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Confessions of a Dangerous Girl
Diagnosed as a psychopath as a child and trained as an assassin at a secret CIA institute, Emma Garthright is not like other teens. But now Emma is faced with the one mission she isn't prepared for—making friends at an ordinary high school. Sixteen-year-old Emma has spent most of her life at the remote Early Institute, a boarding school operating under the guise of helping children like Emma become better people. But the Early Institute's altruistic façade hides a darker motive—to turn its students into the deadliest teenage assassins the world has ever seen. Taught to kill without question, Emma is tasked by her demanding headmaster with going undercover at Grover Cleveland High School. There, she must do the seemingly impossible—truly become a better person in order to win the trust of Grover Cleveland's most virtuous student, Susie Robinson, and help Susie gain the affections of her crush, Brayden. Susie is a straight-A teacher's pet, naturally suspicious of the manipulative and deceitful Emma, and the one person standing between the success or failure of Emma's mission to assassinate an international political figure. But is Emma really capable of changing? And why does it seem like Brayden is more interested in her than in Susie? As the deadly teen's newfound freedom and friendships start to get in the way of her mission, and the sinister truth behind the Early Institute begins to come to light, can Emma use her wits and lethal skills to save her friendship with Susie while keeping them both alive?
239 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 3, 2023
3 people are currently reading
118 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
August 21, 2023
Emma Garthright is a fascinating character. Diagnosed as a psychopath after trying to kill her younger brother when she was six, Emma lives at the Early Institute where she - along with other teens like her - is trained to be an assassin.
When we meet Emma she is struggling to complete the missions she has been given, and her attempt to atone is to go undercover. She is to be enrolled as a student at the school local to her family and is tasked with getting onto the school Model UN group.
Watching Emma try to work out the situation she was in was absorbing. She doesn’t react like you might expect people to, but is highly skilled in ways that go beyond what you’d expect from a sixteen year old.
Naturally, those Emma is working for are not quite what they claim to be. We follow Emma through her mission and see her developing sense of conscience.
Quirky, far more entertaining than you might expect given the subject matter and it ended with a suggestion that things might just work out okay.
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this in advance of publication.
When we meet Emma she is struggling to complete the missions she has been given, and her attempt to atone is to go undercover. She is to be enrolled as a student at the school local to her family and is tasked with getting onto the school Model UN group.
Watching Emma try to work out the situation she was in was absorbing. She doesn’t react like you might expect people to, but is highly skilled in ways that go beyond what you’d expect from a sixteen year old.
Naturally, those Emma is working for are not quite what they claim to be. We follow Emma through her mission and see her developing sense of conscience.
Quirky, far more entertaining than you might expect given the subject matter and it ended with a suggestion that things might just work out okay.
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this in advance of publication.
August 10, 2023
so as soon as i saw the description for this book i knew i needed to read it, and as soon as i was approved i started it right away even if it was literally 3am! i finished the entire book in a single day (don't worry i did sleep in between lolz) i just couldn't put the book down and stop reading! i have been looking for something to fill the void of "teenager going to a school for assasins/spies" that the killing november duology and gallagher girls series left in me and this definitely fulfilled it!! especially because this book was a fun twist of instead of the ordinary girl being whisked away to said school suddenly (killing november) or non-ordinary girl sneaking out of school to go on missions she wasn't supposed to (gallagher girls) this book felt like the perfect mix of both! being sent away from the school, on a mission, the pretend to be an ordinary girl!
i really enjoyed the writing style of being inside emma's head and slowly getting to see her realize she actually does feel things and cares about people. there were so many plot twists i didn't see coming that i just couldn't put the book down i had to keep going to know how it was going to end! if there was ever a sequel i'd for sure pick it up!
my rating is 4.75 stars rounded up, it only loses .25 stars because i was hoping there would be a romance side plot and there wasn't ahaha but that's okay!
thank you william rookwood and netgalley for the arc!
i really enjoyed the writing style of being inside emma's head and slowly getting to see her realize she actually does feel things and cares about people. there were so many plot twists i didn't see coming that i just couldn't put the book down i had to keep going to know how it was going to end! if there was ever a sequel i'd for sure pick it up!
my rating is 4.75 stars rounded up, it only loses .25 stars because i was hoping there would be a romance side plot and there wasn't ahaha but that's okay!
thank you william rookwood and netgalley for the arc!
September 8, 2023
3.5 stars
Firstly i'd like to thank Netgalley for for providing me a copy of this book, now onto the review!
This book follows Emma who lives in a institute for special children aka psycopaths, from which the CIA picks the teens they think would make good agents, which is how Emma ends up going undercover in highschool!
This book had the perfect balance between highschool drama and spionage (or whatever you wanna call what she does), I found it really interesting to see how in theory her lack of conscience would make her a great agent, although I also can see the downsides, and how differently she sees the world and people around her due to her condition.
Overall it was a very enjoyable, fast and light read, as the more intense moments are often "cut" with Emma's wit and humor.
Firstly i'd like to thank Netgalley for for providing me a copy of this book, now onto the review!
This book follows Emma who lives in a institute for special children aka psycopaths, from which the CIA picks the teens they think would make good agents, which is how Emma ends up going undercover in highschool!
This book had the perfect balance between highschool drama and spionage (or whatever you wanna call what she does), I found it really interesting to see how in theory her lack of conscience would make her a great agent, although I also can see the downsides, and how differently she sees the world and people around her due to her condition.
Overall it was a very enjoyable, fast and light read, as the more intense moments are often "cut" with Emma's wit and humor.
September 23, 2023
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this amazing book!
I finished this book like 5 minutes ago and it’ll probably take me a while to recover from it. It was so good that I can’t stop thinking about it, and my brain is all foggy, lol.
I’ve always been extremely curious about mental health problems, especially ASPD, which is short for antisocial personality disorder. In other words, that’s a more ”neutral” word for sociopaths and psychopaths. When I saw the description of this book, I knew I had to read it!
Emma Garthright is a fascinating character. Even though she’s a diagnosed psychopath, she’s very likeable, and therefore, among many other people who have read Confessions of a Dangerous Girl, I couldn’t put this book down due to wanting to know even more about her.
Despite all her flaws and psychopathic tendencies, Emma proved that it’s actually possible to become a better person and to not act on your impulses. The character development in Confessions of a Dangerous Girl praiseworthy, and it’s one of the many reasons why I loved this book so much.
I also enjoyed the writing style being inside Emma’s head, although I normally tend to dislike that particular style. However, it worked perfectly in this book!
I finished this book like 5 minutes ago and it’ll probably take me a while to recover from it. It was so good that I can’t stop thinking about it, and my brain is all foggy, lol.
I’ve always been extremely curious about mental health problems, especially ASPD, which is short for antisocial personality disorder. In other words, that’s a more ”neutral” word for sociopaths and psychopaths. When I saw the description of this book, I knew I had to read it!
Emma Garthright is a fascinating character. Even though she’s a diagnosed psychopath, she’s very likeable, and therefore, among many other people who have read Confessions of a Dangerous Girl, I couldn’t put this book down due to wanting to know even more about her.
Despite all her flaws and psychopathic tendencies, Emma proved that it’s actually possible to become a better person and to not act on your impulses. The character development in Confessions of a Dangerous Girl praiseworthy, and it’s one of the many reasons why I loved this book so much.
I also enjoyed the writing style being inside Emma’s head, although I normally tend to dislike that particular style. However, it worked perfectly in this book!
August 27, 2023
4.25 ✨ First I would like to say thank you to Net Galley for sending me an ARC. Next I want to say that this book would be a great movie. I really enjoyed this. This book had action, found family, and extremely developing characters. Basically this book is about Emma Garthright, who gets diagnosed as a psychopath at the young age of six when she tries to kill her brother. Emma gets sent to the Early Institute where she secretly gets trained to become an assassin. While going on her first mission she makes new friends that change her for the greater and gets to experience the life of a normal teenager until her mission starts to go very wrong. What happens? I guess you'll have to read to find out won't you?
September 14, 2023
Just saying a quick thank you for NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book.
The idea and premise of this book really interested me, but I guess it didn't really live up to expectation. Emma (MC) is a psychopath and being used as a spy/assasin to channel her personality and emotions for good. This, in theory, is super interesting and the book was really fast-paced and easy to read. However, it just didn't really delve that deeply into any characters and I didn't find myself warming to anyone really. Also, it very much didn't feel like the internal monologue of a psychopath and she did actually seem to care? Maybe it was too YA for me? If this was longer and delved a bit deeper then this idea could really work. Unfortunately, it just wasn't for me.
