Synopsis:

Set in the early ’90s, My Riot is about a trio of teen girls team up to form a rock band and shake off society’s expectations of what it means to be a young woman coming of age in the modern world.

1991—Val, a teenager from a conservative family, has grown up dreaming of becoming a ballerina, but recently something has changed. She’s begun feeling pressure to conform to a specific idea of beauty, body type, and a personality that just doesn’t fit.

Val meets Kat, a smart, witty girl that doesn’t take any crap off anyone. Kat introduces Val to punk rock. Along with Rudie, another new friend, the three form an all-girl punk band they ironically name The Proper Ladies.

Soon Val and her friends find themselves caught up in a movement with other girls also starting bands—also finding their voice. Collectively, these “riot grrrls” discover that their songs ring out loud and powerful, and for Val, there’s no going back.

Personal Thoughts:

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I received an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review via Netgalley.

My Riot is a coming-of-age story where we follow the story of Val Simmons who has dreamed of becoming a ballerina her whole life, but found out that some things change while we grow up. Despite the riot and her parents telling her what she should do with her life, she was introduced to punk rock and have fallen in love with it so much that she even started her own band.

I absolutely loved ALL the characters in this story. My favorite was Val because I admire her for being so brave and for standing up for the things she wants. Her character was full of teenage angst and feminism, which I am totally into.

This book has already made it my favorites of 2020 and I am so excited for the release of this book. The cover, the art style, the plot — everything about this book is astoundingly beautiful. I am in tears.

Everyone should definitely read My Riot. I am 26 years old, yet finishing this book still made me realize that we should be who we are and fight for that no matter what. Its message has been clear: Don’t lose who you are, just because the world wants you to be someone else.