Scan barcode
annierosebel's review against another edition
5.0
This is powerful stuff.
As usual when I read YA, I've got to acknowledge that I am not the target audience for this book.
It's a heavy read - but I'm actually so glad today's teenagers have books that talk about porn, disordered eating, and social media in such an honest and accessible way.
Every time I read YA I am reminded of how rough teenagers have it and how strong we demand they be.
I think this book is clever. It's engaging and enjoyable to read, while talking about feminist issues like 'choice' and violence against women and girls - and without pitting girls and women with different points of view or experiences against each other. It really highlighted how misogyny and patriarchy cause all of the girls and women to suffer, and how complicit men and boys become though not questioning the reality presented to them.
Holly Bourne writes well, and you find yourself drawn to both protagonists, regardless of who you perhaps relate to more.
I was also so glad to see some queer representation, as well as some (admittedly light) acknowledgement of intersectionality with Vanessa being Black.
I was really pleased that the end acknowledges that this is contemporary fiction written using dystopian language. I think it's a very clever way to make a story about the current reality accessible and less threatening, with a good explanation at the end.
I don't really have a sense of what age this would be appropriate for - I unfortunately think girls younger than ever are probably exposed to porn and appearance pressures - but I hope young women find it and are reassured and encouraged to act in their best interests.
As usual when I read YA, I've got to acknowledge that I am not the target audience for this book.
It's a heavy read - but I'm actually so glad today's teenagers have books that talk about porn, disordered eating, and social media in such an honest and accessible way.
Every time I read YA I am reminded of how rough teenagers have it and how strong we demand they be.
I think this book is clever. It's engaging and enjoyable to read, while talking about feminist issues like 'choice' and violence against women and girls - and without pitting girls and women with different points of view or experiences against each other. It really highlighted how misogyny and patriarchy cause all of the girls and women to suffer, and how complicit men and boys become though not questioning the reality presented to them.
Holly Bourne writes well, and you find yourself drawn to both protagonists, regardless of who you perhaps relate to more.
I was also so glad to see some queer representation, as well as some (admittedly light) acknowledgement of intersectionality with Vanessa being Black.
I don't really have a sense of what age this would be appropriate for - I unfortunately think girls younger than ever are probably exposed to porn and appearance pressures - but I hope young women find it and are reassured and encouraged to act in their best interests.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Medical content, Eating disorder, Misogyny, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Sexism
The book contains discourse about pornograohy and violent sexual content.lissycr's review against another edition
reflective
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
A great message and really cleverly put together, either I misunderstood something though or Joni was just a bit judgmental at points considering her whole standpoint, then again nobody is perfect and it is a fucked up world they live in. I just found myself looking more forward to Bella’s chapters and seeing her journey more especially as she began to realise what Joni was opening her eyes to and confront how she really felt about all this propaganda. The end also felt like the perfect choice, if slightly upsetting, for a piece of realistic (based) fiction like this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Sexual assault and Misogyny
Minor: Eating disorder
pernillelsk's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Body shaming, Gaslighting, Bullying, Sexual assault, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual harassment, Domestic abuse, Dysphoria, Fatphobia, Abandonment, Sexism, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Medical trauma
freyathefridayfairy's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma, Fatphobia, Eating disorder, Medical content, Sexual violence, Body shaming, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Sexism, and Misogyny
Moderate: Domestic abuse
alexisaflop's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I love holly Bourne and I always care so much about her characters. I enjoyed this book and the development of the characters but I wish the ending was a little longer. I want to see Joni and belles reaction past their sort of primal reaction at the end. I love the closure Joni got but don't love how belle didn't get that same closure (I would love to see the decisions they both make in light of the events at the end of the book as I think that would show how much they have developed).
I enjoyed how Bourne touched on some intersectionality and I think I would love this book more if it had a sequel.
I enjoyed how Bourne touched on some intersectionality and I think I would love this book more if it had a sequel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Bullying, Sexual harassment, Domestic abuse, and Sexism
thoughtsofastar's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book is so valuable. It talks of all the ways girls and women are subjected to violence, abuse and inequality. In a Doctrine-obsessed town, Belle lives a life that does not belong to her, a life where all money and time is spent on making sure she looks Pretty. But for Joni, life is different. She does not follow the rules of the Doctrine, but her life isn't easier because of it. She's ignored and laughed at for her brilliant ideas and wisdom and hopes. When Belle finally sees her, their lives change for good. Uprooted from the Doctrine and spun into a completely new, realer person Belle can finally accept her life has not been perfect, and with Joni at her side, she's finally ready to do something about it. But their town isn't ready for this uprising, and no matter who they are or how they look, it's always the girls who must pay.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Domestic abuse and Pedophilia
amber_bookworm's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
What a book to start the year with. Powerful, evocative, an excellent read. The only thing that stopped me from rating 5 stars was some of the linguistic choices at times by the author which felt a bit jarring. Would definitely recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
Moderate: Fatphobia, Body shaming, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Dysphoria, Medical trauma, Toxic friendship, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, and Sexism
goatsrsexy's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Okay this book was definitely giving Barbie (movie) in a lot of ways. 1. It was an entertaining and interesting story that had something to say. 2. The social commentary was 100% right and told in an accessible way. 3. It was not made for people who already care about this stuff.
I'm not saying if you're educated on feminist and gender equality you won't like this book. It's a good book, but I was definitely left disappointed that it didn't take things a little further or hit a little harder. The potential was definitely there, but so were the cringy monologues.
I'm not saying if you're educated on feminist and gender equality you won't like this book. It's a good book, but I was definitely left disappointed that it didn't take things a little further or hit a little harder. The potential was definitely there, but so were the cringy monologues.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
leah08855's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Rape, Bullying, Sexual content, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Body shaming, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Medical content, and Toxic friendship
rosiebethreads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I really think this book would have benefited from a glossary, I’m an adult reader and sometimes was a bit confused by the word swapping. If the aim here is to introduce teens to the patriarchal society we live in I do think we should use those words - empower through language!
I also found some of the swaps counterproductive - calling p*rn “smut” for example I feel moralises romance that includes sex on page often coequally known by romance readers as, smut. I also am not completely on bored with the cause-and-effect message created of porn = teenagers to abuse one another it’s a bit video games make people violent.
Moreover, I would have loved to have seen a girl who sat somewhere in between a pretty and an objectionable - what happens when only some things are negotiated?
However saying all that - you could be so pretty is a page turner, the characters are engaging and I loved the friendship between Joni and belle and the mother daughter relationships. I also really loved its focus on education and how it is not a safe space for all girls.
I also found some of the swaps counterproductive - calling p*rn “smut” for example I feel moralises romance that includes sex on page often coequally known by romance readers as, smut. I also am not completely on bored with the cause-and-effect message created of porn = teenagers to abuse one another it’s a bit video games make people violent.
Moreover, I would have loved to have seen a girl who sat somewhere in between a pretty and an objectionable - what happens when only some things are negotiated?
However saying all that - you could be so pretty is a page turner, the characters are engaging and I loved the friendship between Joni and belle and the mother daughter relationships. I also really loved its focus on education and how it is not a safe space for all girls.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual assault, Medical content, Medical trauma, Rape, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Body shaming and Bullying
Minor: Domestic abuse