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Posse
Amy and her best friends—the Posse—are at camp and they're bored. In the scorching summer heat, sparks start to fly. Clare and Amy might be best friends, but they're sniping as if they're enemies. Camp leader Bevan is singling Amy out for attention, and Clare is jealous. Amy is feeling reckless enough to do something major. In one night everything will change. Friendships will be tested and broken; careers will hang in the balance; and everything Amy knows about her friends and her family will be ripped away. What really happened when Clare disappeared that night? Who's telling the truth? And when things go too far, should you save your friends—or save yourself? This tale of girls pushing the boundaries is always sharp and sassy, often hilarious, and occasionally shocking—you won't be able to put this down.
288 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 18, 2011
Spoilers.
First thoughts:
Ahh yes maybe this will just be a fun chick/girly novel that isn't awesome but a fun read.......
(NOPE WRONG)
I started off liking it, I mean it was okay. But when we started at the camp I was struggling to finish it.
I have NO respect what so ever for a girl who goes to the 'minister in training' and begins talking to him, then allows him to kiss her whilst she kisses him back then things progress she changes her mind, he ALLOWS her to leave and doesn't force her to do anything... AND then she sees her friend crying and starts saying stuff about the minister dude... A little while later, (things happen in the story) she says the guy deserves to be spoken to by the cops that he deserves to be in trouble for kissing a minor. What the hell no one made her do it>? She consented to it, yeah it was wrong of the minister he should of known better but he wasn't a horrible guy.
That's what the big mess up thing was>? That's what the entire story is basically about????
Frustrated.... Not enjoyed at all.
First thoughts:
Ahh yes maybe this will just be a fun chick/girly novel that isn't awesome but a fun read.......
(NOPE WRONG)
I started off liking it, I mean it was okay. But when we started at the camp I was struggling to finish it.
I have NO respect what so ever for a girl who goes to the 'minister in training' and begins talking to him, then allows him to kiss her whilst she kisses him back then things progress she changes her mind, he ALLOWS her to leave and doesn't force her to do anything... AND then she sees her friend crying and starts saying stuff about the minister dude... A little while later, (things happen in the story) she says the guy deserves to be spoken to by the cops that he deserves to be in trouble for kissing a minor. What the hell no one made her do it>? She consented to it, yeah it was wrong of the minister he should of known better but he wasn't a horrible guy.
That's what the big mess up thing was>? That's what the entire story is basically about????
Frustrated.... Not enjoyed at all.
November 10, 2009
This is a difficult one to review. On the basis of the first review I'd read, I dismissed it and decided not to read it at all. The second review I came across praised it to the skies, in particular the extent of research the author had put into the depiction of a particular Christian denomination (which just happens to be the one to which I belong).
There were other things to reccommend this book. The main character is a young lesbian whose personality leaps off the page. And by the last third of the book I was really liking her. Amy is flawed, but able to learn and grow, and one of the things that most impressed me was her acknowledgement, in the end, of the problems with her own relationship.
Unfortunately, the book falls down in a few too many areas for me to give it any more than an "it was okay" two stars. Too many of the adults were stereotypes rather than real people. Secondly, for a story set in the here and now, the Headmistress' reaction simply doesn't ring true. Thirdly, the details of the Uniting Church just didn't sit right with me. Two of the clergy characters said things that even the most conservative UCA people I've known would not be able to say with a straight face ("the Devil finds work for idle hands," wt?); I'm not entirely convinced that the story's conclusion conforms to UCA Regs, but that's just going on my memory: I haven't looked them up on this particular question. Yet.
I'm not saying that the attempted coverup wouldn't happen. I'm not saying that a person wouldn't get to Bevan's position (although a Candidate working at a campsite? Doesn't sound right to me. Anyway) or do the things he did. I worked in the Committee for Discipline system in NSW after all. But it wasn't just dislike of the situation, disgust at what Bevan did: somehow the whole situations simply didn't sit together.
I think what it is, in fact, is that (to mix my metaphors rather horribly) the author had an axe to grind, and overplayed her hand. Bevan's homophobia is one such overplay: also a pretty clear indication that the author doesn't know the ins and outs of the UCA as well as she thinks she does. Joanna's concern for her reputation and that of her father is another thing. But then maybe all the PKs I know were more rebellious than Joanna.
The ending is sudden and a little jarring, and if it wasn't for that, I'd say the book started on a high, dove to the bottom, and then climbed back up to end well. I do think that in a lot of ways it could have been done far, far better, and I won't be recommending it anytime soon (and certainly not to anyone who wants accurate information about the Uniting Church. Sigh.)
