Book Review: The Princesses of Iowa

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Title: The Princesses of Iowa
Author: M. Molly Backes
Publisher: Candlewick
Rating: 2

Synopsis (via Goodreads): What does it mean to do wrong, when no one punishes you? A smart and unflinching look at friendship, the nature of entitlement, and growing up in the heartland. Paige Sheridan has the perfect life. She's pretty, rich, and popular, and her spot on the homecoming court is practically guaranteed. But when a night of partying ends in an it-could-have-been-so-much worse crash, everything changes. Her best friends start ignoring her, her boyfriend grows cold and distant, and her once-adoring younger sister now views her with contempt. The only bright spot is her creative writing class, led by a charismatic new teacher who encourages students to be true to themselves. But who is Paige, if not the homecoming princess everyone expects her to be? In this arresting and witty debut, a girl who was once high-school royalty must face a truth that money and status can't fix, and choose between living the privileged life of a princess, or owning up to her mistakes and giving up everything she once held dear.

Review: If you like a book full of snobby, popular rich girls who only care about getting the homecoming crown, then this book is for you! If not, run away. Fast.

I snatched this book after a quick trip to the library (which is never a "quick trip" - let's be real) because of the creative writing class Paige is enrolled in during her senior year of high school and the suspense of a car accident. The creative writing class is literally the only thing I liked about this book. The car accident scene wasn't even climatic. All three went to a party, got drunk, acted stupid, decided to drive and got into a sissy girl-fight while driving resulting in a car accident. Whoop de doo.

Like any other book with the main character being a mean, popular girl there was an intelligent boy. Ethan. He worked at Starbucks and liked to write. That's all I got to learn about him. Shanti was pretty cool from what I read about her. She had that whole "hipster vibe" going for her. Then again, I never really got to connect with her either. Do you see the problem? I literally had no emotional connection to any of the characters. THIS NEVER HAPPENS TO ME. Character connection and development is on the top of my list for Why I Love To Read. So, you can say I'm pretty crushed.

Underneath the main plot of princesses-and-perfection hid the creative writing snippet. (You know, the only thing I cherished about this novel). Unfortunately, this was also clouded by a petty problem. The accusation of Mr. Tremont being gay.
You've got to be kidding me... 

*Warning to those who plan on reading this book: I had a constant urge to chuck this book across the room. The thought of burning it also crossed my mind.* 

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