kblincoln's review against another edition
3.0
This one was not quite to my taste. True, it had over-the-top witty, media-referencing banter, massive Shakespeare allusion, and a heroine who learns the hard lesson of not judging people by outward appearance.
Miranda and her merry band of foodcourt workers are trapped with the popular gang in the mall one night when a snowstorm closes down everything. With only an ineffectual mall cop to chaperone, the kids go a big crazy.
The popular gang take over various stores, they borrow willy nilly from different stores, and Miranda ends up handcuffed to Caleb, a dower boy she'd hardly noticed before.
But this is going to be a night of hijinks. Despite the threat of a mysterious robber, Miranda focuses her attention on getting back at the popular kids; including her former friends and boyfriend who dumped her in a most flagrant way due to an SAT prep scandal.
I think why this didn't work so much for me was that I couldn't get past the necessary suspension of disbelief required by the scenario: dozens of teenagers trapped in a mall overnight pilfering items and food without fear of reprisal? Causing glitter chaos? I just kept cringing whenever the story required them to "borrow" something else. While Miranda was fun, she was definitely a character and not someone I ended up identifying with or feeling like was a real person.
So thumbs up for wacky hijinks and Shakespeare (and truly LOL one-liners) but it wasn't quite what I'm looking for in YA fiction.
This Book's Snack Rating: Doritos for food court humor and that distinctive, spiced flavor of whackiness you either enjoy or don't
Miranda and her merry band of foodcourt workers are trapped with the popular gang in the mall one night when a snowstorm closes down everything. With only an ineffectual mall cop to chaperone, the kids go a big crazy.
The popular gang take over various stores, they borrow willy nilly from different stores, and Miranda ends up handcuffed to Caleb, a dower boy she'd hardly noticed before.
But this is going to be a night of hijinks. Despite the threat of a mysterious robber, Miranda focuses her attention on getting back at the popular kids; including her former friends and boyfriend who dumped her in a most flagrant way due to an SAT prep scandal.
I think why this didn't work so much for me was that I couldn't get past the necessary suspension of disbelief required by the scenario: dozens of teenagers trapped in a mall overnight pilfering items and food without fear of reprisal? Causing glitter chaos? I just kept cringing whenever the story required them to "borrow" something else. While Miranda was fun, she was definitely a character and not someone I ended up identifying with or feeling like was a real person.
So thumbs up for wacky hijinks and Shakespeare (and truly LOL one-liners) but it wasn't quite what I'm looking for in YA fiction.
This Book's Snack Rating: Doritos for food court humor and that distinctive, spiced flavor of whackiness you either enjoy or don't
dtrumps's review against another edition
4.0
Solid 3.5, funny, smart, if a little predictable (I knew who the culprit was 1/2 through), but very much worth the read. I loved Miranda and her subjects.
xxsquigglesxx's review against another edition
3.0
OVERALL IMPRESSION: This was a really cute and sweet story with a little adventure and mystery thrown in. There's not a whole lot to say about it. I enjoyed reading it, and was entertained throughout the entire story. Unfortunately, I haven't ever read Shakespeare's "The Tempest" so I can't compare this version to that, but hopefully one day I'll be able to add that to my reading pile.
CHARACTERS: I really liked the character of Ariel. She was cute and caring. She is someone I would love to be friends with. Caleb was an interesting character as well. I feel like I learned about each of the characters and their values as the story progressed.
COVER: The cover is okay. Pretty simple and it ties in with the story fairly well.
CHARACTERS: I really liked the character of Ariel. She was cute and caring. She is someone I would love to be friends with. Caleb was an interesting character as well. I feel like I learned about each of the characters and their values as the story progressed.
COVER: The cover is okay. Pretty simple and it ties in with the story fairly well.
michalice's review against another edition
4.0
I was contacted by the authors to review both Tempestuous and Exposure. While I had not hear of either of these authors, or even the books, when I looked into them more I accepted and quickly made a start on them. Tempestuous is a modern day spin on The Tempest by William Shakespeare, and while we had to read Shakespeare's work in school, I am in now way a fan of his work, and while Tempestuous sounded interesting I was wary about reading it.
