Goth Girl Rising by Barry Lyga

In this highly anticipated sequal to Lyga's The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl, we see things from Kyra's point of view.

Goth Girl, or Kyra, had a pretty rough time after Fanboy turned her in...well, that's what it felt like anyway. Just because she had that bullet doesn't mean she was going to use it. So she got shipped off to the psych ward because DCHH: "daddy couldn't handle her". After her mom died of cancer, her dad didn't seem to be able to handle much. So maybe she had gotten a little self-destructive, so had he!

So she's finally out of the loony bin, and back to reality...but this time she's got an agenda. She can't forgive Fanboy for leaving her alone the whole time, never calling, never emailing...how could he just forget about her like that?

Back in school, she takes a new approach. She gives up the "all-black" theme, and goes for all white...with a shaved head. That definetely gets some looks, but what takes the cake is the bright blue lipstick that adds that pop of color. When Fanboy sees her, he acts like nothing has changed between them. He compliments her, telling her how great she looks...where does he get the nerve for that?!

Her revenge must be slow. Methodical, and deliberate. She won't forgive him, no matter how sympathetic he's being...no matter that he's dedicated his season finale of Schemata to her...she can't forgive him. He didn't save her! She has to stay strong, forget all the ideas about kissing him, or...anything else.

Plus, she has enough problems to deal with at home. Roger is all over her, trying to get her to "be normal" as if that's even possible. She can handle all of it. Right? People don't change, so why should she even give them a chance. Except maybe Fanboy is different...

"Here's the thing. Here's the thing I hate: His concern is like a really warm drink when your body is cold, and you feel it go all the way down your throat and then into your stomach, where it pools and spreads out.

But the problem is that cold is good. Cold is numb. And when you're numb, you can't feel pain. You can't feel pain until some stupid warm drink makes you not numb anymore and then you can feel again.

I'm not weak. I'm not. And he can't change that," (Lyga pg. 189, 2009).

*Library Link*

If you liked this, check out:
The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl by Barry Lyga
How To Steal a Car by Pete Hautman
Cut by Patricia McCormick

Lyga, Barry. (2009). Goth Girl Rising. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin.