, girls who have come together from all over the world. Raven’s Hill is a girls’ boarding and day school in the fictional town of Kilmurray Point, with partner boys’ school, Raven’s Park College, providing much of the drama! I really hope readers can identify with the characters and enjoy them as much as I’ve enjoyed writing them.’ – Sam Blake
The Gardaí are called in to investigate what is initially thought to have been an accident but, as the evidence is gathered and analysed, the possibility that this may have been deliberate is raised. The school community are stunned at the thought that someone would consciously undertake such a heinous crime. Ella, Becky, Maeve, Mackenzie, Frankie and Sorcha all suffer injuries to different degrees of seriousness, with Jess truly shaken from her past experiences in the Lebanon.
As demonstrated in Something Terrible Happened Last Night, these girls are super smart, assertive and tech savvy. When they start to piece together events leading up to the explosion, alongside some curious snippets of information, they begin to assemble a few truths, separating the fact from the fiction
Meanwhile rumours start to take flight on Rave-fess, the schools anonymous confession site. Rave-fess provides the platform for all sorts of conspiracy theories about everything and anything, including the recent vicious attack on a male student, Jasper, from Raven’s Park College. Why was he so brutally assaulted? Who has a vendetta against him and why?
With everything in flux, the girls are determined to get to the bottom of this nightmare but, little do they know, that someone else has other plans. With parallel narratives scattered throughout from differing voices, it’s clear that there is something a little more threatening at play. It’s clear that someone has an agenda.
When younger, I always enjoyed mysteries set in a school environment. What Sam Blake has done here is upgrade it for the 21st century highlighting many relevant societal themes and, of course, adding the technical capabilities of teenagers in today’s world.
To be a teenager today must be very, very challenging. The cyberbullying, the anxiety, the sense of worth, the pure fear of not fitting in are very much a reality for many. In fiction these scenarios can be taken to another level but, the truth is, these days, how far will a young person go before the realisation dawns that something has to stop. In very recent times, we’ve seen some horror stories come out of parts of the world where paranoia and isolation among teenagers can lead to noxious behaviour. Sam Blake highlights this through the medium of an elite Dublin school, where no one would expect such distressing occurrences to happen.
Something’s About To Blow Up is a whodunit aimed at teenagers from 14+ but, as is the case with many YA books today, it can of course be read by older readers also. The drama and peer pressure of the school environment is well depicted with all the added modern references of mobile phones, social media platforms and confession sites that the majority of teens today have experience of.
Something’s About To Blow Up is another entertaining read from Sam Blake. It’s fun while also highlighting some very important themes that will resonate with many. Amateur sleuthing is always an appeal in fiction, no matter what your age so be sure to pick up a copy of Something’s About To Blow Up and discover for yourself the antics of this confident and bright bunch of teenagers.
October 22, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley, Gill Books, Bolinda Audio, Sam Blake, and Roisin Rankin (audio narrator) for the opportunity to read and listen to the audiobook of Something's About to Blow Up in exchange for an honest review.
Incident Investigation
When an explosion occurs in the chemistry lab at Raven's Hill School in Dublin, six girls are injured. The initial assumption is an experiment gone wrong. When the Gardaí (Irish police) determine a potential bomb attack, questions arise about the target and the motive, causing the event to be thought of with a premeditated purpose.
Student Detectives
The injured students - Ella, Becky, Maeve, Mackenzie, Frankie, and Sorcha - are rushed to the hospital. Jess, unharmed in the accident, teams up with the others to investigate what might have actually happened. Their findings reveal something more sinister than anyone could have anticipated. With an investigation into serious chemicals that can be detonated by air to serious online photo posting that may lead to thoughts of revenge, Jess and the girls have a great deal to investigate. They certainly can't come to the authorities until they are sure of who they may accuse.
Unraveling the Mystery
As the investigation progresses, the students discover the incident at Raven's Hill School was not just an accident, but a deliberate and calculated attack, the true nature of which remains to be fully unveiled.
Final Thoughts
This novel explores the dangers of chemical use in the classroom, social media posting, and double-timing a significant other. While the title in itself is rather comical along with the little haphazardly blown up warning signs, the messages being offered within this novel make for serious lessons and take-aways for teen and early college age readers. This novel also has an allure for mystery and thrill seekers when it comes to uncovering the truth about not one, but two explosions in the school chemistry lab.
The narrator makes the audiobook enjoyable, and the novel has real-world applications for readers of the age that might be in high school or college working with chemicals. It sheds a light on the importance of safety in science classrooms as well as keeping chemicals locked up and inaccessible by students. Older teen and new adult readers will have a literal BLAST reading this one.
Incident Investigation
When an explosion occurs in the chemistry lab at Raven's Hill School in Dublin, six girls are injured. The initial assumption is an experiment gone wrong. When the Gardaí (Irish police) determine a potential bomb attack, questions arise about the target and the motive, causing the event to be thought of with a premeditated purpose.
Student Detectives
The injured students - Ella, Becky, Maeve, Mackenzie, Frankie, and Sorcha - are rushed to the hospital. Jess, unharmed in the accident, teams up with the others to investigate what might have actually happened. Their findings reveal something more sinister than anyone could have anticipated. With an investigation into serious chemicals that can be detonated by air to serious online photo posting that may lead to thoughts of revenge, Jess and the girls have a great deal to investigate. They certainly can't come to the authorities until they are sure of who they may accuse.
Unraveling the Mystery
As the investigation progresses, the students discover the incident at Raven's Hill School was not just an accident, but a deliberate and calculated attack, the true nature of which remains to be fully unveiled.
Final Thoughts
This novel explores the dangers of chemical use in the classroom, social media posting, and double-timing a significant other. While the title in itself is rather comical along with the little haphazardly blown up warning signs, the messages being offered within this novel make for serious lessons and take-aways for teen and early college age readers. This novel also has an allure for mystery and thrill seekers when it comes to uncovering the truth about not one, but two explosions in the school chemistry lab.
The narrator makes the audiobook enjoyable, and the novel has real-world applications for readers of the age that might be in high school or college working with chemicals. It sheds a light on the importance of safety in science classrooms as well as keeping chemicals locked up and inaccessible by students. Older teen and new adult readers will have a literal BLAST reading this one.
September 25, 2024
TW: Psychological issues, partner grooming of a minor towards abuse, revenge porn.
