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The Fifth Room
An Advance Reader Copy edition exists here.
When a brilliant high-school student is invited to join an international secret society, she leaves everything behind in pursuit of the high-stakes rewards it offers.
Four selected students are pitted against each other to push the boundaries of medicine using illegal self-experimentation. Miri discovers her boyfriend is also in the society and they must pretend they don't know each other, or risk expulsion, and more. But when they realise that a fifth student is secretly experimenting alongside them, the stakes are raised dramatically. Now they must decide how far they will go...and some, it seems are willing to go much farther than others.
When a brilliant high-school student is invited to join an international secret society, she leaves everything behind in pursuit of the high-stakes rewards it offers.
Four selected students are pitted against each other to push the boundaries of medicine using illegal self-experimentation. Miri discovers her boyfriend is also in the society and they must pretend they don't know each other, or risk expulsion, and more. But when they realise that a fifth student is secretly experimenting alongside them, the stakes are raised dramatically. Now they must decide how far they will go...and some, it seems are willing to go much farther than others.
288 pages, Paperback
Published September 1, 2017
11 people are currently reading
386 people want to read
About the author
Allison Rushby
44 books291 followersAllison Rushby adores cities with long, winding histories; wild, overgrown cemeteries; redbrick Victorian museums; foxes; tea; and ivy. She lives in Queensland, Australia.
http://www.allisonrushby.com.
http://www.allisonrushby.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
May 16, 2018
This was quite an interesting book, though not at all the one I expected. The story started off how I thought it would, then took a completely different direction. It was good that it was unpredictable, but I also thought that the description was a bit misleading.
I was ready for an underground society with illegal experiments, but instead I got a story of a scientifically gifted teen trying to figure out what's right. That was not a good description, I really did enjoy this book, but it was definitely not a psychological thriller like I thought it would be. (I'm not actually sure why I thought it would be in the first place, but I somehow got that idea into my mind? I think the cover contributed.)
But I thought it was okay. The characters were good, I thought there was a very good range despite the narrow setting. I also thought that the plot was absolutely incredible! It was entirely unpredictable, full of twists and turns. I was constantly trying to predict what would happen next, and I was never correct. It was fast-paced and enjoyable.
Overall, I quite liked the story, even though it was not at all what I expected.
I was ready for an underground society with illegal experiments, but instead I got a story of a scientifically gifted teen trying to figure out what's right. That was not a good description, I really did enjoy this book, but it was definitely not a psychological thriller like I thought it would be. (I'm not actually sure why I thought it would be in the first place, but I somehow got that idea into my mind? I think the cover contributed.)
But I thought it was okay. The characters were good, I thought there was a very good range despite the narrow setting. I also thought that the plot was absolutely incredible! It was entirely unpredictable, full of twists and turns. I was constantly trying to predict what would happen next, and I was never correct. It was fast-paced and enjoyable.
Overall, I quite liked the story, even though it was not at all what I expected.
February 19, 2021
Rating: 1.5/5
I cannot stress how bad this book is, at the start it was ok, the build up was nice but it went down hill pretty fast. I was expecting a cool story about a bunch of smart teens doing crazy ass experiments on themselves. Sadly it wasnt like that, although the experiments were cool, it really wasn't interesting. I got bored of the book really fast, the only reason i kept reading was because i wanted to know what happened. And the ending was VERY anticlimactic, the plot twsit was so bad and boring, oml.
Honestly the thing that annoyed me the most was definetly Miri (main charater), I feel like she was so poorly written to be like any other 1 dimentional female lead whos in love. Like come on, she's literally so smart but apparently cannot function without her boyfriend. If she doesn't have her boyfriend around than she can't make ANY type of normal human decisions, like girl, get a hold on yourself.
To be fair none of the female characters are written well, the only other female lead in the book is written as mean and rude and bossy, like come on she just wants money, she has oppurtunities and shes going to take it, and yet the author chooses to write her as a mean character.
