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Dead Little Mean Girl
Quinn Littleton was a mean girl—a skinny blonde social terrorist in stilettos. She was everything Emma MacLaren hated. Until she died.
A proud geek girl, Emma loves her quiet life on the outskirts, playing video games and staying off the radar. When her nightmare of a new stepsister moves into the bedroom next door, her world is turned upside down. Quinn is a queen bee with a nasty streak who destroys anyone who gets in her way. Teachers, football players, her fellow cheerleaders—no one is safe.
Emma wants nothing more than to get this girl out of her life, but when Quinn dies suddenly, Emma realizes there was more to her stepsister than anyone ever realized.
A proud geek girl, Emma loves her quiet life on the outskirts, playing video games and staying off the radar. When her nightmare of a new stepsister moves into the bedroom next door, her world is turned upside down. Quinn is a queen bee with a nasty streak who destroys anyone who gets in her way. Teachers, football players, her fellow cheerleaders—no one is safe.
Emma wants nothing more than to get this girl out of her life, but when Quinn dies suddenly, Emma realizes there was more to her stepsister than anyone ever realized.
250 pages, Hardcover
First published March 28, 2017
14 people are currently reading
1700 people want to read
About the author
Eva Darrows
4 books145 followersEva Darrows is Hillary Monahan is also an international woman of mystery. Holed up in Massachusetts with three smelly basset hounds, she writes funny, creepy things for fun and profit.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews
April 20, 2017
There are some things I liked about the story, while there are also plenty I was let down by. If you are expecting an epic mystery surrounding Quinn's death, you will not find that here. This is more a story about a really mean, awful girl who is cruel to everyone around her and she happens to end up dead.
Told from the perspective of Emma, the novel starts with Quinn dead. She then backtracks to tell us exactly how Quinn came into her life when their moms started to date and Quinn moved in. We learn in detail just how horrible a person Quinn is as we get into all the vile things she's done to all the people around her including Emma. She instigates, manipulates, uses people, and there is absolutely no excuse. Now on that note is where my true issue lies. The story comes to the conclusion that Quinn was such a vicious person because she's a hurt, scared, lonely teenager lashing out. I'd give it to you maybe if we'd gotten Quinn's POV. But without that I just don't see this in her. She comes across as sociopathic with zero regard for other people.
I 100% agree that we should always treat others with kindness. But it doesn't make sense that you should do that when someone is being so awful to you and just keep taking it. That's allowing yourself to be bullied. I get that they could be going through a difficult time but that doesn't excuse horrible behavior. That's my issue...trying to give an excuse for sociopathic behavior. If Quinn has issues, that's fine. I am not denying that. I'm just saying no matter what she is going through, it is no excuse for the way she treats the people around her.
Dead Little Mean Girl is a fairly quick read. I appreciate the message of not judging others and always treating others with kindness. I just wish it hadn't been muddied by our lack of a POV from Quinn. Maybe it would've been easier to understand her had we been given extra layers to her character (even a scene where she earns our empathy). Without that she's just this cold, heartless mean girl. Quinn is a damn bully who could even be described as a homophobic, racist, body-shaming, self-entitled, spoiled bitch. Beware of triggers caused by Quinn's bullying. I don't think I was the audience for this one. The comparisons to Heathers and Mean Girls are merely for the mean girl aspect. I didn't find other similarities to those films. And for the record, I love those movies.
I won this through goodreads in exchange for an honest review.
Told from the perspective of Emma, the novel starts with Quinn dead. She then backtracks to tell us exactly how Quinn came into her life when their moms started to date and Quinn moved in. We learn in detail just how horrible a person Quinn is as we get into all the vile things she's done to all the people around her including Emma. She instigates, manipulates, uses people, and there is absolutely no excuse. Now on that note is where my true issue lies. The story comes to the conclusion that Quinn was such a vicious person because she's a hurt, scared, lonely teenager lashing out. I'd give it to you maybe if we'd gotten Quinn's POV. But without that I just don't see this in her. She comes across as sociopathic with zero regard for other people.
I 100% agree that we should always treat others with kindness. But it doesn't make sense that you should do that when someone is being so awful to you and just keep taking it. That's allowing yourself to be bullied. I get that they could be going through a difficult time but that doesn't excuse horrible behavior. That's my issue...trying to give an excuse for sociopathic behavior. If Quinn has issues, that's fine. I am not denying that. I'm just saying no matter what she is going through, it is no excuse for the way she treats the people around her.
Dead Little Mean Girl is a fairly quick read. I appreciate the message of not judging others and always treating others with kindness. I just wish it hadn't been muddied by our lack of a POV from Quinn. Maybe it would've been easier to understand her had we been given extra layers to her character (even a scene where she earns our empathy). Without that she's just this cold, heartless mean girl. Quinn is a damn bully who could even be described as a homophobic, racist, body-shaming, self-entitled, spoiled bitch. Beware of triggers caused by Quinn's bullying. I don't think I was the audience for this one. The comparisons to Heathers and Mean Girls are merely for the mean girl aspect. I didn't find other similarities to those films. And for the record, I love those movies.
I won this through goodreads in exchange for an honest review.
February 22, 2017
3.5 stars
The cover caught my eye and the synopsis hooked me, so I pretty much read this as soon as I got approved.
I really liked Emma. She's smart and nerdy and I loved her friends. Nikki is amazing and I would love to get arrested with her. Shawn was sweet {after a certain thing was over} and I enjoyed seeing his relationship with Emma. Quinn...well, she's quite a mean person, but she's more than just the mean girl. She's toxic to anyone she touches. I get that there are underlying reasons, but I certainly don't agree with the way anything Quinn did was handled.
I liked the basis of the moms getting together and for the most part, they were awesome. My main complaint {besides everything Quinn related} was that there wasn't really a revelation. I was under the impression that there was a reason and while there was a slight explanation, I was left scratching my head rather than understanding. Perhaps that's the age difference from me to the target audience.
Overall, it was a quick and mostly fun read. I'll definitely be looking for other books by the author.
**Huge thanks to Harlequin Teen and NetGalley for providing the arc free of charge**
The cover caught my eye and the synopsis hooked me, so I pretty much read this as soon as I got approved.
I really liked Emma. She's smart and nerdy and I loved her friends. Nikki is amazing and I would love to get arrested with her. Shawn was sweet {after a certain thing was over} and I enjoyed seeing his relationship with Emma. Quinn...well, she's quite a mean person, but she's more than just the mean girl. She's toxic to anyone she touches. I get that there are underlying reasons, but I certainly don't agree with the way anything Quinn did was handled.
I liked the basis of the moms getting together and for the most part, they were awesome. My main complaint {besides everything Quinn related} was that there wasn't really a revelation. I was under the impression that there was a reason and while there was a slight explanation, I was left scratching my head rather than understanding. Perhaps that's the age difference from me to the target audience.
Overall, it was a quick and mostly fun read. I'll definitely be looking for other books by the author.
