ggarofalo11's review against another edition
4.0
I'm excited to see the movie version of the book. At first, I was very caught off guard (as is expected) by her traumatic experience and was worried that the book would center around that experience and use it as merely for "shock value" rather than part of the story itself. However, it was more than just a plot point and played a huge part in the story's ending.
brittnoble16's review against another edition
4.0
Whatever, I loved it. The narrator reminded me of a more assertive version of Melinda in Speak, if what had happened to Melinda was more similar to what was done to Ani. Ani can be vapid, emotionless, and downright difficult to like and read about, but I'm not sure the reader can blame her. Glossing over the annoying and stereotypical portrayals of rich uninvolved parents and bratty prep school underclassmen, it was a tough, realistic portrayal of how there is never one way that people deal with the aftermath of sexual assault.
sorman0110's review against another edition
4.0
This thriller kept me glued to the pages! I enjoyed the story and even though the protagonist is not a likable character at the beginning, she redeems herself while telling her past and it becomes obvious why she comes off as unsympathetic at the beginning.
The chapters alternate between past and present, which I enjoy in a novel. My only criticism would be the writing was a bit sloppy and I did not get some of the references (slang) the author used, which is most likely due to my age and lack of hipness (most likely the case). :) lol Highly engaging read! The movie was a pretty decent adaptation as well. :)
The chapters alternate between past and present, which I enjoy in a novel. My only criticism would be the writing was a bit sloppy and I did not get some of the references (slang) the author used, which is most likely due to my age and lack of hipness (most likely the case). :) lol Highly engaging read! The movie was a pretty decent adaptation as well. :)
rebbemcc's review against another edition
2.0
I'd like to rate this 2.5 stars.
Really enjoyed the first half of the book, and then it seemed like it was trying too hard, with too many story lines. I preferred Ani when she was mean, arch, and unsympathetic. But then her character softened, the documentary story line began to bore me, and the teacher (Andrew) annoyed me. The pace picked up toward the last third and the shooting took me by surprise in a good way. I enjoyed the scenes between Ani and Nell, thought their friendship felt real.
The most annoying thing to me in the entire book was the importance given to pronouncing Ani correctly, and the jarring capitalization of her full name. Like a freaking cross between OHN-drea from the original Beverly Hills 90210, and SanDeE* from LA Story.
Really enjoyed the first half of the book, and then it seemed like it was trying too hard, with too many story lines. I preferred Ani when she was mean, arch, and unsympathetic. But then her character softened, the documentary story line began to bore me, and the teacher (Andrew) annoyed me. The pace picked up toward the last third and the shooting took me by surprise in a good way. I enjoyed the scenes between Ani and Nell, thought their friendship felt real.
The most annoying thing to me in the entire book was the importance given to pronouncing Ani correctly, and the jarring capitalization of her full name. Like a freaking cross between OHN-drea from the original Beverly Hills 90210, and SanDeE* from LA Story.
jolene_r's review against another edition
3.0
Kept interested but lacked adventure or suspense. Meh. Random read
devyn_everts's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
cehanley7's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
ktxx22's review against another edition
2.0
This main character I actually really enjoyed, because she’s got a lot of valid reasons to be angry and flawed and mean. But the story itself around her… trash. It’s disjointed and all over the place. There are a bunch of horrific and tragic things and then there are veiled other things involving other characters but no real reveals. I will give it this I wanted to see how everything would play out so definitely not DNF territory, but that mid act plot twist at the school was violent, traumatic and to me out of character for one of the supporting characters.
Yes vague for the sake of no spoilers but if you’ve read this you know exactly what I’m talking about. Can’t wait to watch the movie adaptation see how they make it work in that medium.
Also here’s hoping the rampant fat phobia is left out because you know fat people deserve basic human decency and to not be the “villains”
Yes vague for the sake of no spoilers but if you’ve read this you know exactly what I’m talking about. Can’t wait to watch the movie adaptation see how they make it work in that medium.
Also here’s hoping the rampant fat phobia is left out because you know fat people deserve basic human decency and to not be the “villains”