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Emily May's Reviews > All the Rage
All the Rage
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You know all the ways you can kill a girl?
God, there are so many.
This story... these characters... those words... Courtney Summers has done it again.
I don't think, on the whole, I am a person who is afraid of much. I'd even go so far as to say I have a somewhat reckless, risk-taking personality at times. But I am scared of a few things... you want to know what one of my biggest fears is? Telling the truth and having no one believe me. Honestly, I think that's truly terrifying. Knowing you're being honest, knowing what you know, and being powerless to do anything about it. That's the first reason this book affected me so much.
What I mentioned above is a running theme behind the scenes of this story, but Summers incorporates many other elements that she excels at. For one, the author has an incredible understanding of teen girl politics - as shown previously in Some Girls Are. I should mention this book is nasty, graphic and contains some coarse language, but I guess that's high school for you.
…how can you put something so golden, a girl who can barely open her eyes or her mouth - how can you put something like that in front of them and expect them to be better people?
Summers' writing improves with every book she releases, writing scenes with words that manage to somehow be beautiful and horrific at the same time. But most of all, she has a talent for getting inside the thoughts, feelings, worries and insecurities of teenage girls. She paints unlikable characters and still breathes humanity into them, something that so few authors can do successfully.
As well as all of this, All the Rage also looks at small town life and the alliances that can exist within small communities of people. It makes it easy for your crimes to be overlooked if you're friends with the right people, or be called a liar if you're not.
I want to explain to you why I think her books are so different from other YA "issue" novels that deal with angsty teens, but it's difficult to do without just pushing one of her books into your hands. I guess there's something very raw, painful and honest about her stories that still steers clear of emotional manipulation. Even the characters we are supposed to find sympathy for are complex and flawed in their own way. I like that.
I hope she writes more soon because, as you may have guessed, I'm an unapologetic fangirl.
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God, there are so many.
This story... these characters... those words... Courtney Summers has done it again.
I don't think, on the whole, I am a person who is afraid of much. I'd even go so far as to say I have a somewhat reckless, risk-taking personality at times. But I am scared of a few things... you want to know what one of my biggest fears is? Telling the truth and having no one believe me. Honestly, I think that's truly terrifying. Knowing you're being honest, knowing what you know, and being powerless to do anything about it. That's the first reason this book affected me so much.
What I mentioned above is a running theme behind the scenes of this story, but Summers incorporates many other elements that she excels at. For one, the author has an incredible understanding of teen girl politics - as shown previously in Some Girls Are. I should mention this book is nasty, graphic and contains some coarse language, but I guess that's high school for you.
…how can you put something so golden, a girl who can barely open her eyes or her mouth - how can you put something like that in front of them and expect them to be better people?
Summers' writing improves with every book she releases, writing scenes with words that manage to somehow be beautiful and horrific at the same time. But most of all, she has a talent for getting inside the thoughts, feelings, worries and insecurities of teenage girls. She paints unlikable characters and still breathes humanity into them, something that so few authors can do successfully.
As well as all of this, All the Rage also looks at small town life and the alliances that can exist within small communities of people. It makes it easy for your crimes to be overlooked if you're friends with the right people, or be called a liar if you're not.
I want to explain to you why I think her books are so different from other YA "issue" novels that deal with angsty teens, but it's difficult to do without just pushing one of her books into your hands. I guess there's something very raw, painful and honest about her stories that still steers clear of emotional manipulation. Even the characters we are supposed to find sympathy for are complex and flawed in their own way. I like that.
I hope she writes more soon because, as you may have guessed, I'm an unapologetic fangirl.
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Reading Progress
February 6, 2012
– Shelved
January 20, 2015
–
Started Reading
January 26, 2015
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-45 of 45 (45 new)
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message 1:
by
Kyle
(new)
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rated it 5 stars
Jan 20, 2015 07:46PM
How is this?! It's easily one of my most anticipated for this year.
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Just starting it now! I promise to let you know, but I am so excited for another Courtney Summers book :)
I have such high hopes for this; I love Courtney Summers. Really looking forward to seeing how you find it Emily!
Same! I've loved every single one of her books so far... hope I can add this one to the list!
I've heard varied opinions about this...can't wait for you review!
I am so excited for this book!
I completely understand your fangirl. I'm not talking about Courtney Summers, but at this moment I'm in a fangirling mode (I'm re-reading a series I really love). I guess I have to read one of her books soon. I'm planning to read This is Not a Test. I've heard good things about that book! Great review, btw! :)
Vane wrote: "I completely understand your fangirl. I'm not talking about Courtney Summers, but at this moment I'm in a fangirling mode (I'm re-reading a series I really love). I guess I have to read one of her ..."Ooh, which series? I loved This is Not a Test, but she's written a bunch of very different books - I would recommend Some Girls Are even if TiNaT doesn't work for you :)
And thank you!
Hmm, Some Girls Are sounds interesting..I guess I'll give it a try. Besides, your Courtney Summers' reviews are making me feel excited to get hold of one of her books. And the series is The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey. I know some people hate it (they prefer The 5th Wave, I can't blame them), but I can't help but love it. It's very different from most YA out there. That's right: I'm fangirling over Rick Yancey.
