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Dead Lucky
Lucky to be rich. Lucky to be famous. Lucky to be alive.
Ed, Maxine, Leni, Xav.
They are the influencers, the lucky ones. Gifted, gilded people who have everything - fame, respect, adulation, more freebies than they can ever unbox. Their lives, loves and feuds are shared with millions of fans on the streaming platform PlayMii, and they are living the dream.
But it's broken Ed 's heart.
It's crushing Maxine.
It's destroying Leni 's friendships.
And it's gone to Xav 's head.
Then, a masked figure walks into Xav's apartment and murders him on camera.
As the world reels with shock, Maxine discovers Xav was sitting on a file of secrets about his fellow creators - career-destroying secrets that they'd do anything to keep hidden. And if she doesn't find the file, she could be next . . .
Ed, Maxine, Leni, Xav.
They are the influencers, the lucky ones. Gifted, gilded people who have everything - fame, respect, adulation, more freebies than they can ever unbox. Their lives, loves and feuds are shared with millions of fans on the streaming platform PlayMii, and they are living the dream.
But it's broken Ed 's heart.
It's crushing Maxine.
It's destroying Leni 's friendships.
And it's gone to Xav 's head.
Then, a masked figure walks into Xav's apartment and murders him on camera.
As the world reels with shock, Maxine discovers Xav was sitting on a file of secrets about his fellow creators - career-destroying secrets that they'd do anything to keep hidden. And if she doesn't find the file, she could be next . . .
336 pages, Paperback
First published January 13, 2022
8 people are currently reading
296 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
January 13, 2022
4.5 stars rounded up
Headlines
Egos
Recordings live forever
Behind the scenes of influencers
Dead Lucky started with a big boom that basically sealed my allegiance from the get go. My reading experience was that I couldn't put this down and I loved the wild ride.
This story is centred around a group of ex-high school friends who started a dare/stunt channel on the popular PlayMii site that went viral. This rocketed these kids to fame and they all went their seperate influencer way. This lifestyle, the individual personalities of the influencers and their insipid and occasional genuine ways were addictive reading. From Xav to Maxine, this was a hold your breath while judging read.
Most of the story was told from Maxine's pov. She was heralded the dumb influencer but she was more mature and insightful that most of them; I enjoyed her character growth. As to the who-dunnit, that consumed the book...and me. I didn't figure it out until late on and my initial guesses were off base.
This YA/NA thriller is well written, it doesn't poke too much at the concept of influencers but it does expose some elements that we all wonder at. What it does do, is it brings the real person behind the influencer to the fore, what's behind the camera, the campaigns, the videos. There's much to unpick here about this element of contemporary society if that's your thing.
I highly recommend this thriller, I enjoyed it front to back.
Thank you to Atom Books for the early review copy.
Find this review at A Take From Two Cities Blog.
Headlines
Egos
Recordings live forever
Behind the scenes of influencers
Dead Lucky started with a big boom that basically sealed my allegiance from the get go. My reading experience was that I couldn't put this down and I loved the wild ride.
This story is centred around a group of ex-high school friends who started a dare/stunt channel on the popular PlayMii site that went viral. This rocketed these kids to fame and they all went their seperate influencer way. This lifestyle, the individual personalities of the influencers and their insipid and occasional genuine ways were addictive reading. From Xav to Maxine, this was a hold your breath while judging read.
Most of the story was told from Maxine's pov. She was heralded the dumb influencer but she was more mature and insightful that most of them; I enjoyed her character growth. As to the who-dunnit, that consumed the book...and me. I didn't figure it out until late on and my initial guesses were off base.
This YA/NA thriller is well written, it doesn't poke too much at the concept of influencers but it does expose some elements that we all wonder at. What it does do, is it brings the real person behind the influencer to the fore, what's behind the camera, the campaigns, the videos. There's much to unpick here about this element of contemporary society if that's your thing.
I highly recommend this thriller, I enjoyed it front to back.
Thank you to Atom Books for the early review copy.
Find this review at A Take From Two Cities Blog.
December 6, 2023
A story about murder and influencers. Having had an online book review account, I understand the work that goes into maintaining such an account and the pressure of having to upload content every day or so, so I got this story from the outset. However, the plot is slow and the characters a bit annoying, probably because they are self absorbed and obsessed with creating online content. A good thriller but more suitable, I feel, for a younger audience from teens to mid-20's.
December 27, 2021
I was lucky enough to read this early, and after loving Andreina Cordani’s debut — The Girl Who... — I was so excited to dive in. Dead Lucky delivered in spades! Full of brilliantly drawn characters and packing a totally gripping murder mystery, this is a book you’ll want to clear your schedule for.
August 15, 2023
CW: murder, death in childbirth mention, anxiety, homophobic behaviour, bullying, hoarding, punch-ups
I wanted to like this more than I did. It sounded like my kind of book. I just couldn't connect with the characters at all and didn't feel anything for them, except maybe Frida.
I found it confusing to know who was who at times as well.
Having said that, I thought the book dealt with the subject of mental health well.