There were other things to reccommend this book. The main character is a young lesbian whose personality leaps off the page. And by the last third of the book I was really liking her. Amy is flawed, but able to learn and grow, and one of the things that most impressed me was her acknowledgement, in the end, of the problems with her own relationship.
Unfortunately, the book falls down in a few too many areas for me to give it any more than an "it was okay" two stars. Too many of the adults were stereotypes rather than real people. Secondly, for a story set in the here and now, the Headmistress' reaction simply doesn't ring true. Thirdly, the details of the Uniting Church just didn't sit right with me. Two of the clergy characters said things that even the most conservative UCA people I've known would not be able to say with a straight face ("the Devil finds work for idle hands," wt?); I'm not entirely convinced that the story's conclusion conforms to UCA Regs, but that's just going on my memory: I haven't looked them up on this particular question. Yet.
I'm not saying that the attempted coverup wouldn't happen. I'm not saying that a person wouldn't get to Bevan's position (although a Candidate working at a campsite? Doesn't sound right to me. Anyway) or do the things he did. I worked in the Committee for Discipline system in NSW after all. But it wasn't just dislike of the situation, disgust at what Bevan did: somehow the whole situations simply didn't sit together.
I think what it is, in fact, is that (to mix my metaphors rather horribly) the author had an axe to grind, and overplayed her hand. Bevan's homophobia is one such overplay: also a pretty clear indication that the author doesn't know the ins and outs of the UCA as well as she thinks she does. Joanna's concern for her reputation and that of her father is another thing. But then maybe all the PKs I know were more rebellious than Joanna.
The ending is sudden and a little jarring, and if it wasn't for that, I'd say the book started on a high, dove to the bottom, and then climbed back up to end well. I do think that in a lot of ways it could have been done far, far better, and I won't be recommending it anytime soon (and certainly not to anyone who wants accurate information about the Uniting Church. Sigh.)
June 15, 2010
The main character nearly made it impossible for me to read this book. She was nasty, self-centered, and kind of boring. She was sexually assaulted and still boring. I finished it and hated her a little less by the end of the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
dnf
December 4, 2019After reading the first chapter of Posse I’ve decided it’s going to become a rare addition to the DNF shelf. Despite being ridiculously short, the vapid attitudes of every single character infuriates me. I only read the first chapter and the protagonist had already called her mother ugly. Not only that but there were multiple uses of the word ‘retard’ and some pretty derogatory remarks about lesbians, so this isn’t worth any more of my time. I can see why the average rating for this book is so low.
September 15, 2023
I don't know what to say about this book. I feel like it was mediocre, mainly a short story on how the events fold up with Claire. I personally couldn't connect to the characters and also the main protagonist Amy was pretty unlikeable.
February 6, 2025
Traumatising
January 6, 2014
This book was definitely an interesting read.
I really like the whole scenery at the camp, in the summer and it how it sets up the whole scene for trouble in a way. The story in a way reminded me of me (the whole private (well I'm semi-private) school girl thing going to a camp, and by the time we are gathered to do activities we are already missing civilization, being stuck with the same people for a long time can frustrate you and of course being fed camp food...)
Amy really surprised me as a character I definitely not see her being interested in the same gender, but I think that's me just generalizing! I really thing she took it too far, with the whole Bevan thing, that I did not see coming at all. Although I found this scene funny, it seemed sort of childish the way it was written and I don't think it flowed well.
Clare, really reminded me of Alison from "Pretty Little Liars", she craves attention even in the darkest and most serious of moments and doesn't take things seriously. I think much like Alison she is a joker, but can take things too far at times. But I didn't expect her to come through in the end. I found that Jo really surprised me, she really seemed like the faithful one in the posse.
Ultimately, this book was quite good, and it was a real page turner. I would've liked to see it a bit longer, to see what happened to the other girls in the posse despite Amy being the leader.
I really like the whole scenery at the camp, in the summer and it how it sets up the whole scene for trouble in a way. The story in a way reminded me of me (the whole private (well I'm semi-private) school girl thing going to a camp, and by the time we are gathered to do activities we are already missing civilization, being stuck with the same people for a long time can frustrate you and of course being fed camp food...)
Amy really surprised me as a character I definitely not see her being interested in the same gender, but I think that's me just generalizing! I really thing she took it too far, with the whole Bevan thing, that I did not see coming at all. Although I found this scene funny, it seemed sort of childish the way it was written and I don't think it flowed well.