**Huge thanks to Harlequin Teen and NetGalley for providing the arc free of charge**
April 14, 2017
The synopsis had so much promise but unfortunately the book did not address the main concern the author wanted to portray regarding stereotyped “mean girls”.
In the synopsis it says “...when Quinn dies suddenly, Emma realizes there was more to her stepsister than anyone ever realized.”
Unfortunately there was actually nothing to be realized. We were never shown anything redeemable about Quinn in the entire novel.
Our book begins with a description of Quinn’s dead body. Then the rest of the novel takes place before her death, when Quinn becomes Emma’s stepsister, and moves in with her when their mothers begin to date. Quinn is absolutely the stereotype of the “mean girl”. She is an obnoxious blonde cheerleader, who only cares about being skinny and getting designer clothes/purses. But she really goes beyond just a "mean girl". She destroys people's lives. Almost all of the book is scenes of Quinn being a complete and utter asshole to Emma (who is a sweet nerdy type girl) and doing even more heinous and serious things like
The author did a terrible job at garnering any empathy from me. Quinn went well beyond just “bullying” and the amount of sexist, homophobic, and body-shaming comments Quinn made was astounding.
So after all of that the author wants us to realize that we should be kind to people, even if they are the most horrible beings we have ever encountered? I don’t think so. Some people are actually horrible and do terrible things just because they are terrible people. In fact, I think the only person who should feel somewhat guilty is Karen (Quinn’s mother) and her dad. Karen’s parenting skills were so abhorrent and a clear reason why Quinn acted the way she did, and it wasn’t because she was a “scared or lonely teenager”. She was never given boundaries. Quinn would do something horrible and instead of getting in trouble she would actually be rewarded and Karen would take her shopping and buy her things.
The most confusing part of the book was how Emma felt guilty for having one big fight with Quinn right before she died and then gives this big speech about how we need to forgive people and so on but it felt so fake. At no point did the author ever make me think Quinn was redeemable. Quinn actually came off as a sociopath...I suppose I am supposed to be kind and sympathetic to people like Patrick Bateman too?
I think this book would have been much better if Quinn, at some point, grew up beyond the “mean girl” stereotype and took stock of her life. If Karen actually stepped up as a parent and followed through with her threats, like made Quinn go to therapy and send her to a school for troubled girls. Or if we could have had Quinn's POV so we could have truly understood why she acted the way she did if she was in fact not just a sociopath.
This is just my personal opinion but it doesn’t matter if your parents are divorced, or you feel sad sometimes, or had a bad experience...nothing excuses the way Quinn treated people. You can’t spend 90% of the book showing Quinn as a ruthless sociopath and then expect us to suddenly feel guilty for “not being nice enough to her” just because she died in a meaningless way.
Nope. Just Nope.
Overall disappointed at the execution.
Oh and just a side note - the romance felt like it was put in because it had to be there. It was undeveloped and I would have loved to have Emma talk more about her relationship and overcoming her body issues, which was only vaguely mentioned once. I appreciate NetGalley for giving me this book and I always want to give my honest opinion back.
May 10, 2017
This was pretty good but I didn't care for it as much as her first one... the writing/wit and all that is there, but there just wasn't as much a connection.
Not to say I didn't enjoy reading this... I did :)
Quinn was a mean little shit who thought nothing of stepping on other people to get what she wanted and retaliated when she felt slighted. Some may see it as a angry teen acting out, but with no POV from Quinn, she came off as spiteful, vindictive, and possibly psychotic person.
There were times I wanted to shake her until some form of decency and common sense inserted itself into her thick skull.
The way Emma and Quinn's moms handled things didn't sit right with me either. Karen was going through a rough time with her divorce and her ex but I think she should have had a stricter hand with Quinn or gone to therapy with her.
Maybe it wouldn't have helped anything though.
Emma was awesome, loved her voice. She was kind, smart, a geek/fangirl, and compassionate. I was so glad when she . I could see myself being friends with Emma in high school. My friend Tasha and her would have gotten along too with their mutual love of Dr. Who :)
Shaun was just a great guy... I was wary at first just like Emma but he turned out to be sweet and considerate and had a couple unexpected things up his sleeve that only gave him more points. Watching his relationship progress with Emma put a smile on my face.
The story doesn't revolve around Quinn's death (not a spoiler, it's in the summary), more of showing who she was and how she affected people around her (As Ellen says "Be Kind to One Another.") Many possibilities of people she pissed off but what happened was not what I expected to hear.
If Quinn had gotten help or kind words/positive attention, could everything have been avoided? *shrugs* Who knows?
The ending was nice and had me tearing up a bit before and after... I was proud of Emma when she did what she did.
All in all, worth a read :)
Not to say I didn't enjoy reading this... I did :)
Quinn was a mean little shit who thought nothing of stepping on other people to get what she wanted and retaliated when she felt slighted. Some may see it as a angry teen acting out, but with no POV from Quinn, she came off as spiteful, vindictive, and possibly psychotic person.
There were times I wanted to shake her until some form of decency and common sense inserted itself into her thick skull.
The way Emma and Quinn's moms handled things didn't sit right with me either. Karen was going through a rough time with her divorce and her ex but I think she should have had a stricter hand with Quinn or gone to therapy with her.
Maybe it wouldn't have helped anything though.
Emma was awesome, loved her voice. She was kind, smart, a geek/fangirl, and compassionate. I was so glad when she . I could see myself being friends with Emma in high school. My friend Tasha and her would have gotten along too with their mutual love of Dr. Who :)
Shaun was just a great guy... I was wary at first just like Emma but he turned out to be sweet and considerate and had a couple unexpected things up his sleeve that only gave him more points. Watching his relationship progress with Emma put a smile on my face.
The story doesn't revolve around Quinn's death (not a spoiler, it's in the summary), more of showing who she was and how she affected people around her (As Ellen says "Be Kind to One Another.") Many possibilities of people she pissed off but what happened was not what I expected to hear.
If Quinn had gotten help or kind words/positive attention, could everything have been avoided? *shrugs* Who knows?
The ending was nice and had me tearing up a bit before and after... I was proud of Emma when she did what she did.
All in all, worth a read :)
December 1, 2016
***I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***
SUMMARY:
DEAD LITTLE MEAN GIRL starts at the end. Quinn Littleton, the aforementioned mean girl, is dead in her family's garage. Told from the point-of-view of her stepsister, Emma, we learn of all the ways in which Quinn manipulates, uses, and abuses everyone around her, and how those very people manage to survive Hurrican Quinn.
------
REVIEW:
I love this book. I love it for the characters, for how well it's written, but most of all for how real it is. There are people just like Quinn and her posse, and chances are, most of us have encountered them and come out mostly unscathed. (Either that or we are the Mean Person.) We build walls, means of self-defense, which is exactly what Emma and her family do in order to survive Quinn.
I loved how Darrows wrote all the characters and their interactions with each other. There are so many different layers and complexities, depending on who you're with, and in each character, we received their anger, their love, their vulnerability, their guilt, and so much more.
