Empress of the World by Sara Ryan
Sometimes you read a book because it exists in a particular niche that is woefully underpopulated. I held out against this one for a long time, but I finally succumbed to the queer-teen-girl charms of Empress of the World and found it less than charming.
I picked it up originally because it's one of the only bisexual young adult novels I can find. I put it down again because of the present tense narration; a pet peeve of mine that must be very well done for me to appreciate. I picked it up again the other day because there just isn't all that much out there about young girls exploring these questions.
What I've fallen prey to is the common ailment afflicting people in any niche market; be it ethnically, socially, sexually, or fandomwise. You buy what's being sold. Most of the time, there's not a lot to choose from, and substandard work gets passed on to you, the consumer. This novel, had it been about a heterosexual love affair at a gifted summer camp, would never have made it out of the slush pile.
There's nothing particularly wrong with it. It's just banal, predictable, and seemingly unconcerned with the issues, questions, doubts, and interests which would plague a smart girl of uncertain sexuality. There's no conflict beyond the traditional boy meets girl, boy confuses girl, wacky mixup ensues, boy gets girl back. Just substitute "girl" for "boy"; there's nothing here that specifically addresses queerness beyond a few "hmm, do I like girls? I guess I do!" moments.
And bisexuality? The narrator has, in the past, kissed a boy. There you have it. Obviously struggling with the bi thing. Look, folks; bisexuality isn't about being confused because you're actually gay. There is a complex set of questions unique to the position and I have yet to see these addressed in any way that I can relate to. In fact, I have yet to read a lesbian teen novel I can whole-heartedly recommend. Though Hard Love by Ellen Wittlinger and Keeping You a Secret by Julie Anne Peters did keep me more engaged than most.
So if you're looking for queer teen fiction, don't look here. But then, where are you to look?
I picked it up originally because it's one of the only bisexual young adult novels I can find. I put it down again because of the present tense narration; a pet peeve of mine that must be very well done for me to appreciate. I picked it up again the other day because there just isn't all that much out there about young girls exploring these questions.
What I've fallen prey to is the common ailment afflicting people in any niche market; be it ethnically, socially, sexually, or fandomwise. You buy what's being sold. Most of the time, there's not a lot to choose from, and substandard work gets passed on to you, the consumer. This novel, had it been about a heterosexual love affair at a gifted summer camp, would never have made it out of the slush pile.
There's nothing particularly wrong with it. It's just banal, predictable, and seemingly unconcerned with the issues, questions, doubts, and interests which would plague a smart girl of uncertain sexuality. There's no conflict beyond the traditional boy meets girl, boy confuses girl, wacky mixup ensues, boy gets girl back. Just substitute "girl" for "boy"; there's nothing here that specifically addresses queerness beyond a few "hmm, do I like girls? I guess I do!" moments.
And bisexuality? The narrator has, in the past, kissed a boy. There you have it. Obviously struggling with the bi thing. Look, folks; bisexuality isn't about being confused because you're actually gay. There is a complex set of questions unique to the position and I have yet to see these addressed in any way that I can relate to. In fact, I have yet to read a lesbian teen novel I can whole-heartedly recommend. Though Hard Love by Ellen Wittlinger and Keeping You a Secret by Julie Anne Peters did keep me more engaged than most.
So if you're looking for queer teen fiction, don't look here. But then, where are you to look?