Monday 28 April 2014

Tease by Amanda Maciel

Synopsis
Emma Putnam is dead, and it's all Sara Wharton's fault.
At least, that's what everyone seems to think when Sara, along with her best friend and three other classmates, has been criminally charged for the bullying and harassment that led to Emma's shocking suicide. But Sara is sure she hasn't done anything wrong, because Emma brought it on herself. Sara is adamant that she was the victim - not Emma.
Inspired by a true story, TEASE is a thought-provoking must-read that will haunt you long after the last page.

Review
This book's synopsis instantly had me interested, and had I not had to go to work, I am sure this would have been finished in one sitting. 

The perspective of this book is unique, in that you aren't reading from the victim's point of view, or even a sympathetic witness. The protagonist of the book is one of the bully's being taken to court over her actions, after Emma kills herself because of the bullying committed by Sara (whose viewpoint you are reading), Brielle and others.

The book flits between two time periods, the month or so before Emma's suicide and the current time when Sara is about to go to court.

Sara shows very little remorse throughout the book, which is hard to accept, I almost automatically assumed that any bully would hear about a suicide that was down in part to them and immediately feel some remorse at how they treated that person. Sara seems selfish at first, annoyed at how Emma's suicide mean people are being cruel to her in the street and always watching her (the irony Sara notes in the book is that people are bullying her over being bullied, and the irony I see is that she isn't sorry for treating Emma badly, but doesn't like people treating her badly, I guess both are true). However, you can see how she grows in the lead up to, and after the trial. 

Due to the flitting between times, you can see why Sara behaves how she does, and the mentality behind calling her names. You are also shown how, in my opinion, she was manipulated a lot by her best friend, Brielle, who I didn't like at all.

Overall I thought this book was very good and I will be looking out for more books by Amanda!


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