couldn't stick with it. the first one was 'okay'. ( )

Reviewed by Jocelyn Pearce for TeensReadToo.com

MERI STRIKES BACK is a continuation of the story introduced in HAZING MERI SUGARMAN. Meri Sugarman, evil sorority president whose downfall was brought about by Cindy Bixby and her friends, is back. Criminal charges against her amounted to nothing but a few hours of community service to be done. This time around, Cindy is being set up so that her sorority sisters will think she's the crazy one, instead of psychopath Meri.

Meri's not alone this time, either. Even though her old vice-president, Gloria, is in prison, Meri has gotten the help of some evil Catholic schoolgirls--miniature Meri Sugarmans. With their help, Meri's plan is working. Everyone sees Meri as the victim, and Cindy as the crazy girl who just won't forgive poor, apologetic Meri Sugarman. Only Cindy knows the truth, and she's got to convince her friends, the Dean of the college, and the rest of Alpha Beta Delta that Meri's just as dangerous as she ever was.

Readers of HAZING MERI SUGARMAN will love its sequel! It might be even more hilarious than book number one. The great characters are back as well. The only reason this book might not live up to the very high expectations set by the first book is the ending. MERI STRIKES BACK ends in a way that is very obviously setting it up for a continuation. Cindy's last diary entry hardly wraps up any loose ends, and even creates several more questions. Certainly, I'm glad there will be another story, but it would be nice if each book was also a story in itself, not just a continuation of one long story. HAZING MERI SUGARMAN stands on its own very well, but this novel, unfortunately, does not.

Still, though, it's a great read that is not to be missed! It's not entirely necessary to have read HAZING MERI SUGARMAN first, though it is recommended (certainly don't read that one after reading this one; there are a lot of spoilers). MERI STRIKES BACK is a fairly quick read that will have readers anxious for the next book about Meri and Cindy, DARK CINDY. ( )