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Influencer
Aaron Fortin is new in town. He drives a brand-new Acura—a gift from his parents for uprooting him in the middle of senior year. Showing up on his first day at the local public school in that nice of a car? He knows he’ll never blend in, and he doesn’t care to try. The car, the new kid mystique, he can use all that…
Crystal Giordano carpools to the same school in her friend Trevor’s beat-up van. In the van along with Crystal and Trevor are Paul, Harmony, and Gayle. Crystal’s technically part of their misfit group, but most of the time, she feels like she’s the only one who doesn’tfit.
When Aaron Fortin sits at their lunch table, Crystal can see he’s not who he says he is. But how big of a fraud is Aaron Fortin? Crystal clumsily exposes Aaron and becomes his target, falling victim to his insidious campaign to erase her. Only then does she discover who he truly is—and it’s so much worse than she thought.
As her friends begin to follow him one by one, Crystal wonders if she can protect them or if his influence is just too strong.
Please note: This Audible Original contains graphic violence and themes of drug addiction and sexual assault. Listener discretion is advised.
Crystal Giordano carpools to the same school in her friend Trevor’s beat-up van. In the van along with Crystal and Trevor are Paul, Harmony, and Gayle. Crystal’s technically part of their misfit group, but most of the time, she feels like she’s the only one who doesn’tfit.
When Aaron Fortin sits at their lunch table, Crystal can see he’s not who he says he is. But how big of a fraud is Aaron Fortin? Crystal clumsily exposes Aaron and becomes his target, falling victim to his insidious campaign to erase her. Only then does she discover who he truly is—and it’s so much worse than she thought.
As her friends begin to follow him one by one, Crystal wonders if she can protect them or if his influence is just too strong.
Please note: This Audible Original contains graphic violence and themes of drug addiction and sexual assault. Listener discretion is advised.
9 pages, Audible Audio
Published November 2, 2023
About the author
Adam Cesare
60 books1,938 followersAdam Cesare is a New Yorker who lives in Philadelphia. His books include Clown in a Cornfield, Video Night, The Summer Job, and Zero Lives Remaining. He’s an avid fan of horror cinema and runs Project: Black T-Shirt, a YouTube review show where he takes horror films and pairs them with reading suggestions.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 151 reviews
November 11, 2023
With one of the best opening scenes in recent memory, I knew I was in for a ride with this book. While it did slow down quite a bit after that until the final act, that wasn’t a bad thing. It turned more psychological for a good part of the story, and with extremely well written characters, it just flat out worked. The performances were both top notch throughout as well. Highly recommend!
May 7, 2024
This book was dragged out too long and it is sooo unrealistic. I understand the influence people have but other than that it is not realistic
February 22, 2024
I’ve not been able to stop thinking about this story since I finished the audio yesterday. What an incredible experience. Adam Cesare is a horror master, and anything he puts out is an auto-buy for me.
November 12, 2023
This is definitely meant for a certain audience and luckily, I am that audience. This was deranged and really fun to listen to.
November 25, 2023
Once I heard the intro I was instantly hooked and knew it was going to be a wild ride. Aaron reminded me of Joe from the Netflix series "You", but he's more terrifying. I felt like I was watching a TV show because of the sound effects and narration . I finished this in one day and thoroughly enjoyed it.
The terrifying reality is that our phones, have given us more access via social media and other internet platforms, to people who convince us to "follow" them. Beware, Jim Jones and Charles Manson were Influencers too.
The terrifying reality is that our phones, have given us more access via social media and other internet platforms, to people who convince us to "follow" them. Beware, Jim Jones and Charles Manson were Influencers too.
November 7, 2023
This book was absolutely deranged. I was digging it up until the 20%.
November 8, 2023
This pulled me in but I just couldn't finish it.
Its really predictable.
It almost very slightly reminded me of the book "You"
Its really predictable.
It almost very slightly reminded me of the book "You"
January 19, 2024
The prolog of this book is absolutely horrifying and truly sets a tone. A home invasion that leaves you needing a moment to collect yourself. And I certainly took that moment before continuing.
This is the story of an internet influencer who post as an anonymous entity, known as The Speaker, with his own brand of propaganda and coercion. When being outed by a group of peers he is gifted with the perfect group to test just how persuasive he can be.
After the opening of this story, it becomes a pretty cut and dry YA read. But worth it, with the cast and sound effects added into the audio.