The minute I began reading I was instantly intrigued and wanted to know how a girl and boy end up hand cuffed together. I soon found myself engrossed in Miranda's story and learning about her fall from grace, from the top of the popularity ladder, right down to the bottom rung. This leads to her having to find a job, which is working at a hot dog stand and having to wear a ridiculous hat, leaving her at ridicule from her ex-friends and most popular girls in school. While Miranda may not have the best job, or the best head gear, her co-worker is one I instantly liked. Ariel is quirky and is often in her own little world, but she makes for great comedic responses to whoever she speaks too.
As Tempestuous progresses we soon find out the reasons for Miranda being handcuffed to Caleb, and I loved the build up between this duo. From the minute they meet they are at each others throats, and as the situation gets worse and they find themselves trapped in the Mall it led to more conflicts between them.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Tempestuous, and even though I probably wouldn't have the nerve to do this myself, I loved the pranks Miranda plays to get back at the popular group and I often found myself laughing out loud at them. After finishing Tempestuous I was extremely happy to know I had the second book in this series to read. Kim and Amy have done a great job at modernising Shakespeare's work, and while I still can't see myself willingly picking up a book of his, I enjoyed reading this alternate version.
The minute I began reading I was instantly intrigued and wanted to know how a girl and boy end up hand cuffed together. I soon found myself engrossed in Miranda's story and learning about her fall from grace, from the top of the popularity ladder, right down to the bottom rung. This leads to her having to find a job, which is working at a hot dog stand and having to wear a ridiculous hat, leaving her at ridicule from her ex-friends and most popular girls in school. While Miranda may not have the best job, or the best head gear, her co-worker is one I instantly liked. Ariel is quirky and is often in her own little world, but she makes for great comedic responses to whoever she speaks too.
As Tempestuous progresses we soon find out the reasons for Miranda being handcuffed to Caleb, and I loved the build up between this duo. From the minute they meet they are at each others throats, and as the situation gets worse and they find themselves trapped in the Mall it led to more conflicts between them.
"Well, excuse me for having a perfectly natural freak-out response to all this. Unlike you, I do not have the emotional detachment of a cyborg".
[Miranda, kindle location 1655 ]
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Tempestuous, and even though I probably wouldn't have the nerve to do this myself, I loved the pranks Miranda plays to get back at the popular group and I often found myself laughing out loud at them. After finishing Tempestuous I was extremely happy to know I had the second book in this series to read. Kim and Amy have done a great job at modernising Shakespeare's work, and while I still can't see myself willingly picking up a book of his, I enjoyed reading this alternate version.
kitkatscanread's review
3.0
I thought the storyline was OK. I was confused a lot of the time. I couldn't keep up with all the characters. The ending was sweet, and I liked the relationship between Miranda and Caleb.
Full review: http://kitkat1242.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/review-tempestuous-by-kim-askew-amy.html
Full review: http://kitkat1242.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/review-tempestuous-by-kim-askew-amy.html
mimima's review against another edition
3.0
Very much a YA Teen retelling, I enjoyed the way that the original Tempest was brought in, though there were a lot of things that made me roll my eyes.
A good way to spend a couple of hours.
A good way to spend a couple of hours.
chelton's review against another edition
3.0
Note: I received this through Goodreads Giveaways.
This was a quick, breezy read that tackled Shakespeare's The Tempest, placing it in the modern day. I love the idea. A group of mostly teenagers trapped in a mall overnight while a blizzard rages outside? Awesome!
Yet it never came together for me. There's a mystery element, but I solved it almost as quickly as it was presented. The characters are fun, though Miranda (the lead) suffered from being surrounded by peers more interesting than her. Also, where were any adults aside from Grady and a few women in the movie theater? I kept expecting some conflict to stem from the kids playing trashing the camp at the mall. Most of all,though, there were just a few too many wink wink nudge nudge literary reference moments.
