Girls with Sharp Sticks Review

One thing I will say about this book is that you will never read another one like it.  I’ve read my fair share of dystopian novels and novels with women heroine.  But this one was worlds different from any other book, and for that, I have to give the author credit. 

That being said, I didn’t love this book, nor did I find it a page-turner.  It was simply an average book that filled my time.  I don’t see the content staying with me, I won’t recommend it to my family and friends, and will not be anticipating (or even reading) any sequel that might be released.   

Here are the aspects of the writing I struggled with:

·      The characters:  I share in the opinion of other reviewers in that I just did not connect with these characters.  It isn’t that I disliked them.  I just didn’t feel anything towards them.  While the author does take the time to develop her main characters, I just felt like there was an unexplainable disconnect.  I mean, I even had a hard time picturing what the characters looked like!  As I’d be reading, I’d suddenly realize I didn’t have a clear picture in my head of these characters.  It’s almost like the storyline swallows the characters, and the characters are secondary to everything else. 

·      The theme:  Now, I am a woman and I am for women.  I am 100% opposed to women being pushed down, mistreated, and undervalued.  I need to make that clear, because I don’t want anyone to think I didn’t like this book solely because my values are against what it preaches.  That isn’t the case.  But frankly, I felt like the (not-so) subliminal messages in this book completely took over and dominated the storyline.  I might have enjoyed the book more if I didn’t feel like I was being taught a lesson every few pages.  Again, I’m all for what this book stands for, but it was just too much of it for a 400-page book.

·      The pace:  Unlike other reviewers, I didn’t have trouble “getting in” to this book.  I found it interesting from the first few pages.  But I found that it just moved slowly, even to the end.  Yes, there are some big events that take place, with a big climatic scene right near the end.  But even in these moments, the book tends to drag on.  It’s not ever boring, but it wasn’t ever particularly exciting either.  It’s just kind of “meh”.

I love to read, and YA novels are my very favorite genre to read.  But there are hundreds of YA books that I would recommend reading before this one.  It’s not terrible and it’s not boring, but it just isn’t great either.  It isn’t life-changing or lasting.  But if you’re still itching to read it after this review, go for it!  It may just be your cup of tea!

All my love,
SGH