kimbaloo's review
3.0
Though the story is pretty typical in terms of character development and plot, it was enjoyable. The characters are mildly annoying but you kind of feel for them specifically for Drake. It was interesting of Finneyfrock to include poetry (which wasn't bad considering it was supposed to have been written by a ninth grader). However, the main character Celia is cringe-inducing when dressing stereotypically "edgy" and calling herself "dark." She is however, much less annoying after learning some things about life so she gets a pass. Overall, a decent book. I might look into Finneyrock's other poetic works.
mrsbofe's review
1.0
Really did NOT like this book, the main characters were annoying! And I'm tired of books just being about drama and accepting everything but anything or anyone with standards! It was frustrating and poorly written, would never recommend to anyone! I did NOT like the main characters, the storyline was weak, and was disappointed in the whole book!
andreablythe's review
4.0
When Celia Door enters her freshman year of high school, she does so with the sole aim of enacting revenge on Sandy Firestone. But when she unexpectedly makes a friend in cool-kid Drake, she may have to reassess her priorities.
There's a lot of teen angst in this book, but it's very well done, and I resonated with the feeling of loneliness and hurt of being a bullied teenager. Also, Celia is a poet and her poetry within the book is wonderful, something to be expected since Finnefrock herself is a fantastic poet.
It was a very enjoyable story, full of snarky and wounded and wonderful teenagers. I recommend it with the caveat that he teen angst might not be for everyone, particularly adults looking for a more mature YA read.
There's a lot of teen angst in this book, but it's very well done, and I resonated with the feeling of loneliness and hurt of being a bullied teenager. Also, Celia is a poet and her poetry within the book is wonderful, something to be expected since Finnefrock herself is a fantastic poet.
It was a very enjoyable story, full of snarky and wounded and wonderful teenagers. I recommend it with the caveat that he teen angst might not be for everyone, particularly adults looking for a more mature YA read.
jillianeubauer's review
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
With this book, you either love it or hate it. Personally, I loved this book. Most of the time, teenagers are portrayed as whinny or ungrateful in books written by adults, and it isn't all that realistic. Karen Finneyfrock did a wonderful job showing the other side of teenagers, the powerful, independent, and intelligent side. Changing this one thing in her writing made it so much more interesting, believable, and realistic.
vanessamaria's review
4.0
I read the first few pages and actually thought "Okay, I'm not going to like this book" and I was so wrong. Because getting further into this book, I just couldn't stop reading and so I actually finished it in one day. It was an easy read and I loved how friendship was the main topic in this book - I loved how it didn't turn into love, they didn't ruin this friendship and that was kinda special. Books usually have romance, especially teen books and it can be pretty annoying but this book kept it realistic.
Though those characters were 14, they were pretty mature. Not in all cases but hey, as I said before, this book kept it realistic. And I loved this fact about this book.
Though those characters were 14, they were pretty mature. Not in all cases but hey, as I said before, this book kept it realistic. And I loved this fact about this book.
kdotsart's review
4.0
A great read for anyone who likes to root for the underdog. Celia has had everything bad that can happen to a freshman happen to her. Her best friend was ripped away from her in 8th grade. Her parents separated two weeks later, then the "book incident" happened soon after that.
Over the summer, Celia decided to be Dark. This meant showing the world that she didn't care about anything. And then she met Drake.
This is one of the best books about mean girls and the devastation they cause that I've read. But the revenge Celia ends up getting had me a blubbering mess. This book presents as a fairly light read, but the issues Finneyfrock deals with are anything but.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will definitely purchase it for my library collection.
Over the summer, Celia decided to be Dark. This meant showing the world that she didn't care about anything. And then she met Drake.
This is one of the best books about mean girls and the devastation they cause that I've read. But the revenge Celia ends up getting had me a blubbering mess. This book presents as a fairly light read, but the issues Finneyfrock deals with are anything but.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will definitely purchase it for my library collection.
ncisduckie's review
3.0
Wow. I do not think I have met a single female "protagonist" that I have wanted to shake as much sense into as Celia Door. Except I don't think I can exactly qualify her as a protagonist. If I knew somebody this pretentious as a freshman, oh, have mercy. I mean honestly. Her family issues were iffy--and the mother who seemed to be as clueless as a brick was definitely not a plus.
The poetry was as cringe worthy as that of a freshman, though. But Celia's without-trying excellence at English makes me want to puke. She spews a bunch of "English jargon" on a page and gets an A- despite being late (and to her admittance non-sensical)?
I actually almost gave up halfway through but I had too much pride to do so. I wish I had though. The ending was anti-climatic and cheesy and left too many open doors and unanswered questions.
Don't even get me started on Drake. Wow. Nope. He was even worse....
The poetry was as cringe worthy as that of a freshman, though. But Celia's without-trying excellence at English makes me want to puke. She spews a bunch of "English jargon" on a page and gets an A- despite being late (and to her admittance non-sensical)?
I actually almost gave up halfway through but I had too much pride to do so. I wish I had though. The ending was anti-climatic and cheesy and left too many open doors and unanswered questions.
Don't even get me started on Drake. Wow. Nope. He was even worse....
amdame1's review
4.0
Recommended by one of the teachers at my school
Celia is an outcast at school. A horrible event happened during her 8th grade year that she would like to put in the past. She takes the beginning of high school as an opportunity to re-invent herself as Celia the Dark. She wears lots of black clothing and combat boots. She writes poetry. She sits alone and eats alone. When a handsome new boy (Drake) shows interest in her, however, the popular girls get even meaner. When Drake comes out to Celia, things start getting more complicated.
Lots of issues here: bullying, gay rights, separation/divorce... However, it is not preachy and all integrates well, especially for a first novel.
Celia is an outcast at school. A horrible event happened during her 8th grade year that she would like to put in the past. She takes the beginning of high school as an opportunity to re-invent herself as Celia the Dark. She wears lots of black clothing and combat boots. She writes poetry. She sits alone and eats alone. When a handsome new boy (Drake) shows interest in her, however, the popular girls get even meaner. When Drake comes out to Celia, things start getting more complicated.
Lots of issues here: bullying, gay rights, separation/divorce... However, it is not preachy and all integrates well, especially for a first novel.