hilaryistired's review
4.0
I received a copy of this book from the author through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I was excited when I was asked to review this book, because I have a soft spot for Shakespeare inspired stories. There’s something really fun about taking plays and stories that the entire world is familiar with to some extent, and making them into something new and special. And Helmes and Askew do an amazing job with this book.
Puck follows the story of, well, Puck. She’s a fifteen year old girl who has been shuffled through the system, and seems to have given up hope that there’s anything that can be done with her. She’s plucked from her bed in the middle of the night by two strangers and driven for ages to DreamRoads, where troubled kids go to see the light out in the middle of nowhere. Sure that this isn’t going to do a thing for her, she resists, cheats, and collects information that may work to her benefit. But even our best laid plans don’t go as we hope, and maybe DreamRoads is exactly where Puck needs to be.
As far as a rewrite would go, this one is pretty loose. Inspired is definitely the word to use here. You’ll see some common characters, story lines, and elements that match up with what you know from A Midsummer Night’s Dream, but the overall story is different enough. But that’s what’s good about this. The elements the authors have chosen to include work so well within the story and you’re excited to see them, but it’s not the same old story yet again. This is how all adaptions, rewrites, or inspired stories should be done.
The Good Points about Puck:
I loved all of the characters in this book. They were all so fun and unique and interesting. And even more, I loved that there were no bad or good characters in this book. Sure, some were jerks, or strange, or something for parts of the story. But in the end, they proved themselves to be all just doing the best they could. It fit the story so beautifully.
Snout deserves a point of his own, because I honestly loved everything about his character and what goes down with him. Can we have a book about Snout, please?
The writing in this book is fantastic. Puck and the others all sounded like teenagers, which is something I don’t say about many books. Adults tend to write teens as though they speak and think like adults, but this isn’t the case here. Askew and Helmes have teen speak down, and it works so well in this book.
A book about teens with problems gives you the impression that you’re getting into something serious. And you are. But the authors have thrown in just enough humour and fun that you’ll laugh as much as your heart aches for the characters, and in just the right places. Balancing serious subject matters and comedy is no easy task, but Askew and Helmes did a wonderful job.
As a therapist myself (however, please note, not one that typically works with youth at risk, just has studied or sat in on sessions with them), I did like the relationship between Puck and Barb. I thought it was really well portrayed, and that both of their reactions were great. I loved the Barb was human, and that Puck seemed to get under her skin, which at times caused her to be a little unprofessional. Therapists and counsellors have feelings and opinions and difficulties too, and counter transference is a real thing. It was an interesting read from the therapist’s perspective, but I’ll leave it at that.
The Downsides about Puck:
The timeline of the story completely threw me. It was only when the characters brought it up in the end that I found out they’d been out in the wilderness for as long as they were. I had definitely thought they were on a much shorter timeline. Maybe I’d just missed it earlier, but it was a bit of a surprise when I hit that part. It definitely helped the progress of the characters make more sense though.
This book is paced incredibly fast, which probably is part of my issue with my previous point. While it did make it easy to fly through this book, I think it would be been better if we’d gotten a bit more time with some of the scenes and maybe even a bit more of the story.
There is one aspect of Puck’s story, the reason that she ended up at DreamRoads if you’ve read it, that sat a little funny with me. It was brought up and discussed, but I felt like it should have been a bigger deal than it was. The book is short and there’s a lot to get through, but what Puck did is really serious. I wish that the adults in the book had made it a bigger deal so that she’d realize that.
All in all, this is a fun, quick read that will tug on your heart just enough, and make you smile in all the right places. The characters are wonderful, the story unfolds in a fun, engaging way, and leaves you wishing that you could just give all of the characters a great big hug. I had not heard of the Twisted Lit Novels before, but I am definitely going to have to hunt more of them down now, not to mention, get my hands on a copy of Puck for my own shelf.
I was excited when I was asked to review this book, because I have a soft spot for Shakespeare inspired stories. There’s something really fun about taking plays and stories that the entire world is familiar with to some extent, and making them into something new and special. And Helmes and Askew do an amazing job with this book.