A noteworthy aspect of this novel is that the focus is not on the romance. Not that there's anything wrong with that, because lord knows I love me some romance. That's not to say there isn't a romance aspect! It's so simple and easy-going, with no drama. But don't come into this thinking it's basically a Cinderella retelling where Emma gets swept away and saved by the Prince. More than anything, this book is about siblings (or pseudo-siblings), family, divorce and how it affects children, the meshing of families when new relationships are formed, and the coping mechanisms we develop.
It's may be rough to read in certain spots, as it pokes and prods and potentially reopens barely healed wounds, but it's absolutely worth the read.
SUMMARY:
DEAD LITTLE MEAN GIRL starts at the end. Quinn Littleton, the aforementioned mean girl, is dead in her family's garage. Told from the point-of-view of her stepsister, Emma, we learn of all the ways in which Quinn manipulates, uses, and abuses everyone around her, and how those very people manage to survive Hurrican Quinn.
------
REVIEW:
I love this book. I love it for the characters, for how well it's written, but most of all for how real it is. There are people just like Quinn and her posse, and chances are, most of us have encountered them and come out mostly unscathed. (Either that or we are the Mean Person.) We build walls, means of self-defense, which is exactly what Emma and her family do in order to survive Quinn.
I loved how Darrows wrote all the characters and their interactions with each other. There are so many different layers and complexities, depending on who you're with, and in each character, we received their anger, their love, their vulnerability, their guilt, and so much more.
A noteworthy aspect of this novel is that the focus is not on the romance. Not that there's anything wrong with that, because lord knows I love me some romance. That's not to say there isn't a romance aspect! It's so simple and easy-going, with no drama. But don't come into this thinking it's basically a Cinderella retelling where Emma gets swept away and saved by the Prince. More than anything, this book is about siblings (or pseudo-siblings), family, divorce and how it affects children, the meshing of families when new relationships are formed, and the coping mechanisms we develop.
It's may be rough to read in certain spots, as it pokes and prods and potentially reopens barely healed wounds, but it's absolutely worth the read.
October 1, 2020
3 - 3.5 stars
This was a really rough read for me. Essentially Quinn, the titular ‘mean girl’, dies and we are treated to an entire novel of all the terrible things she does and says that lead up to this moment. Essentially, almost the entire book is one long list of reasons why I don’t really feel back about her dying.
Also, let me clarify really quick. Quinn dying is not a spoiler. It happens in the first chapter of the book and is also one of the main parts of the synopsis itself. Also, if you're looking for there to be any sort of mystery into how Quinn died? There isn't one.
Anyway, that aside, I will continue. Towards the end of the book we finally catch up to the first chapter where we find out how and why Quinn died and get to see how all those in her life, in her crosshairs, and in her orbit react to her death. The story is all told from Quinn’s stepsister Emma’s POV and we can definitely see how hard things have been for her living two doors down from what appears to be a total sociopath. I don’t want to get into any specifics on the things that Quinn does as that’s really the whole bulk of the story until the last 30 or so pages. When the book finished, I honestly still didn’t feel bad about this 17-year-old girl dying (yes, I get it. I’m a horrible person). BUT!! I ended up reading the author’s acknowledgements in the back in the book which actually put a lot of things into perspective for me and helped me appreciate the story more for what Eva Darrows was actually going for. This ultimately is what drove the rating up for me from 2.5 stars to 3-3.5 stars. It’s just unfortunate that it took the author’s acknowledgements and not the story itself to help me see the forest thru the trees. To be fair, I’m not totally sure how the book could’ve been altered to allow her message to have more punch, but I’m sure there would’ve been a way.
To finish off my soapbox review, I want to say this. Kids aren’t born mean girls or bullies. Things happen in their life that create that person and there are so so many different things that can happen to a person to lead them down this path. This does not exonerate them of the terrible things they do, but maybe some therapy or just some understanding, and listening can make a big difference to someone who appears to be a bully or mean girl. I’m not going to go on or I will end up totally plagiarizing the author’s acknowledgements but suffice it to say, this is definitely not your typical mean girls book and I would recommend it to anyone that is looking for something different in that kind of genre.
I received this via Goodreads giveaway. All opinions are expressly my own.
This was a really rough read for me. Essentially Quinn, the titular ‘mean girl’, dies and we are treated to an entire novel of all the terrible things she does and says that lead up to this moment. Essentially, almost the entire book is one long list of reasons why I don’t really feel back about her dying.
Also, let me clarify really quick. Quinn dying is not a spoiler. It happens in the first chapter of the book and is also one of the main parts of the synopsis itself. Also, if you're looking for there to be any sort of mystery into how Quinn died? There isn't one.
Anyway, that aside, I will continue. Towards the end of the book we finally catch up to the first chapter where we find out how and why Quinn died and get to see how all those in her life, in her crosshairs, and in her orbit react to her death. The story is all told from Quinn’s stepsister Emma’s POV and we can definitely see how hard things have been for her living two doors down from what appears to be a total sociopath. I don’t want to get into any specifics on the things that Quinn does as that’s really the whole bulk of the story until the last 30 or so pages. When the book finished, I honestly still didn’t feel bad about this 17-year-old girl dying (yes, I get it. I’m a horrible person). BUT!! I ended up reading the author’s acknowledgements in the back in the book which actually put a lot of things into perspective for me and helped me appreciate the story more for what Eva Darrows was actually going for. This ultimately is what drove the rating up for me from 2.5 stars to 3-3.5 stars. It’s just unfortunate that it took the author’s acknowledgements and not the story itself to help me see the forest thru the trees. To be fair, I’m not totally sure how the book could’ve been altered to allow her message to have more punch, but I’m sure there would’ve been a way.
To finish off my soapbox review, I want to say this. Kids aren’t born mean girls or bullies. Things happen in their life that create that person and there are so so many different things that can happen to a person to lead them down this path. This does not exonerate them of the terrible things they do, but maybe some therapy or just some understanding, and listening can make a big difference to someone who appears to be a bully or mean girl. I’m not going to go on or I will end up totally plagiarizing the author’s acknowledgements but suffice it to say, this is definitely not your typical mean girls book and I would recommend it to anyone that is looking for something different in that kind of genre.
I received this via Goodreads giveaway. All opinions are expressly my own.
March 14, 2017
I received this book from the publisher/author in exchange of an honest review.
So this book starts off with a bang, death instantly. So we all know that the stepsister is going to die. We just don’t know how it happens.
It was a very effective intro, as it kept me wondering when we would reach full circle (aka when we would get to the part where this death happened).
I will try to write a review, but I am still quite wowed by this book, so it will be hard, so bear with me. :)
I could connect in so many ways with the character, and the mean girl was written so realistic that it was all recognition for me. I also had a mean girl like that in my life. A girl who was angry, then when she needed people was friendly, only to go back into death mode fast. We kind of lived at the same place for reasons. Together with some other people. I won’t go into much details, but lets say it really hit home, this book. Sure, it took me a while to realise it (80%) but then everything just connected and I just could see the bigger picture even better. The later part was also so true, about the mean girl, that she was probably asking for help, that she just needed someone to tell her things would be OK. I am not sure if anyone could have helped the mean girl in my life (she was pretty deep into things), but the stepsister? Yes, someone might have helped her. Someone might have told her she was loved, showed it in different way than just buying things. It might have been a hard, long, tough road, but I can already imagine that she might turn out to be sweeter.
