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skudiklier's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This book delivered on its premise, and definitely kept me engaged! I was furious throughout most of it at the unfairness of everything, and I really wanted to know what had happened in the past that was kept secret through the first half of the book. Overall though a lot of this felt a little too YA for me. I liked it but I'm not sure I'd actively recommend it to anyone. It was pretty hard to read at some points but strikes a good balance of trying to be realistic and not sugarcoating things, while also leaving some hope and a (vague spoilers) sort of happy ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Misogyny, Bullying, Body shaming, and Sexism
Moderate: Murder, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Abortion, Sexual assault, Fire/Fire injury, and Violence
Minor: Sexual content, Rape, Alcohol, Ableism, Fatphobia, Death, Suicide, Vomit, and Cancer
navayiota's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This might be one of the most impactful books I have ever read?
I can't explain the effect this story had on me. Although it was incredibly triggering (so much so that I had a massive panic attack in the middle of reading it) it was an important read for me. As a victim of bullying, though not to the extent that Anna had to deal with, it felt strangely liberating to hear from a man that people seeing me as a symbol instead of a human being reflects badly on them, not on me. To hear a guy younger than me say that he doesn't see Anna -and by extention, me- as her past, but instead he sees her as she is today. It's ironic, since they are written by a woman, but they resonated nonetheless. I already knew these things- but them being spelled out to me helped massively.
I really enjoyed the story, as well. As painful as it was to read due to my trauma, I just couldn't keep away for long.. I needed to know what would happen next. I needed to hear that Anna and Maggie would be okay. And although we didn't exactly get there at the end, I still feel such a weight lifted from my shoulders. I wish the ending was a little less cliche, especially since I have -in real life- attempted the "we're all human!" speech and got laughed at and boo'ed off immediately. In my experience, people are much less hesitant to hear you out or stand with you even if they have been hurt too, because the only worse thing in the world in that moment than being bullied, is being bullied harder, standing next to the school punching bag. I definitely wasn't as eloquent as Anna though, so that is also a factor to consider. Still, I couldn't help but cringe, even as I was trying my hardest to suspend my disbelief. Also the words written on the victim's body pictures are so overdone, but this book was written in 2019, and I think this was a pretty new thing at the time. I did like how all the comments were signed with the bullies' names though. I'm all for keeping abusers accountable, even if I don't personally approve of the means. I do think though that at the end of the day, if that kind of art helps someone in Anna's situation, my opinion does not mean jack shit.
One last thought was that I disagree with the review on the cover, the one by Holly Bourne. I think singling it out as A Book For Girls really doesn't do it justice. I think guys should read this book, too. Not frat boys who are set in their ways because they're bound not to take it seriously, but the loner "I don't have an opinion" boys. The ones who won't laugh at the joke about a girl being called a slut, but won't stand up for her either. I know it was written that way so it can be punchy and fit on the cover, but it really rubbed me the wrong way. I do think all girls who can stomach it should read it as well, though.
I wish Laura Bates all the recognition she deserves, cause damn, what a banger. Be very careful with the triggers, though.
I really enjoyed the story, as well. As painful as it was to read due to my trauma, I just couldn't keep away for long.. I needed to know what would happen next. I needed to hear that Anna and Maggie would be okay. And although we didn't exactly get there at the end, I still feel such a weight lifted from my shoulders. I wish the ending was a little less cliche, especially since I have -in real life- attempted the "we're all human!" speech and got laughed at and boo'ed off immediately. In my experience, people are much less hesitant to hear you out or stand with you even if they have been hurt too, because the only worse thing in the world in that moment than being bullied, is being bullied harder, standing next to the school punching bag. I definitely wasn't as eloquent as Anna though, so that is also a factor to consider. Still, I couldn't help but cringe, even as I was trying my hardest to suspend my disbelief. Also the words written on the victim's body pictures are so overdone, but this book was written in 2019, and I think this was a pretty new thing at the time. I did like how all the comments were signed with the bullies' names though. I'm all for keeping abusers accountable, even if I don't personally approve of the means. I do think though that at the end of the day, if that kind of art helps someone in Anna's situation, my opinion does not mean jack shit.
One last thought was that I disagree with the review on the cover, the one by Holly Bourne. I think singling it out as A Book For Girls really doesn't do it justice. I think guys should read this book, too. Not frat boys who are set in their ways because they're bound not to take it seriously, but the loner "I don't have an opinion" boys. The ones who won't laugh at the joke about a girl being called a slut, but won't stand up for her either. I know it was written that way so it can be punchy and fit on the cover, but it really rubbed me the wrong way. I do think all girls who can stomach it should read it as well, though.
I wish Laura Bates all the recognition she deserves, cause damn, what a banger. Be very careful with the triggers, though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Grief, Religious bigotry, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Torture, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Rape, and Sexism
Moderate: Abortion, Alcohol, Body shaming, Cursing, Fire/Fire injury, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Cancer, Domestic abuse, Blood, and Kidnapping
stories's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Very very clever. Deeply feminist, as modern day bullying and revenge porn amongst highschoolers is deftly interwoven with witch burnings in 1600s Scotland. No magic wands, but plenty of rope to cling to. Special shout out to Alisha's comments about her love of Cat, and Glenn's consistent kindness.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Body shaming
Moderate: Abortion, Death of parent, Misogyny, Sexual harassment, and Sexism
Minor: Alcohol, Body shaming, Cancer, Confinement, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Pregnancy, Rape, and Stalking
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