Review: XVI by Julia Karr

XVI by Julia Karr

Published: January 6, 2011
Publisher: Puffin/Speak
ISBN: 9780142417713
Genre: YA Dystopian
Pages: 325
Source: Borrowed
Series: XVI #1

Nina Oberon's life is pretty normal: she hangs out with her best friend, Sandy, and their crew, goes to school, plays with her little sister, Dee. But Nina is 15. And like all girls she'll receive a Governing Council-ordered tattoo on her 16th birthday. XVI. Those three letters will be branded on her wrist, announcing to all the world—even the most predatory of men—that she is ready for sex. Considered easy prey by some, portrayed by the Media as sluts who ask for attacks, becoming a "sex-teen" is Nina's worst fear. That is, until right before her birthday, when Nina's mom is brutally attacked. With her dying breaths, she reveals to Nina a shocking truth about her past—one that destroys everything Nina thought she knew. Now, alone but for her sister, Nina must try to discover who she really is, all the while staying one step ahead of her mother's killer.

I'm actually surprised that XVI hasn't gotten better reviews. Not that I've seen negative reviews of it, but none of them are particularly gushing either. I thought it to be much better than some other raved about books out there, but I'll keep that to myself.

So. XVI felt like an intensified version of our society. Females are looked at much the same way, but they're completely stripped of their rights. Religion has become pretty much obsolete. This is something that I found interesting about XVI. I won't go into my religious beliefs. I don't have any. That's kind of the point. I've never actually sat down and considered what our society would be like if few believed in any gods. What would a world of atheists be like? Do I believe the world would be as it is in XVI? Not at all. But it definitely made me think.

While I'm surprised there aren't many raving reviews, I'm afraid this one won't be raving either. I liked XVI. I didn't love XVI. There were certain things that annoyed me about the story. Mainly the naivety of damn near every character. Nina kept walking into danger, she kept things from people so they were completely in the dark, and her best friend was practically brain dead, absolutely incapable of thinking for herself or listening to reason. Nina was also back and forth back and forth back and forth. She doesn't want to have sex, she doesn't want to have sex, she may want to have sex, she does NOT want to have sex. It just got old after a little while.

The other thing is the lingo. Non-cons? I don't even understand what the hell that stands for. I don't recall it ever actually stating what that meant, and if it did, please, PLEASE correct me.

XVI was a good story. I did enjoy it. Never once did I get bored and consider not finishing, and I am anticipating the sequel.

3.5/5 Stars

Language: None, unless "skiv" at some point in the future, becomes a derogatory term.
Sexual Content: Kissing. Many references to sex. (Think Secret Life of the American Teenager)(Okay don't think that, it wasn't mentioned that many times) References to rape.

Review: The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins
Published: October 1, 2008
Publisher: Scholastic
ISBN: 9780439023481
Genre: YA, Dystopian
Pages: 374
Source: Bought
Series: The Hunger Games #1

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV. 

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before—and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

The Hype Monster strikes again.

I had attempted to read The Hunger Games numerous times. I'd get through about chapter two and put it down to read something else. This should have been a huge red flag for me. It shouldn't take five chapters for me to start caring about the story, but it did. Even then, I kept reading because everyone said I should keep reading, not because I was particularly interested.

Do I regret that? Yes and no. It wasn't a horrible book. But it was slow paced. I was bored, often.

It left me pissed, to be completely honest. There wasn't much positivity left in me after I finished it, and I can't really think of it in a positive light.

I liked Katniss and Peeta. I liked what we saw of Gale. But. Love triangles. Oh how I loathe thee. I'm Team No One. Katniss played Peeta like a fiddle, and Gale's the long time friend who has been right in front of her all along. But I'd be willing to bet my copy of the book that she ends up with Peeta in the end. These things are predictable. When does the friend ever win? Not that I'm saying I'd be team Gale, if I picked a side. Like I said, Team Peeta-and-Gale-should-find-someone-who-appreciates-them. (Please, PLEASE feel free to tell me if I'm wrong about who she ends up with. And by all means, rub it in.)