Vane wrote: "Hmm, Some Girls Are sounds interesting..I guess I'll give it a try. Besides, your Courtney Summers' reviews are making me feel excited to get hold of one of her books. And the series..."I keep meaning to read The Monstrumologist but I never seem to find time. I think it's been on my TBR for years, even though I really liked The 5th Wave. Must remember to check it out...
Oh, Em, you really should read it...you remember when I told you about Demian? My feelings for Demian are not even compared to my feelings about this series (The Monstrumologist, I mean)...
I'm dying to read this! So jealous! :)
Wonderful review! Summers is one of my favorite authors, too. I love her flawed characters and how the issues are portrayed realistically with no shying away from the gritty details. Glad you enjoyed this one, I can't wait to read it. :)
Sarah wrote: "Wonderful review! Summers is one of my favorite authors, too. I love her flawed characters and how the issues are portrayed realistically with no shying away from the gritty details. Glad you enjo..."
Thank you Sarah! :)
I love Courtney Summers! Great review, can't wait to read it!
Great review! Can't wait to read this book, loved her other ones
Thank you everyone :)
Great review, glad to see the wait for this one is well worth it! :) It's been far too long since her last release, but if the quality is as high as her others then it's all worth it!
Kyle wrote: "Great review, glad to see the wait for this one is well worth it! :) It's been far too long since her last release, but if the quality is as high as her others then it's all worth it!"Thanks Kyle! I think you should like this one, though "like" may not be the right word for what Ms Summers writes :)
Thank you, Alicia! I completely know what you mean :)
Amazing review!Never read Courtney Summers but you really make me want to try it!!
Lucy wrote: "Amazing review!Never read Courtney Summers but you really make me want to try it!!"Thank you, Lucy :) You should definitely check her out if you like powerful YA contempories!
GREAT review. I'm so excited to read this!
I've never read her books, but this sounds nice and gritty! Will have to read it.
Amazing review as always :) Not being believed is one of my biggest fear as well, and I trust Courtney Summers to handle this issue with honesty and in a realistic way, and that's so rare. We definitely need more authors like her.
I might have to skip over my to-read lists and bump this one up in priority...
Rachel wrote: "GREAT review. I'm so excited to read this!"Thank you, Rachel!
Squarekitty wrote: "I've never read her books, but this sounds nice and gritty! Will have to read it."Oh yeah, her books are amazing and very gritty. She's one of my favourite YA writers.
Alienor ☠ is stuck on the Jellicoe Road ☠ wrote: "Amazing review as always :) Not being believed is one of my biggest fear as well, and I trust Courtney Summers to handle this issue with honesty and in a realistic way, and that's so rare. We defin..."Thank you. I used to have a recurring dream when I was younger that I'd been accused of a crime I didn't commit - it was terrifying.
Karissa wrote: "I might have to skip over my to-read lists and bump this one up in priority..."YES :D
I'm not usually interested in genres such as this, however your review is really making me think about picking up a copy of this book.
I'mogén wrote: "I'm not usually interested in genres such as this, however your review is really making me think about picking up a copy of this book."Thank you :) I hope you do, it really is excellent.
Emily May wrote: "Karissa wrote: "I might have to skip over my to-read lists and bump this one up in priority..."YES :D"
I think I will after I finish one of the books I'm reading now... I'm reading 5 at the moment and I think 6 would be too many xD
Emily May wrote: "Alienor ☠ is stuck on the Jellicoe Road ☠ wrote: "Amazing review as always :) Not being believed is one of my biggest fear as well, and I trust Courtney Summers to handle this issue with honesty an..."Yes it is. When we think about it, it can happen so easily - being wrongly accused of something, I mean - I think it would drive me crazy.
Wow! Wonderful review :) I read her cracked up to be and some girls are and loved it, her writing style is amazing and emotional. Waiting for this book to release!
Absolutely great review, Em. I frigging loved this book, and I also want Courtney Summers to write more books. I'm another unapologetic fangirl.
I hated it, also. I loved it and hated it. Does that even make sense?
After reading all the comments here,i guess.. i need to grab courtney summers's book.. asapp !!! :D :P
Any suggestions ? which book i should read to start ?
Amira wrote: "After reading all the comments here,i guess.. i need to grab courtney summers's book.. asapp !!! :D :P
Any suggestions ? which book i should read to start ?"
I'm biased because I feel like I read them in exactly the right order ^_^ but I say start with Some Girls Are.
I loved this book but i didnt understand the ending can somebody explain it to me please?
I've been trusting your reviews for a few months now, Emily, and I have to especially thank you for turning me on to All the Rage and by extension Courtney Summers. Incredible writing and storytelling. I'm determined to read all her books ASAP!
Michelle wrote: "I've been trusting your reviews for a few months now, Emily, and I have to especially thank you for turning me on to All the Rage and by extension Courtney Summers. Incredible writing and storytell..."I'm so glad you love her too! I can't recommend her other books enough - she's incredible :)