Emma was just an amazing MC, I loved how she stayed true to who she was, didn’t let herself be bullied to be someone else. She could have done so many things, but she stayed true to who she was. Of course, she wasn’t happy, she wasn’t feeling good, and I can imagine that, I know the feeling all too well. I felt sad for her that she had to go through this, that it seems that no one was listening to her. Her mom tried her best, and Quinn mom as well, but especially Quinn’s mom just made it worse by spoiling Quinn further and further.
I was also really proud of her at the ending, for what she realised then, and how she handled it. I did feel a bit angry that she felt guilty about Quinn’s death. You don’t need to feel guilty. It wasn’t your fault. I am glad her friends also tried to tell her this.
The moms. I loved both of them, though I have to say I liked Emma’s mom the most. Quinn’s mom was too much, oh dear, my kid is doing something wrong, let me buy x and y expensive thing to make things better and make sure she will not do x and y again. Which in turn made things only so much worse.
But I loved them together, they were pretty much different, not only in how they looked, but also in how their personalities were, but they fitted together so wonderful. I also loved how how they tried to not be too much love-dovey in front of the kids as they knew it was a change for both of them. It was really sweet of them.
I so didn’t like Quinn’s dad. He was horrible. He cared more about his own things than his daughter. :\
Emma’s friends were definitely fun, and I liked them all.
What more? Well, the story was great, and it was a very engaging read and the author really did an amazing job on writing the characters. They were all so real, so wow.
I would highly recommend this book to everyone. And sorry for the slightly chaotic review, I am still just so amazed at this book, and I am having trouble getting my feelings turned to words.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
So this book starts off with a bang, death instantly. So we all know that the stepsister is going to die. We just don’t know how it happens.
It was a very effective intro, as it kept me wondering when we would reach full circle (aka when we would get to the part where this death happened).
I will try to write a review, but I am still quite wowed by this book, so it will be hard, so bear with me. :)
I could connect in so many ways with the character, and the mean girl was written so realistic that it was all recognition for me. I also had a mean girl like that in my life. A girl who was angry, then when she needed people was friendly, only to go back into death mode fast. We kind of lived at the same place for reasons. Together with some other people. I won’t go into much details, but lets say it really hit home, this book. Sure, it took me a while to realise it (80%) but then everything just connected and I just could see the bigger picture even better. The later part was also so true, about the mean girl, that she was probably asking for help, that she just needed someone to tell her things would be OK. I am not sure if anyone could have helped the mean girl in my life (she was pretty deep into things), but the stepsister? Yes, someone might have helped her. Someone might have told her she was loved, showed it in different way than just buying things. It might have been a hard, long, tough road, but I can already imagine that she might turn out to be sweeter.
Emma was just an amazing MC, I loved how she stayed true to who she was, didn’t let herself be bullied to be someone else. She could have done so many things, but she stayed true to who she was. Of course, she wasn’t happy, she wasn’t feeling good, and I can imagine that, I know the feeling all too well. I felt sad for her that she had to go through this, that it seems that no one was listening to her. Her mom tried her best, and Quinn mom as well, but especially Quinn’s mom just made it worse by spoiling Quinn further and further.
I was also really proud of her at the ending, for what she realised then, and how she handled it. I did feel a bit angry that she felt guilty about Quinn’s death. You don’t need to feel guilty. It wasn’t your fault. I am glad her friends also tried to tell her this.
The moms. I loved both of them, though I have to say I liked Emma’s mom the most. Quinn’s mom was too much, oh dear, my kid is doing something wrong, let me buy x and y expensive thing to make things better and make sure she will not do x and y again. Which in turn made things only so much worse.
But I loved them together, they were pretty much different, not only in how they looked, but also in how their personalities were, but they fitted together so wonderful. I also loved how how they tried to not be too much love-dovey in front of the kids as they knew it was a change for both of them. It was really sweet of them.
I so didn’t like Quinn’s dad. He was horrible. He cared more about his own things than his daughter. :\
Emma’s friends were definitely fun, and I liked them all.
What more? Well, the story was great, and it was a very engaging read and the author really did an amazing job on writing the characters. They were all so real, so wow.
I would highly recommend this book to everyone. And sorry for the slightly chaotic review, I am still just so amazed at this book, and I am having trouble getting my feelings turned to words.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
January 1, 2017
Even though it started out with a death, the first 50 pages made me feel this was going to be a fun, fluffy read that I would recommend for light tone and fast finishing. 3/4 of the way through, however, the story took a very serious turn towards the emo-dramatic that was completely out of sync with the rest of the story. It could be said that death makes us all reflective, but the narrator's voice changed so completely that it was jarring and took me out of the flow. I think this book was attempting something admirable -- drawing attention through caricature to the risks of leaving anger undealt with, the dangers of casual neglect, and the importance of strong boundaries -- but at the end of the story it didn't seem fair or realistic to have the teen protagonist shoulder that burden, and only after the antagonist was dead.
I applaud the author's positive treatment of different sexual orientations and a diverse cast of characters, most of whom didn't need to justify or defend their choices of partner. Any homophobic remarks were presented as negative behavior from wholly unlikeable characters. There were quirky moments and some witty dialogue notes, it was a book I read quickly and enjoyed about 40% of, but it left a poor taste in my mouth once finished. I'd recommend it to people interested in contemporary stories with diversity, with the reservation that it gets maudlin toward the end.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.
I applaud the author's positive treatment of different sexual orientations and a diverse cast of characters, most of whom didn't need to justify or defend their choices of partner. Any homophobic remarks were presented as negative behavior from wholly unlikeable characters. There were quirky moments and some witty dialogue notes, it was a book I read quickly and enjoyed about 40% of, but it left a poor taste in my mouth once finished. I'd recommend it to people interested in contemporary stories with diversity, with the reservation that it gets maudlin toward the end.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.
April 14, 2017
There were a lot of things I really liked about this book. One was the diverse cast of characters. They were an interesting bunch and felt very real and authentic. They were true to age in their behaviour (often shitty) and their dialogue (often crude.) This isn't to say that they were horrible just that most of them were horrible at least some of the time. Quinn was so incredibly over the top awful, ruining lives and instigating the kind of bullying that potentially causes suicide in the victims. This wasn't normal level "picking on" of other kids but rather truly scary destruction of others, sometimes of adults. I hope that this kind of person doesn't exist in real life and take things to Quinn's level but I am sadly sure that there are many sociopaths out there.
