Published: January 10th 2017
Publisher: Random House
Genres: Coming-of-Age, Contemporary
Format: eARC Source: Publisher via Netgalley
My Rating:
A captivating debut novel for readers of Celeste Ng’s Everything I Never Told You and Curtis Sittenfeld’s Prep, The Most Dangerous Place on Earth unleashes an unforgettable cast of characters into a realm known for its cruelty and peril: the American high school.
In an idyllic community of wealthy California families, new teacher Molly Nicoll becomes intrigued by the hidden lives of her privileged students. Unknown to Molly, a middle school tragedy in which they were all complicit continues to reverberate for her kids: Nick, the brilliant scam artist; Emma, the gifted dancer and party girl; Dave, the B student who strives to meet his parents expectations; Calista, the hippie outcast who hides her intelligence for reasons of her own. Theirs is a world in which every action may become public postable, shareable, indelible.
With the rare talent that transforms teenage dramas into compelling and urgent fiction, Lindsey Lee Johnson makes vivid a modern adolescence lived in the gleam of the virtual, but rich with the sorrow, passion, and beauty of life in any time, and at any age.
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My Thoughts
The Most Dangerous Place on Earth started out promising. I was so invested in following this story, but then it just strayed waaayy out of my comfort zone. To see this one through, I had to drink two more cups of coffee (it was after 5p.m., mind you & it wasn’t decaf) and a chocolate/chocolate chip muffin because I deserved it. Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t a bad book. I just think I’m the wrong audience for it. I couldn’t relate to any character in this book, much less empathize with them and their problems.
This story starts off heartbreaking. I was so emotional by the end of the prologue. How does a reader move on from such a beginning? Well, the author makes up this story by giving a blow-by-blow with each character. It’s disgusting and very disturbing, the things that go down in this book. There are changes in certain characters – for good or bad, I can’t decide which. You just have to see it through once you start. Otherwise, you may go crazy without knowing what happens. I can’t review this without spoiling anything. I just really feel like there is too much going on. Well, no, it’s the way the author delivers this story that makes it almost unbearable to read. I think focusing on 2 specific characters would have been enough and it could have turned out to be a really great story. Molly is the only character that you really get to know truly.
What to look forward to…
–privileged kids who are just downright mean
–cyberbullying
–HOT FOR TEACHER
–oblivious or demanding parents (take your pick)
–a teacher who loves literature, but her students may be the death of her
–a school administration that makes me glad I didn’t go to school there
I’ve read my fair share of YA books with spoiled kids, but this is just one that I think is not for me. I am being overly generous with 2.5 stars (it got 3 out of me on Goodreads. They need half ratings!). I can’t tell anyone what to buy, borrow, trade… just read at your own risk. This may be an important story to read for some teen, somewhere. Or adults alike. I’m just glad that I didn’t have to DNF it, because it really makes me grateful for the way I grew up. Appropriate title for this story, also.
Looks like I’ll be passing on this one. And yes, Goodreads should have half-stars!
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The summary sounds good, but I have a feeling this isn’t one for me either. I hope your next read is much better!
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I’ll be honest, I’m actually really curious now because of your review.
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Sounds like a riveting read and features a lot of current social issues. I love the hot for teacher part hahaha!
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This one doesn’t sound like it is for me at all. I like the cover that you used much better than the other one I keep seeing but the story sounds like a dud. I vote yes on 1/2 stars for goodreads!
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I have a suspicion that I would feel the same way as you do with this one. The premise makes me think that I would also not care for it. Too bad. Brilly review! And yes… they do need 1/2 star ratings!
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You have got me SO curious? Teacher/student relationships are such a hit or miss for me – and if it’s a middle school student I can assume that this will be outside of my comfort zone as well.
So yeah. You eat that chocolate muffin. You deserve it.
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The blurb made it she like a promising read.Sad to hear that it wasn’t all that though I can see why based on your review.
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Sorry to see it wasn’t what you were expecting there. I didn’t know about the book.
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Sounds like an uncomfortable read. I don’t like reading about spoiled kids for the most part, and this sounds like a tragedy on top of it. Sorry to hear it wasn’t very enjoyable! Great honest review! 🙂
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I say meh
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I haven’t heard of this book before, but I’m sorry that it didn’t end up working for you Lekeisha. Thank you for your honest review though. I hope your next book is a lot more enjoyable 🙂
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Spot on review Lekeisha! It seems like we had many of the same issues.😕
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With a title like that, I guess its a warning of what is to come inside the covers. Whew, you have me curious, but I’m not sure if I’m curious enough for disturbing teenagers.
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Good review. I don’t think this book appeals to my reading tastes. 🙂
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I agree, Goodreads needs to get half star ratings! It would be the best update they’d ever make. I’m sorry that this one didn’t work out for you, and that it just became too disturbing. Your review does leave me curious though, because it sounds like there is so much you can’t say without spoiling the book! I don’t think I’m going to read it though… just a feeling…
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