2.5 stars. There's always a lot of things going on in an A.S. King, and unfortunately I didn't get enough of it this time. This is a book about domestic abuse and systemic oppression of women, which is both shown metaphorically and hammering you over the head the entire time. I'm still not sure what the whole little paranormal bit is all about. A lot is conveyed through the song lyrics that Jane writes in her punk rock opera, and I just didn't connect with those. The most interesting character to me was Henry, Jane's brother. A telling of this story from his perspective with Jane as the main character still would've been fascinating. I'll be back for more of King's books in the future, still.

This was my first book by A.S. King and I was definitely nervous going into it. I have heard so many good things about this author and her writing that I feared that I was hyping this up way too much. But, I was pleasantly surprised! I actually really enjoyed this book and the themes it explores. While I don't usually LOVE magical realism, it really worked for me in this! The magical realism aspects were important to the story but they were just vauge enough that I felt satisfied with the inclusion of it. I also loved the LGBTQIA+ rep in this and I was happy to see that it really wasn't a huge deal... the character is just queer, and that's cool! It didn't really effect the story much, and it wasn't a huge plot point in the story. My biggest complaint is that this book was YA. I think that if were an adult book, it would've been able to go further and darker which would've made the story even better. I'm no longer afraid to read things from this author and I can't wait to read her backlist!

very weird book but i still enjoyed it, this is the first book ive read by this author despite owning multiple. will be reading more.

I had a strong, visceral reaction to this book, especially in response to the mistreatment of women, most notably the mother. If not for professional obligations, I might have set it aside early on because of this. However, by reading to the end, I came to appreciate how A.S. King uses these elements to make a powerful statement on toxic masculinity and misogyny. Pick the Lock is a compelling, multi-layered story that explores questions of freedom, individuality, and healing. King’s nuanced storytelling makes this a must-read for fans of contemporary YA literature who seek a narrative that’s as daring as it is thought-provoking. This novel isn’t just a story—it’s an exploration of the personal locks we create and the courage it takes to unlock them.

Jane and her younger brother Henry have been confined to their Victorian mansion since the pandemic. Their mother has been confined to the System (pneumatic tubes in the home) for much longer except when she is on tour for her punk rock band. The System is a punishment for their mother and protection for Jane and Henry according to their father, Vernon. Vernon and their Aunt Finch have taken great pains to convince Jane and Henry that their mother is a violent and crazy woman. The rules of the house keep Jane and Henry from interacting with their mother regularly. However, Jane has discovered the recorded footage of the security cameras in her home and they are telling a different story. Pick the Lock tells the story of Jane discovering the truth about her family and learning about herself through home videos, dialogue, and punk rock opera creation.

This book took me awhile to understand and even then it was strange. I struggled to track the plot and the science fiction/fantasy elements did not add to the story. I think the shapeshifting element somewhat detracts from the seriousness of the abuse happening in the home. The approach to the novel felt like the abuse was secondary almost but it was woven into almost every part of the story. I did not find myself wanting to finish or desiring to not put the book down.

Thank you School Library Journal Day of Dialog for the eARC.

This book was a case of cool formatting, so-so story for me. I really wanted to love it because I liked the characters and thought the setup was promising. It just never really came together for me. It was sadder than I was expecting, but it was an interesting way to tackle some heavy subjects.

I read an ARC of this book from NetGalley. All comments are my own.

I am DNF-ing, as there is far too many different media elements for this story to make sense. I don't like the addition of the songs or the screenplay

I enjoyed reading this book while it being one of the strangest books I have ever read. Even though I have never read a book like this it was a very enjoyable reading experience that was written in a way that made the book go by quickly. If you are someone who enjoys books that are experimental and gripping I would definitely recommend this book to you

I don't even know where to start. Seriously, "Pick the Lock" by A.S. King is one of those books that left me with a head full of thoughts and no clear way to express them. But here goes—let's start by saying that it's about isolation, growing up under the thumb of an ultra-controlling parent, the blurry line between truth and perception, shapeshifters (yes, really), and, oh, punk rock operas. So again, where do I even start? Well, what I do know is that I could not put this strange, haunting, and completely wonderful book down.

This is exactly why I love diving into works by authors I've never read before. A.S. King was new to me, and after "Pick the Lock," I'm definitely intrigued to check out more of her work. She pulls off a kind of storytelling that's totally unique—equal parts bizarre and beautifully meaningful.

On the surface, this is the story of Jane, a girl trapped in the tightly wound reality of her abusive and controlling father. Jane is searching for her own truth, especially regarding her mother, and she's doing it in a secret punk rock opera she's writing on the side. Yeah, you read that right. It's part coming-of-age, part rebellion, and part discovery of the hard truths hidden in her family's past. As Jane digs deeper, she sees things more clearly—about her parents, her upbringing, and herself. It becomes a mission not just to find the truth but to stop the cycle of abuse once and for all.

The best way to describe this book? A wild ride that makes you think long after the last page is done. I honestly recommend "Pick the Lock" to anyone who loves a unique, thought-provoking story. It's one of those reads that lingers with you, leaving behind a few questions, some deep thoughts, and maybe a new favorite author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group for the advanced reader's copy; all opinions expressed in this review are my own.

The Queen of the YA magical realism books is out with another insightful title!
🐀
Jane’s mother is the leader of a famous punk rock band, but when she’s not out touring, she’s locked in their Victorian mansion by Jane’s father. Jane and her brother, Henry, have also been locked away since the pandemic, homeschooled by their ill-equipped and controlling father. But Jane’s mother has it the worst because her entrapment has her enclosed in pneumatic tubes. Now that Jane is getting older she’s seeing that what her life looks like compared to other teens isn’t normal.
🤘🏻
At its core this book deals with domestic violence, spousal control and brainwashing. It is wrapped up in a weird package, but if you’ve read King’s stories before then you know you’re in for a wild ride—just embrace it! This was definitely a fight the patriarchy, feminist, stand up to your abuse story and I’m here for it.

CW: pandemic, alcohol poisoning, alcoholism, emesis, child abuse, emotional abuse, physical abuse, infidelity, toxic relationship, gaslighting, misogyny, confinement, religious bigotry, sexual harassment, sexism

Thank you so much to Simon Teen for the complimentary copy!

This book is out now!

This was my first A.S. King book but she had come highly recommended. I also heard that her books & writing are different. And I can tell you this one is truly unique but yet I could not stop listening. There was a lot happening in this book and a lot of metaphors and I'm not sure I full understood what was happening. And even now thinking about it, I still am not sure I understand the ending.

This book has different elements, a rock opera, past timeline and a present timeline and even with having the items it all worked. It took a bit to get used to the format and I was happy to have the physical book to reference. Jane is young and curious and knows that something isn't right. Her mother is a rock star and when she is home she stays in tubes. And her father is insanely protected of her and her brother and don't allow them to do things that normal children do.

It's really hard to describe this book so I highly suggest either checking it out or reading other reviews from others who can speak more eloquently than I can on this one.

The story is really interesting and I will be curious to read other work by her. If you are looking for something different to read that will make you hate men, give this one a try!

3.5

I went into Pick the Lock blind . It was my first read by A.S. King, who has a unique writing style that blends fantasy with reality. King incorporates song lyrics throughout the story and the timeline felt linear and unlinear. It took me a little while to settle into the writing style and keep track of the different plots but once II went into Pick the Lock blind. It was my first read by A.S. King, who has a unique writing style that blends fantasy with reality. King incorporates song lyrics throughout the story, and the timeline feels linear and unilinear. At first, I wasn't sure if the writing style was a fit for me, and I admit to skipping over some of the song lyrics. Once I found a rhythm, I enjoyed the story. I think King's use of storytelling to portray domestic violence, alcoholism, and parental alienation worked - Jane and Michael's growth at the end of the book is a great example.
 
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the gifted copy. did I enjoyed the story and found the way King portrays domestic violence powerful and thought provoking.

Another brilliant novel by A.S. King. Her work connects with my students, especially those who express even a slight interest in surrealism. Even though they may not state this, I am certain my students also connect with King's honesty. She may use metaphor to do it, but she does not hide the truth and she does not treat teens like they need to be talked down to in any way.

