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4.12 AVERAGE
4.12 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
There are spoilers ahead, but if you only read one book this decade please let it be this one there are so many important messages. I think it should be read in every high school, end of story.
Seriously this book should be taught, there are so many important messages not just about feminism and rape culture but also regarding alcohol and drug use, and very valid fears of moving on. Like yes, you love to hate the place and it is small and stifling and you see the same people you’ve always seen and you’re completely over it, but at the same time when the reality hits that you’re actually going to be leaving…you find that you’re going to miss the place. I think that particular coming of age and embracing the changes this time brings was really well done.
I also like that through working in an animal shelter we get to explore the title origins and who Alex is. While talking about dogs she mentions to Claire (PK –Preacher’s Kid) that while people think male dogs are more aggressive, the females are actually worse due to this desire they have to protect the womb –their brood. And that is basically Alex, she is a protector, a defender, and also a murderer and I’m not sure I really agree with this part of her character because she killed her first person at 14 and while completely justified that is also ridiculously intense, and I am a bit over all the ‘real world’ teen books that have these just…completely inept and absent parents that allow the protagonist to go and do whatever. I’m grateful for Claire and Jack’s families for that, Jack’s aren’t really present but do help him as much as they can, but Claire’s family is solid and they really do support her and have the hard conversations and it just feels more genuine. Also deals with teenage heartbreak and the real intensity of those feelings very well without making it overblown, and without dismissing the validity of these feelings.
I am 110% here for books like this one. The messages in it (minus vigilante justice because while yeah, there are a bunch of people who have done absolutely atrocious things and are walking around free while people I know are emotional and mental wrecks because of what these cretins did to them, murder is wrong) not only need to be heard loud and clear, and disseminated in as many forms of media/in accessible forms of media as possible, but are also genuinely good and well-presented and heck, may even get through to people. Like, it isn’t “cool” to be a feminist in a lot of circles as you’re a party pooper and it was “just a joke” and whatever but this novel literally shows you that it isn’t just a joke: the first someone makes a joke about probably being raped almost is raped and is only saved by another girl shooting the guy. While doing that it also shows you three completely different girls, from different “walks” of high school life all supporting other girls when it really matters, and realising that they need to start supporting, not shaming, one another. So not only are we bringing down rape culture, but we’re raising young women up and I am so here for that. I can’t sing the praises of this book enough, read it and get a copy for every, absolutely every single high school, college, and university aged girl you know.
ON that note there is some seriously heavy content and while I checked 13-15 it may be better for 14+? I don’t know the maturity of 13 year olds, and there is a lot of sex, talking about sexual violence, some actual sexual violence, slut shaming and name calling, heavy alcohol use, and clear reference to drug use. And every bit of it is excellent read this book.
Seriously this book should be taught, there are so many important messages not just about feminism and rape culture but also regarding alcohol and drug use, and very valid fears of moving on. Like yes, you love to hate the place and it is small and stifling and you see the same people you’ve always seen and you’re completely over it, but at the same time when the reality hits that you’re actually going to be leaving…you find that you’re going to miss the place. I think that particular coming of age and embracing the changes this time brings was really well done.
I also like that through working in an animal shelter we get to explore the title origins and who Alex is. While talking about dogs she mentions to Claire (PK –Preacher’s Kid) that while people think male dogs are more aggressive, the females are actually worse due to this desire they have to protect the womb –their brood. And that is basically Alex, she is a protector, a defender, and also a murderer and I’m not sure I really agree with this part of her character because she killed her first person at 14 and while completely justified that is also ridiculously intense, and I am a bit over all the ‘real world’ teen books that have these just…completely inept and absent parents that allow the protagonist to go and do whatever. I’m grateful for Claire and Jack’s families for that, Jack’s aren’t really present but do help him as much as they can, but Claire’s family is solid and they really do support her and have the hard conversations and it just feels more genuine. Also deals with teenage heartbreak and the real intensity of those feelings very well without making it overblown, and without dismissing the validity of these feelings.