I'd give another book by the author a try at some point.
I wanted to like this more than I did. It sounded like my kind of book. I just couldn't connect with the characters at all and didn't feel anything for them, except maybe Frida.
I found it confusing to know who was who at times as well.
Having said that, I thought the book dealt with the subject of mental health well.
I'd give another book by the author a try at some point.
April 26, 2022
"By the time the video was taken down, three million people had watched Xav Bailey's murder" is the very first sentence in this book that had me gripped from start to finish!
SYNOPSIS:
"Ed, Maxine, Leni, Xav. They are the influencers, the lucky ones. Gifted, gilded people who have everything - fame, respect, adulation, more freebies than they can ever unbox. Their lives, loves and feuds are shared with millions of fans on the streaming platform PlayMii, and they are living the dream. Then, a masked figure walks into Xav's apartment and murders him on camera"
WHAT I LOVED
✔️ The brilliantly written characters that one minute I loved, the next felt sorry for.
✔️ Being made to second guess every character and motive.
✔️ The non-stop twist and turns and misdirections of the plot.
✔️ The fact this felt like an expose into the reality of mega influencer lives.
✔️ The questioning of societal norms around gender and identity.
✔️ The fast-paced, gripping and compulsive nature of the whole story.
✔️ The overall arc of nothing is not what it seems.
This is such a thrill ride of a read. That if you love a thriller you just can't put down set in the toxic world of influencers then this is the book for you! I loved it.
**Thanks to Instabook Tours for a copy of this book in return for an honest review**
SYNOPSIS:
"Ed, Maxine, Leni, Xav. They are the influencers, the lucky ones. Gifted, gilded people who have everything - fame, respect, adulation, more freebies than they can ever unbox. Their lives, loves and feuds are shared with millions of fans on the streaming platform PlayMii, and they are living the dream. Then, a masked figure walks into Xav's apartment and murders him on camera"
WHAT I LOVED
✔️ The brilliantly written characters that one minute I loved, the next felt sorry for.
✔️ Being made to second guess every character and motive.
✔️ The non-stop twist and turns and misdirections of the plot.
✔️ The fact this felt like an expose into the reality of mega influencer lives.
✔️ The questioning of societal norms around gender and identity.
✔️ The fast-paced, gripping and compulsive nature of the whole story.
✔️ The overall arc of nothing is not what it seems.
This is such a thrill ride of a read. That if you love a thriller you just can't put down set in the toxic world of influencers then this is the book for you! I loved it.
**Thanks to Instabook Tours for a copy of this book in return for an honest review**
September 12, 2022
This book was everything I didn't expect it to be. I went into this book thinking it will just be like any other young adult thriller and i was so wrong.
I was so encapsulated by the use of social media and influencers in this book that I was hooked from the start. I felt like I could easily relate to this book and even the characters themselves had a personality where you just had to feel bad for them. I felt especially drawn to Frida as a character, I felt her personality is so real and that I felt like I knew her.
Even though I guessed what would happen, I still found it incredibly exciting and knowing the climax did not ruin the book as a whole whatsoever.
I recommend this book if you are a fan of One of us is Lying!!!
I was so encapsulated by the use of social media and influencers in this book that I was hooked from the start. I felt like I could easily relate to this book and even the characters themselves had a personality where you just had to feel bad for them. I felt especially drawn to Frida as a character, I felt her personality is so real and that I felt like I knew her.
Even though I guessed what would happen, I still found it incredibly exciting and knowing the climax did not ruin the book as a whole whatsoever.
I recommend this book if you are a fan of One of us is Lying!!!
March 28, 2022
dead lucky depicts the dark repercussions and brutal honesty of what it takes and how it is to be a somewhat renowned social media influencer in this day and age. a job which thrives upon the 21st century, given the instant fame from a simple viral video/photo or a content planned so thoroughly that one soars to the top and known by all worldwide. a title which some bestow upon me and yet i have never felt i deserve such title or even having leveled up into this so-called “influencer” persona yet.
this book tells a story that goes way beyond what was curated by our digital influencers characters, xav, maxine, leni, and ed; their life behind the camera. what had gone down during the course of their friendship, the beginning of their fame and the events leading up to xav’s gruesome death that was streamed live on a platform for his viewers to see. now this i find is an interesting concept. it just shows how devastatingly sickening social media can be, how destructive it can be. be it physically or virtually it can harm both the content creator and the audience if things are not done thoughtfully and with caution.
cordani’s writing is so easy to digest and some sentences were so beautifully crafted that it can stand on its own without the initial context. the plot was interesting however it felt quite bleak at times in some chapters, leading to the story to feel dragged and boring. aside from that, good suspense build up but it would’ve been more exciting if it were more intense. all that taken into count, i rated this book a solid 3 for it’s interesting premise and yet however it was not quite satisfying enough for me. perhaps it will be for you hence this lengthy review. if this is your next planned read, i’m interested to see what you think of it, my friends.
