While I was reading this, I enjoyed it a lot, but ten days later, I had to reread the plot summary to remember what it was about. Ouch. I did enjoy the main character and his quest to be a famous producer. I hated the parrot (so annoying). This wasn’t as good as Good Girls but I’ll be sure to keep reading Laura Ruby’s books.
Grade: B
Book #78 of 2008
I got to see Barry Lyga speak at YA Boot Camp a few days before reading this. It was very enjoyable though I agree with his critics that it is a bit more didactic than I’d like (but more in a Little Brother by Cory Doctorow way and not in a morality tale way). I thought the main character was unique but a lot of his friends were underdrawn. Overall, this was about as good as Fanboy and Gothgirl but not as good as Boy Toy.
Grade: B+
Book #77 of 2008
I found this book to be less interesting than Wicked Lovely which I was surprised to enjoy. The characters overall in this story were flatter, particularly Irial and Leslie. It seems like the story was very similar to Wicked Lovely with minor changes. Just not unique enough unfortunately.
Grade: C+
Book #76 of 2008
I love, love, love, love, love this book.
I read Last Days of Summer two years ago, and was surprised to love that one. (I’m a baseball fan and everything but didn’t expect the depth of character from a novel written in notes and letters). This one even surpassed that. Some of the plotlines were fairly predictable, but the characters were so lovely I couldn’t wait to see them. I love books about smart, funny teens who actually care about the world and the people around them and aren’t just concerned with superficial things. Even the adults in this book are fun, and I love how they get involved in the schemes of the teens.
If your name isn’t Steve Kluger or Jaclyn Moriarty, please do not write epistolary novels. You cannot live up to this.
Grade: A+
Book #75 of 2008
I didn’t see anything super unique about this book, but I really admire just how flawed the author made the main character. He does wonderful things and horrible things and is completely believable. There was a lot of humor in this. I don’t love the cover but hope teens pick this one up.
Grade: B+
Book #74 of 2008
Unfortunately, I didn’t find this book as interesting as the first one. I think I’ll continue with the third book in the series, but overall this didn’t hold my interest. I liked some of the characters still, but found some of the mythology a bit lacking. I understand that people with magic tend to die young but the whole 15 year old compelled to have sex bit really bugged me.
Grade: B
Book #73 of 2008
This was reviewed in VOYA, but was published by an adult publisher and really reads like an adult novel rather than a YA novel in spite of the 14 year old protagonist. I’m not sure if it’s just the 70s setting that makes me feel that way or not. The story was unique and I really cared about Jamie and what happened to her that summer.
Grade: B+
Book #72 of 2008
