cs_the_librarian's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
lorathelibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
This book was just fun to read. It tells the story of Sayde and Demi, two high schoolers from Ohio, who travel to a prestigious drama camp for the summer. They are so excited because they will be able to be themselves at this camp. They get to burst into song and dance and not feel strange. It's going to be a summer of growth and a chance for them to learn about the theater.
I truly enjoyed reading this book and I loved all the songs and theater mentioned in the novel. I would sing along in my head as the characters sang in the book. Talking about Broadway shows was awesome to read about and I loved that it was in the context of a YA novel. On top of that there was a very good story being told about two teenagers coming into their own and figuring out who they were as actors and people. Demi was officially out of the closet at camp and he loved every second of it. Watching that unfold was awesome. Sadye began to discover that maybe she doesn't fit it like she thought she was going to and that was very interesting.
My only criticism was the ending. I think it was a very realistic ending and I therefore was let down and didn't have the "happily ever after ending" feeling that I was looking for.
I truly enjoyed reading this book and I loved all the songs and theater mentioned in the novel. I would sing along in my head as the characters sang in the book. Talking about Broadway shows was awesome to read about and I loved that it was in the context of a YA novel. On top of that there was a very good story being told about two teenagers coming into their own and figuring out who they were as actors and people. Demi was officially out of the closet at camp and he loved every second of it. Watching that unfold was awesome. Sadye began to discover that maybe she doesn't fit it like she thought she was going to and that was very interesting.
My only criticism was the ending. I think it was a very realistic ending and I therefore was let down and didn't have the "happily ever after ending" feeling that I was looking for.
mairimav's review against another edition
1.0
It exceeded expectations the same way it failed to meet with them. In other words it put me in a reading slump and then got me out of it. Honestly, I have no idea how to feel
hopesteffens's review against another edition
2.0
I picked up this book because i am a huge theater geek and i was excited to be reading a book about theater and show. The beginning was good and i was hopeful that it was gonna be a great read but as i kept reading i started to not like it.
I didn't like how the characters in the book talked done at some of the musicals like Cats and Jekyll and Hyde. It made me feel defensive because those musicals are good. I understand that everyone doesn't like the same musicals; we all have different taste but i try not to talk bad about any musicals. There is usually at least one good song i can find in any musical. So with the characters talking bad about musicals i just couldn't shake the feeling these kids weren't really theater geeks. I mean this dint like Cats and Shakespeare but they were impressed with Annie. Not saying Annie is a bad show but in terms of classics Cats certainly beats Annie.
Also i would have liked if the author would have picked lesser know show in her book. I mean i love Little Shop of Horrors and i don't mind the other shows in the book but it would have been nice to pick less know show or maybe to show a wider range of musicals because there are so many different musicals to pick from each with its own unique sound ans story.
The theater is such a diverse place to be and i did enjoy the fact that it simply was a book about theater even though to my standers it did not fully satisfy what the theater really is.
I didn't like how the characters in the book talked done at some of the musicals like Cats and Jekyll and Hyde. It made me feel defensive because those musicals are good. I understand that everyone doesn't like the same musicals; we all have different taste but i try not to talk bad about any musicals. There is usually at least one good song i can find in any musical. So with the characters talking bad about musicals i just couldn't shake the feeling these kids weren't really theater geeks. I mean this dint like Cats and Shakespeare but they were impressed with Annie. Not saying Annie is a bad show but in terms of classics Cats certainly beats Annie.
Also i would have liked if the author would have picked lesser know show in her book. I mean i love Little Shop of Horrors and i don't mind the other shows in the book but it would have been nice to pick less know show or maybe to show a wider range of musicals because there are so many different musicals to pick from each with its own unique sound ans story.
The theater is such a diverse place to be and i did enjoy the fact that it simply was a book about theater even though to my standers it did not fully satisfy what the theater really is.
e_desimone2's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
poachedeggs's review against another edition
3.0
To be frank, this is definitely a lesser effort compared to the Ruby Oliver books, but there is something quite touching about this story about a girl (Sarah/Sadye) who thinks she has dramatic talent but really doesn't.
jerrica's review against another edition
4.0
It was really quirky and sweet, but the ending was rather disappointing. Frankie Landau-Banks still stands as her best book, and this book wasn't really any competition.
beanmom's review against another edition
3.0
My limited knowledge of Broadway musicals and the theatre life left me feeling a bit "outside" the experience here, but the story was entertaining and the characters were likeable.
samantaned's review against another edition
3.0
Sadya annoyed me big time, and I don't get the ending at all...but I loved Demi and it was an entertaining enough, light, summery read!
miakve's review against another edition
4.0
The book was good. When I started reading it I was entranced. The story got me hooked and I was really loving it. One of the biggest problems I had with the book was the fact that the characters were so bitchy to each other. I get why they were but still. The concept of the summer school was cool. I have been to something similar myself so I get what they were talking about, you might not enjoy it as much if you have not. I liked the way things were described. Things, situations, places, people and feelings. It felt real. Some of the story is also in a different style. It is like in a script. in the book it's written from when the characters talk to a recorder, but it is written like a script. It was pretty cool.
SPOILERS!
Let me just start by saying that Demi is such a bad friend. Good friends would never have let one of their friends take the blame like that. Especially once he knew the consequences were so bad. He got her kicked out, and then did not even keep in contact with her. What a douche.
One of the things that frustrated me was that Demi got mad because Sadye did not talk about the fact that he was black. ISN'T THE POINT THAT IT DOES NOT MATTER! It was so annoying. The fact that she does not want to see that as a thing that seperates them is a good thing!
The end overall was unsatisfying. She just got kicked out, was depressed, nobody bothered to keep in contact and ultimately they still act like they are best friends. The end. It felt like it was building up to something, but then felt as if it was trying to be different.
The lack of work from Sadye was just wrong. She wanted to go there to fit in and work hard, but when she gets there she just complains, instead of being like Nanette and actually work hard to improve. Some of the things she was probably right, but that does not mean she should be rude and show such lack of respect for the teachers.
I would give this book a 3.5, but as that is not possible I will give it a 4. I don't think it is a 3 star, yet not really a 4. I want to continue with books by E. Lockhart. I loved “We were liars” and now i really liked this one. I want to read books that she comes out with from now on, because i feel a growth in writing, and going backwards in that is not as enjoyable.
SPOILERS!
Let me just start by saying that Demi is such a bad friend. Good friends would never have let one of their friends take the blame like that. Especially once he knew the consequences were so bad. He got her kicked out, and then did not even keep in contact with her. What a douche.
One of the things that frustrated me was that Demi got mad because Sadye did not talk about the fact that he was black. ISN'T THE POINT THAT IT DOES NOT MATTER! It was so annoying. The fact that she does not want to see that as a thing that seperates them is a good thing!
The end overall was unsatisfying. She just got kicked out, was depressed, nobody bothered to keep in contact and ultimately they still act like they are best friends. The end. It felt like it was building up to something, but then felt as if it was trying to be different.
The lack of work from Sadye was just wrong. She wanted to go there to fit in and work hard, but when she gets there she just complains, instead of being like Nanette and actually work hard to improve. Some of the things she was probably right, but that does not mean she should be rude and show such lack of respect for the teachers.
I would give this book a 3.5, but as that is not possible I will give it a 4. I don't think it is a 3 star, yet not really a 4. I want to continue with books by E. Lockhart. I loved “We were liars” and now i really liked this one. I want to read books that she comes out with from now on, because i feel a growth in writing, and going backwards in that is not as enjoyable.