I have enjoyed every book written by Sharon (S.J.) Bolton that I've read, especially her Lacey Flint series, and I thought it was high time to read another. For a change of pace, I decided to listen to the audiobook version of The Pact, and I'm glad I did.

To be blunt, this book is about a bunch of spoiled brats. Five of them have been allowed to do whatever they want without fear of consequences. They're oh-so-special, you see. Destined by birth for Great Things, don't you know? Only the sixth member of the group, Megan, has any idea of how the real world works because she's the scholarship girl, not a member of the rich and shameless class. (Gee, you can't tell where my sympathies lie, can you?) Watching this group sweat bullets to weasel their way out of any responsibility is a master class in privilege-- and totally maddening. Earlier, I said that I was glad that I listened to the audiobook version of The Pact, and it's all due to the narrator, Hanako Footman. Footman gives the five spoiled brats the plummy, posh accents that rich, entitled British children would have, and hearing those world-weary, entitled, slightly whiny voices made me want to throw all of them in prison cells and throw away the key.

Yes, the only thing that was keeping me engrossed in The Pact was my intense desire to make sure that these five brats got their just desserts. Bolton had me completely invested in the outcome of her book. The only thing that marred that outcome is the fact that I guessed the twist at the end well in advance, but The Pact still kept my interest throughout, and I certainly didn't feel cheated.

Now I think I'll read something with some likable characters... ( )

I have read all books by Sharon Bolton and up to yet have not been disappointed. This book follows six friends who all go to a private school. Dan, Xav, Tal, Felix, Amber and Megan spend their time together and are all looking forward to bright future. A teenage dare goes horribly wrong and the friends make a pact.

So the premise is not nothing new, other books out there where friends promise to stick together. Sharon Bolton however delivers a tale which is very compelling and with a few twists along the way.

I did find some of the decisions made to be a bit unbelievable and do think perhaps there were other sensible options available, but the story is a work of fiction and a thriller so gives what is perhaps expected.

I always enjoy books by Sharon Bolton and will read more as they are released. I do highly recommend the Lacy Flint series to anyone who wishes to try books by the this author. ( )

This was extremely good. Despite the despicable actions of the various characters, both in the past and the present day, the author was able to make the reader sympathize at times with their plight. The plot was very well-constructed, so that there were no good options for any character unless they wanted to implicate the others, and it was hard all the way through to work out what Megan was really thinking. The ending was excellent.

Highly recommended. ( )

The Pact is the story of six school friends at a private school in Oxford. Five of them fit in perfectly and are living the life they feel entitled to live. The sixth, Megan, is a scholarship student and whilst the others have taken her into their group there's always a sense of her being slightly out of place. A stupid daredevil prank leaves their future lives dangling by a thread until Megan saves them, agreeing to take the blame as long as they do something for her when she is released from prison.

This premise was one that I loved. What a brilliant idea from Sharon Bolton. The five, Talitha, Xav, Amber, Felix and Daniel, go on to live successful lives and although for some of them Megan is always there in the background, others pretty much forget about her, and so when she's released it becomes a nightmare situation for them as she starts to call in her favours.

I found The Pact to be a really thrilling read. There is brilliant plotting, a dilemma, great characters, some of whom are slightly more likeable than others, and plenty of twists and turns. I flitted between rooting for Megan to being quite scared by her, and there were some surprises in the behaviour of the characters that I just didn't expect. If you think you know what is happening in this book then think again. I loved that about it.

Bolton is such a brilliant writer. I'd read any of her books without a thought. The Pact is a tense ride (in more ways than one). It's a story of the power of friendship and whether it can endure, and the barriers between the over- and under-privileged of this world. I think for me it highlighted how a split second stupid decision can ruin not only your own life but others as well in a ripple effect. Think carefully before you think you are invincible. I loved this exciting and shocking book. ( )