my gratitude goes out to definitely books as always for graciously sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review 🤍
twitter ☆ instagram ☆ booktube
this book tells a story that goes way beyond what was curated by our digital influencers characters, xav, maxine, leni, and ed; their life behind the camera. what had gone down during the course of their friendship, the beginning of their fame and the events leading up to xav’s gruesome death that was streamed live on a platform for his viewers to see. now this i find is an interesting concept. it just shows how devastatingly sickening social media can be, how destructive it can be. be it physically or virtually it can harm both the content creator and the audience if things are not done thoughtfully and with caution.
cordani’s writing is so easy to digest and some sentences were so beautifully crafted that it can stand on its own without the initial context. the plot was interesting however it felt quite bleak at times in some chapters, leading to the story to feel dragged and boring. aside from that, good suspense build up but it would’ve been more exciting if it were more intense. all that taken into count, i rated this book a solid 3 for it’s interesting premise and yet however it was not quite satisfying enough for me. perhaps it will be for you hence this lengthy review. if this is your next planned read, i’m interested to see what you think of it, my friends.
my gratitude goes out to definitely books as always for graciously sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review 🤍
twitter ☆ instagram ☆ booktube
January 12, 2022
Wow! I absolutely LOVED this book! Each time I put it down I couldn’t wait to pick it back up again to find out more about the characters, learn their back story and most of all find out the answer to the question … who is The Face?!
Social media influencers Maxine, Leni, Ed and Xav are famous for sharing their lives on an app called PlayMii. When prankster Xav is murdered on camera during his live stream by a masked figure they call The Face his fans are in shock. Who would kill Xav and why? Secrets and lies start to unravel and the rumours about Xav having a secret file of secrets on PlayMii creators may actually be true!
Fast paced and compelling you are completely drawn into these characters lives and their world effortlessly almost like you’ve been fans of their channels for years. There are plenty of twists and turns along the way that will keep you guessing until the very end!
Dead Lucky also gives you plenty of food for thought about social media and the impact it can have both positively and negatively. I also loved how the book addressed issues such as privilege, mental health and bullying both online and off.
Andreina’s writing is sharp and immersive. Anew favourite author for sure! I can’t wait to read more in the future!
If you like twisty books, compelling characters, whodunnits, murder mysteries and a fascination action with the world of influencers then this book is for you!
Social media influencers Maxine, Leni, Ed and Xav are famous for sharing their lives on an app called PlayMii. When prankster Xav is murdered on camera during his live stream by a masked figure they call The Face his fans are in shock. Who would kill Xav and why? Secrets and lies start to unravel and the rumours about Xav having a secret file of secrets on PlayMii creators may actually be true!
Fast paced and compelling you are completely drawn into these characters lives and their world effortlessly almost like you’ve been fans of their channels for years. There are plenty of twists and turns along the way that will keep you guessing until the very end!
Dead Lucky also gives you plenty of food for thought about social media and the impact it can have both positively and negatively. I also loved how the book addressed issues such as privilege, mental health and bullying both online and off.
Andreina’s writing is sharp and immersive. Anew favourite author for sure! I can’t wait to read more in the future!
If you like twisty books, compelling characters, whodunnits, murder mysteries and a fascination action with the world of influencers then this book is for you!
April 21, 2022
Thank you to @instabooktours and @andreinacordani for the gifted copy for review.
Dead Lucky is a YA mystery set deep at the heart of the cutthroat world of social media influencing. One of the group we meet is murdered on camera by someone wearing a mask. Online sleuths using #WhoIsTheFace try and figure out whodunit and are ruthless with their opinions. The influencers all have something they want to keep hidden and someone will stop at nothing to keep that from happening. Maxine is also at the centre of trying to figure out who the killer is and if she and the others are safe.
Details of what it would be like to live online are well written. I know that I could never do it! It’s so much work and there is so much hate. We have seen ourselves where this can lead. People become something they are not or don’t want to be. No thanks!
The author is good at misdirection because you think you have an idea then it turns out wrong. The book has diverse characters and shows the struggles that different people go through. One of the twists was more the fact of how we perceive things in society. It made me think about why I assumed something when there was no reason to. You changed opinions of characters the more in to their story you went.
Overall this was a fast and easy read. It was enjoyable, well written and well researched. It contained a diverse group of characters which was great and I didn’t guess whodunit. If you like Karen M McManus then you’ll like Dead Lucky.
Dead Lucky is a YA mystery set deep at the heart of the cutthroat world of social media influencing. One of the group we meet is murdered on camera by someone wearing a mask. Online sleuths using #WhoIsTheFace try and figure out whodunit and are ruthless with their opinions. The influencers all have something they want to keep hidden and someone will stop at nothing to keep that from happening. Maxine is also at the centre of trying to figure out who the killer is and if she and the others are safe.
Details of what it would be like to live online are well written. I know that I could never do it! It’s so much work and there is so much hate. We have seen ourselves where this can lead. People become something they are not or don’t want to be. No thanks!
The author is good at misdirection because you think you have an idea then it turns out wrong. The book has diverse characters and shows the struggles that different people go through. One of the twists was more the fact of how we perceive things in society. It made me think about why I assumed something when there was no reason to. You changed opinions of characters the more in to their story you went.
