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cakt1991's review against another edition
3.5
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
Flawless Girls has a lot going for it, and depending on what you’re looking for, I think you’ll really enjoy it. Having recently finished Bridgerton season 3 part 1 (and gone back started rewatching), I really liked the way this book explored a similar concept of extreme femininity and the pressure put on a “finished” girl to be a proper lady, especially when you don’t fit in, for whatever reason, including falling outside the gender binary (something that the show lacks thus far).
While I can’t say I was super invested in the characters, I did like the exploration of gender, especially with the MC being intersex. And the relationships between the girls at Alarie House intrigued me in their own way.
The writing is quite beautiful and engrossing, and the story itself is rife with symbolism. I admit it was a little more literary and metaphorical in places than I expected, but it was balanced by short chapters which kept the pacing going.
While this was kind of a mixed bag, this is still an objectively good book, and I’d recommend it to readers interested in a literary historical-horror that explores queerness and gender identity.
trr51591's review
2.5
What the heck did I just read?
This is a YA horror book about Isla, whose sister, Renata, comes home from finishing school a totally different person. Isla suspects something happened there, so she enrolls herself to investigate. I appreciated the subtle creepiness of the school and its descriptions, but there was so much figurative language and dreams/hallucinations that it was hard to tell what was and was not real. Not much actually happened in terms of plot. While I appreciated the overall message being a critique on the patriarchy and the gender binary, along with some pretty descriptions, overall I had a hard time staying focused while reading. This book was not for me. Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
This is a YA horror book about Isla, whose sister, Renata, comes home from finishing school a totally different person. Isla suspects something happened there, so she enrolls herself to investigate. I appreciated the subtle creepiness of the school and its descriptions, but there was so much figurative language and dreams/hallucinations that it was hard to tell what was and was not real. Not much actually happened in terms of plot. While I appreciated the overall message being a critique on the patriarchy and the gender binary, along with some pretty descriptions, overall I had a hard time staying focused while reading. This book was not for me. Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
zaineylaney's review
4.0
“Every Alerie girl began at the Alerie House. ”
Here are reasons to read the YA Horror book:
Finishing School - the Alerie House is a finishing school where all the influential young ladies go
Sisters - The Soler sisters are sent to attend, but after one night, Isla leaves while Renata stays
Disappeared - and the night that Renata graduates, she disappears
Return - Isla returns to Alerie house to find the clue about her sister’s whereabouts as well as her unnervingly different disposition
This book is relatively short, which is very good because I finished it in an afternoon. There is definitely a surreal element to this book as well so if you don’t mind a more ambiguousness of the reasoning behind things, this is for you. There is also some really interesting commentary about the role women play and how they are seen in society. It’s a little bit weird, and a little bit beautiful all at once.
Here are reasons to read the YA Horror book:
Finishing School - the Alerie House is a finishing school where all the influential young ladies go
Sisters - The Soler sisters are sent to attend, but after one night, Isla leaves while Renata stays
Disappeared - and the night that Renata graduates, she disappears
Return - Isla returns to Alerie house to find the clue about her sister’s whereabouts as well as her unnervingly different disposition
This book is relatively short, which is very good because I finished it in an afternoon. There is definitely a surreal element to this book as well so if you don’t mind a more ambiguousness of the reasoning behind things, this is for you. There is also some really interesting commentary about the role women play and how they are seen in society. It’s a little bit weird, and a little bit beautiful all at once.
bookishmillennial's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
disclaimer: I don’t really give starred reviews. I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me here: https://linktr.ee/bookishmillennial
I love Anna-Marie McLemore, but I felt this book was rushed and lacked the focus and execution I wanted in the final act😭 I of course agree with the overarching message of this book, that there is a deep misogyny in the ways we relentlessly instill harmful messaging into young girls especially. Almost to the point of their own destruction. However, the lack of clarity surrounding *how* this was happening was frustrating to me.
I loved the representation of Isla as an intersex Latina girl from a family with “new money” — her ruminations on “will I ever be enough of a girl for folks?” were devastating and pushed her into deeper isolation. Her connection with Paz was lovely, not because you need validation from others, but because ultimately, we are all only human. Paz didn’t need further explanation beyond what Isla felt comfortable sharing, and even that simple act helped Isla to feel braver and stand taller in her body, which she’s always held complicated feelings about.
I also wouldn’t call this a horror — I’d more so say this was magical realism and literary fiction. The horror aspects were a bit subdued, like of course it’s horrifying to find girls with dried blood on them and who have diamonds as teeth. I didn’t feel particularly creeped out or scared for Isla though. I always felt Isla was moreso curious and never in any danger, which is explained a bit at the end. However, as I mentioned before, the ending was quite rushed and lacked detailed explanations to me.
