grapegraciela's review
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
It took me 6 days to read this book. It felt like 6 months.
tomhill's review
3.0
Another YA novel that combines thriller elements with important social themes. The novel shines when it focuses on the important themes: domestic violence, unwanted male attention, the guilt and internal conflict of a teenager awakening to her sexuality and dealing with society's unfair expectations and misogynistic preconceptions. It's less interesting or successful as a thriller, but I appreciate, as always, the way the two aspects intersect.
burstnwithbooks's review against another edition
3.0
I'm rather disappointed in this book. To be clear, it has solidified my love for Deb Caletti's writing - I requested a copy of this book (thank you Netgalley for granting me a copy!) because I was/am completely obsessed with A Heart in a Body in the World, and to be honest, the premise of the book was irrelevant to my interest. However, I definitely did not expect the story to go the way that it did. I actually thought at the beginning of the book that this could be five stars (or at least four), and I felt that the crux of the story was a letdown. I was also hoping for some closure with the main character's best friend, and I wasn't as big a fan of the romance as the reader was meant to be. Anyhow, this book didn't quite meet the high bar or pack as big of a punch as AHIABITW, but I did really enjoy the writing, and I'm still excited to pick up more from Deb Caletti. I think people who have enjoyed her previous work (before AHIABITW) will enjoy this, and probably just people with different expectations for the plot device than I had.
girlreading's review
4.0
A brilliant exploration of sexism, the patriarchy, toxic masculinity and the male gaze, told through the eyes of a teen discovering all that comes with being a woman for the first time.
This was definitely more of a 'crap, why does the society work like this' coming-of-age story than the YA thriller promised but I'm not mad about it because who can be mad about a book that shines a light on the exhausting double standards and misogyny (both internal and external) society places upon women? This wasn't an easy read but it was definitely an eye opening one and one I think will be very important for young teens. (Also there was an adorable pup, so that helped.)
TW: sexual harassment, domestic abuse (emotional and physical)
This was definitely more of a 'crap, why does the society work like this' coming-of-age story than the YA thriller promised but I'm not mad about it because who can be mad about a book that shines a light on the exhausting double standards and misogyny (both internal and external) society places upon women? This wasn't an easy read but it was definitely an eye opening one and one I think will be very important for young teens. (Also there was an adorable pup, so that helped.)
TW: sexual harassment, domestic abuse (emotional and physical)
bigborrowedbooks's review
4.0
This was deeply unsettling in all the right ways. If you’re a woman this will get right up in those memories you’ve tried to push away about men and our society. But maybe we shouldn’t be pushing those away. Caletti makes the argument through Girl, Unframed that we have to stop pushing them away and start pushing back against them. Captivating and edge-of-your-seat intoxicating, this little novel packs a thrilling punch about what it’s really like becoming a woman.
sc104906's review against another edition
2.0
I received this as an eARC through Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
Sydney loves her life at her boarding school. She can be a regular teen with great best friends. However, occasionally she is forced to stay with her celebrity mother, who is extremely self-involved and not a great parent. Sydney is to spend her summer with her mother and she prepares herself to get through it as quickly as possible. What she didn't plan on was her mother's new boyfriend, Jake. He is supposed to be an art dealer, but his creep factor makes him seem like there is more going on there. When Sydney strikes up a relationship with a local guy, Jake becomes oddly possessive. The longer Sydney stays with her mother the more horrific the interactions with Jake become. Sydney is desperate for her friend to come visit and be a buffer, but is this really going to help?
This book works through Sydney trip into womanhood and what that means in the world. As her body has developed and she fills the standard of beauty, men (and her mother) begin to treat her differently. I had difficulty with the writing style, which is just a personal preference thing. I thought that the author keep the mystery crime a mystery for far too long and after awhile I became frustrated with it. Also, I feel like I never fully got into the character's head.
Sydney loves her life at her boarding school. She can be a regular teen with great best friends. However, occasionally she is forced to stay with her celebrity mother, who is extremely self-involved and not a great parent. Sydney is to spend her summer with her mother and she prepares herself to get through it as quickly as possible. What she didn't plan on was her mother's new boyfriend, Jake. He is supposed to be an art dealer, but his creep factor makes him seem like there is more going on there. When Sydney strikes up a relationship with a local guy, Jake becomes oddly possessive. The longer Sydney stays with her mother the more horrific the interactions with Jake become. Sydney is desperate for her friend to come visit and be a buffer, but is this really going to help?
This book works through Sydney trip into womanhood and what that means in the world. As her body has developed and she fills the standard of beauty, men (and her mother) begin to treat her differently. I had difficulty with the writing style, which is just a personal preference thing. I thought that the author keep the mystery crime a mystery for far too long and after awhile I became frustrated with it. Also, I feel like I never fully got into the character's head.
joyfullyjacquie's review against another edition
5.0
Y’all about books that catch you off guard! This book took me a few chapters to get into it, but once I did I couldn’t put it down.
If you have read any Karen McManus books, this is similar to that kind of a feel. It’s a YA mystery/thriller type of feel, but also with a coming of age element to it. I loved the main character and her struggles not only with family but also life.
The author does an amazing job of describing what it’s like for women in the world, whether your 12 or 57. The way the book ends she leaves you with some important questions and the empowerment to want to take control of your own life. Not only is this a “thriller” type of book, but it’s also a great feminist novel.
If you have read any Karen McManus books, this is similar to that kind of a feel. It’s a YA mystery/thriller type of feel, but also with a coming of age element to it. I loved the main character and her struggles not only with family but also life.
The author does an amazing job of describing what it’s like for women in the world, whether your 12 or 57. The way the book ends she leaves you with some important questions and the empowerment to want to take control of your own life. Not only is this a “thriller” type of book, but it’s also a great feminist novel.
jesshayward's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
ashleyneve's review
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5