shaydelayed's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 stars
The story had me. I was in, but then Ian kept screwing up and after awhile, I was pretty much over him. And then, the way things wrapped up was entirely too bubble gum sweet and unrealistic. If the last few chapters had unfolded differently, this probably would've been a 4 star read for me. Bummer.
The story had me. I was in, but then Ian kept screwing up and after awhile, I was pretty much over him. And then, the way things wrapped up was entirely too bubble gum sweet and unrealistic. If the last few chapters had unfolded differently, this probably would've been a 4 star read for me. Bummer.
booksandtombs's review against another edition
4.0
This was the type of book you literally can not put down.
I started it AND finished it one day...in one sitting.
I won't give any spoilers, but this is must-read for any female and male, it's so touching, it's so deep and there is more to it than just this girl getting taken advantage of..
It's just a pure amazing book, it made me laugh and it made me cry.
I started it AND finished it one day...in one sitting.
I won't give any spoilers, but this is must-read for any female and male, it's so touching, it's so deep and there is more to it than just this girl getting taken advantage of..
It's just a pure amazing book, it made me laugh and it made me cry.
debi_g's review against another edition
3.0
I know this book was written carefully, but some pieces didn't fit right. Some of these issues are simple logistical or societal factors that kept me from suspending disbelief. In the current era, student workers would not be unsupervised for an entire week, and lockers would not be scrubbed down during the school year. How were the videos made by the rapist? Did he premeditate and bring a Joby Gorillapod? Why wasn't he arrested for distributing child pornography (were they 18)? Why wouldn't Facebook have deleted a sex video promptly? Grace went to the hospital immediately after the crime against her, yet there is no information about that experience or whether it is in any way helpful and productive.
What this book does well is tell a story that does not shy away from the social ramifications for girls who bravely demand justice and the common reactions of the populace. It raises necessary questions about an all-too-real concern for society. It's a compelling story, and the main character is likable.
It's disheartening, however, to receive the message that, discounting sympathetic bystanders, only those who care deeply about a victim will (possibly) stand up for her and for the truth. Conversely, (minor spoiler ahead) the book does (eventually) show a an emerging and supportive communication path for those who find themselves interested in developing a healthy relationship with a partner who has been sexually assaulted.
What this book does well is tell a story that does not shy away from the social ramifications for girls who bravely demand justice and the common reactions of the populace. It raises necessary questions about an all-too-real concern for society. It's a compelling story, and the main character is likable.
It's disheartening, however, to receive the message that, discounting sympathetic bystanders, only those who care deeply about a victim will (possibly) stand up for her and for the truth. Conversely, (minor spoiler ahead) the book does (eventually) show a an emerging and supportive communication path for those who find themselves interested in developing a healthy relationship with a partner who has been sexually assaulted.
michromeu's review against another edition
2.0
So, here's the thing about this book. I think this subject matter needs to be addressed more often, and it made a lot of really good points about rape and rape culture. However, that doesn't change that fact that as a novel, it just wasn't very good.
Unfortunately, other than the main character, Grace, all the characters were very one-dimensional - I didn't feel like they were actual people; I just felt like they were plot devices. For example, with the way that Grace's best friends (Miranda and Lindsay) were described, I as a reader couldn't understand why Grace would have wanted to be friends with them in the first place.
I did like Grace a lot - she was interesting, smart, and both vulnerable and tough. I loved her "ass-kicking boots." But even she felt like a mouthpiece for the author's views at certain points. I don't have a problem with books with a message - I love them! And, like I said earlier, this book had a message that a lot of people need to hear. However, there's a problem when your story isn't inherently a story, and is just a vehicle for the message.
It was also very frustrating how
Overall - I found myself increasingly wanting to throw my book at the wall while reading. The author had good intentions and I appreciate the message - I just wish it had been better conveyed.
Unfortunately, other than the main character, Grace, all the characters were very one-dimensional - I didn't feel like they were actual people; I just felt like they were plot devices. For example, with the way that Grace's best friends (Miranda and Lindsay) were described, I as a reader couldn't understand why Grace would have wanted to be friends with them in the first place.
Spoiler
(And furthermore, why she'd go back to being friends with them at the end after the way they treated her!)I did like Grace a lot - she was interesting, smart, and both vulnerable and tough. I loved her "ass-kicking boots." But even she felt like a mouthpiece for the author's views at certain points. I don't have a problem with books with a message - I love them! And, like I said earlier, this book had a message that a lot of people need to hear. However, there's a problem when your story isn't inherently a story, and is just a vehicle for the message.
