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libreroaming's review against another edition
4.0
Oyster Point seniors get to take part of what may be the best dumb teenage antic excuse in history: a scavenger hunt. Mary and her friends, Patrick, Winter, and Dez, are planning to make this their last hurrah after four years of being slighted and made second-tier to bully Jack Barbone and his popular crowd. But as the night goes on and friendships are tested Mary may need to discover more than just some esoteric items if she's going to make this the best night of her (pathetic) life.
Narrative-wise, the book starts off a little clunky. The first twenty pages are chock to the brim full of exposition, the who's who, the history of the friends, the random asides or observations, and a solid foundation of just why Mary desperately wants to beat Barbone in this thing. While the tone is authentic in its scattered and rushed teenager way, it comes off more like someone saying "so this person--who looks like this and you know them from this--is doing that, I'm going to fill you in on the details" and not as a seamless immersion into the story. But for people who are turned off by that, it immediately starts to mellow out once the scavenger hunt gets on the way and, like I said, it really tells you what kind of a person Mary is.
For the record, Mary is not the easiest protagonist to like. Actually, three out of the four kids I had issues warming up to as the novel started. Mary is high strung and has, quite possibly, the most terrible romantic sense ever. Patrick has a few ugly moments of entitlement as he tries to break out of the friendzone that has been the foundation of his relationship with Mary. Winter is going through some issues that brings her into conflict with not only her teammates but other scavenger teams. But this is all made up for because Dez is awesome and his dad is awesome and basically he's the heart of the team. But they're interesting and you want to know more about Mary, even if you spend some time yelling at her to get a clue. Not a scavenger clue, a reality clue.
However, the best and most excitingly awesome part about this book is the scavenger hunt. It's a mixture of rare items, things they can build, find, write about, and some trivia quizzes, which may lead to clues for bigger point scores. This kind of adventure was something I wish I had for senior year, and Altebrando gives out a full list of the items because I think she knows that readers want to try it too. Obviously, some of the quests and the pressure of finding enough points to win the game leads to stress and issues that crop up amongst the group and their rival teams.
Some of the scenes might read a little too on the nose but, honestly, I didn't care. It kept me turning pages, even when the characters took time out to deal with non-scavenger related messes. I wanted to see if they would win. I wanted to see if Mary would reach a moment where she figured out what was more important than winning and, if so, what that would be.
"The Best Night of Your (Pathetic) Life" is not the best book I've ever read in my (pathetic) life, but it's fun, compelling, full of characters who grow on you even if you sometimes want to smack them. So, teenagers basically. The ending isn't a typical good guys win, the scavenger hunt parts really make me want to do things like build a dodecahedron made out of dixie cups or listen to Blue Oyster Cult, and I breezed through it in a day wishing there was more of it to read. If you're looking for a quirky end-of-school summer novel that really encapsulates the idea of doing something great and wild before you head off to a new stage in life, this book is amazing.
And one closing spoilerific observation.
Narrative-wise, the book starts off a little clunky. The first twenty pages are chock to the brim full of exposition, the who's who, the history of the friends, the random asides or observations, and a solid foundation of just why Mary desperately wants to beat Barbone in this thing. While the tone is authentic in its scattered and rushed teenager way, it comes off more like someone saying "so this person--who looks like this and you know them from this--is doing that, I'm going to fill you in on the details" and not as a seamless immersion into the story. But for people who are turned off by that, it immediately starts to mellow out once the scavenger hunt gets on the way and, like I said, it really tells you what kind of a person Mary is.
For the record, Mary is not the easiest protagonist to like. Actually, three out of the four kids I had issues warming up to as the novel started. Mary is high strung and has, quite possibly, the most terrible romantic sense ever. Patrick has a few ugly moments of entitlement as he tries to break out of the friendzone that has been the foundation of his relationship with Mary. Winter is going through some issues that brings her into conflict with not only her teammates but other scavenger teams. But this is all made up for because Dez is awesome and his dad is awesome and basically he's the heart of the team
Spoiler
which shows when he has to be sent to the hospital after one of Barbone's teammates sprains his wrist and the rest of his team does a small interpersonal implosion after he's goneHowever, the best and most excitingly awesome part about this book is the scavenger hunt. It's a mixture of rare items, things they can build, find, write about, and some trivia quizzes, which may lead to clues for bigger point scores. This kind of adventure was something I wish I had for senior year, and Altebrando gives out a full list of the items because I think she knows that readers want to try it too. Obviously, some of the quests and the pressure of finding enough points to win the game leads to stress and issues that crop up amongst the group and their rival teams.