However, Kim Askew and Amy Helmes worked nicely together. There was never a jarring moment between their two writing styles, and it seemed like this was a joy to write. It teetered between cartoonish and farcical, and because it's mostly a bit of fluff, it was an enjoyable read.
This was a quick, breezy read that tackled Shakespeare's The Tempest, placing it in the modern day. I love the idea. A group of mostly teenagers trapped in a mall overnight while a blizzard rages outside? Awesome!
Yet it never came together for me. There's a mystery element, but I solved it almost as quickly as it was presented. The characters are fun, though Miranda (the lead) suffered from being surrounded by peers more interesting than her. Also, where were any adults aside from Grady and a few women in the movie theater? I kept expecting some conflict to stem from the kids playing trashing the camp at the mall. Most of all,though, there were just a few too many wink wink nudge nudge literary reference moments.
However, Kim Askew and Amy Helmes worked nicely together. There was never a jarring moment between their two writing styles, and it seemed like this was a joy to write. It teetered between cartoonish and farcical, and because it's mostly a bit of fluff, it was an enjoyable read.
sabbygee's review against another edition
3.0
This review and more at Sab The Book Eater
I'm not a big Shakespeare fan because I never really took the time to understand his writing. In highschool, and even now in college, we didn't really discuss Shakespeare in depth. We were only able to discuss a few of Shakespeare's works, unfortunately The Tempest wasn't one of them. Tempestuous tickled my curiosity so even if I had no clue what The Tempest is about, I read it anyway.
"Trapped in a mall." This book had me at the idea of being trapped in a mall. It's weird right, but it's always been one of my crazy scenarios. Assuming you won't get into trouble for taking things and messing the place up, I think it could be fun getting trapped in a mall... minus the creepy Twilight Zone effect of course. That's basically what I liked about Tempestuous, it's loads of fun!
The whole story takes place in one day, inside a mall. What I liked about this is that because the story line is confined in one day and in one place setting, it's like the story was developed nicely as the story progressed. I love it when a story line follows Freytag's triangle especially when it's a mystery because it builds tension at the right time and the resolution comes in smoothly.
I think Askew and Helmes did a great job at keeping the readers hooked! I kept making guesses as to who the robber is but when it was revealed I literally gasped and said, "Oh. My. God." A bit dramatic, I know. Aside from the mystery, it was fun how the authors were able to balance the teen drama and crazy antics with the mystery. I liked how Miranda and Caleb fell in like considering how annoyed they were at each other most of the time. I liked how the authors were able to paint a really fun picture of all their pranks and activities in the mall after hours. And I liked how thrilling the mystery angle was. It had the potential of becoming messy because of the different angles but it wasn't - it was the right mix of everything.
Tempestuous is an enjoyable read even if you don't know the gist of The Tempest and you should definitely give it a try. ;-)
I'm not a big Shakespeare fan because I never really took the time to understand his writing. In highschool, and even now in college, we didn't really discuss Shakespeare in depth. We were only able to discuss a few of Shakespeare's works, unfortunately The Tempest wasn't one of them. Tempestuous tickled my curiosity so even if I had no clue what The Tempest is about, I read it anyway.
"Trapped in a mall." This book had me at the idea of being trapped in a mall. It's weird right, but it's always been one of my crazy scenarios. Assuming you won't get into trouble for taking things and messing the place up, I think it could be fun getting trapped in a mall... minus the creepy Twilight Zone effect of course. That's basically what I liked about Tempestuous, it's loads of fun!
The whole story takes place in one day, inside a mall. What I liked about this is that because the story line is confined in one day and in one place setting, it's like the story was developed nicely as the story progressed. I love it when a story line follows Freytag's triangle especially when it's a mystery because it builds tension at the right time and the resolution comes in smoothly.
