Synopsis (Goodreads): Themis Academy is a
quiet boarding school with an exceptional student body that the
administration trusts to always behave the honorable way-the Themis way.
So when Alex Patrick is date-raped during her junior year, she has two
options: Stay silent and hope someone helps, or enlist the aid of the
Mockingbirds-a secret society of students dedicated to righting the
wrongs of the student body.
In this account of a teenage girl's search for her voice and the courage to use it, debut author Daisy Whitney reminds readers that standing up for someone, especially yourself, is worth the fight.
In this account of a teenage girl's search for her voice and the courage to use it, debut author Daisy Whitney reminds readers that standing up for someone, especially yourself, is worth the fight.
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I have a set of mixed emotions when it comes to Daisy Whitney's The Mockingbirds.
The first being admiration. I admire that Whitney set out to tackle the incredibly sensitive subject of rape. And the fact that she did so in both a realistic and approachable way. It made the story come alive without being overbearing and I never got the sense that Whitney had an ulterior agenda with this novel.
The first being admiration. I admire that Whitney set out to tackle the incredibly sensitive subject of rape. And the fact that she did so in both a realistic and approachable way. It made the story come alive without being overbearing and I never got the sense that Whitney had an ulterior agenda with this novel.
What I loved most, however, was the concept of The Mockingbirds. The secret-society, created to right the wrongs at a really stuffy prep-school where the higher-ups purposely overlook the issues that lie right under their noses. I was seriously intrigued! It was such a unique twist to the story and I loved how it all played out throughout the book.
As for the characters, I definitely enjoyed the secondary characters more than the book's protagonist, Alex. Don't get me wrong, I appreciated the fact that she didn't let her rapist get the best of her, but she just felt so flat to me. The secondary characters were the driving force of this novel. They picked up the pieces, made me laugh and without them, I probably would have stopped reading.
Now, I can't put my finger on it but there was something about this book that just didn't hit home with me. I really couldn't connect with what was happening. It was like I was reading this story, but was completely detached from it all. And its weird because sometimes it's so easy to become consumed in someone else's world -- to just slip into the shoes of it's characters, even if it's just for a short bit of time. With this book, however? Nope. Not a thing. I mean, the book builds up to this big moment and when it happens the only thing I could manage was "Oh, that's it?"
Yeah. That was it.
Yeah. That was it.
I really wanted to love this book because it addresses a topic that isn't discussed much in YA fiction (and SHOULD BE), but I couldn't. Not to say that it was a bad book, because I know a lot of people have really enjoyed it, it just wasn't my favorite.
Despite my thoughts on the book, I'm giving the novel's sequel (The Rivals) a chance. I'll be sure to let you know how it goes.
Despite my thoughts on the book, I'm giving the novel's sequel (The Rivals) a chance. I'll be sure to let you know how it goes.
**Special Thank You to Little, Brown and Company for the Reviewer's Copy**
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Do you think it was meant to be a detached sort of book or was it just that it didn't click with you? Cos when I read Shades of Grey (Jasper Fforde) it took me a little while to realise that while I was really liking the concept, I wasn't enjoying reading it because it is very cold and detached. But in Shades of Grey it's a purposeful detachment.
ReplyDeleteWhereas when I read Heist Society cos Sarah wanted me to I felt really detached and that was just because it didn't really click with me.
Hm...I definitely didn't click with it and I think that was the author's goal. I dunno what it was. She tried so hard to make you understand what it's like for Alex, but I just couldn't get into her head. It was a story and I read it and that's it. It didn't provoke any emotions like I thought it would. If that makes sense?
ReplyDeleteI don't know if I should be happy or sad about the fact that you feel the same way I did while reading The Mockingbirds. I also felt detached; I couldn't really get the characters, even though I wanted to. I wanted to feel so many things but I didn't, and I feel bad about it since I tried so hard to like it. (Here's my review.)
ReplyDeleteI think you enjoyed it a little more than I did though, which is a good thing. I hope you'll like The Rivals more! If you think it's worth a try, do tell me. I'll pick it up too.
Aw, K, sorry you didn't love this. I was just going to mention I read another review saying she didn't love it, but Kathe beat me to it! Hehe!
ReplyDelete*sigh* it's sad, because you're right. Books that deal with serious issues like that are FANTASTIC. I'm all for fantasy, and escapism, but 'issues' backs are important, and can achieve great things. Sorry it was a miss (especially seeing I LOVE the cover). Liking the Rivals any more??