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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
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
It's a really fun read and it goes by sooo fast
Really 4.5. I love how she has all the desires and angst of a teen girl, but she understands that she is powerful even when no one else does.
What a treat, what a dream! It so clearly portrays a very specific kind of gendered exclusion—not from money or power, but from a sense of total belonging and community (which when you reach a certain tax bracket, can feel like the main rub). The book is clever, informative (I will be thinking about the panopticon for a while!), and intensely relatable (for me, a privately educated white woman). I did hope for Frankie to seek that community in her female classmates, rather than try to prove her worth to a boys’ club; but since she’s power-hungry (you go girl) and recognizes the boys’ club as the locus of power, I guess it makes sense.
The book absolutely could have been more inclusive of POC and gender-nonconforming people, especially in its asides on the way boys and girls behave. And I almost took away a star for how absolutely infuriating it is too see Frankie dating such an idiot—but then I look back at sixteen year old me, and I shudder. Read for a riveting mix of teen romance, social theory, and plans for world domination.
The book absolutely could have been more inclusive of POC and gender-nonconforming people, especially in its asides on the way boys and girls behave. And I almost took away a star for how absolutely infuriating it is too see Frankie dating such an idiot—but then I look back at sixteen year old me, and I shudder. Read for a riveting mix of teen romance, social theory, and plans for world domination.
Surprisingly really enjoyed this book! It was a fun read with an interesting plot and characters. I liked how Frankie as a main character was aware of the dynamics of the school system she was in and went about trying to change them. It was a good take on showing how a 15 year old can act differently - in a clever and confident way. Though her actions could be seen as questionable, I feel like both the reader and Frankie learnt from them and they could be justified!
4.5
So the only other E. Lockhart book I've read has been We Were Liars, and when trying to decide which book I prefer over the other I figured out that while I enjoyed the story of Frankie Landau-Banks, I preferred the writing of We Were Liars. Either one though I loved!
So the only other E. Lockhart book I've read has been We Were Liars, and when trying to decide which book I prefer over the other I figured out that while I enjoyed the story of Frankie Landau-Banks, I preferred the writing of We Were Liars. Either one though I loved!
Graded By: Poshdeluxe
BFF Charm: Y to the Mothercussing ES
Swoonworthy Scale: 5
Talky Talk: Straight-Up Classy with a twist of Wodehouse
Bonus Factors: Boarding School, Pranks, Feminism
Relationship Status: Wind Beneath My Wings
Read the full book report here.
BFF Charm: Y to the Mothercussing ES
Swoonworthy Scale: 5
Talky Talk: Straight-Up Classy with a twist of Wodehouse
Bonus Factors: Boarding School, Pranks, Feminism
Relationship Status: Wind Beneath My Wings
Read the full book report here.
made it halfway through this book before I gave up. I didn't like or connect with any of the characters and the story wasn't compelling enough for me to continue.
I enjoyed this novel.
I'd say it takes about 180 pages to truly get into...simply due to the nature of how the anticipated notoriety of Frankie only seems to manifest itself at about that mark.
The premise itself and the execution of it, in terms of story, writing and characters, was enjoyable. Frankie is a very flawed and, at times, frustrating character, as I believe the author intended for her to be.
I also think that there were some noteworthy social commentaries that the author intended to make with this novel - in terms of feminism, gender stereotypes and the men that boys are raised to become by society.
However, for me, all of this was lost through the ironic portrayal of all other girls in this book. The expression "...and if Frankie was any other girl" is repeatedly used. No girl at Alabaster is empowered or respected by Frankie and all are portrayed as being clueless.
In short, this was a promising - yet disappointing - read.
I'd say it takes about 180 pages to truly get into...simply due to the nature of how the anticipated notoriety of Frankie only seems to manifest itself at about that mark.
The premise itself and the execution of it, in terms of story, writing and characters, was enjoyable. Frankie is a very flawed and, at times, frustrating character, as I believe the author intended for her to be.
I also think that there were some noteworthy social commentaries that the author intended to make with this novel - in terms of feminism, gender stereotypes and the men that boys are raised to become by society.
However, for me, all of this was lost through the ironic portrayal of all other girls in this book. The expression "...and if Frankie was any other girl" is repeatedly used. No girl at Alabaster is empowered or respected by Frankie and all are portrayed as being clueless.
In short, this was a promising - yet disappointing - read.
A more adventurous, less serious version of The Mockingbirds. I enjoyed Frankie's life, and I am curious about what will come of her. More, please?
adventurous
informative
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I could not put it down!