The Revenge Playbook
by Rachael Allen
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: June 16th 2015
Don’t get mad, get even! In this poignant and hilarious novel, Rachael Allen brilliantly explores the nuances of high school hierarchies, the traumas sustained on the path to finding true love, and the joy of discovering a friend where you least expect.
In the small town of Ranburne, high school football rules and the players are treated like kings. How they treat the girls they go to school with? That’s a completely different story. Liv, Peyton, Melanie Jane, and Ana each have their own reason for wanting to teach the team a lesson—but it’s only when circumstances bring them together that they come up with the plan to steal the one thing the boys hold sacred. All they have to do is beat them at their own game.
Brimming with sharp observations and pitch-perfect teen voices, fans of Jenny Han and Sarah Mlynowski are sure to fall head-over-heels for this sharp tale—by the author of 17 First Kisses—about the unexpected roads that can lead you to finding yourself.
I loved the four girls Peyton, Ana, Melanie Jane and Liv. We get to know more about each girl as we alternate from their perspectives between the past and present. The plot centers around the weeks leading up to the Scavenger Hunt and then the hunt itself. As each girl rehashes her own beef with the football team and why she wants revenge. Their goal is to steal the schools treasured ‘76 football and make the football team have to walk out onto the field naked. I think as the girls uncover and collide more with the football team, it becomes even bigger than that. They want revenge for themselves but for everyone that the team has an impact on negatively.
The book deals with a lot of different issues but it doesn’t really get to in depth for each one. The date rape drug and slut shaming are at the forefront. With some discrimination against equality and IEP’s scratching the surface. It reminded me of times of the news stories that felt like they were everywhere about college teams sexually assaulting people and it being covered up. It’s sad and angering that it happens.
I liked how the girls bond over their plot and end up all becoming friends. I don’t think they get to completely bare their souls simply because there is not enough time but I think after all this they certainly will. I would have liked to know more about Peyton’s situation with Karl. She had taken the first step of getting rid of him on her own but I liked how her friendship with the other girls really showed her she made the right choice.
We also get to see the different degrees of the football team. Some of the guys are just evil like Chad. Some are that stupid awkward where they thinking pushing a girl in the mud will make her think you're cool, like Casey. I actually wondered in the back of my brain if he would be different when not around his friends. Some are just good guys like Rey and Trevor but are just a part of the team because they want to play football.
I liked the ending everything is wrapped up well but not perfect. The ending made sense to me. Overall I did like the book, it definitely kept me intrigued and reading. It focuses on friendship more than anything else and I liked that. A little different read so if you are looking for something that is not so romance involved this a good choice.
Side Note: There is nothing better than Labyrinth references. :)