I think Askew and Helmes did a great job at keeping the readers hooked! I kept making guesses as to who the robber is but when it was revealed I literally gasped and said, "Oh. My. God." A bit dramatic, I know. Aside from the mystery, it was fun how the authors were able to balance the teen drama and crazy antics with the mystery. I liked how Miranda and Caleb fell in like considering how annoyed they were at each other most of the time. I liked how the authors were able to paint a really fun picture of all their pranks and activities in the mall after hours. And I liked how thrilling the mystery angle was. It had the potential of becoming messy because of the different angles but it wasn't - it was the right mix of everything.
Tempestuous is an enjoyable read even if you don't know the gist of The Tempest and you should definitely give it a try. ;-)
qpullum's review against another edition
4.0
Tempestuous is about a girl named Miranda who works at mall food court selling hot dogs. She is in this position due to her being caught in a SAT school scam and has to pay all the damage she has done. One day she, her coworkers, other mall employees, and some mall customers get snowed in and is trapped in the mall overnight. And that is when chaos begins.
I really REALLY love this book. I thought the main character was witty, spontaneous and rebellious. It's kind of funny that a lot of characters in the book misjudged Miranda thinking that she was selfish due to all the things she has done. But in reality she was just trying to follow her heart and I find her very relatable.
I also adored the romance between Miranda and Caleb in the book. The book is only about 220 pages so I was impressed on how well the relationship was so well developed.
The side characters Arial, Chad, Grady, etc. were also very well developed and each character was great in their own way.
I really love the events that happened, the characters and the setting. Everything was just perfect and well written. I can't wait to get my hands on the rest of the books that these authors has to offer.
I really REALLY love this book. I thought the main character was witty, spontaneous and rebellious. It's kind of funny that a lot of characters in the book misjudged Miranda thinking that she was selfish due to all the things she has done. But in reality she was just trying to follow her heart and I find her very relatable.
I also adored the romance between Miranda and Caleb in the book. The book is only about 220 pages so I was impressed on how well the relationship was so well developed.
The side characters Arial, Chad, Grady, etc. were also very well developed and each character was great in their own way.
I really love the events that happened, the characters and the setting. Everything was just perfect and well written. I can't wait to get my hands on the rest of the books that these authors has to offer.
xoczarina's review against another edition
5.0
I unexpectedly loved this one. At first I thought this was just like any other chick-lit with nauseating romance and cheesy dialogues, so I wasn't prepared for how good this was.
Miranda was very likeable -except where she judged Chad and Caleb too quickly- she's funny, witty, and has a knack for leadership. Everyone just adores her, I mean, someone brings her shakes during her breaks, for chrissakes! (hey, that rhymed!). Then there's her brilliant schemes. I admit, revenge is petty, but her plans were awesomesauce. I loved the spa part, that was just hilarious.
Her romance with Caleb was a bit cliche, but it works in a sense. Being handcuffed to each other definitely made it more interesting. Also, there's Miranda's pixie-like co-worker, Ariel, she would just definitely surprise you.
Aside from plotting revenge, there was also the somewhat predictable mall robbery mystery, so Miranda and co. definiteley had a busy night.
After all that, I still want more of this light, funny read. Now if only I could grab the second installment of this one.
Miranda was very likeable -except where she judged Chad and Caleb too quickly- she's funny, witty, and has a knack for leadership. Everyone just adores her, I mean, someone brings her shakes during her breaks, for chrissakes! (hey, that rhymed!). Then there's her brilliant schemes. I admit, revenge is petty, but her plans were awesomesauce. I loved the spa part, that was just hilarious.
Her romance with Caleb was a bit cliche, but it works in a sense. Being handcuffed to each other definitely made it more interesting. Also, there's Miranda's pixie-like co-worker, Ariel, she would just definitely surprise you.
Aside from plotting revenge, there was also the somewhat predictable mall robbery mystery, so Miranda and co. definiteley had a busy night.
After all that, I still want more of this light, funny read. Now if only I could grab the second installment of this one.