“You’ll be stuck with the person you are.” Pg.91

The writing style was odd, a combination of both run-on sentences, and jarring, fragmented clipped ones. Mix that with odd metaphors, and the overall effect really could take you out of the story. For those who struggle with the beginning, it does really pick up in part two, but, granted, not as much as I wish it did.

I will say though, I read this for a book club, and I think that it is perfectly suited for that, as there is just so much that can be unpacked and dissected, including the look at the teenage perspective and psyche during that time in history, self destruction and isolation, belonging, the roles of woman at the time, the psychological nuisances of cult-like mentality, etc. One reviewer pointed out the implications of someone not being fully included or part of one of the biggest moments in their own lives, that they, and others, would see as a major definer, and I think that is such an interesting perspective to consider with this book.

The detraction for me were, on top of the writing style, the lack of depth the characters were really given. It was easy to mix the girls up, as majority were only superficially looked at. I think a deeper character dive, partnered with more explicate exploration of the cult would have really fleshed this out better. I would have preferred a more constant slow-burn, then the dipping in-and-out that Evie did.

Although it does read as a debut, I think it defiantly has its merits and over all was enjoyable – a good one to read and discus.