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Unquiet Riot
“Unquiet Riot is a psychological sledgehammer of a thriller with a tension so relentless you’ll find yourself ready to snap.” - Kayla Ancrum, author of The Wicker King
Riley is not a psychopath.
It’s just that he was born unable to understand emotions.
Is that person embarrassed or insecure? Suspicious or curious? It’s confusing when someone says, “Please don’t hate me,” but their face says, “You should definitely hate me for occupying the same planet right now because I wrecked your car.”
Riley’s life is filled with mind-numbing boredom until Henry arrives. Henry’s amazing! Henry believes the world is populated by robots posing as humans. Visiting Henry’s world is like being a tourist in a foreign land.
When police question Riley about Henry’s disappearance, Riley lies about their dangerous game and scrambles to save himself from being named accessory to mass murder at their school. But if Henry talks, Riley loses.
When someone feels nothing, do things like loyalty, friendship, and trust really matter?
A psychological thriller that will appeal to fans of My Sister Rosa—this story explores the consequences of silence about bullying and mental illness.
Riley is not a psychopath.
It’s just that he was born unable to understand emotions.
Is that person embarrassed or insecure? Suspicious or curious? It’s confusing when someone says, “Please don’t hate me,” but their face says, “You should definitely hate me for occupying the same planet right now because I wrecked your car.”
Riley’s life is filled with mind-numbing boredom until Henry arrives. Henry’s amazing! Henry believes the world is populated by robots posing as humans. Visiting Henry’s world is like being a tourist in a foreign land.
When police question Riley about Henry’s disappearance, Riley lies about their dangerous game and scrambles to save himself from being named accessory to mass murder at their school. But if Henry talks, Riley loses.
When someone feels nothing, do things like loyalty, friendship, and trust really matter?
A psychological thriller that will appeal to fans of My Sister Rosa—this story explores the consequences of silence about bullying and mental illness.
- GenresThrillerMental Health
324 pages, Paperback
Published April 29, 2021
2 people are currently reading
1703 people want to read
About the author
Khristina Chess
13 books129 followersKhristina Chess is the award-winning author of several young adult novels, including The Cutting Edge of Friendship, Hollow Beauty, The Delinquent Hero, Junior Missing, and Unquiet Riot. She tackles tough teen topics and writes binge-worthy books across multiple genres, including contemporary, thriller, mystery, and adventure.
Visit her online at www.khristinachess.com and on Twitter @KhristinaChess.
Visit her online at www.khristinachess.com and on Twitter @KhristinaChess.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 19, 2023
This is a hard book to read when you currently have a high school student. We worry about our babies constantly and high school is full of drama and bullying ~ which leads to the events that happen here.
We begin with Henry being accused of setting off a bomb at the homecoming dance. He even allowed himself to be caught on camera, so there's no doubt he's guilty, and now he's on the lamb. Riley is being questioned by the cops because as his best friend they think he should know more than he's letting on. Then we reverse back to Freshman year and work our way to the present as we slowly learn why Henry chose to do what he did. Was his intent just retaliation or to have justice served?
Henry was new to town when he started high school and quickly became friends with Riley.
Riley is super smart and a sneaky hacker and we see his skills put to use.
The subject matter is not easy to read, however I found it to be well written and fast paced. The characters were not really likable, but I suspect that was the authors intention.
I would be happy to read books by Khristina again.
*Thanks to Khristina Chess for sending me a signed copy via a goodreads giveaway. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Follow me here ➡ Blog ~ Facebook
We begin with Henry being accused of setting off a bomb at the homecoming dance. He even allowed himself to be caught on camera, so there's no doubt he's guilty, and now he's on the lamb. Riley is being questioned by the cops because as his best friend they think he should know more than he's letting on. Then we reverse back to Freshman year and work our way to the present as we slowly learn why Henry chose to do what he did. Was his intent just retaliation or to have justice served?
Henry was new to town when he started high school and quickly became friends with Riley.
