A review by sonygaystation
Final Girls by Riley Sager

dark mysterious tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

This was NOT the book for me!!! I predicted who was really behind everything from the minute we're first introduced to them so I didn't even really feel all that satisfied cuz I could've DNF'd it and known the entire plot. I really liked Sager's Home Before Dark so maybe his books are just a hit or miss for me. Sometimes when books irritate me I can't stop asking myself what the book added to the genre, and this was definitely one of those. I also kept asking myself why it was necessary for a man to tell a story about a woman's trauma especially when it concerns graphic physical, emotional, and sexual violence. Like why did HE of all people feel compelled to tell that story? I don't even really think he did it in a way that was sensitive either. For books with graphic discussions of suicide I feel like that needs to be addressed with care, which means literally two (2) seconds of research on the topic would churn up the fact that "die by suicide" is a much better and less stigmatizing phrase to use than "committed suicide." This is minor but it also pissed me off that one of the scenes discussing one of the character's first times having sex actively talked about how painful it would be. It bothers me that the painful first-time penetration narrative gets pushed by people (more alarming that a man is perpetuating it like damn dude that's telling) who clearly missed some important parts of sex education (news flash: it should not be painful the first time ever). This next feeling is more major, but I was also pretty frustrated that one of the pivotal scenes that help develop the MC's personality involved a homeless man with a drug addiction who just HAPPENS to be latinx/e. Like, really?? We gotta add on racism, as well?? This book was just predictable and boring and pretty much was insensitive with regards to literally every "gritty" topic it covered.
At least Sager reinforced the ACAB narrative. My distrust of c*ps came in handy this time lol.


content warnings: graphic violence, grief, death, murder, suicide, abuse (physical, emotional, and sexual), mental illness (PTSD, trauma), drug addiction and abuse (talks about crack and xanax)
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