The Revenge Playbook

by Rachael Allen

[bookishzelda]

I have never grown up in a place where football rules the school. Even in college if the football team won one game it was a victory. The Revenge Playbook takes a town that is football obsessed and battles it with some serious girl empowerment. I loved how the book is fun but was also realistic. Everything didn’t wrap up in a perfect bow because how could it.

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.