There are stories where the girl gets her prince, and they live happily ever after. (This is not one of those stories.)
Jenna Lord's firs...
read full description
reviews
Jan 31, 2012
Giselle
rated it: 
Insane! This is the best word to describe Drowning Instinct. Insanely good; insanely terrifying; i-n-s-a-n-e! Ever since I cracked the cover, I can't stop thinking about this book. First, to analyze it, now, to figure out what the heck I've just read. It's the type of book that you just plow through because it makes you so restless that you must keep reading and reading, all the while knowing, just knowing, that the storm is coming. So close it could be right on the next page. Really, it's freak
More...
16 comments
like
(17 people liked it)
Feb 06, 2012
Bee
rated it:
Also found on Dreamcatcher's Lair
Drowning Instinct is one of those books that can't exactly be summed up in a review. But there are certain things I can tell you. Like,
--While the book description tells you a few things, it doesn't prepare you with expectations. At least for me, it didn't. Which means, that the experience that Drowning Instinct packs within those pages, may, in plain-speak, blow your mind.
--There's self harm and all kinds of abuse and other tw More...
Drowning Instinct is one of those books that can't exactly be summed up in a review. But there are certain things I can tell you. Like,
--While the book description tells you a few things, it doesn't prepare you with expectations. At least for me, it didn't. Which means, that the experience that Drowning Instinct packs within those pages, may, in plain-speak, blow your mind.
--There's self harm and all kinds of abuse and other tw More...
8 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
Feb 14, 2012
What I knew about Drowning Instinct before reading it: Nothing. I loved the cover. I occasionally talk to Ilsa Bick on Twitter about challah and rugelach. I might have read a synopsis at one point, but by the time I read the book, I’d forgotten what it said.
What you should know about Drowning Instinct before reading it: Almost nothing. Drowning Instinct is a book that reveals its secrets slowly. You know how rollercoasters you ride in the dark are always scarier than the ones where y More...
What you should know about Drowning Instinct before reading it: Almost nothing. Drowning Instinct is a book that reveals its secrets slowly. You know how rollercoasters you ride in the dark are always scarier than the ones where y More...
Jan 29, 2012
Christina (A Reader of Fictions)
rated it: 
Whoa. What an incredibly dark and well-done novel. I have absolutely no doubt that Ilsa J. Bick will come to be recognized alongside authors like Laurie Halse Anderson. She clearly has no problem plumbing the darkest and most terrifying of human emotions. Like Anderson, she also focuses on teens, on the bad stuff - not the shiny vampires and the sweet first loves.
Reading this book...it's going to hurt. Jenna is incredibly messed up. You learn this up front. She's spent a year in an i More...
Reading this book...it's going to hurt. Jenna is incredibly messed up. You learn this up front. She's spent a year in an i More...
Jan 05, 2012
Myvampfiction
rated it:
Reviewed by Sue
*Warning: possible spoilers ahead.*
To be perfectly honest, I had no idea what this book was about when I requested it from NetGalley. I knew how I felt about the author’s book, Ashes, so I automatically requested it out of the need to read more of her writing. It wasn’t really even until about 70 pages in that I got the “uh-0h” vibe from Jenna’s teacher, Mr. Anderson that I even went I read the book info. To say the book drew me in is an understatement, b More...
*Warning: possible spoilers ahead.*
To be perfectly honest, I had no idea what this book was about when I requested it from NetGalley. I knew how I felt about the author’s book, Ashes, so I automatically requested it out of the need to read more of her writing. It wasn’t really even until about 70 pages in that I got the “uh-0h” vibe from Jenna’s teacher, Mr. Anderson that I even went I read the book info. To say the book drew me in is an understatement, b More...
0 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
Dec 09, 2011
Ashley
rated it:
Drowning Instinct by Ilsa Bick takes hold of you and doesn't let you go until the very last page. I'm proof: I read it in two sittings. Even knowing that Liam would be up at 7:00, I stayed up till 3:00 in the morning to finish it. Here's the description, courtesy of NetGalley.com:
There are stories where the girl gets her prince, and they live happily ever after. (This is not one of those stories.)
