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tyrean's review against another edition
1.0
I wanted to like this book, and I almost gave it two stars. We got it from the library (thankfully), and although I was excited to see a YA fantasy book with a male protagonist, it just went too far into the male fantasy zone for my tastes.
In addition to the 7th grade boys' locker room humor that seemed a bit forced, the whole point of this fantasy book seems to be that role-playing games are very uncool - oh, and that they are all played by geeky boys with no life skills.
Um, sorry. I had plenty of gamer friends in high school (both guys and girls), and they came from all kinds of backgrounds and had all kinds of skills from outdoor survival, to horseback riding, to wrestling, to dating, everything. I played a few games myself, and although yes, I was/am a nerdy girl, I did go to all the high school dances as well, and participated in sports, clubs, and after school plays.
Gamers aren't as geeky as Vizzini portrays them in NORMALS. He just adds to the old stereotype.
In addition to the 7th grade boys' locker room humor that seemed a bit forced, the whole point of this fantasy book seems to be that role-playing games are very uncool - oh, and that they are all played by geeky boys with no life skills.
Um, sorry. I had plenty of gamer friends in high school (both guys and girls), and they came from all kinds of backgrounds and had all kinds of skills from outdoor survival, to horseback riding, to wrestling, to dating, everything. I played a few games myself, and although yes, I was/am a nerdy girl, I did go to all the high school dances as well, and participated in sports, clubs, and after school plays.
Gamers aren't as geeky as Vizzini portrays them in NORMALS. He just adds to the old stereotype.
heatherbennett's review against another edition
2.0
When I originally finished this book, I gave it three stars and decided to come back and write a more in depth review later. After I had time to think about it, I'm giving it two stars. It was an ok book. There were things I liked it about it (some of the dialogue was amusing, and I liked the premise) but there were things I didn't like. The main characters were not relatable, the plot seemed rushed and not well explained, and there was more of a focus on the state of the main characters genitals then I like in my YA books. I finished it, I didn't dislike it, but have no desire to read the sequel I am sure will follow.
colbyc's review against another edition
1.0
Sadly, this is the first book that Ned Vizzini has written that isn't worth your time.
libraryanned's review against another edition
3.0
Meh. This was just okay. I didn't really like any of the characters that much and it just didn't ever become a story I cared about. I just wanted it to end.
claudiaswisher's review against another edition
4.0
I love authors who don't rewrite the same book over and over...authors who take chances and risks. Vizzini is at the top of my list of authors who will try something new. While his characters are often similar...slightly out-of-place, geeky boys who overthink things and make embarrassing social faux-pas, the situations Vizzini puts his characters in are completely original.
Poor Perry. He and his brother actually seem to have better relationships with their divorced-parents' lawyers/significant others. Perry loved to play Creatures & Caverns, a poorly-disguised Dungeons and Dragons game. But Perry plays alone because he has very few friends. His mother calls him a "Late Bloomer," but Perry worries he won't bloom at all.
Parents and lawyers send him to a camp, to force social interactions and force him to interact with others. The kids at the camp are rough, scary street-smart kids who don't take kindly to gently Perry. But, right there on the grounds of Camp Washiska Lake, is the portal to the land of Creatures & Caverns, and a group of creatures called 'the Other Normals.' Each person Perry knows is a 'correspondent' to someone in his real world.
In the land of Other Normals, Perry is strong and resourceful. He takes risks and he goes on quests. Every time he returns the Camp, he discovers some details in his life have changed...He falls in love, learns to understand his brother's (and his) addictions. He learns to talk to girls, he fights monsters. He learns so much about himself.
I laughed out loud, snickered and snorted. I cheered for every good deed Perry did, and cringed in horror every time he did something Perry-geeky. I fell in love with this wallflower who learns to expect miracles of himself.
Strange book, but a great one.
Poor Perry. He and his brother actually seem to have better relationships with their divorced-parents' lawyers/significant others. Perry loved to play Creatures & Caverns, a poorly-disguised Dungeons and Dragons game. But Perry plays alone because he has very few friends. His mother calls him a "Late Bloomer," but Perry worries he won't bloom at all.
Parents and lawyers send him to a camp, to force social interactions and force him to interact with others. The kids at the camp are rough, scary street-smart kids who don't take kindly to gently Perry. But, right there on the grounds of Camp Washiska Lake, is the portal to the land of Creatures & Caverns, and a group of creatures called 'the Other Normals.' Each person Perry knows is a 'correspondent' to someone in his real world.
In the land of Other Normals, Perry is strong and resourceful. He takes risks and he goes on quests. Every time he returns the Camp, he discovers some details in his life have changed...He falls in love, learns to understand his brother's (and his) addictions. He learns to talk to girls, he fights monsters. He learns so much about himself.
I laughed out loud, snickered and snorted. I cheered for every good deed Perry did, and cringed in horror every time he did something Perry-geeky. I fell in love with this wallflower who learns to expect miracles of himself.
Strange book, but a great one.
violetam's review against another edition
1.0
It was definitely out of my "comfort zone." I thought that I would like it, but I was proven wrong.
writetoexpress's review against another edition
1.0
When I read the blurb, I thought 'Oh, sounds interesting'. But when I started reading, it's not what I thought it would be.