This was such a well done book. This book really highlighted the issues facing a younger generation of girls and women that are coming up in a mostly online world. All of the issues are shown through the lens of seven girls attending an all-girls high school. They interact with the all-boys school nearby, and some live at home with brothers while others board at the school. This story weaves together a glorious plot that highlights the ease with which the modern world allows for young people to be taken advantage of. It also shows the dark side of popularity online and off and the hubris that can bring.
Seven young women come together while recovering from various injuries after an explosion at school to try to figure out what happened. They are fun to follow and get to know better, and the twisting in this plot is fantastic. I enjoyed this book so much, and would highly recommend it. It had an agenda from page one, and the book stayed true to that and told these stories honestly and openly. It was such a good read.
I'd recommend this book to anyone over the age of 13 who likes mysteries, and it is an excellent book to read together with your 11-13 year old daughter to start conversations about any bullying or coercion they may be experiencing at school or in extra curriculars. This book is as much a conversation starter as it is a good read.
Thank you for the ARC!
This was such a well done book. This book really highlighted the issues facing a younger generation of girls and women that are coming up in a mostly online world. All of the issues are shown through the lens of seven girls attending an all-girls high school. They interact with the all-boys school nearby, and some live at home with brothers while others board at the school. This story weaves together a glorious plot that highlights the ease with which the modern world allows for young people to be taken advantage of. It also shows the dark side of popularity online and off and the hubris that can bring.
Seven young women come together while recovering from various injuries after an explosion at school to try to figure out what happened. They are fun to follow and get to know better, and the twisting in this plot is fantastic. I enjoyed this book so much, and would highly recommend it. It had an agenda from page one, and the book stayed true to that and told these stories honestly and openly. It was such a good read.
I'd recommend this book to anyone over the age of 13 who likes mysteries, and it is an excellent book to read together with your 11-13 year old daughter to start conversations about any bullying or coercion they may be experiencing at school or in extra curriculars. This book is as much a conversation starter as it is a good read.
Thank you for the ARC!
September 9, 2024
I highly recommend the audiobook - the narrator does a great job and there are some sound effects that add to the story.
I completely acknowledge that as American adult who has spent my entire life watching school violence play out on the news every day, I have a different perspective than the target audience for the book. I struggled to find the deep emotional sentiment that is so often found in other similar works. The characters didn’t have enough development to fully stand out, and I found myself interchanging characters accidentally most of the way through the book.
I would have no issue with this being accessible to students; however, there are many other works I would pick if trying to start a discussion about school violence.
I received an audiobook courtesy of Netgalley for my honest review.
I completely acknowledge that as American adult who has spent my entire life watching school violence play out on the news every day, I have a different perspective than the target audience for the book. I struggled to find the deep emotional sentiment that is so often found in other similar works. The characters didn’t have enough development to fully stand out, and I found myself interchanging characters accidentally most of the way through the book.
I would have no issue with this being accessible to students; however, there are many other works I would pick if trying to start a discussion about school violence.
I received an audiobook courtesy of Netgalley for my honest review.
September 1, 2024
Happy publication day 🎉🥳
I really enjoyed Something’s About To Blow Up. I didn’t realise that it was a follow up to Something Terrible Happened Last Night, which I hadn’t actually read, however I found it worked well as a standalone, and had no inclination of the prequel until I came to review it. It is a YA fiction and I’d say it sits firmly in its category, but I quite enjoy a wander into YA territory.
The story in itself is great, but what really spoke volumes was the relationships between the girls, I thought more than a few times “I wish my kids had a group like this”
Great stuff! Loved the narration.
Huge thanks to Bolinda Audio via NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook in return for an honest review.
I really enjoyed Something’s About To Blow Up. I didn’t realise that it was a follow up to Something Terrible Happened Last Night, which I hadn’t actually read, however I found it worked well as a standalone, and had no inclination of the prequel until I came to review it. It is a YA fiction and I’d say it sits firmly in its category, but I quite enjoy a wander into YA territory.
The story in itself is great, but what really spoke volumes was the relationships between the girls, I thought more than a few times “I wish my kids had a group like this”
Great stuff! Loved the narration.
Huge thanks to Bolinda Audio via NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook in return for an honest review.
June 13, 2024
3.5*
while i felt the story was a bit far-fetched, i was really hooked to the book like i really really wanted to know how it would end. what i most appreciate about this novel, though, is the themes it approaches. i feel it is very significant that the issues addressed in the novel are portrayed in books targeted at an adolescent readership, so kudos to sam blake for that. then the ending felt a bit rused i would've wanted it to go into a bit more detail
also has maeve ever told tara she cheated on her or was that just forgotten/ignored???
while i felt the story was a bit far-fetched, i was really hooked to the book like i really really wanted to know how it would end. what i most appreciate about this novel, though, is the themes it approaches. i feel it is very significant that the issues addressed in the novel are portrayed in books targeted at an adolescent readership, so kudos to sam blake for that. then the ending felt a bit rused i would've wanted it to go into a bit more detail
also has maeve ever told tara she cheated on her or was that just forgotten/ignored???
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 22, 2025
3⭐️ Dit verhaal is oprecht veel te langdradig gemaakt. Het concept was goed, alleen er bleef steeds te lang in bepaalde scenes gehangen. Dit was nogal storend. Ondanks dat heb ik mij wel vermaakt. Want ja concept was wel gewoon goed!
November 26, 2024
I love YA fiction. Nothing like the old saying school days were the best days. Books set in schools, hit all the feels, every time!
September 18, 2025
[3,5 stars]
September 4, 2024
No....no....no....no!!
So, I never read blurbs before reading the book and now I've finished, I've discovered that this is actually the second book that features the girls from Raven's Hill School!
I even recognise the cover of book 1, Something Terrible Happened Last Night, and see the similarities with this cover - which incidentally, I love!!
Although whilst reading, I had no clue that this related to a series and so obviously works perfectly as a standalone read, I'd have loved to have done these in order! (Do excuse my OCD here!)
Ok, let's move on from my mini panic!
So, I absolutely loved this book!
We are plunged into the action right from the start and what a great start it was!
As with this age group - late high school - there's always some drama going on at school and there was so much happening here.
There's forgotten homework, late pupils, a badly beaten up boy, nudes being shared and to top it all, a disaster in a chemistry lab.
Six girls are badly injured in the blast and as the story progresses, we meet each of them through different pov's.
I loved this format which allowed us to see lots of different aspects of what was going on, both in general and in terms of the issues at hand.
As each girl recovers enough, they put their heads together to work through what they each remember, what's revealed in the year group WhatsApp and information from the police too.
