Scan barcode
iffer's review
3.0
This was definitely a romp, but surprisingly good. Don't get me wrong; don't expect high literature, but do expect an entertaining read with enough depth to make the read more realistic. This is definitely a romance novel/beach-read type of book, maybe like The Devil Wears Prada, but with a nerdy girl heroine. By nerdy girl heroine, I mean, a *real* nerdy girl/buddy girl who isn't really that great with people, whose two best friends are guys, plays D&D and takes refuge in comic book binging when she's had a rough day. In short, the girl has serious nerd cred.
I'm not sure how appealing this book would be to "normal" (meaning of "normal" as used in the book as well) since stereotypically, it doesn't seem like many people who habitually enjoy reading romance novels would chortle at the numerous references to X-files, ComicCon, immortal demons impervious to physical damage in a D&D game, etc.
However, Girl From Mars uses the nerdy/buddy girl successfully as the equivalent for the alienated, insecure girl of the romance genre, but she is refreshingly a bit more defined than the bland heroine who is usually intentionally left so to allow readers to insert themselves. Her love interest is, of course, perfect and angsty and likes her for her quirks, but the thing that I really think makes this novel different from others is that it is also about the main character's friendships, and the difficulties and misunderstandings many people have experienced when from all sides of the precarious significant other-friend balance.
P.S. Sometimes it does seem like the author highlights using comic books as escapism so that sometimes the main character seems too "fangirl." However, I do appreciate that the author makes some subtle parallels between Fil's passion-bordering-on-obsession with comic books, her parents' for literature and Dan's for films. It seems to make the suggestion that a passion is a passion and no matter what they're worthwhile and enriching.
I'm not sure how appealing this book would be to "normal" (meaning of "normal" as used in the book as well) since stereotypically, it doesn't seem like many people who habitually enjoy reading romance novels would chortle at the numerous references to X-files, ComicCon, immortal demons impervious to physical damage in a D&D game, etc.
However, Girl From Mars uses the nerdy/buddy girl successfully as the equivalent for the alienated, insecure girl of the romance genre, but she is refreshingly a bit more defined than the bland heroine who is usually intentionally left so to allow readers to insert themselves. Her love interest is, of course, perfect and angsty and likes her for her quirks, but the thing that I really think makes this novel different from others is that it is also about the main character's friendships, and the difficulties and misunderstandings many people have experienced when from all sides of the precarious significant other-friend balance.
P.S. Sometimes it does seem like the author highlights using comic books as escapism so that sometimes the main character seems too "fangirl." However, I do appreciate that the author makes some subtle parallels between Fil's passion-bordering-on-obsession with comic books, her parents' for literature and Dan's for films. It seems to make the suggestion that a passion is a passion and no matter what they're worthwhile and enriching.
aime's review
4.0
To be completely honest, I judged this book on it's cover and title. At that time I didn't check what kind of book it was and assumed it was a Si-Fi/Fantasy kind of book. When I found out it was a Chick-lit/Romance it went from top of my to read list to bottom.
Last week I pick it up for some light reading, and wanting to step out of my comfort zone of YA and Fantasy. I was pleasantly surprised. I fell in love with the main-character Fil and felt I could relate to her as a person. Also I really loved the "grow" her character went through.
Girl from Mars was exactly what I needed. An easy read-away, funny with the right dose of romance.
Last week I pick it up for some light reading, and wanting to step out of my comfort zone of YA and Fantasy. I was pleasantly surprised. I fell in love with the main-character Fil and felt I could relate to her as a person. Also I really loved the "grow" her character went through.
Girl from Mars was exactly what I needed. An easy read-away, funny with the right dose of romance.
uponthesea's review against another edition
4.0
Ja man weiß genau wie es enden wird, aber es macht Spaß, liest sich schnell und gut - einfach süß. Ich werde mir jetzt noch mehr aus der Reihe holen, für den Urlaub.
subtle_sarcasm's review against another edition
4.0
I wanted to give this book 5 stars. Actually, I kind of wanted to give it 50. I know it probably doesn't deserve that much, but I really really love it. A lot.
I pretty much hate 99% of all chick-lit I try. Because I hate 99% of all characters in chick-lit I try. I find them vapid and idiotic and mushy and calculated. But I still sometimes try to read them, because, on the very rare occasions where I find Chick-Lit that doesn't make me sick, I really enjoy it.
Girl from Mars is one of those rare cases. I know the basic story and developments and plotpoints are exactly the same as they are in all of these things, but there are also Dalek jokes and Comic Conventions and Pub Quizzes and guys who are dreamy because they look like Jean-Luc Picard. And there are characters that actually have a little depth to them, and backstories, and are likable and relatable and don't make you want to stab them with a spork.
And now I wish that Julie Cohen would start a sub-genre of romantic comedies that involve awesome geeky girls who are Comic book artists and their awesome equally geeky friends. Because I would love to read about them.
I pretty much hate 99% of all chick-lit I try. Because I hate 99% of all characters in chick-lit I try. I find them vapid and idiotic and mushy and calculated. But I still sometimes try to read them, because, on the very rare occasions where I find Chick-Lit that doesn't make me sick, I really enjoy it.
Girl from Mars is one of those rare cases. I know the basic story and developments and plotpoints are exactly the same as they are in all of these things, but there are also Dalek jokes and Comic Conventions and Pub Quizzes and guys who are dreamy because they look like Jean-Luc Picard. And there are characters that actually have a little depth to them, and backstories, and are likable and relatable and don't make you want to stab them with a spork.
And now I wish that Julie Cohen would start a sub-genre of romantic comedies that involve awesome geeky girls who are Comic book artists and their awesome equally geeky friends. Because I would love to read about them.
rhodered's review against another edition
5.0
Loved so much!!! Highlighted my brains out. It's NOT A ROMANCE though. It has a very strong romance woven into the plot and there's a HFN at the end. However, this is more of a turning-point-in-your-life fiction. Older coming of age. (Older being late 20s I think here.)
Anyone who is reading this for a feel good romance alone will not be happy. If you can be happy with a really, awfully good book that sits slightly outside the romance genre, this is the one.
ADORED.
Anyone who is reading this for a feel good romance alone will not be happy. If you can be happy with a really, awfully good book that sits slightly outside the romance genre, this is the one.
ADORED.
missmarketpaperback's review against another edition
3.0
I read this book think ing that it was a romance novel and it turned out to be more of a coming of age book, even though the heroine is in her thirties. I loved Phil and Dan and everything about the comic. I felt phil was a little too oblivious at times and the writing was pretty weak. How ever this book was a lot of fun. I recommend it
More...