cateslittlelibrary's review against another edition
2.0
I love reading books about the theater experience, and this one started out really strong... and ended really weak. The entire last third of this book made little to no sense. It felt like a lazy attempt at a vague reflection on how loving something can only get you so far, and especially in the theater world, natural talent and shutting up and taking what's thrown at you are what will get you far. It's a sentiment I completely understand, but Sadye did a terrible job as protagonist. The relationships were sweet and perfectly teenage though, and I enjoyed her + her roommates for the first half of the book.
heylucy27's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
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.