Book Review: Pride or Die by K.A. Walther
As a lover of young adult mystery-thrillers, I couldn’t resist diving into Pride or Die by K.A. Walther when I stumbled upon its intriguing premise. A story set against the backdrop of a high school in Texas, featuring Eleanora Finkel and her friends navigating the complexities of founding an LGBTQ+ club, had the potential to blend thrilling mystery with essential themes of identity and acceptance. However, as I turned those pages, I found myself grappling with a mixture of excitement and frustration.
The plot begins with an intense bang when Kenley, the school’s head cheerleader, is attacked just outside the LGBTQ+ club’s meeting, throwing Eleanora and her friends into a whirlwind of suspicion. This sudden twist sets the stage for a captivating mystery that, sadly, never quite reaches its potential. As Eleanora races to prove her innocence and clear the club’s name, I couldn’t help but feel a disconnect. The stakes seemed oddly misplaced; after all, the attack was on a popular straight girl, leaving me questioning the necessity of their frantic investigation.
While I appreciated the intention to showcase the struggles and resilience of marginalized communities, Eleanora’s personality grated on my nerves throughout the story. Her self-absorption and relentless paranoia overshadowed the intriguing dynamics within her circle of friends—Noah and Tyler—who brought a refreshing perspective that I yearned to explore more deeply. I couldn’t help but feel that the single perspective limited the narrative from expanding to include varied, meaningful insights. It felt like there was an entire world of nuance among the secondary characters, but Eleanora’s voice drowned that out.
The writing style was straightforward, which often works wonders in YA, but here it felt almost too simplistic, making some cringe-worthy moments more pronounced. I found myself rolling my eyes at certain clichés and stereotypes that permeated the character portrayals, especially among those outside Eleanora’s tight-knit group. The lack of depth made the narrative feel like it skirted vital themes rather than engaging deeply with them.
On a brighter note, I must commend the audiobook production narrated by Ina Marie Smith. Her ability to convey emotion brought Eleanora’s chaotic thoughts to life, making it easier to connect through voice if not through text. It was a silver lining in an otherwise tumultuous reading experience.
At the end of the day, Pride or Die didn’t hit the mark for me, despite my hopes for an engaging mystery rooted in essential themes of identity and friendship. However, I believe it could resonate with readers who are drawn to YA thrillers infused with teenage angst and drama. If the premise intrigues you, don’t dismiss it based on my experience. After all, everyone has different tastes, and this book might just capture the hearts of those looking for a compelling plot with a side of high school camaraderie.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for providing a copy for review. I appreciate the opportunity, even if this particular journey didn’t quite align with my expectations. Happy reading!