The Resort

by Bryce Gibson

A fun and fast paced teen thriller… Imagine The Island of Dr. Moreau and The Ruins meets The In Crowd. With an island full of teenagers and no internet access, there is the overwhelming sense that all hell is about to break loose. Living on a tropical island is a paradise that most people dream of, but seventeen-year-old Mackenzie Walker is torn between staying there and the idea of having a normal life on the mainland. Spring Break is when boatloads of thrill-seeking high school and college students flood the resort, but it’s not an endless party for Mackenzie. He’s stuck working. When a frat guy winds up dead, the blame is placed on a dangerous hazing ritual, but Mackenzie’s eccentric father is convinced that it was murder. Mackenzie and his friend, Kristen, set off to discover the truth, but what the two of them uncover along the way is far more terrifying than either of them could have ever imagined. Because, on the resort… Something is out there. Something evil that is waiting for its chance to strike.

Genres: Horror, Young Adult

176 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 9, 2018

Reviews

[Paulo "paper books only" · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a trhiller with minor horror elements told in the first perspective in the voice of MacKenzie a young 17 year old which works at a resort that his family own. The first pages MacKenzie shows us around the place & introduce to all relevant characters. Right from the bat we know there are some weird stuff with plants, after all he drops the name of a mythical man-eating plant and the pesky vines.

Then accidents start to happen. First is a boy who was playing some weird strangulation game, then a young biologist. Then the book turns to thriller & mystery as we try to understand what is happening.

One of the first things you notice, if this isn't the first book on your life, that this author either willing or unconsciously emulates Goosebumps stories. Every chapter ends with something like,"... and then he turned around." - Chapter x "What you doing here?" and so on... This is not a criticism per se, I do love my goosebumps but I didn't expect that here since the characters are around 17.

In the beginning I was thinking of buying more books by him but after finishing if all of them are in the same vein I wont't be buying. I don't know. They are cheap, so I may buy one more BUT I am torn.

Positives & Not that Positives
I enjoy the main character, although he sometimes seems to be more older than he is. More responsible. There is no character growth. The same can be said of this family or Kristen. We are just jumping around in a scooby doo chase.
Man Eating plants is a must, and although he explains a bit there are so many questions in my mind that felt incomplete.
The Ending is bad to say the least. We already knew who was going to save the day.
The idea of controlling plants via USB & HTLM is a bit odd

So in conclusion, fast paced, read in 24h, if I was comparing with Goosebumps it would rate high but I didn't expect that and maybe it's my problem. Also, if this book could had more 100 pages to develop the characters, plot & action it would be great.

I will give this 39/100

[Gwen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm happy to finally see a killer plant featured in this one (I'm reading this author's books in the order of publication). I was hoping the plot of "Perennials" was like this one, however, it had nothing to do with killer plants. Story gave me Goosebumps "Stay Out of the Basement" vibes. I didn't experience suspense, and I'm not sure what the takeaway message was, other than it's not okay to murder people outside of self defense. Storytelling is a bit disjointed. I also see a recurring theme of cross necklaces and blue doors.

[Charles Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this quick read.

What starts off as a party friendly, Island fun-zone for Spring Breakers, deteriorates into something much more ominous. A dead frat guy, a young woman that holds the key to a secret, and then there is Mackenzie and Kristen who get wrapped up into it all.

I am trying my best as to not go into too much detail in this review but suffice it to say, the author does a great job in setting up the story, establishing the bond between Mackenzie and Kristen before smacking you over the head with the truth of it all.

Now, this may sound odd but if you are a fan of the The Ruins or The Island of Dr. Moreau, then this book will be right up your alley. Overall, a very solid four star rating from me.

Kudos, Bryce Gibson on another well written novel.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

When plants come alive

This would have been a 5 star read if it had more explanation for the plant experiments and wasn’t so rushed thru that part which would have really made the story come together. The vines coming live and attacking people should have had a little more to it. Otherwise it was good. It had the thriller and mystery aspect down. The names were interesting, ie Brockley and Mackenzie for a boy. The ending was rushed too. Like what happened to his father, did the relationship develop with his aunt etc. It was left way too open ended but I would probably read another in the series.

