Good story. Good character development. I laughed out loud many times throughout the book. I will be looking for more books from this author.

For a self-pubed novel I found this pretty enjoyable. I do think it's a realistic look at the trauma that can come with bullying and how harsh teen girls can be to each other. It wasn't my favorite thing I've ever read.

For my own mental health I had to DNF this book. There is a list of content warnings at the front, and I highly suggest you take those seriously. That helped me prepared for what I was reading, but in the end it ended up being too much for me right now.

The book alternates between two females. Carter has been through a lot mentally. Despite being a successful app developer, where talking great work here, her day to day life is a struggle. Then there is Abby, who is second in command of the POPS (a group similar to Mean Girls or Heathers), had a secret relationship, and her relationship with her mother was rough. Through these two perspectives we see their stark differences and similarities.

This book surprised me with the queer rep, which I am not used to seeing in the Mean Girls set up. Additionally, the mental health rep, though hard to read at points, felt well done. Sometimes I connected with some of those feelings and struggles more than I would like to, but that showed me how well those aspects were coming through the page. As an educator it was also hard for me to read some of these things because I know I have students who experience/ have experienced some of these things, and that breaks my heart.

I’m not sure how I feel about this one still. I liked it while I was reading it but I found it very forgettable. I did really like the characters and the story line.

I loved this book, from the gorgeous cover to the last word. Worthy of it’s content warnings, this story tackles very real and relatable high school drama and bullying, both from the Carter’s POV after she attempts self harm due to all the bullying and spiraling mental health, and Abby, one of her bully’s. This was a hard read because it was very familiar, as I think it will be for every reader. You end up caring about and rooting for both characters, in spite of their flaws and imperfections, and are reminded that when we hit rock bottom, we can crawl our way back out.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me access to the free advanced digital copy of this book.

A grim and engrossing look into the lives of two young girls, Carter and Abby, who initially stand on opposing sides of the bully/victim dynamic, is provided by Death by Society. This novel offers excellent representation for people who recognise themselves in the characters thanks to an incredible depiction of mental illness. Carter's character growth and trip were among my favourite aspects of the novel; I felt they were handled incredibly effectively, and I found myself rooting for her the entire time. I really like the comedy and writing style in this book, which made it fun to read even though it dealt with more sombre topics.
The character motives were the one aspect of this novel that I didn't enjoy since I thought certain characters' objectives changed a little too soon. Relationships were established and terminated throughout the novel, frequently without much trouble, and although this kept the plot going, it occasionally felt a little too easy.

Overall, a tough book about cultural pressures and mental health, with crucial representation. I would highly suggest this dark but upbeat book.

Death by Society" by Sierra Elmore is a compelling and thought-provoking young adult novel that explores the intersection of teenage bullying, mental health, and the quest for personal empowerment. With shades of "Mean Girls" and "It's Kind of a Funny Story," Elmore presents a poignant and timely story that delves deep into the complexities of friendship, trauma, and the consequences of our actions.

The narrative follows two teenage girls, Carter Harper and Abby Wallace, whose lives collide when Carter contemplates suicide as a means to escape the toxic popularity that plagues her existence. Meanwhile, Abby, one of the most popular girls in school, harbors her own secrets and guilt while navigating a tumultuous relationship with her best friend, Kelsey. When Abby intervenes and prevents Carter's suicide attempt, the unlikely pair finds themselves joining forces to protect each other from Kelsey's harmful behavior, leading to unexpected revelations and the possibility of friendship.

Elmore's writing skillfully tackles sensitive and challenging subject matters with empathy and authenticity. The exploration of bullying, depression, and loneliness resonates deeply, offering an unflinching look at the emotional toll they can take on young individuals. The author effectively captures the internal struggles of the characters, providing insight into their motivations and fears, and portraying their vulnerabilities in a realistic and relatable manner.

The complex dynamics between Carter, Abby, and Kelsey are a central focus of the narrative. Elmore masterfully crafts these characters, making them flawed, multidimensional, and ultimately human. Carter's resilience in the face of adversity and Abby's transformation from a seemingly heartless individual to someone capable of compassion create a compelling and dynamic character arc. The nuanced exploration of their relationship adds depth to the story, highlighting the capacity for growth and redemption.

