A review by laflormorada
Epic Crush of Genie Lo by F.C. Yee

4.0

Genie Lo is an unusually tall, talented, overachieving high school student at a Bay area high school full of other (not so tall but) equally talented, overachieving students. Her main priorities in life include studying for and acing tests, getting plenty of volunteer service hours and literally crushing it at volleyball. She and her best friend Yunie are on track to attend THE best ivy league colleges in the nation, as long as everything goes to plan... which it will and is, until the new transfer student Quentin Sun suddenly drops into her life. Her initial instinct to come to the aid of the less fortunate (generally with her fists) is soon waylaid by the fact that Quentin is an arrogant, demanding, stalkerish person who believes he is Sun Wukong, the mythological Chinese Monkey King. But when weird things start happening around town, Genie has to decide, is she losing her mind or is she really what Quentin claims, a reincarnated, weapon of demon destruction?

This is honestly one of the strangest, most original books I've ever read, and I really enjoyed the escape! It definitely reads as a bit campy but in a good way. The feel of the story is pretty lighthearted and there's plenty of action to keep things moving. Genie is a strong, likable character who doesn't put up with anyone's BS which is very refreshing. Her type A personality and need to achieve is very believable and will ring true to high school students of today who are fighting to be the best of the best. There is a bit of a slow-developing romance but it doesn't take away from the main storyline of "crushing" demons ;) This is a book that both teen girls and boys will enjoy as there's something for everyone. The inclusion of Chinese mythology ties in well with the fantasy element and gives the book even greater appeal as a diverse read. An easy to read, fun diversion... recommended.