I started the book with high hopes and it was absolutly not what I expected. It's a bad book with bad chararters, and its a waste of time
I cannot stress how bad this book is, at the start it was ok, the build up was nice but it went down hill pretty fast. I was expecting a cool story about a bunch of smart teens doing crazy ass experiments on themselves. Sadly it wasnt like that, although the experiments were cool, it really wasn't interesting. I got bored of the book really fast, the only reason i kept reading was because i wanted to know what happened. And the ending was VERY anticlimactic, the plot twsit was so bad and boring, oml.
Honestly the thing that annoyed me the most was definetly Miri (main charater), I feel like she was so poorly written to be like any other 1 dimentional female lead whos in love. Like come on, she's literally so smart but apparently cannot function without her boyfriend. If she doesn't have her boyfriend around than she can't make ANY type of normal human decisions, like girl, get a hold on yourself.
To be fair none of the female characters are written well, the only other female lead in the book is written as mean and rude and bossy, like come on she just wants money, she has oppurtunities and shes going to take it, and yet the author chooses to write her as a mean character.
I started the book with high hopes and it was absolutly not what I expected. It's a bad book with bad chararters, and its a waste of time
September 13, 2017
This was such a disappointment. I love my Aussie authors but you couldn't tell it was an Austalian writing it. This was bland, crap ending that just took back the entire damn book. What did I read this for? It's a cheap pg-13 creation that keeps families happy and the sun shining from everyone's arse.
November 4, 2017
A medical thriller aimed at teens. An easy read.
September 29, 2022
Most of the plot twists were kind of obvious, all of the characters need serious therapy, Emily is a legend.
March 26, 2025
The book was pretty compelling but it just didn’t do it for me.
The premise was very interesting and I can’t even imagine nominating myself to do experimental surgery, they were crazy
The end was interesting with the ‘twist’ even the last line was intriguing but I don’t think I’d read more if there was
The premise was very interesting and I can’t even imagine nominating myself to do experimental surgery, they were crazy
The end was interesting with the ‘twist’ even the last line was intriguing but I don’t think I’d read more if there was
December 1, 2020
This book that I’m reading is truly awful. Bad pacing, two-dimensional characters, a rush to introduce new ideas and concepts. The writing is also rather bland. Would not recommend. The main character is painfully not like other girls. She is a child prodigy who has no trauma nor mental strain despite being “gifted”. She is also apparently a mind reader but she describes things like an 80 year old man who only thinks about the new grass on his lawn. Her boyfriend is a Danish hunk guy thing and his only two personality traits are that he is smart and he is Danish. I am not kidding. Also the author used the word “creamy” to describe an envelope which should be a crime in itself.
July 16, 2018
Alright. Nothing particularly ‘thrilling’ like I expected. The description was hella misleading and the overall point of the book was different than anticipated and a lot less dark than I’d prepared for. Still, though, I liked the ending and was intrigued by the plot. Solid read.
January 3, 2023
Interesting but so disturbing.
March 8, 2025
If you are writing a book about ethics and finding "the one" please mention that in the blurb. I went in looking for a psychological medical thriller and was given a lovey dovey teenager. This book had so much potential, there could have been so many better plot twists or just things that made it thriller (again what it was advertised to be).
Worst read of 2025, don't even know why I tried to finish it (I do, goodreads reading goal)
Worst read of 2025, don't even know why I tried to finish it (I do, goodreads reading goal)
September 17, 2023
Trigger warnings: Near-death experiences
6/10, I picked this up from one of the two libraries I go to and at first I thought this was going to be a good science fiction book written by an Australian author to boot until I realised this had a low rating so I lowered my expectations but even still I was so underwhelmed by this but maybe the author's other books she has written since then might be better, so where do I even begin? It starts with the main character Miri who is this intelligent character who goes to a poshy private school and is offered to participate in a program that she accepts not knowing what it entails. The characters were very flat, and the plot was just some boring random experimentation on people. And for half of the time, the characters more or less just sat around and waited. The ending was especially bad because the main character just ran away on her own and nearly died of her own bad decisions without bothering to stop others from being experimented upon and there was like a cliffhanger ending, but no sequel. What a shame. You can go read the Alex Rider series, for a better, more thrilling book series than this.
