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msjenne's review against another edition
3.0
OK, so what we have here is your typical semi-futuristic teen fantasy/SF/romance set in Australia.
Basically, most people have a fairy (invisible, not Tinkerbell-style) that helps them out with a particular thing. So you might have a always-finds-fabulous-clothes-for-cheap fairy, or a never-drop-anything fairy, or a parking fairy, like the main character whose name I've already forgotten.
She wants to get rid of the parking fairy because she is 14 and kind of dumb.
She also goes to a kind of crazy sports school where she plays cricket and basketball and there is a cute boy that she likes. But unfortunately there is this other girl whose fairy is an every-boy-likes-you fairy.
You can probably guess how it all turns out, but it was pretty cute.
Basically, most people have a fairy (invisible, not Tinkerbell-style) that helps them out with a particular thing. So you might have a always-finds-fabulous-clothes-for-cheap fairy, or a never-drop-anything fairy, or a parking fairy, like the main character whose name I've already forgotten.
She wants to get rid of the parking fairy because she is 14 and kind of dumb.
She also goes to a kind of crazy sports school where she plays cricket and basketball and there is a cute boy that she likes. But unfortunately there is this other girl whose fairy is an every-boy-likes-you fairy.
You can probably guess how it all turns out, but it was pretty cute.
nancyotoole's review against another edition
3.0
In Charlie's world, almost everyone has a fairy. Charlie's best friend has a shopping fairy, meaning that she can always find the best clothing when she shops. Charlie on the other hand has a parking fairy, meaning that she can always find the best parking spot. Unfortunately, Charlie doesn't drive, or like cars, so her fairy is pretty much useless to her. Not only that, but people are constantly taking advantage of her so they can find great parking spots. Charlie has a plan to get rid of her fairy, but who's to say that her new fairy will be any better?
I've been meaning to read Justine Larbalestier for a while now, so when I saw that the ebook version of How to Ditch Your Fairy was on sale for super-cheap, I knew it was time to give her a chance. If I could think of one word to describe this book, it would be lighthearted. How to Ditch Your Fairy is a breezy read that I flew through in just a couple of days. It's true that the the storyline is pretty predictable, and you'll be able to see pretty much everything coming. That doesn't change the fact that Larbalestier has created a really interesting world here. Given how YA books can have a tendency to feel a little cookie cutter, it's nice to see a book that doesn't quite fit into one genre. How to Ditch Your Fairy may flirt with sci-fi and fantasy, but it doesn't quite fit into either one. The city of New Avalon, with it's fairies and super-strict school system, is quite fascinating and feels very well developed for such a short, fast moving book.
Admittedly, the character of Charlie did get on my nerves at times. I could understand her frustration over her fairy, but ultimately felt that she was over reacting about the whole thing, at least until the Danders Anders situation became intense. On top of her quests to rid herself of her fairy there is a romantic subplot involving a new boy at school. I found this storyline didn't really grab me all that much. There wasn't really anything wrong with it. It just wasn't as interesting as everything else going on in the book.
Final Thoughts: How to Ditch Your Fairy is a lighthearted, fast read filled with interesting concepts and worldbuilding. Although it may have been a little predictable, and Charlie did occasionally get on my nerves, I found I enjoyed the book pretty consistently and would recommend it to people looking for a fast, fun young adult book.
I've been meaning to read Justine Larbalestier for a while now, so when I saw that the ebook version of How to Ditch Your Fairy was on sale for super-cheap, I knew it was time to give her a chance. If I could think of one word to describe this book, it would be lighthearted. How to Ditch Your Fairy is a breezy read that I flew through in just a couple of days. It's true that the the storyline is pretty predictable, and you'll be able to see pretty much everything coming. That doesn't change the fact that Larbalestier has created a really interesting world here. Given how YA books can have a tendency to feel a little cookie cutter, it's nice to see a book that doesn't quite fit into one genre. How to Ditch Your Fairy may flirt with sci-fi and fantasy, but it doesn't quite fit into either one. The city of New Avalon, with it's fairies and super-strict school system, is quite fascinating and feels very well developed for such a short, fast moving book.
Admittedly, the character of Charlie did get on my nerves at times. I could understand her frustration over her fairy, but ultimately felt that she was over reacting about the whole thing, at least until the Danders Anders situation became intense. On top of her quests to rid herself of her fairy there is a romantic subplot involving a new boy at school. I found this storyline didn't really grab me all that much. There wasn't really anything wrong with it. It just wasn't as interesting as everything else going on in the book.