Overall, AML’s writing is lush, descriptive, and atmospheric. I highlighted so much, as it flowed effortlessly, and I deeply admire their writing. However, I will try out their other works as this was not my favorite. Regardless though, I would love to see this optioned and adapted for a film, as it would be neat to see this come to life onscreen.
I love Anna-Marie McLemore, but I felt this book was rushed and lacked the focus and execution I wanted in the final act😭 I of course agree with the overarching message of this book, that there is a deep misogyny in the ways we relentlessly instill harmful messaging into young girls especially. Almost to the point of their own destruction. However, the lack of clarity surrounding *how* this was happening was frustrating to me.
I loved the representation of Isla as an intersex Latina girl from a family with “new money” — her ruminations on “will I ever be enough of a girl for folks?” were devastating and pushed her into deeper isolation. Her connection with Paz was lovely, not because you need validation from others, but because ultimately, we are all only human. Paz didn’t need further explanation beyond what Isla felt comfortable sharing, and even that simple act helped Isla to feel braver and stand taller in her body, which she’s always held complicated feelings about.
I also wouldn’t call this a horror — I’d more so say this was magical realism and literary fiction. The horror aspects were a bit subdued, like of course it’s horrifying to find girls with dried blood on them and who have diamonds as teeth. I didn’t feel particularly creeped out or scared for Isla though. I always felt Isla was moreso curious and never in any danger, which is explained a bit at the end. However, as I mentioned before, the ending was quite rushed and lacked detailed explanations to me.
Overall, AML’s writing is lush, descriptive, and atmospheric. I highlighted so much, as it flowed effortlessly, and I deeply admire their writing. However, I will try out their other works as this was not my favorite. Regardless though, I would love to see this optioned and adapted for a film, as it would be neat to see this come to life onscreen.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Body horror, Misogyny, Violence, Blood, Child abuse, Classism, Dysphoria, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail, and Abandonment
jennireadsmaybe's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
I'm not certain that any review I write will do Flawless Girls justice. It's the kind of book you need to read without reading reviews. It's a fever dream and a half that probably seems like it doesn't make sense while reading it. I think that's what makes it so easy to keep turning the pages.
I started reading Anna-Marie McLemore when they released Lakelore and fell for the way they write. Every word means something. It hurts and it heals and it still blows my mind days later. Honestly, it was so atmospheric that I'm pretty sure I dreamt about it after I finished the book. I definitely have a new appreciation for stones and gems now.
I would be remiss not to mention the representation in Flawless Girls. The FMC is an Latina, intersex, girl in a world that is ripe with expectations of what femininity is and isn't. It's extremely powerful.
I started reading Anna-Marie McLemore when they released Lakelore and fell for the way they write. Every word means something. It hurts and it heals and it still blows my mind days later. Honestly, it was so atmospheric that I'm pretty sure I dreamt about it after I finished the book. I definitely have a new appreciation for stones and gems now.
I would be remiss not to mention the representation in Flawless Girls. The FMC is an Latina, intersex, girl in a world that is ripe with expectations of what femininity is and isn't. It's extremely powerful.
rysmommyreads's review
3.0
Flawless Girls is a story about an elite finishing school adorned with gemstones and imbued with a touch of fantasy.
Isla and Renata Soler are sent to an elite finishing school by their wealthy grandmother in order to help make a name for them in society. This is supposed to give them a step up in society since they are from new money and therefore looked down upon by the old money members.
Isla leaves the school within hours, but Renata stays. When Renata returns home, she is different and quickly disappears again. Isla decides that in order to find her, she must understand the new Renata. In order to do that, Isla must return to the school and try to unearth what happened at the school that transformed Renata from the vivacious girl to gilded lady.
I really enjoyed the premise of the book; the cover art and description really drew me in. The narrative moved slowly in the beginning, and I was really hoping that it was building up to something, but was disappointed. Toward the halfway point, and until the end, things just got disjointed and confusing. It felt like the story was hopping all over the place, and established characters were changing in unexplainable ways. While I believe that this was the author's poetic portrayal of the inner conflicts experienced by the girls at the school as they struggled to maintain dual identities, it was off-putting for me.
I will still give it three stars because it was lavish and descriptive. The parts describing the house, the girls, the gems, and their classes were interesting. There was a general air of mystery surrounding the finishing school and its occupants (students and teachers alike). Isla gradually comes to acknowledge and embrace her unique identity, realizing that she doesn't quite fit in with the other girls. This journey of self-discovery resonates with many young women, irrespective of whether they face the same physical challenges as Isla.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Isla and Renata Soler are sent to an elite finishing school by their wealthy grandmother in order to help make a name for them in society. This is supposed to give them a step up in society since they are from new money and therefore looked down upon by the old money members.