I was a little let down by the ending as I was hoping for a bit more excitement regarding the circumstances of Quinn's death. I guess I read too many suspense novels because I was hoping for something more dramatic. I thought this might be a "who killed her when everyone hated her?" kind of story and that isn't really what this book is about. Most of the story was about the various ways that Quinn founds to torture everyone around her. After her death the story turns into a "what happened to her to make her act so badly?"
At the end of the book both the main character Emma and a note from the author implore us to have some compassion for bullies and mean girls because they just needed someone to listen to them. I do agree that we should have some compassion for pretty well everyone in the world and that the adults in their lives should make sure they have some kind of therapy. I do not for a second believe having compassion for those who have none for you is helpful or at all a good idea. There are people who are born bad and they are called sociopaths. Sociopaths truly are incapable of empathy and they couldn't care less if they hurt, upset or ruin people. Talking about their problems isn't going to do a lick of good. I think the slightly preachy ending rubbed me the wrong way. Not all people are good deep down and not all are worth trying to help. In some cases it is best just to minimize exposure and I think this was the case with Emma. I'm not sure she could have helped Quinn no matter what she did and I'm not sure Quinn was worth the effort. She was truly diabolical and sounded sociopathic to me.
I received this book for free through a Goodreads Firstreads giveaway but this has not influenced my review in any way.
I was a little let down by the ending as I was hoping for a bit more excitement regarding the circumstances of Quinn's death. I guess I read too many suspense novels because I was hoping for something more dramatic. I thought this might be a "who killed her when everyone hated her?" kind of story and that isn't really what this book is about. Most of the story was about the various ways that Quinn founds to torture everyone around her. After her death the story turns into a "what happened to her to make her act so badly?"
At the end of the book both the main character Emma and a note from the author implore us to have some compassion for bullies and mean girls because they just needed someone to listen to them. I do agree that we should have some compassion for pretty well everyone in the world and that the adults in their lives should make sure they have some kind of therapy. I do not for a second believe having compassion for those who have none for you is helpful or at all a good idea. There are people who are born bad and they are called sociopaths. Sociopaths truly are incapable of empathy and they couldn't care less if they hurt, upset or ruin people. Talking about their problems isn't going to do a lick of good. I think the slightly preachy ending rubbed me the wrong way. Not all people are good deep down and not all are worth trying to help. In some cases it is best just to minimize exposure and I think this was the case with Emma. I'm not sure she could have helped Quinn no matter what she did and I'm not sure Quinn was worth the effort. She was truly diabolical and sounded sociopathic to me.
I received this book for free through a Goodreads Firstreads giveaway but this has not influenced my review in any way.
May 24, 2017
The author tried so very hard-tried a bit too hard- to push her point across. However, you can't take apart the trope of the "mean girl" if you do nothing to show that said mean girl is redeemable in any way.
Quinn was a deplorable character in every single way, and her parents splitting up doesn't excuse someone to be and act as awful as she was. The notion that "we need to be more kind and try understand these teens who act mean" was really forced on the reader, rather than the reader coming to that conclusion themselves. But then again, I certainly wouldn't have.
Quinn's parents could have done a lot better, I will admit that, although her mum did try hard in her own way. Emma's preachy reading towards the end of the book made it sound as if someone should have sat down with Quinn and understood her better and try to resolve her daddy issues, as if alive Quinn wouldn't have laughed in their damn face if they'd done just that. There's an air of guilt tripping towards the end and some enforcement of the idea that we should exert all our time and energy in people who don't give a damn about us. No, worse, people who are abusive and downright toxic. At the end of the day, Quinn had a family and had people who cared, and those who did care about such a selfish individual didn't deserve to feel guilt when she did nothing to help herself. You can't help someone who chucks it back in your face.
I appreciate the attempt at trying to bring something new about a vilifying teenage girl trope, but the execution just wasn't there, and there was no proper analysis to why some teens end up acting "mean". You can't write a gross character with no depth and expect us to feel sympathy. Give me something to work with here.
ALSO at the end when Emma justified what Quinn did to that teacher?? "It may seem like an over the top thing to do but her daddy was going to call poor little princess that day and she needed her phone blah blah blah" no no no to the hell no. It was inexcusable. Emma started to get on my nerves right at that point. I preferred her when she stuck up for herself against Quinn.
Quinn was a deplorable character in every single way, and her parents splitting up doesn't excuse someone to be and act as awful as she was. The notion that "we need to be more kind and try understand these teens who act mean" was really forced on the reader, rather than the reader coming to that conclusion themselves. But then again, I certainly wouldn't have.
Quinn's parents could have done a lot better, I will admit that, although her mum did try hard in her own way. Emma's preachy reading towards the end of the book made it sound as if someone should have sat down with Quinn and understood her better and try to resolve her daddy issues, as if alive Quinn wouldn't have laughed in their damn face if they'd done just that. There's an air of guilt tripping towards the end and some enforcement of the idea that we should exert all our time and energy in people who don't give a damn about us. No, worse, people who are abusive and downright toxic. At the end of the day, Quinn had a family and had people who cared, and those who did care about such a selfish individual didn't deserve to feel guilt when she did nothing to help herself. You can't help someone who chucks it back in your face.
I appreciate the attempt at trying to bring something new about a vilifying teenage girl trope, but the execution just wasn't there, and there was no proper analysis to why some teens end up acting "mean". You can't write a gross character with no depth and expect us to feel sympathy. Give me something to work with here.
ALSO at the end when Emma justified what Quinn did to that teacher?? "It may seem like an over the top thing to do but her daddy was going to call poor little princess that day and she needed her phone blah blah blah" no no no to the hell no. It was inexcusable. Emma started to get on my nerves right at that point. I preferred her when she stuck up for herself against Quinn.
November 11, 2017
I couldn't put it down. That being said, I absolutely, 100% do not buy the relationship between Emma and Shawn. There's no way that happens in real life. Also, the relationships in the book seemed way too mature. Shawn is the second guy she's gone out with, yet the first day back to school, she's all nuzzled up to him? No way. Plus, there's so much sex and drinking. I identified with Emma a bit, as I was/am a nerd and great at school. None of my friends were as experienced as the characters in either until college. If this is what teens are like, I'm glad I was on the fringe, and I'm even more glad I'll never have kids.
Seriously, even "good" girls in YA these days are out drinking and having casual sex. Wtf.
Which brings me to Quinn. She got what she deserved. I have zero empathy for her. A mean girl more or less ruined my life via vicious rumors, which led to intense bullying. I don't care how much pain you're in, you don't get to do random, horrible shit to people and get a "gee, we should have been nicer to her and tried to be her friend" speech. Nope. Some people are hopeless, and the stuff Quinn did was unforgivable. Bye Felicia.
Seriously, even "good" girls in YA these days are out drinking and having casual sex. Wtf.