Clare, really reminded me of Alison from "Pretty Little Liars", she craves attention even in the darkest and most serious of moments and doesn't take things seriously. I think much like Alison she is a joker, but can take things too far at times. But I didn't expect her to come through in the end. I found that Jo really surprised me, she really seemed like the faithful one in the posse.
Ultimately, this book was quite good, and it was a real page turner. I would've liked to see it a bit longer, to see what happened to the other girls in the posse despite Amy being the leader.
January 16, 2015
I think this book is actually kind of great. It has its issues, but it's truthful. Amy is an honest narrator (she says things we all think). I love the fact that her being a lesbian isn't made a big deal.
I will say this: the blurb gives the wrong impression about this book. It's themes and messages are much deeper (and potentially distressing) than they seem. The jacket gives a very "Gossip Girl" vibe but really it's a book about being honest even when it's scary and hard. It's about the importance of not victim-blaming/shaming. It's about reflecting on one's actions but accepting that being sexually assaulted is NEVER the fault of the victim.
I suspect people have the wrong impression of this book when they pick it up. It's a lot more confronting than it seems- but in YA fiction it's important to have these messages/themes. They happen. They exist.
My biggest problem was the authors decision to make the mum and nanna characters crazy. I think that was unnecessary and over the top. Still, solid read.
I will say this: the blurb gives the wrong impression about this book. It's themes and messages are much deeper (and potentially distressing) than they seem. The jacket gives a very "Gossip Girl" vibe but really it's a book about being honest even when it's scary and hard. It's about the importance of not victim-blaming/shaming. It's about reflecting on one's actions but accepting that being sexually assaulted is NEVER the fault of the victim.
I suspect people have the wrong impression of this book when they pick it up. It's a lot more confronting than it seems- but in YA fiction it's important to have these messages/themes. They happen. They exist.
My biggest problem was the authors decision to make the mum and nanna characters crazy. I think that was unnecessary and over the top. Still, solid read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 17, 2012
Posse isn’t the light beside-the-campfire you wanted to read.
It’s much, much more than that. In fact, the main character states at the beginning of the book about how she can’t lie –and how honest she is. Well, after reading this book, I’m awaited by the fact that honesty is gruesome. It’s disgusting. And I don’t want to be a part of honesty if it means exposing myself to situations like this.
There is a graphic, mature scene which I found myself skipping. And the whole book revolves around that event, which makes it really gruesome.
I felt sick after finishing this book. Not only don’t I recommend it to anyone, but I had to wash my hands with soap because I felt unclean just touching it.
It’s definitely an unique book, that’s for sure. A lot of dark subjects are handled, and I personally recommend it to adults –not even teenagers, though that’s who it’s aimed for.
Overall, think twice before giving this book to a child/teenager.
It’s much, much more than that. In fact, the main character states at the beginning of the book about how she can’t lie –and how honest she is. Well, after reading this book, I’m awaited by the fact that honesty is gruesome. It’s disgusting. And I don’t want to be a part of honesty if it means exposing myself to situations like this.
There is a graphic, mature scene which I found myself skipping. And the whole book revolves around that event, which makes it really gruesome.
I felt sick after finishing this book. Not only don’t I recommend it to anyone, but I had to wash my hands with soap because I felt unclean just touching it.
It’s definitely an unique book, that’s for sure. A lot of dark subjects are handled, and I personally recommend it to adults –not even teenagers, though that’s who it’s aimed for.
Overall, think twice before giving this book to a child/teenager.
February 3, 2012
Not what I expected at all, but I guess that's what I get for judging a book by the cover, and from the blurb doesn't even sound like the actual story. It makes it sound intense, serious, whereas the writing in the actual book makes what should be an incredibly serious situation comical at times. I didn't like this aspect, Amy laughing off Bevan's actions until she thinks her friend has been hurt. It made it seem stupid, and it could have been a really bad situation.
Not a very good book, I wouldn't recommend it.
Not a very good book, I wouldn't recommend it.
November 27, 2009
Compelling page-turner but not the greatest book ever. A bunch of girls on a year 11 camp, one (Amy) is nearly sexually assaulted by one of the staff, she wants to get the truth out but the headmistress just wants to brush it all under the rug, wants Amy to retract her statement and say it was all a lie. Or she'll be expelled. o.O Crazy, crazy stuff.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 1, 2012
Not very good at all.
I actually got halfway through and struggled to finish it :/
I actually got halfway through and struggled to finish it :/
January 10, 2017
Posse started out interesting and then it became too interesting for me in regards to Amy’s family. I did not finish reading the book.
December 14, 2010
different but interesting.
June 15, 2013
funny & surprising
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews