The Mary Shelley Club is a book about a group of horror fanatics, all a little twisted in the head (some more than others), who gather to watch horror movies and play extreme pranks called Fear Tests, but something weird is happening...

This book reminded me that I love horror and really need to continue consuming more of it. The characters in this book were complex, but also interesting. Our main character was pretty much your stereotypical main character (shy and awkward), but still had her own feature characteristics that made me enjoy her company. Although awkward at times, she was still twisted in her own way, and stronger for it.

Freddie has always seemed a little creepy to me, so I was able to spot that he'd be the BBEG about 90 pages in, but it still made for a good read. It was interesting seeing him through our unreliable narrator's eyes as he made often creepy remarks.

I loved her best friend, and she was for sure my favorite character. Everyone in this book felt realistic, and as if I could see them clearly walking past me one day.

Plot-wise, it was done really well. Even though I suspected and was correct on certain things, other definitely surprised me, but still made sense. The pacing was done well, and I ended up getting hooked on this book. Definitely fun to play detective.

One thing that bothered me was how it was said that everyone had their own secrets but it was never revealed. I'd be alright if this was a series, but it's not so. I'm curious, okay. Still, that was pretty minor.

The writing was good in a way that it didn't bother me, but it didn't stand out to me. At certain points, our main character would monologue for a few paragraphs about what they've been doing in the meetings, or certain characteristics about the supporting cast. We heard about characters talking to each other, sharing stuff with each other, having fun with each other, but we never saw it. Y'know, show not tell.

One thing I would've liked was more actual cute moments between her and Freddie. Or her and anyone other than her dead best friend.  Even though the whole Freddie thing was fake, any actual cute moments might have thrown me off for a bit, but it was just bland.

Overall, it was an enjoyable book that I'd recommend to people who love creepy YA novels and the sense of a secret club only you're allowed in.