I am 110% here for books like this one. The messages in it (minus vigilante justice because while yeah, there are a bunch of people who have done absolutely atrocious things and are walking around free while people I know are emotional and mental wrecks because of what these cretins did to them, murder is wrong) not only need to be heard loud and clear, and disseminated in as many forms of media/in accessible forms of media as possible, but are also genuinely good and well-presented and heck, may even get through to people. Like, it isn’t “cool” to be a feminist in a lot of circles as you’re a party pooper and it was “just a joke” and whatever but this novel literally shows you that it isn’t just a joke: the first someone makes a joke about probably being raped almost is raped and is only saved by another girl shooting the guy. While doing that it also shows you three completely different girls, from different “walks” of high school life all supporting other girls when it really matters, and realising that they need to start supporting, not shaming, one another. So not only are we bringing down rape culture, but we’re raising young women up and I am so here for that. I can’t sing the praises of this book enough, read it and get a copy for every, absolutely every single high school, college, and university aged girl you know.
ON that note there is some seriously heavy content and while I checked 13-15 it may be better for 14+? I don’t know the maturity of 13 year olds, and there is a lot of sex, talking about sexual violence, some actual sexual violence, slut shaming and name calling, heavy alcohol use, and clear reference to drug use. And every bit of it is excellent read this book.
I can’t believe I read something like this in one day. I remember reading something by Mindy McGinnis years ago, A Madness So Discreet, and the beginning was so horrific, I had to put the book down.
With The Female of the Species I went in expecting a narrative that would explore revenge and show a perspective that would come from Alex’s satisfaction from killing, but this was a story that explored rape culture from three different perspectives wonderfully. I was so sucked into the world that I read this book in one sitting.
Alex is easily one of the most interesting characters I’ve read about this year. Not only is her inner struggle shown with her actions, but she was also one of the best representations of fighting slut shaming and internalized misogyny. Her character being exposed to the world with Peekay (Claire) by her side was one of the best relationships the novel had.
I did feel the romantic storyline came from nowhere. I just didn’t see Alex’s character being one to fall in love with the first boy she becomes involved with. But I can’t even say that it took away from the characters, and I don’t even have proper suggestions on how it could’ve been “better”.
The conclusion is so raw that it makes you wonder if a different ending would’ve ever fit the story. I will definitely be checking out McGinnis’s other works. Recommended if you enjoy gritty storytelling with almost dark humor and normalization mixed in with its tones.
With The Female of the Species I went in expecting a narrative that would explore revenge and show a perspective that would come from Alex’s satisfaction from killing, but this was a story that explored rape culture from three different perspectives wonderfully. I was so sucked into the world that I read this book in one sitting.
Alex is easily one of the most interesting characters I’ve read about this year. Not only is her inner struggle shown with her actions, but she was also one of the best representations of fighting slut shaming and internalized misogyny. Her character being exposed to the world with Peekay (Claire) by her side was one of the best relationships the novel had.
I did feel the romantic storyline came from nowhere. I just didn’t see Alex’s character being one to fall in love with the first boy she becomes involved with. But I can’t even say that it took away from the characters, and I don’t even have proper suggestions on how it could’ve been “better”.
The conclusion is so raw that it makes you wonder if a different ending would’ve ever fit the story. I will definitely be checking out McGinnis’s other works. Recommended if you enjoy gritty storytelling with almost dark humor and normalization mixed in with its tones.
If you want edgy and a potentially crazy book, then this is it! After hearing Mindy McGinnis speak at AASL and talk about why she writes makes an effort to write books that could be potentially banned, I was curious and had to start reading them immediately. “Female of the Species” doesn’t disappoint. The main character, Alex, deals with trauma of her sisters murder through committing murder herself in what reminds me of a “Dexter”-sequence vendetta, but that isn’t the main focus of the story. You’ve got three teens, Alex, Jack (who she starts dating), and Peekay (who she becomes friends with) all have entwining stories about the struggles of teens and potential issues they may run into and even though it may sound far-fetched, all of these issues are real things that kids deal with... this book does a good job in telling those stories.
Actual vote: 4.5
Okay.
I just finished the book, so this review may be a little affected by my (not so stable) emotional state right now. First thing, I'm going to put here some of my favorite quotes about the book and then do a little review:
“My life is made of these tiny maps, my paths always steady as I move inside a constricted area, the only one I should ever be allowed to know.
My violence is everywhere here.
And I like it.”
“And you don’t want to, I get it. It’s a small town. The person behind the wheel is your buddy. The person who touched you is your best friend’s cousin, is your parent’s coworker, is someone everybody trusts so no one is going to believe you. But I’ll believe you.”
