Revenge of the Sluts

January 1, 2021

Gr 9 Up-Eden Jeong is a Korean American high school senior with a passion for journalism at an upscale private school in Eastern Massachusetts. As a member of St. Joe's Warrior Weekly newspaper staff, it is her duty (and her right) to report fairly and uncensored about on-campus news. That is, until a scandal breaks loose. An email is sent out to the entire student body containing nude photos of multiple female students, photos very obviously intended for a private audience. Thus begins Eden's battle to seek justice for the girls and uncover who committed such a disgusting act, fighting against an administration offering little help for their students. Walton confronts double standards and the unfair realities of revenge porn laws in this feminist novel. Often reading more like a persuasive essay in an unnaturally mature voice, this book sometimes feels like a 30-year-old's observations of the circumstances rather than a teenager actually facing such trials. Overall, it is well-written and while the first half moves slowly, it picks up rapidly towards the latter half. With scenes of a sexual nature, this book is appropriate for older teenagers. VERDICT Dealing with a topic not often depicted in young adult literature, this makes a good addition to a collection, especially paired with the likes of Louise O'Neill's Asking for It and Shannon Schuren's The Virtue of Sin.-Alexandra Remy, Springfield City Lib., MA

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