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3.54 AVERAGE
3.54 AVERAGE
Will revisit this later. This book, while interesting, is putting me into a reading slump.
I really got into this book. I had conversations with this book. I may have to make people in my book club read this book just so that I can talk more about it. Excellent audio narration.
I just got the feeling like the main character thought that people who commit suicide are weak. Like the way she and her friend bullied this girl only slightly contributed to the decision to commit suicide. I get the feeling like if this girl's life hadn't been made absolute hell in school, she would've been able to deal with the other problem's in her life. Being bullied is not some minor thing. It is soul destroying.
That's what made me really angry about the book. In the end, the main character says things like she didn't know the girl was in pain and if she'd known, she wouldn't have added to the pain. How about just not being a dick? I think that's a great, simple way to live life. Don't be a dick. Don't tear someone else down because you're jealous or angry. You never know what someone is going through. Nobody deserves to be bullied, whether they have an easy life or a hard life. It's simple. Gahhhhd.
Then the letter she writes to the girl in the end saying, "I won't assume that everyone is strong." It just made me feel like the main character didn't learn anything. It's like she's saying strong people can handle getting bullied.
Anyway, this book just went to show me how dumb and heartless teenage girls can be. Over petty jealousy. I'm so glad I'm done with all that. I just feel bad for this generation with social media being so normal. When I was in high school, Facebook wasn't around. I'm so thankful for that.
This book was gripping enough to keep me reading to see what was going to happen and hopefully have some huge emotional realization but I didn't really feel like the main character really understood. Most of the book she was complaining about how this girl who committed suicide ruined her life and how the girl was a boyfriend-stealing bitch and a slut. She just came off very heartless throughout the book and then at the end shows a bit of regret.
[This review was originally posted on Quite Spectacular ]
The summer before senior year, and senior year itself, is supposed to be the best of times. No such luck for Sara Wharton. When her classmate commits suicide, Sara and her friends find themselves facing criminal charges due to their documented, systematic bullying. Over the summer and as she starts school again, Sara works with her lawyer and therapist to contemplate what really happened and work out how big of a role she truly played in her classmate’s death. She must also deal with a fractured family, a non-existent friendship circle torn apart by the tragedy, and a town not willing to let her forget what happened, regardless of the final verdict.
Tease was most definitely a challenging read. Having read The Knife That Killed Me last week, it was quite interesting to read a story from the bully’s perspective. Like actors, I’m sure writers enjoy the challenge of getting into the mind of ‘the villain’ but in life, there’s often no such thing as a clear cut ‘goodie’ or ‘baddie’. Amanda Maciel does a great job of showing the grey area that colours one of the most important topics concerning young people today.
I found the character of Sara to be complicated. Whilst reading, I often felt like I was fighting with her. I constantly wanted to shake her and say ‘GROW UP!’ but then she would say, or do, something that would make me sympathise with her and remember her age. Despite doing lots of grown up things, Sara was still only on the cusp of adulthood. I liked that Emma, the victim, was not a saint either. Even though Sara is meant to be an unreliable narrator, it was evident that Emma had issues. Emma was similar to one of those reality show characters that hover around a group of friends who clearly – whether rightly or wrongly – want nothing to do with them. You always sit at home and think, why do you care about that group so much you’re willing to put up with their awful, degrading shenanigans? Add members of the opposite sex into the equation and you end up with World War Three.
In terms of plot pace, it took a while to get into Tease and it didn’t end up where I thought it would but that’s not a bad thing at all. The flashbacks worked well for the most part but were occasionally confusing, especially when the end of a flashback contained the same characters as the beginning of the next present day section. I wasn’t 100% sure where the story was set – Nebraska? – but that was good because it added to the universality of the story.
The use of social media as a bullying tool really helped to illuminate the themes of self-obsession, selfishness, and lack of respect. The whole thing started because Sara was only thinking about her world and feared Emma was disrespecting her by encroaching on her ‘turf’ a.k.a her boyfriend. Social media can make its user feel like a star – the star of their very own reality show. It often felt like Sara and Brielle were playing the part of ‘mean girl’ because that is what is expected these days. If someone starts ‘drama’, you flip a table and call them a nasty name in the most public way possible.
Overall, Tease was a difficult pill to swallow, leaving a nasty taste behind. You won’t necessarily like any of the characters but that’s neither here nor there - the issue is far greater. This type of bullying isn’t going to go away anytime soon, so it’s great that this book hammers it home and hopefully it will add to our general awareness of the subject matter.
