Girls with Sharp Sticks (Girls with Sharp Sticks #1) by Suzanne Young - Restarting November 15th 2020

[Klancy]

The Girls of Innovations Academy are beautiful and well-behaved—it says so on their report cards. Under the watchful gaze of their Guardians, the all-girl boarding school offers an array of studies and activities, from “Growing a Beautiful and Prosperous Garden” to “Art Appreciation” and “Interior Design.” The girls learn to be the best society has to offer. Absent is the difficult math coursework, or the unnecessary sciences or current events. They are obedient young ladies, free from arrogance or defiance. Until Mena starts to realize that their carefully controlled existence may not be quite as it appears.

As Mena and her friends begin to uncover the dark secrets of what’s actually happening there—and who they really are—the girls of Innovations will find out what they are truly capable of. Because some of the prettiest flowers have the sharpest thorns.

[Karen]

Looking forward to this one.

[Karen]

Opening chapter was rather odd. The girls seem vacuous, but there’s hints of the inevitable questioning.

[Klancy]

Karen wrote: "Opening chapter was rather odd. The girls seem vacuous, but there’s hints of the inevitable questioning."

I thought the same thing. The book has such a weird feel to me, especially since the girls are so oblivious sometimes

[Klancy]

29%
(view spoiler)[The open house is where investors come to see the girls. Everyone has to wear a dress the director picks out for them, and they have to adhere to "specifications" of particular hairstyles and makeup the director likes on them. All I thought when he was checking the girls out is eww. Lennon Rose is missing and Valentine keeps repeating herself, which is super creepy (hide spoiler)]

[Klancy]

44%
(view spoiler)[Philomena is going to look for evidence about the academy and why they're doing to the girls. I really want to know what's going on in this "academy" (hide spoiler)]

[Klancy]

69%
(view spoiler)[Philomena decided she would let herself be redirected with impulse control therapy, but it turns out the "therapy" is a lobotomy. She ended up remembering everything again after reading the Girls With Sharp Sticks poem (hide spoiler)]

[Klancy]

Finished

[Karen]

I got sidetracked by something else. Back on it now though.

[Karen]

Up to ch8. On iPad so can’t read spoilers (will respond later, as I don’t want anything to be told in advance). Taking quite a risk, and I’m curious to know what she’s done and not remembered.

[Karen]

Up to ch14. Mena’s discovery starts to explain the title. Question is, who will she take with her?

[Karen]

Up to ch20. Increasingly drawn in now the girls are starting to work together. Horrifying scene with Mena’s impulse control treatment.

[Karen]

Klancy wrote: "29%
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I was getting similarly creepy vibes from the Investors Party, and I can't make my mind up about the Weeks character who seems so focused on Mena. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Klancy wrote: "69%
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ It reminded me a little of scenes in movies like Bladerunner...how on earth are they getting away with this? (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Up to ch25. (view spoiler)[ I’m surprised Mena could remember so quickly, but the response from the school shows just how threatening they find the thought of girls with a sense of independence. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Finished. Review on home page. This would work well as a stand-alone, but I'm keen to get some answers in the next one. That ending rather surprised me, though the clues were there.

[Klancy]

Karen wrote: "Klancy wrote: "29%
[spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[He was weirdly obsessed over everyone! And the teachers obviously played favorites based on who they were most attracted to and it was so creepy (hide spoiler)]

[Klancy]

Karen wrote: "Up to ch25. [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I thought it was kind of weird how she remembered so quickly too, especially since she had numerous procedures done before and didn't remember them. If she can remember what happened that one time after reading the poem, why couldn't she remember the other ones that happened when she read the poem the first time? (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah Elizabeth]

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Date changed. Restarting July 12th 2020. Happy Reading ☺

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[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

27%

(view spoiler)[ I wonder what the girls are being trained for? and what's up with her parents why haven't we seen them? It seems so strict here I'm surprised we haven't seen any beatings or anything. (hide spoiler)]

[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

49%

(view spoiler)[ I'm glad that someone has opened their eyes. It'll be interesting to see what she uncovers. these guys are bring trained to be perfect women and they are getting abused and once they are abused they are being thrown away. (hide spoiler)]

[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

75%

(view spoiler)[ So the girls are constantly going through the same year in a way until they are perfect and none of them are really reaching perfection. I wonder how old they are? (hide spoiler)]

[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

Finished

(view spoiler)[ well not what I thought would be the answers. I think once we found out the truth it moved really fast. It would have been better if we got to see what happened to the girls afterwards. (hide spoiler)]

[Krystal]

Wow 13% (view spoiler)[ So basically they are grooming robot women/girls to serve men to their every whim and have no true emotions of their own. (hide spoiler)]

[Josephine]

Loving it!!!!! I think I’ve found a new favourite trope, girls in girls school/girls only super-cute friendships. Loveee

[Josephine]