It reminds me so much of Death Race, and Death Race is actually one of my favorite movies, so I honestly assumed I would love it. I was wrong. The two may be a lot alike, but there are obvious differences that should have told me not to even bother from the get go.

In Death Race, they are adults. Sure, they're being forced into the arena to kill one another, and many of them are innocent to begin with. However, they aren't children. Children who are being pitted against each other for an eager society just waiting to gobble it up for enjoyment. I found this deeply disturbing.

There's a part in the beginning when Peeta says his mother commented on how "maybe district 12 will actually have a winner." And she meant Katniss. I wanted to close it at that point and just give up. I was disgusted. Absolutely disgusted. There's nothing anyone could say that would make me feel better about that situation. Because if it were my son, they would have had to pry my ass off him before he ever even made it to the stage. The maternal detachment had my head spinning.

There are a few poorly worded sentences that I had to reread numerous times to understand. Hell some of them I still don't understand. This would have me questioning my intelligence if I didn't know with absolute certainty that I am capable of comprehending readings that are much more complex. I'm still baffled by this line in particular: "Don't. Don't let's pretend when there's no one around." Um. Say that again? It's not that I don't understand what she means, I do. But how that line got through editing is beyond me. Is it a typo? Ugh.

It has a compelling plot, I'm not denying that. There were moments when I was able to get absolutely lost in the story and felt as if I was there with Katniss. But then someone would die and I would imagine those sitting at home watching it all go down, and I was disgusted all over again. Or I would get bored because nothing was really happening. And then she would play Peeta and then think about Gale, and just GAH. No. Not for me. I'll just watch the movies.

3.5/5

Review: Lure, by Deborah Kerbel

Lure, by Deborah Kerbel
Published:
Publisher:
Pages:
Overall Rating: 3/5

A Victorian garden, a fishing lure, and a ghost named John .

Absolutely nothing is going right for Max Green. His parents have just uprooted their family from Vancouver to the bleak suburbs of Toronto, he has no friends, and everybody at his new high school is ignoring him. To make matters worse, he's in love with an older girl who's completely out of his league.

When Max discovers a local library rumored to be haunted by ghosts, he's immediately drawn to it. With the help of some cryptic messages, he begins to piece together the identity of the teenage ghost and the mysterious chain of events that have connected its spirit to the building for over a century. But just who was John, anyway? Why has he chosen to contact Max? And what does an old fishing lure have to do with solving the mystery?

I know I just said I'd be gone for a little while, but I finished this and felt the need to give it a quick review. So maybe I won't be gone for a while. Who knows. Maybe I just can't stay away from you guys. :p

Lure is a fast paced, interesting story. The cover drew me in from the start, and despite the fact that I don't believe ghosts exist, so did the premise.

The story is told from alternating points of view, between Max and John. I preferred John's parts over Max's, because I felt like this was the only place we really got any story.

I really don't know what to say about it. It was interesting, I held on to the finish, and closed the book feeling relatively satisfied. The novel is about a 16 year old boy, but I still don't feel as though it was a young adult novel, and I think this is why I don't have much to say about it. I think it's more middle grade, probably for readers more 10-13. For that age group, I think it'd be a great read. For an adult you delves in young adult? It was okay.

Minder by Kate Kaynak, review & GIVEAWAY!

Giveaway details at the bottom**

Minder, by Kate Kaynak
Published: June 18, 2010
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press
Pages: 264
Overall Rating: 3.5/5

Sixteen-year-old Maddie Dunn is special, but she needs to figure out how to use her new abilities before somebody else gets hurt. Ganzfield is a secret training facility full of people like her, but it's not exactly a nurturing place. Every social interaction carries the threat of mind-control. A stray thought can burn a building to the ground. And people's nightmares don't always stay in their own heads. But it's still better than New Jersey--especially once she meets the man of her dreams...

Maddie and Trevor's relationship is adorable. While I enjoyed it once it started, I feel like it started too soon. There really wasn't much development. I may have liked this, if I personally believed in the idea of love at first sight and soulmates. However, since I don't, it was hard for me to grasp how they fell in love at all.

I loved the idea of their individual abilities. They were all unique, and they're described in a way that feels real. You can't help but wish you lived in their world. All of the characters grabbed my attention in their own way.

