3.5 stars.

The biggest thing keeping me from giving this book a 4 is the "main" character herself, Alex.

While I felt like I knew the other major characters (Peekay and Jack), and even some of the more minor characters (Branley, Sara), I never really actually felt like I knew or understood Alex. She was robotic in the way she acted, talked, and even thought. I didn't totally understand why she was the way she was -- sure, her sister's death played into it a bit, but there were enough hints that she had her violent tendencies far earlier in her life than the tragedy that befell her sister.

I felt like Alex was in the book more as a tool than an actual character -- it was through her that the reader and the other characters found themselves confronting rape culture and slut shaming, examining their feelings and behaviors. And I thought overall this was well done - serious topics were handled without feeling too preachy. But this was Alex's main role, and she lacked full character development otherwise.

I also didn't find her relationship with Jack believable. I bought into why he was interested in Alex, but not why she was interested in him. I completely expected her to be turned off by the typical jock type, with a new girl whenever he wanted one. I didn't understand her initial attraction to him, other than he paid her attention. And she didn't seem like the type of girl for which that would work. I just didn't feel like I understood her, despite the book really revolving around her for the most part. There was a major disconnect between her and everything else that took place.

I did, however, really love both Jack and Peekay. I liked getting Jack's perspective, and realizing that he both was and wasn't the stereotype of the hot jock. He recognized areas where he was weak, and gave into temptation. His relationship with Branley was complicated and interesting, and sometimes very frustrating. I also really enjoyed Peekay/Claire, and the dynamic she had going on in her life as the daughter of the town preacher. I liked seeing her growth throughout the course of the book, and loved how both her and Jack's relationships with their parents were portrayed throughout the course of the book.

One thing I struggled with was the violence towards animals. Alex and Peekay volunteer at the local animal shelter, and some terrible things came into play through that storyline. We also learn that Jack works at a slaughterhouse, and were treated to a disturbing scene of him at work. These were hard for me, because animal violence is always hard for me. I understood why some of the parts were included, but not all of them.

In the end, I enjoyed the book, and hard a hard time putting it down (finishing it in a day), but I wanted to feel like I knew Alex better, and that brought the rating down for me.

4:03 AM, just finished an ARC of The Female of the Species.

My froommate (friend/roommate, a term that is still in development) gave me this book to read as she checked it out from our university's library. Lately, meaning in the past five or so months, I haven't been able to find time to read, and when I have, it's been either Three Swans or One Hundred Years of solitude--the two big works that I'm trudging through.

I'm really glad I read this though.

Set in a backwards town that looks to me like an awful alternate reality because of such stark differences between the small Ohioan setting and the real, current world-- the Female of the Species is an incredibly powerful piece of work.

If you can't say the word dick without genuinely giggling, there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. However, as a gauge for this book and whether it's suitable for you--If yes, you, in fact, cannot say the noun for a male's genitalia, then you are most likely better off not reading this book.

There's lots of dicks. Lots of violence, sex, drugs cruelty, abuse. And from page one to the end--there's no cushion to rest and breathe easy.

And I really enjoyed it. I haven't read anything so profound and relatable to current social issues in a really long time. Rape is not okay. Rape jokes are not okay. Men and women are equal and the time where 100% of human beings on this earth realize that and wholeheartedly agree, in my opinion, cannot come soon enough.

The time is long overdue, however, it's works like these that help quicken the pace and get us on the right track to common sense and not just valuing but enacting on basic human respect.

Thank you Alex, Jack, and PK for an awesome time and Mindy McGinnis for such a powerful novel.

I finished this book in one day and I was upset that I had to go to work and break up my reading of it. This was brutal every step of the way and so damned heartfelt. This is a book that doesn't shy away from the depravity of humans. It takes a big look at slut-shaming, rape, molestation, and murder. It talks about humans preying on the weak, knowing something is wrong and doing it still. This book is written from alternating perspectives and so much richer because of it.

"A dog that bites is a dead dog. First day at the shelter and I already saw one put to sleep, which in itself is a misleading phrase. Sleep implies that you have the option of waking up. Once their bodies pass unconsciousness to something deeper where systems start to fail, they revolt a little bit, put up a fight on a molecular level. They kick. They cry. They don’t want to go. And this happens because their jaws closed over a human hand, ever so briefly. Maybe even just the once. But people, they get chances. They get the benefit of the doubt. Even though they have the higher logic functioning and they knew when they did it THEY KNEW it was a bad thing.”

“But boys will be boys, our favorite phrase that excuses so many things, while the only thing we have for the opposite gender is women, said with disdain and punctuated with an eye roll.”

Well-written, dark and in-your-face. I LOVED it and am appalled by it at the same time. Alex has this darkness inside her that reminds me of Dexter. I wanted this story to end a chapter or two before it did, but know that the complexities of the character relationships could not have come to a better conclusion. Mysterious and fascinating read!

I really liked this book until the ending. The ending left me so unsatisfied. I also hate Jack :)

brutal awakening to the subtlety of sexual harassment in our society

3.7/5 rounded up
tw: SA and violence and mentions of r***

i think this story was a really comprehensive view on rape culture and how it gets perpetuated. alex serves as a tortured anti-hero navigating the world after her sister’s brutal murder. the story is told from three perspectives of people in anytown, usa.

the plot of the story progresses really slowly. the meat of the book was in the character development that McGinnis fosters. each character is given so many different dimensions that lets you into their world. the characters are all dynamic and unpredictable, but the plot line tends to run a bit monotonous and one-note at points.

i think this is a really important read. i think YA novels should be allowed to explore these scary topics and ideas. the messaging of this novel was poignant and points to a societal acceptance of perpetuated violence against women. the only thing i think this novel lacks when exploring SA and rape culture is the idea of helping victims heal from actions they didn’t deserve.

Compelling book, but it is dark, dark. Don't be fooled by the blurb. While serial killing plays a part, it is not the focus. This isn't Dexter. If anything, it's more insidious. Definitely one to recommend to those wanting something similar to Speak or Looking for Alaska.

Good Lord, I am wrecked after reading this. I feel the same way now that I did after finishing Sadie by Courtney Summers. Absolutely WRECKED.

Part vengeful vigilantism, several parts YA romance, part interrogation of rape culture.

Overall, I was impressed with this book. Definitely held my attention and I really liked Peekay and Alex's friendship. The 3 main characters are complex, developed and well-written (all but one of the periphery characters have absolutely no personality, but it's not a deal breaker). The teen romances are a bit cringey at times, but it's YA and I'm ok with it. What makes this book worth reading is its unapologetic critique and examination of rape culture, internalized misogyny, & sexism. I wish I'd had access to this language and framing when I was a teen and 20-something. Would definitely recommend to tweens and teens.