This book was interesting through out and held my attention. The hostage situation was tense and I wanted to keep reading to see what would happen next. I liked the growing relationship of Sera and Hudson. Ariel's growing feelings for the gardener seemed forced. The alternating point of view between Sera and Ariel was a little confusing at times. I was so caught up in the story, that I wouldn't notice the new chapter, and would lose track of who was narrating. This book does seem a little too violent for younger kids, but high school and up should enjoy it. ( )

The last 9 months and 4 days have been horrible for Sera. Her ex-best friend Ariel turned against her, leaving her friendless and alone her senior year. It didn’t take long for Ariel to spread the word that she was a backstabber, forgetting that Sera had a reason for doing what she had to do that fateful day during their junior year. Read the rest of the review on my blog "Should I Read it or Not?" (by the way, are you following my blog?): http://shouldireaditornot.wordpress.com/2014/07/31/the-girl-in-the-wall-daphne-b...
( )

First of all, I don't have any idea - even a slightest one - what this book is all about. I openly admitted a long time ago that I am a cover snob. I add books based on their covers and I really don't read the blurbs (sometimes I read, but most of the time NOT). So when I got this one, I really love the cover, it's pretty but yes, I don't have ANY idea that this book is about a birthday party gone wrong.

I don't even know what to say about this. Well, okay, the story is good although it is not my type of book, really. I don't really dig Mystery or Suspense Contemporary stories. But I must say that it is interesting, just a bit long. Oh, I know who is the culprit when I reach about 50% or something. I know who staged all that stuffs.I didn't even suspect the person they thought of. I don't know HOW I know, it's just the feeling. Maybe I've watched too much Sherlock Holmes.

The development of the characters are okay. But I'm a bit sad about what happened to Nico. I am not sure how to tell things about this book since it really is not my cup of tea. But yes, I did finished it. I would recommend this book to people who likes Mystery and Suspense and a bit slow paced book. ( )

Daphne Benedis-Grab really knows how to deliver a good dramatic plot full of nail-biting moments! The Girl in the Wall is told in alternating point-of-views between the main characters, Sera and Ariel. The story is fast paced, suspenseful and shocking!

It starts with Sera, who has been disowned by her best friend, Ariel, and everyone at school because she actually did something right. Even though Sera knew what the consequences were going to be, she knew that she couldn't ignore the warning signs anymore and had to do what she did. It's been really hard not having any friends for the last couple of months. But in her heart, she knows that if she had to do it all over again, she would. And that my friends, makes Sera a very strong and courageous character, a true friend.
Ariel was Sera's best friend since they were in grade school. Their families have known each other Not being a part of Sera's life has been difficult, but she knows how stubborn and spiteful Ariel can be, and wonders if Ariel will ever forgive her. Especially since Sera's father is forcing her to go to Ariel's 17th birthday party - the party of the year - hoping that Sera and Ariel will be able to mend their friendship.
So when Ariel's party starts off with a huge bang during Hunter's performance (literally) and the entire senior class is taken hostage and Ariel goes missing - Sera knows where Ariel is. Will Sera and Ariel be able to put their differences aside and trust each other to save everyone in time???

This book was the ultimate page-turner! The writing and plot are really good - I could picture the scenes in my mind perfectly. I would highly recommend it just for that. But, that's all it had. The characters and their chemistry felt flat to me. They weren't engaging enough. Their emotions did not reach me. They seemed mechanical most of the time. Maybe it was the situation that they were in - Sera couldn't exactly have a break down in front of the gunmen who would then find out how much Sera knew Ariel, Ariel's family and the house. And Ariel, who is in hiding, didn't exactly have time nor the place to dwell on her feelings to the situation. But the brief moments that they were allowed to show how they were truly feeling really lacked something. Also, the relationship between Ariel and Hunter didn't click for me. To me, he was just a guy that was there, who helped and that was it. Could have been any other guy. Not a memorable supportive character - and those are usually the characters that I look for and tend to fall in love with. And then the other supportive character that I did like, was around enough... and the ending, well, it hurt me. I would have liked to have had more of a bittersweet ending...
Also, what Sera did to Ariel - through a teens eyes, I can understand the hurt and betrayal that Ariel must have felt. And she had every right to be angry. But to take it to the max and turn the entire school against Sera just seemed wrong, and unrealistic to me. There has to be at least one or two people who would have understood and sympathized with Sera, right?!
And the violence - I understand that this was a hostage situation and that things happen. But for me, personally, there was just too much of it. The methods that were used were just so cold-hearted... I just don't know. As a mom, I just wasn't comfortable with it.

Overall, if you're looking for a suspenseful quick read, this is definitely one for you to jump on.
But I will say this again, I truly believe that this is a book for a more mature teens and up. ( )

Courtesy of FSB Associates, LLC through Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.

It's Ariel's birthday weekend party bash with a private concert by a rock star Hudson Winter, all of Ariel's elite prep school friends are invited including her ex-best friend Sera who isn't looking forward to the party and her classmate's who don't really like her. Sera use to be Ariel's best friend until she betrayed Ariel behind her back. So Sera attends this weekend party full of people that don't really like her, despite being one of the most hated girls in schools.

But when Ariel's party turns into a hostage situation and Ariel hides in the tunnels in the wall, Sera becomes the only person in the house as a hostage that knows where Ariel is hiding.

Let me just say, when I was done and over reading this book I was like.. What did I just read? I liked this book as much as I hated it. Of course reading The Girl in the Wall during the current events in the wall kind of made It difficult to read at times, but it had a powerful effect. That of course did not stop me zipping through the book. It was raw with emotion and flooded me with grief, anger and excitement. The story does know how to keep your attention, as it did make me want to see what happens in the end.

The end on the other hand happened too fast. Somethings happened that didn't make sense nor would it work logically in a real situations. Of course what happened to some of the kids left a bitter taste in the mouth. I was really rooting for Ariel in the end, even if I couldn't relate to the girl. I was glad that at least throughout the story, in a way her character had grown. At first she was kind of spoiled and self centered, and didn't even know the name of the man that worked in her house for years. But the events in the book changed her character, made her a little more tolerable. So what happened to Ariel in the end, made me angry and sad.

I did like Sera, and since this story was a point of view between the two girls, she was actually the more enjoyable one to follow. She was easy to like, being the odd girl out. I felt sorry for her that she had to undergo what she did simply because she was trying to save her best friends life. Thought I was glad when she met Hudson, the two of them were really great in the book.

I didn't really know how to rate this book, but I think what I gave it was fair enough. It was at times, a little disturbing, and there was a time that it was great. It was filled with suspense and a hint of mystery. Either way, it kept me interested until the very end. ( )