I have always loved stories of cults and manipulation. Stories of how a mind can be molded and changed, so eager to find a place to belong that they are so easily manipulated into following another's lead blindly.
The most interesting thing about this particular story is that we are dealing with teenagers and all that comes with that. The arrogance of believing you know it all, are invincible and smarter than those around you. Our MFC is no different. While she is highly perceptive (enough so to unnerve others) she is faced with an epiphany that maybe being perceptive doesn't mean she knows as much as she thinks she does, and how THINKING you know things can lead to harming those you care about. A character with growth and self realization will win me over almost every time.
This is the story of an internet influencer who post as an anonymous entity, known as The Speaker, with his own brand of propaganda and coercion. When being outed by a group of peers he is gifted with the perfect group to test just how persuasive he can be.
After the opening of this story, it becomes a pretty cut and dry YA read. But worth it, with the cast and sound effects added into the audio.
I have always loved stories of cults and manipulation. Stories of how a mind can be molded and changed, so eager to find a place to belong that they are so easily manipulated into following another's lead blindly.
The most interesting thing about this particular story is that we are dealing with teenagers and all that comes with that. The arrogance of believing you know it all, are invincible and smarter than those around you. Our MFC is no different. While she is highly perceptive (enough so to unnerve others) she is faced with an epiphany that maybe being perceptive doesn't mean she knows as much as she thinks she does, and how THINKING you know things can lead to harming those you care about. A character with growth and self realization will win me over almost every time.
December 17, 2023
You know, I would have given this 4 stars, but I think the main character is a bit annoying. The ending was good. But it was hard to like crystal.
April 23, 2024
What an audiobook! I really enjoyed the narrators on this one. Thank you Isabela Merced, Christopher Briney and Brittany Pressley for a very entertaining performance. And to Adam Cesare for a fun YA thriller/light horror read. I truly had some fun with this one.
The opening scene is chilling and drew me in IMMEDIATELY. I started it with the intention of putting it aside and doing other things but alas, I ended up spending the next 2 ½ hours on the train popping bubbles in a game while listening to this (at 2.0 speed in case you were curious). After this opening, we get to know our cast of characters with our mains being Aaron and Crystal.
Aaron is new but already comes in with a plan for those he decides to befriend. He has very big JD from Heathers vibes. He’s cunning, smarmy and unbeknownst to most, he’s a popular, masked influencer who uses his powers for…. well, it’s definitely not good. Which Aaron will he be in this new town? The only person who thinks Aaron is questionable is Crystal. She’s a bit of the outcast in her own group of “friends” and early on exposes/unmasks Aaron for being this famous influencer. Most of the group quickly become enamored with Aaron and Crystal feel even more like a misfit among them as his influence becomes stronger.
While the tone of the book tends to soften after the initial pummel from the opening, Cesare gives us a great cast of characters, albeit no one to really like.. which is fine by me as I love to hate on characters. Even the ones we are to be rooting for quickly got on my nerves. Maybe I’m just so old now that these kids just can’t find a nerve on me that won’t get plucked. But really, this also made it quite fun to see what was happening. Then we got to the ending. Sadly, it just didn’t quite work for me. And for the most part, this is quite a predictable story for me. However, I do like being inside the head of a psychopath and his victim. Full circle, my friends.
Overall, if you are a lover of YA… and this has a very big YA feel with dark subject matters… cult like influencers and that Heathers vibe, this is the story for you. Go on. Be influenced. 😉
3.5 stars
The opening scene is chilling and drew me in IMMEDIATELY. I started it with the intention of putting it aside and doing other things but alas, I ended up spending the next 2 ½ hours on the train popping bubbles in a game while listening to this (at 2.0 speed in case you were curious). After this opening, we get to know our cast of characters with our mains being Aaron and Crystal.
Aaron is new but already comes in with a plan for those he decides to befriend. He has very big JD from Heathers vibes. He’s cunning, smarmy and unbeknownst to most, he’s a popular, masked influencer who uses his powers for…. well, it’s definitely not good. Which Aaron will he be in this new town? The only person who thinks Aaron is questionable is Crystal. She’s a bit of the outcast in her own group of “friends” and early on exposes/unmasks Aaron for being this famous influencer. Most of the group quickly become enamored with Aaron and Crystal feel even more like a misfit among them as his influence becomes stronger.