Final Thoughts: How to Ditch Your Fairy is a lighthearted, fast read filled with interesting concepts and worldbuilding. Although it may have been a little predictable, and Charlie did occasionally get on my nerves, I found I enjoyed the book pretty consistently and would recommend it to people looking for a fast, fun young adult book.
stella_grigg's review against another edition
4.0
Very fun read. For at least the first quarter of the book I was slightly confused and unsure about what was happening. I think there could've been a better start to this story. Despite that, I loved the creative idea that was this book! Having your own fairy... I wish! I think I'd want a photogenic fairy, maybe good skin? Or perhaps good hair, charisma, bacon, getting out of trouble or maybe even sleep....
fsethompson's review against another edition
3.0
I'm surprised at how much I liked this book. Although it was a year or so ago I read it, I remember it was during exam time and I wanted some light reading. The book sounded cute, and it definitely delivered. I loved the worldbuilding, it was a very unique setting with fantastic little quirks that lent it a good deal of realism and likeability. The characterisation wasn't too bad either, not life changing or anything but they were often interesting and it wasn't too hard to get engaged in their motivations and personalities.
However, it was the story that let it down for me. The plot was forgettable and while it began well it really didn't live up to expectations. By the end of it I was pretty much only continuing to read because A) I can never get that far in a book and just stop and B) I wanted to learn more about the world of New Avalon.
I think there was a lot of wasted potential here. I definitely want to see more of New Avalon and there are definitely more interesting stories hiding in this setting than How to Ditch Your Fairy, but alas, this is the one we got.
However, it was the story that let it down for me. The plot was forgettable and while it began well it really didn't live up to expectations. By the end of it I was pretty much only continuing to read because A) I can never get that far in a book and just stop and B) I wanted to learn more about the world of New Avalon.
I think there was a lot of wasted potential here. I definitely want to see more of New Avalon and there are definitely more interesting stories hiding in this setting than How to Ditch Your Fairy, but alas, this is the one we got.
mishalsaeed's review against another edition
3.0
Eh, the starting was kinda boring but I gave the book a chance and continued reading...I always thought Fiorenze was misunderstood and boy was I right! Anyways, I love Charlie, her character and I love how her name is so long and how the teachers always call her Charlotte Adele Donna Stetto Steele or whatever her name is. Danders Anders really surprised me when she found out he was gambling which is why he needed money...I LOVE STEFFI! Honestly one of my favourites...this book really made me believe that everyone has there own personal fairy and the people who are too unfortunate to get one have no special talent since in a way, fairies are kinda of like your special talent or ability that no one but you and any other person with that fairy has which is why very rarely is only one person good at one specific thing (parking for example =D)
Anyways, it was pretty okay and I have realized that I probably have like a studying fairy or something since no matter how bad I am at that subject or no matter how little I study, I always get at least and A and I never fail!
Anyways, it was pretty okay and I have realized that I probably have like a studying fairy or something since no matter how bad I am at that subject or no matter how little I study, I always get at least and A and I never fail!
library_brandy's review against another edition
3.0
Light and fun, but oh dear does invented slang drive me bonkers.
aelovejoy's review against another edition
1.0
It was a mistake for a girl my age to read a book so completely ridiculous. To be perfectly truthful, this book should not have been placed in the Teen section of our library. I would recommend it to a girl of maybe around 10, but certainly not to a 16 year old with a fondness for classical literature and a love of well written fantasy. The idea was cute, otherwise I wouldn't have picked it up in the first place, but the writing style was just so hopelessly juvenile. I don't believe this is the author's fault; more my own for picking it up in the first place and that of the librarian who put it in the wrong place.
nebsullivan's review against another edition
3.0
Entertaining, "the-grass-is-always-greener" type of novel, however, I struggled through it. I never really grabbed me, never really got me interested. Perhaps because the marginal characters were so flat and underdeveloped. Her next book, Liar, is a much better improvement.
amylandranch's review against another edition
2.0
This book has an interesting plot, where humans have a helping fairy with them. The main character, Charlie, has a parking fairy where she is blessed to find a parking spot no matter what car she is in. Charlie hates this fairy because people use her for it. She ends up working with a girl named Fio to try and get rid of their fairies, because Fio has a fairy that makes every boy like her. It is written with a lot of slang, some of it Australian and some made up (I think) so it was a different read. I want to start saying 'doxy' and 'fairy dung' as cuss words. I didn't really love the story, but I was also intrigued enough to keep reading. There are a few books that come out of Australia (like the Murder of Bindy Mackenzie) that the students at my school like and I think this will be one of them.
kirstieellen's review against another edition
3.0
Absolutely loved this Bo when I was younger, loved the concept. Who wouldn't want a parking fairy?!