'All Your Twisted Secrets' by Diana Urban follows the gripping story of six high school seniors trapped in a room with a deadly ultimatum - choose one to die or they all perish. Through dual timelines, the narrative unfolds the intricate past histories and secrets of each character, leading to surprising plot twists triggered by their hidden truths. Urban skillfully weaves modern themes of substance abuse, social media, and teen suicide into the storyline, creating a high school thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

The author's writing style, characterized by vivid prose and a balanced mix of Hitchcockian thriller and light-hearted YA elements, captivates readers as they delve into the depths of teenage life with unexpected dark undertones. The characters, particularly the protagonist Amber Prescott, are well-developed and relatable, drawing readers into their struggles and the moral dilemmas they face in a suspenseful locked room escape room scenario.

Characters:

The characters are varied and well-crafted, featuring a mix of relatable traits and archetypal roles that enhance the tension of the story.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is engaging and accessible, with a focus on character perspectives that enhances the tension and emotional depth.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot features a group of high school students trapped in a room where they must decide to sacrifice one to save themselves, effectively weaving past secrets and present dilemmas.

Setting:

Set primarily in a tense, locked room environment, the story reflects a high school setting that magnifies social tensions.

Pacing:

The pacing initially feels slow but becomes gripping as the plot unfolds, especially towards the climax with numerous twists.

What’s so bad about a dinner party? Let’s start with the fact that my boyfriend, Robbie, was also invited to this little shindig, and we were on shaky ground. Our post-graduation plans were at odds, t...

Notes:

The book features six high school seniors who find themselves locked in a room with a deadly ultimatum.

Amber and Sasha are the main characters, representing the nice girl and the mean girl trope.

The narrative alternates between present day and flashbacks, providing depth to the characters.

Amber is the most developed character, offering insight into her thoughts throughout the story.

The plot explores dark themes like bullying, substance abuse, and mental health issues.

Diana Urban's writing is described as both vivid and easy to read, despite some unrealistic moments.

The book has a dual narrative structure involving a locked room scenario and reveals secrets of each character.

Readers appreciated the suspenseful twists, though some predicted the ending.

Diana Urban is noted for effectively creating relatable yet complicated teenage characters.

The book contains serious themes and issues suitable for grades 9 and up, including occasional profanity and references to drug use.

The ending is polarizing among readers, with some loving it and others feeling it lacked foreshadowing.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of suicide, substance abuse, alcohol use, and occasional profanity.

From The Publisher:

A thrilling debut, reminiscent of new fan favorites like One of Us Is Lying and the beloved classics by Agatha Christie, that will leave readers guessing until the explosive ending.

"Welcome to dinner, and again, congratulations on being selected. Now you must do the selecting."

What do the queen bee, star athlete, valedictorian, stoner, loner, and music geek all have in common? They were all invited to a scholarship dinner, only to discover it's a trap. Someone has locked them into a room with a bomb, a syringe filled with poison, and a note saying they have an hour to pick someone to kill...or else everyone dies.

Amber Prescott is determined to get her classmates and herself out of the room alive, but that might be easier said than done. No one knows how they're all connected or who would want them dead.

As they retrace the events over the past year that might have triggered their captor's ultimatum, it becomes clear that everyone is hiding something.

And with the clock ticking down, confusion turns into fear, and fear morphs into panic as they race to answer the biggest question: Who will they choose to die?

Ratings (13)

Loved It (3)
Liked It (3)
It Was OK (5)
Hated It (2)

Reader Stats (43):

Read It (14)
Want To Read (24)
Did Not Finish (1)
Not Interested (4)

What can you read after
All Your Twisted Secrets?

See the list (90 books)

Meet New Books is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a way for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to products and services on amazon.com and its subsidiaries.
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.

All Your Twisted Secrets

Diana Urban