The idea and premise of this book really interested me, but I guess it didn't really live up to expectation. Emma (MC) is a psychopath and being used as a spy/assasin to channel her personality and emotions for good. This, in theory, is super interesting and the book was really fast-paced and easy to read. However, it just didn't really delve that deeply into any characters and I didn't find myself warming to anyone really. Also, it very much didn't feel like the internal monologue of a psychopath and she did actually seem to care? Maybe it was too YA for me? If this was longer and delved a bit deeper then this idea could really work. Unfortunately, it just wasn't for me.
October 1, 2023
I’d like to thank Netgalley & William Rookwood for the ARC of this title! This was a super cute YA spy novel. It was easy to get lost in the story & you really started rooting for the main character Emma!
February 24, 2024
A quick thank you to NetGalley & William Rookwood for the free EARC in exchange for a fair and honest review!
As soon as I saw the book cover and read the description I had my eyes set on this book. After all, who doesn't wants to read a good Crime Thriller, and that too about a Psychopath!!
The Early Institute for Children and Teens is a boarding school for kids diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder. Under the auspices of its founder Dr. Warren Early, the school claims to rehabilitate youngsters so they can contribute meaningfully to society. But beneath this facade, the school is actually a clandestine training ground for future CIA spies and assassins. Sixteen-year-old Emma Garthright, a bright but troubled youth, is one of Dr. Early’s most promising pupils. In order to test her ability in the field she is sent on a mission.
In the terrific opening chapter of Dan Birk’s CONFESSIONS OF A DANGEROUS GIRL, Emma Garthright is introduced as a psychopathic teenager who was diagnosed after trying to murder her own brother. It had strong opening chapters portraying Emma's personality but the storyline became quite boring for me. I found the plot to be a little unreal for a 16-year-old girl. The friendship dynamic was good in the book.
CONFESSIONS OF A DANGEROUS GIRL is an odd mix of action and humor with a touch of geo-politics mixed with high school hi-jinks and an unconvincing nod towards teenage romance. None of it really rings true. After the excellent opening, it’s all a bit of a muddle of mismatched tone and intent. With Emma Garthright now introduced as a lead character, and by the end of the novel having shaken off a few of her anti-social traits, it’s time for Birk to develop her into an appealing, empathetic lead.
Though debut author Dan Birk’s CONFESSIONS OF A DANGEROUS GIRL isn’t quite up there with the best YA spy novels, the author has created a memorable character that–with a little finessing–could be about to embark on an interesting career.
As soon as I saw the book cover and read the description I had my eyes set on this book. After all, who doesn't wants to read a good Crime Thriller, and that too about a Psychopath!!
The Early Institute for Children and Teens is a boarding school for kids diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder. Under the auspices of its founder Dr. Warren Early, the school claims to rehabilitate youngsters so they can contribute meaningfully to society. But beneath this facade, the school is actually a clandestine training ground for future CIA spies and assassins. Sixteen-year-old Emma Garthright, a bright but troubled youth, is one of Dr. Early’s most promising pupils. In order to test her ability in the field she is sent on a mission.
In the terrific opening chapter of Dan Birk’s CONFESSIONS OF A DANGEROUS GIRL, Emma Garthright is introduced as a psychopathic teenager who was diagnosed after trying to murder her own brother. It had strong opening chapters portraying Emma's personality but the storyline became quite boring for me. I found the plot to be a little unreal for a 16-year-old girl. The friendship dynamic was good in the book.
CONFESSIONS OF A DANGEROUS GIRL is an odd mix of action and humor with a touch of geo-politics mixed with high school hi-jinks and an unconvincing nod towards teenage romance. None of it really rings true. After the excellent opening, it’s all a bit of a muddle of mismatched tone and intent. With Emma Garthright now introduced as a lead character, and by the end of the novel having shaken off a few of her anti-social traits, it’s time for Birk to develop her into an appealing, empathetic lead.
Though debut author Dan Birk’s CONFESSIONS OF A DANGEROUS GIRL isn’t quite up there with the best YA spy novels, the author has created a memorable character that–with a little finessing–could be about to embark on an interesting career.
August 13, 2025
From thrilling fight scenes to a heroine you for till the very end this book has it all.
I always love a strong independent female main character and Emma was no exception. You probably already read the description (and if you haven't what are you waiting for go read it) so you know Emma was diagnosed as a psychopath and was taken into an institute at a young age. To everyone's surprise that place was creating little assassins with little to no moral compass. It was so cool seeing Emma grow throughout the book and see her realize that she does have the ability to empathize with others. Besides the super cool spy stuff Emma has to go to a high school and pretend to be a normal (is anyone really?) high school student. The relationship that formed between Emma and her friends Susie and Maeve was so sweet to read. If you have stuck around this long reading my review I highly suggested picking up Confessions of a Dangerous Girl.
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this in advance of publication.
Quotes:
"Garrett!" I say, rubbing him on the head. "You're a genius!" "Mom says I tested as gifted, but she wanted me to stay in normal classes."
"But I'm not natural. I'm an ant with a fungus in its brain."
Spoilers:
I always love a strong independent female main character and Emma was no exception. You probably already read the description (and if you haven't what are you waiting for go read it) so you know Emma was diagnosed as a psychopath and was taken into an institute at a young age. To everyone's surprise that place was creating little assassins with little to no moral compass. It was so cool seeing Emma grow throughout the book and see her realize that she does have the ability to empathize with others. Besides the super cool spy stuff Emma has to go to a high school and pretend to be a normal (is anyone really?) high school student. The relationship that formed between Emma and her friends Susie and Maeve was so sweet to read. If you have stuck around this long reading my review I highly suggested picking up Confessions of a Dangerous Girl.
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this in advance of publication.
Quotes:
"Garrett!" I say, rubbing him on the head. "You're a genius!" "Mom says I tested as gifted, but she wanted me to stay in normal classes."
"But I'm not natural. I'm an ant with a fungus in its brain."
Spoilers:
August 31, 2023
Confessions of a Dangerous Girl follows Emma Garthright, a girl who was diagnosed as a psychopath at age 6 and has been enrolled at the Early Institute ever since. The catch? The Early Institute is a cover for an elite group of teenage assassins that work for the CIA. Emma gets recruited for a role near her hometown, where she has to infiltrate regular high school. What could go wrong?
There were some good parts! Some of the moments of Emma, Susie, Maeve, and Brayden were very cute and I could see the threads of them slowly becoming a found family. There were also a few action scenes that were well paced.
Unfortunately, this book was a major miss for me from the introduction. Emma has a habit of speaking to the reader, which is quite juvenile and strange. As a reader, I don't want to be spoken to by the characters. Especially if I'm in their head. It feels like the fourth wall is being shattered with no real purpose (to make a joke or make commentary).
The introduction was clunky, with lots of info dumps (which occur throughout the book). I don't need the character to tell me what she looks like, there are more organic ways to introduce a character.
Speaking of Emma, she's not smart. Like at all. She literally looked up her assassination target on her COMPUTER. THAT'S HOW YOU GET CAUGHT. That should've been covered at the Institute at the very least. Homegirl also didn't know who Grover Cleveland is, but did know Edgar Allen Poe?? It felt like "cool kids don't know presidents lol". There were also info dumps on what she's learning about. I don't care about that. I'd rather see her developments with other characters--there's a distinct lack of that due to random time skips. She has some nice character development through learning to care about others and the describing of psychopathy as a spectrum at the end was very well done (to help break the stigma of psychopathy), but overall she's hard to root for and quite flat if one looks beyond her "I'm a psychopath teenage assassin" front since her only other personality trait is "I like shoes". (which also, stereotypical much?)
Also, the reader does not need every single thing explained to them. If the reader is really curious about the Minotaur, they will look it up. Describing the key to the cypher is enough. Over-explanations like these makes the reader feel like the author thinks they're stupid and need everything spoon-fed to them.
Now let's talk about the phrase "able-conscienced." For reference, I'm disabled (and Emma can be considered disabled because of her personality disorder. There's also a lot that can be said about how we classify disability but that is a conversation for another time). Able-bodied is a term used to refer non-disabled people and make able-bodied people aware of their privilege. Emma's appropriation and changing of the term was done in poor taste, in my opinion. It felt like it was done for a cheap joke and to show "look how manipulative she is" but it missed the mark and was lowkey offensive.