Krystal wrote: "Wow 13% [spoilers removed]"

Yeah,,, eek. It does make me squirm a bit just thinking about it! (view spoiler)[ And they have no female teachers??? (hide spoiler)]

[Krystal]

Mummy's Naughty Corner wrote: "27%

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[It makes me think they are training to be some sick body servants for important men. Domestic women who do nothing and have no mind of their own but rather to cater to their men. (hide spoiler)]

[Krystal]

35% (view spoiler)[ These men are crazy. They aren't allowed bad moods. Bad moods means they are ungrateful. Man.. Wow.. And these pills? One completely erases memories! (hide spoiler)]

[Krystal]

josie wrote: "Krystal wrote: "Wow 13% [spoilers removed]"

Yeah,,, eek. It does make me squirm a bit just thinking about it! [spoilers removed]"

Right!!! (view spoiler)[ So much control from these men. (hide spoiler)]

[Josephine]

Krystal wrote: "Mummy's Naughty Corner wrote: "27%

[spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"
I think so too! But some aren’t even allowed to marry, it’s whatever Mr P thinks best 🙄

[Josephine]

45% - (view spoiler)[I’m really sad about Lennon Rose! Poor girl. Also it’s very weird that Dr. Groger and Anton ‘s reasons don’t match up. I thought we could trust Anton, but I’m starting think Dr Groger is more trustworthy. Also I’m excited to see where the Jackson storyline goes, he seems nice. (hide spoiler)]

[Josephine]

63% - (view spoiler)[ I like Weeks. I hope he can help them somehow (hide spoiler)]

[Josephine]

Finished! (view spoiler)[ WHAT A PLOT TWIST!! I’m glad Leandra was on their side in the end. I’m not really sure it needs a second book, but I’ll read it all the same 😂. I’m glad Lennon Rose is ok, at least Anton cared enough to let her go. And Mr Weeks is the best. 😂 (hide spoiler)]

[Josephine]

Mummy's Naughty Corner wrote: "Finished

[spoilers removed]"

Yeah maybe, I was satisfied however. I guess that’s what the next book’s for!

[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

Krystal wrote: "Mummy's Naughty Corner wrote: "27%

[spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

I agree

[Mummy's Naughty Corner]

josie wrote: "Mummy's Naughty Corner wrote: "Finished

[spoilers removed]"

Yeah maybe, I was satisfied however. I guess that’s what the next book’s for!"

True I forgot there was a second book lol.

[Josephine]

Mummy's Naughty Corner wrote: "josie wrote: "Mummy's Naughty Corner wrote: "Finished

[spoilers removed]"

Yeah maybe, I was satisfied however. I guess that’s what the next book’s for!"

True I forgot there was a second book lol."

😂😂

[Krystal]

50% (view spoiler)[. Things are getting really serious! But this cult like place is freaky and I can't wait to find out just what the girls are there for, exactly. Sydney's character confuses me though. One moment she's okay with breaking rules and the next she's defending them. (hide spoiler)]

[Krystal]

josie wrote: "45% - [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I'm glad the doctor stood up for Rebecca by having the man banned as well. (hide spoiler)]

[Krystal]

63% (view spoiler)[ Spooky! I can't believe they have literal wires in their brains and they have been adjusting them. All for what? A compliant girl? Makes no sense, really. (hide spoiler)]

[Krystal]

Finished. (view spoiler)[ Wow. Good googly moogly, what an ending and what a reveal! I cannot believe they were being made! I knew it was some kind of cult but to be growing them for men, despicable. Loved this though! It was definitely a mystery. (hide spoiler)]

[Krystal]

josie wrote: "Finished! [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I'm definitely curious to see how Weeks comes into play more. (hide spoiler)]

[Krystal]

Mummy's Naughty Corner wrote: "75%

[spoilers removed]"

It was definitely strange to find out what really happened to them!

[Josephine]

Krystal wrote: "Finished. [spoilers removed]"

Yay! Glad you enjoyed it! I loved it too.

[Dannii]

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Date changed. Restarting November 15th 2020. Happy Reading ☺

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[Trisha (semi-hiatus)]

Starting this now!

[Brinley]

I’ll try and get to it today!

[Brinley]

Up to chapter 4
(view spoiler)[ This is weird so far, and I’m kind of confused. Is this supposed to be set in present time? The future? Because this comes off as brainwashing, and I’m not sure what parents would send their kids to a school that teaches gardening and social etiquette, and treats them like objects to be added to a household. I’m enjoying it, but I’m also not sure how to feel about it (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Gonna jump in on this one :)

[Booktastically]

Eeeeeeeekkkkkkk!! This book was a masterpiece!

Brinley, chica (assuming here) you have no idea what's going to be the twist. My lips are sealed, not going to spoil anything. But dang, it left me like: OMG HOW--WHY WOULD THEY--WHAT?!