This is the YA novel that I’ve been waiting for.
*Trigger Warning: sexual assault & rape discussed in this post.
Author: Mindy McGinnis
Genre: Young Adult • Thriller • Contemporary
Version: Hardback (352 pages)
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books (September 20, 2016)
Source: Borrowed (Library) → Purchased
Book Synopsis:
Alex Craft knows how to kill someone. And she doesn’t feel bad about it. When her older sister, Anna, was murdered three years ago and the killer walked free, Alex uncaged the language she knows best. The language of violence.
While her crime goes unpunished, Alex knows she can’t be trusted among other people, even in her small hometown. She relegates herself to the shadows, a girl who goes unseen in plain sight, unremarkable in the high school hallways.
But Jack Fisher sees her. He’s the guy all other guys want to be: the star athlete gunning for valedictorian with the prom queen on his arm. Guilt over the role he played the night Anna’s body was discovered hasn’t let him forget Alex over the years, and now her green eyes amid a constellation of freckles have his attention. He doesn’t want to only see Alex Craft; he wants to know her.
So does Peekay, the preacher’s kid, a girl whose identity is entangled with her dad’s job, though that does not stop her from knowing the taste of beer or missing the touch of her ex-boyfriend. When Peekay and Alex start working together at the animal shelter, a friendship forms and Alex’s protective nature extends to more than just the dogs and cats they care for.
Circumstances bring Alex, Jack, and Peekay together as their senior year unfolds. While partying one night, Alex’s darker nature breaks out, setting the teens on a collision course that will change their lives forever.
My Thoughts:
“This is how I kill someone.”
I was completely hooked from the first line of The Female of the Species. It has been a long time since I’ve been so engrossed in a book. If I didn’t have to do the whole parenting thing, I would have read this book in one sitting. It is THAT good.
Set in Ohio, The Female of the Species is a raw and powerful story about a teenage girl named Alex. You see, Alex is not your typical teen. There is something burning inside of Alex: rage. Alex channels this rage to perform a role as a vigilante. For those who fly under the radar of the criminal justice system, Alex serves up her own form of justice. Since Alex is “different” from others, she tends to keep to herself. That is, until she meets Jack and PeeKay. While the synopsis of this book is technically correct, I don’t feel like it is an accurate depiction of this book. This book is so much more than it appears to be.
Alex is such a kick ass main character. I loved her “no bullshit” outlook on life. Not only do we get to know Alex through her own perspective, but we also get to see her through the eyes of others. The female of the Species alternates between three perspectives; Alex, Jack, and PeeKay. When there are more than two perspectives, character development can sometimes suffer, but McGinnis fleshes out three very distinct voices. Jack and PeeKay’s perspectives do not take away from Alex’s, but rather they enhance it.
Mindy does not soften her depiction of modern day teenagers; alcohol, drugs, sex… all are included in The Female of the Species. Kuddos to McGinnis for a more realistic representation of what teenagers get into these days. I kept thinking, “Finally! An author has the grit to be real.” Teenagers are reckless. They do stupid things and put themselves in bad situations. I remember my own teen years and cringe at many of my decisions.
Mindy McGinnis tackles such an important issue that is not typically attempted in YA novels: rape culture. If things like rape and sexual assault are addressed in YA, it tends to be a “watered down” account. Mindy does not hold back even though her target audience is YA, but rather she tells it like it is. Which is, in my opinion, what teens NEED to hear. In the wake of the Brock Turner case, books like this one in the YA genre are so very important.
One of the most important parts of the book, in my opinion, is a student assembly on sexual assault. Mindy highlights the fact that the overwhelming majority of sexual assault incidents go unreported and goes into the reasoning behind the hesitation of reporting sexual assault. After this assembly, there is a very open and honest discussion between PeeKay, her friend Sara, and PeeKay’s parents. I think this was another important aspect to this book. It is so important for parents and teens these days to communicate. You want your children to feel comfortable enough to come to you, even with the awkward and difficult things. It was so refreshing to see a positive and open relationship between a teen and her parents in a YA book.
“You shouldn’t be that way about her,” Alex says. “I hear what people say and I bet half of it isn’t even true. And even if it is – fine. She’s no different from you and me; she wants to have sex. So let her…She likes boys, and she can get them. You were hurt by that, but it wasn’t Branley who hurt you. It was Adam.”
McGinnis shuts down our culture’s tendency of “slut shaming.” The idea that girls who dress provocatively or engage in casual sex should be shammed for their conduct, but why? She also goes into the different views society has in regards to the conduct of boys vs. girls.
“But boys will be boys, our favorite phrase, that excuses so many things, while the only thing we have is women, said with disdain and punctuated with an eye roll.”
Can we say double standard? Pay close attention to Branley’s character. You may find that in the beginning, it is your natural instinct to not like her, but as time goes on, you may find that your feelings change. Also make sure to pay attention to Jack’s actions throughout the book. Does he receive the same backlash that Branley does for the same actions?
The ending…The ending is such a punch to the gut that I felt completely side swiped. I remember reading the final chapter, closing the book, and then muttering the phrase “holy shit” out loud. This is what I want from my books, I want them to give me strong emotional reactions and make me think. McGinnis accomplished both in The Female of the Species. Bottom line: This is the type of book I would like to see more of in YA. A book that is honest, raw, and IMPORTANT. I cannot wait to explore more of Mindy McGinnis’s other books.
“I am vengeance.”
Side note: I had the pleasure of listening to Mindy McGinnis participate on a YA panel at the Books by the Banks book festival. One of the questions presented by the moderator was if YA should be more subdued in content due to the target audience. Mindy’s response was that teens are good at self monitoring, if they think a topic is too much for them, they won’t read it. Furthermore she said it is important to include topics like rape and molestation because these things are happening to teens. I couldn’t agree more. You can read more about my experience here → Book Event: Books by the Banks Book Festival
My Rating:
Mindy, you are a badass. You deserve all the stars!
