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katscribefever's review
4.0
This complex verse novel tells the story of Nic Chen, a wealthy but emotionally bankrupt high school student who is trying to survive her senior year by writing college admissions essays for her classmates' Ivy League applications. In working to revamp their perceptions of her as the girl who cheated on her boyfriend, she begins to realize how thoroughly alone and abandoned she feels--perhaps even by herself.
shemyshines98's review
4.0
I really liked this book, was very curious how it was going to go about and I'm glad I took a chance on it. One thing I loathe about this book was how she kept going on and on about Ben, the ex she cheated on with his best friend. But, I do love how the book addressed double standards pertaining to how she got shamed for cheating, and how Jordan didn't receive the same treatment for sleeping with his best friend's girlfriend. It's not fair and it's stupid as hell when that happens. Both parties need to be held accountable, not just one. I also love that when she writes these papers for her classmates she does their characters justice. Also, it shows that anyone can be someone totally different outside school property. What you see in the halls is a small dimension of who and what a person truly is and I love how Nic captured that in just 500 words or less. Great book! <3
kbeers98's review
4.0
I enjoyed the way the book was formatted and the verses made it very easy to read.
I gotta level with you, i’m not sure why the ex boyfriend had to die or why no one actually used the college essay letters.
I love skiing so I don’t want to think about his death for too long otherwise I’ll get anxious
I gotta level with you, i’m not sure why the ex boyfriend had to die or why no one actually used the college essay letters.
I love skiing so I don’t want to think about his death for too long otherwise I’ll get anxious
eliza_jeanxo's review
3.0
I’ve had this book on my shelf forever without knowing it was poetry. It was a quick and easy read but a little YA for me. About high school seniors, struggling. Kind of sweet. I like that there was minimal information bc of the poems but you learn so much about the characters.
debi_g's review
3.0
Myriad concepts
unevenly distributed
Questions with
unsatisfactory answers
Gems among the rubble
make it worth
the time to read
Much potential,
but be prepared
to want more
than what's
delivered
unevenly distributed
Questions with
unsatisfactory answers
Gems among the rubble
make it worth
the time to read
Much potential,
but be prepared
to want more
than what's
delivered
raeanne's review
5.0
I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Alrighty book dragons, do I have a treat for you today! 500 Words or Less by Juleah Del Rosario is a novel told in verse that tackles the aftermath of a love triangle, and finding oneself told by a distant and unlikable protagonist who is a hell of a writer. Intrigued??? Check out the details, my 5 star review and your chance to win a signed copy below!
CW: Cheating, Alcoholism, Neglectful Parents, Accidental Death
500 Words or Less is....
Nic is not an immediately likable character. One of the first things we learn about her is that she cheated on her popular boyfriend the previous year. She was the don't get along with other girls type. Now she gets along with no one.
She's ostracized at school and your first gut reaction might be "it's for good reason". That societal training, those gut reactions, and jumped to assumptions is what 500 Words or Less works on undermining and disassembling.
I think it's told in verse to boil it down to the essentials and make reading between the lines part of the experience. I did love the inclusions of the essay's Nic wrote though.
Yes, poor rich kids BUT it deals with ivy league racism, sexism, double standards, mean girls, and parental negligence. I think being in verse helps avoid wallowing in this as well as the tropetastic death. Nic and her cohorts problems are common and so are their coping mechanisms. It's very relatable and in the end hopeful.
The ending is something else. Like you can literally SEE the path they're most likely to go down and they swerve on that shit. It's beautiful.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
And if you haven't already, sign up to be a tour host for Rich in Variety tours!
This review was originally posted on The Layaway Dragon
Alrighty book dragons, do I have a treat for you today! 500 Words or Less by Juleah Del Rosario is a novel told in verse that tackles the aftermath of a love triangle, and finding oneself told by a distant and unlikable protagonist who is a hell of a writer. Intrigued??? Check out the details, my 5 star review and your chance to win a signed copy below!
