Read This Book…

Prue Perry is a Ladybird Scout legacy, but what most of the world doesn’t realize is that the Ladybirds are more than just a philanthropic social group—they’re also guardians against interdimensional grubs that feed on human emotions. And when the grubs get big enough, they don’t just stop at emotions—they’ll eat humans. Prue is still reeling from the death of fellow scout and best friend Molly three years earlier, and she’s quit the Scouts altogether. But she’s lured back in when she’s given three new recruits to train to take her place, and by the promise of being able to rid herself of the Ladybird life for good. However, training new recruits stirs up old memories, and when another Scout is killed, Prue’s knowledge and skill are needed more than ever.

First off, I love, love, love this premise and I thought that Anderson did such a great job of coming up with a super convincing Ladybird Scout organization and culture that felt realistic. Her world building was excellent, and I enjoyed all of the little details, from an app to social initiatives to various handbooks that evolve over the years. Prue’s backstory keeps the novel from being as light as say Lumberjanes—part of the reason why she no longer wants to be a Scout is because she feels as though Ladybird HQ sees her and her fellow sisters as expendable in the fight against evil, and that can’t be easily solved. But the journey is balanced with lots of humor and levity, particularly in Prue’s recruits: her middle-school-aged cousin and her best friend (who also happens to be the little sister of Prue’s oblivious-to-grubs boyfriend) and her rebellious and maybe slightly dangerous misfit friend, Beast. This unlikely crew has to learn trust and friendship, especially as the stakes get bigger, and I loved watching that journey. Anderson also does a great job of balancing a large cast of characters, which ran the range from lovable to difficult to despicable. I am not at all cut out for hunting inter-dimensional grubs and stabbing them to death, but this book made the Ladybird Scouts seem so cool I sort of wish I could join!