About the Author:
Mindy McGinnis is a YA author who has worked in a high school library for thirteen years. Her debut, NOT A DROP TO DRINK, a post-apocalyptic survival story set in a world with very little freshwater, has been optioned for film my Stephanie Meyer’s Fickle Fish Films. The companion novel, IN A HANDFUL OF DUST was released in 2014. Look for her Gothic historical thriller, A MADNESS SO DISCREET in October of 2015 from Katherine Tegen Books. Mindy is represented by Adriann Ranta of Wolf Literary.
Have you read this book? What did you think?
Do you think “hard topics” should be watered down in YA? Why or why not?
Do you have any recommendations of YA books that tackle “hard topics” in a more “real” manner?
Comment below and let me know your thoughts 🙂
Sensational review hun. This was already on my radar but after reading this I’m itching to pick it up now!
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It blew me away. When I read the synopsis, I didn’t really think it was going to be my kind of book… I loved it!
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Wow. This is an incredibly powerful review from what sounds like an incredibly powerful book. Well written, Amanda! I am extremely interested in reading this now, when I hadn’t even heard of it before! I completely agree that we need more books which address these topics in YA.
I’m so glad you got to hear McGinnis talk about this at the BBtB Festival. “teens are good at self monitoring, if they think a topic is too much for them, they won’t read it. Furthermore she said it is important to include topics like rape and molestation because these things are happening to teens” YES. Everything about this statement. YES YES YES
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Thank you Jackie! Coming from you, that really means a lot to me ☺️
I hadn’t heard of it either until I saw it on the list for the BBTB book festival. I had requested it from the library, but did not expect that it was going to come in before the event. It ended up coming in the week before. I didn’t even know if I was going to get to it, but I had opened it and read the first line… there was no going back after that.
Mindy McGinnis is a straight bad ass. I haven’t read any of her other books, but I’m obviously curious now. I know she also writes YA fantasy.
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Wow, you certainly made me want to read this! Great review 😊
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Thank you! I hope you do! Make sure to let me know what you think if you get the chance to pick it up 😊
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👍
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Ok you convinced me, I’m adding this to my TBR! Amazing review.
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Thank you!!! I really think you will like this one. Can’t wait to see what you think!
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I ordered this for my teen collection and highlighted it on my monthly newsletter. The teens snatched it off the shelves immediately and I haven’t had a chance to read it yet myself!
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I think it is a very important read for teens. I’m sure not everyone would agree because some of the content, but I’m in the opinion that sheltering teens does not help them in life.
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I agree!
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Awesome review, Amanda! I loved reading this.
The Female of the Species is very high up on my TBR and this review has nudged it even further towards the top. I think rape culture is so damaging for teenagers nowadays that it’s essential that authors have the courage to tackle it. Sounds like McGinnis did a badass job here!
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Thanks Sammie ❤️ She gets major props from me for this book. I really hope you read it! I would love to know what you think.
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You’re very welcome. ❤ It's definitely on my radar – I'm so looking forward to eventually getting my hands on it. I'll definitely let you know!
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Killer review Amanda! this book is also one of my most highly anticipated books of the year & after having read Wrecked by Maria Padian, I was interested in picking up another book covering the same topic. “Kuddos to McGinnis for a more realistic representation of what teenagers get into these days”<——I am especially looking forward to this writing because it is SO necessary to stay relevant to your intended audience. I am really looking forward to reading this one, as always my fren' your review was a joy to read 🙂
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And Wrecked is on my TBR after seeing so many great reviews on it! That one centers around college rape culture if I remember correctly?
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Wrecked was a tough read but I do believe it a necessary one. I think you’ll enjoy the writing/format 😉
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Sounds amazing!!
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It really is! Thanks for reading 😊
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This sounds so great! I love when you feel you could’ve read the whole book in a sitting!!
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It is quick read and had me so absorbed… I didn’t want to put it down!
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Wow, this book sounds so badass! Awesome review, Amanda! I wish I had the balls to read it – I find it hard to gather the courage to dive into books with a major dramatic plot, unfortunately =( I care too much about the characters and I ache too much alongside them, it’s an ass. I wish I was stronger to be able to add books like this gem knowing someday I will read them…
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I can sympathize with you! I can’t read any type graphic child abuse or neglect… it is a sensitivity of mine and I avoid it when possible. I will never be able to read a book like A Child Called It. We all have our sensitivities.
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Exactly! =( You said it all!
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Awesome review, this book sounds fantastic! I love books with endings that make you feel like you’ve been punched in the gut!! We need more raw, honest books like this. I added this to my TBR before it was published, and you’ve definitely convinced me I need to buy it now!
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I hope you enjoy it! I really loved it and Mindy McGinnis. I want to read all her other books now 😊
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Ooh, I didn’t realise she had written other books, for some reason I thought it was a debut! Which do you think you’ll check out next?
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I’ve heard good things about A Madness So Discrete 😊 She also is working on two new books! I’m sure one comes out in 2017 😁
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Oooh, that one looks interesting! Adding to my TBR 🙂
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I think you mentioned at some point that you don’t read a lot of YA, but it seems like you’re getting into it! I don’t read a while lot of YA myself, but this book does sound interesting. Have you read any Louise O’Neill? You might like her work.
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I never read much YA before the year, but since joining the blogosphere, I’ve read a lot more than I ever have. Also a lot of the authors that were attending the BBTB book festival happened to be YA authors.
I’ve not read any Louise O’Neill! Is there a particular book you have in mind?
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