sngick's review against another edition
4.0
Great audiobook... kept me guessing every chapter. Well written and timely.
pagesplotsandpints's review
2.0
Initial Impressions 6/2/20: EASY PREY is a complicated book and there are a lot of good talking points in here, but I didn't love some of its messages. The story deals with three teens who end up involved in a scandal of nude photos leaked on the internet from a teacher but the way things unfolded... I just hated a lot of it.
Part of the story is that Jenna, the lead female, had similar photos leaked of her the year prior and was scolded instead of defended. She had a lot of really great things to say about people sticking up for women, especially women for women since her advisors and teachers at school were pretty much the worst, and I really liked that she was trying to eradicate the double standard that exists in the world. There were a lot of ways, though, that I didn't like how she went about it, especially in the end because that was some total BS and counterproductive. There was a little twist in the end, but I kind of hated it instead what I thought it was going to be.
The characters were pretty blah. I think Jenna was the most well-rounded out of the three MCs but they were all kind of stereotypical. Jenna definitely had more depth and she was probably the best-written character in the book (along with Jenna's mom because she was awesome). Mouse and Drew were dubbed the nerdy genius and the jock with a troubled family life and parents they didn't get along with due to grades/athletics/appearances. Blah blah. Give them more depth than just their stereotypes!
The book overall was interesting but in some terrible ways. There's also a thing going around where the guys are keeping track of nude photos from the girls in their class and a game to see who can get the most, and guess what -- both MCs have their hand in this. Gross. They try to act blameless and they're obviously not, and they both think they're good or at least not that bad. The more you find out about them, the worse it gets and I wish this book had been from Jenna's POV only because we didn't need to spend time in these boys' heads and doing so only made me hate them more.
There are a lot of things wrong in this book, and it's not just the book -- it's things that are wrong with double standards, abuse, and technically child pornography considering Jenna was a minor when her photos were leaked. EASY PREY brought light to some of these tough issues and did make some good statements and had the characters bring to light some of the more terrible parts of these things that do happen on a daily basis. What turned me off in the end was how ALL of the characters handled things, including Jenna because she went against everything she preached in this book. My feelings are conflicted, but overall I'm basing it on the lingering feelings which were set by how everything came to a close. There was a good twist but I just can't get over the hypocrisy.
Part of the story is that Jenna, the lead female, had similar photos leaked of her the year prior and was scolded instead of defended. She had a lot of really great things to say about people sticking up for women, especially women for women since her advisors and teachers at school were pretty much the worst, and I really liked that she was trying to eradicate the double standard that exists in the world. There were a lot of ways, though, that I didn't like how she went about it, especially in the end because that was some total BS and counterproductive. There was a little twist in the end, but I kind of hated it instead what I thought it was going to be.
The characters were pretty blah. I think Jenna was the most well-rounded out of the three MCs but they were all kind of stereotypical. Jenna definitely had more depth and she was probably the best-written character in the book (along with Jenna's mom because she was awesome). Mouse and Drew were dubbed the nerdy genius and the jock with a troubled family life and parents they didn't get along with due to grades/athletics/appearances. Blah blah. Give them more depth than just their stereotypes!
The book overall was interesting but in some terrible ways. There's also a thing going around where the guys are keeping track of nude photos from the girls in their class and a game to see who can get the most, and guess what -- both MCs have their hand in this. Gross. They try to act blameless and they're obviously not, and they both think they're good or at least not that bad. The more you find out about them, the worse it gets and I wish this book had been from Jenna's POV only because we didn't need to spend time in these boys' heads and doing so only made me hate them more.
There are a lot of things wrong in this book, and it's not just the book -- it's things that are wrong with double standards, abuse, and technically child pornography considering Jenna was a minor when her photos were leaked. EASY PREY brought light to some of these tough issues and did make some good statements and had the characters bring to light some of the more terrible parts of these things that do happen on a daily basis. What turned me off in the end was how ALL of the characters handled things, including Jenna because she went against everything she preached in this book. My feelings are conflicted, but overall I'm basing it on the lingering feelings which were set by how everything came to a close. There was a good twist but I just can't get over the hypocrisy.
pagesplotsandpints's review against another edition
2.0
Initial Impressions 6/2/20: EASY PREY is a complicated book and there are a lot of good talking points in here, but I didn't love some of its messages. The story deals with three teens who end up involved in a scandal of nude photos leaked on the internet from a teacher but the way things unfolded... I just hated a lot of it.
Part of the story is that Jenna, the lead female, had similar photos leaked of her the year prior and was scolded instead of defended. She had a lot of really great things to say about people sticking up for women, especially women for women since her advisors and teachers at school were pretty much the worst, and I really liked that she was trying to eradicate the double standard that exists in the world. There were a lot of ways, though, that I didn't like how she went about it, especially in the end because that was some total BS and counterproductive. There was a little twist in the end, but I kind of hated it instead what I thought it was going to be.
