A dark, compelling read about the toxicity of female friendship
This is an absolutely incredible and compelling debut novel which had me hooked from the outset. From the opening ‘Then’ page and the following sentences within, I was intrigued to know what had happened and what story the characters forming the ‘we’ were pledging to stick to: “Together we ruled.”, “A carnage that had started within us.” and “We have to stick to the same story”! Just what happened all those years ago?
This story is told from the alternating chapter perspectives of Ambrosia (Amb) in the ‘Now’ (in 2017) and ‘Then’ during her first year at the prestigious American University Wesleyan. On arrival Amb found herself desperate to fit in, but struggling to navigate the rules of this elite world, filled with ‘nice’ girls. That was until she met the enigmatic Sully with whom she formed a dangerous friendship. Determined to impress, Amb found herself drawn into Sully’s dark orbit, mesmerised by her charm. But Amb had no idea just how terrible the consequences could turn out to be! Now, with an invitation to the ‘Class of 2007’ Ten-Year Reunion weekend, will Amb ever be able to escape what happened all those years ago?
This is a really fast paced and gripping book which I found myself racing through the pages of. There were so many brilliant twists and turns along the way which I just didn’t see coming and that ending; so clever! I also really liked how each of the ‘Now’ chapters started with an email from the Wesleyan Alumni Committee and just how significant these emails turned out to be.
The darkness and toxicity underpinning this story made it a truly compelling and powerful exploration of the devastating lengths people will go to, to take what they think they are owed. I will be recommending this gripping and fast paced debut to everyone!
This story is told from the alternating chapter perspectives of Ambrosia (Amb) in the ‘Now’ (in 2017) and ‘Then’ during her first year at the prestigious American University Wesleyan. On arrival Amb found herself desperate to fit in, but struggling to navigate the rules of this elite world, filled with ‘nice’ girls. That was until she met the enigmatic Sully with whom she formed a dangerous friendship. Determined to impress, Amb found herself drawn into Sully’s dark orbit, mesmerised by her charm. But Amb had no idea just how terrible the consequences could turn out to be! Now, with an invitation to the ‘Class of 2007’ Ten-Year Reunion weekend, will Amb ever be able to escape what happened all those years ago?
This is a really fast paced and gripping book which I found myself racing through the pages of. There were so many brilliant twists and turns along the way which I just didn’t see coming and that ending; so clever! I also really liked how each of the ‘Now’ chapters started with an email from the Wesleyan Alumni Committee and just how significant these emails turned out to be.
The darkness and toxicity underpinning this story made it a truly compelling and powerful exploration of the devastating lengths people will go to, to take what they think they are owed. I will be recommending this gripping and fast paced debut to everyone!