Girl Under Glass

I was hooked from the cover and thought it worked with the description. I thought it worked well in the universe and though the characters and plants worked with everything that I wanted. I enjoyed the science element to this and thought the characters were realistic and well done. Ginny Rorby has a great writing style and am excited to read more from Ginny Rorby.

Thank you Netgalley and Black Rose Writing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

"Girl Under Glass" by Ginny Rorby delivers an engaging story that blends elements of science and suspense, all centered around a girl experiencing kindness and compassion when she has lived a life largely lacking in those experiences. At its core, it's a story of redemption and unlikely alliances, such as with a quirky botanist and a kind-hearted detective, set against the backdrop of groundbreaking research into plant communication. Plus, this book has a prominent, adorable cat throughout, which definitely made me enjoy the book even more. While the main character, Kelsey, is pretty young (only 13 years old) and the writing itself makes the book seem more MG than YA, the book also focuses on heavy themes, such as alcoholism and child neglect; there is also a scene involving drunk driving and the death of a minor, so be aware of these themes before reading, especially if the book is for a younger reader.

The protagonist, Kelsey, is a rebellious young girl on the brink of trouble. However, when she's given a chance to avoid juvenile hall through community service, she finds herself entangled in a high-stakes mystery involving a botanist and a brutal crime. Rorby is able to create a story that redeems Kelsey’s character as you are able to see her grow as a person due to the “seeds” that are planted from those around her – the “seeds” in this case being love and compassion (this book just demands plant-themed metaphors). Kelsey has lived a challenging life due to her mother’s alcoholism, and Kelsey herself is definitely a flawed character. There were some times when I actually disliked Kelsey due to certain things she said to the botanist. However, I found myself invested in Kelsey’s character as I wanted to see her learn from her mistakes and begin to appreciate those around her. After all, she is a good person (as determined by Gen, the cat, as well as the plants within the greenhouse).

Besides the strong character development within the book, what sets "Girl Under Glass" apart from other YA contemporary/mystery books is its incorporation of cutting-edge science surrounding plant communication. In the story, Rorby explores the intriguing concept of plants as witnesses to crime, adding an intriguing layer of complexity to the plot. I really enjoyed the science aspect of the book with the different experiments. I found the idea of a plant being hooked up to a lie detector test to be absolutely fascinating. The science parts in the book were informative without being too information-dumping and dense for the reader to enjoy; the science was also broken down for a younger reader to understand (the layout of this information would probably be more suitable for MG readers or younger YA readers).

Readers will find themselves drawn into Rorby's richly imagined world, where characters and plants alike come to life with authenticity and depth. It’s rare for a book to actually make me invested in plants, but Rorby was actually able to give a plant, Phil, a personality. The writing style is engaging and accessible; I think this book would work well with reluctant readers who are interested in science.

Overall, "Girl Under Glass" is a compelling read that balances science, suspense, and heartfelt storytelling with finesse. The mystery itself wasn’t too much of a focus in the book, and while the plot was a bit predictable at times, I really enjoyed the characters of Kelsey, the botanist, and Phil the plant (and I definitely can’t forget about Gen the cat).

For the first few chapters of this book I really didn't like the main character, Kelsey. As the story progressed and you got to know her better and what her back story was so you realize what makes her the way she is, you begin to warm up to her. And as she becomes more open to the influence of Hobby, she is even more likeable. Definitely an interesting story.

Girl Under Glass by Ginny Rorby
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Out 30.05.24
YA Fiction

Oh boy! This story pulled at my heart strings all the way through. I found myself choking back the tears at the end. What an absolute gem of a book. This is a YA story that is written incredibly well, It didn't feel like I was reading a book meant for a young teen. I was fully immersed in Kelsey's life, from start to finish. Her character development throughout the book is admirable. Fighting between living in poverty and having the responsibility of caring for her alcoholic mother, constantly making wrong choices, and wanting to be a better person so she didn't follow the same route her mother took. It was such a mixture of so many emotions, and I felt every one of them through Rorby's narrative.

I love to grow plants and nurture them, so this side of the story was fascinating. Talking about the science of plants sensing their surroundings and adapting to dangers around them was explained in such an easy way to follow. It's not heavy with the science parts or overly complicated.

This story is an emotional roller coaster of a ride. It does tackle some heavy subject matters for a younger reader, but they are tackled in a way that's understanding. Kelsey will forever hold a place in my heart. I'm so glad I read this book. It is unique storytelling done exceptionally well.

Synopsis
Kelsey, a young teen, living a life of self-destruction, finds herself in deep water when she uses up her last chance. Taken pity upon, she gets given community service with Dr. Hobbes, a botanist. When he gets beaten, Kelsey tries to find a way to explain how Hobbes' plants bore witness to the attack.

Thank you, Netgalley, and Black Rose Writing