Overall this was a fast and easy read. It was enjoyable, well written and well researched. It contained a diverse group of characters which was great and I didn’t guess whodunit. If you like Karen M McManus then you’ll like Dead Lucky.
January 13, 2022
Dead lucky by Andreina Cordani.
They are the influencers, the lucky ones. Gifted, gilded people who have everything - fame, respect, adulation, more freebies than they can ever unbox. Their lives, loves and feuds are shared with millions of fans on the streaming platform PlayMii, and they are living the dream.
A very good read with good characters. Great story and likeable characters. 4*.
They are the influencers, the lucky ones. Gifted, gilded people who have everything - fame, respect, adulation, more freebies than they can ever unbox. Their lives, loves and feuds are shared with millions of fans on the streaming platform PlayMii, and they are living the dream.
A very good read with good characters. Great story and likeable characters. 4*.
October 30, 2021
Dead Lucky is a book that tackles an area of which I have little knowledge and - if I’m being honest - regard with some bemusement…the life of the social media influencer. For those in the know, having millions of followers seems to offer some kind of affirmation and having a platform to share your views certainly encourages some. But what do you do when people aren’t listening? How do you maintain a following? How do you live your life immersed in your public persona without losing sight of yourself?
For so many, this is not an issue. But for many, the need to be liked on a public forum is compulsive. Dead Lucky encourages us to reflect, briefly, on the cost involved in cultivating such a persona. However, it focuses wholly on a group of teens who have found their niche and fully embraced this online lifestyle and all it involves. What can they learn?
From the outset, the focus is on shock value. One of the group, Xav, is murdered online. Immediately, people want to know what happened and are monitoring the reactions of those left behind. Will they work out who is behind the Face that killed Xav…or are they all in danger?
Part of the difficulty for me with this book was the reliance on caring about a group of people obsessed by how they appear on social media platforms. I can’t understand why they wouldn’t walk away when things stopped being fun. The shallowness of their lives was never challenged, and the confusion over the characters involved made it difficult (initially) to feel invested in what was happening. The adults involved were shadowy or neglectful through their own wants, and it felt like this need for public approval stemmed from some serious mental health and emotional issues. The scenario we were focusing on stemmed from an event that I can’t help but feel should have been addressed long beforehand.
I’m grateful to NetGalley for giving me access to this. Sadly, I don’t think I’m really the right person for it.
For so many, this is not an issue. But for many, the need to be liked on a public forum is compulsive. Dead Lucky encourages us to reflect, briefly, on the cost involved in cultivating such a persona. However, it focuses wholly on a group of teens who have found their niche and fully embraced this online lifestyle and all it involves. What can they learn?
From the outset, the focus is on shock value. One of the group, Xav, is murdered online. Immediately, people want to know what happened and are monitoring the reactions of those left behind. Will they work out who is behind the Face that killed Xav…or are they all in danger?
Part of the difficulty for me with this book was the reliance on caring about a group of people obsessed by how they appear on social media platforms. I can’t understand why they wouldn’t walk away when things stopped being fun. The shallowness of their lives was never challenged, and the confusion over the characters involved made it difficult (initially) to feel invested in what was happening. The adults involved were shadowy or neglectful through their own wants, and it felt like this need for public approval stemmed from some serious mental health and emotional issues. The scenario we were focusing on stemmed from an event that I can’t help but feel should have been addressed long beforehand.
I’m grateful to NetGalley for giving me access to this. Sadly, I don’t think I’m really the right person for it.
March 13, 2022
I received a copy of this book from the publishers. My review is voluntary and opinions are entirely my own.
Dead Lucky is a fun and refreshing YA thriller – gripping, fast-paced and full of suspense. I felt that Cordani’s use of misdirection was absolutely flawless. Even though there were clues scattered throughout, I had no idea who was behind the mask and was shocked by the big reveal.
I thought that the use of multiple POVs was done really well too. Sam’s POV was especially dark and unsettling which really increased the tension. When Sam was first introduced to the story, it was a little confusing but you quickly realise that there’s an alternative timeline in play so you’re trying to piece together the mystery using these glimmers of the past too which was a lot of fun.
I loved Maxine as a lead character. She’s very self-aware, knows her vulnerabilities and constantly questions how much of her is “real” at this point. As an influencer, her life is dictated by current trends and the need to constantly share every aspect of her life with her followers. It was an interesting perspective to see. And I think that many of us, having grown up online, will be able to relate to Maxine in that respect.
I highly recommend this to fans of Pretty Little Liars (book series or TV series) as well as fans of Karen M. McManus & Holly Jackson.
For more reviews, check out my blog - Cosy Chapters.
Dead Lucky is a fun and refreshing YA thriller – gripping, fast-paced and full of suspense. I felt that Cordani’s use of misdirection was absolutely flawless. Even though there were clues scattered throughout, I had no idea who was behind the mask and was shocked by the big reveal.
