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kitkatpanicattack's review against another edition
dark
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
between the outdated details and the heavy-handed writing, I was ready to do drugs just out of spite.
tulscip's review against another edition
2.0
I understand the message that was being conveyed, but I didn't like the way it was conveyed. I just wanted to get to the end for come closure.
epeolatrist's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
I think that the overall premise for Rx sets it up to be an interesting story. But for me, it was a complete dud. Personally, I didn't care for the writing and I just thought that the characters were dull and stereotypical. I was bored throughout the entire book. I'm personally very picky about leaving books on DNF, which is why I often finish books, even if I don't particularly enjoy them.
I feel like Thyme was set up to be a quirky and different character--one that didn't quite fit into any clique, but was still smart and unique. I wish that she met my expectations. The story just felt lacking and stereotypical. Thyme is smart, but not smart enough. Her parents push her too hard and only care about her college career (and are of course, SPOILER ALERT, mildly addicted to prescription pills?). It's a storyline that may work sometimes, but to do something that's so overdone, it has to be done pretty well. I did not feel like this book fit into the category of "done pretty well." At all.
It makes me sad to even say that I didn't like it. I never go into a book thinking that it sounds stupid or that I won't like it, because I always like to give books the benefit of the doubt and hope that they are very good.
I didn't find much character development, which I'm always looking for in books. I felt that characters only changed in appearance and Thyme didn't even really undergo many changes despite her all of the sudden going from innocent and intelligent young lady to drug dealer. Nor did I really see a climax moment or a shift. It all felt like very uninspired and empty writing to me.
Despite everything that I didn't like about this one, I do think that it brings some particularly important and tricky issues into light. Prescription drugs have really become a dangerous habit for many people in the past few years and it's not acknowledged even half as much as it should be. As a student, I understand the struggle against using study drugs to focus and stay awake all night. I'm a strong believer in staying away from drugs, legal or illegal, but not everyone is and some may fall into a deep and dark hole when caving into the alluring effects of some drugs. It's a nasty habit that can get out of control fast. I hope that if anyone who reads this takes away any sort of moral, they should take an understanding of the dangers of prescription drugs.
I feel like Thyme was set up to be a quirky and different character--one that didn't quite fit into any clique, but was still smart and unique. I wish that she met my expectations. The story just felt lacking and stereotypical. Thyme is smart, but not smart enough. Her parents push her too hard and only care about her college career (and are of course, SPOILER ALERT, mildly addicted to prescription pills?). It's a storyline that may work sometimes, but to do something that's so overdone, it has to be done pretty well. I did not feel like this book fit into the category of "done pretty well." At all.
It makes me sad to even say that I didn't like it. I never go into a book thinking that it sounds stupid or that I won't like it, because I always like to give books the benefit of the doubt and hope that they are very good.
I didn't find much character development, which I'm always looking for in books. I felt that characters only changed in appearance and Thyme didn't even really undergo many changes despite her all of the sudden going from innocent and intelligent young lady to drug dealer. Nor did I really see a climax moment or a shift. It all felt like very uninspired and empty writing to me.
Despite everything that I didn't like about this one, I do think that it brings some particularly important and tricky issues into light. Prescription drugs have really become a dangerous habit for many people in the past few years and it's not acknowledged even half as much as it should be. As a student, I understand the struggle against using study drugs to focus and stay awake all night. I'm a strong believer in staying away from drugs, legal or illegal, but not everyone is and some may fall into a deep and dark hole when caving into the alluring effects of some drugs. It's a nasty habit that can get out of control fast. I hope that if anyone who reads this takes away any sort of moral, they should take an understanding of the dangers of prescription drugs.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse and Drug use
sincerelykiwi's review against another edition
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
jaimiepole's review against another edition
1.0
Oh the angst…. I read this book when I was 14 and thought it was VERY scandalous. This was the book I chose for my reading challenge category “a book you had to sneak to read as a child”.
kricketa's review against another edition
2.0
disappointing. i hated all of the characters except for will, who was tolerable.
i guess i would recommend it for fans of 'go ask alice' which i also loathed.
i guess i would recommend it for fans of 'go ask alice' which i also loathed.
missprint_'s review against another edition
3.0
I make no claims that this book shows the "real" life of teens or sensationalizes the less-than-dramatic reality. I simply don't know. What I can say is that "Rx" by Tracy Lynn is very timely. Last December, for example, there were numerous news stories detailing the pressures teens face to be perfect and pretty and fun while making it all look easy. This book offers one explanation of how some teens do that.
Thyme Gilcrest goes to a competitive high school in a rich suburban neighborhood. It's senior year and she is jockeying for position among the top 20 of her class--a coveted spot that Thyme can barely cling to despite hours of work each night. This all changes when Thyme gets a hold of some Ritalin to treat her self-diagnosed ADHD. Suddenly she can focus and life is good. Then her friends find out about the drug and start asking her to get other "cure alls" for them.
Lynn writes this story in matter-of-fact, concise prose. Narrated by Thyme, the story never offers judgment on the druggies, dealers and misfits that populate its pages. Instead, Lynn is simply setting down the facts as she knows them (read the afterward to see why the story is important to her) to offer up a cautionary tale about the hazards of prescription drug abuse and dealing.
