Choker by Elizabeth Woods
YA
January 4, 2011
Hardcover, 240 Pages
Simon & Schuster Children

Reviewed by Tori

Favorite Quote: “You think you’re safe. But you’re wrong. You’re so wrong.”

Cara is a young high school student who exists on the fringe. Neither popular nor beautiful, she is often the target of ridicule. An unfortunate choking incident garners her the nickname “choker” and the assaults against her begin fresh. Cara has reached her end point when her best friend from 5th grade appears at her house begging sanctuary from an abusive step father. Cara helps hide Zoe and this reunion results in Cara slowly emerging from her shell and capturing the attention of her crush.

When Cara’s two top tormentors turn up dead, Cara begins to suspect that Zoe isn’t being honest with her and finds herself wondering just what her best friend is capable of.

Choker is a psychological suspense thriller that twists and turns through misdirection and deception. Ms. Woods does a fabulous job of “vocalizing” the emotional tightrope that Cara walks everyday. Miserable at school and at home-Cara just wants to be accepted. As each new character is introduced, I couldn’t help but compare them to those I went to school with. The characters here hit dead on in their personalities as we meet the elusive jock, his manipulative girlfriend, her cruel friends and those that interact with Cara everyday without really seeing her. They bring a realism to the story that furthers your attraction.

When Zoe arrives we see an instant difference in Cara. She becomes more open and willing to expose herself. She facilitates the meeting of her crush, Ethan, and becomes more out going in other aspects. As their relationship progresses you’re cheering Zoe on thinking, “She is just what Cara needs-a true friend.” They are such polar opposites-each bringing something unique and needed to the table. But as you read further, you sense something isn’t right. A rotting smell under a blanket of flowers. Cara and Zoe’s friendship starts out normal but morphs into something very disturbing. Zoe is extremely forceful and manipulative while Cara is passive and shy. You see an intenseness between them that surpasses a simple friendship.

When one girl is found dead and another is missing, Cara begins to realize that something is not right with Zoe. The shift in the story from a simple YA contemporary to a suspenseful thriller is very subtle but striking. I found the balance between Cara’s romance with Ethan and her relationship with Zoe to be almost prophetic in its telling.

The ending comes at you hard and fast and left this reviewer stunned. I never saw it coming and when it slapped me in the face I was in awe over how well Ms. Woods managed to hide it all in plain sight.

All in all found this to be well written and engaging story. I felt like I was watching a movie unfold before me and there was no way I was pausing it. A wonderful debut from author Elizabeth Woods. I will definitely be looking towards her for future stories.

Rating: B+

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