The characters were pretty blah. I think Jenna was the most well-rounded out of the three MCs but they were all kind of stereotypical. Jenna definitely had more depth and she was probably the best-written character in the book (along with Jenna's mom because she was awesome). Mouse and Drew were dubbed the nerdy genius and the jock with a troubled family life and parents they didn't get along with due to grades/athletics/appearances. Blah blah. Give them more depth than just their stereotypes!
The book overall was interesting but in some terrible ways. There's also a thing going around where the guys are keeping track of nude photos from the girls in their class and a game to see who can get the most, and guess what -- both MCs have their hand in this. Gross. They try to act blameless and they're obviously not, and they both think they're good or at least not that bad. The more you find out about them, the worse it gets and I wish this book had been from Jenna's POV only because we didn't need to spend time in these boys' heads and doing so only made me hate them more.
There are a lot of things wrong in this book, and it's not just the book -- it's things that are wrong with double standards, abuse, and technically child pornography considering Jenna was a minor when her photos were leaked. EASY PREY brought light to some of these tough issues and did make some good statements and had the characters bring to light some of the more terrible parts of these things that do happen on a daily basis. What turned me off in the end was how ALL of the characters handled things, including Jenna because she went against everything she preached in this book. My feelings are conflicted, but overall I'm basing it on the lingering feelings which were set by how everything came to a close. There was a good twist but I just can't get over the hypocrisy.
Part of the story is that Jenna, the lead female, had similar photos leaked of her the year prior and was scolded instead of defended. She had a lot of really great things to say about people sticking up for women, especially women for women since her advisors and teachers at school were pretty much the worst, and I really liked that she was trying to eradicate the double standard that exists in the world. There were a lot of ways, though, that I didn't like how she went about it, especially in the end because that was some total BS and counterproductive. There was a little twist in the end, but I kind of hated it instead what I thought it was going to be.
The characters were pretty blah. I think Jenna was the most well-rounded out of the three MCs but they were all kind of stereotypical. Jenna definitely had more depth and she was probably the best-written character in the book (along with Jenna's mom because she was awesome). Mouse and Drew were dubbed the nerdy genius and the jock with a troubled family life and parents they didn't get along with due to grades/athletics/appearances. Blah blah. Give them more depth than just their stereotypes!
The book overall was interesting but in some terrible ways. There's also a thing going around where the guys are keeping track of nude photos from the girls in their class and a game to see who can get the most, and guess what -- both MCs have their hand in this. Gross. They try to act blameless and they're obviously not, and they both think they're good or at least not that bad. The more you find out about them, the worse it gets and I wish this book had been from Jenna's POV only because we didn't need to spend time in these boys' heads and doing so only made me hate them more.
There are a lot of things wrong in this book, and it's not just the book -- it's things that are wrong with double standards, abuse, and technically child pornography considering Jenna was a minor when her photos were leaked. EASY PREY brought light to some of these tough issues and did make some good statements and had the characters bring to light some of the more terrible parts of these things that do happen on a daily basis. What turned me off in the end was how ALL of the characters handled things, including Jenna because she went against everything she preached in this book. My feelings are conflicted, but overall I'm basing it on the lingering feelings which were set by how everything came to a close. There was a good twist but I just can't get over the hypocrisy.
jenniefallis's review against another edition
3.0
SPOILERS
I really enjoyed listening to this book. BUT SO MANY THOUGHTS. First of all: the characters felt very true to high school so good job. Too many YA books pander to 20-30 y/os - all the references were a decade out of date and the social media use was hilarious (TikTok, Snapchat, Reddit and Instagram not just Twitter), a simple conversation with a teen would have corrected this issue. Also a basic computer science person would know to use a VPN to change IP addresses constantly, so that is a flaw, but I digress.
Mouse’s character was the worst one of all. His clear lack of ethics when it came to technology was appalling. His actions reflected real world tech giants who typically have little regard for the dissemination of crude photos on their platforms. If he had not been stopped in high school I can only imagine his antics continuing with the excuse that he was just wanting to appease others. He represents many “nice guys” with the “friend zone” sob story. His dad may have been hard on him or abusive, but that is never an excuse for his actions. Nor is getting drunk or high. I have no sympathy for Mouse for drinking to excess: he is responsible for posting the photos and assaulting Jenna at a party. I am surprised he did not confess and apologize.
Drew is garbage.
As a woman in her early 30s, Miss Bailey was awfully out of touch with every other woman in the book, it seemed unrealistic. I understand for the plot things had to happen, but adding some connection with another girl or woman earlier in the book would have made this story feel more full.
In my opinion this book glorified girl on girl bashing. I was surprised by Jenna’s motivations at the end - posting the teacher’s photos on Twitter. Miss Bailey was wrong in asking Jenna to speak about trauma in front of her class mates, especially when they inflicted it, but even so I cannot imagine Jenna putting her through the same trauma. Yet she made her decisions and I felt despite her being a victim, she should have been held responsible.