While the tone of the book tends to soften after the initial pummel from the opening, Cesare gives us a great cast of characters, albeit no one to really like.. which is fine by me as I love to hate on characters. Even the ones we are to be rooting for quickly got on my nerves. Maybe I’m just so old now that these kids just can’t find a nerve on me that won’t get plucked. But really, this also made it quite fun to see what was happening. Then we got to the ending. Sadly, it just didn’t quite work for me. And for the most part, this is quite a predictable story for me. However, I do like being inside the head of a psychopath and his victim. Full circle, my friends.
Overall, if you are a lover of YA… and this has a very big YA feel with dark subject matters… cult like influencers and that Heathers vibe, this is the story for you. Go on. Be influenced. 😉
3.5 stars
January 15, 2024
I gotta tell you, this book totally shattered my belief that audiobooks are dull. "Influencer" proved me dead wrong. The plot was seriously gripping and kept me on the edge of my seat with all the suspense. I was totally taken by surprise because I didn't realize it was supposed to be a thriller.
So, Aaron? Picture Joe from "You" on Netflix, but cranked up to a whole new level of terrifying. It felt like I was watching a TV show with all the sound effects and narration
The crazy thing is how our phones connect us to these influencers on social media, right? But beware, because Jim Jones and Charles Manson were influencers too. It's a wild world out there.
Sure, the story had its quirks. Some parts seemed a bit over-the-top, and others moved a tad too fast or easy. But the fear? Oh, it was legit, and it kept me hooked. I loved getting inside both the hero and the bad guy's heads—it made things even more intense. Even when I knew what the antagonist was up to, it had me on the edge of my seat, feeling helpless.
And let's talk about those narrators—they were awesome. Aaron and Crystal came to life with their performances, giving each character their own vibe.
Dark? Absolutely. But it's a killer story. If you're into thrillers and the whole serial killer vibe, this book is a must-listen.
So, Aaron? Picture Joe from "You" on Netflix, but cranked up to a whole new level of terrifying. It felt like I was watching a TV show with all the sound effects and narration
The crazy thing is how our phones connect us to these influencers on social media, right? But beware, because Jim Jones and Charles Manson were influencers too. It's a wild world out there.
Sure, the story had its quirks. Some parts seemed a bit over-the-top, and others moved a tad too fast or easy. But the fear? Oh, it was legit, and it kept me hooked. I loved getting inside both the hero and the bad guy's heads—it made things even more intense. Even when I knew what the antagonist was up to, it had me on the edge of my seat, feeling helpless.
And let's talk about those narrators—they were awesome. Aaron and Crystal came to life with their performances, giving each character their own vibe.
Dark? Absolutely. But it's a killer story. If you're into thrillers and the whole serial killer vibe, this book is a must-listen.
January 9, 2024
This is a really, really fun listen. The voice acting is great and the way it’s written makes it perfect for audio.
The characters did annoy the shit out of me though, although I’m sure that was the point at times lol
Not sure why Crystal continued to insist that these people were her friends. Aside from Gayle, who was also kind of a shitty friend, these people clearly didn’t like her.
Aaron’s POV was overwhelmingly grating. I understand he’s meant to be a culmination of multiple fictional and even real psychos, but there were times I genuinely wanted to skip chunks of his dialogue because… yes, we get it. You’re soooooo intelligent and everyone is soooo beneath you.
It’s giving JD from Heathers. In fact, I do see how a lot of this may have been inspired by Heathers.
Also a little disappointed in the end. Crystal was extremely self conscious and showed very little belief in herself and then she just… rammed a car off the road??? And Aaron got off too easily lol FUUUUUCK that guy.
The characters did annoy the shit out of me though, although I’m sure that was the point at times lol
Not sure why Crystal continued to insist that these people were her friends. Aside from Gayle, who was also kind of a shitty friend, these people clearly didn’t like her.
Aaron’s POV was overwhelmingly grating. I understand he’s meant to be a culmination of multiple fictional and even real psychos, but there were times I genuinely wanted to skip chunks of his dialogue because… yes, we get it. You’re soooooo intelligent and everyone is soooo beneath you.
It’s giving JD from Heathers. In fact, I do see how a lot of this may have been inspired by Heathers.
Also a little disappointed in the end. Crystal was extremely self conscious and showed very little belief in herself and then she just… rammed a car off the road??? And Aaron got off too easily lol FUUUUUCK that guy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 13, 2024
What. Just. Happened.
