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yabetsy's review against another edition
4.0
Poor Charlie. She's fourteen, doesn't drive and is stuck with a parking fairy. She is sure her life would be much easier if she had the shopping fairy her best friend has, or the all-the-boys-like-you fairy that her nemesis (the odious Fiorenze, also known as Stupid Name), has. Little does she know. Apparently she doesn't know you should be careful what you wish for.
Justine Larbalestier writes another fun, quick read (I'm sure I know people that have both of these fairies -- the closest I've ever come was the loose-change fairy or a meaningless-trivia fairy) that will have a very wide appeal.
Justine Larbalestier writes another fun, quick read (I'm sure I know people that have both of these fairies -- the closest I've ever come was the loose-change fairy or a meaningless-trivia fairy) that will have a very wide appeal.
readwithpassion's review against another edition
1.0
I couldn't do it. I tried about 100 pages of this one, and I think I gave it a fair chance. It just wasn't well-written, in my mind. The teenagers are shallow and whiny. I may try to pick it up and finish it one day, but until then, it is going to stay on my "did not finish" shelf.
quillathe_23's review against another edition
3.0
I found the slang terms unnecessary and annoying. The mysteries in the story were left unsolved and or had terrible explanations. I felt the world building lacked detail regarding the fairies, why they were there and why not everyone had one. I found the story rather predictable, but I also recognize that this story is geared towards a younger audience.
snarkywench's review against another edition
3.0
I admit to having many preconceptions prior to reading this book based on the title, the cover art and the blurb. I thought the fairy would be a corporeal being, one that Charlie would interact with. There wasn't and I think I was mourning the loss of it throughout.
Charlie is a pretty self-centred, sports-driven fourteen year old who's trying desperately to ditch her car parking fairy. You see, in New Avalon everyone has a fairy that manages one specific need or skill. This is a very interesting town where they are scarily insular, not thinking outside their city's boundaries, worshipping those without talent and attending sports specific schools. (I think there might be some societal commentary there lol).
The entire plot requires you to sympathise with Charlie's predicament. I didn't. I don't think she really had it all that bad. On the other hand, Fioreze does - a fairy that attracts all like aged males is in a scary predicament. This is the first Larbalestier novel I have read and I am impressed with her style; the plot moved quickly, had a deft touch and hefty doses of humour. But I was ambivalent and sometimes annoyed with Charlie and that was an issue. (I am very willing to chalk that up to my age, rather than JL's writing). I think some great concepts were integrated, that being too focused on your goals can have positive and negative connatations.
I had some problems with all the kid snatching - Danvers would have had a restraining order on him so quick his head spun in real life. The aggresive means in which the guys would approach Fioreze and then Charlie also troubled me but I do think it was supposed to. Fairies possess amazing powers. I think there are many concepts in this tale that sometimes bog down the flow but it is an entertaining read.
I love the use of an alternate universe setting and would to have seen some expansion upon it. In my interview with Larbalestier this week, she said that she was finished with New Avalon so a sequel does not look like likely. The vocabulary of New Avalon was interesting too, I have always had an affinity for aged language and we see that with words like pulchritudinous peppered throughout the dialogue. It took me awhile to adjust to it but it definiely added to the feel of the narrative.
How to Ditch Your Fairy is an interesting look at an insular, magical society combined with the selfish wants of a teen. Humour is prevalent and it's definitely worth checking out!
Charlie is a pretty self-centred, sports-driven fourteen year old who's trying desperately to ditch her car parking fairy. You see, in New Avalon everyone has a fairy that manages one specific need or skill. This is a very interesting town where they are scarily insular, not thinking outside their city's boundaries, worshipping those without talent and attending sports specific schools. (I think there might be some societal commentary there lol).
The entire plot requires you to sympathise with Charlie's predicament. I didn't. I don't think she really had it all that bad. On the other hand, Fioreze does - a fairy that attracts all like aged males is in a scary predicament. This is the first Larbalestier novel I have read and I am impressed with her style; the plot moved quickly, had a deft touch and hefty doses of humour. But I was ambivalent and sometimes annoyed with Charlie and that was an issue. (I am very willing to chalk that up to my age, rather than JL's writing). I think some great concepts were integrated, that being too focused on your goals can have positive and negative connatations.
I had some problems with all the kid snatching - Danvers would have had a restraining order on him so quick his head spun in real life. The aggresive means in which the guys would approach Fioreze and then Charlie also troubled me but I do think it was supposed to. Fairies possess amazing powers. I think there are many concepts in this tale that sometimes bog down the flow but it is an entertaining read.
I love the use of an alternate universe setting and would to have seen some expansion upon it. In my interview with Larbalestier this week, she said that she was finished with New Avalon so a sequel does not look like likely. The vocabulary of New Avalon was interesting too, I have always had an affinity for aged language and we see that with words like pulchritudinous peppered throughout the dialogue. It took me awhile to adjust to it but it definiely added to the feel of the narrative.
How to Ditch Your Fairy is an interesting look at an insular, magical society combined with the selfish wants of a teen. Humour is prevalent and it's definitely worth checking out!
readerpants's review against another edition
3.0
Maybe I've read too many YA dystopias in the last few years, but I kept expecting the whole demerit thing to explode into an apocalyptic vision of societal ills. And then it turned out that sports people like rules? Huh!
brendaclay's review against another edition
3.0
This novel is deeper than it appears. It's about a society in which most people have a personal fairy that gives them a specific ability. The protagonist, Charlie, believes that her good-parking fairy is ruining her life, and will stop at nothing to get rid of it. It's lighthearted and funny, but also raises discussions about faith, personal rights, the grass being greener on the other side, etc. Not my favorite of JL's books, though - I still think Liar is her best work.
crystal_reading's review against another edition
2.0
Tweens may like this amusing book, but it had too much slang and tween type romance for me.
huitthuitt's review against another edition
3.0
I thought this was a cute read! My dad got it for me for my birthday (which makes it that much special).
In the moment it seemed like really childish compared to the other books I was reading during that time frame. But after reading it, I liked it.
Overall it was a cute story about navigating school, friendships, and finding yourself.
In the moment it seemed like really childish compared to the other books I was reading during that time frame. But after reading it, I liked it.
Overall it was a cute story about navigating school, friendships, and finding yourself.
arafaye's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0