Goth Girl Rising - Barry Lyga

Goth Girl Rising
Barry Lyga Blog Twitter
Haughton Mifflin Harcourt
ISBN 9780547076645

Prior to reading this book I had only read short stories by Barry Lyga, yet this book exceeded all expectations. It is incredibly witty, full of surprises and unique tools. I picked up this book because the cover and title attracted my attention. I had read one of Barry's stories in Geektastic and since then I wanted to pursue some more of his writings. I was expecting a story of revenge, anger and destruction. What I got was a story about life, love, loss and change.

Kyra Sellers has just spent six months in the Maryland Mental Health Unit. While she was gone, life seems to have gone on for her friends. But now she is back, back in black, back at school and plotting how to get revenge. Fanboy is going down and so is anybody who gets in her way. If hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, then Goth Girl takes that that fury and amps it up.

The writing in this story is incredible. One of my favorite features is Kyra's letters to Neil Gaiman. Interspersed throughout the book are letters from Kyra, written, but without the intention of being sent. This is the story of Kyra's goal of revenge and her self-discovery along the way, so that revenge was amazing to watch. This book was so well written that I have picked up all of Barry's other books and plan on reading them soon.

Books by Barry Lyga:
I Hunt Killers (2012)
Archvillain #1 (2010)
Wolverine: Worst Day Ever (2009)
Goth Girl Rising (2009)
Hero Type (2008)
Boy Toy (2007)
The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl (2006)
Graphic Novels in Your Media Center: A definitive Guide (with Alison A.W. Lyga - 2004)

Geektastic (contributor - 2009)