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emmywritess's review against another edition
3.0
Actual rating - 3.5 stars.
What I liked:
- The book focused mainly on religion. There aren't enough YA authors that incorporate it into their stories.
- The writing was stunning.
- I found it an eye opening, coming of age story.
- I loved that it took place in the 1970's.
- I found that the characters were mostly well developed and complex.
- There wasn't a massive focus on love relationships (although, I did spent half the book worrying about a possible love triangle.)
- The author focused more on friendships which I thought made the book extra captivating.
What I didn't like:
- I found it difficult to get into.
- The last part of the book confused the heck out of me. It seemed to jump around a lot, so I found it complicating to follow sometimes.
- Towards the beginning of the book, it seemed a love triangle would occur. It didn't evolve into one, but I spent half the book hoping that it wouldn't.
- Loretta had the appearance of an unstable character. In parts, she seemed apprehensive and then she'd act obnoxious which I didn't like.
I did enjoy this book, although it was slow in parts, and took me a while to get into. It's a change to what I normally read, but it wasn't a bad change. It has taught me a little more about religion, and the story will stick with me for some time.
What I liked:
- The book focused mainly on religion. There aren't enough YA authors that incorporate it into their stories.
- The writing was stunning.
- I found it an eye opening, coming of age story.
- I loved that it took place in the 1970's.
- I found that the characters were mostly well developed and complex.
- There wasn't a massive focus on love relationships (although, I did spent half the book worrying about a possible love triangle.)
- The author focused more on friendships which I thought made the book extra captivating.
What I didn't like:
- I found it difficult to get into.
- The last part of the book confused the heck out of me. It seemed to jump around a lot, so I found it complicating to follow sometimes.
- Towards the beginning of the book, it seemed a love triangle would occur. It didn't evolve into one, but I spent half the book hoping that it wouldn't.
- Loretta had the appearance of an unstable character. In parts, she seemed apprehensive and then she'd act obnoxious which I didn't like.
I did enjoy this book, although it was slow in parts, and took me a while to get into. It's a change to what I normally read, but it wasn't a bad change. It has taught me a little more about religion, and the story will stick with me for some time.
jeffhall's review against another edition
4.0
Shawn Vestal's Daredevils is an impressive debut novel. More than anything I was riveted by the author's ability to develop the small physical details of his settings into concrete indicators of particular places and times. Although I have little personal knowledge of Mormon culture in the western United States, Vestal does a solid job of drawing a reader like me into his tale, which I experienced as a genuine page-turner.
At times Vestal's descriptive powers are extraordinary, as in this example:
"Jason studies the tater tot casserole on his lunch tray: it is a creamy prehistoric ocean, mushroomy and thick, with tawny islands of potato for the swimmers, the strivers, to cling to while they rest and regain their strength. Jason imagines he is on one of those islands, and Loretta is on another. And everybody else - family, school, church, town, state, nation, world - is the gray, gloopy sea."
I don't think there's ever been a better expression of the teenage condition.
Although I was a little disappointed in the use of violence to bring the book to an abrupt halt (much out of character with the rest of the narrative), I am otherwise in awe of Vestal's ability to turn a coming-of-age novel into something grander, a reflection of the American myths of independence and freedom, and the inherent conflict between those myths and the mundane need for predictability and stability. It's a big theme, and Vestal handles it with grace, making Daredevils a very worthwhile read.
At times Vestal's descriptive powers are extraordinary, as in this example:
"Jason studies the tater tot casserole on his lunch tray: it is a creamy prehistoric ocean, mushroomy and thick, with tawny islands of potato for the swimmers, the strivers, to cling to while they rest and regain their strength. Jason imagines he is on one of those islands, and Loretta is on another. And everybody else - family, school, church, town, state, nation, world - is the gray, gloopy sea."
I don't think there's ever been a better expression of the teenage condition.
Although I was a little disappointed in the use of violence to bring the book to an abrupt halt (much out of character with the rest of the narrative), I am otherwise in awe of Vestal's ability to turn a coming-of-age novel into something grander, a reflection of the American myths of independence and freedom, and the inherent conflict between those myths and the mundane need for predictability and stability. It's a big theme, and Vestal handles it with grace, making Daredevils a very worthwhile read.
jesse_post's review
emotional
reflective
tense
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? Yes
4.0
sofiajearally's review
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
There were some monotonous parts in this book but, overall, the story was intriguing, with plot twists I didn't see coming.
Loretta's character was endearing and understandable; I felt for her in the different situations she was in.
The book also brought me knowledge about a community I didn't know much about and I really appreciated the insight we got from some of the Mormon women, especially Loretta and Ruth.
Loretta's character was endearing and understandable; I felt for her in the different situations she was in.
The book also brought me knowledge about a community I didn't know much about and I really appreciated the insight we got from some of the Mormon women, especially Loretta and Ruth.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Adult/minor relationship, Religious bigotry, and Sexism
Moderate: Alcohol
jlrmac's review
4.0
In this story there were many daredevils, or daredevil wannabes. Not what you'd expect for a story about polygamous and non-polygamous Mormans. I was surprised comments didn't include that Evel Kneivel, as a persona, played a significant role in this book. I didn't get a lot out of the beginning of each section where Evel's speech was given (supposedly). But the repeating theme was: you need to go out and try rather than sit back and be timid and passive; if you fail it is not important. And perhaps Evel made a cameo appearance in the story, but was it really him, or just an imposter? Jason, Boyd, Loretta, Becky (Loretta's mother), and Ruth Harder all had struggled with passively going along with the authorities (of church, family, school) or striking out on their own to make their own choices in life.
booksandbosox's review
3.0
You know, I kind of liked this and I also kind of found it unremarkable. It's engaging, but the characters never gelled for me and I didn't care about what happened to any of them. Additionally, I found it frustrating to get pieces of insight from some characters and then never hear their perspective again. And I'm not sure the Evel Knievel stuff worked for me.
Thanks to the publisher for an advance reader's copy.
Thanks to the publisher for an advance reader's copy.
robk's review
3.0
I wanted to like this more than I did. I thoroughly enjoyed Vestal's first book, a collection of short stories. Daredevils didn't seem fleshed out enough, or perhaps the book just lacked depth for me.
The novel focuses on two young people, growing up in oppressive religious environments, and tells about their plans for escape. It is a little heartbreaking, and unlike a lot of young adult fiction, there's no inspirational "coming of age moment." Not that this book is branded as young adult fiction, but it shares many of the same trappings. Perhaps, because of the lack of contrived epiphanies, this novel is more of a coming of age book than most; it's more true to life. And, perhaps again true to life, the book's a bit of a let down the farther you get in to it.
The novel focuses on two young people, growing up in oppressive religious environments, and tells about their plans for escape. It is a little heartbreaking, and unlike a lot of young adult fiction, there's no inspirational "coming of age moment." Not that this book is branded as young adult fiction, but it shares many of the same trappings. Perhaps, because of the lack of contrived epiphanies, this novel is more of a coming of age book than most; it's more true to life. And, perhaps again true to life, the book's a bit of a let down the farther you get in to it.
savaging's review
5.0
I know I've railed against plot-driven fiction, but this one I loved. Sister-wives and jackrabbit killing and Evel Knievel. This is just the story I wanted.
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