alcoholism, date rape, consequences, drugs ( )

This novel attempts to address several very serious issues including parental and teen alcoholism and the atrocity of date rape at its worst. Unfortunately, while it presents these topics for discussion, it does not present the complexity or true pain of these issues well. The plot is very thin and characters, even the antihero, is not well developed. The whole story seems contrived, not that any of it could be untrue, but because binding elements seem to be missing.

I would recommend this book to teens who have already crossed lines and are hanging on the edge of making criminal-type life-altering decisions. This book is harsh enough, and disconnected enough that it may reach this group of readers and readers who have already crossed those lines. I would not recommend this book to the majority of readers because they may not grasp the intensity of the situation. Due to the repeated claims of the anti-heroes conscience, the unreliable narrator of much of the book, readers may believe that he is the "good guy" he believes he is. ( )

in a sentence: Keir is a good guy...right?

The novel opens with the haunting first line "The way it looks is not the way it is" - whoa! Keir is a graduating high school senior with a best-friend/dad, and two sisters. He drinks way too much, is liked by everyone, and is a self proclaimed good guy. Between Keir narrating his final year of school and giving a brief bio on his life for our sake, he fills the reader in with his current situation - which is shady at best. Without revealing too much of the plot, he is alone, with the girl he loves, defending his good guy status. Again, WHOA!

This book is spooky, creepy, and intriguing all over the place. The best part about it is the reader hardly realizes how creepy and what a thriller the novel actually is until the ending. The author's choice of telling the story from Keir's first person perspective is amazing, and really shapes the book. All of the character development, insight, emotions, and appeal are completely based on the reader's interpretation of the events and the story. I wouldn't say it's a nail biter, it's much too subtle for that...but it is a page turner all the way.

According to the VOYA standards of review (Q=quality and P=popularity), I give this a Q=4.5 and a P=4.5 . I don't know if they do ".5" or not, but I do! There were some occasional lapses in the literary quality I felt like which were centered around dialogue, but very few. And while I feel this book can (and should) be read and enjoyed by all young adults, I am weary saying that any single book is appealing to every young adult reader...although in this instance I am very tempted. ( )

This is a harrowing account of a rape, from the rapist's point of view. As Keir tells us the story of his life leading up to his night with Gigi, we come to realise that he is a master of self-delusion.

This is a raw look at the little justifications and excuses a person can make for their behaviour, as small inconsiderate deeds build up to horrific actions.

(spoilers)
I am bothered by the ending - it seems that to the very last moment, Keir fails to take responsibility for his past actions. ( )

This book would be a nice counterpart to SPEAK by Laurie Halse Anderson. ( )