This worked so well to progress the case and give us all the information gradually, which had me making theories the whole way through.
Although I thought I knew exactly what was going on and who was to blame, this still kept me entertained and completely immersed from start to finish!
I whizzed through this in only a couple of sittings as every time I stopped, I couldn't stop thinking about it!
I loved all of the characters - which is unusual for me! - the dynamics between the girls and the way they supported each other was brilliant.
I even loved the portrayal of the suspects who fitted into the storyline perfectly - albeit deviously!
I loved this so much that I've instantly ordered the first book so that I can catch up on the gossip and action - and I'm really hoping that there will be more from Raven's Hill soon!
So, I never read blurbs before reading the book and now I've finished, I've discovered that this is actually the second book that features the girls from Raven's Hill School!
I even recognise the cover of book 1, Something Terrible Happened Last Night, and see the similarities with this cover - which incidentally, I love!!
Although whilst reading, I had no clue that this related to a series and so obviously works perfectly as a standalone read, I'd have loved to have done these in order! (Do excuse my OCD here!)
Ok, let's move on from my mini panic!
So, I absolutely loved this book!
We are plunged into the action right from the start and what a great start it was!
As with this age group - late high school - there's always some drama going on at school and there was so much happening here.
There's forgotten homework, late pupils, a badly beaten up boy, nudes being shared and to top it all, a disaster in a chemistry lab.
Six girls are badly injured in the blast and as the story progresses, we meet each of them through different pov's.
I loved this format which allowed us to see lots of different aspects of what was going on, both in general and in terms of the issues at hand.
As each girl recovers enough, they put their heads together to work through what they each remember, what's revealed in the year group WhatsApp and information from the police too.
This worked so well to progress the case and give us all the information gradually, which had me making theories the whole way through.
Although I thought I knew exactly what was going on and who was to blame, this still kept me entertained and completely immersed from start to finish!
I whizzed through this in only a couple of sittings as every time I stopped, I couldn't stop thinking about it!
I loved all of the characters - which is unusual for me! - the dynamics between the girls and the way they supported each other was brilliant.
I even loved the portrayal of the suspects who fitted into the storyline perfectly - albeit deviously!
I loved this so much that I've instantly ordered the first book so that I can catch up on the gossip and action - and I'm really hoping that there will be more from Raven's Hill soon!
August 26, 2024
Something’s About to Blow Up is the second instalment in Sam Blake’s YA Raven Hill thriller series, following the excellent Something Terrible Happened Last Night (which I also reviewed on the gram), and it’s another banger (get it?)!
So, it’s back to the fictional town of Kilmurray Point and the elite Raven’s Hill school, and there’s an explosion in the chemistry lab.
Initially, the explosion was thought to have been caused by an accident, even after the Gardai completed an investigation. Sure enough, though, our teen super sleuths knew there was more to it than that!
As the girls delve more deeply, and rumours abound on Rave-fess, the school’s anonymous confession site, the school community is rocked. Who could undertake such a heinous crime, and why?
Is it something to do with a vicious attack on a male student, Jasper, from Raven’s Park College? Is it something to do with a student transfer?
As demonstrated in Something Terrible Happened Last Night, our girls are brave, intelligent, savvy, and unafraid to assert themselves.
Told in parallel narratives, with each chapter told from a different character’s point of view, it’s clear that something threatening is at play. Someone has an agenda, and they’re not afraid to play dirty to achieve their goal.
As with the previous Raven Hill whodunit, this story gives real Nancy Drew-style YA vibes but with a thoroughly modern refresh, covering many topical issues faced today.
Something’s About to Blow Up is a tension-packed read that is easy enough to read in one or two sittings. I did not want to put it down, and I suspect many other readers, YA or not, will race through this twisty, suspenseful story with contemporary, believable characters, too!
Thank you to @gillbooks for kindly sending me a proof copy. As always, this is an honest review. Something’s About to Blow Up is out now; don't miss out! 4⭐️
So, it’s back to the fictional town of Kilmurray Point and the elite Raven’s Hill school, and there’s an explosion in the chemistry lab.
Initially, the explosion was thought to have been caused by an accident, even after the Gardai completed an investigation. Sure enough, though, our teen super sleuths knew there was more to it than that!
As the girls delve more deeply, and rumours abound on Rave-fess, the school’s anonymous confession site, the school community is rocked. Who could undertake such a heinous crime, and why?
Is it something to do with a vicious attack on a male student, Jasper, from Raven’s Park College? Is it something to do with a student transfer?
As demonstrated in Something Terrible Happened Last Night, our girls are brave, intelligent, savvy, and unafraid to assert themselves.
Told in parallel narratives, with each chapter told from a different character’s point of view, it’s clear that something threatening is at play. Someone has an agenda, and they’re not afraid to play dirty to achieve their goal.
As with the previous Raven Hill whodunit, this story gives real Nancy Drew-style YA vibes but with a thoroughly modern refresh, covering many topical issues faced today.
Something’s About to Blow Up is a tension-packed read that is easy enough to read in one or two sittings. I did not want to put it down, and I suspect many other readers, YA or not, will race through this twisty, suspenseful story with contemporary, believable characters, too!
Thank you to @gillbooks for kindly sending me a proof copy. As always, this is an honest review. Something’s About to Blow Up is out now; don't miss out! 4⭐️
August 15, 2024
A teen reading audience ideally
February 27, 2025
This fell flat for me. I like that Sam researched it so thoroughly, and I did feel like I was back in school while reading it. But... not much happened. I didn't feel connected to any of the characters. It felt really low stakes. And it was incredibly repetitive.
September 2, 2024
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.
Sam Blake’s “Something’s About to Blow Up” (narrated by Róisín Rankin) is a thrilling young adult mystery that has listeners of any age, on the edge of their seats from start to finish.
Personally, unless it is a Dick and Jane elementary school focused book, restricting a stellar book such as this to the "young adult" category merely because the main characters are teenagers makes little sense to me, and serves to only LIMIT a book's audience. Personally, I hope publishers STOP using this ageist category, as this was a great audiobook, period.
Regardless of the reader's or listener's age, we ALL remember what it was like to be a teenager, and if we are lucky, we will all live to become "elderly". We don't have an "older adult" category (for what only senior citizens to read?) and as someone whose teenage years are far behind in my review mirror, I LOVED this audiobook!
Now that I have that off my mind, on to my review...
