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smalltownbookmom's review against another edition
3.0
A twisty YA mystery/thriller set in a posh private academy with a toxic Gossip Girls' style gossip/bullying app. Lia is the new girl in school there on a track scholarship, feeling like the odd one out she stumbles on some dark secrets about both her teacher and classmates. The narration was great, the story kept me entertained and I liked the focus on Asian American characters/experiences. Recommended for fans of The firekeeper's daughter or Ace of spades. Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advance review copies in exchange for an honest review.
carolineelaine's review against another edition
3.0
This book was good, it had all the right amounts of suspense and intrigue, as well as a likable main character but the ending was obvious for me when I reached half-way in the book. I didn't agree with some of the main characters decisions but I felt she handled herself nicely given the situations she was in. I also loved how the author made you feel the guilt the main character felt. Im not gonna go too into detail about why she was guilty because, ya know, spoilers. This book just didnt reach the expectations I had for it. It was decent, just unpleasing in my humble opinion. Wow I just wrote the most boring review ever. Like I didnt even say one sarcastic thing. Then again Im writing this right after I finished It Ends With Us, (Colleen Hoover) and that book was so good that Im now in a reading slump and my brain feels fuzzy. Okay. I feel like a turd for mentioning a really good book in another books review, but... I dont know anymore. Im gonna go take a nap.
chefs kiss???
chefs kiss???
thanosthebeag's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
mellabella's review against another edition
2.0
This starts off a little slow.
Lia transfers to a very posh new school named Drayton on a track scholarship. The other kids there are very rich. She is not.
Most of the new kids are heinous (especially the schools current track star). But she makes a few friends and, meets a boy named Danny who understands who she is culturally. Lia's dad was Indonesian Chinese. Her mom is Chinese and her dads side were against the pairing. The book references the prejudice Chinese people face from Indonesian Chinese people throughout.
Lia's grades have to stay good in order for her to stay at Drayton. Enter a problematic English teacher named Mr. Werner. His class is unbelievably hard. Pretty soon not only is Lia facing all kinds of bullying on the schools gossip app (Drayton Dirt aka "DD") but, she's in danger of losing her scholarship due to a poor grade.
It turns out Mr. Werner is doing shady sh*t that only his rich students are benefitting from. A student named Sophie (who had been kicked out) turns up dead in his office. Lia is at a crossroads. Mr. Werner is Danny's uncle by marriage. They're close. But she's also in danger of being kicked out due to Mr. Werner.
A few things here.
I need to know how dare Lia storm into the room (on her high horse) of one of the few friends she had on some self righteous BS
You'll figure things out early on.
Stacey needs a spin off.
2.5-3 stars. Lia became more annoying as the book went on. As did Danny.
I loved The Obsession. Jesse Sutanto is an awesome author. I'm definitely going to check out her other books, regardless.
Lia transfers to a very posh new school named Drayton on a track scholarship. The other kids there are very rich. She is not.
Most of the new kids are heinous (especially the schools current track star). But she makes a few friends and, meets a boy named Danny who understands who she is culturally. Lia's dad was Indonesian Chinese. Her mom is Chinese and her dads side were against the pairing. The book references the prejudice Chinese people face from Indonesian Chinese people throughout.
Lia's grades have to stay good in order for her to stay at Drayton. Enter a problematic English teacher named Mr. Werner. His class is unbelievably hard. Pretty soon not only is Lia facing all kinds of bullying on the schools gossip app (Drayton Dirt aka "DD") but, she's in danger of losing her scholarship due to a poor grade.
It turns out Mr. Werner is doing shady sh*t that only his rich students are benefitting from. A student named Sophie (who had been kicked out) turns up dead in his office. Lia is at a crossroads. Mr. Werner is Danny's uncle by marriage. They're close. But she's also in danger of being kicked out due to Mr. Werner.
A few things here.
I need to know how dare Lia storm into the room (on her high horse) of one of the few friends she had on some self righteous BS
Spoiler
AFTER killing someone?You'll figure things out early on.
Stacey needs a spin off.
2.5-3 stars. Lia became more annoying as the book went on. As did Danny.
I loved The Obsession. Jesse Sutanto is an awesome author. I'm definitely going to check out her other books, regardless.
ava_a07's review against another edition
3.5
My second time reading for a book club. After this reread I realize how dumb Lia, the main protagonist, is. She just does really ignorant stuff that made me visibly angry at this book. It was still fun though.
booksaremypeople's review against another edition
4.0
As a huge fan of Dial A for Aunties, I was eager to read this young adult novel, which, according to the author’s notes, looks as though it was written before Dial A for Aunties. This is the story of Lia, an Indonesian American, who procures a spot at the coveted Draycott Academy in Northern California under a track scholarship. The days she arrives on campus she witnesses police hauling away an Asian student who is kicking and screaming, no longer a student. But now Lia has moved into her room. On the surface, Draycott looks beautiful and feels safe, but Lia soon learns about DD short for Draycott Dirt, an online platform where students can anonymously spread gossip about one another. Before she’s had a chance to settle in, someone wants Lia gone and she’s has been dragged into the school’s dark underbelly rife with morally corrupt adults, drug dealers and liars. This dark and entertaining novel explores friendship, identity, class, race and bullying. Thank you to Sourcebooks and Netgalley for the advanced review copy of this book.
gorgi's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
the book was good, there was a big plot twist at the end. and i liked it
jamiedee24's review against another edition
5.0
Holy. Crap.
I was expecting the usual teen drama with some clear boundary pushing. But this book was a new take on an old trope and kept my attention the entire time. Intrigue and deception. Love and loss. Anger. Greed. What are you willing to do to have it all? I love this new author and will definitely be reading more from her soon. Asa former track athlete, it DOES get crazy. Not THIS crazy, but it was fun having some background knowledge on the sport and the author clearly did her research before writing about it. Private school isn't for the weak!
I was expecting the usual teen drama with some clear boundary pushing. But this book was a new take on an old trope and kept my attention the entire time. Intrigue and deception. Love and loss. Anger. Greed. What are you willing to do to have it all? I love this new author and will definitely be reading more from her soon. Asa former track athlete, it DOES get crazy. Not THIS crazy, but it was fun having some background knowledge on the sport and the author clearly did her research before writing about it. Private school isn't for the weak!