This was just okay for me. Not something i'll necessarily remember, also not something i'm going to be recommending to all my friends. It was a perfectly average book for me

Pick the Lock by A.S. King is a powerful and surreal YA novel that delves into the complexities of family dynamics and abuse. The story follows Jane, whose rock star mother is kept sequestered in a system of hamster habitrail tubes when she’s home. Jane and her brother are manipulated by their father to unknowingly perpetrate domestic violence, not physically but mentally. The narrative takes a dark turn when Jane discovers hidden tapes revealing the horrific acts her father has committed against her mother and others. King’s unique blend of magical realism and hard-hitting themes makes this a compelling and thought-provoking read. Oh and there is a rat with its own POV , that’s just an FYI!

The premise of Pick the Lock intrigued me with its strange blend of family dynamics and surreal elements, but I found myself unable to finish. While A. S. King is known for unique and unconventional storytelling, I struggled with the pacing and the disjointed narrative style in this one.

Jane’s life, filled with odd characters like Aunt Finch, Milorad the gardener, and his rat, had potential, but the introduction of the pneumatic tubes and security-camera footage never fully clicked for me. I was hoping for a deeper connection with Jane's emotional journey or more clarity on the family’s bizarre situation, but it felt too abstract and disorienting.

Ultimately, I couldn't push through the slow buildup, despite the strange allure of the mystery. Those who enjoy heavily metaphorical narratives may appreciate it more, but it just wasn’t for me.

Pick the Lock is another unique book by A.S. King. The writing is surreal, with lots of hidden meanings and metaphors and things you have to look beyond. It deals with domestic abuse and violence, but it is written in a way to make you really think about it.

The story follows Jane, as she tries to understand her family narrative and the history - picking the lock on her memories and what is really going on. Her and her brother are mainly being raised by their father, who paints their mother as a psycho, mentally ill, violent, and someone who has abandoned them in order to live her dream as a rock star. But as the story goes along, you learn along with Jane that things aren't what they seem. There is a good narrative here about domestic abuse. Many people question why someone who is being abused doesn't just leave. But they don't realize it's not as easy as it sounds. There are threats and manipulation and a feeling of never being able to escape. This novel examines all of this in King's unique style of writing.

I wouldn't recommend this as a first choice for someone to read if they've never read one of King's books. Her writing style can definitely throw people off. However, I think it is another excellent entry into her catalogue, and recommend it for any King fans and for anyone who enjoys surreal, metaphorical, or abstract writing or books on major social topics.

My lesson from Pick the Lock: fuck the patriarchy. Which, honestly is a lesson I already know, but the reminder is good.
Daughter of punk rock musician Mina Placenta, Jane Cook lives in a house of rules that include no music being allowed to play without headphones. The rules keep her and her younger brother Henry under the thumb of their father (and Mina's husband) Vernon. The rules are part of The System. The System keeps Mina in the house, in the tubes. The rules are used to lie.
Pick the Lock is the latest surrealist novel by Printz Award winning author A. S. King and it is an examination of family, lies, abuse, patriarchy, and feminism. Highly recommend for fans of her previous work.

This is my second A. S. King book so I was ready to be completely confused and let the bizarre world so close to our own but full of weirdness take over. It did take me a little bit to get into the story, but once I did I had a hard time putting this one down. This book was hard to read at times because of the accurate portrayal of the feelings of domestic violence. Most households don’t have a system of tubes built in where a mother could be locked up, but the manipulation and brainwashing against the survivor of domestic violence by the perpetrator using the kids was eerily accurate. This book focuses on Jane, a young girl who has been locked up in home since the pandemic. Despite the rest of the world getting back to things like school she has remained at home with her father doing the same geography worksheets for the 4th year in a row. She lives with her father Vernon and her little brother and her mother lives in a series of tubes throughout the house. This is the story of Jane figuring out the lies from the truth and growing up. This story is an ode against domestic violence and even has a punk rock opera. I won’t lie and say this book isn’t bizarre but it just works.

Pick the Lock by A.S. King was a wild but fun ride.
A strange and riveting novel that I enjoyed reading.
The story, characters and world-building were done so well.
It was engaging and it draws you in, you just want to settle in and rip through the page.

Thank You NetGalley and Dutton Books for Young Readers for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!