A contemporary YA novel that examines rape culture through alternating perspectives.
Alex Craft knows how to kill someone. And she doesn’t feel bad about it.
Three years ago, when her older sister, Anna, was murdered and the killer walked free, Alex uncaged the language she knows best—the language of violence. While her own crime goes unpunished, Alex knows she can’t be trusted among other people. Not with Jack, the star athlete who wants to really know her but still feels guilty over the role he played the night Anna’s body was discovered. And not with Peekay, the preacher’s kid with a defiant streak who befriends Alex while they volunteer at an animal shelter. Not anyone.
As their senior year unfolds, Alex’s darker nature breaks out, setting these three teens on a collision course that will change their lives forever.
my thoughts:
I find myself at a loss for how to properly review this book without revealing crucial plot points. Ultimately, this will be a brief review with one primary goal: to urge you to read it.
My initial impression of The Female of the Species was skeptical; I doubted I would enjoy it or even complete it. Admittedly, the beginning is harsh, confronting readers with several difficult themes within the first thirty pages. The narrative only intensifies from there. This is not a cheerful book designed to elicit smiles. Rather, it’s a profoundly relevant and masterfully crafted story.
Alex is the cornerstone of what makes this novel exceptional, though every character contributes significantly. Each one is portrayed with unflinching, sometimes brutal, honesty. Initially, Alex, Peekay, and Jack are challenging to connect with, but their raw perspectives and truthful storytelling gradually won me over. Alex is deeply troubled and self-aware, acknowledging a fundamental flaw within herself. While she tentatively explores the possibility of change, she grapples with whether a different path is truly meant for her. Peekay, the preacher’s kid who defies stereotypes, forms an unexpected but vital friendship with Alex. Their bond, though not what either initially sought, becomes exactly what they both need, helping them break out of their respective shells. Finally, there’s Jack—a character I initially resisted due to his douche-bag tendencies. However, his self-awareness regarding these flaws allowed his character to resonate with me. He used drinking and casual encounters to mask his true feelings, and his relationship with Alex forced these issues to the surface. By the story’s conclusion, I had developed a genuine affection for all three.
Regarding my earlier point about this not being a happy book—the ending drives this home powerfully. The story begins with the aftermath of Alex’s sister’s rape and murder, establishing a somber tone from the outset. While Alex experiences periods of improvement, author Mindy McGinnis refuses to sanitize her past actions, which include violence and morally complex deeds. The conclusion defies expectations of a neat, perfectly wrapped-up ending. Ironically, this narrative bravery made me appreciate the book even more.
Overall, while The Female of the Species promises a challenging reading experience for many, I wholeheartedly recommend it. Mindy McGinnis’s powerful storytelling has cemented her place on my personal list of must-read authors.
“But boys will be boys, our favorite phrase that excuses so many things, while the only thing we have for the opposite gender is women, said with disdain and punctuated with an eye roll.”
—Mindy McGinnis, The Female of the Species
What Others Are Saying:
Jenna Bookish notes: “McGinnis ends the story with a bang when I feel like the subject matter might have been better served by a bit more subtlety.”
Adventures of a Bibliophile states: “I think this book is extremely important, especially as an addition to the YA genre, and I’m looking forward to reading more of Mindy McGinnis’s writing.”