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ngreader's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
Surprisingly, although the main character was (intentionally) unlikeable, I really enjoyed this book. It made me think, especially about true crime content and how we frame perpetrators and victims, but also about growing up as a girl in general. It's complicated and messy and Umminger did a great job of highlighting that as well as discussing dysfunctional families and the impact even mild disfunction has on a developing person.
Not sure how much I would recommend this book....but I will be keeping it on my bookshelf if you ever want to take a look? I guess?
Surprisingly, although the main character was (intentionally) unlikeable, I really enjoyed this book. It made me think, especially about true crime content and how we frame perpetrators and victims, but also about growing up as a girl in general. It's complicated and messy and Umminger did a great job of highlighting that as well as discussing dysfunctional families and the impact even mild disfunction has on a developing person.
Not sure how much I would recommend this book....but I will be keeping it on my bookshelf if you ever want to take a look? I guess?
rachelwrites007's review against another edition
5.0
Holy cats, AMERICAN GIRLS was rich with voice, funny, real, and 1000% captivated me. Umminger is an author to watch - one who so easily breezes from YA to adult crossover. I can't wait for the world to read this book. This has a subtle Heathers vibe to it in terms of dark humor, but otherwise I don't even freakin' know comparative titles. Anna's story will stay with me for a while.
sidneyellwood's review against another edition
5.0
This was unexpectedly good. This was a book that focused on the messed-up things that can happen to girls, the messed-up things that they can do, and I loved reading about it. I learned a lot about Charles Manson and I think that it's a really interesting comparison, physical violence to emotional violence.
All the girls were so well-characterized, even those who hadn't even appeared in the story, like Paige. The boys were there to further the storylines of the girls. It was nice. It does focus on American girls, as the title says. I loved Anna's character especially - she seems so true to being what a fifteen year old girl is. This is one of the few instances where a character is selfish and ungrateful but realizes it and is redeemed at the end, and I love it. Anna isn't perfect. She can be cruel and whiny and selfish. It's very authentic.
I also liked Jeremy, who was cute and a good love interest. I'm quite pleased with the romance because it ended but it's slow and organic.
All the girls were so well-characterized, even those who hadn't even appeared in the story, like Paige. The boys were there to further the storylines of the girls. It was nice. It does focus on American girls, as the title says. I loved Anna's character especially - she seems so true to being what a fifteen year old girl is. This is one of the few instances where a character is selfish and ungrateful but realizes it and is redeemed at the end, and I love it. Anna isn't perfect. She can be cruel and whiny and selfish. It's very authentic.
I also liked Jeremy, who was cute and a good love interest. I'm quite pleased with the romance because it ended
Spoiler
on a note where it could go furthernssutton's review against another edition
5.0
Another book I was actually going to let get away, like a damned fool. I can't believe this is Umminger's first book. Her characterization is flawless and she reeled me in on so many levels, right to that perfect final paragraph. Sidebar: why is Charles Manson so in right now?!
clogscat's review
dark
reflective
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? Yes
3.5
kthomas4415's review against another edition
1.0
This book was a nightmare for me. No characters I enjoyed, a horrible plot that tried to hold a parallel story between the Mason murders and life LA. Yuck.. Just no. This book took me three days to fight through and I am going to have to find something very light and fluffy to recover from it.
raeanne's review against another edition
2.0
This is a weird one. Not bad, but hard calling it good. I'm partly in love it and absolutely hate it. All of it is uncomfortable and off-kilter. I don't know what I was expecting, but it wasn't this and I don't know how to review or where to begin. Just...beware if you're a survivor of abuse, neglect, or rape.
carlyroth10's review against another edition
4.0
I keep telling my family that I’m running away to California for the summer and going to live the California dream, when reading this book the irony wasn’t lost on me. And, although I don’t know if I’m supposed to, I want to do it even more.
At first I went into the book thinking it was completely centered around the Manson murders, but my god it was so much more. This book was truly enjoyable to read and was a super fast read(and who doesn’t love that). The entirety of the book was complex with so many stories going on, but somehow each story is tied together and nothing goes unthought about.
Characters. Damn. The characters were my favorite part. From too-good-to-be-true type people like Jeremy and Dex to complete train-wrecks like Anna and Delia, and then you have Roger, who honestly I felt could’ve been set as more creepy/pervy. I felt for Anna the entire time. Although I have never gone through what she has, I had a big empathy for her.t
At first I went into the book thinking it was completely centered around the Manson murders, but my god it was so much more. This book was truly enjoyable to read and was a super fast read(and who doesn’t love that). The entirety of the book was complex with so many stories going on, but somehow each story is tied together and nothing goes unthought about.
Characters. Damn. The characters were my favorite part. From too-good-to-be-true type people like Jeremy and Dex to complete train-wrecks like Anna and Delia, and then you have Roger, who honestly I felt could’ve been set as more creepy/pervy. I felt for Anna the entire time. Although I have never gone through what she has, I had a big empathy for her.t