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msmo's review
4.0
i thought it a pretty unique plotline, different from my other recent ya reads at least. it was funny. i chuckled at the word-misusages in the protagonist's narration. clever part subtitles (part one: frying pan, part two: fire).
sandraagee's review
3.0
This is really not so much a story about about investigation or cooking. It is, however, an interesting look at high school social relations and popularity games. A bit over the top at times and everyone has really weird names (seriously: Vargo? Ashton? Lester?). A light, quick read that's not perfect, but quirky enough to be fun for those not overly concerned with literary quality.
justmeandmybooks_'s review
2.0
I didn’t have anything wrong with this book, I just don’t have much to say about it. The plot was sort of interesting, but I thought the ending was a bit too dramatic, and didn’t really fit the rest of the book, and honestly for most of it I was a little bit bored.
I also wasn’t particularly impressed by the characters. I couldn’t really connect with the main character, Sherman. He was a bit of an idiot, and I was also annoyed by the fact that at the end he sort of cheated on a school project. Like really? He had to put on a dinner party, and he wasn’t allowed to get help from an adult. How hard is that really? But no, he got an adult to help (Sherman was a terrible cook), which made me sort of mad.
The rest of the characters I couldn’t really tell apart.
Also I was told that this was a really funny book, but although I did laugh once or twice, I didn’t really find it very funny. So it didn’t meet my expectations. I think I most likely would have liked it a bit more if I hadn’t went into it thinking it would be really funny.
Despite the fact that I don’t have great stuff to say about it, I actually am glad I read it, and I think that if it’s the type of book you like, its worth reading. Personally contemporary isn’t my favourite genre. I like magic in my books, or at least an unique world, that I don’t already live in. There are contemporaries that I like, but not as many as other genres. So although I didn’t like it, I think it is a good book.
I also wasn’t particularly impressed by the characters. I couldn’t really connect with the main character, Sherman. He was a bit of an idiot, and I was also annoyed by the fact that at the end he sort of cheated on a school project. Like really? He had to put on a dinner party, and he wasn’t allowed to get help from an adult. How hard is that really? But no, he got an adult to help (Sherman was a terrible cook), which made me sort of mad.
The rest of the characters I couldn’t really tell apart.
Also I was told that this was a really funny book, but although I did laugh once or twice, I didn’t really find it very funny. So it didn’t meet my expectations. I think I most likely would have liked it a bit more if I hadn’t went into it thinking it would be really funny.
Despite the fact that I don’t have great stuff to say about it, I actually am glad I read it, and I think that if it’s the type of book you like, its worth reading. Personally contemporary isn’t my favourite genre. I like magic in my books, or at least an unique world, that I don’t already live in. There are contemporaries that I like, but not as many as other genres. So although I didn’t like it, I think it is a good book.
stenaros's review
3.0
A mystery that hasn't aged well. Guys who are "into the ladies," even severely inexperienced ones, feel kind of ick now.
Still, with Juby's sparking prose there were redeeming things about this book.
Still, with Juby's sparking prose there were redeeming things about this book.
jessalynn_librarian's review
3.0
Entertaining, with a great voice for the narrator, and a fun blend of high school drama, amateur private investigation, and cooking. The combination of the seriousness of the girls getting Defiled and the comic tone (and quick resolution) didn't quite work for me, but it was still fun to read.
quietjenn's review
4.0
i really, really didn't think i was going to like this book, but i really, really did. the mystery angle is light-but-intriguing and the characters and voice are adorable-but-real.
camillejoy's review
3.0
A humorously written story about the power of a mob mentality and a nice guy trying to remedy a problem using detective work.
hezann73's review
4.0
Girls at Harewood Tech live in fear of getting D-listed, of getting defiled. When you're defiled you spend a day in living hell with people throwing things at you, talking about you, basically abusing you. After that, you cease to exist. Even the teachers barely speak to you. Sherman is a freshman who loves girls and thinks defiling is wrong. He's going to find out who is behind the D-list.
oceangal56's review
3.0
Sweet story about sticking up for the underdog, school bullying and friendship. I didn't get very close to any of the characters however. Three stars.