This had got to be one of the craziest books I have ever read. Aaron is a definite sociopath. The first chapter when he was kissing his girlfriend, just the way he described it you could tell he felt nothing towards her. I didn’t like Crystal much, but she was so essential to the story.
Paul and Harmony were both perfect characters to be manipulated by Aaron. The way Aaron used seduction and trickery to bend them into the people he needed was insane. I never expected the book to lead to the killing of Victoria Hobbs and her husband.
Never would have guessed.
Harmony was one of the key characters. She slowly went crazy over the chapters and it blew me away when she really took a mind of her own, going as far as even stabbing Gayle several times even after Aaron scolded her.
In conclusion, I am happy to say that this book was not at all what I was expecting. The twists and turns stumped me more times that I can count. It was tied up so nicely. I have read some of his other books, and I have yet to be disappointed.
Well done 👍
This had got to be one of the craziest books I have ever read. Aaron is a definite sociopath. The first chapter when he was kissing his girlfriend, just the way he described it you could tell he felt nothing towards her. I didn’t like Crystal much, but she was so essential to the story.
Paul and Harmony were both perfect characters to be manipulated by Aaron. The way Aaron used seduction and trickery to bend them into the people he needed was insane. I never expected the book to lead to the killing of Victoria Hobbs and her husband.
Never would have guessed.
Harmony was one of the key characters. She slowly went crazy over the chapters and it blew me away when she really took a mind of her own, going as far as even stabbing Gayle several times even after Aaron scolded her.
In conclusion, I am happy to say that this book was not at all what I was expecting. The twists and turns stumped me more times that I can count. It was tied up so nicely. I have read some of his other books, and I have yet to be disappointed.
Well done 👍
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 11, 2024
TW: gory and detailed description of multiple murders. Murder of a pregnant women and kids.
The quality of the audiobook was phenomenal and the concept of the whisperer (someone that doesn’t commit a crime themselves, but will influence you to commit one for them) is something that interested me for years. I wish there had been more emphasis on how Aaron manipulated people towards the murder, because we went from the characters liking the new kid, to them killing people. The jump was too quick and we didn’t get to see the mind games behind it. Also, since we don’t have the POV of the characters being manipulated, we don’t get to experience it ourselves.
I also liked the concept of Aaron influencing some of his targets through social media, but once again, we didn’t see any of it. Just the final results, which is disappointing.
The quality of the audiobook was phenomenal and the concept of the whisperer (someone that doesn’t commit a crime themselves, but will influence you to commit one for them) is something that interested me for years. I wish there had been more emphasis on how Aaron manipulated people towards the murder, because we went from the characters liking the new kid, to them killing people. The jump was too quick and we didn’t get to see the mind games behind it. Also, since we don’t have the POV of the characters being manipulated, we don’t get to experience it ourselves.
I also liked the concept of Aaron influencing some of his targets through social media, but once again, we didn’t see any of it. Just the final results, which is disappointing.
January 4, 2024
This was a scary horror/thriller audiobook with great voice acting. It was definitely a cautionary tale of how easily young people fall prey to extreme influence online and radical actions and seems extreme but honestly isn't at the same time given the type of people that get celebrated on tik tok these days. The character of Aaron was a terrifying character to glimpse into his mind and you would wonder how anyone would follow him, and he used so many different tactics to get people to follow his cult and do what he says. Really harrowing but a very compelling read with great performances by Christopher Briney, Isabela Merced with Brittany Pressley starting off at the beginning with a wild first chapter.
March 12, 2024
Leave it to Adam Cesare to portray the toxic, murderous cults people join and create because of social media—he’s done it again 😌💅🏼. I enjoyed this story, it had me in its clutches, most specifically when it came to Aaron’s POV chapters, they were so deranged and showed how much of a crazy narcissist he really is—and how much I longed for karma to get him 😡 (and I was so not disappointed with his comeuppance 😌💅🏼.) I wasn’t in love with the characters, they were just there for plot and nothing more, and the pacing was a little uneven between the 2 POVs, but when the last 3rd of the story came, it was a full throttle ride! Won’t say much else since this is a short story, so take a listen to it if you have Audible and see what you think!
February 17, 2024
This being the read that completes my yearly goal is awesome because it had me in a proper chokehold form the jump and I enjoyed myself so much. That opening scene was wild, and I never lost interest from that moment on. I know now that Adam is gonna be one of my autobuy authors and I regret nothing.
