3.5 stars

Straight after finishing this book, I couldn’t help but smile. I loved how original and different the story had been and was sure that it had made a lasting impression… but it’s a couple of days later and I’m rethinking that train of thought. While this book was undeniably unique, enjoyable and downright clever at times, it was also a little slow and lacking that intangible quality that makes books truly shine. I don’t know what it is, but it wasn’t there and the more I think about it, the less I can truly say that this book was a standout.

Pros:

Subtle diversity - which is my favourite thing of ever, if you didn’t know. Angela, our protagonist, is dyslexic so for someone who has dyslexia running in their family (aka me), it was refreshing to see that incorporated into a YA novel. I don’t think I have read a story with dyslexic characters before (apart from Percy Jackson, but that hardly seems to count).

The female friendships. It is always an amazing addition to a book when female friendships can be included and done well. For some reason, YA contemporaries often portray female friendships as toxic or unhealthy, but the bond between Angela and her cellmates made me smile. It was done with such sincerity, and it really added an extra layer to the story.

The writing was on point. You know that I’m a sucker for good writing and Danielle Rollins has this really simple but addictive style. It was kind of like Colleen Hoover meets Stephanie Oakes. If that makes sense. It let you really get into the head of the characters but never lacked the urgency that the plot needed. It balanced the character-driven moments and action pretty darn well… which leads me to my next point:

The suspense! This book is pitched as a horror story and why it isn’t exactly scary, it still had this deliciously creepy vibe. It was suspenseful as hell, and I loved the way the plot just gently crept up on us. The pacing was just perfect too.

However, my favourite aspect of this novel was - without a doubt - the setting. Juvenile detention! Ever since I read [b:The Sacred Lies of Minnow Bly|17185496|The Sacred Lies of Minnow Bly|Stephanie Oakes|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1412065594s/17185496.jpg|23634541] earlier this year, I’ve been eager to read something similar and this definitely gave me the same vibes. I don’t know what it is about juvie - maybe the isolation? - but it’s the perfect environment for fascinating character-driven stories IMO, and this definitely delivered on that front.

Cons:

My first complaint is a biggie: there were no explanations! We have no answers to well, anything, and that is quite annoying to put it lightly. We spent a fair amount of time building up to this dramatic and undeniably well-done climax… but then, the book just with literally no answers. I am not okay with that! I need answers. I wanted to know more about Jessica, more about SciGirls and more about everything in general. I won’t say too much because I want to keep it vague, but there were certain aspects of this story that deserved some further exploration.

I’m also a little (read: a lot) pissed at the opening ending. I know that I usually say that I’m one of the few readers who are okay with open endings, but this time it just didn’t work. I know there’s a companion/sequel coming out next year but the whole book led to this big ending and then the book just finished. It wasn’t enough to satisfy me. I needed more answers and a more fulfilling conclusion.

Like a lot of other reviewers, I did find Angela a little bit dull. I don’t know what it was about her, but the secondary characters were so well done that she paled in comparison. Her “badassery” was also played up a little bit. I just wish we had gotten to see more of her… which makes no sense because she’s our protagonist! But somehow she just felt absent from the story. I also didn’t understand how easily she accepted certain reveals throughout the story. These are the sort of major reveals that would have made you question everything you thought you ever knew but she just accepted it without much fuss. It didn’t feel realistic.

Overall?

I did really enjoy this book, but I didn’t think that the protagonist was a little bit lackluster and the open ending kind of dragged the story down. The setting and plotline - for the most part - was engaging. I adored the characters and definitely got creepy vibes from the writing. I’ll be picking up the sequel/companion as soon as it comes out next year to hopefully get the answers I need, and I look forward to more of the author’s work. A solid novel, but not a standout.

Review copy provided by the publisher for an honest review.