I enjoyed the story its self, and I am excited to see where the next book takes us. My only real issue with the novel was that it felt rushed to me. Rushed, and yet at the same time, nothing seemed to really be happening. The majority of the novel revolves around Maddie and Trevor's growing relationship, but it didn't feel as though their relationship was growing at all. It was just...what it was. They were soulmates, in love, and while adorable, it fell flat for me.

The way it was written was hard for me to really get into. Not that the writing is bad, it isn't. But the fact that Maddie could communicate using her mind, left us without much dialogue (technically). Without the dialogue, I sometimes found it difficult to imagine what they were doing. So I felt a bit of a disconnect from the overall picture.

The last few chapters is when it really picks up, and we start to see some real action. Now Maddie doesn't just love Trevor, but she also has to use her power to keep him. I won't say more, I don't want to spoil it.

I'd recommend this to anyone who wants a sweet little love story. I'd also recommend this to someone who is interested in latching onto a new and promising series. To those people I'd say, stick out to the last few chapters, you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Don't let my review sway you from entering this contest! I thought it was cute, but a lot of people are loving it. Head over to Good Choice Reading, and Blkosiner's Book Blog to read their raving reviews of the novel.

Cover:
4/5
Plot:

4/5

Pace:

3/5

Characters:

4/5

Ending:

4/5

Writing Style:

3/5

Giveaway Details

• Contest is open to everyone. If winner is in the US, the copy with be signed. If you're an international winner, the book will be shipped via The Book Depository, therefore it will not be signed.
• You do not have to be a follower to enter, although it is appreciated. As is spreading the word.
• Deadline: November 3rd at midnight.

Review: Tell Me a Secret, by Holly Cupala

Tell Me a Secret, by Holly Cupala
Published: June 22, 2010
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pages: 256
Overall Rating: 3.5/5

Tell me a secret, and I'll tell you one… 

In the five years since her bad-girl sister Xanda’s death, Miranda Mathison has wondered about the secret her sister took to the grave, and what really happened the night she died. Now, just as Miranda is on the cusp of her dreams—a best friend to unlock her sister’s world, a ticket to art school, and a boyfriend to fly her away from it all—Miranda has a secret all her own. 

Then two lines on a pregnancy test confirm her worst fears. Stripped of her former life, Miranda must make a choice with tremendous consequences and finally face her sister’s demons and her own. 

In this powerful debut novel, stunning new talent Holly Cupala illuminates the dark struggle of a girl who must let go of her past to find a way into her own future.

This review probably won't make a whole lot of sense.

It deserves a higher rating. If I had been in the right state of mind while reading it, I would've rated it at least four stars. However, right now, I can't bring myself to rate it higher than 3.5, and I'll tell you why.

I had to force myself to read it. Not because the story is bad, because trust me, it isn't. It's a beautifully written, heart-wrenching story. But I think something has become clear to me, in reading this. I either need a paranormal aspect, romance, or something I've never experienced, in order to enjoy a book. I was a teen mother. I've been there, done that. And though my situation was different than Rand's, I still didn't feel as though I was living through her, because I've had that experience. Sure, it brings me back to that time in my life, but I prefer this time in my life.

So, I had to make myself read it. There are very, very few happy moments in this book, which made it that much harder to read. I was torn between putting the book down, and wiping a tear or two.

I didn't like a single character in this book.  Rand is going through a seriously difficult time, but she is stubborn, and I think if she had opened her mouth instead of turning into herself, things could've gone differently for her. (But then there wouldn't be the book, I know.) Essence had promise, but I didn't see enough of her to enjoy her. Delany, Kamran, Rand's parents....I would not want to know any of them in real life. (Okay, so part of me would want to know Delany, just to tell her what I think of her.)

The book was different than what I expected. I felt for Rand, I really did. I also felt like the book was a bit disorganized, and I didn't care much for the ending. I'm happy that it was a happy ending, but I definitely wish it had gone a bit differently. And a little less abruptly.

So my rating, 3.5. In another time, on another day, I probably would've rated it 4, maybe 4.5.

