Marianna > Recent Status Updates

I knew this book would be insightful, but it also saddens me so much. I hate to see the abuse of women in such standardized colors ☹️

I have many, many thoughts…can’t wait to put them in a final review once I finish this one haha.

Spoke waaaaay too soon. 81 cases of decapitation, 121 cases of animal cruelty leading to death. :o

We’re up to a decapitation count of 41. Just feel the need to share that about this kid’s book.

Oz doesn’t mess around.

I know it’s a dystopian world, so you can’t trust the government and their “elixirs”. But seriously, can’t we for once have a YA novel that’s pro-therapy, counseling, and psychiatric medication? Negative portrayals of these things are just SUCH common, recurring themes in these sorts of books, and it’s a shame. *sigh*

I like the female characters in this book. DeStefano is good at creating YA female characters who are likable, have distinct personalities, and even some nuance; it can be hard to find that in YA literature. I think she’s less successful with her male characters, but we’ll see how the rest of the book pans out.

It’s good, but then it’s Caitlin Doughty, so OF COURSE it’s good. Audiobook plus - she recorded it herself!

This book is utterly unabashed in its (VERY morally questionable) quest to explain how manipulation is best accomplished. Yes, it's fairly repulsive, but at the same time the concepts presented are so intriguing from a psychological standpoint!
The Art of Seduction may be a guide to complete toxic manipulation, but at least it's honest and knows it, haha.

Rereading this, and super excited. Haven’t heard the story in about 15 years, I think? I remembering loving it when I was little, but I remember next to nothing. Yay!