locdbooktician's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
I am enjoying my reading experience due to nostalgia from the TV shows. I will say that in the year of 2022 these books do not hold up well. The constant predatory behaviors of most of the male characters were terrible. While reading I kept thinking "the way these girls are brushing off these boys and men being predatory is too much." I found myself annoyed that not only did these four girls NOT HAVE support... their parents disregarded them and did not seem to care about their wellbeing. I KEPT WANTING TO SCREAM "THESE ARE TEENAGE GIRL, THEY ARE BEING KIDNAPPED EVERYDAY, CARE FOR THEM. Then I realized that I am passionate about this due to all the missing and murdered Black and Indigenous girls in the U.S.
The homophobia throughout the book is disturbing. I think if I didn't watch the show I don't think I would be able to continue the series. I will say that this book was definitely a product of its time. I wonder if Sara's books write like this in 2022.
The homophobia throughout the book is disturbing. I think if I didn't watch the show I don't think I would be able to continue the series. I will say that this book was definitely a product of its time. I wonder if Sara's books write like this in 2022.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexism, Abandonment, Ableism, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Sexual harassment
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