Cover

5/5

Plot

4/5

Characters

3/5

Pace

3/5

Ending

3/5

Writing Style

4/5

Review: Tangled, by Carolyn Mackler

Tangled, by Carolyn Mackler
Published: December 29, 2009
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages:308
Overall Rating: 3.5/5

Jena, Dakota, Skye, and Owen are all at Paradise—the resort in the Caribbean, that is—for different reasons, but in Paradise their lives become tangled together in ways none of them can predict. Over the course of four months, through four voices and four stories, what happened in Paradise will change them all. 

In this extraordinary novel, the Printz Honor–winning author brings us her most accomplished work yet. Tangled is a story of the secrets we keep, the risks we take, and the things we do for love.

Carolyn Mackler's novels usually go one of two ways for me. Either I like it, or I don't. So far, there has never been one that was in between, until now.

I enjoyed three out of the four parts in the novel. I felt sorry for Jena, and devoured her portion of the book pretty quickly. By the time we got to Dakota, I had pretty much had my mind set on him being a douche, so I enjoyed getting inside his head and seeing what made him tick. He does cuss, a lot.  If you're turned off by that sort of thing, his portion of the book probably won't be very enjoyable for you. I personally don't mind swearing, because let's be honest here, there aren't many teens who don't. It's realistic.

Then came Skye's portion, which I couldn't have been more happy to finally finish. I found her dull, and catty. There was really no reason for her to do what she did in Jena's portion of the book, and she never really gives a reason as to why. Other than, "I'm a spoiled brat, so I do what I want." Okay, so I'm paraphrasing, forgive me.

I was pulled back in when I got to Owen's section. I loved how they included his actual blog posts(go figure), and the fact that the other three characters were pulled back into the story in varying degrees, which tied everything up nicely.

One thing I love about Carolyn Mackler is, she isn't afraid of exploring the things that occupy every teenager's mind. I know we'd like to think our teens are focused on schoolwork and their future, but if that were the case, would the YA genre be so increasingly popular? I don't think so. She isn't afraid to throw in the cursing, the sex, and *gasp* masturbation. While it turns many people off of her novels, I applaud her for it.

Cover

4/5

Plot

3/5

Characters

4/5

Pace

3/5

Ending

4/5

Writing Style

3/5

Review: The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things, Carolyn Mackler

The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things, by Carolyn Mackler

Published: February 3, 2003

Publisher: Walker Books Ltd

Pages: 304

Overall Rating: 

Fifteen-year-old Virginia Shreves has a larger-than-average body and a plus-size inferiority complex, especially when she compares herself to her slim, brilliant, picture-perfect family. But that’s before a shocking phone call — and a horrifying allegation — about her rugby-star brother changes everything. With irreverent humor and surprising gravity, Carolyn Mackler creates an endearingly blunt heroine who speaks to every teen who struggles with family expectations, and proves that the most impressive achievement is to be true to yourself.

Can I just start by saying, they really didn't choose a very good picture for the cover of the book. I mean, the title its self implies that her butt is "big", the summary implies that she is slightly overweight, but the girl in that picture does not fit either of those.

There is definitely a message in this book. Virginia struggles with her weight, and a family who constantly pressure her into being someone she isn't. We follow her on her journey to finally accepting herself, and taking steps towards getting healthy for herself, rather than to please her parents, or anyone else. It is a positive message to send to teenagers.

While I see the message in the book, I didn't find anything to be particularly special about it. The plot is a bit cliche, as are the characters. Virginia is your typical overweight protagonist, constantly obsessing about her weight, while stuffing her face full of cupcakes and Snickers bars. Her best friend has moved away for the summer, which results in Virginia shoving even more Twinkies down her throat. Her Mother strives to make her family perfect, which means she's constantly putting Virginia down.

The conflict comes in about half way through the story, when we find out something horrible that Virginia's brother Byron has done. This is when the book started irritating me. Their parents want their family to picture perfect, and yet when Byron has done this horrible thing, they shrug it off. They pretend he's done nothing wrong, while still treating Virginia as if she's the embarrassment to the family. It was all very annoying.

I gave the book three stars, only because there is a positive message that I believe teens could learn from. Other than the message, I found it to be boring and predictable.