Jenna Lord's first sixteen years were not exactly a fairytale. Her father is a c More...
There are stories where the girl gets her prince, and they live happily ever after. (This is not one of those stories.)
Jenna Lord's first sixteen years were not exactly a fairytale. Her father is a c More...
Nov 16, 2011
Stephanie
rated it:
I really enjoyed Draw the Dark. I loved Ashes. Drowning Instinct is just continuing the trend! The whole concept is one that is so prevalent in society today - especially now - but unlike the headlines both parties come across as human and vulnerable. They are real people. Does that mean that I would like my daughter to be in Jenna's shoes? Absolutely not! But this is food for thought - that there are more than one side and we need to look at all of them. Even if we don't like both sides.
More...
Oct 25, 2011
Bodea
rated it: 
In Ilsa Bick’s Drowning instinct, Jenna Lord’s sixteen years in this world haven’t been easy. Her dad’s controlling and her mom’s a drunk. To top it all off, the only person she could count on, her brother Matt, joined up and shipped off to Afghanistan. Things aren’t looking good for Jenna at all. Then, she starts a new school and meets Mr. Anderson.
I don’t often read books that focus on social issues. I’m more into science fiction, paranormal romance, and popular young adult reads More...
I don’t often read books that focus on social issues. I’m more into science fiction, paranormal romance, and popular young adult reads More...
Feb 16, 2012
Erin
rated it:
Drowning Instinct
By Ilsa J. Bick
Things will be different at Turing High School, Jenna’s controlling father assures her. At Turing High, no one will know that Jenna has a history of cutting herself, that she has been hospitalized for a nervous breakdown, that her father is a bully who is having an extra-marital affair, or that her mother is an alcoholic. Jenna can remake herself anew at Turing; but will she take this opportunity to heal, or will she become a shadow and write letters More...
By Ilsa J. Bick
Things will be different at Turing High School, Jenna’s controlling father assures her. At Turing High, no one will know that Jenna has a history of cutting herself, that she has been hospitalized for a nervous breakdown, that her father is a bully who is having an extra-marital affair, or that her mother is an alcoholic. Jenna can remake herself anew at Turing; but will she take this opportunity to heal, or will she become a shadow and write letters More...
Feb 20, 2012
Fresh off of this book, I don't feel like I can give it a star rating. Here's why: In the few days after I finish a book, my feelings about it intensify. When I'm actually reading, I take the events as they come and certainly experience emotions, but after I'm done those emotions stew in my mind and often get stronger.
On one hand, this book engrossed me so much that I lost track of time reading it, stayed up way to late, and when I realized what time it was stayed up for another hour a More...
On one hand, this book engrossed me so much that I lost track of time reading it, stayed up way to late, and when I realized what time it was stayed up for another hour a More...
Dec 23, 2011
Amie
rated it:
Jenna Lord’s life has been difficult to say the least. Her mother is a drunk and her father is cruel and pretty much a jerk. The only bright spot in her life was her older brother, but then he went to Iraq. And let’s not forget her near death in a fire when she was younger. Jenna’s move to a new school is supposed to make things better. And things really start to look up when she meets Mitch Anderson—teacher and coach, extremely kind and understanding and of course, gorgeous. Oh, and married. Th
More...
Nov 24, 2011
Pixie Lynn
rated it:
I was a bit at a loss of words, and still probably do not have all my thoughts together properly, after reading Drowning Instinct.
It touches on a subject that while it was once very taboo… it may not be quite as scandalous as it once was. Why? Because in all honesty (and it’s a sad realization), we see this type of affair in reality so often in common life and it’s become a point now where it’s just not that shocking anymore. A teacher and a student? Do we gasp in surprise like we used to More...
It touches on a subject that while it was once very taboo… it may not be quite as scandalous as it once was. Why? Because in all honesty (and it’s a sad realization), we see this type of affair in reality so often in common life and it’s become a point now where it’s just not that shocking anymore. A teacher and a student? Do we gasp in surprise like we used to More...