The story is set in Raven’s Hill School, where an explosion in the chemistry lab injures six girls. The narrative follows Ella, Becky, Maeve, Mackenzie, Frankie, and Sorcha as they team up with Jess to uncover the truth behind the explosion.
Blake expertly weaves themes of friendship, resilience, and the quest for truth throughout the story. The novel also explores the pressures and challenges faced by teenagers, making it a relatable and engaging read for anyone who has ever gone through that angst.
Róisín Rankin’s narration is a standout feature of this audiobook. Her ability to convey the distinct personalities of each character adds depth and authenticity to the story.
Blake’s writing is sharp and evocative, perfectly suited to the audiobook format. The pacing is well-managed, with each chapter revealing new clues and raising the stakes.
“Something’s About to Blow Up” is a timely and relevant story that addresses important issues such as safety in schools, the impact of trauma, and the power of solidarity.
“Something’s About to Blow Up” is a compelling and suspenseful audiobook that will appeal to fans (of ANY age) of mysteries and thrillers.
If you enjoy a well-crafted mystery, this audiobook is a must-listen. It’s a testament to the power of friendship and the courage to uncover the truth, no matter how dangerous it may be.
5 stars from this reviewer, as I loved this audiobook; I finished it in one sitting as I was captivated as the culprit was revealed.
Sam Blake’s “Something’s About to Blow Up” (narrated by Róisín Rankin) is a thrilling young adult mystery that has listeners of any age, on the edge of their seats from start to finish.
Personally, unless it is a Dick and Jane elementary school focused book, restricting a stellar book such as this to the "young adult" category merely because the main characters are teenagers makes little sense to me, and serves to only LIMIT a book's audience. Personally, I hope publishers STOP using this ageist category, as this was a great audiobook, period.
Regardless of the reader's or listener's age, we ALL remember what it was like to be a teenager, and if we are lucky, we will all live to become "elderly". We don't have an "older adult" category (for what only senior citizens to read?) and as someone whose teenage years are far behind in my review mirror, I LOVED this audiobook!
Now that I have that off my mind, on to my review...
The story is set in Raven’s Hill School, where an explosion in the chemistry lab injures six girls. The narrative follows Ella, Becky, Maeve, Mackenzie, Frankie, and Sorcha as they team up with Jess to uncover the truth behind the explosion.
Blake expertly weaves themes of friendship, resilience, and the quest for truth throughout the story. The novel also explores the pressures and challenges faced by teenagers, making it a relatable and engaging read for anyone who has ever gone through that angst.
Róisín Rankin’s narration is a standout feature of this audiobook. Her ability to convey the distinct personalities of each character adds depth and authenticity to the story.
Blake’s writing is sharp and evocative, perfectly suited to the audiobook format. The pacing is well-managed, with each chapter revealing new clues and raising the stakes.
“Something’s About to Blow Up” is a timely and relevant story that addresses important issues such as safety in schools, the impact of trauma, and the power of solidarity.
“Something’s About to Blow Up” is a compelling and suspenseful audiobook that will appeal to fans (of ANY age) of mysteries and thrillers.
If you enjoy a well-crafted mystery, this audiobook is a must-listen. It’s a testament to the power of friendship and the courage to uncover the truth, no matter how dangerous it may be.
5 stars from this reviewer, as I loved this audiobook; I finished it in one sitting as I was captivated as the culprit was revealed.
April 6, 2025
SOMETHING'S ABOUT TO BLOW UP is a fast paced thriller taking place over one day as classmates investigate an explosion in a chemistry lab that puts many of them in hospital.
I really liked that this book told the story from so many perspectives. There are four main POVs plus diary extracts from the culprit, as well as a few chapters from two other girls (they're mostly unconscious hence fewer chapters.) It lets you see the scope of the damage done both by the explosion and toxic relationships.
There is a spiralling web of bad relationships going on - and good ones being impacted by the bad. While the focus is the desperate need to find out whodunnit, the book also examines controlling relationships and the crime of sharing nude shots in group chats.
With so many perspectives, the chapters are very short, jumping rapidly between the girls. It's great for keeping the pace up, flicking between the different investigation threads. The villain's perspective also ups the tension as you see just how unhinged they are and the lengths they're willing to go to.
I also liked the multimedia aspect of the book. There are text screenshots and excerpts from the online school message board where everyone speculates about what's going on. It's a nice way of seeing what the wider student body think about what's happening, the wild way rumours spread out of control.
This is, I discovered, the second book in a series, the first being SOMETHING TERRIBLE HAPPENED LAST NIGHT, which I have not read. This book is perfectly readable without that, just referencing the events in a non-spoilerly manner.
I really liked that this book told the story from so many perspectives. There are four main POVs plus diary extracts from the culprit, as well as a few chapters from two other girls (they're mostly unconscious hence fewer chapters.) It lets you see the scope of the damage done both by the explosion and toxic relationships.
There is a spiralling web of bad relationships going on - and good ones being impacted by the bad. While the focus is the desperate need to find out whodunnit, the book also examines controlling relationships and the crime of sharing nude shots in group chats.
With so many perspectives, the chapters are very short, jumping rapidly between the girls. It's great for keeping the pace up, flicking between the different investigation threads. The villain's perspective also ups the tension as you see just how unhinged they are and the lengths they're willing to go to.
I also liked the multimedia aspect of the book. There are text screenshots and excerpts from the online school message board where everyone speculates about what's going on. It's a nice way of seeing what the wider student body think about what's happening, the wild way rumours spread out of control.
This is, I discovered, the second book in a series, the first being SOMETHING TERRIBLE HAPPENED LAST NIGHT, which I have not read. This book is perfectly readable without that, just referencing the events in a non-spoilerly manner.
November 17, 2025
An Explosive Multifaceted Thriller with Obvious Clues
Attention, attention. A bomb has exploded in Raven’s Hill School’s Chemical Lab. This is not a drill. Six students are gravely injured. Was it an accident or an explosive cover-up? This is the premise of Something’s About to Blow Up by Irish Young Adult novelist Sam Blake.
Something’s About to Blow Up follows Blake’s critically acclaimed thriller novel titled Something Terrible Happened Last Night, which was completely unbeknown to me. However, you do not need to have read her first book to enjoy the new one since they can both be read as standalones. Thanks to her previous work, Blake was shortlisted several times for Irish Crime Novel of the Year. These nominations clearly show that Blake wields thrillers well, something that is not easy to do as a writer since one has to tie all the dots of the plot together, be sure not to leave anything amiss but also put some clues as to what might be happening for the audience – especially when it concerns a young adult one.
