The Favourites

When I read a revenge story, I want to feel rage and be on the emotional journey with the main character like The Count of Monte Cristo. Except the story begins with Jessie's sister already dead so you have no attachment to her. Additionally, the author gradually gives details on what happened to her sister throughout the story (it's not even revelatory), so you can't root for Jessie, and her logic is flawed so you can't trust her point of view (which maybe is the point).

I wasn't a fan of the writing, it read as a YA book which isn't a problem itself but I don't think it was intentional. The characters are very flat so I didn't particularly like anyone, especially the main character. There was a lot of telling and not showing - every other page she was reminding the reader that she was doing this for revenge and was going to pounce.

It wasn't believable that Crane was impressed by Jessie in the classroom discussions. They were quite common surface level thoughts, but it seemed like I was supposed to find it eye opening.

I was considering DNFing but stuck it through because I was curious if the author would do a 180 or something. Sadly I found it predictable overall (although Jessie's a bit insane so I wasn't totally sure what she was going to do in response to things towards the end honestly).

Overall unsatisfying and unmemorable, I did however enjoy annotating this book, and I always appreciate when the author provides discussion questions at the end.

Maybe I'm being to harsh and should give it 2 stars, I'll let it simmer and we'll see.

Edit: I let it simmer and it only gets worse