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saragrochowski's review
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
5.0
I’ve been reading Courtney Summers’ YA novels since 2008, the year her debut “Cracked Up to Be” was published and the last year of my own teens. There are only a handful of authors whose work I feel is always exactly what I need before I even realize I need it; that leaves me feeling seen and empowered despite the emotional devastation on the page. After that first book, I hoped there would be more from Summers and every year or so I’m excited and relieved to spot a new book announcement. Over the years my appreciation for Summers’ dedication to confronting and deconstructing the way society and those in power continually fail and victimize girls and young women has grown.
On September 13, her tenth book, “I’m the Girl,” will hit shelves. Inspired by the Epstein trial and other instances of abuse, this book is about power, agency, identity, and our need for love and acceptance. It is not an easy read. It will make you uncomfortable. It should make you uncomfortable.
I wish I had had “I’m the Girl” when I was in my teens, but I am so incredibly glad it exists today and hope it provokes honest and necessary conversations amongst teens and the trusted adults in their lives despite - and because of - that discomfort.
📚 “I’m the Girl” by Courtney Summers / Ages 14 & up / Available 9/13 from Wednesday Books
On September 13, her tenth book, “I’m the Girl,” will hit shelves. Inspired by the Epstein trial and other instances of abuse, this book is about power, agency, identity, and our need for love and acceptance. It is not an easy read. It will make you uncomfortable. It should make you uncomfortable.
I wish I had had “I’m the Girl” when I was in my teens, but I am so incredibly glad it exists today and hope it provokes honest and necessary conversations amongst teens and the trusted adults in their lives despite - and because of - that discomfort.
📚 “I’m the Girl” by Courtney Summers / Ages 14 & up / Available 9/13 from Wednesday Books
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Violence, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Rape, Murder, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Incest
clarereadstheworld's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
I found this book deeply disturbing.
I really struggled to identify with the main character, who was so desperate for any tiny scrap of validation from the male gaze that she was totally blind to how grossly she was being manipulated and abused by those around her. I know this kind of thing happens in real life, and it's important to have books and discussions about it, but I felt the writing, much like the main character was sorely missing in depth and maturity.
Not only this, I think it would be a rather dangerous book from the impressionable younger audience it seems to be written and marketed to. Seriously, do not let younger girls read this book, and even as a full grown semi mature adult I wouldn't really recommend it either.
I really struggled to identify with the main character, who was so desperate for any tiny scrap of validation from the male gaze that she was totally blind to how grossly she was being manipulated and abused by those around her. I know this kind of thing happens in real life, and it's important to have books and discussions about it, but I felt the writing, much like the main character was sorely missing in depth and maturity.
Not only this, I think it would be a rather dangerous book from the impressionable younger audience it seems to be written and marketed to. Seriously, do not let younger girls read this book, and even as a full grown semi mature adult I wouldn't really recommend it either.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Drug use, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Murder, Rape, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Toxic relationship
thebookstagrambabe's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
What the F*ck did I just read? The only way I can describe the book as is ICKY! The trigger warnings are in abundance. I can't believe this is a book marketed towards young adults. I can't even summarize this book because it just felt so messy and disjointed and not in a good way. Im not gonna lie, I was attracted to the cover and the blurb sounded somewhat interesting so I requested this on Netgalley. I hadn't read any of the authors other work but her other books seemed to have good ratings.
This book had one too many plots and was way too graphic. It seemed to glorify abusing beautiful women and there really is no resolve to this book. We just find out what happens and then fade to black. Like WHAT?! There is no conclusion here. No, she finds out and tries to stop it. Basically this book is just a big middle finger to woman and to tell them don't even try to help because the bad guys are always gonna win and the people you think are good guys aren't. Maybe I'm just too bright eyed, but this book was just not it.
Thanks to the publisher for an ALC in return for an honest review. This book releases 9/13
This book had one too many plots and was way too graphic. It seemed to glorify abusing beautiful women and there really is no resolve to this book. We just find out what happens and then fade to black. Like WHAT?! There is no conclusion here. No, she finds out and tries to stop it. Basically this book is just a big middle finger to woman and to tell them don't even try to help because the bad guys are always gonna win and the people you think are good guys aren't. Maybe I'm just too bright eyed, but this book was just not it.