As someone whose favourite young adult thrillers authors are Holly Jackson and Jennifer Lynn Barnes, I was quite excited to dive into Something’s About to Blow Up. The synopsis on the back cover seemed to have everything I am looking for in a thriller: a good cast of characters and a mystery to resolve before something worse happens. Each time I am consuming a novel in this genre, I know I am going to have a good time – reading the book in two days and filling it with post-its detailing my theories. These novels always keep me on my toes, and Something’s About to Blow Up was not an exception.
When I began my reading of Blake’s novel, I was delighted to see a map of the class as well as a mix of medium layouts within the novel. Indeed, you will be faced with pages full of text messages and handwritten letters, in addition to text in its traditional novel form. This blend of media has always appealed to me as they enhance my reading, bringing a touch of originality to the text. They are also highly suitable for our current society. With the rise of social media, younger generations’ attention span keeps shortening, and it has become more and more difficult to stay focused on a single task for a while. The multimedia elements in Something’s About to Blow Up keep these young adults’ attention, allowing them to engage with the text.
Something’s About to Blow Up offers us a diverse cast of characters, coming from different backgrounds. From Frankie and Sorcha, two Irish cousins, to Mackenzie, an African American, without forgetting Jess, purple hair daughter of a renowned journalist, you will find someone relatable. These changes in perspective can also help a younger audience to keep reading, and it gives us a broader picture of the conflict. While the girls are working together to unveil the mystery of the explosion, they are still keeping secrets from one another, and sometimes even secrets from us, leaving us stranded and trying to grasp if they have something to do with what happened or if this is just the usual teenage girl’s secret.
Blake is skilled at portraying the urgency of the plot, especially as the story unfolds in only 24 hours. We can feel the danger looming in the background and coming ever closer as portrayed by the timer at the beginning of each chapter, which began when an unknown character received a text at the exact same moment of the explosion reading “You’ve got 24 hours to delete those photos or you’re next” (very reassuring, I know). It prompts us to question what will happen in 24 hours. Will there be another bomb? Is someone going to die? We are completely rooted to the pages, hoping to get a bearing of what is happening.
On top of the bomb, several worrying events recently happened: nude pictures got released on a Raven’s Park’s – Raven’s Hill School’s twin for boys – group chat, creating a commotion on Rave-Vess – the online confessional website for both schools. If you add to this the fact that a shy kid got beaten up three days ago on the rugby field, you can see how wild our young wounded detectives and I would go with our theories.
While I enjoyed reading Something’s About to Blow Up, I will still have to admit being a bit disappointed by the plot. All the dots of the huge mystery seemed a bit obvious as everything felt handed over to us, which soured my appreciation of the novel. While I am past the traditional “young adult” audience reading it from a 23 years old’s perspective, I have recently read thrillers from the same category and was left in utter admiration behind the authors’ genius minds. However, being an avid reader of the genre, I might have started to notice tiny details that most readers would disregard if not trained to look for them.
Moreover, while the novel was fast-paced due to its short chapters and the threatening timer adorning the front page of each point of view, for at least a good part of the story, nothing happened. The plot was not progressing as, paralleling Frankie and her friends waiting for a bed to become available at Saint Anthony’s Hospital, we got stuck waiting for the plot to move forward. Do not get me wrong, I was still unable to put down Blake’s story, but it was mainly due to my eagerness of discovering something. For half the novel, we are on standby, only being offered descriptions of the hospital and presented for the hundred times the same Google Doc sheet of “WHAT WE KNOW” about the accident – a list that Sorcha and Frankie decided to put together in order to be able to communicate while located in different wards at the hospital.
I praise Blake however for having managed to keep me engaged with a story whose setting is mostly an hospital. I have been avoiding those since I started to intensively read, always being hesitant about this place as it seems to be a bubble out of time. While the plot got stuck a bit as I dreaded in this setting, Blake still managed to move forward later on. I can count on one hand how many stories I have appreciated featuring a hospital somewhere, and Something’s About to Blow Up is part of it.
Blake’s second Young Adult thriller will attract any fan of the genre. Something’s About to Blow Up is also a great book for readers who would like to try their hands at thrillers. I am looking forward to her future novels, especially if they are featuring multimedia elements. One thing is for sure though, I will now go read Something Terrible Happened Last Night.
Attention, attention. A bomb has exploded in Raven’s Hill School’s Chemical Lab. This is not a drill. Six students are gravely injured. Was it an accident or an explosive cover-up? This is the premise of Something’s About to Blow Up by Irish Young Adult novelist Sam Blake.
Something’s About to Blow Up follows Blake’s critically acclaimed thriller novel titled Something Terrible Happened Last Night, which was completely unbeknown to me. However, you do not need to have read her first book to enjoy the new one since they can both be read as standalones. Thanks to her previous work, Blake was shortlisted several times for Irish Crime Novel of the Year. These nominations clearly show that Blake wields thrillers well, something that is not easy to do as a writer since one has to tie all the dots of the plot together, be sure not to leave anything amiss but also put some clues as to what might be happening for the audience – especially when it concerns a young adult one.
As someone whose favourite young adult thrillers authors are Holly Jackson and Jennifer Lynn Barnes, I was quite excited to dive into Something’s About to Blow Up. The synopsis on the back cover seemed to have everything I am looking for in a thriller: a good cast of characters and a mystery to resolve before something worse happens. Each time I am consuming a novel in this genre, I know I am going to have a good time – reading the book in two days and filling it with post-its detailing my theories. These novels always keep me on my toes, and Something’s About to Blow Up was not an exception.
When I began my reading of Blake’s novel, I was delighted to see a map of the class as well as a mix of medium layouts within the novel. Indeed, you will be faced with pages full of text messages and handwritten letters, in addition to text in its traditional novel form. This blend of media has always appealed to me as they enhance my reading, bringing a touch of originality to the text. They are also highly suitable for our current society. With the rise of social media, younger generations’ attention span keeps shortening, and it has become more and more difficult to stay focused on a single task for a while. The multimedia elements in Something’s About to Blow Up keep these young adults’ attention, allowing them to engage with the text.
Something’s About to Blow Up offers us a diverse cast of characters, coming from different backgrounds. From Frankie and Sorcha, two Irish cousins, to Mackenzie, an African American, without forgetting Jess, purple hair daughter of a renowned journalist, you will find someone relatable. These changes in perspective can also help a younger audience to keep reading, and it gives us a broader picture of the conflict. While the girls are working together to unveil the mystery of the explosion, they are still keeping secrets from one another, and sometimes even secrets from us, leaving us stranded and trying to grasp if they have something to do with what happened or if this is just the usual teenage girl’s secret.