November 8, 2023
I was genuinely surprised at how good this was. This story had me hooked with the starting chapter and kept me engaged throughout. Happy to hear it wasn’t another Ripley Syndrome story (You is great, don’t get me wrong!).
November 25, 2023
Definitely for a niche audience - I loved this book & the production. Creepy crawly in the best way, definitely went in a direction I wasn't expecting from the blurb that got me to try the book.
December 18, 2023
This is just the sort of book perfect for a twisted mind like mine. It speaks of today's world with social media and how easily influenced some people can be. Can you be influenced to kill?
February 14, 2024
I think this will sit well with horror audiences. If you’re looking for a less twisted high school drama or thriller, steer away from this one :D check trigger warnings
November 8, 2023
I liked it - the story reminded me a bit of the movies "Pump Up the Volume" and "Heathers" (both Christian Slater pics). The story was original and kept me listening to the audiobook, not wanting to "put it down".
March 30, 2024
Creepy story, kept my interest, and the narrators were great! Recommend as an audiobook - it had sound effects that really added to it. I feel like it could have used a little more of a climax and a bit more detail with descriptions. Otherwise, great plot and I’m glad I listened to it!
April 23, 2024
Adolescent Ted Bundy meets suspense with a let down. 3/5
November 20, 2023
Ending was awful and made me mad
November 15, 2023
Creepy. I had a lot of questions though like is it really that easy to track/stalk people? Do teens really just go along with well, anything?
April 21, 2024
The Influencer by Adam Cesare.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
*Some spoilers.
Avoid if have following triggers: graphic and gory detail of murder (of adults and children), animal abuse, drug use.
This was an 'Audible Original', this book is not yet out on Kindle or Paperback til October 2024.
"Don't just speak, act."
Genre wise, I would say this is a psychological thriller/horror mix. I also didn't realise it was classed as YA til I read reviews afterwards.
This story is based around a group of 5 misfit 17/18 year olds at a high school in America, who have become friends in despite of their differences. A few members of the group have started to obsessively follow an anonymous frequent streamer/influencer called 'The Speaker' on YouTube, who keeps them constantly waiting for the next upload, and keeping his identity a secret my wearing a mask, only showing his eyes.
Things however drastically change in this groups dynamics when a new guy from Arizona joins their class, and when Crystal calls him out for who he really was. Aaron didn't like this - At ALL.
The story is written from a first person perspective, and throughout the whole book and only uses 3 characters viewpoint.
The first character - Larissa, sets the scene to the history of the main perpetrator of the story - Aaron. This was a very brutal and gory beginning to a story but throws you into the deep end about what it is all about. This first chapter initially is a bit confusing but as the story progresses it makes more sense.
The rest of the story bounces between Aaron - who's character, in my opinion, is a mixture of Dexter/Joe (from You) / Patrick Bateman, and his character begins to cause ripples and shaking everything up in his new school. Then there is the secondary main character - Crystal, one of a group of five friends who currently go to school together.
Crystal is an awkward, anxious and underconfident teenager, who finds out that she doesn't really know who her friends are at all. Between both Aaron and Crystal's chapters, you learn about the other four friends - Gayle, Harmony, Paul and Trevor in the process.
As this was an audiobook, I felt the actors who read this book were fantastic, and also liked hearing some background noise to make it feel authentic, like you were there with them. This was especially effective as the ending started ramping up.
Character development was good generally, and felt that for the length of the book there was enough time spent on the individual characters to give the reader enough information to base a public opinion of them all to support the story as it develops. However as the story was reaching its end, I felt that there were a few holes left in the plot, and how the narrated voice (Aaron or Crystal) is portraying the others of the group.
I personally feel it would have been nice occasionally to have a different voice, other than Aaron and Crystal narrating, to actually to get the viewpoints of what Trevor, Paul and Harmony are really thinking rather than just what the main characters assume they felt.
The pace of the book was good, but in parts it was difficult to keep up with the developments, and how quickly these 'normal' teenagers would in reality change their whole personalities to follow a leader (Aaron) to do anything he asks them to, in a coercive- cult, sort of situation.
In the time line of this story, within a week two from the group have a drastic change in personality and are willing and waiting like a trained dog for their next instruction, and to carry this out at any given moment.