Which brings me to Quinn. She got what she deserved. I have zero empathy for her. A mean girl more or less ruined my life via vicious rumors, which led to intense bullying. I don't care how much pain you're in, you don't get to do random, horrible shit to people and get a "gee, we should have been nicer to her and tried to be her friend" speech. Nope. Some people are hopeless, and the stuff Quinn did was unforgivable. Bye Felicia.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 22, 2018
3.25 stars
I liked the first half of the book where the reader basically just witnessed how cruel Quinn really is. And, wow, she is something. She was homophobic, fat shaming, racist, manipulative, and used people. And my mouth fell open on numerous occasions after reading about some of the things she had done or said.
But then the romantic interest was introduced and I kind of tuned out. I did not care for that at all. I don't really think this book really needed romance. I just wanted to continue reading about how mean Quinn was.
I liked the first half of the book where the reader basically just witnessed how cruel Quinn really is. And, wow, she is something. She was homophobic, fat shaming, racist, manipulative, and used people. And my mouth fell open on numerous occasions after reading about some of the things she had done or said.
But then the romantic interest was introduced and I kind of tuned out. I did not care for that at all. I don't really think this book really needed romance. I just wanted to continue reading about how mean Quinn was.
October 31, 2017
For me, maybe a 2.5 because they were aspects I did like; and for teens, I might even call it a 3.5 because they are less likely to have qualms with what bothered me.
A lot of questions about the novel were answered for me in reading the author's note at the end. I couldn't decide whether the book was fall short of intended humor because hey, there's plenty of opportunity for some satirical humor when a story open with a horrible person in a strange get-up found dead in a garage. But it wasn't really funny with any consistency. The author explains that dark comedy was her initial goal / assignment, but the book went a different way.
That dead girl with a coconut shell bra and grass skirt? Darrows paints her as rascist, sizeist, ruthless, careless, and devoid of empathy. Really she comes across as a fairly stupid sociopath. However, some of the disgusting things the character says and does as SO over the top horrible that they shoot way past hyperbole or satire into a place where I'm afraid teenagers may miss that aspect of any point the author was trying to make with such a mouthpiece. I wouldn't have understood her intent there unless I read that she felt the cardboard cutout mean girl trope does a disservice to such people who hurt others in a similar but more realistic way. Most such badly behaved people have reasons, like serial killers do, I guess, for the horrible things they do. They have been hurt and so lash out at times. The author does manage to eulogize her through the protagonist, one of her nearest and dearest victims, but again: This book doesn't speak for itself and work, make sense. I had to read the author's take on her own narrative to piece together why.
A lot of questions about the novel were answered for me in reading the author's note at the end. I couldn't decide whether the book was fall short of intended humor because hey, there's plenty of opportunity for some satirical humor when a story open with a horrible person in a strange get-up found dead in a garage. But it wasn't really funny with any consistency. The author explains that dark comedy was her initial goal / assignment, but the book went a different way.
That dead girl with a coconut shell bra and grass skirt? Darrows paints her as rascist, sizeist, ruthless, careless, and devoid of empathy. Really she comes across as a fairly stupid sociopath. However, some of the disgusting things the character says and does as SO over the top horrible that they shoot way past hyperbole or satire into a place where I'm afraid teenagers may miss that aspect of any point the author was trying to make with such a mouthpiece. I wouldn't have understood her intent there unless I read that she felt the cardboard cutout mean girl trope does a disservice to such people who hurt others in a similar but more realistic way. Most such badly behaved people have reasons, like serial killers do, I guess, for the horrible things they do. They have been hurt and so lash out at times. The author does manage to eulogize her through the protagonist, one of her nearest and dearest victims, but again: This book doesn't speak for itself and work, make sense. I had to read the author's take on her own narrative to piece together why.
June 27, 2019
3.5
I really loved the snarky writing in this story - it was fun. I just didn't enjoy the ending as much as the rest of the story. The first 3/4 or so of the novel reminded me of Heathers, which is one of my favorite movies. But then the ending just fell kind of flat for me. I like the message, I just wish it could have gotten there differently.
I really loved the snarky writing in this story - it was fun. I just didn't enjoy the ending as much as the rest of the story. The first 3/4 or so of the novel reminded me of Heathers, which is one of my favorite movies. But then the ending just fell kind of flat for me. I like the message, I just wish it could have gotten there differently.
March 23, 2017
Look, I get the intention with which the author tried to write this novel (as said in the acknowledgements)- she wanted to show that even mean girls deserve humanity and kindness. But when you have a 200+ page reason for hating Quinn, you can resolve that kind of vitriol in the last quarter of the book. Emma's grief towards the end was begun mainly because she realized she had wrongfully accused her and inadvertently caused her death - and looking back, she realizes she never tried to understand her sister or give her chances. But if you reading this book in a stretch (like I was) you remember with perfect clarity how Emma was kind to her in the beginning of the book, before she realizes the brand of toxic that Quinn was. This wasn't a simple case of a girl with a bad childhood or daddy issues.
Even if we account for her young age, the fact of the matter is that you can't save people who don't want to be saved. (Thank you, The 100 for that gem). Sure, we can feel pity for them, but some people cannot be reformed - maybe they can be tamed at most. Quinn's bullying wasn't just petty; she openly sought to destroy lives. If her bullying had caused a death (which she could easily have), this narrative wouldn't have been about trying to humanize her. Which, I must clarify, the author doesn't do a good job of, either. What exactly was human about Quinn that she deserved more than the level of kindness that was afforded to her? She wasn't treated badly by people - on the contrary, people worshiped her despite her nastiness. I also get that teenage girls are demonized more easily than any other, but I can't put aside her homophobia, racism, fatphobia, bullying and entitlement to justify this brand of white feminism. Worse is the fact that Quinn never faces any consequence for her behaviour.
So, you may wonder what I did like about this book? I liked the writing - the author builds a great narrative about the relationship between Emma and her mothers (I just wish they would have been called bisexual instead of lesbians), the wholesome friendship between Emma and her friends, and the build-up for Quinn. For once, a mean girl wasn't just a cookie cutter character - she had complexity, which the author was striving for, and achieved. Granted, the last quarter of the book sort of fell apart, but until then a good narrative was being built. The way Shawn consoled Emma at the end, making her understand that it wasn't her fault - that was a good thing, because I couldn't take Emma blaming herself for it. It also portrays how death makes a person kinder in some one eyes, but as a person who once stood at a funeral for someone I loathed and tried to shed a tear out of decency, I cannot say I condone the ending of the book. It might bring some peace to others, or inspire to 'kill it with kindness' but it just wasn't doing it for me.
Trigger warning for harmful racism, homophobic slurs and body shaming in the book.
Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review from Harlequin Teen, via Netgalley.
December 1, 2017
This was a book I enjoyed mostly all the way through and then felt a little meh at the end. From the title and the synopsis, it's easy to guess how its going to end. I just felt like the conclusion was weak and that sort of changed how I felt about the book towards the end.
Emma and Quinn get off on the wrong foot and their rocky relationship disrupts their family life. Emma is willing to get along with Quinn, but she's a real mean girl if I ever saw one. I was intrigued with their family dynamic, the easy pacing of the story, and thought Emma was a likable character (and Quinn a very easy to hate character).