Blake is skilled at portraying the urgency of the plot, especially as the story unfolds in only 24 hours. We can feel the danger looming in the background and coming ever closer as portrayed by the timer at the beginning of each chapter, which began when an unknown character received a text at the exact same moment of the explosion reading “You’ve got 24 hours to delete those photos or you’re next” (very reassuring, I know). It prompts us to question what will happen in 24 hours. Will there be another bomb? Is someone going to die? We are completely rooted to the pages, hoping to get a bearing of what is happening.
On top of the bomb, several worrying events recently happened: nude pictures got released on a Raven’s Park’s – Raven’s Hill School’s twin for boys – group chat, creating a commotion on Rave-Vess – the online confessional website for both schools. If you add to this the fact that a shy kid got beaten up three days ago on the rugby field, you can see how wild our young wounded detectives and I would go with our theories.
While I enjoyed reading Something’s About to Blow Up, I will still have to admit being a bit disappointed by the plot. All the dots of the huge mystery seemed a bit obvious as everything felt handed over to us, which soured my appreciation of the novel. While I am past the traditional “young adult” audience reading it from a 23 years old’s perspective, I have recently read thrillers from the same category and was left in utter admiration behind the authors’ genius minds. However, being an avid reader of the genre, I might have started to notice tiny details that most readers would disregard if not trained to look for them.
Moreover, while the novel was fast-paced due to its short chapters and the threatening timer adorning the front page of each point of view, for at least a good part of the story, nothing happened. The plot was not progressing as, paralleling Frankie and her friends waiting for a bed to become available at Saint Anthony’s Hospital, we got stuck waiting for the plot to move forward. Do not get me wrong, I was still unable to put down Blake’s story, but it was mainly due to my eagerness of discovering something. For half the novel, we are on standby, only being offered descriptions of the hospital and presented for the hundred times the same Google Doc sheet of “WHAT WE KNOW” about the accident – a list that Sorcha and Frankie decided to put together in order to be able to communicate while located in different wards at the hospital.
I praise Blake however for having managed to keep me engaged with a story whose setting is mostly an hospital. I have been avoiding those since I started to intensively read, always being hesitant about this place as it seems to be a bubble out of time. While the plot got stuck a bit as I dreaded in this setting, Blake still managed to move forward later on. I can count on one hand how many stories I have appreciated featuring a hospital somewhere, and Something’s About to Blow Up is part of it.
Blake’s second Young Adult thriller will attract any fan of the genre. Something’s About to Blow Up is also a great book for readers who would like to try their hands at thrillers. I am looking forward to her future novels, especially if they are featuring multimedia elements. One thing is for sure though, I will now go read Something Terrible Happened Last Night.
September 19, 2024
I really enjoyed this audiobook. I loved the group of friends at the centre of the story and their relationships with their families and each other.
The hospital setting and the premise of how the girls use modern technology to investigate the cause of the explosion, from their hospital beds, was unique. It takes the expression “armchair detective” to a new level!
The book delicately covers a range of current and important topics that affect a lot of teenagers including bullying, anxiety and other complex issues.
Parts of the story were told through text messages, shared e-documents, journal entries and group chat/message boards which was interesting and realistic, and the narrator did a great job of flipping between these. She also managed the different accents really well and has such a lovely voice, it was a joy to listen to.
As it was set over 24 hours, the plot was fast paced, however, some parts of the mystery element were a bit predictable (the clues were just a little too obvious), and it took me a while to differentiate between all the characters, because there was a lot of them!
I hadn’t realised this was a sequel. It works well as a standalone story, but I do plan to read (or listen to) the previous book now as it was referred to a couple of times and I want to hear more about the girl’s adventures. 3.5 stars rounded up.
Thank you to Bolinda Audio and NetGalley for this ALC.
The hospital setting and the premise of how the girls use modern technology to investigate the cause of the explosion, from their hospital beds, was unique. It takes the expression “armchair detective” to a new level!
The book delicately covers a range of current and important topics that affect a lot of teenagers including bullying, anxiety and other complex issues.
Parts of the story were told through text messages, shared e-documents, journal entries and group chat/message boards which was interesting and realistic, and the narrator did a great job of flipping between these. She also managed the different accents really well and has such a lovely voice, it was a joy to listen to.
As it was set over 24 hours, the plot was fast paced, however, some parts of the mystery element were a bit predictable (the clues were just a little too obvious), and it took me a while to differentiate between all the characters, because there was a lot of them!
I hadn’t realised this was a sequel. It works well as a standalone story, but I do plan to read (or listen to) the previous book now as it was referred to a couple of times and I want to hear more about the girl’s adventures. 3.5 stars rounded up.
Thank you to Bolinda Audio and NetGalley for this ALC.
October 1, 2024
Something's About to Blow Up is a YA novel by Sam Blake. It is the first YA book I have read by the author and although this book is a follow-on to Something Terrible Happened Last Night, it worked well as a stand-alone.
The audio production of this book was really great! I loved the addition of the phone notification sounds as it really gave life to the text message passages. The narrator did a great job with a multitude of accents and at certain points I forgot that it was one single narrator as opposed to a full cast.
The story itself is perfect thriller for young adults. It's a bit of a "who done it" but it's not scary or gory so would make a good first thriller for a young reader. The setting of the school and the fact it takes place over 24 hours was great for keeping the pace of the story up. I really think young readers would enjoy it! It dealt with some quite serious topics such as the sharing of, and threat to share, personal/intimate photographs in a really good way.
Although this book works really well as a stand-alone, there was a brief mention of the group having "form" for investigating/solving crimes previously, so I think it could be a good idea to read the books in sequence, in order to build a great relationship with the characters.
With sincere thanks to NetGalley, the author and publishers for the opportunity to read Something's About to Blow Up. As always, all opinions are my own.
The audio production of this book was really great! I loved the addition of the phone notification sounds as it really gave life to the text message passages. The narrator did a great job with a multitude of accents and at certain points I forgot that it was one single narrator as opposed to a full cast.
The story itself is perfect thriller for young adults. It's a bit of a "who done it" but it's not scary or gory so would make a good first thriller for a young reader. The setting of the school and the fact it takes place over 24 hours was great for keeping the pace of the story up. I really think young readers would enjoy it! It dealt with some quite serious topics such as the sharing of, and threat to share, personal/intimate photographs in a really good way.
