annecath's review
2.0
I really did not love this title. It wasn’t the audio itself, but more the content. I felt like nothing big happened till about 75-80% of the way through. Even that “big” event seemed forced and sort of extraneous. I felt the book could have gone just as well, if not better, without the sexual assault element. The ending felt really rushed after the sexual assault. There was a lot more room for healing there. I’m glad the authors included resources at the end, but ultimately this title fell flat for me. It read kind of like less intense Gossip Girl fanfic.
lazygal's review
2.0
This book is so diverse it kinda hurts: blacks, whites, Desis, Asians, various LGBTQ+ characters, and yet none are particularly likable or well developed. And, of course, there's a dash (or more) of social media-as-bad-thing going on. As for the plot, that felt half-baked as well. With a little bit better editing and less of an attempt to be so inclusive (yes, I know it takes place in a private school in DC filled with diplomats children, which would make it diverse by nature) would have made this a stronger book. Same with less fat-phobia.
eARC provided by publisher via Netgalley.
eARC provided by publisher via Netgalley.
erincharp's review
3.0
This was cliché in the way that Disney channel shows are, like where are the parents?! But it was engaging enough to entertain me through a day fighting a cold in bed and had some positive messages within.
awenya's review
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I usually hate multiple points of views, but in this case it works well. Just when one person's life and point of view starts to swallow you whole and drown you, you get a miniature reprieve by jumping to another.
This book was pretty dark, and while comparing it to Gossip Girl is apt in some ways, I would argue it's much heavier and darker. Pay attention to the content warnings.
This book was pretty dark, and while comparing it to Gossip Girl is apt in some ways, I would argue it's much heavier and darker. Pay attention to the content warnings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Racism, Toxic friendship, Rape, and Fatphobia
Minor: Self harm, Hate crime, Body shaming, and Car accident
25thavenuewest's review
I’m not a huge fan of not finishing books, but this one just didn’t snag me like their other work has in the past. ):
Some things felt super juvenile, even for high school kids. I kept hoping it would get better, but it was just flat.
Some things felt super juvenile, even for high school kids. I kept hoping it would get better, but it was just flat.
maryamhussain's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Spoiler
Bryn’s arc was very unsatisfactory cause she was exposed at the end and that’s it honestly, no further progress or thoughts or anything from her POVbalto_hon's review
3.0
Thank you Disney Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my opinion.
The Rumor is social media and misogyny gone horribly wrong. At Foxham, an expensive private school in the DC suburbs catering to the children of elected officials and diplomats, the social jockeying for power continues in their children. With seemingly no parental oversight at all, the teens party and do their best to destroy one another's reputations. The story centers around Bryn, Cora and Georgie: the fallen social butterfly, the queen bee and the ugly duckling-now-turned-swan. In the aftermath of losing status through a car crash she caused, Bryn is desperate to regain her social footing and stops at little to accomplish that goal.
What I liked: The mixture of texts, story and social media pages. People who do not work with teens do not realize how awful they can be to one another in DMs and comments. This text definitely shows it. The pacing of the story aso works. I think this book could lead to some relevant discussions with teens about what happens on social media.
What I didn't care for: At the end of the book, I just really didn't feel deeply invested in any of the characters, didn't care about them and did not feel that any of them got what they deserved. The fact that no school officials or parents detected much was a bit implausible. I'm also not sure how many of my students would be interested in reading about the lives of the ultra-rich when the characters are so unlikeable - they get enough of that in the required textbook lists. This is not the first Disney ARC I have read in recent months where the characters are the children of ultra-rich political figures who appear to have no interest in their children, so I detect a theme in the publishing gatekeeping.
The Rumor is social media and misogyny gone horribly wrong. At Foxham, an expensive private school in the DC suburbs catering to the children of elected officials and diplomats, the social jockeying for power continues in their children. With seemingly no parental oversight at all, the teens party and do their best to destroy one another's reputations. The story centers around Bryn, Cora and Georgie: the fallen social butterfly, the queen bee and the ugly duckling-now-turned-swan. In the aftermath of losing status through a car crash she caused, Bryn is desperate to regain her social footing and stops at little to accomplish that goal.
What I liked: The mixture of texts, story and social media pages. People who do not work with teens do not realize how awful they can be to one another in DMs and comments. This text definitely shows it. The pacing of the story aso works. I think this book could lead to some relevant discussions with teens about what happens on social media.
What I didn't care for: At the end of the book, I just really didn't feel deeply invested in any of the characters, didn't care about them and did not feel that any of them got what they deserved. The fact that no school officials or parents detected much was a bit implausible. I'm also not sure how many of my students would be interested in reading about the lives of the ultra-rich when the characters are so unlikeable - they get enough of that in the required textbook lists. This is not the first Disney ARC I have read in recent months where the characters are the children of ultra-rich political figures who appear to have no interest in their children, so I detect a theme in the publishing gatekeeping.
cowmingo's review
3.0
Man oh man am I glad I'm not in high school anymore and that I wasn't in high school during the era of social media. Bullying was bad back then but this book brings it to an entirely new level. The book is uncomfortable but I think it really illustrates the way a rumor can get out of control and feed the fire. I am glad there was some discussion of consequences, especially for the scheme the girls put together to out the liars but I think I wanted just a bit more closure on the characters after everything we are put through in the story. I'm not always the biggest fan of a multi-character epilogue, especially after there were 3 POVs throughout the story and then everything is wrapped up in the last chapter.
Many many thanks to NetGalley and Disney Hyperion for an advance copy.
Many many thanks to NetGalley and Disney Hyperion for an advance copy.