Puck follows the story of, well, Puck. She’s a fifteen year old girl who has been shuffled through the system, and seems to have given up hope that there’s anything that can be done with her. She’s plucked from her bed in the middle of the night by two strangers and driven for ages to DreamRoads, where troubled kids go to see the light out in the middle of nowhere. Sure that this isn’t going to do a thing for her, she resists, cheats, and collects information that may work to her benefit. But even our best laid plans don’t go as we hope, and maybe DreamRoads is exactly where Puck needs to be.
As far as a rewrite would go, this one is pretty loose. Inspired is definitely the word to use here. You’ll see some common characters, story lines, and elements that match up with what you know from A Midsummer Night’s Dream, but the overall story is different enough. But that’s what’s good about this. The elements the authors have chosen to include work so well within the story and you’re excited to see them, but it’s not the same old story yet again. This is how all adaptions, rewrites, or inspired stories should be done.
The Good Points about Puck:
I loved all of the characters in this book. They were all so fun and unique and interesting. And even more, I loved that there were no bad or good characters in this book. Sure, some were jerks, or strange, or something for parts of the story. But in the end, they proved themselves to be all just doing the best they could. It fit the story so beautifully.
Snout deserves a point of his own, because I honestly loved everything about his character and what goes down with him. Can we have a book about Snout, please?
The writing in this book is fantastic. Puck and the others all sounded like teenagers, which is something I don’t say about many books. Adults tend to write teens as though they speak and think like adults, but this isn’t the case here. Askew and Helmes have teen speak down, and it works so well in this book.
A book about teens with problems gives you the impression that you’re getting into something serious. And you are. But the authors have thrown in just enough humour and fun that you’ll laugh as much as your heart aches for the characters, and in just the right places. Balancing serious subject matters and comedy is no easy task, but Askew and Helmes did a wonderful job.
As a therapist myself (however, please note, not one that typically works with youth at risk, just has studied or sat in on sessions with them), I did like the relationship between Puck and Barb. I thought it was really well portrayed, and that both of their reactions were great. I loved the Barb was human, and that Puck seemed to get under her skin, which at times caused her to be a little unprofessional. Therapists and counsellors have feelings and opinions and difficulties too, and counter transference is a real thing. It was an interesting read from the therapist’s perspective, but I’ll leave it at that.
The Downsides about Puck:
The timeline of the story completely threw me. It was only when the characters brought it up in the end that I found out they’d been out in the wilderness for as long as they were. I had definitely thought they were on a much shorter timeline. Maybe I’d just missed it earlier, but it was a bit of a surprise when I hit that part. It definitely helped the progress of the characters make more sense though.
This book is paced incredibly fast, which probably is part of my issue with my previous point. While it did make it easy to fly through this book, I think it would be been better if we’d gotten a bit more time with some of the scenes and maybe even a bit more of the story.
There is one aspect of Puck’s story, the reason that she ended up at DreamRoads if you’ve read it, that sat a little funny with me. It was brought up and discussed, but I felt like it should have been a bigger deal than it was. The book is short and there’s a lot to get through, but what Puck did is really serious. I wish that the adults in the book had made it a bigger deal so that she’d realize that.
All in all, this is a fun, quick read that will tug on your heart just enough, and make you smile in all the right places. The characters are wonderful, the story unfolds in a fun, engaging way, and leaves you wishing that you could just give all of the characters a great big hug. I had not heard of the Twisted Lit Novels before, but I am definitely going to have to hunt more of them down now, not to mention, get my hands on a copy of Puck for my own shelf.
themaxdog's review against another edition
4.0
Full review now up on the blog: https://www.thewritinggreyhound.co.uk/2019/06/book-review-puck-kim-askew.html
Puck is a modernised story which takes a great deal of inspiration from the classic Shakespeare play A Midsummer Night's Dream. If you are familiar with AMSN then a lot of the characters and scenarios will be familiar to you, but even if you are reading Puck as a standalone I believe it would still be a good story.
Although the main character, the eponymous Puck, may seem like your standard whiny, self-entitled teenager at first, as the story progresses and you learn more about her, it quickly becomes clear that this isn't the case. All the young people at DreamRoads, Puck included, have a pretty complex past, and each campmates' story slowly gets revealed throughout the book.