Furthermore, the made up group of African tribes/country was also problematic. The Black African immigrants were drug dealers? Really? It's not like Black immigrants (and Americans, to be fair) are stereotyped as drug dealers/violent criminals, right? (please note the sarcasm). This played into harmful stereotypes and attempted to play it off through a made up nation and made up peoples. And of course, the white girl comes to save the day and help them start a new life. White savior complex? Checked.
On a less serious note, there was no need to censor cursing. Either put the full word in, or say they cursed. Seeing the "f-word" written like "f---" makes it seem like the person who said it either made a "f" sound or said "eff". The censoring was unnecessary and distracting.
Overall a disappointing, yikes-worthy read.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me an e-arc in exchange for my honest review!:)
There were some good parts! Some of the moments of Emma, Susie, Maeve, and Brayden were very cute and I could see the threads of them slowly becoming a found family. There were also a few action scenes that were well paced.
Unfortunately, this book was a major miss for me from the introduction. Emma has a habit of speaking to the reader, which is quite juvenile and strange. As a reader, I don't want to be spoken to by the characters. Especially if I'm in their head. It feels like the fourth wall is being shattered with no real purpose (to make a joke or make commentary).
The introduction was clunky, with lots of info dumps (which occur throughout the book). I don't need the character to tell me what she looks like, there are more organic ways to introduce a character.
Speaking of Emma, she's not smart. Like at all. She literally looked up her assassination target on her COMPUTER. THAT'S HOW YOU GET CAUGHT. That should've been covered at the Institute at the very least. Homegirl also didn't know who Grover Cleveland is, but did know Edgar Allen Poe?? It felt like "cool kids don't know presidents lol". There were also info dumps on what she's learning about. I don't care about that. I'd rather see her developments with other characters--there's a distinct lack of that due to random time skips. She has some nice character development through learning to care about others and the describing of psychopathy as a spectrum at the end was very well done (to help break the stigma of psychopathy), but overall she's hard to root for and quite flat if one looks beyond her "I'm a psychopath teenage assassin" front since her only other personality trait is "I like shoes". (which also, stereotypical much?)
Also, the reader does not need every single thing explained to them. If the reader is really curious about the Minotaur, they will look it up. Describing the key to the cypher is enough. Over-explanations like these makes the reader feel like the author thinks they're stupid and need everything spoon-fed to them.
Now let's talk about the phrase "able-conscienced." For reference, I'm disabled (and Emma can be considered disabled because of her personality disorder. There's also a lot that can be said about how we classify disability but that is a conversation for another time). Able-bodied is a term used to refer non-disabled people and make able-bodied people aware of their privilege. Emma's appropriation and changing of the term was done in poor taste, in my opinion. It felt like it was done for a cheap joke and to show "look how manipulative she is" but it missed the mark and was lowkey offensive.
Furthermore, the made up group of African tribes/country was also problematic. The Black African immigrants were drug dealers? Really? It's not like Black immigrants (and Americans, to be fair) are stereotyped as drug dealers/violent criminals, right? (please note the sarcasm). This played into harmful stereotypes and attempted to play it off through a made up nation and made up peoples. And of course, the white girl comes to save the day and help them start a new life. White savior complex? Checked.
On a less serious note, there was no need to censor cursing. Either put the full word in, or say they cursed. Seeing the "f-word" written like "f---" makes it seem like the person who said it either made a "f" sound or said "eff". The censoring was unnecessary and distracting.
Overall a disappointing, yikes-worthy read.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me an e-arc in exchange for my honest review!:)
September 21, 2023
Maybe I’m just too old for this kind of story now. I used to eat this shit up growing up. Teen assassin/spy spent back into the real world to complete a mission? Gimme. But this one… just didn’t hit the mark unfortunately.
There are numerous reasons, so let’s start at the beginning.
Sixteen-year-old Emma Garthright is a psychopath. Diagnosed as a kid after trying to kill her younger brother, she’s sent to live in an institute for kids like her, where she grows up being taught all sorts of things, including how to kill. When she’s deemed ready, she’s sent on a mission to kill a highly important person, and to do so she must move back in with her family and make friends at her new school. Her mission derails right from the start and she has to figure out a way to bring it back on track, but when she uncovers what her old school is hiding from her, she finds herself at a crossroads.
I want to start off by saying that for a young teenager, this book would be perfectly fine. There weren’t any glaringly obvious issues that would take most readers out of the story. As a concept, it was executed well enough to be liked by fifteen/sixteen-year-old.
I am not a fifteen/sixteen-year-old.
Emma was an interesting character. It’s not every day you get to read a book about a teen psychopath who is also secretly a trained assassin. I don’t know much about psychopathy, so I can’t attest to how well she was written, but I did enjoy reading her point of view of things, especially when she could identify that the way she was acting wouldn’t do her any good and then therefore actively tried to fix that.
My main issues were with two things: one, the relationship between Emma, Susie and Maeve, and two: the writing.
Starting with number one. I’ll admit I may be misremembering, but whenever – or at least a good eighty percent of the time – whenever Emma was with Susie or Maeve, or both, they mostly talked about boys. Constant boys. And since this book is written by a man, that gave me the ick. This book most definitely does not pass the Bechdel test and that really quite annoyed me. There’d be moments where I’d assume they’re going to talk about how Susie is trying to make Emma a better person, and instead they’d talk about crushes and Braeden and it was just annoying, especially when there’d be chapters where there were multiple breaks but every part of that chapter was just Susie and Emma talking about boys. It gave me a great impression of just how much Birk knows about teenage girls – which is that he knows very little past our supposed obsession over all things boys. This bugged me, but it wasn’t too bad of a problem.
My second issue was with the writing. It was very simple, lacking a lot of depth to the point some scenes felt like there were missing the necessary detail needed for them to be entertaining. Maybe this was on purpose, to match with Emma being a diagnosed psychopath who doesn’t feel as much as others do, but even if it was the case, it was still boring in parts, which I don’t think was intended. The action scenes themselves were lacking, and the pace could have been better. The book was very slow – we didn’t get into Emma’s actual mission until past the fifty percent mark and at that point I just wanted to get to the end.
Overall, it was an okay book. I’m glad I read it because I satiated young me who used to eat up books like this, but I don’t think I’d read another one of his books unless he improves.
Thank you, NetGalley, for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
There are numerous reasons, so let’s start at the beginning.
Sixteen-year-old Emma Garthright is a psychopath. Diagnosed as a kid after trying to kill her younger brother, she’s sent to live in an institute for kids like her, where she grows up being taught all sorts of things, including how to kill. When she’s deemed ready, she’s sent on a mission to kill a highly important person, and to do so she must move back in with her family and make friends at her new school. Her mission derails right from the start and she has to figure out a way to bring it back on track, but when she uncovers what her old school is hiding from her, she finds herself at a crossroads.
I want to start off by saying that for a young teenager, this book would be perfectly fine. There weren’t any glaringly obvious issues that would take most readers out of the story. As a concept, it was executed well enough to be liked by fifteen/sixteen-year-old.
I am not a fifteen/sixteen-year-old.
Emma was an interesting character. It’s not every day you get to read a book about a teen psychopath who is also secretly a trained assassin. I don’t know much about psychopathy, so I can’t attest to how well she was written, but I did enjoy reading her point of view of things, especially when she could identify that the way she was acting wouldn’t do her any good and then therefore actively tried to fix that.
My main issues were with two things: one, the relationship between Emma, Susie and Maeve, and two: the writing.
Starting with number one. I’ll admit I may be misremembering, but whenever – or at least a good eighty percent of the time – whenever Emma was with Susie or Maeve, or both, they mostly talked about boys. Constant boys. And since this book is written by a man, that gave me the ick. This book most definitely does not pass the Bechdel test and that really quite annoyed me. There’d be moments where I’d assume they’re going to talk about how Susie is trying to make Emma a better person, and instead they’d talk about crushes and Braeden and it was just annoying, especially when there’d be chapters where there were multiple breaks but every part of that chapter was just Susie and Emma talking about boys. It gave me a great impression of just how much Birk knows about teenage girls – which is that he knows very little past our supposed obsession over all things boys. This bugged me, but it wasn’t too bad of a problem.