“But boys will be boys, our favorite phrase that excuses so many things, while the only thing we have for the opposite gender is women, said with disdain and punctuated with an eye roll.”
“I’m telling you, Claire. It doesn’t matter. What you were wearing. What you look like. Nothing. Watch the nature channel. Predators go for the easy prey.”
“it’s not the sheep that call to me, but the other wolves. I want to run with them, so that I may tear out their throats when they threaten my flock. But I can’t return to the sheep with blood on my breath; they will shy away from me.”
So, I started this book because I didn't know what to read and the cover was super catchy (don't judge a book by his cover buy hey, it helped). I didn't actually know it dealt with sexual assault and rape colture but thinking about it now, I am happy this was the first book I read about the subject.
It's brutal. In every sense. Emotionally and physically as well. There are some really violent and strong parts so be aware if that can be a trigger for you. Personally, those were some of my favourite parts, but it's just how my mind works. They were so beautifully described it almost hurts.
.
The characters, especially Alex, broke my heart and gave me hope at the same time, making me reflect about what's good and bad and cruel and rightous.
The girlXgirl friendship was adorable and I LIVE for the "girls supporting girls" concept, that was everywhere in this book.
It gave me a better window on what rape colture and slut shaming really is and how difficult, ardous and long the process to dismantle it, and what we mean with what in sociology is called "the spiral of silence".
AND THE ENDING, bear with me because I didn't expect it and I'm still trying to work around it. Thinking about it though, it was a good ending for this story. Painful, but good.
Not giving it 5 stars for two reasons:
1. the lack of good rep? I mean we have one lesbian character but i would have like more lgbtq and poc rep.
2. I think at times it was a little too rushed, especially the alex/jack thing. I mean alex is a girl who doesn't want to be touched and have iron walls around her but they go out once and they make out like that? I don't know, I just feel like Alex opening up to people was at time a little too rushed.
But read it, it's worth it.
Okay.
I just finished the book, so this review may be a little affected by my (not so stable) emotional state right now. First thing, I'm going to put here some of my favorite quotes about the book and then do a little review:
“My life is made of these tiny maps, my paths always steady as I move inside a constricted area, the only one I should ever be allowed to know.
My violence is everywhere here.
And I like it.”
“And you don’t want to, I get it. It’s a small town. The person behind the wheel is your buddy. The person who touched you is your best friend’s cousin, is your parent’s coworker, is someone everybody trusts so no one is going to believe you. But I’ll believe you.”
“But boys will be boys, our favorite phrase that excuses so many things, while the only thing we have for the opposite gender is women, said with disdain and punctuated with an eye roll.”
“I’m telling you, Claire. It doesn’t matter. What you were wearing. What you look like. Nothing. Watch the nature channel. Predators go for the easy prey.”
“it’s not the sheep that call to me, but the other wolves. I want to run with them, so that I may tear out their throats when they threaten my flock. But I can’t return to the sheep with blood on my breath; they will shy away from me.”
So, I started this book because I didn't know what to read and the cover was super catchy (don't judge a book by his cover buy hey, it helped). I didn't actually know it dealt with sexual assault and rape colture but thinking about it now, I am happy this was the first book I read about the subject.
It's brutal. In every sense. Emotionally and physically as well. There are some really violent and strong parts so be aware if that can be a trigger for you. Personally, those were some of my favourite parts, but it's just how my mind works. They were so beautifully described it almost hurts.
.
The characters, especially Alex, broke my heart and gave me hope at the same time, making me reflect about what's good and bad and cruel and rightous.
The girlXgirl friendship was adorable and I LIVE for the "girls supporting girls" concept, that was everywhere in this book.
It gave me a better window on what rape colture and slut shaming really is and how difficult, ardous and long the process to dismantle it, and what we mean with what in sociology is called "the spiral of silence".
AND THE ENDING, bear with me because I didn't expect it and I'm still trying to work around it. Thinking about it though, it was a good ending for this story. Painful, but good.
Not giving it 5 stars for two reasons:
1. the lack of good rep? I mean we have one lesbian character but i would have like more lgbtq and poc rep.
2. I think at times it was a little too rushed, especially the alex/jack thing. I mean alex is a girl who doesn't want to be touched and have iron walls around her but they go out once and they make out like that? I don't know, I just feel like Alex opening up to people was at time a little too rushed.
But read it, it's worth it.
dark
sad
medium-paced