6/10, I picked this up from one of the two libraries I go to and at first I thought this was going to be a good science fiction book written by an Australian author to boot until I realised this had a low rating so I lowered my expectations but even still I was so underwhelmed by this but maybe the author's other books she has written since then might be better, so where do I even begin? It starts with the main character Miri who is this intelligent character who goes to a poshy private school and is offered to participate in a program that she accepts not knowing what it entails. The characters were very flat, and the plot was just some boring random experimentation on people. And for half of the time, the characters more or less just sat around and waited. The ending was especially bad because the main character just ran away on her own and nearly died of her own bad decisions without bothering to stop others from being experimented upon and there was like a cliffhanger ending, but no sequel. What a shame. You can go read the Alex Rider series, for a better, more thrilling book series than this.
October 17, 2017
When reading the words ‘psychological thriller’ on the blurb I was expecting to be thrown all over the place emotion wise. Instead I was thrown into the head of an angst teenager who never makes up her mind about anything. Overall (due to me not wanting to give away spoilers), it was an interesting yet not an interesting read (if that makes any sense).
November 16, 2022
This was slightly confusing. But all in all, it was an enjoyable read.
16/11/2022
Lowering to 3 stars because I wasn’t as critical then, and I remember nothing about this book.
16/11/2022
Lowering to 3 stars because I wasn’t as critical then, and I remember nothing about this book.
Read
October 26, 2017Having read Allison Rushby's The Turnkey (a historical middle grade mystery with fantasy elements), I was particularly interested to see how The Fifth Room compared. I could definitely recognise Allison's ability to weave an interesting and intricate story arc.
The plot wasn't what I expect and that's an aspect I really enjoyed. Allison also managed to avoid too many cliches (although the last sentence left me kind of disappointed if I'm honest). The unreliable narrator certainly suited the plot and it allowed us, the reader, a sense of how the protagonist felt. The confusion and the uncertainty.
If you're looking for an easy but not obvious psychological thriller which ends satisfactorily, then this book is perfect for you. I personally wanted more character development. I was really interested in Ryan's motivation and Lauren's lack of ethics. However, that would probably have made a nearly 300 page novel unwieldy and less accessible. I think The Fifth Room is especially suited to younger YA readers, or an older audience looking for a lighter read.
L-J
Three Four Knock on the Door
Independent Children's Bookshop
The plot wasn't what I expect and that's an aspect I really enjoyed. Allison also managed to avoid too many cliches (although the last sentence left me kind of disappointed if I'm honest). The unreliable narrator certainly suited the plot and it allowed us, the reader, a sense of how the protagonist felt. The confusion and the uncertainty.
If you're looking for an easy but not obvious psychological thriller which ends satisfactorily, then this book is perfect for you. I personally wanted more character development. I was really interested in Ryan's motivation and Lauren's lack of ethics. However, that would probably have made a nearly 300 page novel unwieldy and less accessible. I think The Fifth Room is especially suited to younger YA readers, or an older audience looking for a lighter read.
L-J
Three Four Knock on the Door
Independent Children's Bookshop
Read
October 19, 2017When a brilliant high-school student is invited to join an international secret society, she leaves everything behind in pursuit of the high-stakes rewards it offers.
When Miri discovers her boyfriend is also in the society, they must pretend they don’t know each other, as the students are pitted against each other to push the boundaries of medicine using illegal self-experimentation.
Miri’s experiment involves a new combination of specially timed drugs that could mean never needing to sleep again.
As her experiment progresses, and she spends more and more hours awake, she finds that all is not as it seems. When the group realises that there is a secret fifth student experimenting alongside them, the stakes are raised dramatically.
Now they must decide how far they will go to with their research…and some, it seems, are willing to go much farther than others.
When it becomes clearer to Miri that the secrets in this society are deeper and more dangerous than she bargained for, she starts to question the true purpose of the secret society, and who lies behind it.
When Miri discovers her boyfriend is also in the society, they must pretend they don’t know each other, as the students are pitted against each other to push the boundaries of medicine using illegal self-experimentation.
Miri’s experiment involves a new combination of specially timed drugs that could mean never needing to sleep again.