I did feel that the story was a little repetitive at times, but towards the end, the pace picked up and the story came to a satisfying end. Similarly, although this is a Young Adult story, it does not feel limited by its audience and, despite the fact that it is told from Puck, a teenager's, point of view, I feel that people of all ages could enjoy the book.
I enjoyed this book and I am tempted to check out some of the other books in the Twisted Lit series next!
Puck is a modernised story which takes a great deal of inspiration from the classic Shakespeare play A Midsummer Night's Dream. If you are familiar with AMSN then a lot of the characters and scenarios will be familiar to you, but even if you are reading Puck as a standalone I believe it would still be a good story.
Although the main character, the eponymous Puck, may seem like your standard whiny, self-entitled teenager at first, as the story progresses and you learn more about her, it quickly becomes clear that this isn't the case. All the young people at DreamRoads, Puck included, have a pretty complex past, and each campmates' story slowly gets revealed throughout the book.
I did feel that the story was a little repetitive at times, but towards the end, the pace picked up and the story came to a satisfying end. Similarly, although this is a Young Adult story, it does not feel limited by its audience and, despite the fact that it is told from Puck, a teenager's, point of view, I feel that people of all ages could enjoy the book.
I enjoyed this book and I am tempted to check out some of the other books in the Twisted Lit series next!
sarahrita's review
4.0
I received this book free from the publisher via netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
Please see my full reviews available at www.coffeeandtrainspotting.com.
Please see my full reviews available at www.coffeeandtrainspotting.com.
michalice's review
4.0
Going into Puck I had an idea of what to expect from this writing duo. I've read and enjoyed the previous Twisted Lit books. I like how they are a modern day spin on Shakespeare's books, and that you don't have to have read or enjoyed his books before reading these. My only experience of Shakespeare was in English class in high school, many years ago.
Puck picks up pretty quickly as we join Puck in the middle of being removed from her foster home, to be taken on a mysterious ride to DreamRoads camp. A camp in the middle of no-where, designed to kick her butt into gear and rehabilitate her. What makes this even worse for Puck, is that she is placed there by her foster parent, and she isn't very happy about it and makes her opinions well known. But what Puck thinks is hell on earth is soon to be overshadowed by the upcoming days, where the camp goes into the wild
Puck was a book I fell into straight away. Puck is a character you either love or hate, and I did have mixed feelings about her, those feelings changed with what was going on at the time.
As a character she definitely stands out and sticks in your brain. Or more like a thorn in your side, especially to Barb who runs the camp.
Barb was someone who I disliked, and now looking back I wonder if I was influenced in someway by Pucks feelings towards her, that Puck's disliked overshadowed other things about Barb we don't see. It's not until near the end of the book that I actually changed my mind about Barb, the same time as Puck.
The characters in the book are unique in thier own way. Each one stands out as an individual, but also works well as part of the group. I loved their nicknames and attitudes and how they interacted with Puck, and each other.
There are lots of ups and downs throughout the pages of Puck, and we go an a real journey with Puck as she tries to deal with what is going on, as well as her own issues. I liked that we do see some history with Puck and learn how she ended up at DreamRoads Camp.
Final Verdict
Puck was a quick read for me, but one that I really enjoyed. I love how descriptive the book is, not only for the characters but also the surrounding area, and if it wasn't in a camp I would love to have seen the beauty for myself. The ending wasn't what I expected, but I like the twist.
Puck picks up pretty quickly as we join Puck in the middle of being removed from her foster home, to be taken on a mysterious ride to DreamRoads camp. A camp in the middle of no-where, designed to kick her butt into gear and rehabilitate her. What makes this even worse for Puck, is that she is placed there by her foster parent, and she isn't very happy about it and makes her opinions well known. But what Puck thinks is hell on earth is soon to be overshadowed by the upcoming days, where the camp goes into the wild
Puck was a book I fell into straight away. Puck is a character you either love or hate, and I did have mixed feelings about her, those feelings changed with what was going on at the time.
Leaping to my feet, I scream like a winning game show contestant. (You snooze, you lose.) "I did it! Oh my god, I actually did it!" I squeal
As a character she definitely stands out and sticks in your brain. Or more like a thorn in your side, especially to Barb who runs the camp.
