Thursday, June 24, 2010

Review: Beautiful Malice

Beautiful Malice By Rebecca James
Beautiful Malice: A Novel

Synopsis (from GoodReads.com):

So. Were you glad, deep down? Were you glad to be rid of her? Your perfect sister? Were you secretly glad when she was killed?

Following a terrible tragedy that leaves her once-perfect family shattered, Katherine Patterson moves to a new city, starts at a new school, and looks forward to a new life of quiet anonymity.

But when Katherine meets the gregarious and beautiful Alice Parrie her resolution to live a solitary life becomes difficult. Katherine is unable resist the flattering attention that Alice pays her and is so charmed by Alice’s contagious enthusiasm that the two girls soon become firm friends. Alice’s joie de vivre is transformative; it helps Katherine forget her painful past and slowly, tentatively, Katherine allows herself to start enjoying life again.

But being friends with Alice is complicated – and as Katherine gets to know her better she discovers that although Alice can be charming and generous she can also be selfish and egocentric. Sometimes, even, Alice is cruel.

And when Katherine starts to wonder if Alice is really the kind of person she wants as a friend, she discovers something else about Alice - she doesn’t like being cast off.

Book Details:
Pub. Date: July 13, 2010
Publisher: Bantam
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 272

My Review:

I may be one of the few who could not finish this book. I really tried to read to page 100. This is not a young adult book, even if the main character in the story is 18 and in high school. The relationship between all the characters just seemed too bland and not well developed. Alice and Katherine don't act like the average high schooler. I don't think teenagers drink every time they hangout. I wouldn't know though because I'm one of those teens that stay away from that scene. There really seems to be no parental figures to tell the characters right from wrong. I liked how the author wrote about topics that ring true, like about being a parent and grieving processes. I really did want to like this book but one scene just did me in and I quit. For some people the mystery of what the characters have might be enough to keep the reader reading.


2 Stars


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