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kaitrosereads's review against another edition
4.0
I have to say that The Good Girl's Guide To Getting Kidnapped is unlike anything I have read before. That is both parts good and bad. It's a very unique story and well-written but I'm kind of mixed in my feelings for it.
The Good Girl's Guide To Getting Kidnapped is the story of Michelle Pena, former gang princess of Montebello. Her life seems to be looking up until she and her best friend, Kiki, are kidnapped and held for ransom. Things get real crazy, real quick and Michelle has to make a decision. Will she give up everything she has ever known and the one boy she has ever loved to go back to her normal life or will she choose to be Princess P?
The good thing about the book was that it kept me hooked. There was always something going on which made the book really easy to read. Also, Yxta Maya Murray kept me guessing until the very end about what path Michelle might choose.
The things that I didn't like about the book weren't that major but they do kind of nag at me. The ending seemed pretty open. It's like the author doesn't know if she wants to write a sequel so she left it like that so if she wants to in the future, she can. Also, the slang was a little trying. The way Michelle talked to the other gang members got on my nerves after a while. I know it goes with the story but it was a little bit forced, it didn't come natural to Michelle. It was like she was trying too hard to impress the boys.
Overall, The Good Girl's Guide To Getting Kidnapped was entertaining, if nothing else. It's a good book if you are just looking for something that doesn't require a ton of thinking. In the end, I would recommend it!
The Good Girl's Guide To Getting Kidnapped is the story of Michelle Pena, former gang princess of Montebello. Her life seems to be looking up until she and her best friend, Kiki, are kidnapped and held for ransom. Things get real crazy, real quick and Michelle has to make a decision. Will she give up everything she has ever known and the one boy she has ever loved to go back to her normal life or will she choose to be Princess P?
The good thing about the book was that it kept me hooked. There was always something going on which made the book really easy to read. Also, Yxta Maya Murray kept me guessing until the very end about what path Michelle might choose.
The things that I didn't like about the book weren't that major but they do kind of nag at me. The ending seemed pretty open. It's like the author doesn't know if she wants to write a sequel so she left it like that so if she wants to in the future, she can. Also, the slang was a little trying. The way Michelle talked to the other gang members got on my nerves after a while. I know it goes with the story but it was a little bit forced, it didn't come natural to Michelle. It was like she was trying too hard to impress the boys.
Overall, The Good Girl's Guide To Getting Kidnapped was entertaining, if nothing else. It's a good book if you are just looking for something that doesn't require a ton of thinking. In the end, I would recommend it!
srousseau's review against another edition
3.0
Michelle is fast, really fast, all American high school fast. She has a foster father who is taking good care of her. Michelle and her best friend Kiki both have a real shot at getting into a very fancy private school on full scholarships. But her past is going to interrupt those plans. She’s also Princess M, next in line to lead The Snakes. She has to decide what world she will live in.
arisbookcorner's review
2.0
I'm torn over how I feel about the language in this book. On the one hand I appreciated all the slang because the entire book isn't in slang, it's understandable and lends an air of authenticity to the book. On the other hand, some of it is so laughably out-there. No offense to anyone who speaks that way but some of the phrases just seemed to be ridiculous (I wish I had examples but I already returned the book). I wish I knew if the language was authentic. I know Chicago slang can be a whole lot different than L.A. slang (or any other slang from Cali) so don't take my word for it. There was also some really random Latin and it just didn't fit with the story. I think the author was trying to show that even though Michelle/Princess P spoke 'ghetto' she was still educated. But I don't think readers would doubt that in the first place, you can be smart and still speak with slang. I also hated how melodramatic the book was. EVERYONE is ALWAYS crying. Ohmygosh. It was sooo frustrating. One minute the author was describing these 'hard gangstas' and the next these 'hard gangstas' are crying about something or other. I seriously couldn't believe that these 'thugs' who have no problem selling drugs and kidnapping would cry so much (especially Silver. Over and over we are told that all of his goodness is dead and yet he cries A LOT). But maybe that's just the cynic in me. To top it all off, the ending is a non-ending. I finished the book wondering what the whole point was since the ending was so open. I'm not sure if there's going to be a sequel, but there needs to be (although I'm not so sure I'd read it...).
I did like Michelle, she's the right mix of toughness and vulnerability. Plus I think her story is one that many can relate to, trying to stay true to your roots while still forming your own path. The story is quite original, I loved the twist on princesses, Michelle would be awesome as any type of royalty (not just as future Queen of the Snakes). I don't usually comment on this but I really liked that Kiki wasn't the 'sassy Black friend.' I know I've read other books where the Black main character isn't sassy but I can't recall many I've read in which the best friend is Black and NOT sassy, so I wanted to point that out here. Kiki is eccentric and realistic. While she seems wimpy to Michelle (not that Michelle ever comes out and says it), she handles the situation of being kidnapped in a reasonable manner. She freaks out at first but she calms down when she recognizes that her situation could be much worst (after all she's with her best friend who is royalty, very quick-witted and friendly with most of the members of the Snakes). Michelle's brother, King Samson (HA! I just got that reference. Wait, I think his name was Samson? Shoot) was annoying though The Good Girl's Guide to Getting Kidnapped is an unconventional and suspenseful read. It's a page-turner, although I had to stop every so often to roll my eyes and wish all the Snakes would stop crying. It will be an eye-opening read for everyone if you're from south L.A. and know the lingo, there's probably still something about this book that will surprise you. The ending is certainly a surprise, mainly because it's so anti climatic. I really want to know how the vernacular checks out because it's easy to understand but can seem rather ridiculous. I also think the author was trying to hit us over the head with how amazing Michelle was. Beautiful, best runner in the state, a genius and oh yea, gangsta royalty who now has a loving foster parent. Even with all that Michelle is far from perfect and even though I had issues with the plot and dialogue, I wanted to follow Michelle for a little longer and that's why I finished the book.
I did like Michelle, she's the right mix of toughness and vulnerability. Plus I think her story is one that many can relate to, trying to stay true to your roots while still forming your own path. The story is quite original, I loved the twist on princesses, Michelle would be awesome as any type of royalty (not just as future Queen of the Snakes). I don't usually comment on this but I really liked that Kiki wasn't the 'sassy Black friend.' I know I've read other books where the Black main character isn't sassy but I can't recall many I've read in which the best friend is Black and NOT sassy, so I wanted to point that out here. Kiki is eccentric and realistic. While she seems wimpy to Michelle (not that Michelle ever comes out and says it), she handles the situation of being kidnapped in a reasonable manner. She freaks out at first but she calms down when she recognizes that her situation could be much worst (after all she's with her best friend who is royalty, very quick-witted and friendly with most of the members of the Snakes). Michelle's brother, King Samson (HA! I just got that reference. Wait, I think his name was Samson? Shoot) was annoying though The Good Girl's Guide to Getting Kidnapped is an unconventional and suspenseful read. It's a page-turner, although I had to stop every so often to roll my eyes and wish all the Snakes would stop crying. It will be an eye-opening read for everyone if you're from south L.A. and know the lingo, there's probably still something about this book that will surprise you. The ending is certainly a surprise, mainly because it's so anti climatic. I really want to know how the vernacular checks out because it's easy to understand but can seem rather ridiculous. I also think the author was trying to hit us over the head with how amazing Michelle was. Beautiful, best runner in the state, a genius and oh yea, gangsta royalty who now has a loving foster parent. Even with all that Michelle is far from perfect and even though I had issues with the plot and dialogue, I wanted to follow Michelle for a little longer and that's why I finished the book.
bhalpin's review
2.0
This book has one of the coolest covers ever. And the first half of the book is a gripping, page-turning adventure story. It's also a really clever twist on the "regular girl is really a princess" story.
Unfortunately, I just never believed in the main character. She shifts between academic decathlon/track star and gang princess too seamlessly to be completely credible. I just didn't believe in her as a real person.
As other readers have said, the ending feels like a cheat, as it doesn't clearly resolve what seems to me to be the central issue of the book.
I would read another book by this author, as she's clearly a talented storyteller, but this one is a miss.
Unfortunately, I just never believed in the main character. She shifts between academic decathlon/track star and gang princess too seamlessly to be completely credible. I just didn't believe in her as a real person.
As other readers have said, the ending feels like a cheat, as it doesn't clearly resolve what seems to me to be the central issue of the book.
I would read another book by this author, as she's clearly a talented storyteller, but this one is a miss.
shutupnread's review
3.0
I took the summary from Amazon because the summary from Goodreads was way too comprehensive and practically gave everything away.
Anyway, the plot itself is filled with excitement, action and suspense. I loved how Mish or "Princess P" was able to revert back to her old self just to save her best friend, Kiki. She basically burdened herself and took it upon herself to save her friend who had absolutely nothing to do with the situation and who just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. She was a strong character and very well-written. She had the strength and the courage to stand up against her old pals, the Snakes. Kiki, on the other hand, was the typical damsel-in-distress. At first, she whimpered and freaked out at practically everything. I mean, it was surprising but it was a tad overdone. Though, I have to admit, she overcame her fear and managed to stand strong with Princess P at the end.
Silver, the good guy at childhood turned bad when "betrayed" by Princess P, is a mysterious character. There were times when I wasn't sure what was going on in his head and was surprised with the way he acted. How could a guy who was so in love with P end up kidnapping her and her friend?
The writing style is a bit rough though - filled with a ghetto style that I wasn't really familiar with. It definitely took a while for me to get used to it but once I did, I was pretty glad that I did.
Overall, The Good Girl's Guide to Getting Kidnapped is a fresh book that will open your eyes for sure.
Anyway, the plot itself is filled with excitement, action and suspense. I loved how Mish or "Princess P" was able to revert back to her old self just to save her best friend, Kiki. She basically burdened herself and took it upon herself to save her friend who had absolutely nothing to do with the situation and who just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. She was a strong character and very well-written. She had the strength and the courage to stand up against her old pals, the Snakes. Kiki, on the other hand, was the typical damsel-in-distress. At first, she whimpered and freaked out at practically everything. I mean, it was surprising but it was a tad overdone. Though, I have to admit, she overcame her fear and managed to stand strong with Princess P at the end.
Silver, the good guy at childhood turned bad when "betrayed" by Princess P, is a mysterious character. There were times when I wasn't sure what was going on in his head and was surprised with the way he acted. How could a guy who was so in love with P end up kidnapping her and her friend?
The writing style is a bit rough though - filled with a ghetto style that I wasn't really familiar with. It definitely took a while for me to get used to it but once I did, I was pretty glad that I did.
Overall, The Good Girl's Guide to Getting Kidnapped is a fresh book that will open your eyes for sure.
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