I really enjoyed STAGS, but I have to say DOGS just took things to a whole new level.
The ending of STAGS was a bit of a cliffhanger that wasn’t exactly cleared up at the start of DOGS, so I was a little disappointed when I started this book. However, new events and the introduction of new characters quickly turned the plot in a whole new, more interesting direction. The events of STAGS are reflected on a lot but they don’t dominate the story as the plot in this book is even better. This time, Henry’s cousins take centre stage as the new de Warlencourts, and they provide even more drama and mystery. The sense of mystery/thriller is heightened in this book, as the author keeps us guessing the whole way through and - you’ve guessed it - leaves it on another cliffhanger that has me itching to grab the next book.
The secret society is shown to have even more levels than previously imagined, and Greer and her friends are constantly trying to discover what’s really going on behind the scenes and who’s a part of it. Meanwhile as part of her studies Greer is also trying to put on a play, one which hasn’t been performed in years as all copies off it were destroyed - apart from the one a mysterious person is sending her an act of each week. The way the play ties in to the plot of the novel is so clever, and the mystery surrounding the play is fascinating and makes the book so much more enjoyable. The de Warlencourts are the stars of the book (even including Henry who continues to haunt Greer). The ending of this book is absolutely brilliant - the way climax of the play and the book play out simultaneously is simply superb writing, and without giving too much away the ending both answers and creates more questions I can’t wait to discover the answer to. If you liked STAGS but didn’t love it, I can only encourage you to read DOGS as I guarantee you will love it, and the added length of the novel really allows for more build up of the mystery/thriller side I thought the first book was a little lacking in. Overall, a hugely engaging read I can’t recommend enough.
The ending of STAGS was a bit of a cliffhanger that wasn’t exactly cleared up at the start of DOGS, so I was a little disappointed when I started this book. However, new events and the introduction of new characters quickly turned the plot in a whole new, more interesting direction. The events of STAGS are reflected on a lot but they don’t dominate the story as the plot in this book is even better. This time, Henry’s cousins take centre stage as the new de Warlencourts, and they provide even more drama and mystery. The sense of mystery/thriller is heightened in this book, as the author keeps us guessing the whole way through and - you’ve guessed it - leaves it on another cliffhanger that has me itching to grab the next book.
The secret society is shown to have even more levels than previously imagined, and Greer and her friends are constantly trying to discover what’s really going on behind the scenes and who’s a part of it. Meanwhile as part of her studies Greer is also trying to put on a play, one which hasn’t been performed in years as all copies off it were destroyed - apart from the one a mysterious person is sending her an act of each week. The way the play ties in to the plot of the novel is so clever, and the mystery surrounding the play is fascinating and makes the book so much more enjoyable. The de Warlencourts are the stars of the book (even including Henry who continues to haunt Greer). The ending of this book is absolutely brilliant - the way climax of the play and the book play out simultaneously is simply superb writing, and without giving too much away the ending both answers and creates more questions I can’t wait to discover the answer to. If you liked STAGS but didn’t love it, I can only encourage you to read DOGS as I guarantee you will love it, and the added length of the novel really allows for more build up of the mystery/thriller side I thought the first book was a little lacking in. Overall, a hugely engaging read I can’t recommend enough.