I thought that the use of multiple POVs was done really well too. Sam’s POV was especially dark and unsettling which really increased the tension. When Sam was first introduced to the story, it was a little confusing but you quickly realise that there’s an alternative timeline in play so you’re trying to piece together the mystery using these glimmers of the past too which was a lot of fun.
I loved Maxine as a lead character. She’s very self-aware, knows her vulnerabilities and constantly questions how much of her is “real” at this point. As an influencer, her life is dictated by current trends and the need to constantly share every aspect of her life with her followers. It was an interesting perspective to see. And I think that many of us, having grown up online, will be able to relate to Maxine in that respect.
I highly recommend this to fans of Pretty Little Liars (book series or TV series) as well as fans of Karen M. McManus & Holly Jackson.
For more reviews, check out my blog - Cosy Chapters.
December 6, 2021
I was super pleased to get my hands on an ARC of Dead Lucky by Andreina Cordani. I absolutely loved the book. It introduced me to the fascinating world of social media influencers which I don't know much about. I don’t want to give too much away with this review. I’ll say the novel is full of surprising plot twists, the characters are extremely well drawn out and the different points of view had me hooked from the start. The thriller element keeps you on the edge of your seat but what I loved most was the sensitive handling of serious issues such as mental health, racism, privilege, bullying and what it’s like to be a vulnerable young adult. I felt the characters were very relatable, and I liked they were all so authentic. There’s nothing I love more than being lost in a story and at the same time excited about a mystery and this book delivered on both counts! I highly recommend it!
January 16, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this book! The multiple POVs were really interesting and worked really well at slowly revealing different storylines. The second POV confused me a little at first but was effective in keeping me in suspense. I was definitely not expecting that ending but I love how it tied in. I also really liked the social media platform theme as it felt really current. Something else I enjoyed was the darker edge to the story and I thought the characters made an interesting group. I would recommend this to a friend for sure.
I really enjoyed this book! The multiple POVs were really interesting and worked really well at slowly revealing different storylines. The second POV confused me a little at first but was effective in keeping me in suspense. I was definitely not expecting that ending but I love how it tied in. I also really liked the social media platform theme as it felt really current. Something else I enjoyed was the darker edge to the story and I thought the characters made an interesting group. I would recommend this to a friend for sure.
February 5, 2022
Review Taken from The Pewter Wolf Reads
***eProof gifted by UK publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review/reaction***
Maxine, Leni, Ed and Xav are the lucky ones. The influencers who have it all: the followers, the wealth, the respect. But being The influencers on popular streaming platform PlayMii isn’t so perfect as they claim on screen. It’s broken Ed’s heart, ruined Leni’s friendships, leaving Maxine overwhelmed and for Xav… it ends in his murder as a masked figure walks into his apartment and stabs him to death on camera.
As the world reels from the shocking footage, remembering Xav as the guy with no filter, Maxine reminds a different Xav. One who could be cruel. But when Maxine realises that Xav had a secret file on his fellow creators – his so-called friends – that, if uploaded, could easily ruin their careers. And for someone, they are willing to do anything to keep them hidden, and they are watching Maxine very closely…
I like thrillers – that should come as no surprise to you all who have followed my reading over the past few years. The rest I say this is because I, mostly times, get the Twist. I see things coming and then I want the author to prove me wrong or deliver it in a way that makes my jaw drop. Now, I saw a few things coming in here, but I didn’t the Big Twist. I saw part of it, but not all of it so when it was fully revealed, I was shocked and delighted over how Andreina Cordani pulled it off.
Now, before I go any further, I would like to quick warn you guys about triggers as this book has a few. It has murder, attempted murder, toxic friendships (including mental/emotional manipulations and gaslighting), physical domestic abuse (past and mentioned), homophobia. I think there are others, but I advise you read other reviews to check.
This book is told in multiply POVs, but the main two are Maxine and Sam. Maxine from when she discovers the news of Xav’s death and her growth throughout the book, coming to terms with grief, her future and how she sees the world around her and realise that, while she is a social media star, she has no real agency in her life. Whereas Sam is told from before Xav, Maxine, Leni and Ed were famous and the events that happened before.
The POV works as it gives layers. It points out that all we know about social media influencers is what they put online. While the author doesn’t fully poke into social media, it does give an inside in how these influencers work and it’s hard for them to switch off as it’s a full time job. We notice this in the first few chapters were Maxine makes a friend and eats ice cream with them, only to realise afterwards that she didn’t take photos of her meal or social media it and this makes her hugely uncomfortable.
This might read like a fun, fluffy, almost summer-reading-by-the-pool, but it has a dark heart to it which makes us wonder How well do we know these people?. I think this would make a really interesting BBC Three/e4 thriller and fans of One of Us Is Lying and We Were Liars might want to have this on their radar…
***eProof gifted by UK publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review/reaction***
Maxine, Leni, Ed and Xav are the lucky ones. The influencers who have it all: the followers, the wealth, the respect. But being The influencers on popular streaming platform PlayMii isn’t so perfect as they claim on screen. It’s broken Ed’s heart, ruined Leni’s friendships, leaving Maxine overwhelmed and for Xav… it ends in his murder as a masked figure walks into his apartment and stabs him to death on camera.