I was also curious about the motive behind the reason/s Aaron behaved in this certian way from start to finish. He mentions many theories himself, about his lifestyle, including his 'rich and priveledged life', in which he is showing some attention craving behaviours, but I feel there is much more behind his narcissistic personality than just that a bully after hearing about his parents and his difficult childhood.
In a nutshell, I really enjoyed this book. The narration was high quality and actors were spot on for the text they were reading. I'm not usually a fan of audiobooks, as I find it hard to relate to the reader, however this book was perfect and read with such passion for their character you felt you were with them.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
*Some spoilers.
Avoid if have following triggers: graphic and gory detail of murder (of adults and children), animal abuse, drug use.
This was an 'Audible Original', this book is not yet out on Kindle or Paperback til October 2024.
"Don't just speak, act."
Genre wise, I would say this is a psychological thriller/horror mix. I also didn't realise it was classed as YA til I read reviews afterwards.
This story is based around a group of 5 misfit 17/18 year olds at a high school in America, who have become friends in despite of their differences. A few members of the group have started to obsessively follow an anonymous frequent streamer/influencer called 'The Speaker' on YouTube, who keeps them constantly waiting for the next upload, and keeping his identity a secret my wearing a mask, only showing his eyes.
Things however drastically change in this groups dynamics when a new guy from Arizona joins their class, and when Crystal calls him out for who he really was. Aaron didn't like this - At ALL.
The story is written from a first person perspective, and throughout the whole book and only uses 3 characters viewpoint.
The first character - Larissa, sets the scene to the history of the main perpetrator of the story - Aaron. This was a very brutal and gory beginning to a story but throws you into the deep end about what it is all about. This first chapter initially is a bit confusing but as the story progresses it makes more sense.
The rest of the story bounces between Aaron - who's character, in my opinion, is a mixture of Dexter/Joe (from You) / Patrick Bateman, and his character begins to cause ripples and shaking everything up in his new school. Then there is the secondary main character - Crystal, one of a group of five friends who currently go to school together.
Crystal is an awkward, anxious and underconfident teenager, who finds out that she doesn't really know who her friends are at all. Between both Aaron and Crystal's chapters, you learn about the other four friends - Gayle, Harmony, Paul and Trevor in the process.
As this was an audiobook, I felt the actors who read this book were fantastic, and also liked hearing some background noise to make it feel authentic, like you were there with them. This was especially effective as the ending started ramping up.
Character development was good generally, and felt that for the length of the book there was enough time spent on the individual characters to give the reader enough information to base a public opinion of them all to support the story as it develops. However as the story was reaching its end, I felt that there were a few holes left in the plot, and how the narrated voice (Aaron or Crystal) is portraying the others of the group.
I personally feel it would have been nice occasionally to have a different voice, other than Aaron and Crystal narrating, to actually to get the viewpoints of what Trevor, Paul and Harmony are really thinking rather than just what the main characters assume they felt.
The pace of the book was good, but in parts it was difficult to keep up with the developments, and how quickly these 'normal' teenagers would in reality change their whole personalities to follow a leader (Aaron) to do anything he asks them to, in a coercive- cult, sort of situation.
In the time line of this story, within a week two from the group have a drastic change in personality and are willing and waiting like a trained dog for their next instruction, and to carry this out at any given moment.
I was also curious about the motive behind the reason/s Aaron behaved in this certian way from start to finish. He mentions many theories himself, about his lifestyle, including his 'rich and priveledged life', in which he is showing some attention craving behaviours, but I feel there is much more behind his narcissistic personality than just that a bully after hearing about his parents and his difficult childhood.
In a nutshell, I really enjoyed this book. The narration was high quality and actors were spot on for the text they were reading. I'm not usually a fan of audiobooks, as I find it hard to relate to the reader, however this book was perfect and read with such passion for their character you felt you were with them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 3, 2024
This was an audible listen , and could not stop.
Isabel Mercer? I think the performer is, is excellent as Crystal.
She has an amazing soothing husky voice
And should be commend for her portrayal of Crystal
This story is
.
Completely mesmerising, gruesome , and suspenseful,
I was concern about what was going to happen to the female lead, Crystal and her family having read several of Adam’s book before.
I knew that he doesn’t hold back, and just because you’re a lead in a story, doesn’t give you a pass from …. Well…. Becoming a victim.
The Setting:
High School, Long Island:.
Car Pool buddies, Paul, Harmony, Gail, Trevor, and Crystal are used to gossiping and talking to each other every day on the way to school.
