Rites of Passage
Author: Joy N. Hensley
Series: None
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Mystery
Release Date: September 9, 2014
Publisher: HarperTeen
Summary:
So Sam joins the first-ever class of girls at the prestigious Denmark Military Academy. She’s expecting push-ups and long runs, rope climbing and mud-crawling. As a military brat, she can handle an obstacle course just as well as the boys. She’s even expecting the hostility she gets from some of the cadets who don’t think girls belong there. What she’s not expecting is her fiery attraction to her drill sergeant. But dating is strictly forbidden and Sam won’t risk her future, or the dare, on something so petty…no matter how much she wants him.
As Sam struggles to prove herself, she discovers that some of the boys don’t just want her gone — they will stop at nothing to drive her out. When their petty threats turn to brutal hazing, bleeding into every corner of her life, she realizes they are not acting alone. A decades-old secret society is alive and active… and determined to force her out.
At any cost.
Now time’s running short. Sam must decide who she can trust…and choosing the wrong person could have deadly consequences.
First Sentence: I’m physically incapable of saying no to a dare – I’ve got the scars and broken bone count to prove it.
I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for a honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.
My Review:
I was always interested in Rites of Passage when I first read its synopsis. I’m always interested in reading books about people currently in or just left the military (hello Something Like Normal and If I Lie) and the fact that Rites of Passage is about a female joining a military school that doesn’t want her there made me need the book in my life asap. Add the fact that everyone that had read Rites of Passage had absolutely loved it, my need for this book knew no bounds. I was extremely excited to start Rites of Passage, yet at the same time, I also couldn’t help but be wary of it since I’m usually the black sheep when it comes to books everybody else loves.
“Hey Sam!” The DJ yells into the car and I close my eyes, waiting. “It’s great that women can fight on the front lines now. If you want to go to the Middle East and get your head blown off, I won’t stop you…But no one wants you here. Go back to Fayetteville and stay the hell out of our school!” (ARC 2)
Right from the very start, I can tell that a lot, and I mean a lot, of research has been done for Rites of Passage. I know Joy N. Hensley went to a military school (don’t worry, I’m not a stalker; I just read her goodreads biography which says so), but the amount of information in Rites of Passage just amazes me. I felt like I was with Sam in the DMA (aka Denmark Military Academy), doing all those push-ups and smoke runs along with her. The setting and atmosphere was very rich and well-done.
Warning: Rites of Passage is so intense. There were so many moments in the book that made me go crazy – I wanted to bite off my nails (luckily I already have short nails) and bang my head against the wall due to how intense the book was. I wanted to flail my arms around like crazy (okay, fine, I did flail my arms like crazy. This tweet proves it) and get my weapons ready. I groaned when my parents told me to do something and I couldn’t read on; I just couldn’t look away from the page, afraid I’ll miss something very important (although that doesn’t make sense because it’s not like the book will go anywhere).
“So, it’s her fault,” Wilson snarls. He’s wanted me gone since day one.
I shrink into the wall, wishing I was invisible or that Dad had instilled in me a spine that could stand up to this. (ARC 216)
You guys will also not believe the amount of emotions Rites of Passage pulled from me. I was emotionally invested in the book – I wanted to stab some characters with a pencil at some moments (I still do want to stab them) and kick some characters at other moments. Yes, Rites of Passage definitely bought out the violent side in me. You guys do not want to know how many times I wrote “[character name] needs to crash and burnnnn” in my notes. Okay, fine, I admit it, I also cried at other moments okay? Reading Rites of Passage is a huge emotional minefield, especially once you’ve reached the second part of the book. Just you wait.
And okay. That ending. What is up with that ending? Rites of Passage left off with a bit of an open ending and I just need some answers. The worse thing is, I talked to Joy N. Hensley on twitter and she doesn’t know if there will be a sequel to Rites of Passage. This is where I come in with all my CAPS and book pushing: RITES OF PASSAGE NEEDS A SEQUEL. I DEMAND IT. I NEED some answers.
“Corporal Matthews,” I saw, my lips turning up, mimicking his signature sneer, “the corporal said that at the beginning of the year. But this recruit is still here, and will be here long after the corporal is gone, Corporal Matthews.” (ARC 335)
Just a quick note before I officially end my review: The synopsis of Rites of Passage makes it sound like Rites of Passage is really romance-focused, but in reality, it’s not. In fact, the romance in Rites of Passage wasn’t fully developed until a little more than the halfway point in the book where the real romance plot starts. So yes, those of you who are scared of Rites of Passage because it appears to have a huge romance plotline, rest assure. It doesn’t.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading Rites of Passage despite that strong need for answers. There’s no doubt that I will definitely recommend Rites of Passage to everybody. You’ll be sure to see me pushing this book onto other people for the next few days because like I said above, there needs to be a sequel!