As the world reels from the shocking footage, remembering Xav as the guy with no filter, Maxine reminds a different Xav. One who could be cruel. But when Maxine realises that Xav had a secret file on his fellow creators – his so-called friends – that, if uploaded, could easily ruin their careers. And for someone, they are willing to do anything to keep them hidden, and they are watching Maxine very closely…
I like thrillers – that should come as no surprise to you all who have followed my reading over the past few years. The rest I say this is because I, mostly times, get the Twist. I see things coming and then I want the author to prove me wrong or deliver it in a way that makes my jaw drop. Now, I saw a few things coming in here, but I didn’t the Big Twist. I saw part of it, but not all of it so when it was fully revealed, I was shocked and delighted over how Andreina Cordani pulled it off.
Now, before I go any further, I would like to quick warn you guys about triggers as this book has a few. It has murder, attempted murder, toxic friendships (including mental/emotional manipulations and gaslighting), physical domestic abuse (past and mentioned), homophobia. I think there are others, but I advise you read other reviews to check.
This book is told in multiply POVs, but the main two are Maxine and Sam. Maxine from when she discovers the news of Xav’s death and her growth throughout the book, coming to terms with grief, her future and how she sees the world around her and realise that, while she is a social media star, she has no real agency in her life. Whereas Sam is told from before Xav, Maxine, Leni and Ed were famous and the events that happened before.
The POV works as it gives layers. It points out that all we know about social media influencers is what they put online. While the author doesn’t fully poke into social media, it does give an inside in how these influencers work and it’s hard for them to switch off as it’s a full time job. We notice this in the first few chapters were Maxine makes a friend and eats ice cream with them, only to realise afterwards that she didn’t take photos of her meal or social media it and this makes her hugely uncomfortable.
This might read like a fun, fluffy, almost summer-reading-by-the-pool, but it has a dark heart to it which makes us wonder How well do we know these people?. I think this would make a really interesting BBC Three/e4 thriller and fans of One of Us Is Lying and We Were Liars might want to have this on their radar…
May 7, 2023
I received an ARC of this book thanks to NetGalley and publisher Little, Brown Book Group UK, Atom in exchange for an honest review.
What a great surprise this book was!
Dead Lucky is the story of Maxine, a content creator whose world gets turned upside down when a video of her fellow influencer Xav being murdered on camera is posted online. Her friends don't seem too interested by it but she is worried that there is more to the video than it seems, and so she decides to investigate with the help of her new friend.
I adore thrillers about influencers and I hoped this would be a fun read, but it ended up exceeding my expectations. Dead Lucky is the rare YA thriller which is actually very good, with interesting characters and a fun examination of what it means to be famous as a teenager. The story is split between Maxine struggling to investigate Xav's death while she juggles being famous and unhappy, and segments set in the past when all the characters originally decided to start a video channel. Maxine's struggles seem very genuine, and in fact all the characters as a whole are pretty grounded. This is something many YA thrillers fail at and it was part of what made the book so enjoyable.
The writing style is also a strength of this book, and it is surprisingly funny. Maxine had a strong voice as a narrating character and it made her really likeable.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this book if you find the blurbs of a lot of YA thrillers intriguing, but then find they never live up to those premises. This is a rare exception and is absolutely worth checking out as a result.
Overall Rating: 4/5 stars
What a great surprise this book was!
Dead Lucky is the story of Maxine, a content creator whose world gets turned upside down when a video of her fellow influencer Xav being murdered on camera is posted online. Her friends don't seem too interested by it but she is worried that there is more to the video than it seems, and so she decides to investigate with the help of her new friend.
I adore thrillers about influencers and I hoped this would be a fun read, but it ended up exceeding my expectations. Dead Lucky is the rare YA thriller which is actually very good, with interesting characters and a fun examination of what it means to be famous as a teenager. The story is split between Maxine struggling to investigate Xav's death while she juggles being famous and unhappy, and segments set in the past when all the characters originally decided to start a video channel. Maxine's struggles seem very genuine, and in fact all the characters as a whole are pretty grounded. This is something many YA thrillers fail at and it was part of what made the book so enjoyable.
The writing style is also a strength of this book, and it is surprisingly funny. Maxine had a strong voice as a narrating character and it made her really likeable.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this book if you find the blurbs of a lot of YA thrillers intriguing, but then find they never live up to those premises. This is a rare exception and is absolutely worth checking out as a result.
Overall Rating: 4/5 stars
January 8, 2022
I enjoyed reading 'Dead Lucky'. It had a tense atmosphere that revealed the pressure and toxic environment of the world of influencers.
Social media is discussed and used in many different ways throughout the book. Between maintaining a social presence in the face of a tragedy, all while helping a group of amateur enthusiasts try to solve the crime, the main character, Maxine, went through a lot. While coming to terms with the death of a once close friend, Maxine had to deal with her fading love for a community that built her to be the person she is.
