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lfagundes's review against another edition
4.0
reminded me of todd soldonz's "welcome to the dollhouse" movie, with its desperation, loneliness, awkwardness, and self-absorbed characters.
the 3 main characters struggle with the roles fate and destiny play in their lives; they can't decide whether to actively pursue courses of action or just let things happen to them. i like jon brandon's truthful and sometimes brutal depiction of adolescents. i remember feeling confused, lonely and angry at that age as well.
someone said this book is about the 'emptiness of rebellion,' and i think that rings true.
it's very sad overall, especially for the females in the story. by the end of the book the 2 main male characters (toby and mr. hibma) seem to find some redemption and purpose with each other, while Shelby and her sister are no doubt deeply scarred by the actions of Toby.
the 3 main characters struggle with the roles fate and destiny play in their lives; they can't decide whether to actively pursue courses of action or just let things happen to them. i like jon brandon's truthful and sometimes brutal depiction of adolescents. i remember feeling confused, lonely and angry at that age as well.
someone said this book is about the 'emptiness of rebellion,' and i think that rings true.
it's very sad overall, especially for the females in the story. by the end of the book the 2 main male characters (toby and mr. hibma) seem to find some redemption and purpose with each other, while Shelby and her sister are no doubt deeply scarred by the actions of Toby.
thevonp's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
mieldog's review against another edition
4.0
I started out thinking I wasn't going to like this book at all; I thought it was going to be too dark and not enjoyable. It somehow manages to be dark, but there's always a bit of hope peaking out somewhere. My star rating of it has gone from 3 to 4 after finishing it, whatever that means.
libraryowl's review against another edition
1.0
I rarely give a book a one star rating because I rarely finish those books. This I was forced to finish in order to turn in an assignment on time. I found this book deeply disturbing. A lot like walking into Columbine in the head of the gunman. It just felt like a train wreck and the resolution was very unsatisfying.
Toby and Shelby are two teens whose lives seem to be revolving around a disaster course. Toby is a hardened delinquent who plans and commits a horrifying crime. Shelby is a teenage girl who falls for Toby and is affected by this crime. This story also revolves around characters such as Mr. Hibma, an angry geography teacher who is trying to find his own place in the world, whether good or bad.
Citrus County is a nominee for the 2011 Alex Award. It is a suspense story, which focuses on providing points of view from different characters. This is a book best handled by the oldest young adult readers.
Toby and Shelby are two teens whose lives seem to be revolving around a disaster course. Toby is a hardened delinquent who plans and commits a horrifying crime. Shelby is a teenage girl who falls for Toby and is affected by this crime. This story also revolves around characters such as Mr. Hibma, an angry geography teacher who is trying to find his own place in the world, whether good or bad.
Citrus County is a nominee for the 2011 Alex Award. It is a suspense story, which focuses on providing points of view from different characters. This is a book best handled by the oldest young adult readers.
frommars's review
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide
Minor: Child abuse and Child death
tanyadillyn's review against another edition
4.0
I'm hearing about John Brandon from all sides, so I took a stab at the woeful cast of characters in Citrus County. The writing really is outstanding, so much so that I read the entire book with a knot in my stomach. Some of my favorite stories involve exploring the lows of the human experience, the bleakness & desperation of the people who've lost (or never had) a conscience. This book finds these people and spends time in each of their brains, constantly threatening what they're capable of and making me simultaneously dread and relish reading on. Entirely unsettling in (I think) exactly the way the author wanted it to be. Read it if you like that sort of thing.
speakerdamage's review against another edition
4.0
Really great use of dialogue. I usually don't go for dialogue (or even character) driven fiction but this was a pleasant surprise. Found myself liking Toby despite the fucked up situation he created.
ghost_name's review against another edition
2.0
Quick read. Interesting author. Might check out another one of his books in the future.
mccordian's review against another edition
5.0
The load bearing frame of this little coming-of-age powerhouse is composed of such comforting and well worn-in tropes (The Kids who don’t think twice before eloquently letting loose what I was just stinkin’ thinkin’ at that age; The “Cool” Young Teacher who’s really just as lost as the students; The Podunk County that has the hallmarks of a prison ship lost at sea), which is why, when the story takes a sudden series of macabre dives, it still left me wanting, especially expecting, everything to work out for all involved in the end. And, in it’s own way...