Isla leaves the school within hours, but Renata stays. When Renata returns home, she is different and quickly disappears again. Isla decides that in order to find her, she must understand the new Renata. In order to do that, Isla must return to the school and try to unearth what happened at the school that transformed Renata from the vivacious girl to gilded lady.
I really enjoyed the premise of the book; the cover art and description really drew me in. The narrative moved slowly in the beginning, and I was really hoping that it was building up to something, but was disappointed. Toward the halfway point, and until the end, things just got disjointed and confusing. It felt like the story was hopping all over the place, and established characters were changing in unexplainable ways. While I believe that this was the author's poetic portrayal of the inner conflicts experienced by the girls at the school as they struggled to maintain dual identities, it was off-putting for me.
I will still give it three stars because it was lavish and descriptive. The parts describing the house, the girls, the gems, and their classes were interesting. There was a general air of mystery surrounding the finishing school and its occupants (students and teachers alike). Isla gradually comes to acknowledge and embrace her unique identity, realizing that she doesn't quite fit in with the other girls. This journey of self-discovery resonates with many young women, irrespective of whether they face the same physical challenges as Isla.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
adrihean's review
3.0
“Girls knew how to wound quietly, without anyone noticing.”
“Flawless Girls,” by Anna-Marie McLemore
This book was very strange, not bad, just very strange. The entire book I was just thinking that these girls are high the entire time. It is a very poetic sort of book about looking beyond the top layers on yourself and society sort of book. It was marketed as a horror romance YA book, but I would not say it romance at all, at least not enough for it to be one of its genre’s. The horror aspect is more psychological than spooky horror. 3 out of 5 stars.
Thank you for the ARC.
ashliesydel's review
dark
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Vibes: The Virgin Suicides, Killing of a Sacred Deer, and Where the Wild Things Are
I devoured this book; I was unable to put it down. It's what I consider a sophisticated horror. Very ominous, twists, and unsettling moments. It's weird and the "theme" can be interpreted a few different ways. It's unnerving and psychological.
We have sisters Renata and Isla who come from "new" money. They are raised by their self-made grandmother who always encouraged them to be independent, expressive, and strong. However, now that the sisters are 17 and 20 the grandmother decides to send them to the most elite finishing school in the area. Not because she wants them to be ladylike and conform to society standards but because she wants people to respect them, and she knows graduating from said school is an ivy league badge that demands respect.
Right from the jump Isla is like fuck this shit, these bitches are Stefford wife crazy I'm outie. Reneta refuses to leave so she gets left behind. Isla is our FMC and after her big sister returns brainwashed, she decides to return to the school to get answers and find out how to help her sister.
These sisters are NOT Anna & Elsa and they don't have a heartwarming ending. Instead, Isla finds herself drawn in by the madness.
This was a satisfying and fast paced read for me. It was trippy, the ending doesn't wrap everything up with a bow, but I liked it. It explores sexuality, society standards, femininity, suppressing desires, embracing your dark side, self-love, and acceptance.
I devoured this book; I was unable to put it down. It's what I consider a sophisticated horror. Very ominous, twists, and unsettling moments. It's weird and the "theme" can be interpreted a few different ways. It's unnerving and psychological.
We have sisters Renata and Isla who come from "new" money. They are raised by their self-made grandmother who always encouraged them to be independent, expressive, and strong. However, now that the sisters are 17 and 20 the grandmother decides to send them to the most elite finishing school in the area. Not because she wants them to be ladylike and conform to society standards but because she wants people to respect them, and she knows graduating from said school is an ivy league badge that demands respect.
Right from the jump Isla is like fuck this shit, these bitches are Stefford wife crazy I'm outie. Reneta refuses to leave so she gets left behind. Isla is our FMC and after her big sister returns brainwashed, she decides to return to the school to get answers and find out how to help her sister.
These sisters are NOT Anna & Elsa and they don't have a heartwarming ending. Instead, Isla finds herself drawn in by the madness.
This was a satisfying and fast paced read for me. It was trippy, the ending doesn't wrap everything up with a bow, but I liked it. It explores sexuality, society standards, femininity, suppressing desires, embracing your dark side, self-love, and acceptance.
sysb218's review
2.0
This one was...interesting to me. I almost had to DNF it, because it definitely frustrated me at times, I finished the book and essentially thought, what the heck did I just read. When I read the summary provided, I assumed it was going to be a thriller-type book, but what I got was not super realistic. I genuinely thought half of this book was a fever dream and we were going to get a cliche "and then she woke up" scene at the end. I see where the author was trying to go with this, but I do not think it was executed very well. Honestly, my favorite part may have been the book's cover, because WOW, that illustrator needs a raise.
eternallyicarian's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75