Beyond the social media aspect of the plot, the story is well-told. Using multiple perspectives really worked to draw the plot together. The ending was a little predictable, but still well done. Maxine experienced real character growth, and her relationships end up stronger because of it.
It's the sort of book that doesn't require too much thought to read, the groundwork is fairly basic and it's definitely easy to follow. I wasn't a huge fan of some of the twists, but the author rounded them out nicely to make them a little more believable (even though some were quite far-fetched).
If you're looking for a fast-paced, thrilling, easy read, I recommend 'Dead Lucky'.
Social media is discussed and used in many different ways throughout the book. Between maintaining a social presence in the face of a tragedy, all while helping a group of amateur enthusiasts try to solve the crime, the main character, Maxine, went through a lot. While coming to terms with the death of a once close friend, Maxine had to deal with her fading love for a community that built her to be the person she is.
Beyond the social media aspect of the plot, the story is well-told. Using multiple perspectives really worked to draw the plot together. The ending was a little predictable, but still well done. Maxine experienced real character growth, and her relationships end up stronger because of it.
It's the sort of book that doesn't require too much thought to read, the groundwork is fairly basic and it's definitely easy to follow. I wasn't a huge fan of some of the twists, but the author rounded them out nicely to make them a little more believable (even though some were quite far-fetched).
If you're looking for a fast-paced, thrilling, easy read, I recommend 'Dead Lucky'.
March 27, 2025
3.5 ☆ finally a book for people who have a visceral reaction to don’t stop the party by pitbull
absolutely adored the premise of dead lucky!! the second i saw this on the shelf it felt like exactly my kind of story and i was super intrigued by the idea of a live-streamer/influencer murder mystery.
as i read i did feel a bit underwhelmed by some of the writing and characterisation. i think trying to capture gen z slang and mannerisms (especially with regards to an online space) is super difficult because of how fast moving the trends are and i’m yet to see any author nail it. as such the flow of the writing often felt jarring, and the dialogue and character actions ended up feeling exaggerated or disingenuous. unfortunately this did end up throwing me off quite a bit as i read and i never saw the characters as believable gen z teenage influencers.
other than that, i was really impressed by the pacing and the plot. i was able to get through most of this in one day and there were some twists i didn’t see coming. overall a super fun premise, just wish i got more from the character portrayals and the writing.
absolutely adored the premise of dead lucky!! the second i saw this on the shelf it felt like exactly my kind of story and i was super intrigued by the idea of a live-streamer/influencer murder mystery.
as i read i did feel a bit underwhelmed by some of the writing and characterisation. i think trying to capture gen z slang and mannerisms (especially with regards to an online space) is super difficult because of how fast moving the trends are and i’m yet to see any author nail it. as such the flow of the writing often felt jarring, and the dialogue and character actions ended up feeling exaggerated or disingenuous. unfortunately this did end up throwing me off quite a bit as i read and i never saw the characters as believable gen z teenage influencers.
other than that, i was really impressed by the pacing and the plot. i was able to get through most of this in one day and there were some twists i didn’t see coming. overall a super fun premise, just wish i got more from the character portrayals and the writing.
October 9, 2021
Dead Lucky is a young adult thriller about the murder of an influencer on camera and the secrets it unravels. Xav, Ed, Maxine, Leni, and Andy started a channel on PlayMii when they were in school, but now they've got separate fame and loyalties. When Xav is murdered in a video, Maxine wonders what she really knew about him and the others, who her connections to are fraying, and with the help of her new friend Frida, she tries to unravel what has happened with Xav and the secrets he had collected about other influencers.
This was a classic teenage thriller, with rivalries and dark secrets alongside ridiculous streaming platform drama. The narrative is as you'd expect, with a few red herrings and a revelation about the past as well as the present, but it is fun to watch it play out. There were some weird elements, like a character pretending to be a boy in an attempt to help a parent's mental health, and some threads that didn't seem to be resolved, but with the premise it felt like a trashy Netflix teen film that you could enjoy without thinking too much about.
This was a classic teenage thriller, with rivalries and dark secrets alongside ridiculous streaming platform drama. The narrative is as you'd expect, with a few red herrings and a revelation about the past as well as the present, but it is fun to watch it play out. There were some weird elements, like a character pretending to be a boy in an attempt to help a parent's mental health, and some threads that didn't seem to be resolved, but with the premise it felt like a trashy Netflix teen film that you could enjoy without thinking too much about.
Read
January 16, 2022Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free ARC in exchange for a review.
This is a very fast paced read! It’s super influenced by the YouTube/Instagram generational experience, but from the side most of us will never experience.
There are a lot of plot twists and turns, some more far fetched than others, but Cordani mostly rounds them out to make them believable.
I felt like the one thing missing from this was some sort of commentary around the “true crime podcast” genre of content. With a major murder mystery, I wanted it to start in on the danger and exploitation of people who capitalize off of public murders/mysteries. That would have felt more accurate to the plot than “internet celeb culture bad”, which is a pretty common and explored idea already.