As her experiment progresses, and she spends more and more hours awake, she finds that all is not as it seems. When the group realises that there is a secret fifth student experimenting alongside them, the stakes are raised dramatically.
Now they must decide how far they will go to with their research…and some, it seems, are willing to go much farther than others.
When it becomes clearer to Miri that the secrets in this society are deeper and more dangerous than she bargained for, she starts to question the true purpose of the secret society, and who lies behind it.
October 17, 2017
OMG this book was amazing!! it was so quick to read as it was a page turner. There was a perfect amount of romance and mystery, very well balanced. i read this in 4 days and ended up reading the first half within 24 hours because i just needed to know what that society was up to and that fifth room in the bunker. (i never read books that quick)
I loved how at the end all the questions you wanted answered and loose ends come together. I loved the last page it was just ughhh *speachless*. I had to remind myself to breath it was that good!!!
!!!!!!MUST READ THIS BOOK HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMENDED!!!!!!!
I loved how at the end all the questions you wanted answered and loose ends come together. I loved the last page it was just ughhh *speachless*. I had to remind myself to breath it was that good!!!
!!!!!!MUST READ THIS BOOK HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMENDED!!!!!!!
June 28, 2018
I. Loved. This. Book. So. Freaking. Much.
'How many times have you read it?'-someone
'12 times.' -me
'Why do you like it so much?' -someone
'......(silence).......you have to read it for yourself because there are no words to justify how good of a book it really is'-me
'Describe this book in 4 words'-someone
'physiologically thrilling, heart warming... AMAZING.'-ME
'Is there anyone you would recommend this to?'-someone
'......let’s just say that there is no one that I wouldn’t recommend this to....unless they are under the age of 10/11...'
Please read this. I give it five out of five stars, if I could, I would give it more!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
'How many times have you read it?'-someone
'12 times.' -me
'Why do you like it so much?' -someone
'......(silence).......you have to read it for yourself because there are no words to justify how good of a book it really is'-me
'Describe this book in 4 words'-someone
'physiologically thrilling, heart warming... AMAZING.'-ME
'Is there anyone you would recommend this to?'-someone
'......let’s just say that there is no one that I wouldn’t recommend this to....unless they are under the age of 10/11...'
Please read this. I give it five out of five stars, if I could, I would give it more!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
August 12, 2019
Good thriller, good effort. It was just missing a little something to be a 4-star book. I think this was one of those books that was too action-packed, so it felt a bit flat after the adrenaline left the body.
The premise of this book was astounding. What would you do if you could have access to anything you'd need to safely experiment on yourself? Ethics came into play. One thing that was refreshing was that the characters in this book were literal geniuses, high achievers, driven and ambitious. Amongst other YA books, with trivial challenges and simple thought processes, this book was really welcome.
So, good premise, good characters, and good story building. What could be improved for me was the linear storytelling, predictable plot, and flat pace. The romance factor was also a bit too trivial for such magnitude of a storyline. Aside from that, the dialogues were plausible. All in all, it was an entertaining read and I was properly thrilled!
The premise of this book was astounding. What would you do if you could have access to anything you'd need to safely experiment on yourself? Ethics came into play. One thing that was refreshing was that the characters in this book were literal geniuses, high achievers, driven and ambitious. Amongst other YA books, with trivial challenges and simple thought processes, this book was really welcome.
So, good premise, good characters, and good story building. What could be improved for me was the linear storytelling, predictable plot, and flat pace. The romance factor was also a bit too trivial for such magnitude of a storyline. Aside from that, the dialogues were plausible. All in all, it was an entertaining read and I was properly thrilled!
May 15, 2018
In this scientific dystopia, there are plenty of original ideas and twists within twists. While I found the story quite engaging, at times I wished for tighter prose and a less teenage-angst-driven protagonist. Overall it was enjoyable, though it raised many unanswered questions (which leaves open the possibility of a sequel). 3 1/2 stars
September 21, 2017
Enjoyable read, definitely suited for younger readers. With an Aussie author had hoped for more of an Australian setting. The book covers some interesting ideas and could be a great starting point for a series.
September 29, 2017
I was hooked after the 1st page. Was not sure what to expect to begin and was soon finding it hard to put down.