Some of the scenes might read a little too on the nose
Spoiler
for example, the part where Mary details to a Burger King worker that they're more deserving of the scavenger item crown because they're geeks and were mocked or insulted by rival teams, so he would know what they feel like"The Best Night of Your (Pathetic) Life" is not the best book I've ever read in my (pathetic) life, but it's fun, compelling, full of characters who grow on you even if you sometimes want to smack them. So, teenagers basically. The ending isn't a typical good guys win, the scavenger hunt parts really make me want to do things like build a dodecahedron made out of dixie cups or listen to Blue Oyster Cult, and I breezed through it in a day wishing there was more of it to read. If you're looking for a quirky end-of-school summer novel that really encapsulates the idea of doing something great and wild before you head off to a new stage in life, this book is amazing.
And one closing spoilerific observation.
Spoiler
THANK YOU, A BOOK WHERE ROMANCE IS THERE AND THE GIRL ENDS UP WITH NOBODY AND IS PERFECTLY HAPPY FOR IT. Even though I would be totally okay if Altebrando wrote Mary and Lucas Wells developing a thing later in some other book. I love that Mary gives up on her long-time crush on Carson and Patrick backs off on his crush on her. I LOVE IT.kaitburesh's review against another edition
1.0
Okay, well. Picked this up randomly from the library because the title and cover caught my eye. That superficial attraction actually foreshadowed the superficiality of the entire book, so that doesn't bode well for this one.
Pros
-Quick Read
-Cute idea
-Potential for a real cast of characters
Cons
-HORRIBLE main caracter/narrator. Can't even call her a protagonist because she was just so ridiculously whinny and spoiled and obnoxious.
-The rest of the characters, though with potential to be great, were lacking any sort of depth at all. It was completely impossible to care about any of them because we didn't get to know any of them in any real way.
-Scavenger hunt is a great idea and has potential to be a fun, adventure type story, but this just left me saying "So what?"
It was clear the author was trying for some poignant coming-of-age, graduation, "my life will never be the same and I'm terrified, but I'm SO READY AND EMPOWERED AFTER THIS EPIC TIME WITH MY PALS" Except it's been done before and it's been done way better. My main issue would have to be with the character development in that there just wasn't any. If we got to know any of these characters, it may have been a more engaging read for me. Considering that it was just about 240 pages and I considered giving up only 100 in....I mean I never give up on books. It just annoyed me that the "twists" could be seen from miles away and the ending didn't really resolve anything. It read more like a rushed pitch for a teen summer movie that might air on Disney channel and attract the 12-14 year old set with idealistic dreams of high school/college transition. But for me, meh. Hard pass.
Pros
-Quick Read
-Cute idea
-Potential for a real cast of characters
Cons
-HORRIBLE main caracter/narrator. Can't even call her a protagonist because she was just so ridiculously whinny and spoiled and obnoxious.
-The rest of the characters, though with potential to be great, were lacking any sort of depth at all. It was completely impossible to care about any of them because we didn't get to know any of them in any real way.
-Scavenger hunt is a great idea and has potential to be a fun, adventure type story, but this just left me saying "So what?"
It was clear the author was trying for some poignant coming-of-age, graduation, "my life will never be the same and I'm terrified, but I'm SO READY AND EMPOWERED AFTER THIS EPIC TIME WITH MY PALS" Except it's been done before and it's been done way better. My main issue would have to be with the character development in that there just wasn't any. If we got to know any of these characters, it may have been a more engaging read for me. Considering that it was just about 240 pages and I considered giving up only 100 in....I mean I never give up on books. It just annoyed me that the "twists" could be seen from miles away and the ending didn't really resolve anything. It read more like a rushed pitch for a teen summer movie that might air on Disney channel and attract the 12-14 year old set with idealistic dreams of high school/college transition. But for me, meh. Hard pass.
nagam's review against another edition
4.0
[Review originally published on Rather Be Reading!]