At the end of the day Drew and Mouse got their comeuppance. However, I cannot help feeling that the book promoted a “boys will be boys” attitude, and a “girls will be girls” attitude which felt even more degrading. All the girls were so mean to each other, wore makeup and uncomfortable shoes, AND were described as conventionally attractive so it was okay they were treated overtly sexually. I wish there had been one healthy male female friendship that did not involve any sexual elements. And positive arena of support for Jenna - a proper therapy session or a friend who stuck by her.
I think this book should be read and thoroughly discussed to bring up both the good elements and problematic themes throughout.
I really enjoyed listening to this book. BUT SO MANY THOUGHTS. First of all: the characters felt very true to high school so good job. Too many YA books pander to 20-30 y/os - all the references were a decade out of date and the social media use was hilarious (TikTok, Snapchat, Reddit and Instagram not just Twitter), a simple conversation with a teen would have corrected this issue. Also a basic computer science person would know to use a VPN to change IP addresses constantly, so that is a flaw, but I digress.
Mouse’s character was the worst one of all. His clear lack of ethics when it came to technology was appalling. His actions reflected real world tech giants who typically have little regard for the dissemination of crude photos on their platforms. If he had not been stopped in high school I can only imagine his antics continuing with the excuse that he was just wanting to appease others. He represents many “nice guys” with the “friend zone” sob story. His dad may have been hard on him or abusive, but that is never an excuse for his actions. Nor is getting drunk or high. I have no sympathy for Mouse for drinking to excess: he is responsible for posting the photos and assaulting Jenna at a party. I am surprised he did not confess and apologize.
Drew is garbage.
As a woman in her early 30s, Miss Bailey was awfully out of touch with every other woman in the book, it seemed unrealistic. I understand for the plot things had to happen, but adding some connection with another girl or woman earlier in the book would have made this story feel more full.
In my opinion this book glorified girl on girl bashing. I was surprised by Jenna’s motivations at the end - posting the teacher’s photos on Twitter. Miss Bailey was wrong in asking Jenna to speak about trauma in front of her class mates, especially when they inflicted it, but even so I cannot imagine Jenna putting her through the same trauma. Yet she made her decisions and I felt despite her being a victim, she should have been held responsible.
At the end of the day Drew and Mouse got their comeuppance. However, I cannot help feeling that the book promoted a “boys will be boys” attitude, and a “girls will be girls” attitude which felt even more degrading. All the girls were so mean to each other, wore makeup and uncomfortable shoes, AND were described as conventionally attractive so it was okay they were treated overtly sexually. I wish there had been one healthy male female friendship that did not involve any sexual elements. And positive arena of support for Jenna - a proper therapy session or a friend who stuck by her.
I think this book should be read and thoroughly discussed to bring up both the good elements and problematic themes throughout.
kayelletea's review against another edition
3.0
Would have been a 2 stars but I liked the ending. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
phi_c's review against another edition
1.0
Unintentionally good (and by good, I mean not zero stars) - it’s a pretty poorly written YA novel full of one dimensional stereotypes, however it makes for a brilliant satire if you don’t take it seriously. Spoiler alert but the ending is so predictable that it doesn’t even matter! If you really try to think of it in this way, the book makes an ingenious social commentary, a Black Mirror-esque dark comedy satire drama, about drug usage and peer pressure more than anything. Mouse was pressured into doing it, which lead to a snowball effect that ended with him ruining his future. I felt really bad for him, the character that’s supposed to be the second LEAST sympathetic one, and no one else so at least the book made me feel *something*.
jennac's review against another edition
3.0
it was ok - i saw the plot twist coming, so it didn't surprise me at all
greeniezona's review against another edition
4.0
A YA book that my thirteen-year-old checked out of the library and then insisted I read when he finished. Very of the moment -- the plot centers on sexting and social media and apps used for bullying and "nice guys." Told through jumps between two timelines, it is unraveling the mystery of who publicly shared revealing photos of a teacher, told through the point of view of the only three teens who should have had access to the photos -- Jenna, a girl whose life was upended a year ago when her own topless photos were shared, Drew, a jock and best friend of Jenna's ex, and "Mouse," a quiet blerd and long-time close friend of Jenna.
About two-thirds of the way through this book I became filled with the conviction that there was only one way this book could end that would make it "okay."
About two-thirds of the way through this book I became filled with the conviction that there was only one way this book could end that would make it "okay."
Spoiler
That's the way it ended. As it turns out Jenna leaked the photos -- crushing a teacher who was casually cruel to her in her own moment of humiliation. AND FRAMING THE TWO BOYS WHO LEAKED HER OWN PHOTOS AT THE SAME TIME. Very satisfying. I like that the book allowed for moral messiness -- showing us good sides to both Drew and Mouse, but absolutely not letting them off the hook for the fucked up shit they did to Jenna (and many other girls.)scherer5127's review against another edition
4.0
I thought this book was well thought out. It deals with privacy and social media. It asks the question about who is responsible and who should be responsible.
teenlibrarian's review against another edition
2.0
It became clear to me who was the villain almost halfway through. No spoilers. It was written competently. It should have been edited shorter. Too long and convoluted.