Unseemly Education Of Anne Merchant (2000) - Plot & Excerpts
I received this ARC from the publisher via Goodreads in exchange for an honest review.Ann starts her junior year at an exclusive prep school. Isolated, unwanted and constantly watched, Ann struggles to understand the inexplicable clues about exactly what is going on at her new school. The problem with this book is that it remains inexplicable to the reader long past the point of annoyance. Everyone likes a good mystery for a little while, but this just went on and on. Even when the reader was given an explanation for some of the mystery, it immediately spawned more mystery. This is worse than the final season of Lost! I can't even write about any other aspects of the story because they just didn't matter in the face of the overwhelming and frustrating mystery. I requested this ARC, so I finished the book, but, if I had purchased this, I would have ditched it before the 35% mark. Skip it. The very thing that captured my attention towards this book was the synopsis because I am always reaching for mystery-thriller. The beginning was solid, with back story on Anne, her situation, and Cania Christy. It was enough information without going into too much detail, or giving away too much, and it left an eerie feeling lingering throughout the chapter. While Anne is an ordinary girl in a not so conventional situation, she is rather judgmental when it comes to the people, and the world around her-- which could very well be do to her past in California, so I did take that into account while reading. It was just that her reactions, and thoughts towards people were boarding too harsh. Not to mention she was sometimes obnoxious, and just an unpleasant character. Despite that, I do think there were aspects of Anne that readers could relate to, and just going through the age that teens rebel.Now when it comes to the premise, I do not feel it was very well executed, even though it held so many possibilities, and the the beginning was exceptionally strong. There are twists and turns that one would never expect, the dark and strange setting, but there were quite a few parts that were unsettling, and not in the spooky way. When it comes to circumstances like sexual content, language, and the dark theme, I would suggest this to young-adult readers who are mature enough to handle it. Overall, I enjoyed The Unseemly Education of Anne Merchant; it had pros and cons like every other book, but I will say it was a compelling and intriguing mystery-thriller that held my interest throughout. I look forward to the second novel in The V Trilogy, and to see what happens from there. Thank you to Jennifer at BenBella Books for sending me a copy.
What do You think about Unseemly Education Of Anne Merchant (2000)?
This book just wasn't what I thought it would be at all. Seduction? The big V? Just...no...
—awesome2000
3 Stars Im not really sure what to think about this book, not yet.
—Adelle
Loved it! The way it ended made me want more.
—Caroline