The summer before senior year, and senior year itself, is supposed to be the best of times. No such luck for Sara Wharton. When her classmate commits suicide, Sara and her friends find themselves facing criminal charges due to their documented, systematic bullying. Over the summer and as she starts school again, Sara works with her lawyer and therapist to contemplate what really happened and work out how big of a role she truly played in her classmate’s death. She must also deal with a fractured family, a non-existent friendship circle torn apart by the tragedy, and a town not willing to let her forget what happened, regardless of the final verdict.
Tease was most definitely a challenging read. Having read The Knife That Killed Me last week, it was quite interesting to read a story from the bully’s perspective. Like actors, I’m sure writers enjoy the challenge of getting into the mind of ‘the villain’ but in life, there’s often no such thing as a clear cut ‘goodie’ or ‘baddie’. Amanda Maciel does a great job of showing the grey area that colours one of the most important topics concerning young people today.
I found the character of Sara to be complicated. Whilst reading, I often felt like I was fighting with her. I constantly wanted to shake her and say ‘GROW UP!’ but then she would say, or do, something that would make me sympathise with her and remember her age. Despite doing lots of grown up things, Sara was still only on the cusp of adulthood. I liked that Emma, the victim, was not a saint either. Even though Sara is meant to be an unreliable narrator, it was evident that Emma had issues. Emma was similar to one of those reality show characters that hover around a group of friends who clearly – whether rightly or wrongly – want nothing to do with them. You always sit at home and think, why do you care about that group so much you’re willing to put up with their awful, degrading shenanigans? Add members of the opposite sex into the equation and you end up with World War Three.
In terms of plot pace, it took a while to get into Tease and it didn’t end up where I thought it would but that’s not a bad thing at all. The flashbacks worked well for the most part but were occasionally confusing, especially when the end of a flashback contained the same characters as the beginning of the next present day section. I wasn’t 100% sure where the story was set – Nebraska? – but that was good because it added to the universality of the story.
The use of social media as a bullying tool really helped to illuminate the themes of self-obsession, selfishness, and lack of respect. The whole thing started because Sara was only thinking about her world and feared Emma was disrespecting her by encroaching on her ‘turf’ a.k.a her boyfriend. Social media can make its user feel like a star – the star of their very own reality show. It often felt like Sara and Brielle were playing the part of ‘mean girl’ because that is what is expected these days. If someone starts ‘drama’, you flip a table and call them a nasty name in the most public way possible.
Overall, Tease was a difficult pill to swallow, leaving a nasty taste behind. You won’t necessarily like any of the characters but that’s neither here nor there - the issue is far greater. This type of bullying isn’t going to go away anytime soon, so it’s great that this book hammers it home and hopefully it will add to our general awareness of the subject matter.
Usually I don't write reviews for books I DNF, but I feel like this one will be more of a disclaimer.
Whether or not you like or even finish this book will probably depend on your tolerance for unlikable, unreliable narrators. As you can see, mine is not very high. Despite the fact that I've read ASoIAF.
TW: Slutshaming, Cyberbullying, and suicide victim blaming, despite not being upheld or defended by the narrative, are present.
Whether or not you like or even finish this book will probably depend on your tolerance for unlikable, unreliable narrators. As you can see, mine is not very high. Despite the fact that I've read ASoIAF.
TW: Slutshaming, Cyberbullying, and suicide victim blaming, despite not being upheld or defended by the narrative, are present.
I’m not entirely sure what made me want to read Tease, but at some point I bought the audiobook. When I ran out of review audiobooks, I chose this one because it had been on my Audible the longest. Tease does a nice job making the points that it’s making, but it’s not a pleasant read since it’s all about slut shaming, suicide, toxic friendships, and bullying.
Sara is one of several classmates who has been criminally charged for bullying Emma Putnam, who committed suicide due to intense bullying. This book is, unsurprisingly, hard to take. For most of the book, Sara is completely unrepentant, insisting she did absolutely nothing wrong. She feels it’s unfair because everyone was mean to Emma, and she often just followed along. Besides, Emma only got bullied because she was a slut and stole people’s boyfriends, like Sara’s. For most of the book, Sara is mean and nasty and a bully. That’s the point of the book obviously, but youch.
No one in this book is particularly likable, except for Sara’s eventual love interest, who tbh could probably do better. Sara does eventually learn a little bit, but it doesn’t feel like a massive transformation. The saving grace here is that Sara’s clearly the product of toxic friendships, even having been peer pressured into having sex with her boyfriend before she was ready. Separating from Brielle does help her, as does experiencing being bullied herself as one of the people who harassed Emma into suicide.
