Scan barcode
serenitymoon's review against another edition
3.0
This is one of those books where I think younger audiences (kids who are actually still in middle/high school) would enjoy. It's just too light for me, and while the idea is unique and interesting, it didn't have any real depth. The problems are pretty superficial and they weren't gripping enough.
believedcrazy's review against another edition
4.0
I read this book in High School and really enjoyed it. It is definitely more suited towards the younger end of the YA spectrum. It's a quick, light read and I enjoyed the storyline, especially when they went into detail about the different kinds of fairies, I’m a sucker for information on creatures in fantasy books. Overall I did like this book.
lisamquinn's review against another edition
3.0
I'm torn between 2.5 stars and 3. It was pleasant, but I didn't love it.
myntop's review against another edition
4.0
I found this book to be really cute. It's definitely geared more towards younger teens I would say, but even as a 30 something I enjoyed it.
The author has created a whole new alternate world, that has similarities to ours, but vast differences as well. Of course, the most prominent being the existence of fairies, but also there is a whole new "slang" for the kids in the book. Doos is cool and injured is uncool and so on. Luckily, the author has put a glossary of sorts in the back of the book if you get confused. I found out I caught on fairly quickly however.
One of the things I love most about YA books, is how they somehow manage to sneak such valuable life lessons in what most teens would just consider a fun book. The lesson I loved the most in this book was that you don't always know what people are dealing with in their own life and you shouldn't judge them so harshly. The main character and at least one of the supporting characters learn this lesson first hand and bring to light that what you think is fantastic and wonderful, might be someone's worst nightmare. There's also a bit of "be careful what you wish for" in there.
I think this book is perfect for people who enjoy YA fiction, especially fantasy. If you like fairies you might enjoy this book, but the fairies weren't as prevalent as I imagined they would be.
The author has created a whole new alternate world, that has similarities to ours, but vast differences as well. Of course, the most prominent being the existence of fairies, but also there is a whole new "slang" for the kids in the book. Doos is cool and injured is uncool and so on. Luckily, the author has put a glossary of sorts in the back of the book if you get confused. I found out I caught on fairly quickly however.
One of the things I love most about YA books, is how they somehow manage to sneak such valuable life lessons in what most teens would just consider a fun book. The lesson I loved the most in this book was that you don't always know what people are dealing with in their own life and you shouldn't judge them so harshly. The main character and at least one of the supporting characters learn this lesson first hand and bring to light that what you think is fantastic and wonderful, might be someone's worst nightmare. There's also a bit of "be careful what you wish for" in there.
I think this book is perfect for people who enjoy YA fiction, especially fantasy. If you like fairies you might enjoy this book, but the fairies weren't as prevalent as I imagined they would be.
librarykath's review against another edition
1.0
What a load of crap! From the ridiculous made up slang language (no teenager would talk like that, even in a fictional setting!) to the fact that none of the absurdities of "New Avalon" are explained at all through the book, I really wanted to just throw this one against the wall.
kellyholmes's review against another edition
4.0
Summary: In the city of New Avalon, most people have a fairy that helps them with something, like finding loose change or great clothes at bargain prices. 14-year-old Charlie has the lamest fairy of all, so she sets out to ditch it. All is going according to plan until she gets a crush on a new boy at school, who then falls victim to another girl’s every-boy-likes-you fairy.
Review: In the language of New Avaloners, this book was vastly doos! I zipped through it but drug my feet on the last few pages because I didn’t want it to be over. It was a complete and utter delight to read, but the story still had substance behind it.
My favorite part was the fresh use of language. It even has a glossary at the back! (doos: cool, ace, brilliant) Also, Charlie had such a sweet, non-dysfunctional relationship with her parents, which was refreshing.
Review: In the language of New Avaloners, this book was vastly doos! I zipped through it but drug my feet on the last few pages because I didn’t want it to be over. It was a complete and utter delight to read, but the story still had substance behind it.
My favorite part was the fresh use of language. It even has a glossary at the back! (doos: cool, ace, brilliant) Also, Charlie had such a sweet, non-dysfunctional relationship with her parents, which was refreshing.
happenstance's review against another edition
3.0
Cute. Young. Fluffy.
Forgot I'd read this before, ages ago, so - I suppose not entirely memorable? Still, it makes for a relaxing afternoon read.
Forgot I'd read this before, ages ago, so - I suppose not entirely memorable? Still, it makes for a relaxing afternoon read.
lauredhel's review against another edition
3.0
Tenth book of the Australian Women Writers Challenge for me!
I confess that I didn't actually much like this book. Some of the world-building showed promise, but then it all vanished in a puff of smoke, with the happy ending coming too abruptly for me. The made-up slang seemed a bit pointless and overworked - I would have liked a lighter touch.
But I think mostly I was bothered by the "every-boy-likes-you" fairy, and the depiction of quite horrendous ongoing daily sexual harassment and even assault being a result of a girl having that personal fairy. Because (a) that put the cause of this harassment within the girl; and (b) that stuff isn't caused by boys liking you. Quite the opposite.
Don't let this put you off Liar, though. Liar is brilliant.
I confess that I didn't actually much like this book. Some of the world-building showed promise, but then it all vanished in a puff of smoke, with the happy ending coming too abruptly for me. The made-up slang seemed a bit pointless and overworked - I would have liked a lighter touch.
But I think mostly I was bothered by the "every-boy-likes-you" fairy, and the depiction of quite horrendous ongoing daily sexual harassment and even assault being a result of a girl having that personal fairy. Because (a) that put the cause of this harassment within the girl; and (b) that stuff isn't caused by boys liking you. Quite the opposite.
Don't let this put you off Liar, though. Liar is brilliant.
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!