The themes of power, self-discovery, and the consequences of our choices are skillfully interwoven throughout the novel. Elmore raises important questions about the lengths people will go to gain control over their lives, and the moral implications of using our voices to either uplift or harm others. Through the struggles and triumphs of the characters, readers are prompted to reflect on their own actions and consider the impact they have on those around them.

While the book tackles serious issues, it also offers moments of hope and friendship. Elmore's ability to infuse the narrative with humor and light-hearted moments balances the darker themes, providing a realistic portrayal of the complexities of teenage life.

In the tradition of Courtney Summers and Laurie Halse Anderson, "Death by Society" is a compelling and relevant exploration of the teenage experience. Sierra Elmore's powerful storytelling and her ability to tackle difficult subject matters with sensitivity make this book a must-read for young adult audiences. It serves as a reminder of the importance of empathy, self-reflection, and the potential for personal growth, even in the face of adversity.

So yeah, this was unfortunately not my book. Maybe I am a little bit too old for this one, Maybe I should have realized this before I requested this book, but while reading, this book made me realize that high school drama's are not my cup of tea anymore.

This story is absolutely not a light one. So please keep that in mind. Like I said, this was not my book, but I did however like the way mental health and diversity has a big role in this story. That makes it really a story for this day and age. But the story didn't really evolve? The way the characters developed (or exactly didn't) was quite flat.

Unfortunately, this wasn't for me!

O, fyi, please read the TW before you dive into this one, luckily the author provides a full list in the beginning of the book.

2,5 stars.

Such a well written book which shows you what it is TRULY like in high school.
Its a well written debut novel, which really covers some big issues, and mental health struggle (make sure you read the trigger warning before reading, as it covers some hard hitting issues)

It was really hard to read at moments, but I think that more teens need this book, they need to read it and it can hopefully help and even save some people.

Death by Society is a must those for those who love a book with devilishly wicked humour that makes you laugh out loud while reading, as this book has it in spades as it explore the complexities of female friendship. Very enjoyable!

3.5 stars

Death by Society is a book that follows 2 teenagers—the bully and the bullied, and makes the story feel much more interesting and gripping than anyone could think of! I loved the portrayal of mental illness, especially ones of suicide and depression. The book, in itself, is really dark with themes of violence.

But in way, it also shines light on the goods of having a friendship and family, and overcoming your trauma over time. I especially enjoyed that aspect. The only thing I didn't like, though, is the ending which could've been a bit more stretched out instead of redeeming many people.

Death by Society does an incredible job of discussing very serious and brutal issues in a way that isn't too overwhelming to read.

I think what I enjoyed most about this was Abby's character. Abby was very difficult to sympathise with at times. She does and says so many horrible things. But it is so important to acknowledge that not every SA survivor fits into the "perfect victim" role society likes to force them into. And that they are still very deserving of justice and healing regardless of that. I think Sierra Elmore did a very good job of portraying that.

Overall this is a very important story that handles such difficult topics with a lot of care.

I an unable to review this title, as it was archived before I had a chance to download and read it. This feedback is only to stop this title from adversely affecting my netgalley feedback rate. If in the future I have the opportunity to read this title, I will post a proper review here.

this was so great i love it so amazing one of the best books i read. when it comes out i am going to totally tell my friends about it

If the Mean Girls where queer, it would've been this story. And I love this book for it! I The author really stood out with the way the story developed. It brings heavy themes to discuss, and does that with sensitivity and awareness. The characters are great, and the queer representation is amazing! It is a must read for teenagers and also adults (such as I) because of the way it dialogues with the reader.

5*

I've always LOVED Mean Girls, even despite the toxicity of it. Take that and add a bit more queerness in the mix and you'll get this beautiful book. Well done! I also very much appreciate the diversity representation, without it feeling forced. We can use more books like that. Despite the sometimes heavy topics in the book, Sierra Elmore was able to give some comic relief, by keeping the story light and entertaining. I'm almost sad that it's over and I can't read it for another first time.

It’s an amazing read. The serious issues like bullying, Mental health, depression, suicide have been portrayed with empathy and portrayal is strong. Thoroughly loved the book!

A book that is both funny and hard hitting. It speaks to teens and has a message that will truly resonate. I really enjoyed this book and felt the message was strong and relatable.

This book has a lot of important messages to tell and people to represent, but the writing overall fell flat for me. It comes from a very vulnerable and honest place about mental health, which is important for young readers to have available, but even through this the narration from the characters did not hold my interest. It took a long time for me to finish reading.