Imagine putting Dawson, Joey, Pacey, and Jen, the four primary characters from Dawson’s Creek together in a car to complete a scavenger hunt. It’s almost graduation time and those ten hours in the car are when all chaos ensues because if the drama isn’t hashed out right then and there, what other chance will they have before everyone moves on to the next stage of their life?
Dawson’s got eyes only for Joey. (What’s new?)
Joey’s in love with someone else (let’s say Jack for right now).
Jen’s secretly also in love with Jack.
Pacey is harboring secrets of his own.
Dawson’s Creek is my blast from the past of choice because a) I’m currently re-watching it and b) that’s precisely how I pictured Patrick, Mary, Winter, and Des. They’re four highly intelligent students referred to as the Glee Club (though their school doesn’t even have one) who are entering the Unofficial Senior Scavenger Hunt. They want the opportunity to prove themselves to all the students (especially Barbone) who have berated them over the years. The stakes are high and the competition is fierce, but they’re committed. They want that one moment they can reflect upon when they’re older that says they left their mark.
The Best Night of Your (Pathetic) Life is told from Mary’s point of view. She’s full of tension because losing is not an option and if her parents found out she was galavanting around the town as a participant, she’d be screwed. Feelings for her longtime crush, Carson, intermix with her hopes of winning the hunt. She’s certain he’s going to break up with his girlfriend soon — especially since he’s bestowed so much attention upon her lately. (Yes, the girl lusted after a boy already tied down.)
If only there weren’t further complications.
Patrick wants to corner Mary during the scavenger hunt to express his feelings for her. He wants to move beyond being best friends. Mary also uncovers a secret that Winter has been keeping from her and she’s not sure how to continue on in the competition without exploding. Makes for an awkward ten-hour scavenger hunt, wouldn’t ya say?
Altebrando does a fantastic job at exploring the gamut of emotions we all go through when we graduate. Mary is caught in this awkward place of wanting to make something happen with Carson, but also not wanting to be tied down at all so she can make something of herself and travel the ends of the earth as an international ambassador. She wants to leave her town, but around every corner lies a different memory she’s afraid will escape her over time. She’s seeking closure, but is afraid of moving on. Everything in Mary’s life seems to be a paradox, a Catch-22.
With so many plot lines simultaneously weaving themselves into a big ball of confusion for Mary, Altebrando skillfully balances each issue. None of the plot lines outshines the others and the scavenger hunt still remains a fun, enjoyable journey to experience with these characters. Patrick’s LeSabre car and the items they cleverly pick up throughout the scavenger hunt, I think, are metaphorical for the places they will go, the things they will experience, and their friendship that will bond them together, despite college and moving on.
The Best Night of Your (Pathetic) Life will jerk you back to those moments in your life where you’ve felt the most out of control – when you weren’t certain what life held for you next. It’s a fun, fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat kind of read that I hope absolutely everyone will enjoy.
Imagine putting Dawson, Joey, Pacey, and Jen, the four primary characters from Dawson’s Creek together in a car to complete a scavenger hunt. It’s almost graduation time and those ten hours in the car are when all chaos ensues because if the drama isn’t hashed out right then and there, what other chance will they have before everyone moves on to the next stage of their life?
Dawson’s got eyes only for Joey. (What’s new?)
Joey’s in love with someone else (let’s say Jack for right now).
Jen’s secretly also in love with Jack.
Pacey is harboring secrets of his own.
Dawson’s Creek is my blast from the past of choice because a) I’m currently re-watching it and b) that’s precisely how I pictured Patrick, Mary, Winter, and Des. They’re four highly intelligent students referred to as the Glee Club (though their school doesn’t even have one) who are entering the Unofficial Senior Scavenger Hunt. They want the opportunity to prove themselves to all the students (especially Barbone) who have berated them over the years. The stakes are high and the competition is fierce, but they’re committed. They want that one moment they can reflect upon when they’re older that says they left their mark.
The Best Night of Your (Pathetic) Life is told from Mary’s point of view. She’s full of tension because losing is not an option and if her parents found out she was galavanting around the town as a participant, she’d be screwed. Feelings for her longtime crush, Carson, intermix with her hopes of winning the hunt. She’s certain he’s going to break up with his girlfriend soon — especially since he’s bestowed so much attention upon her lately. (Yes, the girl lusted after a boy already tied down.)