Crystal though, had always felt a little bit like the outlier of the group.
She prefers to listen mostly, and observe.
She prides herself in her people watching skills.
These trips everyday allow her to go home at night and make her YouTube videos about subject that she wants to tackle.
It also allows her to vent about the issues her friends are hiding from the world.
Trevor., An Eagle Scout, careful driver, from a devout religious family, …. His secret? His sexuality.
Paul, from a wealthy family were his parent feel buying him the latest he’s sneakers will make up for their busy lifestyles.. Secret ? He is Trevor’s Lover.
Harmony, Cheerleader looks, perfect home life except…Secret?
That moment she found her Dad after he took his own life: with discussing problems her friends are having.
Gail, Goth Girl, sassing one- liners, no filter
Her secret?
She has suffered sexual abuse
And Crystal.
Crystal is lonely. She finds it hard to find her voice amongst her more boisterous “friends “
Secret, Well, She has a major crush on Harmony
This is why she vlogs
Thing is…
She never, Never makes them public.
They are purely just for her,
Like a visual diary of sorts.
Enter new kid, the good looking Aaron Fourteen
At their first meeting in the school cafeteria Crystal recognises him IMMEDIATELY.
He is the masked YouTuber known as
“ THE SPEAKER “
The social media sensation that her friends have been following.
Two, Paul and Harmony, are the most invested in what The Speaker has to say as they are glued to their phone every day in Trevor’s van
But Crystal, who pays attention to the “ detail” it the only one who knows.. those eyes, she remembers , those eyes those brows, even the hair.
“It’s you, your The Speaker” the words are out of her mouth before she realises she has spoken.
Aaron, for the first time in his twisted history as his online persona, finds himself in a predicament.
Denial will not work i this situation so, he comes clean,
Crystal’s little outburst has presented him wit a few problems now,
He going to have to accelerate his plans..,
And Crystal?
Well,
Crystal is going to pay dealing for putting him to her friends.
I suspenseful, at time gruesome, tale of Social Media, manipulation , addiction and mind control.
The first few pages are horrific but I still wanted to keep reading
This is a story we’re you’ll find yourself hoping Crystal will have the courage to be SEEN.
To “ Not Think, ACT!”
Isabel Mercer? I think the performer is, is excellent as Crystal.
She has an amazing soothing husky voice
And should be commend for her portrayal of Crystal
This story is
.
Completely mesmerising, gruesome , and suspenseful,
I was concern about what was going to happen to the female lead, Crystal and her family having read several of Adam’s book before.
I knew that he doesn’t hold back, and just because you’re a lead in a story, doesn’t give you a pass from …. Well…. Becoming a victim.
The Setting:
High School, Long Island:.
Car Pool buddies, Paul, Harmony, Gail, Trevor, and Crystal are used to gossiping and talking to each other every day on the way to school.
Crystal though, had always felt a little bit like the outlier of the group.
She prefers to listen mostly, and observe.
She prides herself in her people watching skills.
These trips everyday allow her to go home at night and make her YouTube videos about subject that she wants to tackle.
It also allows her to vent about the issues her friends are hiding from the world.
Trevor., An Eagle Scout, careful driver, from a devout religious family, …. His secret? His sexuality.
Paul, from a wealthy family were his parent feel buying him the latest he’s sneakers will make up for their busy lifestyles.. Secret ? He is Trevor’s Lover.
Harmony, Cheerleader looks, perfect home life except…Secret?
That moment she found her Dad after he took his own life: with discussing problems her friends are having.
Gail, Goth Girl, sassing one- liners, no filter
Her secret?
She has suffered sexual abuse
And Crystal.
Crystal is lonely. She finds it hard to find her voice amongst her more boisterous “friends “
Secret, Well, She has a major crush on Harmony
This is why she vlogs
Thing is…
She never, Never makes them public.
They are purely just for her,
Like a visual diary of sorts.
Enter new kid, the good looking Aaron Fourteen
At their first meeting in the school cafeteria Crystal recognises him IMMEDIATELY.
He is the masked YouTuber known as
“ THE SPEAKER “
The social media sensation that her friends have been following.
Two, Paul and Harmony, are the most invested in what The Speaker has to say as they are glued to their phone every day in Trevor’s van
But Crystal, who pays attention to the “ detail” it the only one who knows.. those eyes, she remembers , those eyes those brows, even the hair.
“It’s you, your The Speaker” the words are out of her mouth before she realises she has spoken.