[Mary J. Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun, short summer read. I love creepy stories set in the South and this one was really entertaining. The main character was likeable and you find yourself hoping he gets out of this alive.
The story would have benefitted being just a bit longer to flesh out some of the other characters.
Without giving too much away, the book follows the basic premise of teenagers on vacation when horror breaks out all around them. The narrative was a little uneven and confusing at times, but I still enjoyed the heck out if it.

[Evan Bond · Rating 5 out of 5]

I dove into this book and could hardly put it down until the last page. I can honestly say I could not predict how it would end. Mackenzie is an ordinary teenager who lives on an island resort owned by his parents. He helps them with the day to day until a frat boy dies during a hazing ritual. After that, nothing is as it seems. The best way to read this book is to jump in and enjoy. If you're a fan of old-school horror/thrillers, this is right up your alley!

[Justin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading Rush 2019, book 5, just for fun
This was a fun quick read. It was reminiscent of R.L. Stine and Christopher Pike. The characters felt too flat for me to actually care what happened to them, though. I thought the story was fun and it was something I had never read before, so that is another plus! Overall, it was fun, but the characters just made me feel nothing. Definitely gonna give the author another chance!

[Hannah · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the first book I’ve ever DNFd.. I feel bad, but there just wasn’t enough going on to make me care to finish. The writing is fairly juvenile and the plot isn’t very intriguing. I have it 2 stars because they were enough happening in the beginning to keep me intrigued, such as the mystery murder at the drag part. Although, the mysteriously rejuvenating vines and plants just weren’t really doing it for me..

[Sergiy · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are a fan of teen fiction in the vein of RL Stine's Fear Street series this book might be right up your alley.

What I liked: Fast paced plot that never hangs up or gets snagged, just comes at you relentlessly.
What i disliked: Nonexistant character development for main character's GF. Some minor plotholes.

[Elaine Stanley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok loved the story line where it killed it for me was the way it gave no detail on how it ended. They killed the persons who started it and then it goes and jumps ahead to his life after it all. No rush to enter the code what happened to the farm how did they kill the vines etc…..I e read all of his books good writer but this one missed the mark so badly

[Evička · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my god. Bryce Gibson has done it again. It was a quick read, fast-paced, and a story you just don't want to put down. It was like reading a grown-up Goosebumps book, and I mean that as a definite compliment! It was a very fun story, well written, and I can't wait to pick up my next book by this author!

[Mel · Rating 1 out of 5]

📚The Resort
✍️Bryce Gibson
1⭐️

Mackenzie lives and works on his parents’ island resort, when one day a boy dies during a fraternity party. However Mackenzie’s dad believes his death was related to Silas Harrow; a myth/folktalk in the area. This was a quick read but the plot was quite slow, convoluted and not everything was explained fully.

[Valerie Biggs]

I liked this book, itnreallynreminded me of the little shop of horrors. it took me back to my childhood of reading goosebumps.

[Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun, fast read! Mystery, murder! Mayhem. Took a sci-fi turn and I loved it!! Would make a fantastic movie!!!

[Gabriel Mero · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fast paced, creepy, quick read.

[Casey Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great thriller with a scfi twist.

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice change from the usual thrillers. It was spooky, a quick read, and the writing was wonderful. Definitely not a twist you’d find anywhere else!

[Hope Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved the twist at the end

[Sarah Tennison · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun, quick read! I really enjoyed this one.

[Holly Creveling · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good storyline but it didn't flow as well as I'd hoped.

[Stacy Deyerle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm reading through a stack of Gibson's books this summer, and so far this is a stand out in terms of story construction and cohesion.
It is classic horror story telling, with solid B movie vibes.

[Beth Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5/5