December 30, 2017
This review has been crossposted from my blog at The Cosy Dragon . Please head there for more in-depth reviews by me, which appear on a timely schedule.
Self-experimentation is the only way to get results… Or at least that’s what an international secret society of Doctors believes. Brilliant highschoolers are invited to take part in this self-experimentation, and are pitted against each other to win a prize of continuing their research. But its a challenge, they’re all brilliant, but how many of them are willing to go to the end?
Oh my! This book was amazing! I gobbled it so greedily, and then neglected to review it. But just sitting here writing this review is making me want to re-read it, that’s how good it was. Uh oh, it’s within reach, I might actually reread it now….
Is this a psychological thriller? I don’t know, but it had me on the edge of my seat. I wasn’t scared for myself at any point, and I wasn’t jumpy, so I’m not sure it’s a thriller. Nevertheless, I couldn’t put it down!
I know they set it up for a sequel, but I don’t care! It was amazing! The ending was just what I wanted. I didn’t really see it coming, and I found the final reveal to be entirely keeping with what we knew of Miri’s character. I don’t agree with all of her actions, but she’s certainly a believable character.
I’m giving this novel 5 stars, and strongly recommending you go and get yourself a copy. As we approach Christmas (it’s after my birthday, I can start mentioning it now), this would be the perfect gift for the aspiring high-school doctor (or undergraduate student) or teens in favour of thrillers with captivating storylines.
Self-experimentation is the only way to get results… Or at least that’s what an international secret society of Doctors believes. Brilliant highschoolers are invited to take part in this self-experimentation, and are pitted against each other to win a prize of continuing their research. But its a challenge, they’re all brilliant, but how many of them are willing to go to the end?
Oh my! This book was amazing! I gobbled it so greedily, and then neglected to review it. But just sitting here writing this review is making me want to re-read it, that’s how good it was. Uh oh, it’s within reach, I might actually reread it now….
Is this a psychological thriller? I don’t know, but it had me on the edge of my seat. I wasn’t scared for myself at any point, and I wasn’t jumpy, so I’m not sure it’s a thriller. Nevertheless, I couldn’t put it down!
I know they set it up for a sequel, but I don’t care! It was amazing! The ending was just what I wanted. I didn’t really see it coming, and I found the final reveal to be entirely keeping with what we knew of Miri’s character. I don’t agree with all of her actions, but she’s certainly a believable character.
I’m giving this novel 5 stars, and strongly recommending you go and get yourself a copy. As we approach Christmas (it’s after my birthday, I can start mentioning it now), this would be the perfect gift for the aspiring high-school doctor (or undergraduate student) or teens in favour of thrillers with captivating storylines.
May 15, 2019
so i really enjoyed it except for the romance. personally, if there had been one-sided pining from steen, and miri had realised she loved him as she saw the recording, i probably would’ve enjoyed it even more. overall, pretty good, and was drawn into the story :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 29, 2020
I loved it.
Oh my gosh I loved it.
It was suspenseful, and the ship was amazing. I loved how unique the plot idea was, and the morally grey spooky-feel.
The only reason holding me back from 5 stars was my confusion on her experiment. Firstly, I hated her experiment. It was so boring! I see the thought behind it, but there was no way her experiment would won completed to the other teens!
Oh my gosh I loved it.
It was suspenseful, and the ship was amazing. I loved how unique the plot idea was, and the morally grey spooky-feel.
The only reason holding me back from 5 stars was my confusion on her experiment. Firstly, I hated her experiment. It was so boring! I see the thought behind it, but there was no way her experiment would won completed to the other teens!
July 25, 2023
I predicted the whole book and the twist but this book was still awesome.
February 9, 2018
An exciting thriller/mystery surrounding gifted teens, a secret society and illegal medical experiments – leaving the reader wondering which character to trust – if any! This is a different and unique story with many plot twists, hooking the reader from start to finish.
July 24, 2024
I didn't really like this book. The main character was a smart girl called Miri, but the book wrote it as if she couldn't function without her boyfriend. Where is the girl power!? I think the plot twist at the end was unexpected, which I liked, but it took away from the whole book, which I didn't like.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews