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3.47 AVERAGE
3.47 AVERAGE
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
you guys are huge dweebs for hating all the period + vagina talk in the period book. for a goofy stock trope YA mystery, the mostly self conscious comedy worked well! no one is a hater about the right stuff in this g d world.
Okay, so I didn't HATE the book, but it definitely could have been better. I really wanted to like this book, really I did, but it was pretty hard to. While I knew going into the book that this was a feminist book, the feminism was all over the place and shoved down the reader's throat WAY too much. I found the sexism to be stereotypical to point of being ridiculous. It wasn't funny, it was just plain stupid. It grated on my nerves how over the top it was. In all honesty, I think I could have liked this book a whole lot more if it had been more subdued or more subtle. Literally the author hit you over the head with it repeatedly.
The characters were all pretty stereotypical, too. Heather was the popular girl who only cared about how she looked, blah blah blah... Colin and Audrey were kind of the stereotypical backstabbers. Adam was the stereotypical jock. Almost all of the characters were just some stereotype. And they weren't done very well. For the main character, Kerry, having anxiety, she really didn't act like it at all. That was rather annoying and pissed me off. As I have anxiety issues myself, I was excited to find anxiety being repped in the beginning, only to later learn that there really wasn't any rep except for the mention of it and the mention of medication. If Kerry had ACTUALLY really had anxiety issues, there is no way in hell she would have done half the shit she did in the book. And do NOT get me started on Annie. Annie was NOT a good friend at all to Kerry. Frankly, I actualy was kinda hoping someone would off Annie and relieve me of the major headache. Mr. C was an absolute joke of a character. Not entirely sure how they do it in Great Britain, but if he had pulled half of the stuff here, there would have been some reprimands at the very least. His character was so over the top that he just wasn't believable. I think the only characters I actually liked were Scott and Herb. And one of them happens to be a dog, like with four legs and furry.
The only good part about the book was the humor, but even then it was sometimes over the top. The amount of times that vagina was used was insane, and half of them weren't nearly as funny as they were supposed to be. Some of the jokes were just crude and disgusting. Some of the witty exchange was good, I will admit, but some was just downright horrible.
The "twists" in this book mostly came out of left field. Most good mystery books have some hints on the twists that some readers may pick up on, but there was literally NO WARNING before you were thrown into a twist at high speed with no seat belt. I was perpetually wondering WTF through almost ALL of the twists. There were no hints, no clues, no nothing. The twists made no sense and it seemed like they were just there for shock value.
I really wanted to give this one star, but I do have to admit there were some pretty good lines in the book. Also, the end wasn't THAT bad. This definitely could have been a lot better if it hadn't been so over the top. The best way I can explain the book is that it was almost purely slapstick comedy, and I REALLY don't like slapstick comedy. I can take some slapstick comedy, but in the end I am all about satirical humor. Other people may enjoy this book, but it really wasn't a book for me.
The characters were all pretty stereotypical, too. Heather was the popular girl who only cared about how she looked, blah blah blah... Colin and Audrey were kind of the stereotypical backstabbers. Adam was the stereotypical jock. Almost all of the characters were just some stereotype. And they weren't done very well. For the main character, Kerry, having anxiety, she really didn't act like it at all. That was rather annoying and pissed me off. As I have anxiety issues myself, I was excited to find anxiety being repped in the beginning, only to later learn that there really wasn't any rep except for the mention of it and the mention of medication. If Kerry had ACTUALLY really had anxiety issues, there is no way in hell she would have done half the shit she did in the book. And do NOT get me started on Annie. Annie was NOT a good friend at all to Kerry. Frankly, I actualy was kinda hoping someone would off Annie and relieve me of the major headache. Mr. C was an absolute joke of a character. Not entirely sure how they do it in Great Britain, but if he had pulled half of the stuff here, there would have been some reprimands at the very least. His character was so over the top that he just wasn't believable. I think the only characters I actually liked were Scott and Herb. And one of them happens to be a dog, like with four legs and furry.
The only good part about the book was the humor, but even then it was sometimes over the top. The amount of times that vagina was used was insane, and half of them weren't nearly as funny as they were supposed to be. Some of the jokes were just crude and disgusting. Some of the witty exchange was good, I will admit, but some was just downright horrible.
The "twists" in this book mostly came out of left field. Most good mystery books have some hints on the twists that some readers may pick up on, but there was literally NO WARNING before you were thrown into a twist at high speed with no seat belt. I was perpetually wondering WTF through almost ALL of the twists. There were no hints, no clues, no nothing. The twists made no sense and it seemed like they were just there for shock value.
I really wanted to give this one star, but I do have to admit there were some pretty good lines in the book. Also, the end wasn't THAT bad. This definitely could have been a lot better if it hadn't been so over the top. The best way I can explain the book is that it was almost purely slapstick comedy, and I REALLY don't like slapstick comedy. I can take some slapstick comedy, but in the end I am all about satirical humor. Other people may enjoy this book, but it really wasn't a book for me.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
It was good and I liked that the author used the taboo of menstruation. I feel like the plot twist was kinda expected and I could already picture how the book ended. Overall though it was good.
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
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:
No
Brilliant! Booksmart, Mean Girls and Sex Education solve murders. Feminist wit abounds.
This had me rolling in the virtual aisles. I'm NOT the target market (40-something parent) but I like to think I remember quite well what it was like to be the class swot who was never gonna work out what 'cool' was, and had happily found my own niche in my own academic world. This is Kerry. But best friend Annie is DETERMINED to get in with 'Les Populaires' while they still can (the same group who regular throw coffee out car windows at her). "In the secondary school hierarchy of cliques... we're less cool that a tabard-wearing dinner lady."
Gifted the 'opportunity' by leader of said Popular group Heather to find out for her who is cyberbullying her by attending one of her parties, the reluctant Kerry and eager Annie find out more than they bargained for, when they (along with Kerry's crush, new guy Scott) come across the freshly dead body of a classmate, complete with period cup in her mouth.
With the local police insisting on suicide/accidental death, Annie gleefully insisting they investigate, and Kerry just wanting to go home and get her retainer in and put on a 90s rom-com, the stage is set for a YA murder mystery with b*11s (so to speak).
I just loved this. Not having grown up with such openly liberated classmates (their morning greeting to a neighbour consists of: "I am strong and empowered, the patriarchy is but sh*t upon my shoe, good morning to all and a very.... GOOD VULV* TO YOU!"
These young women may not be seen as cool in the eyes of fellow students, but I think they would have been my idols when I was 16. Goddesses of wordplay, got each other's backs, not afraid to stand up for their rights, and just as boy- and s*x-obsessed as any teen: "If I can lick a drop of his perspiration, I'm sure it will cure me of my v+rginity." (I may have cackled and cried with laughter over that one).
The murder mystery plot is a good one, with plenty of self-referential irony as they pair speed through potential suspects, new murders, incompetent Neanderthal-like police officers, steamy longing for hot boys and general hormonal teen angst ("No one must ever know that the closest I have ever come to a sexual experience is accidentally sitting on my phone when I get a text). I love Kerry.
They even refer to Booksmart (a recent iPlayer favourite of mine about two girls similar to this pair). The top Mean Girl is called Heather (I mean - 80s film reference anyone?!). They had me regularly with their humour: "Annie and I are skulking around the empty corridors of our school, wearing black jeans and rollnecks, a cross between a mime act and chic tortured poets." This may be aimed at teens but the older market is going to just LOVE this as well. The supporting cast are great too, stereotypes many appear to be but with hidden sides, glimpses of
I want this very, very much to be made into a film. It was great to see such a smart and contemporary teen murder mystery set in Britain rather than across the pond. With UK references.
Such an 'in' genre at the moment, and an absolute gem of a YA find. Read it.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.
This had me rolling in the virtual aisles. I'm NOT the target market (40-something parent) but I like to think I remember quite well what it was like to be the class swot who was never gonna work out what 'cool' was, and had happily found my own niche in my own academic world. This is Kerry. But best friend Annie is DETERMINED to get in with 'Les Populaires' while they still can (the same group who regular throw coffee out car windows at her). "In the secondary school hierarchy of cliques... we're less cool that a tabard-wearing dinner lady."
Gifted the 'opportunity' by leader of said Popular group Heather to find out for her who is cyberbullying her by attending one of her parties, the reluctant Kerry and eager Annie find out more than they bargained for, when they (along with Kerry's crush, new guy Scott) come across the freshly dead body of a classmate, complete with period cup in her mouth.
With the local police insisting on suicide/accidental death, Annie gleefully insisting they investigate, and Kerry just wanting to go home and get her retainer in and put on a 90s rom-com, the stage is set for a YA murder mystery with b*11s (so to speak).
I just loved this. Not having grown up with such openly liberated classmates (their morning greeting to a neighbour consists of: "I am strong and empowered, the patriarchy is but sh*t upon my shoe, good morning to all and a very.... GOOD VULV* TO YOU!"
These young women may not be seen as cool in the eyes of fellow students, but I think they would have been my idols when I was 16. Goddesses of wordplay, got each other's backs, not afraid to stand up for their rights, and just as boy- and s*x-obsessed as any teen: "If I can lick a drop of his perspiration, I'm sure it will cure me of my v+rginity." (I may have cackled and cried with laughter over that one).
The murder mystery plot is a good one, with plenty of self-referential irony as they pair speed through potential suspects, new murders, incompetent Neanderthal-like police officers, steamy longing for hot boys and general hormonal teen angst ("No one must ever know that the closest I have ever come to a sexual experience is accidentally sitting on my phone when I get a text). I love Kerry.
They even refer to Booksmart (a recent iPlayer favourite of mine about two girls similar to this pair). The top Mean Girl is called Heather (I mean - 80s film reference anyone?!). They had me regularly with their humour: "Annie and I are skulking around the empty corridors of our school, wearing black jeans and rollnecks, a cross between a mime act and chic tortured poets." This may be aimed at teens but the older market is going to just LOVE this as well. The supporting cast are great too, stereotypes many appear to be but with hidden sides, glimpses of
I want this very, very much to be made into a film. It was great to see such a smart and contemporary teen murder mystery set in Britain rather than across the pond. With UK references.
Such an 'in' genre at the moment, and an absolute gem of a YA find. Read it.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Annie (our main character's best friend) is one of the most insufferable characters I've ever read about. I think this book was meant to be a little teenage cringy, but it went so far into cringy territory that it was difficult to read at points. I liked that they touched on the historical shaming of period products, but it seemed a lot of the 'feminism' was just Annie screaming vagina.