We never really understand why Quinn is so mean, other than she's spoiled and not used to having her life being disrupted the way it was when her parents separated and moved on with their partners. It's easy to hate her, but that's about it, and the story lacked a little from that. I thorughly enjoyed the first half book of the book, as we learn about the characters and see their story form, but again the conclusion felt weaker than the rest.
I originally gave this book a four out of five stars, but at this point in time I think I have to drop the rating down to three stars. I can't deny that I enjoyed it and wanted to keep reading it, but I loved it less than I originally expected and felt unsatisfied with the ending.
Emma and Quinn get off on the wrong foot and their rocky relationship disrupts their family life. Emma is willing to get along with Quinn, but she's a real mean girl if I ever saw one. I was intrigued with their family dynamic, the easy pacing of the story, and thought Emma was a likable character (and Quinn a very easy to hate character).
We never really understand why Quinn is so mean, other than she's spoiled and not used to having her life being disrupted the way it was when her parents separated and moved on with their partners. It's easy to hate her, but that's about it, and the story lacked a little from that. I thorughly enjoyed the first half book of the book, as we learn about the characters and see their story form, but again the conclusion felt weaker than the rest.
I originally gave this book a four out of five stars, but at this point in time I think I have to drop the rating down to three stars. I can't deny that I enjoyed it and wanted to keep reading it, but I loved it less than I originally expected and felt unsatisfied with the ending.
May 3, 2017
I don't even want to give this one star. This gets less than half a star. I hate this book. I hate it with a fiery passion. The whole book is about this extremely bitchy girl who honestly the only reason given for her being mean was a divorce. I am not hiding spoilers because I think people need to know what happened in this book in case of triggers. She outed someone who was part of the LGBTQ+ community and said that they forced sex on her even though she was a willing participant. She took a picture of a guy's dick she had given a blow job to and showed it to EVERYONE! Told people that the only reason a guy would go out with her step sister is because she would let them have anal sex with her. And a bunch of other stuff. And then the end is just "Oh well I didn't really get to know her so I was really the bad person because I judged her too quickly." FUCK THAT! I have been bullied to the point of suicide. This shit is not okay. You can not just let someone off just because they died. Just because they died does not mean that they are suddenly a good person. Or the people they bullied and tortured are suddenly the ones who are the bullies. That's not how it works. I can not believe that this book was published. I really can't.
October 15, 2017
I absolutely loved this book. The dialogue is sharp, funny, and reads the way my seventeen year old daughter and her friends actually speak. This is a book about strong women starting over as a blended family, and their trunkloads of baggage. Teenage stepsisters, high school warfare, girlfriends, boyfriends... and death. You know what else? HILARITY. I laughed out loud more reading this book than probably any other in 2017.
Big props for the total normalcy with which queer characters just HAPPEN to be queer - it's not the main plot, it's not even the sub- or sub-subplot... it's simply an aspect of the characters' lives. Which, yk, is how being queer in real life ACTUALLY goes.
Genuinely enjoyed Dead Little Mean Girl, and excited now to tuck in to the author's other works!
Goodreads needs a special star rating system for book dogs. Versace gets all the stars, he's a heckin good dog.
Big props for the total normalcy with which queer characters just HAPPEN to be queer - it's not the main plot, it's not even the sub- or sub-subplot... it's simply an aspect of the characters' lives. Which, yk, is how being queer in real life ACTUALLY goes.
Genuinely enjoyed Dead Little Mean Girl, and excited now to tuck in to the author's other works!
Goodreads needs a special star rating system for book dogs. Versace gets all the stars, he's a heckin good dog.
December 31, 2017
[December 31st, 2017] oh man this book RTC
4.5 stars.
I received a copy via a Goodreads Giveway.
Was definitely a pleasant surprise to get around my birthday, I hadn't even known I won it. And I adored this book for so many reasons. And I thought I'd get around to writing a proper review, but not this late in the year, oops.
I'll try rereading and present a proper review then.
But this one definitely turned stereotypes on its head, and what we're used to seeing. Rather than black and white schemes, it's the morally grey area in which that's what being human is about most of the time. It was honest, it was brutal, it was realistic. And I love it all the more for it.
4.5 stars.
I received a copy via a Goodreads Giveway.
Was definitely a pleasant surprise to get around my birthday, I hadn't even known I won it. And I adored this book for so many reasons. And I thought I'd get around to writing a proper review, but not this late in the year, oops.
I'll try rereading and present a proper review then.
But this one definitely turned stereotypes on its head, and what we're used to seeing. Rather than black and white schemes, it's the morally grey area in which that's what being human is about most of the time. It was honest, it was brutal, it was realistic. And I love it all the more for it.
August 22, 2017
I wanted to give this book 2 stars for lack of story really, but the message was really positive and the writing funny, so I couldn't bring myself to do that. That really says a lot about the author's ability and intentions, and I really think her work has potential and merit.
January 22, 2019
This book would have 4 stars from me, but the serious turn it took threw me. It's not bad that it gets serious, and it has a great message at the end, but that is not where I thought the book was going. Eva Darrows is a great writer, and I love how quickly her books read. This one is for high school and up due to some sexual and other content. I do think teens will like this book and the message is delivers.
dnf
March 19, 2017Pages read: 25
I don't like the voice much, and I hate that both the heroine and her mean girl stepsister to be assume that currently being with a girl makes someone a lesbian. Their moms hook up after divorces from men and both call them lesbians, which seems like potential bi erasure. Especially given another f/f scene in chapter two. It would be one thing if the hateful stuff here only came from the mean girl but it doesn't. I can't take it.
I don't like the voice much, and I hate that both the heroine and her mean girl stepsister to be assume that currently being with a girl makes someone a lesbian. Their moms hook up after divorces from men and both call them lesbians, which seems like potential bi erasure. Especially given another f/f scene in chapter two. It would be one thing if the hateful stuff here only came from the mean girl but it doesn't. I can't take it.
April 9, 2017
Dead Little Mean Girl explores the relationship between Quinn and her stepsister Emma. Quinn is all blonde beauty and cheerleader, Emma is chunky and geeky. It's hellacious for Emma living with Quinn whose scathing comments wound Emma. Eva Darrows explores the strata of adolescence where teenagers are stranded in boxes by popularity or lack thereof. Although Quinn occupies a higher echelon, it is not because she is liked.
Being a teenager is tough and Darrows skillfully portrays that reality. It's not all doom and gloom, there are lighter moments which see Emma coming out of her shell. The basis for Quinn's awful behaviour was never fully explained and that background would have added more depth to the story. Still, an insightful read that will appeal to the young adult crowd.
Thank you to Harlequin Teen and Goodreads for an advance reading copy in exchange for an honest review.
Being a teenager is tough and Darrows skillfully portrays that reality. It's not all doom and gloom, there are lighter moments which see Emma coming out of her shell. The basis for Quinn's awful behaviour was never fully explained and that background would have added more depth to the story. Still, an insightful read that will appeal to the young adult crowd.
