REVIEW: Kens by Raziel Reid

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

Publisher: PenguinTeen

ISBN: 0735263779

Format: Hardback

Release Date: 18th September 2018


Links: Goodreads, Amazon.com, Indigo,
Book Depository

Website, Twitter


Rating: 5/10


Synopsis:

Heterosexuality is so last season: Kens is the gay Heathers meets Mean Girls, a shocking parody for a whole new generation.

Every high school has the archetypical Queen B and her minions. In Kens, the high school hierarchy has been reimagined. Willows High is led by Ken Hilton, and he makes Regina George from Mean Girls look like a saint. Ken Hilton rules Willows High with his carbon-copies, Ken Roberts and Ken Carson, standing next to his throne. It can be hard to tell the Kens apart. There are minor differences in each edition, but all Kens are created from the same mold, straight out of Satan's doll factory. Soul sold separately.


Tommy Rawlins can't help but compare himself to these shimmering images of perfection that glide through the halls. He's desperate to fit in, but in a school where the Kens are queens who are treated like Queens, Tommy is the uncool gay kid. A once-in-a-lifetime chance at becoming a Ken changes everything for Tommy, just as his eye is caught by the tall, dark, handsome new boy, Blaine. Has Blaine arrived in time to save him from the Kens? Tommy has high hopes for their future together, but when their shared desire to overthrow Ken Hilton takes a shocking turn, Tommy must decide how willing he is to reinvent himself -- inside and out. Is this new version of Tommy everything he's always wanted to be, or has he become an unknowing and submissive puppet in a sadistic plan?

Review:

**Thanks to PRH Canada for sending me a copy in return for my review**

This book is offensive. But that's the entire point of the book. The book is said to be a 'gay Heathers meets Mean Girl' and it was exactly that. 

The protagonist, Tommy, reminded me of Veronica from Heathers in various aspects but I did wish he had much more wit. Tommy was only slightly better than the Kens themselves. The Kens was written with over-exaggerated  features. They were obsessed with their looks (going as far as getting plastic surgery to look alike) and being obsessed with their 'Instagram fame'. I found myself getting frustrated and annoyed at the Kens. People followed and admired them despite how terrible and mean they could be.

I knew going into the book that I should expect to be shocked and offended. I have to admit that there were times when it went way too far me and there were times that I considered putting the book down. 

The ending of the book was probably the part where I felt most uncomfortable. I don't want to spoil the ending, but I felt it went way too far and I really wish that the author hadn't written the ending in this way.

This book has anything satirical that you could think of. From mocking school shootings, to underage drug/alcohol use and rape. It has it all. It's definitely why I found it incredibly uncomfortable to read various chapters. I almost felt there was too many satirical moments and the book could have benefitted from more character development.

This book is going to be one you either love or hate and I cannot deny that Raziel Reid did a fantastic job at creating a very controversial book that is written to create a reaction. I don't think this book should quite be aimed towards a young adult audience; the themes and content in the book pushes it more towards an adult audience.

There isn't much more I can add without going into spoilers. But, I will say that I recommend going into this book expecting to be shocked because you there is no way that you won't be.