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4.12 AVERAGE
4.12 AVERAGE
**4-4.5/5**
TW for: rape, sexual assault/abuse, death, animal abuse mentioned, animal killing (on a farm), really, really heavy topics, sexual innuendos, underage drinking
This book has me feeling...a lot of things. Both good and bad, and lots of that was intended by the author and the topic of the book. I think Alex, specifically, was a really good central character and her POV chapters were always interesting and her tone was so...different from normal characters not just in this book, but also in others as well. She had a unique and tortured mind that I think could have maybe had a bit more of a dig into to really understand how dangerous of a mind she had. The other characters, Jack and Claire (Peekay), that had the POV chapters were also really strong and had growth that made the book have a tinge of hopefulness. Really could have done without the cow killing in such description, though. That was a bit much.
I will say that I wish I had known about some of the TWs before going into the book because it was really !!!! just a lot to take in. I also think that some of the situations were a bit hyperbolic; the amount of sexual innuendos that were able to pass by students and just some of the kind of exaggerated teenage actions made some parts of the story a bit unbelievable and made the ending not...I don't know. I'm not a fan of the ending for plenty of reasons, but I think, also, McGinnis making the rapists/assaulters the stereotypical sort of trope of either a drug addict or someone really creepy that you would think would do that was also kind of a stretch. The majority of rapists (90% - as Officer Nolan said in the beginning) are people the victim knows and are also able to get away with it for a bit because of the mask of charm and familiarity. So I think that aspect could have been portrayed a lot better for a stronger delivery.
I did enjoy Alex's POV on other girls, specifically Branley, and how she told Claire, "you were weak, and that's what mattered." Because it is. Rape isn't about looks or what you're wearing or anything like that; it's about power and if you appear weak that's what rapists want. I really liked that the author had that so definitively in there because most people would expect Branley to be raped based on how she presented herself, but often times rapists don't want the "easy girl" because she won't struggle and she won't let them have power or control they want.
There were a lot of good quotes/moments within the book that really tugged at me that I enjoyed. The scene with Sara, Claire and Claire's parents made me cry because it was just really genuine and not what you'd expect from the preacher.
TW for: rape, sexual assault/abuse, death, animal abuse mentioned, animal killing (on a farm), really, really heavy topics, sexual innuendos, underage drinking
This book has me feeling...a lot of things. Both good and bad, and lots of that was intended by the author and the topic of the book. I think Alex, specifically, was a really good central character and her POV chapters were always interesting and her tone was so...different from normal characters not just in this book, but also in others as well. She had a unique and tortured mind that I think could have maybe had a bit more of a dig into to really understand how dangerous of a mind she had. The other characters, Jack and Claire (Peekay), that had the POV chapters were also really strong and had growth that made the book have a tinge of hopefulness. Really could have done without the cow killing in such description, though. That was a bit much.
I will say that I wish I had known about some of the TWs before going into the book because it was really !!!! just a lot to take in. I also think that some of the situations were a bit hyperbolic; the amount of sexual innuendos that were able to pass by students and just some of the kind of exaggerated teenage actions made some parts of the story a bit unbelievable and made the ending not...I don't know. I'm not a fan of the ending for plenty of reasons, but I think, also, McGinnis making the rapists/assaulters the stereotypical sort of trope of either a drug addict or someone really creepy that you would think would do that was also kind of a stretch. The majority of rapists (90% - as Officer Nolan said in the beginning) are people the victim knows and are also able to get away with it for a bit because of the mask of charm and familiarity. So I think that aspect could have been portrayed a lot better for a stronger delivery.
I did enjoy Alex's POV on other girls, specifically Branley, and how she told Claire, "you were weak, and that's what mattered." Because it is. Rape isn't about looks or what you're wearing or anything like that; it's about power and if you appear weak that's what rapists want. I really liked that the author had that so definitively in there because most people would expect Branley to be raped based on how she presented herself, but often times rapists don't want the "easy girl" because she won't struggle and she won't let them have power or control they want.
There were a lot of good quotes/moments within the book that really tugged at me that I enjoyed. The scene with Sara, Claire and Claire's parents made me cry because it was just really genuine and not what you'd expect from the preacher.
This was good! Very thought provoking, and I liked how thrilling it was despite being a contemporary. It kind of reminded me of Sadie by Courtney Summers.
Wow! This is definitely one of the most powerful books I've read this year.
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Picked this up for my book club. The theme was feminine rage and while this book did have that, it had too much of a love story focus for me. If the part of the description about rape culture deters you from reading it, note that there aren’t any horrific descriptions but there is a lot of trauma and some milder scenes discussed. Definitely would avoid it if sexual assault is a trigger for you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Minor: Sexual assault
How have I gone this long without reading a book by Mindy McGinnis?
This book destroyed me. I don't even know how to properly review it.
I loved the Alex and Peekay friendship. I loved Alex as a character.
The last thing I was expecting was that ending, but I feel like there really wasn't another way for this story to end.
5 stars. Definitely recommend, definitely going to devour every other book by this author.
This book destroyed me. I don't even know how to properly review it.
I loved the Alex and Peekay friendship. I loved Alex as a character.
The last thing I was expecting was that ending, but I feel like there really wasn't another way for this story to end.
5 stars. Definitely recommend, definitely going to devour every other book by this author.
RATING: 3 stars
Me: cool, it's batgirl! Kick-ass, dude!
Also me: damn, insta-love... why? WHYYYY?
Also me: why is everything so freaking rushed?
Also me: yea, well want rushed? I can't connect with the characters.
Also me: I have the notion that I should be weeping at the ending, but I can't make myself care all that much. I did cry in that part about the puppies tho.
So, basically, great idea, but everything was so rushed I had no time to connect to the characters, they had no time to gain depth and the story had no time to take off. Superficially explored themes of rape culture, sexism and pedophilia. I'll say that the author was successful in showing how rape culture is so pervasive and it's just in the little things.
Could have been a really "food-for-thought" kind of book. It just felt confusing and a jumble. Just wasn't for me, I guess.
Me: cool, it's batgirl! Kick-ass, dude!
Also me: damn, insta-love... why? WHYYYY?
Also me: why is everything so freaking rushed?
Also me: yea, well want rushed? I can't connect with the characters.
Also me: I have the notion that I should be weeping at the ending, but I can't make myself care all that much. I did cry in that part about the puppies tho.
So, basically, great idea, but everything was so rushed I had no time to connect to the characters, they had no time to gain depth and the story had no time to take off. Superficially explored themes of rape culture, sexism and pedophilia. I'll say that the author was successful in showing how rape culture is so pervasive and it's just in the little things.
Could have been a really "food-for-thought" kind of book. It just felt confusing and a jumble. Just wasn't for me, I guess.
dark
emotional
reflective
This is Heathers crossed with Dirty Weekend, except not nearly as good as that sounds.
Man, this book was heavy. But completely worth the read. I had so many emotions - well mainly anger, sadness, and disgust, but also some other positive emotions mixed in there and it swept me up and into this world that is very much like our own.
TW: sexual assault, rape, violence
TW: sexual assault, rape, violence