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kimching232's review against another edition
3.0
Actual rating: 2.5 stars
When I first read the synopsis for Diplomatic Immunity, I was really excited. I felt like this would be a unique story because of the journalism factor in YA, and I also knew that there would be romance between Piper and Rafael. I kind of expected there to be a hint of mystery as well, and I just sounded so interesting to me. However, I was disappointed by this book.
Piper Baird is the type of character that I hate reading about in young adult novels that I read. There are some parts when she sounded like a naive little kid, and then some part where she sounded her age, and yet some other parts like an old person. I just thought that it was confusing and robotic at some points that I just couldn't bring myself to connect with her. I felt like the narrative was awkward, and the flow was not natural.
In terms of Rafael, on the other hand, he acts and talks like someone older than he is. Correct me if I'm wrong, but these two characters are just in high school, right? So I don't know how he gets away with everything that he does, even if he has diplomatic immunity. I just felt like the characters weren't acting like their actual ages.
This is a unique and interesting book, but it just didn't capture me as much as I thought it would. However, its saving grave is the last few chapters of the book, where I finally connected with the story. The romance aspect of the last part was written so beautifully, and I can really feel what the character experienced, especially with that Post-Anon post. I just wish that the rest of the book could have been like that section, and then I surely would have loved this book!
Overall, this book was just not what I was expecting. I didn't really connect to the main characters and the story until the last part, and by then it was too late for me to like this book. It is a unique story, but it lacks something.
When I first read the synopsis for Diplomatic Immunity, I was really excited. I felt like this would be a unique story because of the journalism factor in YA, and I also knew that there would be romance between Piper and Rafael. I kind of expected there to be a hint of mystery as well, and I just sounded so interesting to me. However, I was disappointed by this book.
Piper Baird is the type of character that I hate reading about in young adult novels that I read. There are some parts when she sounded like a naive little kid, and then some part where she sounded her age, and yet some other parts like an old person. I just thought that it was confusing and robotic at some points that I just couldn't bring myself to connect with her. I felt like the narrative was awkward, and the flow was not natural.
In terms of Rafael, on the other hand, he acts and talks like someone older than he is. Correct me if I'm wrong, but these two characters are just in high school, right? So I don't know how he gets away with everything that he does, even if he has diplomatic immunity. I just felt like the characters weren't acting like their actual ages.
This is a unique and interesting book, but it just didn't capture me as much as I thought it would. However, its saving grave is the last few chapters of the book, where I finally connected with the story. The romance aspect of the last part was written so beautifully, and I can really feel what the character experienced, especially with that Post-Anon post. I just wish that the rest of the book could have been like that section, and then I surely would have loved this book!
Overall, this book was just not what I was expecting. I didn't really connect to the main characters and the story until the last part, and by then it was too late for me to like this book. It is a unique story, but it lacks something.
jennifermreads's review against another edition
2.0
Received advanced reader copy from publisher via Baker & Taylor book supplier
This was a refreshing main character in that she was poor and she didn’t make excuses for it. I enjoyed Piper’s voice but the relationship aspect of this story just didn’t do it for me. Never felt the sparks and never felt Piper’s dilemma was a real dilemma. This one just fell kind of flat for me.
This was a refreshing main character in that she was poor and she didn’t make excuses for it. I enjoyed Piper’s voice but the relationship aspect of this story just didn’t do it for me. Never felt the sparks and never felt Piper’s dilemma was a real dilemma. This one just fell kind of flat for me.
jayfr's review against another edition
1.0
Hmm this was supposed to be romantic and hilarious, it fell flat of being both. Diplomatic Immunity wasn't even so bad it was hilarious instead it left me feeling cheated.
I loved Brodi Ashton when she collaborated on My Lady Jane, which is one of the funniest, laugh out loud books I've ever read. But alone I'm not sure she cuts it.
Predictable with oh so bland characters who after reading I can't even remember their names so would I recommend this? No!
This could have been so much more, and it pains me to say I disliked it but that's the way the cookie crumbles.
I loved Brodi Ashton when she collaborated on My Lady Jane, which is one of the funniest, laugh out loud books I've ever read. But alone I'm not sure she cuts it.
Predictable with oh so bland characters who after reading I can't even remember their names so would I recommend this? No!
This could have been so much more, and it pains me to say I disliked it but that's the way the cookie crumbles.
marshmallowbooks's review against another edition
3.0
Reading books about high school make me glad I'm no longer in high school.
heidimrogers's review against another edition
5.0
I may or mat not regret staying up half the night to finish this in one sitting. But I absolutely could not put down this super-fun, high-stakes contemporary YA. Pip had me rooting for her all the way, as well as not feeling so bad about my own poor choices.
oliviamk195's review against another edition
4.0
4/5 solid book but warning there's a decent amount of cringeworthy moments. It's enjoyable but beware of a little bit of second hand embarrassment.
daniella_07's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
sc104906's review against another edition
2.0
For a more complete review, visit my Bickering Book Review vlog here: https://youtu.be/kaXjso2xtB4
Piper earned a scholarship to attend a Chiswick Academy. Piper has dreams of becoming the next big journalist and knows that Chiswick will give her the best opportunity to do that. She must win the big journalism scholarship if she hopes to have the funds to attend college. Piper knows that if she manages to get a big expose in the school's paper, she will be on the fast track for the scholarship. Surrounded by foreign diplomat's children, who get up to some pretty sketchy activities, Piper plans to blow this diplomatic immunity/no culpability for these rich kids wide open. (Nothing like a bit of biting the hand that feeds you.) Inevitably, Piper finds herself attracted to Raf, a diplomats son, obviously. Treachery and blurred lines ensue.
I was not a fan of this book. I did like the fact that Raf and Piper connected through their brothers, who both have Asperger's syndrome. Other than that, the characters were vapid and the plot was boring.
Piper earned a scholarship to attend a Chiswick Academy. Piper has dreams of becoming the next big journalist and knows that Chiswick will give her the best opportunity to do that. She must win the big journalism scholarship if she hopes to have the funds to attend college. Piper knows that if she manages to get a big expose in the school's paper, she will be on the fast track for the scholarship. Surrounded by foreign diplomat's children, who get up to some pretty sketchy activities, Piper plans to blow this diplomatic immunity/no culpability for these rich kids wide open. (Nothing like a bit of biting the hand that feeds you.) Inevitably, Piper finds herself attracted to Raf, a diplomats son, obviously. Treachery and blurred lines ensue.
I was not a fan of this book. I did like the fact that Raf and Piper connected through their brothers, who both have Asperger's syndrome. Other than that, the characters were vapid and the plot was boring.
biblialex's review against another edition
1.0
"Realistic" is a complete misnomer, and not just because the National Arboretum and the U.S. Botanic Garden are two completely different places. Inconveniently, I also did not find the romance the least bit romantic. Le sigh.