Last Girls

May 25, 2020
In this slow-boiling YA thriller, Brodsky (Dive Smack) immerses readers in the fraught lives of three sisters living in a doomsday survivalist commune and prepping for The End of the World as We Know It. Under the oppressive rule of an increasingly tyrannical group leader and the siblings’ deceptive mother, oldest sister Honey does everything in her power to keep her sisters safe, while “weird” baby sister, Blue, spouts ominous predictions foretelling radical change, and middle sister Birdie falls into a heady first love that pitches the Juniper sisters into a fight for survival. From the first page, Brodsky’s main characters are difficult and contradictory, yet also devoted and uncommonly courageous—sisters in every sense of the word. Despite a sluggish start, heavy-handed application of the survivalist concept, and unconvincing, at times overly mature dialogue, the story comes into its own as the conflict escalates and the twists pile up, leading to a conclusion that, while not surprising, is satisfying. For readers enduring an uncertain future, much of the Juniper sisters’ perspective will feel relatable. Ages 13–up. Agent: Suzie Townsend and Devin Ross, New Leaf Literary.

Narrators Dan Bittner and Khristine Hvam help listeners navigate a story told from dual points of view. Bittner portrays Toby, an 18-year-old artist looking to alleviate the burden of a regrettable past. Bittner expertly delivers his earnest tone and breathless manner of speaking. Hvam portrays Honey, the oldest of the three Juniper sisters, who live with their mother in a survivalist camp. Something strange is going on there, and Honey tries to decipher what exactly is happening. What develops is a wild ride involving the camp's secret workings as the girls uncoil their pasts. Hvam's tense pacing and fervent tone add to the intensity that turn these intertwined stories into a pulse-pounding thriller. S.K.G. � AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine