Girl at War by Sara Novic
Fiction (Released May 12, 2015)
338 Pages
Bottom Line: Read it.
Affiliate Link: Buy from Amazon
Source: Purchased
Plot Summary: Novic’s debut novel chronicles ten year-old Ana Juric’s experience growing up in the early 1990’s in war ravaged Croatia and her struggle to come to terms with her past a decade later in New York City.
My Thoughts: This novel has been almost universally loved in the book blogging world and much has already been written about it (hence, why you’re just getting a mini review from me)! I’m a late-comer to the bandwagon, but am firmly jumping on. The story of Ana as a child during the war is innocent and heartbreaking at the same time. I was fascinated by the child’s perspective of war…what Ana and Luka (her friend) notice and, more interestingly, what they don’t pay any attention to. I could have read hundreds more pages about Ana’s early life. Initially, I wasn’t a fan of the sections about Ana’s later life (particularly in New York). But, once I finished the book and learned the full story of Ana’s experience in Croatia, I began to appreciate how sharing Ana’s adult processing of her experience adds to the story. Despite the difficult subject matter, Novic’s writing flowed easily, making this an incredibly readable story. Girl at War is going on my Book Club Recommendations List.
Dare Me by Megan Abbott
Fiction (Released July 31, 2012)
305 Pages
Bottom Line: Skip it.
Affiliate Link: Amazon
Source: Purchased
Plot Summary: When a tough new cheerleading coach (Coach French) takes over the high school varsity squad, a dangerous game of power and lies plays out with “Top Girl”, Beth, and her sidekick, Addy.
My Thoughts: I loved Abbott’s 2014 novel, The Fever, and knew I wanted to read something from her backlist. Dare Me‘s premise of a slightly demented “Bring it On” in book form had my fingertips tingling! Sadly, I ended up feeling detached from the characters and the story in general. I considered putting it down early on, but almost halfway in, I started to get a better sense of where the story was going, which helped me get more invested. It became clear that this would be a protracted battle of demented wills and high school mind games. I was never sure who was good, who was evil, and who was telling the truth (or not). While this uncertainty did push me to finish the book, it was too little too late to save my overall opinion of it. Plus, the ending was fairly predictable. I did, however, learn all the cheerleading lingo I’ll ever need to know…so cheers to that?!
I NEED to read Girl at War! Sorry to hear Dare Me didn’t work for you; I loved The Fever, but I haven’t gotten a chance to dive into her backlist.
Yes – it deserves the hype! I felt like Dare Me had a different feel than The Fever. Regardless, I’ll still read her next book…whenever that comes!
I want to try Megan Abbott’s books. She’s a local author for me or at least she used to be. Anyway, I did start Dare Me at one point and then got bogged down. Don’t exactly remember why, but it just wasn’t doing it for me. Perhaps I should try The Fever instead.
Oh, that’s cool! Yes, I thought The Fever was very much the better of the two. And, it’s loosely based on a true story, which I think always makes things more interesting.
Great to read that you liked Girl at War too, I’ve seen so many good things about it, and someone kindly sent me their copy when they’d finished with it so I hope to read it soon too.
I hope you enjoy it!
I listened to the audio of Dare Me and it was fairly entertaining. I also loved The Fever. I read or listened to the audio of another of her books, The End of Everything, I’ve forgotten the plot completely. 🙁
I’m hoping she comes out with a new one soon!
Girl at War has me intrigued. Too bad Dare Me didn’t work for you, Sarah.
I’m cracking up over here…at least you found a bright side to Dare Me, right? That is awesome. I just need to be in the right mood for Girl at War and I don’t think I’m there yet; this may have to wait for awhile, but it does sound like a story worth reading.
Ha – yes! Was it obvious that I was NOT a cheerleader in high school?! We actually didn’t even have a cheerleading squad at my school. On Girl at War, I will say that it doesn’t feel like a “war” book, but it’s definitely a bit shocking at times. There are some brutal scenes. But, I definitely think it’s worth a read when the time feels right 🙂
I sort of wrote off Girl at War, but now I think I’ll reconsider. Glad u enjoyed it.
I definitely think it’s worth reconsidering…I feel like so many people have loved it 🙂
I’ve wrestled back and forth on Girl at War. Should I? Shouldn’t I? The setting is what’s keeping me away, but the way you describe the protagonist as innocent and heartbreaking makes me want to revisit it.
It doesn’t feel like a war book, but there are some brutal scenes. But, it’s not overwhelmingly war, war, war. I’d definitely recommend at least sampling it!
So sorry Dare Me didn’t work for you! At least Girl at War was a win though!
Me too 🙁 I loved The Fever, though, and am looking forward to whatever she does next!
I’m so anxious to read Girl at War. So glad you found it worth the hype. Have you read The Unquiet Dead that came out in January about the Croatian War? or have I already asked you that? Ack! it’s late and my brain is not working 😉
I haven’t read that and you haven’t asked me already 🙂 I would like to know more about that war because Girl At War didn’t really go into detail about how the war started, what they were fighting over, etc. It more about this particular young girl’s life during the war.
Joining the ranks of those who need to read Girl at War! A copy already came in for me at the library a month ago, but I couldn’t get to it in time. Need to re-reserve!
That’s annoying! I feel like I read it late, but am so glad I made time for it! Hope you’re doing well!
When I saw the title of this post I thought, oooh that girl better not be telling people to skip Girl at War 😉 Lol, I’m glad to see that that isn’t the case! Like all of my favorite books it’s not an easy read but it is a necessary one.
Haha! Nope – definitely wasn’t going there! Don’t know if I could face myself in the mirror if I recommended psychotic cheerleaders over brave girl caught in a war!
Yup, I’m an even later comer to Girl at War. I’m nervous it’s going to be really sad and I don’t know if I’ll be into that right now. So I keep putting it off, even though I know I shouldn’t. Thanks for the Dare Me warning! I also liked The Fever.
It’s definitely sad, but it’s written in somewhat of an innocent way, so it kind of softens the blow a bit. A Little Life was much more emotionally devastating for me.