About 500 Words or Less:
About the Author:
IMHO: 500 Words or Less:
CW: Cheating, Alcoholism, Neglectful Parents, Accidental Death
500 Words or Less is....
amazing!!
- >>In verse.
- >>Includes the student's essays
- >>Yes the title using "or less" instead of fewer is incorporated. Very smart assy. +1
- >>Broken kids all in different ways, all shades of grey
- >>Even Golden Boy is tarnished
- >>Destroyed love triangle
- >>Parents are people too.
- >>Slowly reveals Nic's problems and history
- >>Flew by, couldn't stop reading it.
- >>Unexpected
- >>Ending is positive and hopeful.
Nic is not an immediately likable character. One of the first things we learn about her is that she cheated on her popular boyfriend the previous year. She was the don't get along with other girls type. Now she gets along with no one.
She's ostracized at school and your first gut reaction might be "it's for good reason". That societal training, those gut reactions, and jumped to assumptions is what 500 Words or Less works on undermining and disassembling.
I think it's told in verse to boil it down to the essentials and make reading between the lines part of the experience. I did love the inclusions of the essay's Nic wrote though.
Yes, poor rich kids BUT it deals with ivy league racism, sexism, double standards, mean girls, and parental negligence. I think being in verse helps avoid wallowing in this as well as the tropetastic death. Nic and her cohorts problems are common and so are their coping mechanisms. It's very relatable and in the end hopeful.
The ending is something else. Like you can literally SEE the path they're most likely to go down and they swerve on that shit. It's beautiful.
Giveaway:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Review Tour Schedule:
And if you haven't already, sign up to be a tour host for Rich in Variety tours!
This review was originally posted on The Layaway Dragon
kiperoo's review
5.0
I loved the concept of this book from the get-go, and the verse was just the perfect format for this unconventional, emotional story. The messy and complicated characters felt so true to life and I loved seeing the essays sprinkled throughout. Such a great read for seniors in the midst of tough decisions!
juliterario's review
4.0
Me enteré de la existencia de 500 Words or Less cuando buscaba recomendaciones de novelas que hablan sobre adolescentes en una transición entre la secundaria y la universidad, y me encontré con una entrada llamada "recomendaciones de novelas para aquellxs estresadxs sobre la universiad". Y... si. Acá estoy xD. ¡SIN DUDA DISFRUTÉ DE ESTA NOVELA!
“Or maybe I just wanted to be wanted, to be heard, to be seen by someone. Anyone.”
500 Words or Less de Juleah del Rosario es la historia de una chica que ha sido marcada como aquella que engañó a su novio y se siente perdida en los pasillos de un colegio que antes lo era todo para ella, por lo que no le queda más remedio que concentrarse en sus estudios en una sociedad en la que el éxito yace supuestamente en ir a una gran universidad. Y entonces esta chica que busca ser aceptada nuevamente comienza a escribir los ensayos para la universidad de sus compañeros, pero sus palabras terminan teniendo un efecto en ella de lo más inesperado. Esta es la historia de una chica que siempre lo ha tenido todo bien definido y que de repente comienza a ver cómo sus alrededores se caen a pedazos. No sé, creo que la descripción de Juleah del Rosario de varios aspectos de lo que es el último año del secundario es magnífica. AMÉ la diversidad de los personajes secundarios y el rol que la diversidad étnica de la protagonista juega en su personalidad. ¡QUÉ LIBRO TAN BELLO! Además, está escrito en verso y afsydgufhgij. Adoro las novelas escritas de esta manera, aunque al mismo tiempo debo decir que no entiendo al 100% por qué la autora decidió escribir así esta novela. ADORÉ CADA SEGUNDO DE ESTA GRANDIOSA PROTAGONISTA, tan humana y real y con fallas... No sé, 500 Words or Less es una lectura rápida, llevadera y que te deja pensando sobre la propia moralidad adolescente y el poder de las palabras. ¡Súper recomendado!
“When I write essays, I write about the emotionally raw moments, the lowest points, the authentic experiences that change and shape us."