Dec 07, 2011
Taylor
rated it:
Drowning Instinct had me thinking for quite awhile after I finished reading it. I don’t normally read a lot of books that are in the Contemporary, or Social YA genre, but I did enjoy this book.
This book breaches the subject of teacher and student relationships; nowadays the issue doesn’t seem to be as much of a taboo subject as it used to be. I don’t mean to belittle the issue in any way, but since it’s become a somewhat common occurrence in real life and personally when I see a news More...
This book breaches the subject of teacher and student relationships; nowadays the issue doesn’t seem to be as much of a taboo subject as it used to be. I don’t mean to belittle the issue in any way, but since it’s become a somewhat common occurrence in real life and personally when I see a news More...
Jan 18, 2012
Jessi
rated it:
This book presents a realistic, non-stereotyped story to the point that it is very hard to tell who the victim is and who the monster is. Everyone is presented in his/her totality - flaws and strengths being show in equal measure. Although this book deals with a girl who struggles with cutting and with her relationship with her teacher, the layers of character really just leave the reader curious as to what will happen. This is not an "issue" book. These issues are present, but there i
More...
Jan 27, 2012
PopcornReads
rated it:
ARC Giveaway & Book Review: Ilsa J. Bick is a child psychiatrist and the award-winning author of several critically acclaimed novels, including Ashes and Draw the Dark, so I was very interested when I was approached about reviewing her newest YA novel, Drowning Instinct. This is not the kind of YA novel I normally review. There are no paranormal creatures, there’s no steampunk, and there are no storybook romances even though there is a love story. This is a hard, gritty story about a teenage gir
More...
Dec 15, 2011
Laura (All of Everything)
rated it:
I loved Bick's Ashes. It was super intense and thrilling as characters struggled to survive a vastly different world post EMP. Drowning Instinct doesn't deal with the end of the world, but it is about survival. It's hard hitting and intense in a much more emotional way, as actions spin out of control and there comes a point where you have to let go, and there's no turning back.
First I'd like to address the title. The facts of the 'drowning instinct' come up several times in the book. More...
First I'd like to address the title. The facts of the 'drowning instinct' come up several times in the book. More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Jan 07, 2012
S.A.
rated it:
I sat and read this one today in one sitting. The story was compelling and definitely had me reading to the end. I found it depressing, with very few moments of relief from the sad stuff in the main character's life,which, of course, you can expect from the book summary. I knew it wasn't going to be a picker-upper when I went into it, and I know life doesn't always provide bright spots for us. I'm sure there are young readers who will thrive on the bleakness. The characters were very interestin
More...
Dec 18, 2011
Danica
rated it:
I finished this book in one sitting because I just couldn't put it down. While the subject matter may make some uncomfortable, I appreciate that it was approached from the idea that every side has two stories and there is no black and white. The parties involved where both vulnerable and very human, and while the relationship isn't something that is condoned in society, you just can't help wanting the characters to find some semblance of happiness. This is a book that will definitely stay wit
More...
Jan 11, 2012
Kelley
rated it:
Cover: 5/5 I love, love, love this cover. It's gorgeous and it fits well with the book.
Characters: 3.5/5 It's been a few weeks since I read this, but Mr. Anderson and Jenna are still fresh in my mind, which tells me Bick did a good job with them. Jenna is, almost, an unreliable narrator. There are times where it's difficult to know if what she's saying is somehow scewed by her perception. As the story goes on and you realize she has some Issues (with a capital I), you question what's More...
Characters: 3.5/5 It's been a few weeks since I read this, but Mr. Anderson and Jenna are still fresh in my mind, which tells me Bick did a good job with them. Jenna is, almost, an unreliable narrator. There are times where it's difficult to know if what she's saying is somehow scewed by her perception. As the story goes on and you realize she has some Issues (with a capital I), you question what's More...
Feb 21, 2012
Kelly
rated it:
Wow.
Just.
Wow.