Although this book works really well as a stand-alone, there was a brief mention of the group having "form" for investigating/solving crimes previously, so I think it could be a good idea to read the books in sequence, in order to build a great relationship with the characters.
With sincere thanks to NetGalley, the author and publishers for the opportunity to read Something's About to Blow Up. As always, all opinions are my own.
October 19, 2024
Thanks to Netgalley I was able to listen this book as an audiobook in return for an honest review (no audiobook option on Goodreads so I'm reviewing it here instead).
The plot centres around the girls, and to a lesser extent, the boys at two private schools in Ireland and focuses in particular upon an explosion at the girls' school and why it happened. Alongside that we have other intrigues - who carried out an assault on one of the boys, and who has shared intimate images of a Ravenhill girl.
I have to admit that I am an adult - this definitely feels like an audiobook for teens though. It had a plot that I could completely see appealing to my teen daughter, characters that would similarly appeal to her, and there were elements of the audio book (texts buzzing etc) that made it feel very contemporary to the teen world. For me this was probably what I liked least about the book - the repetitive nature of some aspects - Saoirse develops a 'this is what we know' document to share her musings with her friends and this was read out numerous times - to the point where it became a bit annoying. But the story itself and the way it played out was generally very good - for me this is somewhere between a 3.5* and a 4*
The plot centres around the girls, and to a lesser extent, the boys at two private schools in Ireland and focuses in particular upon an explosion at the girls' school and why it happened. Alongside that we have other intrigues - who carried out an assault on one of the boys, and who has shared intimate images of a Ravenhill girl.
I have to admit that I am an adult - this definitely feels like an audiobook for teens though. It had a plot that I could completely see appealing to my teen daughter, characters that would similarly appeal to her, and there were elements of the audio book (texts buzzing etc) that made it feel very contemporary to the teen world. For me this was probably what I liked least about the book - the repetitive nature of some aspects - Saoirse develops a 'this is what we know' document to share her musings with her friends and this was read out numerous times - to the point where it became a bit annoying. But the story itself and the way it played out was generally very good - for me this is somewhere between a 3.5* and a 4*
September 19, 2024
3.5 stars
I really enjoyed the first book, so it was a delight to return to Frankie, her cousin Sorcha, Jess and Katie. This time around, the girls are caught up in a chemistry lab explosion at their school. With the clock thinking, the girls try to solve the mystery while being separated in different hospital wards.
Roisin Rankin is the perfect choice for a narrator with her calm and warm voice. Importantly, she sounds like she could be a teenager which is an issue I have with YA audiobooks – the narrators sound too old which I find jarring and takes me out of the story. She also is one of the few non-Australian actors who can do a pretty accurate Australian accent.
The strength of these books is the friendship between Frankie, her cousin Sorcha, Jess and Katie. I really loved their rapport and the way they all work together with their different talents. Supporting characters, such as Frankie's older brother Ollie and her new boyfriend Danny are back to also lend a hand.
At times, however, there was too much going on so it felt like there was enough time to fully develop. For instance, this book touches on misogyny with a girl dealing with her private photos being shared with other boys and a coercive control relationship, but the resolution doesn’t really pay off. I also found the unknown culprit chapters a bit too moustache twirly.
Overall a great series for your crime-loving teen.
Thanks to Bolinda Audio and NetGalley for the ALC.
I really enjoyed the first book, so it was a delight to return to Frankie, her cousin Sorcha, Jess and Katie. This time around, the girls are caught up in a chemistry lab explosion at their school. With the clock thinking, the girls try to solve the mystery while being separated in different hospital wards.
Roisin Rankin is the perfect choice for a narrator with her calm and warm voice. Importantly, she sounds like she could be a teenager which is an issue I have with YA audiobooks – the narrators sound too old which I find jarring and takes me out of the story. She also is one of the few non-Australian actors who can do a pretty accurate Australian accent.
The strength of these books is the friendship between Frankie, her cousin Sorcha, Jess and Katie. I really loved their rapport and the way they all work together with their different talents. Supporting characters, such as Frankie's older brother Ollie and her new boyfriend Danny are back to also lend a hand.
At times, however, there was too much going on so it felt like there was enough time to fully develop. For instance, this book touches on misogyny with a girl dealing with her private photos being shared with other boys and a coercive control relationship, but the resolution doesn’t really pay off. I also found the unknown culprit chapters a bit too moustache twirly.
Overall a great series for your crime-loving teen.
Thanks to Bolinda Audio and NetGalley for the ALC.
September 1, 2024
In our current times, much is rightfully made of the often toxic relationships between school girls, as well as the rivalries and pressures that give rise to such toxicity.
When there is an explosion on the school premises, where several female students are injured, the initial suspicion is that it is result of some chemistry experiment gone wrong. But when further investigation leads to the possibility of a bomb having been detonated, the inevitable question arises as to why anyone would do such a thing.
The book explores the relationships between the girls with a degree of authenticity that is unmistakable, and the narrator does an excellent job of bringing the characters to life.
This is the second book in the series but can be read as a stand alone. For those familiar with the earlier book, catching up with Frankie and Sorcha is enjoyable, their determination to find the culprit unaffected despite - or perhaps because of - their injuries. Entertaining and fast paced YA lit.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
When there is an explosion on the school premises, where several female students are injured, the initial suspicion is that it is result of some chemistry experiment gone wrong. But when further investigation leads to the possibility of a bomb having been detonated, the inevitable question arises as to why anyone would do such a thing.
The book explores the relationships between the girls with a degree of authenticity that is unmistakable, and the narrator does an excellent job of bringing the characters to life.
This is the second book in the series but can be read as a stand alone. For those familiar with the earlier book, catching up with Frankie and Sorcha is enjoyable, their determination to find the culprit unaffected despite - or perhaps because of - their injuries. Entertaining and fast paced YA lit.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
May 20, 2024
Another cracker from Sam Blake. A fast paced YA thriller. The sequel to Something terrible happened last night.
I loved this book so much, all the different POV and reading each persons perspective had me gripped and wanting to keep reading.
What I loved about this book so much was the bonds of friendship between Ella, Frankie, Jess, Sorcha, Becky & Mackenzie. They’ve got each others backs!!
I loved seeing the girls all go in to detective mode trying to find out what happened.
The twists and turns in this books, the constant revelations had me at the edge of my seat.
