Every Exquisite Thing

By Author / Illustrator

Laura Steven

Genre

Suspense & Thrillers

Age range(s)

14+

Publisher

HarperCollins Publishers

ISBN

9780008627355

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

14-09-2023

Synopsis

A feminist YA horror-thriller-romance retelling of The Picture of Dorian Gray by the TikTok sensation and author of The Society for Soulless Girls...

Penny Paxton is the daughter of an icon. Her supermodel mother has legions of adoring fans around the world, and Penny is ready to begin her journey to international adoration, starting with joining the elite Dorian Drama School. When Penny's new mentor offers her an opportunity she cannot refuse, to have a portrait painted by a mysterious artist who can grant immortal beauty to all his subjects, Penny happily follows in the footsteps of Dorian's most glittering alumni, knowing that stardom is sure to soon be hers.

But when her trusted mentor is found murdered, Penny realises she's made a terrible mistake - a sinister someone is using the uncanny portraits to kill off the subjects one by one. As more perfectly beautiful students start to fall, Penny knows her time is running out . . .

A seductive and searing exploration of beauty, identity, and what the pursuit of perfection can truly cost.

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Reviews

The author Laura Steven paints the picture of an old drama school in America filled to the brim with students who have academic validation and who crave fame. The story is told from the perspective of Penny Paxton, daughter of a beloved Icon. The pressure she gets from her mother's fame gives her a never ending craving for fame and so she is always left hungry and tired.

The competition at this school is fierce; the few students who come out on top are given an option and this choice could give them a chance at a future they crave; or not. However, this turns out to be not as simple as Penny thought it would be.

I recommend this book for 14+ teenagers wanting a fast-paced read. But if you buy this book please don't read the blurb; it explains too much of the plot so you know half the book before you start to read it.