It did remind me a bit of The Amateurs series by Sara Shepard, which I felt delved a bit more into that true crime community vibe.
Three stars.
This is a very fast paced read! It’s super influenced by the YouTube/Instagram generational experience, but from the side most of us will never experience.
There are a lot of plot twists and turns, some more far fetched than others, but Cordani mostly rounds them out to make them believable.
I felt like the one thing missing from this was some sort of commentary around the “true crime podcast” genre of content. With a major murder mystery, I wanted it to start in on the danger and exploitation of people who capitalize off of public murders/mysteries. That would have felt more accurate to the plot than “internet celeb culture bad”, which is a pretty common and explored idea already.
It did remind me a bit of The Amateurs series by Sara Shepard, which I felt delved a bit more into that true crime community vibe.
Three stars.
June 1, 2022
This opened up with a bang! It was full of twists and turns, throwing suspicion on everyone.
The characters were likeable, I really felt for Maxine and was shouting for her to speak up. Some of the twists I also didn't see coming - some I did, but even those were done in a different way to what I was expecting.
I didn't understand why they liked Xav so much, or rather stayed loyal to him. I couldn't see the charm. There were also a few side characters I struggled to keep track of.
Overall, a great YA read that makes you really think about the impact social media can have.
*I received a complimentary copy of the e-book from InstaBookTours and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
The characters were likeable, I really felt for Maxine and was shouting for her to speak up. Some of the twists I also didn't see coming - some I did, but even those were done in a different way to what I was expecting.
I didn't understand why they liked Xav so much, or rather stayed loyal to him. I couldn't see the charm. There were also a few side characters I struggled to keep track of.
Overall, a great YA read that makes you really think about the impact social media can have.
*I received a complimentary copy of the e-book from InstaBookTours and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
April 17, 2024
I really enjoyed this! It was a random Book outlet purchase, but it worked out. It's about four influencers on an app called Playmii in the UK: Ed, Maxine, Leni and Xav. When Xav is murdered live on camera, Maxine is given the task of finding a file of secrets he was keeping about his fellow creators, or else.
I enjoyed the author's writing style, the pace of the story and the commentary on what life is like for influencers. Each character is given a distinct voice and the book has mental health and LGBTQ representation. I didn't figure out who did it, so that was fun. I would recommend this to people who like murder mysteries and books about influencers and/or online culture.
I enjoyed the author's writing style, the pace of the story and the commentary on what life is like for influencers. Each character is given a distinct voice and the book has mental health and LGBTQ representation. I didn't figure out who did it, so that was fun. I would recommend this to people who like murder mysteries and books about influencers and/or online culture.
September 29, 2021
Sadly this just wasn't the right book for me. I love reading books about influencers, I think the whole culture is as fascinating as it is ridiculous, but this didn't click. The characters were all terrible and annoying, and I didn't enjoy the mystery aspect. Even the big 'reveal' didn't amaze me...it was more of a 'huh. ok' moment.
I hope this does really well, I think it will find an audience, it's just not the right one for me.
I hope this does really well, I think it will find an audience, it's just not the right one for me.
January 27, 2022
So, I ended up reading this book in 1 day. It's short, easy to read, and gripping. Do I wish it was longer so that we got a bit more insight to the other characters? Yes, but the story delivered what it promised. A murder mystery. I did not expect the end twists and I did enjoy getting there, even if it is a little far-fetched. I give this book 4.5 stars rounded up.
Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
October 3, 2022
I'm sorry but this book is not for me.
The characters are shallow and the writing often feels repetitive/draggy. Despite my best efforts and interest in influencers and the dark side to all their glitz and glam, I couldn't keep my attention on the story too. Overall, Dead Lucky reads like a trashy Netflix teen murder mystery show which is entirely not my preference.
The characters are shallow and the writing often feels repetitive/draggy. Despite my best efforts and interest in influencers and the dark side to all their glitz and glam, I couldn't keep my attention on the story too. Overall, Dead Lucky reads like a trashy Netflix teen murder mystery show which is entirely not my preference.
November 30, 2022
This book is sooooooo good! I recommend to anyone who likes murder mysteries or anyone who’s trying to get into this genre. So many crazy plot twists that were mostly unpredictable. The chapters switch between other characters povs. This was book was insaneeeee. 5/5
June 13, 2023
Fairly well written I just didn't like any of the characters enough to care about them. I think I'm unfortunately caught in the gap where I'm young enough to notice certain aspects of online culture that aren't right without being young enough to engage with the aspects that it does get right
April 10, 2025
I gave this book 3. It really did go on & on in parts and I guessed most of it before the end. It does not take a brain. But I read it despite all its shortcomings. It is easy to read and easy to skip. Something at times which is just right for a book. Will I read him again ? Yes
July 16, 2022
If you love books that are unpredictable and hard to guess what happens next then you need to read Dead Lucky. It's an original and fascinating page turner.
February 9, 2023
An excellent YA murder mystery with well-written believable characters and just the right hint of menace in the closing sentences
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