Hysteria cover

Reading Metrics

Grade Level Upper Grades (UG 9-12)
Book Level 4.2
Points 10.0
Fiction/Nonfiction Fiction
Word Count 71810
Points per Word 0.000139
Page Count 326
Points per Page 0.030675

Description

After stabbing and killing her boyfriend, sixteen-year-old Mallory is sent away to a boarding school to escape the gossip and threats, but someone or something is following her. The plot contains profanity, graphic violence, and gore.

Quick Summary

From the first page, Hysteria grabs you with its claustrophobic atmosphere and a protagonist you can't ignore Mallory is a sixteen-year-old still reeling from a violent act she committed, and the story follows her as she's shipped off to a boarding school that feels more like a gilded prison. The book mixes sharp, realistic teenage dialogue with moments of genuine dread, especially when a mysterious presence begins tracking her through the halls and grounds, turning every creak and whisper into a potential threat. Readers who enjoy dark, twisty YA like We Were Liars or The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer will appreciate the way the narrative balances raw emotional stakes with a pulse-pounding mystery. Parents should be aware that the novel is packed with profanity, graphic violence, and gore, so it's best for older teens who can handle intense content and who are interested in stories about trauma, guilt, and survival. If you're looking for a book that feels like a modern gothic thriller with a gut-punch ending, this one will keep you turning pages late into the night.