It was also very frustrating how
Spoiler
Ian only believed Grace after he saw the proof - the video on Zac's phone. And we're supposed to believe that he's this amazing guy at the end? Doesn't that defeat the entire purpose of the book?Overall - I found myself increasingly wanting to throw my book at the wall while reading. The author had good intentions and I appreciate the message - I just wish it had been better conveyed.
thecozyreaderwbo's review against another edition
5.0
What a great book.
This book tackles a tough issue: rape.
What I like most about this book is the attitude Grace has.
I love that she never gives up.
I love that even though everyone doubts her story she keeps to her guns.
I love Ian's character.
I really enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to anyone looking for a compelling contemporary novel.
This book tackles a tough issue: rape.
What I like most about this book is the attitude Grace has.
I love that she never gives up.
I love that even though everyone doubts her story she keeps to her guns.
I love Ian's character.
I really enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to anyone looking for a compelling contemporary novel.
becks97's review against another edition
4.0
A very compelling read. I enjoyed reading it from both perspectives (albeit not Zac’s but still interesting to read from a boys perspective). It’s one of those where everyone should read it. At times it made me angry, as almost everyone believed the guy, even girls, and then I remembered this actually happens within our society and just made me angrier. So if you were to ever pick up another book, I recommend it be this one.
kater07's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
mehsi's review against another edition
4.0
Some Boys was a really brilliant book. It was also at times highly confusing. Was she raped? Or was she not? There are two sides to the story and we slowly find out the truth.
I love Grace, but at times I thought she was just a bit too much. At times I didn't know what to think of her. Like how she was stalking the guy who raped her to get that one shot. Since we don't get to hear why she is doing it until a bit later, I wasn't sympathizing with her a lot, and thanks to this I was also doubting if she was truly raped or just searching for attention. Which is a shame. I think if the whole picture thing was left out it would have been much much better, now at times it just felt awkward and weird.
But at other times I was just cheering for her to continue with her life, to not give up, even though it seemed the whole world was against her. Add to her rape, she also had various other things going on in her life. Her dad, her family, a crush on a boy who is friends with the guy who raped her.
Ian, ah Ian, a character I hated and loved. I at times found him an idiot, believing his friends, believing everything that is being said, while not knowing there is always two sides to a story, not one. I hated how he based his believes on how Grace looked, how she acted. I started liking him more at the end when he finally decided to see that there are indeed two side to a story and decided to be there for Grace.
I loved how the book was split up in 2 POVs, that made the book even better. I don't think I could have survived through a whole book of Grace.
It is sad that people judge others by their looks, their clothes, brand them sluts while they are not that. It is something that pops up in books. Girls (or boys) get raped or molested and they get the fault, get branded a slut/whore or anything else that is bad. I think we should change that, we should look at both sides, help the victim and find out what happened.
And also, just because a girl wears a short skirt, doesn't mean you can just rape her.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I love Grace, but at times I thought she was just a bit too much. At times I didn't know what to think of her. Like how she was stalking the guy who raped her to get that one shot. Since we don't get to hear why she is doing it until a bit later, I wasn't sympathizing with her a lot, and thanks to this I was also doubting if she was truly raped or just searching for attention. Which is a shame. I think if the whole picture thing was left out it would have been much much better, now at times it just felt awkward and weird.
But at other times I was just cheering for her to continue with her life, to not give up, even though it seemed the whole world was against her. Add to her rape, she also had various other things going on in her life. Her dad, her family, a crush on a boy who is friends with the guy who raped her.
Ian, ah Ian, a character I hated and loved. I at times found him an idiot, believing his friends, believing everything that is being said, while not knowing there is always two sides to a story, not one. I hated how he based his believes on how Grace looked, how she acted. I started liking him more at the end when he finally decided to see that there are indeed two side to a story and decided to be there for Grace.
I loved how the book was split up in 2 POVs, that made the book even better. I don't think I could have survived through a whole book of Grace.
It is sad that people judge others by their looks, their clothes, brand them sluts while they are not that. It is something that pops up in books. Girls (or boys) get raped or molested and they get the fault, get branded a slut/whore or anything else that is bad. I think we should change that, we should look at both sides, help the victim and find out what happened.
And also, just because a girl wears a short skirt, doesn't mean you can just rape her.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
booksinreallife's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
An incredibly powerful story.
meghanboutcher's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? Yes
4.0