Full review at Smart Bitches, Trashy Books 
 The Female of the Species is not going to be a book for everyone, but for those who read it, I can almost assure you that it won't be a book you'll soon forget. I'm writing this review with tears still drying on my face. This book will undoubtedly leave you angry and heartbroken, but man...it's so worth it. 
 Before I talk about the book, I want to issue all the trigger warnings. 
 This book definitely focuses on rape culture. The frustration of victim's families. The hesitation in reporting sexual assault. Alex's memory of her sister is becoming twisted as sister becomes synonymous with one of only two murders in a small town. There's one moment where Alex talks about how she can't recall her sister's face anymore, that when she thinks of her sister, Anna, all she recalls is how she looked in missing person posters. Like I said, this book is heartbreaking, and I couldn't fault Alex for her coldness and isolation, as the grief over the death of her sister turns into her worry that there's an ugliness inside her that she'll be unable to stop after she kills her sister's murderer. 
 Female rage and romance is a topic that often comes up when talking about the genre, but I wouldn't necessarily call this a romance. However, it's still empowering to see this troubled young woman battling her hatred for those who hurt others and wondering how her newfound friends would feel if they knew what she was capable of. I often struggle with the same questions in terms of my mental illness. Will my boyfriend feel the same way for me when my depression pops up and I'm angry and crying all the time? Will my roommates and friends treat me differently knowing I have weekly therapy visits? 
 As women, how do we handle the emotions within ourselves that are seen as ugly? The anger, the rage, the frustration, the sadness? Do we embrace it and keep ourselves isolated out of fear? Or do we hide those parts of ourselves from those we consider friends and family, people we're supposed to love and trust? 
 The Female of the Species was a cathartic read. I was often flushed with anger, crying from sadness, or amped up with girl power. It's a powerful book and one that I'll be talking about for a long time to come. 
 - Amanda