I’ve been waiting to read Rites of Passage because of all the same reasons. I’ve yet to find a bad review for it.
OMG what a beautiful review!
This was one of my most anticipated books of the year and I can’t wait to read it!! I want to know more about the military world and strangely enough I’m happy it is not entirely focused on romance!
Frannie Panglossa recently posted…Review & Booktalk: “The darkest minds” by Alexandra Bracken
In spite of your marvelous review, I’m not interested in this book >.<
Mel recently posted…BOOK REVIEW: POISON PRINCESS, KRESLEY COLE.
Awesome review! I definitely need to get my hands on this now~ At first I wasn’t too interested, thinking it would be a forbidden-love story, but I’m overjoyed to hear that this book isn’t too romance-central :)
Connie recently posted…How Do You Prioritize Reading?
Great review, I have read good reviews on this book. I like how this is a mystery and a contemporary romance. <3
Whoa! Talk about sounding INTENSE! So obviously… can’t wait to read it! ;-)
I’ve seen so many people talking about loving this! I just am wary of the open ending… bc everyone seems to be dying for a sequel. And I kind of tend to hate open endings… But! The story sounds amazing. So I’ll prob end up reading it! :)
Wendy @ Book Scents recently posted…Review Bites: Rainbow Rowell Edition
I want to read this book! I actually haven’t heard about this book before. I also hate when your parents make you stop reading! Its the worst.
I couldn’t stop smiling by the end of your review. There have been rare moments where a certain book will grab me and not let go and it feels like it’s sucking all of my emotions along with it. I think that’s what you went through and I know I haven’t felt that way from any of the books I’ve read lately. I definitely need to pick this one up if it were that good. My older sister might even like it because of the military stuff inside it.
I’ve seen really positive reviews for this book. It has never been on my radar mostly because the summary never grabbed me but I’m a bit tempted to read it with you and Crystal both liking it so much. Great review Kelly.
Kristen@My Friends Are Fiction recently posted…Review of Lailah by Nikki Kelly
I’m so glad you loved this one too! And I know! The book is SO DAMN INTENSE! I couldn’t put it down! I really felt like I was there with her and I had a punch a pillow because I wanted to punch Matthews SO BAD but I couldn’t! Also, I hope that she writes a sequel! I need more Sam!
Anyway, great review!
Abbe Hinder recently posted…Book Review: 100 Sideways Miles by Andrew Smith
Great review. This is my first time hearing about this book but you have convinced me to read it. Congrats! :)
This is a book that I have only seen the cover for, never read the synopsis. Now that I have, I am intensely curious. I have never read anything like this, but I definitely think that I should, no doubt. Especially after reading your wonderful review!
Jaime Lester recently posted…Spotlight + Giveaway: Of Monsters and Madness
I want to read this book. Even more so from your review. I love the books that hook you to the point you don’t want to do,anything but finish it!
“Intense” is a great way to describe this book – I wanted to jump into the story and punch a few people. Just one of those stories that makes you FEEL.
Agreed about the ending! I hope RoP sells well enough to make the publisher want a sequel, because I NEED a sequel!
Wonderful review :D
Lea @ YA Book Queen recently posted…Highlights / Lowlights: RITES OF PASSAGE, THE BODY IN THE WOODS, AFTER THE END
Awesome review! I actually haven’t read this one, but it sounds really intriguing & your enthusiastic review has me adding it to my list! Thanks so much for sharing!!
Tricia recently posted…Do You Sneak a Peek?
I’m not really into contemporary books… especially since the vast majority are about romance. I’m not sure I’d pick this book up but thanks for the review :) It helps when people let me know their thoughts on books!
Sounds like an emotional read
Your review for Rites of Passage has me kind of obsessed with wanting to read it! And now it is on my must be read right now list – so thank you for that! It honestly does sound like a book I would want to read and I can already feel the feels I will feel – so again thank you for that! I am honestly very excited and need this book in my life NOW like ASAP!!
~Diya ♡
Diya Mohanna recently posted…Photo
I’ve heard a lot about Rites of Passage and I’m glad you liked it so much! I’ll have to check it out!
Your review has definitely convinced me to put Rites of Passage on my tbr list. I absolutely love books that emotionally wreck me and it seems like I would not be disappointed by this book. Amazing review!