My second issue was with the writing. It was very simple, lacking a lot of depth to the point some scenes felt like there were missing the necessary detail needed for them to be entertaining. Maybe this was on purpose, to match with Emma being a diagnosed psychopath who doesn’t feel as much as others do, but even if it was the case, it was still boring in parts, which I don’t think was intended. The action scenes themselves were lacking, and the pace could have been better. The book was very slow – we didn’t get into Emma’s actual mission until past the fifty percent mark and at that point I just wanted to get to the end.
Overall, it was an okay book. I’m glad I read it because I satiated young me who used to eat up books like this, but I don’t think I’d read another one of his books unless he improves.
Thank you, NetGalley, for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
October 28, 2023
Thank you to Netgalley and William Rookwood for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
There were things I really liked about this book and there were things that I didn't care for. First for the things I liked. I actually really liked Emma's character. It was really interesting reading a psychopathic character which I don't think we see very often, the humanising of someone with a different kind of brain than our own. I also really liked Emma's grandma Ray, she was a little over the top, but in a fun way so it was okay. Also the thing with the dog Bella was cute too. The actual spy bits were a bit hit or miss, but fun enough to keep reading.
Now for a few things I had issue with. The first thing was the middle-grade style narration. I could really do without the MC talking to the audience. I get that the book was supposed to be a "confessional" but I think this could have been achieved differently. I've read many YA books with a diary narrative that weren't so directly breaking the fourth wall for no reason. Especially with a sixteen year old character who is shown hooking up with her ex in the first part of the book. It felt a bit incongruent, like trying to be innocent and edgy at the same time.
Another issue which I've seen echoed in other reviews is that whenever Emma is with Susie and Maeve they are always talking about boys, like almost the entire book. I think this really messed with my believing their friendship dynamic. If they're such good friends why can't they talk about anything else? Next was Emma's character growth. It felt too easy, and a lot it happens off page. All the assignments that Susie gives Emma to become a better person are just forgotten about in favour of talking about (you guessed it) boys.
Another thing I bothered me is kind of superficial, but it's very clear that Birk doesn't keep up with teenagers or fashion, like at all. The book felt very dated to me. This book could have easily been set in 2010 with all the mall and fashion references. Stuff that was dated even when I was a teenager. Even the text messages felt dated. Nobody has texted like that since smart phones were invented lol. Again, very random, just bothered me as a fashion and culture lover.
This is another random thing but, Brayden, the only known asian character, has a scene where he cries about getting a B+ because his parents are going to be disappointed in him. I don't know. It's not that this is unrealistic, but maybe a little cliche and stereotypical. Maybe I'm thinking about it too much though. What are your thoughts other reviewers?
There were things I really liked about this book and there were things that I didn't care for. First for the things I liked. I actually really liked Emma's character. It was really interesting reading a psychopathic character which I don't think we see very often, the humanising of someone with a different kind of brain than our own. I also really liked Emma's grandma Ray, she was a little over the top, but in a fun way so it was okay. Also the thing with the dog Bella was cute too. The actual spy bits were a bit hit or miss, but fun enough to keep reading.
Now for a few things I had issue with. The first thing was the middle-grade style narration. I could really do without the MC talking to the audience. I get that the book was supposed to be a "confessional" but I think this could have been achieved differently. I've read many YA books with a diary narrative that weren't so directly breaking the fourth wall for no reason. Especially with a sixteen year old character who is shown hooking up with her ex in the first part of the book. It felt a bit incongruent, like trying to be innocent and edgy at the same time.
Another issue which I've seen echoed in other reviews is that whenever Emma is with Susie and Maeve they are always talking about boys, like almost the entire book. I think this really messed with my believing their friendship dynamic. If they're such good friends why can't they talk about anything else? Next was Emma's character growth. It felt too easy, and a lot it happens off page. All the assignments that Susie gives Emma to become a better person are just forgotten about in favour of talking about (you guessed it) boys.
Another thing I bothered me is kind of superficial, but it's very clear that Birk doesn't keep up with teenagers or fashion, like at all. The book felt very dated to me. This book could have easily been set in 2010 with all the mall and fashion references. Stuff that was dated even when I was a teenager. Even the text messages felt dated. Nobody has texted like that since smart phones were invented lol. Again, very random, just bothered me as a fashion and culture lover.
This is another random thing but, Brayden, the only known asian character, has a scene where he cries about getting a B+ because his parents are going to be disappointed in him. I don't know. It's not that this is unrealistic, but maybe a little cliche and stereotypical. Maybe I'm thinking about it too much though. What are your thoughts other reviewers?
May 30, 2025
Reader’s Notes:
– this is told from Emma’s point of view
-there are about 13 full curse words + 4 cut off f-bombs (dashes used for the remaining letters, not the character being stopped from saying it)
-it is mentioned that Emma tried to strangle her younger brother when she was 6
-there is some violence & death (not gorey)
-there may have been a moment where it’s implied that teen characters have sex (not entirely sure, but it does mention that the characters went to her room & then jumps to another scene right after saying so)
-it is mentioned that some teens get drunk
Review:
I removed a star mainly due to the cursing, not really being sure if I liked Emma as a character or not (between the psychopathy and what she did throughout the story/in the past), and the story being a little too wordy. Don’t get me wrong, I love long books if they are written well and interesting. Though this book was written pretty well, it just had a lot of information that either could have been left out or not repeated as much (like reminding the reader that Emma is a psychopath or about a small thing mentioned earlier on that connects to a later moment -> this one was a more blatant restatement from what I remember).
As for the rest of the story, it was interesting! I liked the story presented with a school of spies/assassins and that they are using their disabilities as strengths (non emotional or lower emotional connections). It was cool to follow along and try to figure out what Emma’s mission would end up being with the first step she’d been given. I also liked that Emma’s mission turned on her and made her a better person in general as she went deeper into her cover.
Summary:
Emma has grown up in an institute for psychopaths ever since her parents’ rightly decided she needed help. What they didn’t know was that the institute was a front for the CIA to turn psychopaths into trained assassins. Emma knows how to fight, shoot, and many other things a normal teenager could never do. But when the institute’s headmaster gives Emma the chance to lead her own mission, she discovers that she’s lacking in her skills in some way.
Sent undercover back home as a normal teenager has Emma reeling at how hard it is to be that. When her stand-off and single focused mind leads her to make herself an outlier and fail at the only step she’d been given for her mission thus far, Emma turns to another teenager to unknowingly show her the ropes. But as new difficulties arise outside of Emma’s control, she begins to wonder who could be sabotaging her efforts and why. And she will find whoever it is and make them pay…
– this is told from Emma’s point of view
-there are about 13 full curse words + 4 cut off f-bombs (dashes used for the remaining letters, not the character being stopped from saying it)
-it is mentioned that Emma tried to strangle her younger brother when she was 6
-there is some violence & death (not gorey)
-there may have been a moment where it’s implied that teen characters have sex (not entirely sure, but it does mention that the characters went to her room & then jumps to another scene right after saying so)
-it is mentioned that some teens get drunk
Review:
I removed a star mainly due to the cursing, not really being sure if I liked Emma as a character or not (between the psychopathy and what she did throughout the story/in the past), and the story being a little too wordy. Don’t get me wrong, I love long books if they are written well and interesting. Though this book was written pretty well, it just had a lot of information that either could have been left out or not repeated as much (like reminding the reader that Emma is a psychopath or about a small thing mentioned earlier on that connects to a later moment -> this one was a more blatant restatement from what I remember).
As for the rest of the story, it was interesting! I liked the story presented with a school of spies/assassins and that they are using their disabilities as strengths (non emotional or lower emotional connections). It was cool to follow along and try to figure out what Emma’s mission would end up being with the first step she’d been given. I also liked that Emma’s mission turned on her and made her a better person in general as she went deeper into her cover.
Summary:
Emma has grown up in an institute for psychopaths ever since her parents’ rightly decided she needed help. What they didn’t know was that the institute was a front for the CIA to turn psychopaths into trained assassins. Emma knows how to fight, shoot, and many other things a normal teenager could never do. But when the institute’s headmaster gives Emma the chance to lead her own mission, she discovers that she’s lacking in her skills in some way.
