Book Review: All The Rage by Courtney Summers

A cover that actually matches the novel behind it.

Romy Grey wears her lipstick like armour ever since the night she was raped. The night she discovered that Kellan Turner, the sheriff’s son, is not the golden boy that everyone thinks he is.

No one wants to believe a girl from the wrong side of town, and so the truth about what Kellan did to her that night has cost Romy everything. Branded a liar, her only refuge is the diner she works outside of town, where no one knows her name or her past; becoming anonymous now feels like her only escape.

But when a girl goes missing after a party, Romy must decide whether she wants to fight or carry the burden of knowing more girls could get hurt if she doesn’t speak up. Nobody believed her the first time – and they certainly won’t now – but the cost of her silence might be more than she can bear.

Rape is a hot topic right now, which is good as the public view of it is terrible and full of false notions. It is good that it has made into YA books with a big part of its audience likely to be effected by it in the future or have already been. Doesn't the world suck? Even if you never victim of it; its the fear girls are taught to avoid and effects the way you live your life, but it still almost tabbo to discuss it which is so damaging. This book deals with some of the common issues that rape victims face, e.g. having wanted to be with your rapist before the assault or rapist having a better reputation and more connections than you. Also corrupt police.

I think overall its is done well. Romy mental state matches up with what she been through and her trying to continue with her life whilst not being ready to. Romy characterisation is done well, the other characters do feel a bit flat, just a little bit but with the book being from Romy POV, that could just because that the way she see them.

The setting plays a big part with it taking place in a small town where everyone knows each other business including the police so its hard to get non-biased help and people think they know you from other people's opinions. This is also applies to the whole of society and the town worked well as a microcosm.

The plot of this book is good, there is a slight mystery but it as confusing as it is in life. My one issue with the novel, a big chuck of the books relays on Romy getting in a situation that I have hard time seeing her doing with her suspicious nature and I can't getting more into it without spoilers.

Like I said this book if from the point of view of Romy and therefore first person, This book is odd in that doesn't really have chapters. The novel isn't that long so this isn't really problem, but there were times where I was confused about the time line, though that could have been intention.

Overall, I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars for war paint. This is a good book with a serious topic. There were elements I thought worked really well and I really connected with the main character.

I got this book for review off Netgalley and it is being published by Macmillan Children's Books on 28 January 2016.