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Riley Ozment is desperate to change her social standing after a disastrous decision leads to negative fame on social media. It’s the reason she decided to try out for the “Survivor”-style reality TV show “Reality Gold” in the first place. Now, Riley is dropped onto a deserted tropical island with 19 other teens competing for a million dollars and the chance to uncover a treasure rumored to be lost on the island.
Riley is determined to find the treasure and make a new name for herself, but the treasure has a history. A local curse says seven people will die before the treasure can be found. Six hunters have already lost thier lives searching for the treasure. Who will be the seventh?
The Girl Who Knew Too Much starts out strong. While I picked up the book mainly for the promise of a cursed treasure hunt, I enjoyed the reality-TV aspects and the glimpse into the behind-the-scenes manipulation. And, like Riley, I had no clue whom to trust.
As with any reality show, though, there is quite a bit of drama. Riley isn’t the only one looking for the treasure, which leads to secrecy, fragile alliances, and betrayals that tangle within the game. Thrown into the mix is an insta-love relationship that I didn’t find necessary. Riley has her own goals. She is independent and focused, which means romance takes a backseat to the plot (and only serves to distract from the treasure hunt).
In the end, I felt the story lost momentum, and in some ways, it came across as anticlimactic. The synopsis and cover promised a darker, grittier YA thriller. In reality, I would classify The Girl Who Knew Too Much as more of an adventure story with mystery/thriller elements. Overall, while it wasn’t what I was expecting, the story may be a good fit for readers looking for an adventure with a lighter danger factor.
Rated: Moderate, for three variations of strong language, around 5 uses of moderate language, 10 uses of mild language, and around 20 uses of the name of Deity. A character uses the middle finger. Sexual content can be found through several references and innuendos. Rules include not bribing cameramen with implied sex. A romance is discovered between an older man and teen contestant. Contestants make reference to a sex trade. Characters make out in the dark. Teens partake in a night of underage drinking and get drunk. A story is told of a character who participated in making weed brownies.
