ARC Review: The Lifeboat Clique by Katy Parks

Title: The Lifeboat Clique 
Author: Katy Parks 
Genre: Contemporary 
Source: Edelweiss 
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Publication Date: March 1st 2016

Summary: 

Some people might say that Denver had a death wish. Why else would she have dared to sneak into a Malibu beach party where she’d be surrounded by enemies, namely including her ex-BFF Abigail? Oh yeah. Croix. Denver never thought in a million years he’d ask her out, but who was she to question this miracle of fate? Well, that wasn’t the only surprise fate had in store. During the party a tsunami hit the coast of California, wiping out everything in its path. Denver and a handful of others escaped death by holding onto the roof of the house and were swept out to sea. Of course, one of her fellow castaways was none other than Abigail, who could barely stand the sight of her. Now that she’s floating in the ocean, stuck on a small boat with the most popular kids in school and waiting to be rescued, Denver wonders what might kill her first-dehydration, sunstroke, or the girl she used to think of as a sister? A hilariously dark and twisted story that sparkles with a remarkably fresh voice, The Lifeboat Clique is Kathy Park’s irreverent yet insightful novel about how to survive in the most unthinkable circumstances.

I was very hesitant about this book until I saw that it was pitched as "Mean Girls meets Life of Pi" though I wasn't a fan of Life of Pi and I am a big fan of Mean Girls. The Lifeboat Clique is witty, highly entertaining and a lesson about stereotypes that is a quick read you won't regret picking up. 

After a falling out with her best friend Abigail, Denver is an outcast. Though not content with this Denver keeps her head down and just goes through everyday just trying to get through high school. That is until Croix asks her to a party that Abigail is hosting. Hesitant because she isn't well liked, Denver goes because she longs for a chance of normalcy in her life. Little did she expect to be washed out to sea. The first step was surviving the tsunami that hit California was the roof, but her next step is now surviving on a boat with four of the most popular people in school, one being her ex-best friend. 

Denver is extremely witty and funny. There were several times that I laughed out loud at the things she said. In my high school we really have no social standings of who is popular, we all just intermingle together. (Of course there are people that think they are "popular" but they aren't) But in Denver's it is broken up by the popular kids, jocks, nerds, ect. The popular kids look down their noses on the kids who aren't popular. Once upon a time Abigail wasn't popular, but after her falling out with Denver she earned her seat that the popular table. I felt for Denver in loosing someone who was like a sister to her, it was devastating. 

The other two girls on the boat remind me of Karen from Mean Girls. They are the stereotypical sidekicks that really aren't that intelligent. The are materialistic and rude to Denver. At first I hated both girls, and I could understand Denver's hatred too. But as the story goes on you couldn't help but like these girls. They would say things that would have me shaking my head and snickering at the same time. But the main thing is that they learned a lesson on that boat. 

Though I loved the quirkiness of this book it does bring up some serious points. "A person is a person no matter how small." And it is a shame that it took something as devastating as the death of most of their friends for the popular girls to realize that they are't much different from everyone else. Its a simple word that makes them different. I liked how Denver and Abigail in the end try to make a point that none of the stereotypes matter. Even though they didn't get through to many people, they learned a lesson just like everyone else in what is now called The Lifeboat Clique. 

Overall I really enjoyed The Lifeboat Clique. It was both entertaining  and serious, but taught a valuable lesson. I am looking forward to Parks next works. This book is highly recommended for the fans of Mean Girls and Life of Pi alike, but also someone who is looking for a quick fun read.