Thank you to Harlequin Teen and Goodreads for an advance reading copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 3, 2019
This book did not deliver what you expected from the summary. And for that I cannot give it 5 Stars. However, what it does deliver is just as delightful as what you expect.
This book seems like a book of secrets and adventure, one of those, another life books.
It’s not.
It’s realistic and the secrets aren’t so much secrets as they are realizations that the readers know before the characters.
But the message brought on is amazing.
Characters
I loved the characters. Emma while sometimes frustrating was definitely relatable and easy to like. Quinn was the most hateful character I’ve read in a while. And this is okay. Because the author did that on purpose. But what I love about Quinn’s characters is her obvious layers, and the lesson her death teaches the readers. Don’t mistreat based on the label you give a person upon first meet, everyone has a story to tell, everyone has layers, and reasons for why they are who they are, and maybe with a sympathetic and patient hand, you can help the ones who are broken, who act out because they are broken, maybe you can fix them. The moms were a bit plain but likable none the less. And the dads were opposites to each other.
Plot
The plot definitely makes you think there’s a big reveal in the end but it just turns out to be a “don’t be a dick even when it’s reasonable” lesson. Which ends up being okay. The things Quinn does keeps you on edge and makes her despicable but there are a few twists and turns I won’t reveal for the sake of the surprise element, they aren’t big but they are interesting.
Overall
This book is good. It’s interesting and realistic and makes you think. If your looking for a book with the summary feel, you may not enjoy this, but if you like realistic, this will still keep you reading even after you catch on that it isn’t what it promises. While I’m upset the summary is a lead on I am still very happy with what I got and happy to say I got to experience this book. I recommend this if you like books about realistic people and lessons and expected but satisfying endings.
This book seems like a book of secrets and adventure, one of those, another life books.
It’s not.
It’s realistic and the secrets aren’t so much secrets as they are realizations that the readers know before the characters.
But the message brought on is amazing.
Characters
I loved the characters. Emma while sometimes frustrating was definitely relatable and easy to like. Quinn was the most hateful character I’ve read in a while. And this is okay. Because the author did that on purpose. But what I love about Quinn’s characters is her obvious layers, and the lesson her death teaches the readers. Don’t mistreat based on the label you give a person upon first meet, everyone has a story to tell, everyone has layers, and reasons for why they are who they are, and maybe with a sympathetic and patient hand, you can help the ones who are broken, who act out because they are broken, maybe you can fix them. The moms were a bit plain but likable none the less. And the dads were opposites to each other.
Plot
The plot definitely makes you think there’s a big reveal in the end but it just turns out to be a “don’t be a dick even when it’s reasonable” lesson. Which ends up being okay. The things Quinn does keeps you on edge and makes her despicable but there are a few twists and turns I won’t reveal for the sake of the surprise element, they aren’t big but they are interesting.
Overall
This book is good. It’s interesting and realistic and makes you think. If your looking for a book with the summary feel, you may not enjoy this, but if you like realistic, this will still keep you reading even after you catch on that it isn’t what it promises. While I’m upset the summary is a lead on I am still very happy with what I got and happy to say I got to experience this book. I recommend this if you like books about realistic people and lessons and expected but satisfying endings.
August 9, 2017
I loved this book! It touched me really deeply because I have been bullied in the passed and have rejected them instead of trying to help them and be kind. Obviously, some wouldn't have taken my help, but some might have. At first I found Quinn's moments of kindness confusing and weird but know I understand that it was her reaching out to Emma, in a really messed up and usually offensive way.
February 7, 2017
This book surprised me and is one of my favorites of the year. It's described by its author as Heathers meets Mean Girls, but I didn't think so. It's so much better than either of those two (for the record: I am not a fan of either film). There's a lot going on here, and while I'm sure some will try to say it's tokenism or whatever, I don't agree. The characters are relatable, their sexual orientation, race, weight, etc, are all reflective of real people in society and their experiences. These characters just happen to have one of those things as a part of who they are. There isn't any agenda pushing here or anything like that. Was there a preachy moment? Yup. But it didn't feel like an out of place moment, just one that went on a little too long - and if you missed it, the author's note serves as a brick to the head to make sure you get it somehow. I'll be honest - I wasn't sure what to expect from this book. But Emma is a wonderful narrator; her sarcasm and snark was totally on point and some of the best writing of a modern teenager I've seen. She's got morals and feelings and she stands up for what's right, and if her voice is drowned out she at least knows that she tried. She's not a coward. And the bully of the story is her stepsister. It isn't some random kid from school. It's family. And that's something so often overlooked in the awareness against bullies that many times the bully in someone's life is a family member and there is no easy fix, if there's a fix at all. I wish the author had mentioned that in her note, but she was trying to go in a different direction with it, and I respect that. Still, it's worth a mention because maybe there's someone out there who may find refuge in Emma's sarcasm and wit from their own familial bully.
August 8, 2017
Great wit awesome book I really was absorbed into the characters snarky comments
August 6, 2017
This was a really interesting insight into a mean girl. I have plenty of experience with mean people, and, while this doesn't diminish my hate for them, does make me realize that everyone has their issues. Please read this one guys.
July 28, 2017
This book was well written and a mostly enjoyable, quick read. At least until the last few chapters.
The ending leaves something to be desired. I felt like I wanted something more substantial than I was given.
The ending leaves something to be desired. I felt like I wanted something more substantial than I was given.
March 22, 2017
Immediately from the first page to the last, I was engaged with the adorable geeky, Emma. As a fellow nerd, I related to her in a lot of ways, and she felt very familiar to me like a friend I’d known for years. Darrows does a fantastic job of getting her voice just right enough to sound “geeky” (the Doctor Who references stole my heart) and also reasonable. Emma was too damn likeable, and she articulates her opinions with an ease that most adults should be jealous of and take note.
With the story opening up to Quinn’s death, it works its’ way backwards to the beginning of their relationship. Her death serves as a lens to view all these past events with some bias. Not that Emma shies away from stating her dislike, and Quinn’s antics are a high level of mean that can’t be ignored. Still, it’s interesting to witness all of Quinn’s destruction unfold with the foreknowledge of her death. Each incident is taut with the expectation of impeding doom. The real cause of Quinn’s death is a mystery that I won’t spoil though, so scram! I will say that this book is not about Quinn’s death, but rather her life in relation to Emma.
Please read my full review on my blog:
https://littlegreatreads.wordpress.co...
With the story opening up to Quinn’s death, it works its’ way backwards to the beginning of their relationship. Her death serves as a lens to view all these past events with some bias. Not that Emma shies away from stating her dislike, and Quinn’s antics are a high level of mean that can’t be ignored. Still, it’s interesting to witness all of Quinn’s destruction unfold with the foreknowledge of her death. Each incident is taut with the expectation of impeding doom. The real cause of Quinn’s death is a mystery that I won’t spoil though, so scram! I will say that this book is not about Quinn’s death, but rather her life in relation to Emma.
Please read my full review on my blog:
https://littlegreatreads.wordpress.co...
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