Summary (from the publisher): The Girls of Innovations Academy are beautiful and well-behaved—it says so on their report cards. Under the watchful gaze of their Guardian, they receive a well-rounded education that promises to make them better. Obedient girls, free from arrogance or defiance. Free from troublesome opinions or individual interests.

But the girls’ carefully controlled existence may not be quite as it appears. As Mena and her friends uncover the dark secrets of what’s actually happening there—and who they really are—the girls of Innovations Academy will learn to fight back.

 Cover Lust? I need this book cover in poster form ASAP! 

My Rating: 4/5 Stars

My Thoughts:

As many of you likely know, I am a huge fan of books that I simply can’t put down. Suzanne Young’s latest release, Girls with Sharp Sticks, is the type of book that will stick with you during and after putting down this eerie and at times, scarily realistic read. This eye-opening read will resonate with readers who love seeing real world issues in different contexts, from Tracy Banghart’s Grace and Fury to Jennifer Mathieu’s Moxie.

Girls with Sharp Sticks follows Mena and her classmates at Innovations Academy, where they learn to be thoughtful and obedient women for men. I simply couldn’t put this book down because I found myself so intrigued by Mena’s world. It was absolutely crazy to see how easily Mena played by the rules, until she of course starts seeing that things at the school sure aren’t what they seem to be. The school’s teachers and staff are absolutely horrible, and the girls have some downright horrifying experiences. While Girls with Sharp Sticks takes place in a world that is not our own, some of the girls’ experiences are unfortunately experienced by women everyday in reality.

However, it’s the girls’ tight-knit friendships that allow them to stick together and discern reality from the lies surrounding them. With just a tad bit of romance, Girls with Sharp Sticks champions female friendship and female empowerment. From gossiping over contraband magazines to their discussions over what’s really in their daily medications, I loved all the scenes where the girls meet in the dorm rooms. These scenes really showed the bonds between the girls and also helped lead to their revolution.

Although Girls with Sharp Sticks took a bit more of a sci-fi twist than I was expecting,  Suzanne Young keeps readers on the edge of their seat with every page. Especially considering the epilogue, I’m really looking forward to seeing where the second book, Girls with Razor Hearts, takes Mena and us readers! Many of my fellow bloggers have much love for Suzanne Young’s The Program, so I’m definitely going to have to read that series while I wait for Girls with Razor Hearts!

Girls with Sharp Sticks comes out on March 19, 2019.

This review is based on an advance reader’s copy provided by the publisher. By no means did receiving this ARC affect my thoughts or opinions.

Is Girls with Sharp Sticks on your TBR? Have you read any books by Suzanne Young? Share in the comments!