There were so many things happening at once I was trying to figure out how they all tied together but Sam Blake has such a fantastic way of writing that it all just comes together.
I genuinely couldn’t put this book down. It was fast paced, & full of suspense and I loved it.
I loved this book so much, all the different POV and reading each persons perspective had me gripped and wanting to keep reading.
What I loved about this book so much was the bonds of friendship between Ella, Frankie, Jess, Sorcha, Becky & Mackenzie. They’ve got each others backs!!
I loved seeing the girls all go in to detective mode trying to find out what happened.
The twists and turns in this books, the constant revelations had me at the edge of my seat.
There were so many things happening at once I was trying to figure out how they all tied together but Sam Blake has such a fantastic way of writing that it all just comes together.
I genuinely couldn’t put this book down. It was fast paced, & full of suspense and I loved it.
October 11, 2024
I’m a few decades older than the target audience of this book but I absolutely loved it! And I really must give a huge shout out to the excellent narration. The story included text messages and journal entries with multiple characters and the narrator did a fantastic job which definitely added to my enjoyment of the book.
I loved the positive female relationships and there was a strong storyline which kept me hooked. The story covered some serious issues affecting young adults and I felt these were responsibly dealt with. I hadn’t realised this was the second book in a series until after I finished it and looked up the author to find more books of hers to read, but it was so well written it honestly didn’t make a jot of difference.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bolinda Audio for an ARC of this audiobook.
I loved the positive female relationships and there was a strong storyline which kept me hooked. The story covered some serious issues affecting young adults and I felt these were responsibly dealt with. I hadn’t realised this was the second book in a series until after I finished it and looked up the author to find more books of hers to read, but it was so well written it honestly didn’t make a jot of difference.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bolinda Audio for an ARC of this audiobook.
August 30, 2024
With a name like ‘Something is about to blow up’, it can’t help but be an exciting read from the get go.
This story was great - super fast paced, exciting and one that will keep you guessing.
And the audiobook narrator is worth a solid mention as they killed it with the narration! Róisín Rankin really brought the book to the reader with the amazing ranges of accents, acting and the ease to draw the reader into the story.
I really enjoyed this and it provided a perfect companion to my boring treadmill walk. Somewhat spiced up my workout and I was hanging off every chapter!
Thank you to the author and publisher for this audiobook on NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts and review.
This story was great - super fast paced, exciting and one that will keep you guessing.
And the audiobook narrator is worth a solid mention as they killed it with the narration! Róisín Rankin really brought the book to the reader with the amazing ranges of accents, acting and the ease to draw the reader into the story.
I really enjoyed this and it provided a perfect companion to my boring treadmill walk. Somewhat spiced up my workout and I was hanging off every chapter!
Thank you to the author and publisher for this audiobook on NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts and review.
September 3, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Bolíndaaudio for sending me the audiobook for an honest review! I really did love the narration/ audio of the audiobook. I loved the texting noises and haptics and I felt this kept me interested in the story. I felt that there was a distinct difference between all the other characters and chapters with “the barbarian”. I felt that these chapters were more dramatized and emotionally charged as it gave the sense of “impending doom”. I did really like the story but I felt like I couldn’t really connect with any of the characters because of all the different POVS. Overall I really liked Frankie (I hope the spelling is correct as I did not physically read it) the most. Overall I really enjoyed the themes in this book and would recommend! Rating 3/5.
September 4, 2024
Teenager, YA (and adults) audiobook for those that like to be entertained. I was continually un-nerved by this tense story. Brilliant skill shown by the author to do that. The book presents current teenage issues in an exciting, time pressing style keep you somewhat guessing. The time pressing is part of the chill, will the girls all be safe? For me the only slight downside was the repeating of ‘what is known’. I felt this was overdone. But that’s a minor issue, the audiobook is superb. All secondary school libraries should have this book/audiobook. But be warned librarians, there is going to be a long queue at your desk making requests for it. Thank you to Bolinda Audio and NetGalley for the audio ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.
May 19, 2024
Sam Blake wrote my favourite thriller. This book is the sequel to it
I binge read this in an hour and a half last night, and while I have some issues, the book was a fun thrilling ride.
I loved all the characters, and I wish we saw more interactions between them. The plot was fast-paced and addictive
However, I have a few issues.
1) The villains were stupid. Like, I'm sorry the motivations were so goofy 💀
2) The Greg plotline was useless ngl. He was a plot device, and nothing more.
3) Too many povs.
4) Maeve was kicked out of the plot, and she didn't deserve it. #savemaeve 😔✊️
I binge read this in an hour and a half last night, and while I have some issues, the book was a fun thrilling ride.
I loved all the characters, and I wish we saw more interactions between them. The plot was fast-paced and addictive
However, I have a few issues.
1) The villains were stupid. Like, I'm sorry the motivations were so goofy 💀
2) The Greg plotline was useless ngl. He was a plot device, and nothing more.
3) Too many povs.
4) Maeve was kicked out of the plot, and she didn't deserve it. #savemaeve 😔✊️
September 27, 2024
This book is a follow on from another book that I have not read but this book stands alone very well. I had no idea at any point this was a second book.
Book is loaded with trigger warnings which was a bit weird to me for kids as young as they are in the book. Book has child grooming, revenge porn and some pretty disturbing psychological issues.
It was a bit slow for me but all in all the story worked for me and it was a decent book.
3.5 rounded up
Book is loaded with trigger warnings which was a bit weird to me for kids as young as they are in the book. Book has child grooming, revenge porn and some pretty disturbing psychological issues.
It was a bit slow for me but all in all the story worked for me and it was a decent book.
3.5 rounded up
December 26, 2024
Absolutely loved this book reminded me a lot of the style of writing of agggtm very similar set up.
I didn't give it 5 stars because although the story was amazing I could kinda of predict what would happen there was also so many characters I started to loose track of which girl was which.
Apart from that it was amazing I think this might be a second book as the same characters appear in something terrible happened last night😀
I didn't give it 5 stars because although the story was amazing I could kinda of predict what would happen there was also so many characters I started to loose track of which girl was which.
Apart from that it was amazing I think this might be a second book as the same characters appear in something terrible happened last night😀
September 2, 2024
This book read like a TV show or movie. I really liked it. I think it would be a great book for young adults. The topics are relevant and relatable. I kept thinking about the TV show, Sex Education, while reading. Several of the characters have the same names. Overall, quick, interesting read and I would recommend.
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