Review: The S-Word by Chelsea Pitcher

The S-Word by Chelsea Pitcher

Expected Publication: May 7, 2013

Format: ARC E-Copy via Edelweiss

Publisher: Gallery

Rating: 2/5

Summary via Goodreads

First it was SLUT scribbled all over Lizzie Hart’s locker. But one week after Lizzie kills herself, SUICIDE SLUT replaces it—in Lizzie's looping scrawl.

Lizzie’s reputation is destroyed when she's caught in bed with her best friend’s boyfriend on prom night. With the whole school turned against her, and Angie not speaking to her, Lizzie takes her own life. But someone isn’t letting her go quietly. As graffiti and photocopies of Lizzie’s diary plaster the school, Angie begins a relentless investigation into who, exactly, made Lizzie feel she didn’t deserve to keep living. And while she claims she simply wants to punish Lizzie’s tormentors, Angie's own anguish over abandoning her best friend will drive her deep into the dark, twisted side of Verity High—and she might not be able to pull herself back out.

Debut author Chelsea Pitcher daringly depicts the harsh reality of modern high schools, where one bad decision can ruin a reputation, and one cruel word can ruin a life. Angie’s quest for the truth behind Lizzie’s suicide is addictive and thrilling, and her razor-sharp wit and fierce sleuthing skills makes her impossible not to root for—even when it becomes clear that both avenging Lizzie and avoiding self-destruction might not be possible.

My Thoughts

I went into this really psyched about reading this book. I was intrigued with the whole bully angle and was hoping for a really good story involving that. Well needless to say I was kind of disappointed. Maybe it was me but I felt this more “Mean Girls” than I was wanting it to be.

I like the background story of Lizzie and finding out the truth about what really happened. However I just couldn’t connect with the rest of characters. Her so called “best” friend wasn’t someone I would even consider worthy of the title. Her other classmates just didn’t seem real to me.

Don’t get me wrong I didn’t hate the book, I liked that it brought the topic of bullying front and center. I think I just went into thinking it was something else. I tend to do that lately.