If only there weren’t further complications.
Patrick wants to corner Mary during the scavenger hunt to express his feelings for her. He wants to move beyond being best friends. Mary also uncovers a secret that Winter has been keeping from her and she’s not sure how to continue on in the competition without exploding. Makes for an awkward ten-hour scavenger hunt, wouldn’t ya say?
Altebrando does a fantastic job at exploring the gamut of emotions we all go through when we graduate. Mary is caught in this awkward place of wanting to make something happen with Carson, but also not wanting to be tied down at all so she can make something of herself and travel the ends of the earth as an international ambassador. She wants to leave her town, but around every corner lies a different memory she’s afraid will escape her over time. She’s seeking closure, but is afraid of moving on. Everything in Mary’s life seems to be a paradox, a Catch-22.
With so many plot lines simultaneously weaving themselves into a big ball of confusion for Mary, Altebrando skillfully balances each issue. None of the plot lines outshines the others and the scavenger hunt still remains a fun, enjoyable journey to experience with these characters. Patrick’s LeSabre car and the items they cleverly pick up throughout the scavenger hunt, I think, are metaphorical for the places they will go, the things they will experience, and their friendship that will bond them together, despite college and moving on.
The Best Night of Your (Pathetic) Life will jerk you back to those moments in your life where you’ve felt the most out of control – when you weren’t certain what life held for you next. It’s a fun, fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat kind of read that I hope absolutely everyone will enjoy.
mckinlay's review against another edition
3.0
pretty cool idea. i wish my high school had done something like this.
andrea26's review
4.0
3.5 stars... I really liked the premise, but I was annoyed with all the teenage drama. And on the audio there was a lot of the word 'said' and it was driving me NUTS
kaitrosereads's review
4.0
The Best Night Of Your (Pathetic) Life was not quite what I expected. From the cover, title, and summary I expected a light, fun read. It definitely was a fun read but not quite as light as I expected. I was pleasantly surprised to find a mix of light and fun, and serious and contemplative between these pages.
Mary was the best thing about this book and the worst thing. She was such an easy character to relate to because she was far from perfect. She was not confident about herself or her dreams, crushing on a guy who was unattainable, and part of a fun buy flawed group of friends. Not a day goes by where I don't doubt whether or not my dreams are realistic, I always wanted guys I couldn't have in high school, and my friends are idiots but I love them. I mean, who doesn't share those things with Mary? Sadly she did get on my nerves at times. She was kind of mean at times (even if she didn't mean to be) and a lot of the time she complained about the things she didn't have and wasn't thankful for the things she did. She does eventually see the error of her ways but there were times where I couldn't stand her.
Winter, Dez, Patrick, Carson, and Barbone were quite the mixed cast of characters. Winter could have been the most popular girl but she had no self-confidence. However that worked out great for Mary because even though Winter made mistakes she was a good friend. Dez really made the book awesome though. He was funny, kind, a little flamboyant, and totally honest. He helped show everyone both their flaws and their good qualities. Patrick was a little hard to like because he was a lot like Mary; set in his ways. He couldn't see what he was doing wrong. Carson was a player but he was a surprisingly nice guy. Barbone seemed like a total jerk for most of the book but there was definitely more to him. I would have liked to know more about him. Really though The Best Night Of Your (Pathetic) Life had a great, varied cast of characters.
Now like I said earlier, this book was a little heavier than I expected (in a good way.) The book touches on lost chances, possibly crazy dreams, and growing up. All the characters kind of realize that they missed out on a lot in high school because they were afraid to take chances. The scavenger was their first and last big event in high school and it showed them what they missed out on and how they should take advantage of every opportunity in life.
Now the actual scavenger hunt part was awesome. The lists of things to do and get were crazy! Also, the clues were super confusing but fun to try and work out with the characters. There were some crazy stunts pulled in this book and it was pretty much a non-stop laugh fest. Now I'm dying to participate in a scavenger hunt!
Overall, The Best Night Of Your (Pathetic) Life is another fabulous book from Tara Altebrando. It's the perfect mix of fun and serious. Readers will devour this one and it will definitely leave you thinking.