Riley is super smart and a sneaky hacker and we see his skills put to use.
The subject matter is not easy to read, however I found it to be well written and fast paced. The characters were not really likable, but I suspect that was the authors intention.
I would be happy to read books by Khristina again.
*Thanks to Khristina Chess for sending me a signed copy via a goodreads giveaway. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Follow me here ➡ Blog ~ Facebook
December 31, 2021
What a literary feat! After just a few sentences, I was drawn into the life of the book's intriguing teen narrator. The author paints such an intricate portrait of his thoughts, his struggle with feelings, and his friendships, that it's impossible not to follow his journey and empathise with him.
I was reticent to read in the psychological thriller genre, which I usually avoid, but this book was different: a thoughtful, nuanced and deeply felt story about different mental states and terrible repercussions. I highly recommend this book which will resonate with me for a long time.
I was reticent to read in the psychological thriller genre, which I usually avoid, but this book was different: a thoughtful, nuanced and deeply felt story about different mental states and terrible repercussions. I highly recommend this book which will resonate with me for a long time.
February 14, 2023
What happens when an unexpected bond forms between a teen displaying antisocial traits and one who may be an undiagnosed and vulnerable schizophrenic? We watch the odd companionship between the two new friends bloom, until it quite literally explodes.
Henry Wolbert is the new kid in a small, rural town. Originally dubbed as ‘quirky’ for his offbeat demeanor and love of violence, many don’t take to him. But one kid does. One with an expressionless face and cold, staring eyes. His name is Riley Buckley, a teen who lacks empathy.
Riley and Henry have things in common outside of their ‘quirks’. Their parents don’t seem to understand them, they live their lives as outcasts, and they are both the target of intense and consistent bullying.
Bullying plays a major theme within the novel, and is one of the biggest factors in what causes a mass murder by Henry’s hand at the boys’ local high school. But other questions are raised for the reader to answer. What about the power of manipulation? Undiagnosed mental illness and poor mental health? The inability for adult figures and authority to find a solution to very real problems kids face when interacting with other kids their age? Not speaking up when it’s time to? These are recurring conversations throughout the book, often spoken about and addressed by Riley’s character.
Riley truly is a character. He likes Henry, or so we think. With Riley seemingly having ASPD, we never know. He prides himself on lacking empathy but never stoops to the idea of psychopathy. Yet throughout the book, we see sides of Riley that are off-putting and uncomfortable. His callousness, calculation, and brilliant manipulation tactics often make you question him instead of Henry. You see two friends here: one suffering from delusions and a lot of outward bursts of anger… and one who appears to have it all together and moves deliberately, no matter the circumstance. One of them may have committed a tragic and violent act, but who is really the psychopath? This is a story of vulnerability and manipulation that leaves you asking so many more questions.
I think I enjoyed where the book was trying to go, but not its execution. The story is mostly about the past and the friendship between the boys leading up to the event, which may have been important, but at times was boring. I don’t think there was any world-building, and the characters often fell flat. I know that Riley is an antisocial character and the story is being told through his lens, and that could be why. I often found myself trying to speed through certain parts, which is never a great sign. I gave the book a 2.5 stars rounded up to a 3 for its well executed heavy content. I think that this would be great as assigned reading for high school students. It touches on mental illness (especially undiagnosed or ignored), bullying, and the dangers of not using your voice to speak up. All of these things I find fundamental, and I give kudos to the author for addressing it. I also think the author did an incredible job at showing how everyone with ASPD is not a potentially deranged killer, but that there is a consistent struggle with empathy and understanding. This can be dangerous as shown in the book. So much of Unquiet Riot is about seeking that help. I do suggest you pick this novel up if you are into these sorts of themes.
To wrap up, my favorite quote from the book says:
“No one else was listening. No one was doing anything. Someone needed to make some real noise around here. Someone needed to light a fire.”
