Book Review: The Rivals by Daisy Whitney

Title: The Rivals (The Mockingjay #2) 

Author: Daisy Whitney 

Pages: 352

Genre: Contemporary, Mystery, Realistic Fiction

Published: February 6th 2012 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers 

Source:  Library Book

Synopsis: 

When Alex Patrick was assaulted by another student last year, her elite boarding school wouldn't do anything about it. This year Alex is head of the Mockingbirds, a secret society of students who police and protect the student body. While she desperately wants to live up to the legacy that's been given to her, she's now dealing with a case unlike any the Mockingbirds have seen before.

It isn't rape. It isn't bullying. It isn't hate speech. A far-reaching prescription drug ring has sprung up, and students are using the drugs to cheat. But how do you try a case with no obvious victim? Especially when the facts don't add up, and each new clue drives a wedge between Alex and the people she loves most: her friends, her boyfriend, and her fellow Mockingbirds.

As Alex unravels the layers of deceit within the school, the administration, and even the student body the Mockingbirds protect, her struggle to navigate the murky waters of vigilante justice may reveal more about herself than she ever expected.

Review: Contains spoilers for the first book!

I enjoyed The Mockingbirds very much, so when I heard about a sequel I was unsure of how I felt about it. 

So this book follows where The Mockingbirds finished, its after the summer holidays and everyone is back at Themis Academy.

It is Alex's senior year and she is in charge of the Mockingbirds. 

This year the Mockingbirds are faced with a case that has never occurred before, like Alex's Date Rape case. 
But this year it is a student drug ring. The drug ring is linked to multiple people throughout the novel, and even Alex's friend. 
Though this case can be at times confusing to follow with all the information/people involved/evidence you are given, it was interesting to see, how it went unnoticed by the ever lenient teachers at Themis Academy. 

The case leads to many things, Alex wondering about what is ethical and right. What do you do when there is no clear victim, as its a drug cheating ring. What do you do when your friend is an accused, and how being the leader of a group with such flaws can stay true to them, while possibly ruining your relationships at the same time. 

We see instances where it seems that Alex's english teacher knows of a group who administer punishment at the school, but he doesn't step forward to help until it is basically too late to help that much. 

I really liked the character development in this book, especially with Alex, we witness the struggles of having an intimate relationship with Martin, due to her sexual assault. I like how Alex grows, changes and finds her real skin in this book. 
I still really love her relationship with Martin, and I was sad, when the idea/fantasy of Jones was mixed in. 
I am just glad she got herself sorted in the end. 

Overall this was a good book, I didn't enjoy it as much as the first, but that was really because of how the first book impacted me. 

I think that these two books, are great books to read, because it opens your mind to issues, and gets your mind working. 

After finishing this book, I gather a third is going to be written, which I am happy about. I am looking forward to the issues within the Mockingbirds to be fixed, as well as to see what happens within the school, with students and teachers alike. Also the third book should see the finish to Alex's high school life, I would love to see what happens and what decisions she makes as well as her friends too.

EDIT: Apparently this is only a duology, which saddens me, since I believe it would have made for an excellent trilogy. 

Rating: ★★★