Barb was someone who I disliked, and now looking back I wonder if I was influenced in someway by Pucks feelings towards her, that Puck's disliked overshadowed other things about Barb we don't see. It's not until near the end of the book that I actually changed my mind about Barb, the same time as Puck.
The characters in the book are unique in thier own way. Each one stands out as an individual, but also works well as part of the group. I loved their nicknames and attitudes and how they interacted with Puck, and each other.
There are lots of ups and downs throughout the pages of Puck, and we go an a real journey with Puck as she tries to deal with what is going on, as well as her own issues. I liked that we do see some history with Puck and learn how she ended up at DreamRoads Camp.
Final Verdict
Puck was a quick read for me, but one that I really enjoyed. I love how descriptive the book is, not only for the characters but also the surrounding area, and if it wasn't in a camp I would love to have seen the beauty for myself. The ending wasn't what I expected, but I like the twist.
elevetha's review
2.0
*An ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
2.5 stars.
The first half of this book was a little course and not really my style, but I kept reading and it greatly improved in the last half.
2.5 stars.
The first half of this book was a little course and not really my style, but I kept reading and it greatly improved in the last half.
frominktopaper's review
4.0
Original review posted on my blog From Ink to Paper
I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I was intrigued when I got the request to review this book because I enjoy the Midsummer Night's Dream story and thought that is cool it is a twisted version of it. Hence the name twisted lit novel. When I first started reading I wasn't really sure how I felt about it to be honest. I was like I am not sure I can get into this and I feel like it is for a younger audience.
Then I got going on it, and I started getting more involved with the characters and being like I want to see what happens. I started rooting for Puck because at first I was like come on Puck grow up and then again I got going and I was like feeling for her and wanting her to succeed. I also liked how the characters go along with the Midsummer story, the love square between the 4 camp counselors and how it is Puck's flower drink that makes them go all crazy and not remember who got with who and just how it plays out similar to the story.
I thought the characters were likeable, more so once you get going and hear their story and what they are going through. It is a journey you go on with them and you feel for them. Again just the fun part of Titania who is a pop star instead of queen of the fairies, but you can see the similarities and how she was based off the character in the play. I thought the humor that was involved in the banter between the kids were great. I love when all of a sudden Snout just pops up and is normal.
I think this was a great idea for a story and a fun read. I think it is a good book for older children, teens, young adult, and even fun for adults. For those who are fans of Shakespeare and this play it is a fun read just trying to figure out the similarities and being like oh yeah that goes with this! I am glad that I had the opportunity to read and review this book and look forward to checking out other Twisted Lit novels!
I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I was intrigued when I got the request to review this book because I enjoy the Midsummer Night's Dream story and thought that is cool it is a twisted version of it. Hence the name twisted lit novel. When I first started reading I wasn't really sure how I felt about it to be honest. I was like I am not sure I can get into this and I feel like it is for a younger audience.
Then I got going on it, and I started getting more involved with the characters and being like I want to see what happens. I started rooting for Puck because at first I was like come on Puck grow up and then again I got going and I was like feeling for her and wanting her to succeed. I also liked how the characters go along with the Midsummer story, the love square between the 4 camp counselors and how it is Puck's flower drink that makes them go all crazy and not remember who got with who and just how it plays out similar to the story.
I thought the characters were likeable, more so once you get going and hear their story and what they are going through. It is a journey you go on with them and you feel for them. Again just the fun part of Titania who is a pop star instead of queen of the fairies, but you can see the similarities and how she was based off the character in the play. I thought the humor that was involved in the banter between the kids were great. I love when all of a sudden Snout just pops up and is normal.
I think this was a great idea for a story and a fun read. I think it is a good book for older children, teens, young adult, and even fun for adults. For those who are fans of Shakespeare and this play it is a fun read just trying to figure out the similarities and being like oh yeah that goes with this! I am glad that I had the opportunity to read and review this book and look forward to checking out other Twisted Lit novels!
bookfever's review
5.0
Puck by Kim Askew and Amy Helmes definitely was one of the big surprises of 2016 for me. I really liked all the previous Twisted Lit books but I loved Puck even more. It was a quick read that I had such a hard time to put down. If I could've I probably would have read it in one sitting.