Cover

Plot

Characters

Pace

Ending

Writing Style

Review: Cracked Up to Be, by Courtney Summers

Cracked Up to Be, by Courtney Summers

Published: December 23, 2008


Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin


Pages: 214

Overall Rating:

What's the worst thing you've ever done? 

When "Perfect" Parker Fadley starts drinking at school and failing her classes, all of St. Peter's High goes on alert. How has the cheerleading captain, girlfriend of the most popular guy in school, consummate teacher's pet, and future valedictorian fallen so far from grace? 

Parker doesn't want to talk about it. She'd just like to be left alone, to disappear, to be ignored. But her parents have placed her on suicide watch and her counselors are demanding the truth. Worse, there's a nice guy falling in love with her and he's making her feel things again when she'd really rather not be feeling anything at all. 

Nobody would have guessed she'd turn out like this. But nobody knows the truth. 

Something horrible has happened, and it just might be her fault.

The only way I can really think to describe this book is--it was okay. Just okay, nothing special. First of all, it isn't at all what I thought it would be.

The characters weren't like-able. Parker is the most self-centered protagonist I have ever read about. She's so self-absorbed, it makes me sick. She's rude to everyone, and yet, they still like her. Take Chris for example, her ex-boyfriend, who somehow still claims to love her after all of the horrible things she does and says to him. Including going out of her way to make sure he doesn't get over her, while making fun of him constantly about the fact that he can't get over her. It's pathetic. And then there's Becky, who she throws into Chris's arms, but makes a point to ruin their relationship. Jake walks into the story not knowing the old, nice Parker. He doesn't even know what he's missing like Chris does, he just meets her as the horrible person she's become. And he LIKES her. A lot. I don't know who's more pathetic, him or Chris. On top of that, Jake and Chris become best friends and have no resentment towards each other, despite the fact that they're both in love with a pathetic self-absorbed b-tch! Which is a bit unrealistic.

The end couldn't come soon enough, when we finally find out what happens to Parker's best friend Jessica. This reveals the reason Parker has become the person she has become, which is completely ridiculous, not to mention predictable.

I will say, I liked the writing style. It was enough to pull me in, despite all of the things I disliked about the book. I plan on reading more from Courtney Summers, because I think we could really get a great story out of her.

Cover

Plot

Characters

Pace

Ending

Writing Style

Review: The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner, by Stephenie Meyer

The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner, by Stephenie Meyer

Published: June 5, 2010

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Pages: 178

Overall Rating: 

Bree Tanner can barely remember life before she had uncannily powerful senses, superhuman reflexes and unstoppable physical strength. Life before she had a relentless thirst for blood... life before she became a vampire. 

All Bree knows is that living with her fellow newborns has few certainties and even fewer rules: watch your back, don't draw attention to yourself and, above all, make it home by sunrise or die. What she doesn't know: her time as an immortal is quickly running out. 

Then Bree finds an unexpected friend in Diego, a newborn just as curious as Bree about their mysterious creator, whom they know only as "her". As they come to realize that the newborns are pawns in a game larger than anything they could have imagines, Bree and Diego must choose sides and decide whom to trus. But when everything you know about vampires is based on a lie, how do you find the truth?

*Possible mild spoilers*
I'm glad I didn't go into this one too psyched. As you may remember from my latest IMM, I wasn't too excited to read this. Mostly because I didn't care about Bree as a character. She's there in Eclipse for one scene, and we all know how that ends for her. So ultimately, we knew how this one would end too. Not much to look forward too....

For starters, Bree felt a little too much like Bella. Actually, a lot too much like Bella. I honestly didn't feel like she was a different character. Especially considering she also didn't act like a typical newborn vamp. She had extra self-control too, but why? I thought the entire point of this book was so that we could see it from the other side? Shouldn't we have experienced Bree as a ravenous newborn, unable to control her urges?

There was a very very small romance. I can't really stress how small it was any other way than saying, it was nearly non-existent. Still yet, the friendship there was probably the best part of the entire book.

Meyer writes an introduction, that tells us why she wrote this book. She couldn't forget about Bree (or Diego, or Fred) and felt the need to write this side of the story. She wanted all of us to think about Bree as a character, rather than just another of Victoria's pawns. She was successful, to an extent.

