Rage
Arc provided by St. Martin's Griffin through Netgalley
Release Date: April 14 th
TW's: Rape / Bullying
It would be impossible for me, to stay indifferent to what happens in this story: There's the spectre of rape touching almost everything that happens, and that is so gut wrenching, that I mostly read this while standing up.
My feet wouldn't stay quiet, and I was a nervous wreck.
There's also bullying in this story. Strong girl on girl hate, and as if all that wasn't already enough, there's something even worse..
By the middle of it, I was promising myself, that in the future I will read all the zombie books that this author may write, but I will never read anything like this again, because I simply don't have the stomach for it.
There was a point in which I started questioning and getting angry with Romy's decisions.
Things were already bad, and she would go and act in a completely irresponsible way, which would only add more fuel to an already impossible drama...
I don't know how someone who has been raped will behave. I don't know if she'll have a strong preservation instinct...but I would like to think so, and Romy here, has two unbelievably stupid moments _ especially for someone who first comes out as incredible adult and responsible _ and those situations, combined with other aspects _ some undeveloped moments _ made it impossible for me, to give it more than three stars.
I also wasn't crazy about the way the story is presented: I found the time frames confusing as hell, and I would go back and forth to see if I could make some sense of that.
Romy doesn't have a single friend, she hates her body. She hates being a girl.
Her only coping, and defence mechanism, is her makeup...which is only believable for a small part.
Basically, too much happens for this girl to keep her act together!
Then there was also the love interest _ yes, there's one in this story _ which for me had no place in this story.
Don't get me wrong! The guy is great, and he sure gives his support to Romy _even when she doesn't deserve it _ but keeping in mind all that happens, I think it was too unbelievably rushed.
Bottom Line: This is an story with a strong message, that every teen should read, at least the parts that focus on what it entails being a girl our days, being subject to rape culture, and what they go through... especially in high school.
Keep in mind however, that the story needs another blurb: there's some references to a character _ Kellan _ that actually never makes an appearance, and reading it, makes it sound as if we're in for a thriller...which mostly doesn't happen.
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