celise_winter's review against another edition
2.0
So Sarah was the highlight of the book... but the ending was predictable.
I don't know what to say. I'm nearly 18. I picked this book up two years ago. Had I known the character was only in 7th grade I would stopped right there. It's written at a grade 7 level, the character is thirteen. The content is probably something a 15 year old would be more comfortable with.
So... I was probably way too old to enjoy this. But what age group is this geared towards?
Cassie makes decisions that don't really seem realistic. Yes, people get into drugs and sex in the way that she has. But what kind of "smart girl" just gets up from the table of girls who might accept her, becomes friends with a psycho bitch who never came off as anything different and proceeds to do all of the things this book is about?
I don't know what to say. I'm nearly 18. I picked this book up two years ago. Had I known the character was only in 7th grade I would stopped right there. It's written at a grade 7 level, the character is thirteen. The content is probably something a 15 year old would be more comfortable with.
So... I was probably way too old to enjoy this. But what age group is this geared towards?
Cassie makes decisions that don't really seem realistic. Yes, people get into drugs and sex in the way that she has. But what kind of "smart girl" just gets up from the table of girls who might accept her, becomes friends with a psycho bitch who never came off as anything different and proceeds to do all of the things this book is about?
nicoleceballos's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
jessicafacchinigould's review against another edition
4.0
Beautiful is a fast-paced, unsettling story of a girl at a new school who is starting over as a person completely different than who she used to be. It is a story of both physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, and it shows the dangers of choosing to associate with the wrong kinds of people. It can be very difficult to read due to the content at times. However, the story is definitely different than anything else I've read before. I haven't found many like it.
megobennett's review against another edition
4.0
Pretty good book. Obviously I'm interested in books like this with my line of work, but some of them can be super long, drawn out, unrealistic, lame, etc., but this book was good. The main character was realistic...a girl looking to fit in. How many of us DIDN'T do that when we were in middle school? And of course, the former best friend that is looking to ruin her life after a fall-out. Middle school girls are catty, so this isn't too hard to believe. Overall, good book if you are into this kind of thing!
heykellyjensen's review against another edition
3.0
Full review here: http://stackedbooks.blogspot.com/2011/01/beautiful-by-amy-reed.html
At times this one is too real, too pulsing, especially because these girls exist and are lost and broken. My heart ached for Cassie and was repulsed at the same time. She is such a SMART girl but that's not enough and no one would be able to convince her anyway.
The writing is almost stream of conscious, and I really dig that style. It worked so well to give the lost girl a voice.
The ending bothered me a bit. It wasn't quite what I wanted. I like harder falls, I guess. And I think I wanted Cassie to really suffer here more than she did. I had this love for her and real hatred for her, which is exactly how she felt about herself, too.
At times this one is too real, too pulsing, especially because these girls exist and are lost and broken. My heart ached for Cassie and was repulsed at the same time. She is such a SMART girl but that's not enough and no one would be able to convince her anyway.
The writing is almost stream of conscious, and I really dig that style. It worked so well to give the lost girl a voice.
The ending bothered me a bit. It wasn't quite what I wanted. I like harder falls, I guess. And I think I wanted Cassie to really suffer here more than she did. I had this love for her and real hatred for her, which is exactly how she felt about herself, too.
jeidson95's review against another edition
3.0
Can't believe it was only two days ago I got this book. Amy Reed snatched me up and thrust me into Cassie's world for what seemed like months. Cassie and I were one, feeling each others pain, memories, and apathy. How she would feel like she was in the sky when a new boy would look her up and down like a grand building people drive miles to stare at, the way she would feel like it was all nothing to have a boy call her by her new name-beautiful. Because even though it was true tht was all she was. A pretty face that couldn't stand up to Alex or Ethan til the end. I was also crushed in the last two chapters when we hear Sarah has given up because as always Alex is in control. I felt like I was Cassie and in her distress for months rather than hours.
saraann0011's review against another edition
Cleaning out my middle school bookshelves.
pointeshoebookworm's review against another edition
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
0.25