Sweet

Reviewed by: Kelley Blue - Portland Public Library, Portland, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: July 23, 2015

Review

Emmy Laybourne, author of the popular Monument 14 trilogy, delivers a seemingly stand-alone horror fest in the form of Sweet. Laurel is a reluctant passenger on the biggest celebrity cruise event since the last shiny object to catch our attention. She's tagging along with her BFF Viv on the Cruise to Lose, where those wealthy enough to pay the ticket price are guaranteed to drop several sizes thanks to the new miracle diet sweetener "Solu". The cruise is one big commercial for Solu's pending release to the general public, and the hype is all glitter and glitz. But something about Solu feels off to Laurel, and her anxiety only increases as the sweetener begins to have strange effects on the other passengers. Enter cruise MC and former child star Tom Forelli, who shares Laurel's concerns as the people around him go to greater and greater lengths to get just one more dose of Solu. Will these two star-crossed lovers be the only voice of reason, and do they stand a chance?

Laybourne builds tension expertly through the first 3 quarters of the book, and when the terror comes, it made me want to cover my eyes (I had to finish the book in the daylight). Gruesome details are used to chilling effect. The ending arrives like a punch line, and leaves us wondering whether or not we'll see a sequel.

Sweet is a "fun" page turner (depending on your definition of fun), but the book's criticism of our collective obsession with reality television, celebrities, quick fixes, and miracle cures is thought provoking. How different characters view and treat their bodies would generate a relevant and important discussion among teen readers.

A cruise ship is the perfect place for things to go terribly wrong. This is the second YA book I've read that will forever keep me off any and all cruise ships (the first being Matt de la Pe�a's "The Living"). DO NOT READ if you plan on sailing the high seas with 500 strangers any time soon. DO READ if you're looking for a thrilling summer diversion.

Overall Book Score: good