This is the quote I pulled that put the book’s title into perspective for me. When people are not heard, they will make themselves heard. When they’re not seen, they will create their own visibility. Even in detrimental and disastrous ways. Pay attention and try to have some empathy.
Henry Wolbert is the new kid in a small, rural town. Originally dubbed as ‘quirky’ for his offbeat demeanor and love of violence, many don’t take to him. But one kid does. One with an expressionless face and cold, staring eyes. His name is Riley Buckley, a teen who lacks empathy.
Riley and Henry have things in common outside of their ‘quirks’. Their parents don’t seem to understand them, they live their lives as outcasts, and they are both the target of intense and consistent bullying.
Bullying plays a major theme within the novel, and is one of the biggest factors in what causes a mass murder by Henry’s hand at the boys’ local high school. But other questions are raised for the reader to answer. What about the power of manipulation? Undiagnosed mental illness and poor mental health? The inability for adult figures and authority to find a solution to very real problems kids face when interacting with other kids their age? Not speaking up when it’s time to? These are recurring conversations throughout the book, often spoken about and addressed by Riley’s character.
Riley truly is a character. He likes Henry, or so we think. With Riley seemingly having ASPD, we never know. He prides himself on lacking empathy but never stoops to the idea of psychopathy. Yet throughout the book, we see sides of Riley that are off-putting and uncomfortable. His callousness, calculation, and brilliant manipulation tactics often make you question him instead of Henry. You see two friends here: one suffering from delusions and a lot of outward bursts of anger… and one who appears to have it all together and moves deliberately, no matter the circumstance. One of them may have committed a tragic and violent act, but who is really the psychopath? This is a story of vulnerability and manipulation that leaves you asking so many more questions.
I think I enjoyed where the book was trying to go, but not its execution. The story is mostly about the past and the friendship between the boys leading up to the event, which may have been important, but at times was boring. I don’t think there was any world-building, and the characters often fell flat. I know that Riley is an antisocial character and the story is being told through his lens, and that could be why. I often found myself trying to speed through certain parts, which is never a great sign. I gave the book a 2.5 stars rounded up to a 3 for its well executed heavy content. I think that this would be great as assigned reading for high school students. It touches on mental illness (especially undiagnosed or ignored), bullying, and the dangers of not using your voice to speak up. All of these things I find fundamental, and I give kudos to the author for addressing it. I also think the author did an incredible job at showing how everyone with ASPD is not a potentially deranged killer, but that there is a consistent struggle with empathy and understanding. This can be dangerous as shown in the book. So much of Unquiet Riot is about seeking that help. I do suggest you pick this novel up if you are into these sorts of themes.
To wrap up, my favorite quote from the book says:
“No one else was listening. No one was doing anything. Someone needed to make some real noise around here. Someone needed to light a fire.”
This is the quote I pulled that put the book’s title into perspective for me. When people are not heard, they will make themselves heard. When they’re not seen, they will create their own visibility. Even in detrimental and disastrous ways. Pay attention and try to have some empathy.
May 23, 2021
WOW! What a powerful, thrilling, UNQUIET RIOT of a book. Khristina Chess’s latest book should not be missed. Who is the real psychopath in this one? As we follow Riley and Henry in their relationship from first meeting to tragic end, you have to ask, which one of them has a mental illness. With a shocking twist at the end, you can’t turn the pages fast enough. You just have to see what happens next. It doesn’t surprise me that I loved this book, for her others have also touched a deep place in my soul.
Khristina Chess is a powerful voice in the YA genre. Her books touch on the angst of new friends, new experiences, new schools, bullying, substance abuse and trying to fit into the society we call high school.
BRAVO Ms. Chess! YOU’VE DONE IT AGAIN!
Khristina Chess is a powerful voice in the YA genre. Her books touch on the angst of new friends, new experiences, new schools, bullying, substance abuse and trying to fit into the society we call high school.
BRAVO Ms. Chess! YOU’VE DONE IT AGAIN!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews