Author: Robin Wasserman
Publsiher: HarperCollins
Date of publication: May 2016
Three girls went into the woods; two came out.
It sounds like a joke, or a riddle. But it was only, would
ever after be, the rest of our life.
Shortly after Halloween, 1991, the local high-school
basketball star is found in the woods near Battle Creek, Pennsylvania, with a
bullet in his head and a gun in his hand—a discovery that sends tremors through
this conservative community, already unnerved by growing rumors of satanic
worship in the region.
In the wake of this incident, bright but lonely Hannah
Dexter is befriended by Lacey Champlain, a dark-eyed, Cobain-worshipping bad
influence. Lacey forges a fast, intimate bond with the impressionable Dex,
making her over in her own image—and unleashing a fierce defiance with
unexpected and harrowing consequences. By turns a shocking story of love and
violence and an addictive portrait of the intoxication of female friendship, Girls
on Fire is an incendiary and unforgettable snapshot of girlhood: girls
lost and found, girls weak and strong, girls who burn bright and brighter—and
girls who flicker away.
If you are looking for a deeply disturbing and dark look at teenage life gone bad, then Girls on Fire is the book for you. I have to be honest, I really didn't care for this book. It wasn't the mystery/thriller I thought I was getting. I was looking forward to reading it, but I got about 60% through and just couldn't go on. The story is told through alternating points of view from the two main characters. I kept trying, but I didn't find any of the characters likable.
I felt like everything was a bit over the top. Like the author kept trying to have the characters one up each other. Like who can destroy their life faster and in a worse way? Lacey's section were too disturbing for my taste. The lack of parental involvement was astonishing. Even Dex, who came from a normal background. had a father who actively encouraged his daughter to sneak out to party. When Lacey talked about flirting and kissing Dex's father, I knew I was done and put it down pretty soon after that part.
I'm sure there is an audience for this book. I just don't happen to be one of them. I think this is going to be a book you either love or hate. I have seen some people classify this as YA even though it is the author's first adult book. But I found it too graphic for YA readers, so please be warned.
About Robin Wasserman
Robin Wasserman is a graduate of Harvard University and the
author of several successful novels for young adults. A recent recipient of a
MacDowell fellowship, she lives in Brooklyn, New York. Girls on Fire is
her first novel for adults.
Tour Stops
Tuesday, May 17th: Cerebral
Girl in a Redneck World
Wednesday, May 18th: Jenn’s
Bookshelves
Thursday, May 19th: Book
Hooked Blog
Friday, May 20th: A
Bookish Way of Life
Monday, May 23rd: No
More Grumpy Bookseller
Tuesday, May 24th: 5 Minutes For Books
Wednesday, May 25th: Thoughts
On This ‘n That
Thursday, May 26th: Booksie’s
Blog
Monday, May 30th: Ms.
Nose in a Book
Tuesday, May 31st: The
Book Diva’s Reads
3 comments:
Sorry to hear that this one disappointed you. If you're looking for a teenager gone bad novel that is also a great thriller, check out Beside Myself by Anne Morgan.
Thanks! I'll check it out!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this book for the tour.
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