This is a story about very, very broken people in very, very terrible situations and the drastic, desperate attempts they make to help themselves (and one another). Jenna's voice is knock out, and it's exactly what you'd expect it to be for someone who has dealt with the immense amounts of pain she's dealt with. I'm not sure if this is worth putting a spoiler up on, since I won't in a longer review, but just in case: <spoiler> there's an illicit r More...
Just.
Wow.
This is a story about very, very broken people in very, very terrible situations and the drastic, desperate attempts they make to help themselves (and one another). Jenna's voice is knock out, and it's exactly what you'd expect it to be for someone who has dealt with the immense amounts of pain she's dealt with. I'm not sure if this is worth putting a spoiler up on, since I won't in a longer review, but just in case: <spoiler> there's an illicit r More...
Jan 03, 2012
Karin
rated it:
If you are looking for a light read, this isn’t it. We meet Jenna after a terrible accident when she is being questioned by the police. She is sixteen-years-old and this isn’t even the first time she has been involved with the police. Years ago she almost died in a fire. The same policeman is with her in the hospital now, but can’t get her to talk. Instead of pushing, he gives her a tape recorder and tells her to explain everything at her own pace.
Jenna begins to tell her story. More...
Jenna begins to tell her story. More...
Feb 22, 2012
Melanie
rated it:
Everybody breaks sooner or later, Bob. Anyone can drown. Sometimes you see it. Most often, you don't because the body protects and the skin hides, so drowning doesn't look like drowning and some people scar so nicely. Take it from an expert.
This is just one of the many insightful passages featured in Drowning Instinct, but it is one that will stick with me forever, as will Jenna's story. I can't get it out of my head.
When we first meet Jenna, she is in the hospital, froz More...
This is just one of the many insightful passages featured in Drowning Instinct, but it is one that will stick with me forever, as will Jenna's story. I can't get it out of my head.
When we first meet Jenna, she is in the hospital, froz More...
Feb 19, 2012
Nicole
rated it:
There are books that stay with you long after you finish them; “Drowning Instinct” is one of those books. In the beginning of the story, we meet Jenna and Detective Pendleton (aka Bob). We know something has happened. We know that Jenna has been pulled from the water, and we know that the detective insists that she’s a victim, but we don’t entirely know why. Until she tells her story into the recorder.
I wasn’t sure what to expect with this one, but after reading “Ashes”, I’ll pretty much re More...
I wasn’t sure what to expect with this one, but after reading “Ashes”, I’ll pretty much re More...
Feb 01, 2012
the golden witch.
rated it:
This book is intense. Very intense. In fact, it did trigger me a few times in the cutting department, to the point where I had to put it down and walk away for few hours before picking it back up again. But this isn’t a bad thing – it just proves how realistic Bick’s prose is. If it’s enough to trigger you, you know the author is doing her job.
I fought with myself a lot after finishing this, deciding how to feel about it (and especially about the ending). This is a very good book, ve More...
I fought with myself a lot after finishing this, deciding how to feel about it (and especially about the ending). This is a very good book, ve More...
Jan 08, 2012
Sue
rated it:
To be perfectly honest, I had no idea what this book was about when I requested it from NetGalley. I knew how I felt about the author’s book, Ashes, so I automatically requested it out of the need to read more of her writing. It wasn’t really even until about 70 pages in that I got the “uh-0h” vibe from Jenna’s teacher, Mr. Anderson that I even went I read the book info. To say the book drew me in is an understatement, because one of the things I have a habit of doing if a book doesn’t interes
More...
Dec 18, 2011
Jacki
rated it:
Review to come at publication, but for now I'll just say HOLY SHIT. This will be a talked-about book.
Nov 23, 2011
Tez
rated it:
This novel may be relentlessly grim, but is nonetheless a page-turner. You're never quite sure where the story's going to go, but you'll know it'll be bad - and it is. This may not be the kind of book teenage girls will flock to, but critics and awards committees should definitely consider it. Would I have appreciated Drowning Instinct as much when I was a teenager? We'll never know, because I'm twenty-five years old, and I loved this. There are still some questions, but we don't necessarily nee
More...