Kendra recently posted…7 Deadly Sins of Reading
Great review! Hadn’t heard of this book before, but I’m intrigued now. I’m glad the book is not all about romance – while I do like reading that genre a lot, there needs to be action and self-discovery and adventure as well, and it seems like this book has all of that! I hope to read it soon – thanks!
I had heard about this book and saw many reviews! Thank you for recommending it
Alexandra recently posted…Review: Compulsion (The Heirs of Watson Island #1) by Martina Boone
A great review! There have been a boatload of good review on this book!
So excited to read this book. great review! :)
OMG! What a lovely review! You review makes me want to run to the bookstore and grab a copy of Rites of Passage. I hope I’ll get to read it soon! :D
Kyla Fontalva recently posted…Cover Reveal: Inspire by Cora Carmack
I agree with you, despite the blurb hinting at the book being romance-focused, it was not. It was highly intense and the military lingo and background and such felt thoroughly researched.
I enjoyed the book a lot more than I expected and that really surprised me. Anyway, great review! <3
Glad you really liked the concept and research that went into it! It’s a completely new subject, to have a girl in the military in YA, and it’s good it was so so emotional!
Lovely review :)
Fantastic review! Ever since this book’s release, I’ve heard nothing but good things about it. I’m definitely going to nudge this book up my TBR list, though I have to admit, at first glance, this did not look like something that was going to appeal to me. Though I will most definitely give it a chance.
Kara @ Diary of a Teen Writer recently posted…Sunday Weekly Wrap Up (31) & Stacking the Shelves (15)
Well after following your reviews for a while I know that you are a tough reader to please so after seeing that you gave this one a 4 1/2 out of 5 I knew it must be a good one!! Great review
I agree with everything you said! Simply amazing book. I was so pleasantly surpsised by it, because I didn’t expect much. And I ended up loving it.
I can’t wait for more from this author!:)
I’ve heard really great things about this book. At first I didn’t think anything of it but all of the rave reviews has finally changed my mind. I’m really excited to read this book.
Valerie Pennington recently posted…Somewhere Over the Sun by Adi Alsaid (Review)
I hadn’t heard of this (I must’ve been living under a rock!) but after reading this and seeing all the amazing reviews all I know is one thing… I need this book! I love the fact that it’s well-researched not that I know anything about military school, but it really annoys me when you read a book and it feels like the only research that went into it was the author reading a Wikipedia article. I read to learn as well as for all the magical enjoyment of reading!
Thanks for the awesome review, I am running off to buy this book now!
Myra White recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [46]
Thanks for the review, Kelly – I’ve been eyeing this one for a while now and it does indeed sound like a worthwhile, compelling read. It’s always nice to know that the romance isn’t the focus. Much as I enjoy romance novels (and believe me, I do!), sometimes a break from the norm is most welcome. :)
Rissi recently posted…The Hundred-Foot Journey (2014)
Lovely review! I’ve been hearing a lot of great things about and definitely can’t wait to check it out. I wouldn’t mind if it was romance-focused but glad to here it’s more than that! Thanks for the review (:
Cyn recently posted…Sunday Post (83) / Stacking the Shelves (63)
Oh gosh thank you for this review! I really liked this book just from its book in Goodreads. I really have to read this soon :)
I read Rites last week and LOVED it!!!!!
Isabel recently posted…Top Ten Books That Were Hard for Me to Read
Ooooh I like emotional books. You know, those kind that makes me wanna tear my heart out so I can never feel again? Hahaha. That’s my sign of an incoming favorite book. This is one of my highly-anticipated books of 2014!!! And I think I did the right thing to add this on my TBR.
Sounds really amazing!I’m going to add it to my tbr. :D Great review!
I need this book in my life right now. I have heard nothing but amazing things and this review was brilliant! I hope I enjoy it as much as everyone does. I’ll also keep the tissues near by considering you said it made you tear up. Great review!
I have already purchased my copy of “Rites of Passage”. It has been sitting on my Kindle waiting for me to give it some attention. The blurb and the subject matter was what caught my attention to this read. Now that I have read your review I think it is time for me to click on it and read. Thanks for the push to give “Rites of Passage” a read.
Terrie Fulk recently posted…Cover Reveal & Giveaway! STARTER WIFE
Great review! Just put it on my TBR list! :)
The synopsis didn’t really catch my attention, the whole military thing doesn’t appeal to me. But emotional books are always the best reads, when it’s as if you can feel everything the character is feeling.
Thais Pampado recently posted…O Aniversário de Anya
This is not the kind of novel that I usually read, but after reading your review I think I might have to give it a try. I love books that make me emotionally invested in the story!
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