The newborn vampires didn't have the greatest background, as they were all troubled kids to begin with. That kind of takes away any sympathy I may have had for Bree having her human life taken from her.
However, I will say that in reading Eclipse, I did feel a pang of sympathy for her. They described such a young girl, who clearly didn't want to be a part of the battle, and ultimately she's shown no mercy. How could you not feel a bit sorry for her? The thing is, there's a certain event in this book (I won't say what, but I believe it was meant to be the climax...eh) that really makes me think Bree's demise was probably best for her. Otherwise, she may have become Victoria someday.

So, my final thoughts. If there had been any unanswered questions about this vampire world, this book failed to deliver any answers. I only care about Bree a slight amount, so not much improvement there. I walked away feeling as though her death was for the best. I'll miss both Diego and Fred, but I don't feel they're really part of the Twilight world. I kind of feel like I just wasted two and half hours of my life for no reason at all.

Please, please STOP! Leave the Twilight Saga at what it is(was)! The first four books are great, no need to keep adding to that. (Unless it's Midnight Sun. Who cares about Bree?! I think all of us are in agreement on the fact that we'd much rather have Midnight Sun!) Clearly, someone's trying to bank on the success, and it's not going so well. (though from their point of view, it's probably going great.) Leave. It. Alone. Before everyone feels like I do, like they're just DONE with it all.

Cover:

Plot:

Characters:

Pace:

Ending:

Writing Style:

Review: Something Like Fate, by Susane Colasanti

Something Like Fate, by Susane Colasanti

Published: May 4th, 2010

Publisher: Viking Juvenile

Pages: 240

Rating:

Lani and Erin are bonded for life. One thing that connects them is their fascination of fate. Lani wonders how much of our lives has already been decided and how much we can actually influence. Since the Unknown can unexpectedly change our lives forever, how much can we really control? 


From the minute Lani meets Jason, she can't deny the intense connection they share. It feels like she's known him forever. She's not sure if he feels it, too. But it doesn't matter. Because Jason is Erin's boyfriend. Lani is determined to ignore her feelings for Jason, no matter how powerful they are, rather than risk hurting her best friend. 



How long can Lani keep running from the boy who might be her destiny?

Blah...I have so many things to say about this, and yet I can't think of a thing to say about it.

Let's start with....the plot. I had a feeling I wouldn't care much for this book, simply because it's about a girl stealing her best friend's boyfriend. Sure sure, soul mates, blah, fate....whatever. I don't believe in fate, and even if I did, I still wouldn't find this okay. It's never okay. (And as far as literature goes, it isn't very original either.)

I adored both Waiting for You, and When it Happens, by Susane Colasanti. I've yet to read Take Me There, but I definitely will, despite my dislike for Something Like Fate. I feel like this book was a step backwards for her. The writing was so simplistic, it's almost unbelievable. One thing that bugged me about the other two books was her way of using "She goes...", "I'm like...", and the funny thing is, that didn't even bother me this time. It was just the writing in general....just, blah.

I felt no heat at all between these supposed soul mates. There was no heat, no passion, nothing. It was all coincidences, all this "fate" mess....they had so much in common, but other than describing water by shape and color, playing in the sandbox as children, and their mutual love for kites and writing in code...what was there? Nothing. I feel there needs to be chemistry to fall in love with someone, not just a series of things you have in common.

Shallow characters. Other than her love for all things fate and astrology, and her personal mission to save the world, Lani had zero depth. Unless you include being a push over as having depth. Jason hardly even speaks, and when he does, it isn't very believable. Erin goes from loving best friend, to gone, to a very mean girl (seriously though, her boyfriend dumped her for her best friend. She kind of has every right to be mean.) Blake--Lani's gay best friend, and Conner--a kid in her class from Canada, both had far more going for them than the main characters. This isn't a huge problem for me though. There have been many books with weak characters that I still enjoyed, because of the story it's self.

I think a little more character development, and more chemistry between the characters would've made this book a lot better.

I sincerely hope this was just a small blunder for Susane Colasanti. I like her, I liked her other books, and I really wanted to like this one. The problem is, I didn't.