The prose here is arresting. After the first pages I was hooked. Thyme's commentary is sardonic and caustic--an appealing combination. At the same time, her story is painful to read as Thyme describes her let-downs and her own shortcomings. Despite that, the middle begins to drag as Thyme transitions of user to dealer. However, Lynn will throw in a trick now and then to surprise you.
Stylistically, this novel isn't overly exceptional. It's what I would term a "gimmick" novel--trying to cash in on the popularity (for lack of a better word) of the issue of prescription drug abuse in high schools.
The novel also deals with the world of privileged teens: kids whose parents have enough money that they are never home and leave their children with a bit too much free reign in their absence. The term "latch key children" might also come to mind. In a world where family dinners don't happen as often as they used to, perhaps it's not surprising to see more and more novels focusing on "latch key teens."
Part of me wants to do more research on the subject to see if prescription drugs are really that available to random teenagers but, as with most things, I think it depends on the teen and the location. For my part, I had a nagging sense that the novel was overstating the problem or perhaps focusing on a more suburban phenomenon (although Meg Cabot's new novel "Jinx" which is set in New York City briefly touches upon this issue as well). Perhaps I'm the only one who didn't know how to go about getting illegal substances as a teen (and still doesn't) and had no desire to.
At any rate, "Rx" is an interesting look at the burdens of overachievers even if the novel might leave you with more of a nagging feeling than a completely satisfied one.
Thyme Gilcrest goes to a competitive high school in a rich suburban neighborhood. It's senior year and she is jockeying for position among the top 20 of her class--a coveted spot that Thyme can barely cling to despite hours of work each night. This all changes when Thyme gets a hold of some Ritalin to treat her self-diagnosed ADHD. Suddenly she can focus and life is good. Then her friends find out about the drug and start asking her to get other "cure alls" for them.
Lynn writes this story in matter-of-fact, concise prose. Narrated by Thyme, the story never offers judgment on the druggies, dealers and misfits that populate its pages. Instead, Lynn is simply setting down the facts as she knows them (read the afterward to see why the story is important to her) to offer up a cautionary tale about the hazards of prescription drug abuse and dealing.
The prose here is arresting. After the first pages I was hooked. Thyme's commentary is sardonic and caustic--an appealing combination. At the same time, her story is painful to read as Thyme describes her let-downs and her own shortcomings. Despite that, the middle begins to drag as Thyme transitions of user to dealer. However, Lynn will throw in a trick now and then to surprise you.
Stylistically, this novel isn't overly exceptional. It's what I would term a "gimmick" novel--trying to cash in on the popularity (for lack of a better word) of the issue of prescription drug abuse in high schools.
The novel also deals with the world of privileged teens: kids whose parents have enough money that they are never home and leave their children with a bit too much free reign in their absence. The term "latch key children" might also come to mind. In a world where family dinners don't happen as often as they used to, perhaps it's not surprising to see more and more novels focusing on "latch key teens."
Part of me wants to do more research on the subject to see if prescription drugs are really that available to random teenagers but, as with most things, I think it depends on the teen and the location. For my part, I had a nagging sense that the novel was overstating the problem or perhaps focusing on a more suburban phenomenon (although Meg Cabot's new novel "Jinx" which is set in New York City briefly touches upon this issue as well). Perhaps I'm the only one who didn't know how to go about getting illegal substances as a teen (and still doesn't) and had no desire to.
At any rate, "Rx" is an interesting look at the burdens of overachievers even if the novel might leave you with more of a nagging feeling than a completely satisfied one.
beccaa's review against another edition
2.0
Pretty hard book to review but I defiantly enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would.
The story is pretty pointless and isn't really going anywhere - it just follows her from the end of junior yeah to the end of senior year which I guess was interesting as I am going into my last year.
It was hard to feel a bond with the characters even thyme the main character (pretty sure I laughed out loud when I heard her name) her parents are kind of annoying but her friends seem okay.
The best part of the book is defiantly everything to do with drugs. It was really interesting and it opens your eyes to how many prescription drugs there are out there and how easy it is to get them.
I also loved the parts where she overheard certain things at party's and just around school - they were pretty funny.
So yeah not a bad book, reflects the pressure kids feel these days and shows how drugs help/interfere with modern teenagers.
The story is pretty pointless and isn't really going anywhere - it just follows her from the end of junior yeah to the end of senior year which I guess was interesting as I am going into my last year.
It was hard to feel a bond with the characters even thyme the main character (pretty sure I laughed out loud when I heard her name) her parents are kind of annoying but her friends seem okay.
The best part of the book is defiantly everything to do with drugs. It was really interesting and it opens your eyes to how many prescription drugs there are out there and how easy it is to get them.
I also loved the parts where she overheard certain things at party's and just around school - they were pretty funny.
So yeah not a bad book, reflects the pressure kids feel these days and shows how drugs help/interfere with modern teenagers.
books_plan_create's review against another edition
2.0
This one was okay. Very tedious towards the end. But I did like the ending.