A Captivating Premise with Complex Challenges: My Thoughts on Pride or Die by R. S. Belcher
There’s something undeniably intriguing about a contemporary YA mystery set against the backdrop of high school life, especially one that explores the dynamics of an LGBTQ+ club. When I picked up Pride or Die by R. S. Belcher, I imagined a riveting journey alongside Eleanora Finkel and her friends, diving into issues of identity, friendship, and self-discovery. Unfortunately, what I found instead was a mixed bag of themes and character portrayals that left me feeling more drained than satisfied.
Eleanora is a tenacious protagonist, having founded a pivotal LGBTQ+ club at school. However, when the head cheerleader, Kenley, is attacked right outside their meeting, the stakes escalate quickly. Suddenly, Eleanora and her friends are thrust into the center of a mystery that puts their club’s future—and possibly their safety—on the line. The concept is promising, but I found the execution troubling. While Eleanora claims there’s a homophobic murderer on the loose, the situation seems far from that dire, and the narrative struggles to establish the necessary tension and urgency.
The pacing felt uneven, as the book often swung between thrilling moments and tedious exposition. Eleanora’s frantic yet somewhat one-dimensional personality overshadowed the story’s promise. I found myself longing for deeper explorations of her friends, Noah and Tyler, as well as Kenley herself. The perspective felt narrow and self-absorbed, making it hard to connect fully with the broader ensemble cast. This limitation robbed the narrative of depth, as characters outside of Eleanora were often painted with broad strokes and stereotypes rather than nuanced portraits.
While I appreciated some moments of self-reflection from Eleanora toward the end, it felt like a case of too little, too late. I yearned for more emotional resonance and growth throughout the novel. Furthermore, there were numerous cringe-worthy moments that disrupted the flow and made it challenging to engage with the story. It was almost as if I was reading a script from an awkward high school drama rather than a compelling mystery.
On a brighter note, the audiobook narration by Ina Marie Smith was an absolute highlight. She breathed life into Eleanora, capturing her teenage angst and sincerity with remarkable skill. Listening to her definitely elevated my experience, making the sporadically interesting moments more engaging.
At the end of my reading journey, I reflected on how Pride or Die might resonate with others. If you’re someone who enjoys YA thrillers and is open to different portrayals of high school life, this might be worth exploring. Just keep in mind that the journey may not be as seamless as the premise suggests. The storytelling didn’t strike the right chord for me, but perhaps other readers will find joy and excitement in Eleanora’s saga. Thank you to Macmillan Audio for providing me with an advanced copy—I’m glad I gave this one a shot, even if it didn’t quite hit the mark for me.