Sent undercover back home as a normal teenager has Emma reeling at how hard it is to be that. When her stand-off and single focused mind leads her to make herself an outlier and fail at the only step she’d been given for her mission thus far, Emma turns to another teenager to unknowingly show her the ropes. But as new difficulties arise outside of Emma’s control, she begins to wonder who could be sabotaging her efforts and why. And she will find whoever it is and make them pay…
August 24, 2023
You know those books that just pull you in from the get-go, and hold your attention the whole way through? Confessions of a Dangerous Girl was definitely one of those. I finished the entire book in about two hours straight, and I usually never have the attention span to do that.
I was honestly shocked to find out that this was a debut author. He absolutely did not seem like. Not only is Emma a fantastic narrator - smart, funny, realistic, and self-aware - but the plot is great too. The setting is done really well, immersive without being boring, and I loved how seamless (for the reader, at least) Kirk made the shift from Emma’s school to normal high school. The supporting characters were lovely - I think that they were written as realistically as ever, while still having their own personalities and hopes. I especially liked that Susie was a bit unconventional, by for example wanting to wear a tux to prom, and she was accepted by Emma and the other characters after a bit of thought from the former, without the author making it seem as if Susie was at fault for wanting to be who she was. That’s really awesome, I think, having a character like that in a book and having them presented as normal for it. I know a kid’s going to read that and feel a bit lighter.
The plot is also amazing? Just complicated enough for YA, but not too complicated that it was unable to be followed. I’m not even exactly the target demographic for this book but I didn’t see the twist coming at all! Kirk is masterful at foreshadowing, and plot structure, and nuanced characters, which all contribute to a plot that unfolds itself perfectly.
I also appreciated that this didn’t have a romance subplot, as most YA books do. Not that there’s anything wrong with romance, I just appreciate Kirk’s more realistic portrayal of the fact that many kids don’t want or have romantic relationships at this age, choosing, as Emma does, to focus on friends, family, and self. Although not in huge ways, this book is going to make a lot of different kinds of kids feel seen, and I think it’s also going to make other kids or readers more empathetic. Which… is awesome, honestly. I didn’t expect to get so much food for thought out of this without even realising, but I did.
I’d recommend this book to anyone who’s looking for a quick mystery, or thriller, or YA in general, read. Thanks to NetGalley and the author for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
I was honestly shocked to find out that this was a debut author. He absolutely did not seem like. Not only is Emma a fantastic narrator - smart, funny, realistic, and self-aware - but the plot is great too. The setting is done really well, immersive without being boring, and I loved how seamless (for the reader, at least) Kirk made the shift from Emma’s school to normal high school. The supporting characters were lovely - I think that they were written as realistically as ever, while still having their own personalities and hopes. I especially liked that Susie was a bit unconventional, by for example wanting to wear a tux to prom, and she was accepted by Emma and the other characters after a bit of thought from the former, without the author making it seem as if Susie was at fault for wanting to be who she was. That’s really awesome, I think, having a character like that in a book and having them presented as normal for it. I know a kid’s going to read that and feel a bit lighter.
The plot is also amazing? Just complicated enough for YA, but not too complicated that it was unable to be followed. I’m not even exactly the target demographic for this book but I didn’t see the twist coming at all! Kirk is masterful at foreshadowing, and plot structure, and nuanced characters, which all contribute to a plot that unfolds itself perfectly.
I also appreciated that this didn’t have a romance subplot, as most YA books do. Not that there’s anything wrong with romance, I just appreciate Kirk’s more realistic portrayal of the fact that many kids don’t want or have romantic relationships at this age, choosing, as Emma does, to focus on friends, family, and self. Although not in huge ways, this book is going to make a lot of different kinds of kids feel seen, and I think it’s also going to make other kids or readers more empathetic. Which… is awesome, honestly. I didn’t expect to get so much food for thought out of this without even realising, but I did.
I’d recommend this book to anyone who’s looking for a quick mystery, or thriller, or YA in general, read. Thanks to NetGalley and the author for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
October 22, 2023
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Confessions of a Dangerous Girl by Dan Birk is a riveting and original young adult novel that explores the complexities of identity, friendship, and the struggle for redemption. The story follows Emma Garthright, a teenager diagnosed as a psychopath and trained as an assassin, who is now tasked with a mission to infiltrate a high school and befriend a virtuous student named Susie.
One of the standout aspects of the book is its realistic approach to Emma's character growth. As she navigates the challenges of high school, her struggle to truly change and forge genuine connections is portrayed authentically. The portrayal of Emma's psychopathy is handled with depth and sensitivity, avoiding common stereotypes and delving into the complexities of her condition.
The absence of a love interest for Emma is refreshing and allows the narrative to focus on her personal development and friendships. The relationship between Emma and Susie is central to the story, and the dynamic between these two characters is engaging and full of unexpected twists.
The pacing of the book is quick, making it an engaging and hard-to-put-down read. The mix of mystery and contemporary elements creates a unique blend that keeps the reader intrigued throughout. The story's original concept, where a trained assassin navigates the challenges of high school while attempting to maintain her mission, adds layers of suspense and intrigue.
While the characters are well-developed, there are moments when their actions feel slightly out of character. Despite this, the overall narrative remains engaging and compelling. The book also delivers several plot twists that keep the reader guessing until the very end.
In summary, Confessions of a Dangerous Girl is a must-read for fans of YA mystery and contemporary fiction. With its unique premise, realistic character growth, and engaging plot twists, this novel captivates from start to finish. Dan Birk successfully crafts a thought-provoking and thrilling story that stands out in the young adult genre.
4.1 rounded down to 4/5
Confessions of a Dangerous Girl by Dan Birk is a riveting and original young adult novel that explores the complexities of identity, friendship, and the struggle for redemption. The story follows Emma Garthright, a teenager diagnosed as a psychopath and trained as an assassin, who is now tasked with a mission to infiltrate a high school and befriend a virtuous student named Susie.
One of the standout aspects of the book is its realistic approach to Emma's character growth. As she navigates the challenges of high school, her struggle to truly change and forge genuine connections is portrayed authentically. The portrayal of Emma's psychopathy is handled with depth and sensitivity, avoiding common stereotypes and delving into the complexities of her condition.
The absence of a love interest for Emma is refreshing and allows the narrative to focus on her personal development and friendships. The relationship between Emma and Susie is central to the story, and the dynamic between these two characters is engaging and full of unexpected twists.
The pacing of the book is quick, making it an engaging and hard-to-put-down read. The mix of mystery and contemporary elements creates a unique blend that keeps the reader intrigued throughout. The story's original concept, where a trained assassin navigates the challenges of high school while attempting to maintain her mission, adds layers of suspense and intrigue.
While the characters are well-developed, there are moments when their actions feel slightly out of character. Despite this, the overall narrative remains engaging and compelling. The book also delivers several plot twists that keep the reader guessing until the very end.
In summary, Confessions of a Dangerous Girl is a must-read for fans of YA mystery and contemporary fiction. With its unique premise, realistic character growth, and engaging plot twists, this novel captivates from start to finish. Dan Birk successfully crafts a thought-provoking and thrilling story that stands out in the young adult genre.
4.1 rounded down to 4/5
August 10, 2023
I was very intrigued by the premise of this book, because while the idea of the trained psychopath assassin is not a new one, Emma's profile is a little unusual.
For one thing, a school for child assassins to be moulded from a young age for seriously murderous assignments isn't that common a theme. And Emma's youth - while it enables her to go undercover at a High School - also probably makes her capable of greater change/development than an adult might be.
So, even as we suspect that there is something dirty about The Early Institute, we can already hope that Emma may be able to do something different, or at least have a life of her own, if she manages to escape their clutches. But before that, there are of course lots of things that are going to go down...
It's hard enough for an ordinary 16 year old to make friends when starting at a new school, but for someone who has been institutionalized from a young age in a place where dangerous children are trained to be assassins, it's likely to be even harder.
Mind you, the average American high school is a pretty dangerous environment in itself, as any number of bullied or traumatized students can attest!
What makes Emma's assignment very hard indeed is the fact that she not only has to act like a normal student, she also has to establish a bond with the biggest "good girl" in the school as a precondition to fulfilling her next assassination assignment. Talk about tough challenges.
This book was such an enjoyable read. I particularly liked the fact that unlike many YA stories, this story does not centre around a romance!
Seeing things from Emma's point of view was especially interesting, given what a smart and funny character she is. And contrary to what we are told about psychopaths, Emma has a clear growth arc through the story, which raises the question of what kind of person she actually is...
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
For one thing, a school for child assassins to be moulded from a young age for seriously murderous assignments isn't that common a theme. And Emma's youth - while it enables her to go undercover at a High School - also probably makes her capable of greater change/development than an adult might be.
So, even as we suspect that there is something dirty about The Early Institute, we can already hope that Emma may be able to do something different, or at least have a life of her own, if she manages to escape their clutches. But before that, there are of course lots of things that are going to go down...
It's hard enough for an ordinary 16 year old to make friends when starting at a new school, but for someone who has been institutionalized from a young age in a place where dangerous children are trained to be assassins, it's likely to be even harder.
Mind you, the average American high school is a pretty dangerous environment in itself, as any number of bullied or traumatized students can attest!
What makes Emma's assignment very hard indeed is the fact that she not only has to act like a normal student, she also has to establish a bond with the biggest "good girl" in the school as a precondition to fulfilling her next assassination assignment. Talk about tough challenges.
This book was such an enjoyable read. I particularly liked the fact that unlike many YA stories, this story does not centre around a romance!
Seeing things from Emma's point of view was especially interesting, given what a smart and funny character she is. And contrary to what we are told about psychopaths, Emma has a clear growth arc through the story, which raises the question of what kind of person she actually is...
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
January 18, 2024
Buku pertama yang kubaca di 2024.
Ga sengaja liat judul buku ini pas browsing, Confessions of a Dangerous Girl, udah langsung tertarik pengen baca. Trus, iseng cari sinopnya, dan keingetnya langsung ke Gallagher Girls gitu. Huhu.. Ya jelas, langsung masuk list.
Apa yang terjadi, kalo waktu usiamu 6 tahun, kamu udah kepikiran dan mencoba untuk membunuh adikmu yang baru berumur 2 tahun? Ga tanggung2, mo nyekek adiknya pake kerai atau gorden jendela gitu deh. Yup, kamu langsung masuk daftar konsultasi tanpa henti dari ortumu, yang berusaha cari tau, apa alasannya. Berobat sana sini, konsultasi dokter kanan kiri. Semua. Tanpa hasil. Sampai akhirnya, ada satu tempat yang berhasil nemuin penyebabnya. Kamu adalah seorang Psikopat. Akibatnya apa? Langsung dikirim ke sekolah khusus untuk anak2 yang didiagnosa sama denganmu. Seenggaknya, itu yang mereka beritahukan ke orang tua murid dan masyarakat umum. Tapi aslinya, sekolah itu adalah sekolah yang mendidik sebagian murid2 mereka yang memenuhi syarat menjadi pembunuh bayaran profesional.
Jadi begitulah, sejak usia 6 atau 7 tahun itu, si Emma Garthwright ini, jadi murid (dan assassin in training) di Early Institute, yang di bawah naungan CIA. Nah, waktu dia berumur 16 th, dia dapat tugas buat menyamar untuk jadi murid pindahan di Grover Cleveland High School. Misinya buat jadi anggota tim debat UN gitu, deh. Supaya bisa dikirim ke markas besar PBB dalam waktu 2 bulan mendatang. Sayangnya, waktu test, dia gagal masuk tim utama, dan hanya jadi tim cadangan. Supaya bisa berhasil masuk tim utama, dia mesti ngedeketin ketua tim debat, Suzie.
Ga sengaja liat judul buku ini pas browsing, Confessions of a Dangerous Girl, udah langsung tertarik pengen baca. Trus, iseng cari sinopnya, dan keingetnya langsung ke Gallagher Girls gitu. Huhu.. Ya jelas, langsung masuk list.
Apa yang terjadi, kalo waktu usiamu 6 tahun, kamu udah kepikiran dan mencoba untuk membunuh adikmu yang baru berumur 2 tahun? Ga tanggung2, mo nyekek adiknya pake kerai atau gorden jendela gitu deh. Yup, kamu langsung masuk daftar konsultasi tanpa henti dari ortumu, yang berusaha cari tau, apa alasannya. Berobat sana sini, konsultasi dokter kanan kiri. Semua. Tanpa hasil. Sampai akhirnya, ada satu tempat yang berhasil nemuin penyebabnya. Kamu adalah seorang Psikopat. Akibatnya apa? Langsung dikirim ke sekolah khusus untuk anak2 yang didiagnosa sama denganmu. Seenggaknya, itu yang mereka beritahukan ke orang tua murid dan masyarakat umum. Tapi aslinya, sekolah itu adalah sekolah yang mendidik sebagian murid2 mereka yang memenuhi syarat menjadi pembunuh bayaran profesional.
Jadi begitulah, sejak usia 6 atau 7 tahun itu, si Emma Garthwright ini, jadi murid (dan assassin in training) di Early Institute, yang di bawah naungan CIA. Nah, waktu dia berumur 16 th, dia dapat tugas buat menyamar untuk jadi murid pindahan di Grover Cleveland High School. Misinya buat jadi anggota tim debat UN gitu, deh. Supaya bisa dikirim ke markas besar PBB dalam waktu 2 bulan mendatang. Sayangnya, waktu test, dia gagal masuk tim utama, dan hanya jadi tim cadangan. Supaya bisa berhasil masuk tim utama, dia mesti ngedeketin ketua tim debat, Suzie.
November 17, 2023
✨ 4 STARS ✨
emma is a teenage psychopath. she was born a psychopath and sent to an institute for other teenage psychopaths to be under a watchful eye and treated for their issues. what the outside world does not know is that the institute actually trains those teenage psychopaths to be assassins.
emma ends up back at home with her family, attending a real high school, and being a normal teenage girl for the first time in a while to prepare for a special mission. except it ends up being a mission that changes all that emma has known, who she is, and who she ends up becoming.
i ended up reading this book in about three days. it was a very quick, enjoyable read and captures your attention from the very beginning. following the rules of friendship and self awareness, it is super easy to root for emmas character and want to keep reading to know what happens next. while i know most people expect a romance subplot in most stories, i liked that this story followed emmas character development rather than focusing on what her love life would be like, especially since dating as a teenage psychopath assassin would obviously be a complex dynamic that would be difficult to write correctly.
this was a fun little YA read and i have never read a book like this before, i enjoyed it a lot more than i initially expected when i first read the synopsis.
[read from an arc through netgalley]
emma is a teenage psychopath. she was born a psychopath and sent to an institute for other teenage psychopaths to be under a watchful eye and treated for their issues. what the outside world does not know is that the institute actually trains those teenage psychopaths to be assassins.
emma ends up back at home with her family, attending a real high school, and being a normal teenage girl for the first time in a while to prepare for a special mission. except it ends up being a mission that changes all that emma has known, who she is, and who she ends up becoming.
i ended up reading this book in about three days. it was a very quick, enjoyable read and captures your attention from the very beginning. following the rules of friendship and self awareness, it is super easy to root for emmas character and want to keep reading to know what happens next. while i know most people expect a romance subplot in most stories, i liked that this story followed emmas character development rather than focusing on what her love life would be like, especially since dating as a teenage psychopath assassin would obviously be a complex dynamic that would be difficult to write correctly.
this was a fun little YA read and i have never read a book like this before, i enjoyed it a lot more than i initially expected when i first read the synopsis.
[read from an arc through netgalley]
August 12, 2023
If you need a book that you can immediately launch into, then this is it. There was no adjustment period with this one, it just got going straight away and was exactly what I was looking for!
You’re dropped straight into the story so right from the beginning, it becomes very hard to put down. That coupled with the fact that it’s so easy to read and has enough ‘intrigue drops’ to keep you flicking pages, I think I pretty much read in one sitting.
Considering the main character, Emma, is a certifiable and diagnosed psychopath, she was actually really easy to get to like. I loved following her and how she thought, honestly being in her brain space and how she navigated situations made for very entertaining reading.
And I loved the whole set up too. CIA young training facility, said young assassin thrown out into the world on a mission to ingratiate herself into a ‘real’ people’s high school and try not to get ousted as the psychopath assassin that she really is? With of course, some curveballs and side missions along the away. I absolutely loved it.
I don’t think I could give it less than 5 for the simple enjoyment factor I got out of it and the ease that it had me hooked. I hope there will be more to follow, it would make a great series!
Thank you to the author and publisher for this book on NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts and review.
You’re dropped straight into the story so right from the beginning, it becomes very hard to put down. That coupled with the fact that it’s so easy to read and has enough ‘intrigue drops’ to keep you flicking pages, I think I pretty much read in one sitting.
Considering the main character, Emma, is a certifiable and diagnosed psychopath, she was actually really easy to get to like. I loved following her and how she thought, honestly being in her brain space and how she navigated situations made for very entertaining reading.
And I loved the whole set up too. CIA young training facility, said young assassin thrown out into the world on a mission to ingratiate herself into a ‘real’ people’s high school and try not to get ousted as the psychopath assassin that she really is? With of course, some curveballs and side missions along the away. I absolutely loved it.
I don’t think I could give it less than 5 for the simple enjoyment factor I got out of it and the ease that it had me hooked. I hope there will be more to follow, it would make a great series!
Thank you to the author and publisher for this book on NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts and review.
August 14, 2023
Confessions of a Dangerous Girl by Dan Birk.
Sixteen-year-old Emma has spent most of her life at the remote Early Institute, a boarding school operating under the guise of helping children like Emma become better people. But the Early Institute's altruistic façade hides a darker motive—to turn its students into the deadliest teenage assassins the world has ever seen. Taught to kill without question, Emma is tasked by her demanding headmaster with going undercover at Grover Cleveland High School. There, she must do the seemingly impossible—truly become a better person in order to win the trust of Grover Cleveland's most virtuous student, Susie Robinson, and help Susie gain the affections of her crush, Brayden. Susie is a straight-A teacher's pet, naturally suspicious of the manipulative and deceitful Emma, and the one person standing between the success or failure of Emma's mission to assassinate an international political figure. But is Emma really capable of changing? And why does it seem like Brayden is more interested in her than in Susie? As the deadly teen's newfound freedom and friendships start to get in the way of her mission, and the sinister truth behind the Early Institute begins to come to light, can Emma use her wits and lethal skills to save her friendship with Susie while keeping them both alive?
I really did enjoy this book. Different. I did like Emma. 5*.
Sixteen-year-old Emma has spent most of her life at the remote Early Institute, a boarding school operating under the guise of helping children like Emma become better people. But the Early Institute's altruistic façade hides a darker motive—to turn its students into the deadliest teenage assassins the world has ever seen. Taught to kill without question, Emma is tasked by her demanding headmaster with going undercover at Grover Cleveland High School. There, she must do the seemingly impossible—truly become a better person in order to win the trust of Grover Cleveland's most virtuous student, Susie Robinson, and help Susie gain the affections of her crush, Brayden. Susie is a straight-A teacher's pet, naturally suspicious of the manipulative and deceitful Emma, and the one person standing between the success or failure of Emma's mission to assassinate an international political figure. But is Emma really capable of changing? And why does it seem like Brayden is more interested in her than in Susie? As the deadly teen's newfound freedom and friendships start to get in the way of her mission, and the sinister truth behind the Early Institute begins to come to light, can Emma use her wits and lethal skills to save her friendship with Susie while keeping them both alive?
I really did enjoy this book. Different. I did like Emma. 5*.
August 27, 2023
Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.)
"Diagnosed as a psychopath as a child and trained as an assassin at a secret CIA institute, Emma Garthright is not like other teens. But now Emma is faced with the one mission she isn't prepared for—making friends at an ordinary high school."
Emma tried to kill her younger brother at age 6 and was sent away to what her parents thought was a school to help her overcome her psychopathic tendencies, not enhance them.
Emma is very blunt, funny, and quite intense (as well as socially stunted). Reading about her trying to make friends, learning what the right thing is to say to appear "normal" and fit it was very entertaining.
If you were ever a fan of Alias, Spy Kids, any CIA thrillers, or just enamored by the human mind and how psychopathy manifests in people, this is the book for you. If you enjoy books where damaged people learn to heal, books about what it means to make real friends for the first time you will no doubt like this.
It's a story of a girl raised to be a monster who learns she's capable of more. Of what it means to protect people you care about (hell, to care about other people at all).
I can see this becoming a very successful series of books and can especially see this being optioned for a TV series or movie. Very well crafted story.
"Diagnosed as a psychopath as a child and trained as an assassin at a secret CIA institute, Emma Garthright is not like other teens. But now Emma is faced with the one mission she isn't prepared for—making friends at an ordinary high school."
Emma tried to kill her younger brother at age 6 and was sent away to what her parents thought was a school to help her overcome her psychopathic tendencies, not enhance them.
Emma is very blunt, funny, and quite intense (as well as socially stunted). Reading about her trying to make friends, learning what the right thing is to say to appear "normal" and fit it was very entertaining.
If you were ever a fan of Alias, Spy Kids, any CIA thrillers, or just enamored by the human mind and how psychopathy manifests in people, this is the book for you. If you enjoy books where damaged people learn to heal, books about what it means to make real friends for the first time you will no doubt like this.
It's a story of a girl raised to be a monster who learns she's capable of more. Of what it means to protect people you care about (hell, to care about other people at all).
I can see this becoming a very successful series of books and can especially see this being optioned for a TV series or movie. Very well crafted story.
September 26, 2023
Rating: 4.5 stars
Spice: Very mild, intimacy is alluded to but in no detail. Safe for readers of all ages
Language: Clean, a couple of censored curse words
I really enjoyed this book it was fast paced and action packed. I read the book in one day. It was not as dark as it could have been seeing as the story is told by a psychopath. In fact I found quite a few parts of the story very humerous.
Emma is sent on her first solo mission as a way to make up for a previous mission that went haywire. This new mission horrifies emma, leave her "school" go back to the family that are scared of her and become friends with normal teenagers.
I appreciated Emma's character growth as she began to form friendships for the first time in her life. She learnt how to think about others even though it wasn't her natural inclination. Even as a psychopath she discovers she has some what of a conscience starting to question wether or not what shes been assigned to do is the right thing. Should she trust the people who have guided and accepted her for the past 10 years?
I really hope that this will be made into a series. The ending certainly left room for this option. If it is I will definitely come back and read the rest of the books.
I recieved an ARC from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Spice: Very mild, intimacy is alluded to but in no detail. Safe for readers of all ages
Language: Clean, a couple of censored curse words
I really enjoyed this book it was fast paced and action packed. I read the book in one day. It was not as dark as it could have been seeing as the story is told by a psychopath. In fact I found quite a few parts of the story very humerous.
Emma is sent on her first solo mission as a way to make up for a previous mission that went haywire. This new mission horrifies emma, leave her "school" go back to the family that are scared of her and become friends with normal teenagers.
I appreciated Emma's character growth as she began to form friendships for the first time in her life. She learnt how to think about others even though it wasn't her natural inclination. Even as a psychopath she discovers she has some what of a conscience starting to question wether or not what shes been assigned to do is the right thing. Should she trust the people who have guided and accepted her for the past 10 years?
I really hope that this will be made into a series. The ending certainly left room for this option. If it is I will definitely come back and read the rest of the books.
I recieved an ARC from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 3, 2023
ARC provided in exhange for an honest review.
This book was so much fun. I know I'm not really the target audience anymore as this is the younger end of YA, but I would have been SO obsessed with it as a preteen so I had to honour my younger self and read it.
The premise of a school for psychopaths to be trained into CIA assassins was all I needed to pick it up. The writing style and pacing of the plot made it super easy to read this book in one or two sittings, and it was full of humour, action, found family, and a surprising amount of geopolitics. At the beginning I felt like some of Emma's thoughts were too repetitive, but this improved after the first few chapters and honestly I forgot all about that until I read my little review notes!
I was pleasantly surprised to see that besides mentioning Emma's ex, and other characters having romances, we didn't really have a romance plot for the MC. For YA this was SO refreshing and left more room for the character development, both for Emma and the others!
The ending was wrapped up well, with pretty much everything I could ask for getting ticked off, but that being said I could see this easily becoming a whole series
This book was so much fun. I know I'm not really the target audience anymore as this is the younger end of YA, but I would have been SO obsessed with it as a preteen so I had to honour my younger self and read it.
The premise of a school for psychopaths to be trained into CIA assassins was all I needed to pick it up. The writing style and pacing of the plot made it super easy to read this book in one or two sittings, and it was full of humour, action, found family, and a surprising amount of geopolitics. At the beginning I felt like some of Emma's thoughts were too repetitive, but this improved after the first few chapters and honestly I forgot all about that until I read my little review notes!
