Drowning Instinct by Ilsa J. Bick
Release Date: February 1, 2012
Publisher: Carolrhoda Lab
Source: Netgalley
Rating: 
Buy It: Amazon | Book Depository
There are stories where the girl gets her prince, and they live happily ever after. (This is not one of those stories.)
Jenna Lord’s first sixteen years were not exactly a fairytale. Her father is a controlling psycho and her mother is a drunk. She used to count on her older brother—until he shipped off to Afghanistan. And then, of course, there was the time she almost died in a fire.
There are stories where the monster gets the girl, and we all shed tears for his innocent victim. (This is not one of those stories either.)
Mitch Anderson is many things: A dedicated teacher and coach. A caring husband. A man with a certain… magnetism.
And there are stories where it’s hard to be sure who’s a prince and who’s a monster, who is a victim and who should live happily ever after. (These are the most interesting stories of all.)
Drowning Instinct is a novel of pain, deception, desperation, and love against the odds—and the rules. – Goodreads
Review:
HOLY INSANITY! Much like with Ilsa J. Bick’s Ashes, Drowning Instinct is going to take some recovery time.
This roller coaster of a story starts with the main character, Jenna Lord. She is an unreliable narrator and the format in which Drowning Instinct is told, Jenna detailing the events into a digital recorder for a detective, only adds to the uncertainty of everything. There were several surprises and twists throughout the course of the novel that had me going, “AHHH!!” outloud.
Though there were plenty of difficult situations that allowed me to sympathize with Jenna, there were others when I definitely felt frustrated with her. I wanted good things for her, for her to fight her demons and win, but I also wanted to point her to the warning signs, to open her eyes to what was real. I liked her. I disliked her. So, all in all, I have to say that Ilsa J. Bick created a very real character in her.
It would have been so, so easy to depict the relationship between Jenna and Mr. Anderson with the type of moral message that says, “This is wrong!” I’m in no way condoning these student-teacher relationships in real life, but in this case Ilsa J. Bick blurred the lines between right and wrong; I understood why Jenna and Mr. Anderson were drawn together and why they found acceptance in each other. Ilsa J. Bick captured both the intensity and comfort between them while still carrying that feeling of dread throughout: things would not always be so perfect.
I still have so many questions about these characters and what happens next. And yet the lack of the closure is part of what makes this such a powerful read. Drowning Instinct is haunting and draining, but it is such a quality read.
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About Stephanie
Oooh, I’ve been wanting to read this, and I’m glad to hear that it met your expectations.
But, wait… is this a first in a series? Or does it just have a really inconclusive ending?
I am pretty sure it’s a standalone (yay!), but it left me reeling so I’m wondering, “What about…?” and “What next?!” It’s a solid ending overall though!
Whaaaaaaat? That summary sounds INTENSE!
I think I’ll like it. A little wary about your thoughts on the ending as I tend to either love or hate open endings. I am torn on this. But the rest of your review is so inspired that I’ll have to give this book a try!
Yes, you totally would love it, Mel! READ IT SOON SO WE CAN DISCUSS THINGS.
Wow, this sounds fantastic! I remember seeing the cover ages ago but I haven’t read a review of it until now and yours is great. Jenna sounds like a complex character and I definitely want to read this!
Definitely pick it up! It’s been a few days since I finished it and I am STILL thinking about it. Jenna is definitely a character that sticks with you.
This sounds really, really different, and maybe not necessarily in a bad way. From the synopsis alone, there is already so much that our characters have to deal with… and it does seem like such an interesting read.
I wasn’t sure if I wanted to read this one or not, but… I think I want to now.
I was absolutely enthralled by this book every page made me want more. her indecision angered me and also and me pitying her every fucking time. she was so strong but I knew she needed to be held. I connected with the character and I loved it and was moved by it.