Monday, March 14, 2016

Review: Kill The Boy Band

Kill The Boy Band by Goldy Moldavsky
Publisher: Point
Release Date: February 23rd, 2016
Source: ALA Midwinter
Date Read: 2/22/16 to 2/24/16
320 pages
Rating: 


Okay, so just know from the start that it wasn't supposed to go like this. All we wanted was to get near The Ruperts, our favorite boy band.

We didn't mean to kidnap one of the guys. It kind of, sort of happened that way. But now he's tied up in our hotel room. And the worst part of all, it's Rupert P. All four members of The Ruperts might have the same first name, but they couldn't be more different. And Rupert P. is the biggest flop out of the whole group.

We didn't mean to hold hostage a member of The Ruperts, I swear. At least, I didn't. We are fans. Okay, superfans who spend all of our free time tweeting about the boys and updating our fan tumblrs. But so what, that's what you do when you love a group so much it hurts.

How did it get this far? Who knows. I mean midterms are coming up. I really do not have time to go to hell.


I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Quotes taken from ARC may or may not be in the published edition.


I was not expecting Kill The Boy Band to be one of my 2016 favorites. First of all, it's contemporary, but then again it's not romance so I guess it had that going for it. Second, it was completely unpredictable and weird, but in a good way. And third, it was about boy bands. I don't really care for boy bands, neither have I been fans of them.

The interesting thing about this book is that the main character's name is never mentioned. The entire story is told from her point of view, as she describes the events that transpired between Erin, Apple, and Isabel and The Ruperts. Or more specifically, one band member, Rupert P., who is "accidentally" taken as hostage. Really, what happens from there is hectic, and then it turns into a murder mystery. This book kind of reminds me of a satirical version of Dangerous Girls, in that you have NO IDEA who the culprit is.

And the main character, who gives out fake names to everyone who questions her, like Sloane (I'll be calling her Sloane from now on), is running around trying to reason with the girls about all of this, especially when things go from bad to worse. The dynamics between her and her best friend, Erin, changed throughout the novel as well.

I think I'm just going to come out and say that I did see a couple of problematic issues in it (which inspired my problematic issues discussion post!), but it didn't really affect my enjoyment. 

This review is just incredibly hard to write because I rather not spoil anything, it's really just better to go into Kill The Boy Band blind and read it for yourself. Overall, all I can say is that this was definitely an adventure, and I was not expecting it at all!

Comments (14)

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You need to go buy my favourite OzYA book—Kill the Music. It's a king of similar storyline, but without the problematic issues. Plus it's Aussie, which means it's incredible.
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2 replies · active 480 weeks ago
Oh that sounds so similar Ely! Thanks for the recommendation squishy :) :) Will I be able to check it out if I'm in the US???
You can buy it online. If not, I will totally go find a copy and mail it to you.
My recent post Stella Prize TBR
I seen this book and I was like no that's stupid. Kill The Boy Ban, really? But I had no idea it was gonna be like a murder mystery so I, of course have changed my mind. Nice review even though you couldn't say as much.
1 reply · active 480 weeks ago
Hahahh SAME HERE. BUt then someone told me it was fantastic, so of course I had to read it :)
Wow this review has definitely made me want to pick this book up. The cover is really simple and the book itself is pretty tiny so I didn't think it was worth picking up. I don't know what about the size of books that really intimidate me but a book under 400 pages scares me.Thanks for sharing.I've been waiting for someone to post a review about this book! You're the first :D

Alex @ The Book's Buzz
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1 reply · active 480 weeks ago
What? How can a book UNDER 400 scare you? Usually the books over 400 pages scare me! You're welcome! I'm glad my review was the first you've read!
This book is definitely on my radar and one I want to read!

I find it so cool that even while it's taking the extremes of fandom culture and satirizing it further, the story still clearly showcases why somebody would be interested in boybands and the feeling of comradery it can give. At least that's what 'I took from some of the quotes I've seen. The fact it descends further into a darker and twisted murder mystery with an unreliable narrator and the unraveling of relationships!? Alkflsdkflksdjflkdsj so unexpected and omfg it makes me want this book even more with the satirical Dangerous Girls comparison you gave. You really know how to sell me a book girl hahaha [;

I also did hear about some of the problematic elements myself. It's about the character Apple right?? Idk for me I also think it would be okay with me but i'll just have to see. I stand by what I said on your amazing discussion post.

Lovely review Val!! LOL I know this isn't a typical vacation read but this is a story I'm itching to read so it's coming with me to Vegas haha.
My recent post Review: The Dark Days Club by Alison Goodman
1 reply · active 480 weeks ago
Yes I do want you to read it so I can see what you think! Oh yes yes yes to it all. Like the book goes into detail about WHY you would be interested in a boy band, or how it affects your life, especially in the POV of the MC.

And yes it's about the character Apple, I think I posted what happens to her in my discussion. BUT READ IT. READ IT. DO ITTT :)
Very interesting! I like how mysterious this book is. The kind that will definitely keep a reader guessing.
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1 reply · active 480 weeks ago
Yes it is really mysterious and extremely unpredictable
I'm dying to read this! Yeah, I heard the actual MC is unnamed, so I was like: "Uh?" haha Sloane reminds me of the Sloane from Morgan Matson's Since You've Been Gone. (I CAN'T BREAAAAATHE FOR THE FIRST TIMEEEE.) Okay, sorry. I'm glad you liked it, and it definitely sounds like it'll keep people guessing!
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1 reply · active 480 weeks ago
Hahah I haven't read Since You've Been Gone yet, but I WILL. And it does keep a lot of people guessing. I wasn't expecting the ending at all!
Sounds interesting! It's too bad they couldn't have designed a better cover for it. I mean, I like simplistic, but it doesn't really work for me.
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