Tease isn’t really up my specific readerly alley, but, if you’re into books about these heavy topics, I think Tease does a really nice job avoiding the melodramatic. The characters are well-drawn and the points effectively made.
Sara is one of several classmates who has been criminally charged for bullying Emma Putnam, who committed suicide due to intense bullying. This book is, unsurprisingly, hard to take. For most of the book, Sara is completely unrepentant, insisting she did absolutely nothing wrong. She feels it’s unfair because everyone was mean to Emma, and she often just followed along. Besides, Emma only got bullied because she was a slut and stole people’s boyfriends, like Sara’s. For most of the book, Sara is mean and nasty and a bully. That’s the point of the book obviously, but youch.
No one in this book is particularly likable, except for Sara’s eventual love interest, who tbh could probably do better. Sara does eventually learn a little bit, but it doesn’t feel like a massive transformation. The saving grace here is that Sara’s clearly the product of toxic friendships, even having been peer pressured into having sex with her boyfriend before she was ready. Separating from Brielle does help her, as does experiencing being bullied herself as one of the people who harassed Emma into suicide.
Tease isn’t really up my specific readerly alley, but, if you’re into books about these heavy topics, I think Tease does a really nice job avoiding the melodramatic. The characters are well-drawn and the points effectively made.
Emma Putman moves to a new school, and is labelled a slut as she associates mainly with boys. Girls seem to hate her for it, guys seem to dislike her for sleeping around with guys who aren't them. Sara and her friends give her a hard time and, eventually, she kills herself.
Tease follows the tale of slut-shaming and bullying from a perspective rarely told: the bully. From the off it's divisive - some are repulsed by Sara's lack of remorse and self-centred attitude, others find it something refreshing. Personally, I just found it disengaging. Of course you're not going to like the bully, but despite dealing with emotionally charged material, it was difficult to actually feel remotely connected to.
There are some glimmers of naivety in Sara, who is called a tease for being with her 'hot boyfriend' for two months without having sex. In time, she eventually loses her virginity more through social pressure than desire. With the high-tension and often childish way in which cliqués and teenagers in general can operate when it comes to sex and relationships, it's unsurprising that things can get nasty.
This is, I guess, a realistic take on bullying and the slut-shaming that's rife in society, especially in high school. Slut, bitch and skank are thrown around like there's no tomorrow. It doesn't make it easier to read, nor does it make this book - though different and painting a different viewpoint - overly enjoyable, personally at least.
But, as I said, this is one of the most divisive books I've come across, from seeing what others think too. It'll probably be your literary marmite.
Tease follows the tale of slut-shaming and bullying from a perspective rarely told: the bully. From the off it's divisive - some are repulsed by Sara's lack of remorse and self-centred attitude, others find it something refreshing. Personally, I just found it disengaging. Of course you're not going to like the bully, but despite dealing with emotionally charged material, it was difficult to actually feel remotely connected to.
There are some glimmers of naivety in Sara, who is called a tease for being with her 'hot boyfriend' for two months without having sex. In time, she eventually loses her virginity more through social pressure than desire. With the high-tension and often childish way in which cliqués and teenagers in general can operate when it comes to sex and relationships, it's unsurprising that things can get nasty.
This is, I guess, a realistic take on bullying and the slut-shaming that's rife in society, especially in high school. Slut, bitch and skank are thrown around like there's no tomorrow. It doesn't make it easier to read, nor does it make this book - though different and painting a different viewpoint - overly enjoyable, personally at least.
But, as I said, this is one of the most divisive books I've come across, from seeing what others think too. It'll probably be your literary marmite.
Hats off to the author for writing this b/c many would not. Who wants to hear the villain's side of the story? But I'm glad she did.
My take aways:
1. A determined teenager is a dangerous thing. And a teenage girl with a modicum of intelligence, too little supervision and an axe to grind? Watch out.The depths of deviousness cannot be underestimated.
2. This story reminds me again of how little moral courage most adults display when it comes to dealing with children, esp teens.Voluntarily abdicating responsibility for your children's (or students) moral development b/c they are old enough to drive a car is not ok. I could write an essay on this. Teens still need strong moral structures and guidance.
3. In the 21st century girls are still ceding their autonomy to the sexual patriarchy and defining and judging each other by who they have or have not slept with. REALLY???? In 2015, American girls are still using the words "slut" and "whore" and "skank" to insult one another? Boys are still totally off the hook? Fuck that fucking shit.
