The Furies by Katie Lowe

 

Violet's life changes forever when she is fifteen when her father and little sister are killed in a car accident.  Although her mother is still there, she has checked out of life and spends her days drinking and watching tv until she passes out.  Violet takes herself out of the public school she has been attending.  When the insurance settlement comes through, all of a sudden there is money.  Violet will now be going to the local private school which is considered a sign of prosperity and a doorway to upper class privilege.

Although bright, Violet doesn't fit in with the other girls, most of whom have known each other since birth.  So Violet is thrilled when Robin, a girl with flaming red hair, makes friendship overtures.  Soon Violet is in the clique that includes Robin, Alex and Grace.  The fact that they are all considered outside the pale doesn't seem to matter.

The girls are picked out by their art teacher for special classes and they come to believe in the ancient Greek myths with their monsters and penchant for revenge.  The girls feel that they know people who deserve a comeuppance and start to perform rituals to bring down revenge on them.  When a boy who they targeted in their rituals has a car accident, they are sure they have brought The Furies to life and that they hold others in the palm of their hands.  

Another girl had been in the clique but gone missing and is presumed dead.  The girls are determined to find out what happened to her and to avenge her death.  Can they be successful or will the evil they are playing with turn around and bite them?

This is a young adult debut novel.  I don't read much young adult and this novel hardened that resolve.  The tone of the book is one of teenage angst and can often seem whiny.  Why does no one get counseling for a girl who has lost most of her family?  Why can't teachers and parents notice that their teenage girls are coming home drunk or drugged, that they are rarely attending classes?  I couldn't suspend my disbelief long enough to enjoy the storyline but those interested in young adult novels may find this one to be right in their comfort zone.