sungmemoonstruck 's review for:

Groupies: A Novel by Sarah Priscus

3.0

dark emotional fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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This novel set in the 1970's LA music scene focuses on Faun, an aspiring photographer with a desperate need for others' approval and affection, and her best friend Josie, a beautiful whirlwind in a relationship with the frontman of a rock band that turns increasingly dangerous. The writing is excellent, both when it comes to creating the sleazy, glamorously tragic atmosphere of 1970's LA and to conjuring a sense of impending doom. (The first line is a fabulous hook.) Priscus' prose keeps the story hurtling along and totally immerses the reader in the world of the book.  I really like the idea of bringing more nuance to the groupie narrative and think the book does that with its portrayals of the different women attached to the band. My main sticking point with this is that I'm the kind of reader who wants to like something about the main character or at least find them compelling and Faun's head is an incredibly hard one to be stuck in. It's not that she's a poorly developed character. All the ways that she's the worst are really well rendered and it's clear where a lot of her poor choices come from, as she's a seething pool of need who's always been in Josie's shadow. But I wanted so badly for her to do one thing for someone else and not herself, or for her to have a little bit more charm and charisma. I don't mind and can really enjoy a messy heroine but for me, she has to be at least a little appealing. However, I enjoyed the writing enough that I'd definitely pick up Priscus' next book.