Beauty Queens

I listened to the audiobook version and have got to say that the narrator is absolutely amazing. The narrator is none other than Libba Bray which is also super extraordinary. She does multiple accents, multiple genders, and so SO many characters. I think the extra .5 star to make it 4 stars is from how awesome this was to listen to because the story... well, I”ll explain.

When the audiobook started, I was ready to give it 5 stars. I absolutely loved what was going on, the reveals were interesting, and the girls were ridiculously funny. After about 50% though, I started... getting uncomfortable? or things would happen that would put me off. It also seems unbelievable to me that people stuck on an island wouldn't search the whole island, but maybe that is just me?

Besides the plot, everything else was pretty amazing. I loved the characters– no I don't even have a favorite. There are different types of girls present (YAY) and they talk about more than boys and beauty products, but liking dressing up or wearing makeup is not shamed upon either. Adina, the character that is pretty anti- stereotypically female things, tries to tell people that why she dislikes things and sometimes she can get a bit dismissive of those stereotypically female things, but the other girls balance it out. So, I'd say there is a moral to this book that I liked too! Be who you want to be and respect who others are. Oh! And don't let the patriarchy or corporations tell you how to live your life!

There is a bit of romance here too. I think it was all done well, even if I one incident broke my heart. I was so attached to these girls, that things hit a little hard. But, the book shows healthy and unhealthy relationships and actually frames them that way. It was delightful to read about.