My take aways:
1. A determined teenager is a dangerous thing. And a teenage girl with a modicum of intelligence, too little supervision and an axe to grind? Watch out.The depths of deviousness cannot be underestimated.
2. This story reminds me again of how little moral courage most adults display when it comes to dealing with children, esp teens.Voluntarily abdicating responsibility for your children's (or students) moral development b/c they are old enough to drive a car is not ok. I could write an essay on this. Teens still need strong moral structures and guidance.
3. In the 21st century girls are still ceding their autonomy to the sexual patriarchy and defining and judging each other by who they have or have not slept with. REALLY???? In 2015, American girls are still using the words "slut" and "whore" and "skank" to insult one another? Boys are still totally off the hook? Fuck that fucking shit.
This is definitely one of the most thought provoking and captivating novels I've read this year.
When I heard of the premise of the book I was instantly interested in reading it. Contemporary YA that includes bullying is a must for me; I find it to be an interesting subject to read about, especially when I've experienced bullying myself. But Tease had me more intrigued because instead of it being told from the victim's point of view, it was being told from the bully's--something I hadn't read before.
From the first page, I was sucked into the story. I didn't know how I was going to feel about it because I'd heard that Sara, the main character, has barely any sympathy for the effect her bullying had on Emma, but that's what drove me to pick the book up everyday. Sara is a very tricky character. One moment, I was hating her, the next I felt sorry for her. Her problems really lay with her friend, Brielle. It was a toxic relationship. And I know how it feels to be in a toxic relationship, which thankfully, I got myself out of. So I could sympathize with the fact that Sara was just along for Brielle's ride; being treated as a lap dog who must follow and agree with everything she's saying. The thing that annoyed me most about Sara's character was her obsession with D-Bag (Brielle's nickname for Dylan, which is the only thing I applauded her on). I mean, I know girls--and guys--can be crazy over a person, but I think she should have taken the hint that he was clearly more interested in Emma. But I suppose this was the most important fuel to her fire.
I wish Carmichael was in it more, or we had more interaction between Sara and Emma. I think it would be awesome if Amanda Maciel released an e-novella in the future, telling the story from Emma's POV.
Amanda Maciel's writing has a nice flow to it that I love. There were never any dull moments and I wasn't bored while reading it at all. The ending was perfect, but I still want MORE. Tease is definitely a novel that's going to stick with me a for a while. Can't wait to read more from this author.
NOTE: Highly recommended if you enjoyed Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers. ;)
When I heard of the premise of the book I was instantly interested in reading it. Contemporary YA that includes bullying is a must for me; I find it to be an interesting subject to read about, especially when I've experienced bullying myself. But Tease had me more intrigued because instead of it being told from the victim's point of view, it was being told from the bully's--something I hadn't read before.
From the first page, I was sucked into the story. I didn't know how I was going to feel about it because I'd heard that Sara, the main character, has barely any sympathy for the effect her bullying had on Emma, but that's what drove me to pick the book up everyday. Sara is a very tricky character. One moment, I was hating her, the next I felt sorry for her. Her problems really lay with her friend, Brielle. It was a toxic relationship. And I know how it feels to be in a toxic relationship, which thankfully, I got myself out of. So I could sympathize with the fact that Sara was just along for Brielle's ride; being treated as a lap dog who must follow and agree with everything she's saying. The thing that annoyed me most about Sara's character was her obsession with D-Bag (Brielle's nickname for Dylan, which is the only thing I applauded her on). I mean, I know girls--and guys--can be crazy over a person, but I think she should have taken the hint that he was clearly more interested in Emma. But I suppose this was the most important fuel to her fire.
I wish Carmichael was in it more, or we had more interaction between Sara and Emma. I think it would be awesome if Amanda Maciel released an e-novella in the future, telling the story from Emma's POV.
Amanda Maciel's writing has a nice flow to it that I love. There were never any dull moments and I wasn't bored while reading it at all. The ending was perfect, but I still want MORE. Tease is definitely a novel that's going to stick with me a for a while. Can't wait to read more from this author.
NOTE: Highly recommended if you enjoyed Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers. ;)
Real rating : 3.6 Stars
This book was quite good and raised some good topics and points of conversation. The discussion on bullying and fault was very interesting.
I didn't love it, but it went right in a lot of the ways it could've gone wrong.
This book was quite good and raised some good topics and points of conversation. The discussion on bullying and fault was very interesting.
I didn't love it, but it went right in a lot of the ways it could've gone wrong.