Never in my wildest imagination did I think I would actively enjoy inviting even more politics into my life. And yet, dang if Sources Says isn’t an absolute treat that seeks to capitalize, satirize and entertain that masses, all while laying out the fundamental issues that the American two-party system is struggling with.
All, of course, shrouded by the fact that the election at the front of the story? Senior Class President in high school.
SO. Angeline And Leo Did Not End Well. And while their relationship may be over, their connection is not. Instead, it’s now fueled by vitriol as they duke out their woes by running for Senior Class President after a Mean Girls inspired prank has left their high school up in arms. Now what are politics if it’s not a little dirty, right? Complicating matters are the two school newspapers that get involved– one, run by Angeline’s sister who insists on maintaining zero bias, and the other who is more interested in shaping wild stories than reporting the truth. All’s Fair in Love, War, and Politics, right?
I mean, you can’t help but laugh at this book. Is it outlandish? Oh yeah. Is it sometimes hard to wrap your head around how people can behave Like That for a mere title? Yep. Were the storylines presented fully reliable– did you trust the characters? Hm. But hey, that’s what’s going on in the real world today.
Putting aside the overt parallels of high school and the United States Government, this book was an interesting one to read. It’s writing flowed, but with a much more mature and sharp-edged style than I’m used to for lighthearted novels.
Saying that, it did at times stumble from what I call the “How Do You Do, Fellow Kids” clause. In an effort to make Cat sound eDgY and mature, she came across as stiff, unlikable, and rude. It did ease up as the story went along, but I never did grow hot on our girl Cat as much as I did Angeline.
Their relationship, however, was complex, frustrating, and ultimately heartwarming. These are two girls who, despite being constantly thrown together, have little in common. I’d go as far as saying they don’t particularly like each other. But they are sisters and they do grow together as the novel unfolds and Angeline’s campaign starts gaining traction.
The novel’s pace was fast, though I’d accuse the author of maybe setting up too much and never really giving every plot point the time it needed to unravel.
Overall, however, this book is a fun, high school-esque, read that will get you caught up with the world pretty quickly.
3.5/5
Chill With Jill 