Blog Tour Review: Death Prefers Blondes by Caleb Roehrig
Death Prefers Blondes by Caleb Roehrig released this week and I am thrilled to be a part of the blog tour! I am sharing my spoiler-free review of the book below so please check it out! Thank you to Caleb Roehrig, Feiwel & Friends, and Macmillian for providing an early review copy which in no way influences my thoughts.
Death Prefers Blondes
by Caleb Roehrigon January 29, 2019
Genres: Young Adult, Thriller
Bookshop, IndieBound
Goodreads
Teenage socialite Margo Manning leads a dangerous double life. By day, she dodges the paparazzi while soaking up California sunshine. By night, however, she dodges security cameras and armed guards, pulling off high-stakes cat burglaries with a team of flamboyant young men. In and out of disguise, she’s in all the headlines.
But then Margo’s personal life takes a sudden, dark turn, and a job to end all jobs lands her crew in deadly peril. Overnight, everything she’s ever counted on is put at risk. Backs against the wall, the resourceful thieves must draw on their special skills to survive. But can one rebel heiress and four kickboxing drag queens withstand the slings and arrows of truly outrageous fortune? Or will a mounting sea of troubles end them — for good?
About Caleb Roehrig
Caleb Roehrig is a writer and television producer originally from Ann Arbor, Michigan. Having also lived in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Helsinki, Finland, he has a chronic case of wanderlust, and can recommend the best sights to see on a shoestring budget in over thirty countries. A former actor, Roehrig has experience on both sides of the camera, with a résumé that includes appearances on film and TV—as well as seven years in the stranger-than-fiction salt mines of reality television. In the name of earning a paycheck, he has: hung around a frozen cornfield in his underwear, partied with an actual rock-star, chatted with a scandal-plagued politician, and been menaced by a disgruntled ostrich.
Book Trailer
Review
Death Prefer Blondes was a hell of a ride! Drag queens, art heists, found families, and of course some drama. The high stakes, and thrilling adventure is reason enough to read, but the exploration of themes of finding yourself within your community and being accepted for who you are and not just who your parents might have been really seal the deal.
Ok let’s be honest, I love books, you know what I love more? Books about queer characters with unabashedly queer situations. If you haven’t figured this out yet, but there are drag queens in this book! DRAG QUEENS. Yes, the group of rebellious older teens dress in drag when they go on their heists, but some also perform at a night club. Hell to the yes! The book has been comp’d as RuPaul’s Drag Race and Oceans 11. So much yes, and so much more.
Each person in the crew has their own backstory, some tragic, some are less than ideal, but they all have their reasons for becoming master theives. For Margo Manning, she may be considered “Mad Margo” by the media, but inside she’s a real life Robin Hood. Growing up rich, doesn’t mean she has it all. She doesn’t need the money she gets, like her cohorts, but she has been funding projects for the less fortunate. There is one thing Margo is, and that is fierce. She’s taking control of her life, even when it seems she’s out of control.
We also have Axel and Quino, two brothers who were born into hollywood wealth, but lost everything when their father stole from his clients. The brothers bring their own level of drama, but they are both so necessary. Leif is risking his life to stay in LA and to pay tuition to his regal dance school and to finally be somewhere away from his homophobic family and community. And last but not least, Davon, who is helping pay off his drag mother’s debts.
Each member of the crew has their specialities and their own reasons for being involved. I loved the fast paced, action packed heists.
Let’s also talk about the representation in this book. Every main character is queer, and most are men of color. Margo is our token rich white socialite, but she is bisexual and finds herself interested in another person of color. So much rep that just made everything matter so much more to me while reading. Plus, I read some of the queerest phrases in this book that I kept screen shotting for my friends while reading! Because not often do I see things like this phrase in any book, but I am here for it! I literally laughed so loud.
“And nobody says ‘floozy’ anymore. You’re in America. We say ‘thot’ now.”
Death Prefers Blondes – Caleb Roehrig
Death Prefers Blondes is full of thrilling adventure, sassy drama, high stakes, and all the wittiness you expect from Caleb’s books. I don’t care if you are straight or queer, read this book for a look into queer culture, importance of found families, and stay for the banter, romance and adventure!
Book Tour
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I am so excited for this!!!!!!