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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
like the title, it really is a perfect read for the summer.
I was not expecting it to have more depth in the story than just the typical YA reads. It exceeded my expectations.
I was not expecting it to have more depth in the story than just the typical YA reads. It exceeded my expectations.
enjoyed this book...told in alternating points of view...liked that...deeper than the picture they portrayed
I actually found this physically painful to read. Overloaded with cliches and completely unrealistic.
I really, really enjoyed this book. It isn't something that we haven't seen before. In fact, as I read I kept getting songs from West Side Story and Grease stuck in my head. It is a typical boy-from-the-wrong-side-of-the-tracks-falls-in-love-with-girl-from-the-right-side-of-the-tracks love story. But, even if the story might seem familiar in some ways, in other ways it seemed original to me. The writing was spectacular. I especially loved the narration changing from from Brittany's to Alex's point of view every other chapter. Elkeles was able to do this without any awkward transitions or what sometimes can happen with variation of first person narrators -- making the male character sound like a female character trying to play the male part. I'm sure that sounds confusing as I write it, but the point is that Alex and Brittany are each able to narrate their point of view, and they keep their original voice. They don't begin to merge as a voice. I thought that the subject matter was intriguing because you had two characters from extremely different backgrounds who are suffering with many of the same issues -- mainly trying to act the part that the world has cast them in. This prevents their real personalities to thrive until they find each other. Alex was particularly interesting to me. He's a boy caught in a gang life whether he wants it or not. But, he's smart and caring and has dreams. Unfortunately, he believes that those dreams will have to be lived out by his younger brothers. He can't see the light at the end of the tunnel for him. I also loved the chem teacher, Mrs. Peterson. What a great example of a teacher. And how many other teachers have the same dreams when they begin teaching -- to influence the lives of their students to help them to rise above the circumstances of their lives to be all that they dream. She was wonderful! The romance of this story was well paced. I didn't feel like things were rushed. Obstacles didn't magically disappear for the two main characters. I was very grateful for the ending chapters when things seemed to be at their bleakest for both characters, that Elkeles didn't spend loads of chapters dwelling on their misery. It was explained, and I understood, but I didn't need to hear all the details. Instead, the book focused on the feelings of Alex and Brittany that remained strong through all that life threw at them. You could see the love the two had for each other -- not only see, but feel it. It was very well written. I also enjoyed seeing the different lives led by Brittany's upper class family and friends and Alex's lower class Hispanic family and gang. It was so interesting to see how similar some of the problems were even though they manifest themselves in very different ways. And the ending -- hurray for wonderful Alex and his actions there! Super beautiful and touching!
Best dual narrative i've read...made me fall in love this style of wrting
I enjoyed the first part of the book, I thought the base plot was unoriginal but it's a loved one for young teens. I felt the growing love and new love for both of the characters through one another POV's but I didn't feel the depth of love because of the writing I felt the devotion they had for each other was being told to us by a robot rather than passionate people madly in love. I just felt the actions didn't match up to the thoughts but I have just finished reading fifty shades trilogy so perhaps I am expecting more. The end part of the book was very disjointed and confusing but a satisfactory epilogue made up for it. It was short and told by a minor character but explained something's and left of with the possibility of a sequel. (SPOILER) I was very disappointed with all of the characters reactions to a significant death of a loves one who sacrificed his life. The only sign of gratitude is shown by the introduction of their son who has the deceased's name, and no one seems to mourn or pray for him just a I wish I told him how I felt. The actual death was downplayed too and if someone who you considered a brothers dies in front of you for you , you don't just go oh he's dead now and continue a conversation. I did enjoy the two worlds coming together thing though , I have found I really enjoy that theme. Sorry for any mistakes it words not making any sense, I am typing on my phone on holiday after travelling after not getting 24 hrs of sleep
What a fantastic love story. It is hard to write past the stereotypes in a story like this between a popular rich girl and a Hispanic guy from a gang, but I liked the realistic tension and the collision of the two worlds.
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
This was my first naughty book as a young adult! I'll always appreciate it.
http://elmundoentrelibros.blogspot.com.es/2012/04/quimica-perfecta-simone-elkeles.html
I almost gave up in the first couple chapters. It got better, but it still smacked of stereotypes and the writing was very simple, like reading a kids book. Nothing here really pulled me in, and I dont plan on reading the rest of the series.