Puck is a modern retelling of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. This happens to be one of my favorites of his work so I really liked all the similarities. The main characters of this story is Puck, a fifteen-year-old girl, who gets send to a rehabilitation camp for juvies by her foster mother. I loved her character. The way she was written felt like a real teenager who's having a tough time in life. The kids she ends up with a this camp were are very different and interesting in their own way so this made for a unqiue cast of characters.
I don't know what it was about this book but it made me emotional. I teared up a few times, which speaks for how good this book was. I guess I saw myself a little in some of the kids in the book and I'm sure other people will be feeling the same thing.
The book is not just emotional though. It's also quite hilarious at times and made me smile and laugh out loud. So I would say it isn't a too heavy book because of how funny some things were in it but it does make you feel things. At least I did.
I would very highly recommend recommend Puck to anyone. I've only spend about three days reading it but it's already feels like a special book to me that I adore. So I would suggest everyone to go buy this book and start reading it right away. You definitely won't be disappointed!
Puck is a modern retelling of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. This happens to be one of my favorites of his work so I really liked all the similarities. The main characters of this story is Puck, a fifteen-year-old girl, who gets send to a rehabilitation camp for juvies by her foster mother. I loved her character. The way she was written felt like a real teenager who's having a tough time in life. The kids she ends up with a this camp were are very different and interesting in their own way so this made for a unqiue cast of characters.
I don't know what it was about this book but it made me emotional. I teared up a few times, which speaks for how good this book was. I guess I saw myself a little in some of the kids in the book and I'm sure other people will be feeling the same thing.
The book is not just emotional though. It's also quite hilarious at times and made me smile and laugh out loud. So I would say it isn't a too heavy book because of how funny some things were in it but it does make you feel things. At least I did.
I would very highly recommend recommend Puck to anyone. I've only spend about three days reading it but it's already feels like a special book to me that I adore. So I would suggest everyone to go buy this book and start reading it right away. You definitely won't be disappointed!
burstnwithbooks's review
4.0
Maybe 3.75 stars?
I had some pretty terrible expectations of this book... So imagine my shock when I turned out to actually *gasp* enjoy it! I liked Puck as a character and I really enjoyed the plot of the story. This was a super fast read with a heartwarming moral and genuinely adorable relationships. No regrets here.
I had some pretty terrible expectations of this book... So imagine my shock when I turned out to actually *gasp* enjoy it! I liked Puck as a character and I really enjoyed the plot of the story. This was a super fast read with a heartwarming moral and genuinely adorable relationships. No regrets here.
rachellena's review
2.0
This book was a quick, fun retelling of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. The pacing was good and the cast of characters were fun. There was enough action to keep you interested and the slow unfolding of the character's backstory was very satisfying. It was a very enjoyable read, although I often stopped to wonder when was the last time either of the authors actually spoke to a teenager (one particularly vivid example was when a character said "fo shizzle" without any irony.)
That being said, I am so mad about the revelation of Puck's first secret. I am furious. And not at Puck, but at the author's who made this choice.
(I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.)
That being said, I am so mad about the revelation of Puck's first secret. I am furious. And not at Puck, but at the author's who made this choice.
Spoiler
They could have chosen anything to have been the catalyst for Puck's admittance into this program, but they decided to use false pedophile allegations. This was such a disgusting and dangerous choice to make that I almost stopped reading right then. And it was played off in an almost "aw shucks" sort of way. Like it was just another lie Puck told. They briefly tried to ground it in the gravity of the situation with Nissa's reaction, but it was still a grossly unfortunate route for the author's to take. Normalizing false pedophile/rape/molestation in this way is so harmful and adds to the rape culture notion that people are mostly lying about their sexual assault. Especially since young girls like Puck are even more at risk for these sorts of atrocities as they are far less protected and far more likely to not be believed than children who are not in unstable family situations. Honestly, this whole aspect of the book makes me feel sick. I probably should have taken some time before writing this review as my emotions are possibly inhibiting my ability to fully articulate the issue I have with this. I'm truly, deeply disappointed in this. It was so fucking unnecessary.(I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.)
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