Find my reviews on Blogger ~ Reviews by Bookish Sarah 
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 League of Strays is the story of a girl named Charlotte. Told in her first-person POV. She's the new girl in town and at her high school. She doesn't have a friend to speak of and spends most of her time alone. 
 Shortly into the school year, Charlotte receives a note: 
 "Dear Charlotte, 
 You have been chosen to join the League of Strays. A secret meeting will be held at Stafford Pond, fourth picnic table on the right at 10:00, Wednesday night. Come alone. Make sure nobody follows you, or you won't hear from us again. -K." 
 Charlotte, although afraid it could be a prank, goes to this secret meeting. It's here that she meets Kade. 
 Kade is determined to get back at the people who have bullied him, his best friend Richie, Charlotte, and two other girls. Thus, the League is formed. At first, Charlotte is all for the idea, but as the pranks go on and become more terrible each time, she can't help but think she's made a huge mistake. 
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 Alright, first let me address the obvious issue here: Drama with the author. I didn't know there was any until after I read the book. My review is in no way based on any drama, rumors, or what the author may or may not have said. My review is based on the book I read, and that is all. I am reviewing a novel, not the author's behavior. 
 The second thing I would like to address is that this book 
 does not 
 promote gay bashing. I read at least ten reviews that say otherwise, and I am thinking these readers didn't finish the book. If they had, they'd know they're wrong. 
 Onto my thoughts now! 
 Dislikes: 
 * Characterization. I am sorry, but it was bad. I hated the protagonist most of all. Charlotte is probably the most weak-minded individual I've ever come across in fiction. This girl lets everyone around her run her life, think for her, make decisions for her. It's absolutely appalling. The way she lets Kade run the show? Gross. The guy is very obviously a sociopath from the start. He stalked these three girls - that alone should have been enough to scare them off. 
 As for the rest of the characters... Kade was in no way appealing to me. I didn't think he should be to Charlotte, Richie, or Nora either. Nora was an idiot, plain and simple. Zoe was alright. I liked her and I think she had the best characterization. Her story was built up even more than Charlotte's. Richie, Kade's supposed "best friend," was pretty much a male version of Charlotte. Maybe even worse. 
 * The story was just missing something. I am truly having trouble putting it into words. It was missing any real substance. It focused a little too much on getting revenge instead of the actual moral of the book: two wrongs do not make a right. Age old saying and all that, yeah? 
 Likes: 
 * The pace. The author didn't make us wait for something to happen. The story took off from the very first page and it literally did not stop. It was hard to put it down once I began. 
 * The premise of a group of misfits banding together was something I really liked. I only wish it had gone in a different direction. 
 * The fact that the book touched on real-life issues that are relevant to society as it is this very moment. Bullying is a huge issue in schools and this book sort of shows you what can happen if it's not addressed properly. I also think it was fantastic that the author made all the characters so different from each other. There is someone there for just about anyone who reads the book to relate to. That was a really smart move to make. 
 Overall: 
 League of Strays was an okay read. The characters aren't very impressive, but the story is fast-paced and suspenseful. The moral of the story is a great one, and if given a fair chance, I think many people would enjoy this book. 
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 Book source: NetGalley 
 Publisher: Amulet Books/ABRAMS