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applezing's review
2.0
Yeah I was totally unenthralled with this book. I kept hoping for it to turn into a love story between Maria and Rocky but instead it was just a bunch of self-absorbed teens sulking around and hiding their boyfriends, blah.
mikaelap23's review
3.0
Had a bit of trouble rating this one. I really was excited by the description of this book but overall had a bit of trouble staying present with the plot as the story progressed.
Action scenes seemed to jump around quite a bit and I found myself nodding off during major chunks throughout. Overall it felt a bit choppy/disjointed. I liked a lot of the themes the author was exploring but wasn’t a big fan of the style she used to execute it all.
Action scenes seemed to jump around quite a bit and I found myself nodding off during major chunks throughout. Overall it felt a bit choppy/disjointed. I liked a lot of the themes the author was exploring but wasn’t a big fan of the style she used to execute it all.
lgiegerich's review
2.0
None of the characters were especially likable or really well-drawn, & I was left with a very “so...” feeling at the end.
sol84's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
jlennidorner's review against another edition
5.0
My favorite character was Ricky, Maria's brother. He steps up when it matters most, risking everything to do so. I was engaged by the unusual description of sex as a mundane activity, exhilarating but dreadful. Maria's ease of putting her hair in a french braid in Chapter 5 seemed impressive (not that I've ever tried it, but I hear that french braids are difficult to do, especially on oneself). There's a bit of Spanish in the book, which might be difficult for some readers.
I especially love the way the author handles the descriptions. For example, "a small sliver of skin came away from her mouth between her thumb and pointer finger," is so much more inventive and appealing than just saying chapped lips. Great imagery. Maria's thoughts and feelings about talking to Dr. Beth, especially in regard to how impossible it is to feel like there's an adult on one's side, was a rare and refreshing insight often left out of YA novels. And in Chapter 14 and 21, the title of the book is used in the story, which is something I love to encounter. I had never heard of slap-boxing before, so I ended up learning what that is because it's mentioned in this novel.
Maria is asked to be more adult, putting her dreams on hold and prioritize her family first. She is often ungrateful of what she has, and that's part of what makes her character arc so realistic. She was hard for me to like for most of the book, but that meant she had room to grow and change by the end of the story. I hate both of Maria's love interests. (This is not a romance novel. But it's a great example of just how wrong things can go with a love interest.) For example, Charlie is aware that he's exhibiting pedophile tendencies and having an affair, but does it anyway. Maria contradicts how she feels about sex workers, as she both mocks and collects cards of prostitutes in Las Vegas, and then tries to essentially become one by offering to exchange sexual activity for tuition money. As she evolves and grows, she explores what consent really means and realizes why that was a bad idea.
A line I really enjoyed was, "saw the wisdom in the fragmented whole, how two things were sometimes better off when they were kept at a distance." The theme, I believe, is the lesson that the grass always seems greener on the other side. There are other rags-to-riches Cinderella stories, but that's not what this is. For one thing, Maria isn't sickly sweet with birds and mice helping her get dressed, nor is she an orphan, and Charlie is certainly not a charming prince (though he is rich). It's her soul that ends up richer at the end.
The author and I do not know each other, however, I did interview her for the Operation Awesome blog. That has no bearing or influence on my review. This book was a free Amazon First Reads. I don't read many YA books that aren't speculative fiction, but this one was really worth it. This diverse book is realistic fiction, controversial, meaningful, with a strong author’s voice.
I especially love the way the author handles the descriptions. For example, "a small sliver of skin came away from her mouth between her thumb and pointer finger," is so much more inventive and appealing than just saying chapped lips. Great imagery. Maria's thoughts and feelings about talking to Dr. Beth, especially in regard to how impossible it is to feel like there's an adult on one's side, was a rare and refreshing insight often left out of YA novels. And in Chapter 14 and 21, the title of the book is used in the story, which is something I love to encounter. I had never heard of slap-boxing before, so I ended up learning what that is because it's mentioned in this novel.
Maria is asked to be more adult, putting her dreams on hold and prioritize her family first. She is often ungrateful of what she has, and that's part of what makes her character arc so realistic. She was hard for me to like for most of the book, but that meant she had room to grow and change by the end of the story. I hate both of Maria's love interests. (This is not a romance novel. But it's a great example of just how wrong things can go with a love interest.) For example, Charlie is aware that he's exhibiting pedophile tendencies and having an affair, but does it anyway. Maria contradicts how she feels about sex workers, as she both mocks and collects cards of prostitutes in Las Vegas, and then tries to essentially become one by offering to exchange sexual activity for tuition money. As she evolves and grows, she explores what consent really means and realizes why that was a bad idea.
A line I really enjoyed was, "saw the wisdom in the fragmented whole, how two things were sometimes better off when they were kept at a distance." The theme, I believe, is the lesson that the grass always seems greener on the other side. There are other rags-to-riches Cinderella stories, but that's not what this is. For one thing, Maria isn't sickly sweet with birds and mice helping her get dressed, nor is she an orphan, and Charlie is certainly not a charming prince (though he is rich). It's her soul that ends up richer at the end.
The author and I do not know each other, however, I did interview her for the Operation Awesome blog. That has no bearing or influence on my review. This book was a free Amazon First Reads. I don't read many YA books that aren't speculative fiction, but this one was really worth it. This diverse book is realistic fiction, controversial, meaningful, with a strong author’s voice.
luminara347's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
cryptidjade's review
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
amandacoyne's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
ksilvery's review
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
If the whole book was just the last chapter, it would have been a different kind of experience
But the whooooole book & all the pointless shit to just get to the last chapter? Nah… no thank you
But the whooooole book & all the pointless shit to just get to the last chapter? Nah… no thank you
ladyida1's review
3.0
OK what??
The story was ok. It moved along with a good pace but the ending was crazy.
It just ended.
Sometimes the writting was boring where I wasnt even paying attention to what I was reading but some parts pulled me in.
Just wish the ending was in deed a ending.
The story was ok. It moved along with a good pace but the ending was crazy.
It just ended.
Sometimes the writting was boring where I wasnt even paying attention to what I was reading but some parts pulled me in.
Just wish the ending was in deed a ending.