Aaron, for the first time in his twisted history as his online persona, finds himself in a predicament.
Denial will not work i this situation so, he comes clean,
Crystal’s little outburst has presented him wit a few problems now,
He going to have to accelerate his plans..,
And Crystal?
Well,
Crystal is going to pay dealing for putting him to her friends.
I suspenseful, at time gruesome, tale of Social Media, manipulation , addiction and mind control.
The first few pages are horrific but I still wanted to keep reading
This is a story we’re you’ll find yourself hoping Crystal will have the courage to be SEEN.
To “ Not Think, ACT!”
December 16, 2023
This was definitely the first book to prove that reading an audiobook isn’t boring. For most of my life I’ve associated audiobooks with school assignments and white noise. I imagine it hard to grip my attention when I’m not reading something.
Influencer really proved me wrong. The story was gripping and exciting, with lots of suspense that keeps me on the edge of my seat. It took me by surprise. I didn’t realize that this was supposed to be thriller. I read the blurb, thought it was cool and gave it a listen, which probably wasn’t the best choice but I did think that audiobooks were only meant to pass time.
However good the story, it’s not a perfect one. Some parts I find to be a little exaggerated, some others a little too quickly or a little too easy, however the fear was definitely real, and it was gripping enough to keep me listening. I love the different point of views. We could see inside the thoughts of both the hero and the antagonist, and it didn’t make it boring. Instead, I find myself even more in fear when I know what the antagonist was about to do, and despair when I couldn’t do anything about it.
The narrators were great. I thoroughly enjoyed their performances as Aaron and Crystal. They gave the characters life, giving them their own personalities.
The story was extremely dark, but it was a great story. If you like thrillers and serial killers, this book is definitely for you.
Influencer really proved me wrong. The story was gripping and exciting, with lots of suspense that keeps me on the edge of my seat. It took me by surprise. I didn’t realize that this was supposed to be thriller. I read the blurb, thought it was cool and gave it a listen, which probably wasn’t the best choice but I did think that audiobooks were only meant to pass time.
However good the story, it’s not a perfect one. Some parts I find to be a little exaggerated, some others a little too quickly or a little too easy, however the fear was definitely real, and it was gripping enough to keep me listening. I love the different point of views. We could see inside the thoughts of both the hero and the antagonist, and it didn’t make it boring. Instead, I find myself even more in fear when I know what the antagonist was about to do, and despair when I couldn’t do anything about it.
The narrators were great. I thoroughly enjoyed their performances as Aaron and Crystal. They gave the characters life, giving them their own personalities.
The story was extremely dark, but it was a great story. If you like thrillers and serial killers, this book is definitely for you.
November 11, 2023
I just finished listening to the audiobook on Audible and to be honest I’m not sure how I want to rate this. First of all this is NOT Young Adult material like it’s categorized! It comes with a warning of violence, sexual assault, and such but I was not prepared for just how disturbing the content would be especially targeted at such a young age group. The characters were written and developed well. The plot was decent. At times a little over the top but let’s face it, social media is life to some these days. Frustrated towards the end I kept yelling at my phone to Crystal to just call the police already!
It’s rare for me to find an audiobook with narration that doesn’t annoy or bore the heck out of me so I will say that the voices of both Crystal and Aaron was what probably kept meet listening until the end. The narrators were quite good. I enjoyed how the author chose to go back and forth with chapters from both characters point of view. If you like suspenseful thrillers about serial killers then you’ll more than likely enjoy this book. It was overall just too dark and haunting for my liking. The world we live in is already scary enough that I feel we don’t need to plant anymore evil seeds with the realistic sadistic thoughts and actions throughout. I like to try new things but I think I’ll stick to my preferred fantasy and supernatural fiction from here on out.
It’s rare for me to find an audiobook with narration that doesn’t annoy or bore the heck out of me so I will say that the voices of both Crystal and Aaron was what probably kept meet listening until the end. The narrators were quite good. I enjoyed how the author chose to go back and forth with chapters from both characters point of view. If you like suspenseful thrillers about serial killers then you’ll more than likely enjoy this book. It was overall just too dark and haunting for my liking. The world we live in is already scary enough that I feel we don’t need to plant anymore evil seeds with the realistic sadistic thoughts and actions throughout. I like to try new things but I think I’ll stick to my preferred fantasy and supernatural fiction from here on out.
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