Thanks to the publisher for an ALC in return for an honest review. This book releases 9/13
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Infidelity, Gore, Death, Rape, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Murder, Misogyny, Gaslighting, Death of parent, Classism, and Adult/minor relationship
lrcartee's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Georgia Avis wants more from life. She feels she deserves more and is determined to have more no matter the stakes. To Georgia, the epitome of making it is to become an “Aspera girl”. Aspera is an elite resort for the rich and famous surrounding by mystery and secrets. When Georgia is offered a job there, the secrets begin to unravel.
I love Courtney Summers books. I love how she tackles difficult subjects and brings them to light. I wanted to love this book. I did not. There were so many plot points that it was very hard to decide how to write a synopsis. Was it about Georgia’s obsession with the resort and the people who run it? Was it the fact Georgia found the dead body of a 13 year old girl and trying to solve the mystery of what happened to her? Was it about trying to spotlight a young girl’s naïveté and thereby unable to see the dangers that lurked around her? I don’t know! It was all those things and didn’t do any of them particularly well. It was too disjointed and because of that nothing really resolved. As for character development, there was none. Georgia wandered in and out of so many traumatic experiences seemingly learning nothing from any of them. She became very trying.
The blurb for this book says it’s about Georgia and her friend trying to find out what happened to her friend’s sister. To me this was secondary. In my opinion, it was more about Georgia fulfilling her dreams no matter the cost and sometimes stumbling upon something about the murder case, usually by being in situations from very poor decision making.
Another reviewer wrote that the entire book was a giant trigger warning and I agree. They were all represented, rape, child molestation, grooming, human trafficking, murder, suicide, drug use, classism and more. For me, the book needed more cohesion. As I said I have loved Summers other books but this one, for me, was just too all over the place.
I love Courtney Summers books. I love how she tackles difficult subjects and brings them to light. I wanted to love this book. I did not. There were so many plot points that it was very hard to decide how to write a synopsis. Was it about Georgia’s obsession with the resort and the people who run it? Was it the fact Georgia found the dead body of a 13 year old girl and trying to solve the mystery of what happened to her? Was it about trying to spotlight a young girl’s naïveté and thereby unable to see the dangers that lurked around her? I don’t know! It was all those things and didn’t do any of them particularly well. It was too disjointed and because of that nothing really resolved. As for character development, there was none. Georgia wandered in and out of so many traumatic experiences seemingly learning nothing from any of them. She became very trying.
The blurb for this book says it’s about Georgia and her friend trying to find out what happened to her friend’s sister. To me this was secondary. In my opinion, it was more about Georgia fulfilling her dreams no matter the cost and sometimes stumbling upon something about the murder case, usually by being in situations from very poor decision making.
Another reviewer wrote that the entire book was a giant trigger warning and I agree. They were all represented, rape, child molestation, grooming, human trafficking, murder, suicide, drug use, classism and more. For me, the book needed more cohesion. As I said I have loved Summers other books but this one, for me, was just too all over the place.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Car accident, Classism, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Grief, Trafficking, Toxic relationship, Suicide, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Death of parent, and Drug abuse
blueeyedshook's review
Maybe the timing of my reading this book just wasn’t it. Maybe I’m not the biggest fan of Summers storytelling style (though her writing is beautiful).
But what I do know is that this is not a book I would recommend a teen. And the point of the book is to get an important message across to teens. But instead of teaching a valuable lesson and imparting a message, because of Georgia’s naïveté I feel like the message is more harmful.
It is also just a painful, disturbing book to read. Like make me physically ill. And I can only count a handful of books that have done that to me.
I just think it’s a bit too gritty and graphic for YA.
But what I do know is that this is not a book I would recommend a teen. And the point of the book is to get an important message across to teens. But instead of teaching a valuable lesson and imparting a message, because of Georgia’s naïveté I feel like the message is more harmful.
It is also just a painful, disturbing book to read. Like make me physically ill. And I can only count a handful of books that have done that to me.
I just think it’s a bit too gritty and graphic for YA.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Lesbophobia, Sexual violence, Sexual content, Sexism, Cursing, and Physical abuse
bookcrushin's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This book fucked me up. Not sure that’s a good or bad thing? All the content warnings. Be informed. Wonderfully crafted and written but this dark, suspenseful story isn’t for everyone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Child abuse, Classism, Sexual harassment, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Sexual content, Car accident, and Death
Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Rape, Blood, Suicide, Violence, and Abandonment
Minor: Cancer, Gun violence, Lesbophobia, and Terminal illness
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