I was pleasantly surprised to see that besides mentioning Emma's ex, and other characters having romances, we didn't really have a romance plot for the MC. For YA this was SO refreshing and left more room for the character development, both for Emma and the others!
The ending was wrapped up well, with pretty much everything I could ask for getting ticked off, but that being said I could see this easily becoming a whole series
September 9, 2023
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an eARC of this title.
I absolutely loved this book & finished it in a day. I just could not put it down.
Emma Garthright (16) has been living in a boarding school for psychopaths since she was 6. Her
parents believe the school is teaching the kids how to function in the real world. What they don't know is that it is also a secret CIA training sight for teenage assassins.
Emma has now been assigned a mission - go home, live with her family, attend a regular high school and make the Model UN team so she can travel with them to their competition in NYC.
However- Tryouts don’t go as planned and she ends up as an alternate (alternates don’t travel)
Now she has to figure out how to make friends with the team's captain (and somehow eliminate one team member) so she can be moved from alternate to team member and complete her mission.
But what happens when the girl with no conscience learns to care about those around her?
This one has lots of action, drama, and plenty of laughs. I know my students will enjoy it.
There is some language & allusions to sex, but no details.
I absolutely loved this book & finished it in a day. I just could not put it down.
Emma Garthright (16) has been living in a boarding school for psychopaths since she was 6. Her
parents believe the school is teaching the kids how to function in the real world. What they don't know is that it is also a secret CIA training sight for teenage assassins.
Emma has now been assigned a mission - go home, live with her family, attend a regular high school and make the Model UN team so she can travel with them to their competition in NYC.
However- Tryouts don’t go as planned and she ends up as an alternate (alternates don’t travel)
Now she has to figure out how to make friends with the team's captain (and somehow eliminate one team member) so she can be moved from alternate to team member and complete her mission.
But what happens when the girl with no conscience learns to care about those around her?
This one has lots of action, drama, and plenty of laughs. I know my students will enjoy it.
There is some language & allusions to sex, but no details.
August 22, 2023
‘Confessions of a Dangerous Girl’ takes readers on a gripping journey into the conflicted world of Emma Garthright, a psychopathic assassin who faces an unexpected challenge—forming genuine friendships in a high school setting. Diagnosed and trained in the shadows of a secret CIA institute, Emma's dangerous skills collide with the innocence of her new environment.
As she navigates the treacherous waters of teenage life, her mission to befriend Susie Robinson, a virtuous student with secrets of her own, tests Emma's ability to truly change. With a backdrop of deception and danger, the novel explores Emma's struggle to reconcile her deadly past and the surprising connections that could change her fate.
As tensions escalate and the truth unravels, ‘Confessions of a Dangerous Girl’ offers a thrilling exploration of identity, friendship, and the complexities of redemption, making it an unmissable tale of suspense and transformation.
Thank you to NetGalley and William Rookwood for this advanced copy
As she navigates the treacherous waters of teenage life, her mission to befriend Susie Robinson, a virtuous student with secrets of her own, tests Emma's ability to truly change. With a backdrop of deception and danger, the novel explores Emma's struggle to reconcile her deadly past and the surprising connections that could change her fate.
As tensions escalate and the truth unravels, ‘Confessions of a Dangerous Girl’ offers a thrilling exploration of identity, friendship, and the complexities of redemption, making it an unmissable tale of suspense and transformation.
Thank you to NetGalley and William Rookwood for this advanced copy
August 14, 2023
(This review is based off of an uncorrected proof from NetGalley)
Are you a fan of Black Widow? More specifically, are you a fan of the first couple scenes in the Black Widow movie that really should have been its own movie or show entirely? Are you a fan of X-Men? Nancy Drew? Yeah, me too.
If you said yes to any of the above questions, you NEED to pick up this novel. Emma, a diagnosed psychopath, attends a boarding school where psychopaths are trained as assassins. Her next mission: high school. That's all I'm going to say about that because I don't want to spoil the plot.
I thought this was an incredibly interesting and entertaining YA novel. I was hooked from page 1 and didn't want to put it down (I may have stayed up way too late to finish it). The only thing I wanted was more. I'm really hoping there's a sequel because I need to know more about what happens to Emma!
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for an e-ARC of this novel.
Are you a fan of Black Widow? More specifically, are you a fan of the first couple scenes in the Black Widow movie that really should have been its own movie or show entirely? Are you a fan of X-Men? Nancy Drew? Yeah, me too.
If you said yes to any of the above questions, you NEED to pick up this novel. Emma, a diagnosed psychopath, attends a boarding school where psychopaths are trained as assassins. Her next mission: high school. That's all I'm going to say about that because I don't want to spoil the plot.
I thought this was an incredibly interesting and entertaining YA novel. I was hooked from page 1 and didn't want to put it down (I may have stayed up way too late to finish it). The only thing I wanted was more. I'm really hoping there's a sequel because I need to know more about what happens to Emma!
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for an e-ARC of this novel.
September 22, 2023
Confessions of a Dangerous Girl is an interesting premise. You have a psychopath who attempts to kill her younger brother and is institutionalized. Instead of receiving treatment to stop herself from killing, she's taught to kill in the best way possible. As a parent of teens and young adults, I don't know how I would handle this mental health diagnosis, but I would surely be afraid to have my murderous child return home for everyone's safety. And to warn her "No more killing" would be such a stressor that I don't think I could parent that child, but here we are. While Emma has the duel issue of portraying herself as a regular teen girl and carrying out her mission, she does it to the best of her ability. If she's a psychopath, she surely got the friendships right. I definitely called the twist early on, but the story concluded satisfactorily.
Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 25, 2023
Young Adult books are getting more exciting. I am not one of those people that will not read YA books just because they are YA books. I enjoy reading any genre that captures my interest and attention. The premise of this story was interesting, and I wanted to read it. Emma is a student at the Early Institute. What people assume from the outside of this institution is that it helps students that needs special accommodations. Emma was diagnosed as a psychopath and that works to her advantage, because she is being secretly trained as an assassin.
Her mission is to go to a regular high school, observe a fellow student and just try to fit in. Fitting in is always the hardest part but she tries her best. This is an exceptional story with outstanding characters. The plot is exciting, and this story is just wonderful.
Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Her mission is to go to a regular high school, observe a fellow student and just try to fit in. Fitting in is always the hardest part but she tries her best. This is an exceptional story with outstanding characters. The plot is exciting, and this story is just wonderful.
Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 22, 2023
I received a galley copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. #netgalley
Think you're at a school being trained to work for the CIA....think again! Overall this was a really fun ride. The character even though a "psychopath" was likeable enough to keep the story moving without sinking into the usual tropes. I finished the book rather quickly because the pace of the story is quick and a lot of fun.
This is the kind of book you pick up as a quick palate cleanser between heavier fiction or when you are looking for something fun to read by the pool or on the beach. I would recommend it to anyone who likes YA fiction and/or light mysteries. After reading this I will look forward to reading more books by this author or even looking for additional books about our teenage assassins'!
Think you're at a school being trained to work for the CIA....think again! Overall this was a really fun ride. The character even though a "psychopath" was likeable enough to keep the story moving without sinking into the usual tropes. I finished the book rather quickly because the pace of the story is quick and a lot of fun.
This is the kind of book you pick up as a quick palate cleanser between heavier fiction or when you are looking for something fun to read by the pool or on the beach. I would recommend it to anyone who likes YA fiction and/or light mysteries. After reading this I will look forward to reading more books by this author or even looking for additional books about our teenage assassins'!
August 14, 2023
I haven't read a story quite like this before. Usually, in the spy/assassin type books I've previously read, the mc is a guy. Especially in the books taking place during school settings. Confessions of a Dangerous Girl isn't written that way.
Our main character is a girl who is calculating, intelligent, and makes the best of what has been thrown at her. She finds herself in a new situation and begins learning how to stand on her own two feet while juggling a mission at a high school.
This is an interesting book full of situations and characters that keep you engaged in the story. I like this one.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Our main character is a girl who is calculating, intelligent, and makes the best of what has been thrown at her. She finds herself in a new situation and begins learning how to stand on her own two feet while juggling a mission at a high school.
This is an interesting book full of situations and characters that keep you engaged in the story. I like this one.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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