A very readable story in the hands of an experienced writer. Recommended * Thornton Rigg * the book delivered much more than I even anticipated * Book Mad Blog * The pacing and plot development is brilliantly executed and will have you on the edge of your seat, desperate to find out what happens next until the very last page, I couldn't put it down once I'd started. There's a brilliant twist at the end, I won't spoil it but trust me, It's a good one! I can't recommend this book enough, it's definitely in my top ten 2017 reads and I'll definitely be buying a finished copy when it's out. * Fantastic Book Dragon * STAGS is a pacey and well-plotted young adult story that champions outsiders and questions out-dated viewpoints in a constantly evolving world. It makes for an entertaining standalone novel but a sequel wouldn't be unwelcome. * Culture Fly * MA Bennett is brilliant at keeping the reader in suspense. * Book Murmuration * Students will love this as it also has a hint of romance without being intrusive for boy readers. Hailed as the new Hunger Games, it reminded me more of The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier. A good read. * Reading Zone * I read and finished this book in just a day only putting it down for food. It was absolutely gripping and interesting, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and I didn't want to put it down whatsoever and I wasn't let down by my anticipation for it which was good! * Niffler Reads * Part traditional, part modern, thriller and boarding school drama, with echoes of everything from Agatha Christie to The Hunger Games, this really is a wonderful mosaic of a novel. * Nudge-Book * MA Bennett reinvigorates the boarding-school thriller... This is a darkly compelling examination of the allure of privilege, and the unscrupulous means by which it preserves itself. * The Guardian * S.T.A.G.S is a thrilling and thoroughly enjoyable YA novel with dark undertones. A fun mystery thriller that sheds light on issues surrounding class and society. Highly recommend. * The Book Bag * a gorgeous and compelling romp * Irish Times * Good and twisty and definitely unique... if you're looking for something creepy and autumnal to read, I'd recommend S.T.A.G.S. * The Cosy Reader * a well-written take on a piece of classic literature, packed with reasonably three-dimensional characters, and an interesting underlying plot full of twists and turns * Bookbag * Readers who enjoyed M A Bennett's unnerving S.T.A.G.S will love her second YA novel - a modern take on William Golding's haunting classic Lord of the Flies. The Island takes seven students from a prestigious school, each one fitting a particular stereotype - from the jock to the cheerleader to the emo - and strands them on a desert island after their plane crashes. Bennett packs in plenty of psychological drama and pop culture/literature references, resulting in a fun and absorbing castaway tale * Culturefly * Just enough clues to keep the reader one step ahead... a gripping follow-up to STAGS * Daily Mail * A multi-layered, thought provoking book with a good deal to say about the world in which we find ourselves * Books For Keeps * A gripping and twisty thriller that also covers some important issues in a thoughtful but very enjoyable way * Times Education Supplement * Chock-full of literary and pop culture references, this is a gripping look at social status, power and adolescent psychology that thankfully never becomes as utterly bleak as Lord of the Flies * Inis Reading Guide * This contemporary take on Lord of the Flies provides an excellent consideration of human dynamics and the intozicating nature of power. This is a perfect read for teens looking for character driven adventures * The School Librarian *