Mary was the best thing about this book and the worst thing. She was such an easy character to relate to because she was far from perfect. She was not confident about herself or her dreams, crushing on a guy who was unattainable, and part of a fun buy flawed group of friends. Not a day goes by where I don't doubt whether or not my dreams are realistic, I always wanted guys I couldn't have in high school, and my friends are idiots but I love them. I mean, who doesn't share those things with Mary? Sadly she did get on my nerves at times. She was kind of mean at times (even if she didn't mean to be) and a lot of the time she complained about the things she didn't have and wasn't thankful for the things she did. She does eventually see the error of her ways but there were times where I couldn't stand her.
Winter, Dez, Patrick, Carson, and Barbone were quite the mixed cast of characters. Winter could have been the most popular girl but she had no self-confidence. However that worked out great for Mary because even though Winter made mistakes she was a good friend. Dez really made the book awesome though. He was funny, kind, a little flamboyant, and totally honest. He helped show everyone both their flaws and their good qualities. Patrick was a little hard to like because he was a lot like Mary; set in his ways. He couldn't see what he was doing wrong. Carson was a player but he was a surprisingly nice guy. Barbone seemed like a total jerk for most of the book but there was definitely more to him. I would have liked to know more about him. Really though The Best Night Of Your (Pathetic) Life had a great, varied cast of characters.
Now like I said earlier, this book was a little heavier than I expected (in a good way.) The book touches on lost chances, possibly crazy dreams, and growing up. All the characters kind of realize that they missed out on a lot in high school because they were afraid to take chances. The scavenger was their first and last big event in high school and it showed them what they missed out on and how they should take advantage of every opportunity in life.
Now the actual scavenger hunt part was awesome. The lists of things to do and get were crazy! Also, the clues were super confusing but fun to try and work out with the characters. There were some crazy stunts pulled in this book and it was pretty much a non-stop laugh fest. Now I'm dying to participate in a scavenger hunt!
Overall, The Best Night Of Your (Pathetic) Life is another fabulous book from Tara Altebrando. It's the perfect mix of fun and serious. Readers will devour this one and it will definitely leave you thinking.
bookishnicole's review
4.0
This book was a super cute take on a senior tradition. I really loved that the tradition was a scavenger hunt that took place all through the night, and the entire time that I was reading it, I wished that my high school had a similar tradition where we would have one night to run around town and gather these things. It tested your knowledge of the area and the people in it.
As you expect with teenagers, there was bound to be hiccups and lots of drama long the way, from teams merging to lovers fighting, all of it was there in this book. I'm not sure that I totally liked Mary through this book, I really liked her enthusiasm, but it came to a point where it overshadowed her friends and what the challenge was really about.
In typical YA fashion there are a whole slew of topics covered including the bond with your BFF, bullying, and having a gay friend. I like that the book managed to touch on these things, and show how certain things were wrong or how things could be done differently. A lot of the challenges that they had were really fun especially the last one. All in all, this book is a fun quick read worth a shot.
As you expect with teenagers, there was bound to be hiccups and lots of drama long the way, from teams merging to lovers fighting, all of it was there in this book. I'm not sure that I totally liked Mary through this book, I really liked her enthusiasm, but it came to a point where it overshadowed her friends and what the challenge was really about.
In typical YA fashion there are a whole slew of topics covered including the bond with your BFF, bullying, and having a gay friend. I like that the book managed to touch on these things, and show how certain things were wrong or how things could be done differently. A lot of the challenges that they had were really fun especially the last one. All in all, this book is a fun quick read worth a shot.
nicoleisdistracted's review
4.0
This is probably more of like a 3/3.5 stars kinda book but I am about to graduate high school and parts of this had me really emotional.
There were some really nice thoughts on moving on (to various subjects) and remembering things that really matter.
This is not the height of literature but for me at this exact moment it worked perfectly and I am now in a book hangover.
((To be fair, there were some really annoying aspects to the story, like Mary’s obsession with Carson and the love situation overall was messy but you know... I didn’t really care 🤷🏼♀️))
There were some really nice thoughts on moving on (to various subjects) and remembering things that really matter.
This is not the height of literature but for me at this exact moment it worked perfectly and I am now in a book hangover.
((To be fair, there were some really annoying aspects to the story, like Mary’s obsession with Carson and the love situation overall was messy but you know... I didn’t really care 🤷🏼♀️))