malloryeasterday15's review against another edition
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
I knew this book would not be my cup of tea. It's about a young woman who is accepted to West Point Military Academy in New York to escape her emotionally abusive parents. They aren't super supportive and don't believe that she can make it through basic training. The whole story is her going through basic training as a woman and nothing really happened. That's the whole plot, she goes through basic training. Yeah, some people doubt her because she's a woman and she proves them wrong in some scenarios but that's it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse
scribesprite's review
5.0
I can't remember everything in this book but I remember that I really liked the girl. She is strong and not only physically. But she is real and I can really understand how she is. The author describes the environment of west point well too and the end is good.
liralen's review
3.0
As far as I can tell from other reading that I've done, this is a fairly accurate depiction of the first few months at West Point. The author's personal history clearly worked in her favour.
As a whole, I found the characters to be satisfyingly complex; however, I was disappointed by the lack of follow-through with Andi's family and by how little Andi struggled to succeed at West Point. She seems to be a rather model cadet. It's not as interesting to read about somebody's successes when they aren't likely to fail in the first place.
As a whole, I found the characters to be satisfyingly complex; however, I was disappointed by the lack of follow-through with Andi's family and by how little Andi struggled to succeed at West Point. She seems to be a rather model cadet. It's not as interesting to read about somebody's successes when they aren't likely to fail in the first place.
laurachernikoff's review against another edition
4.0
Amy Efaw's Battle Dress is a vivid account of one girl battling the odds to make it through "Beast," the Basic Training at West Point. In a bid to escape her crazy and frustrating family, main character Andi hopes to find some escape - but what she gets is a challenge unlike anything she could have imagined. Extremely outnumbered by the guys, Andi must face the daunting physical and mental challenges to prove to herself that she can do it, that she has what it takes. As the book is based on the author's own experience, it's honest, real, and intimidating, yet at the same time, inspiring.
ifthebook's review
5.0
Though very different from what I normally read, this book never fails to capture my attention. A quick, but very true read.
manyfandoms4one's review against another edition
3.0
Really enjoyable. I liked getting to see a bit into how the military works even if its not exactly how it works. Getting to see girls in the military is really inspiring and at times frustrating with how they are in a way just differentiated and at times seen weaker than the men just because of their gender. But in all it was good.
sassncriticism8's review against another edition
5.0
I almost gave this one back to the library, but I'm so glad I hadn't. This book is wonderful, the best book I've ever read about a modern day girl that wants nothing more than to be part of something, one of the guys. I've always liked it when girls were tough, but this sets a whole new bar.
Andi Davis has spark, personality, wonderful character, and she's so real. Unlike a lot of books, Andi isn't perfect, and she makes mistakes like normal people. I hate it when some characters do everything right, but we know that Andi is good at running, but not so great at push-ups.
This book may be a bit confusing in the beginning, but don't get jogged by the somewhat boring beginning because it is worthwhile.
Battle Dress is a yes, the best I've read in a long time. The supporting characters like Kit, McGill, Gab, and even Hickman give a special spark to the story. The older cadets like Cadet Daily or Cadet Black "no pun intended" really just add to the lovely story.
READ IT!
Andi Davis has spark, personality, wonderful character, and she's so real. Unlike a lot of books, Andi isn't perfect, and she makes mistakes like normal people. I hate it when some characters do everything right, but we know that Andi is good at running, but not so great at push-ups.
This book may be a bit confusing in the beginning, but don't get jogged by the somewhat boring beginning because it is worthwhile.
Battle Dress is a yes, the best I've read in a long time. The supporting characters like Kit, McGill, Gab, and even Hickman give a special spark to the story. The older cadets like Cadet Daily or Cadet Black "no pun intended" really just add to the lovely story.
READ IT!
pegahe's review against another edition
4.0
Battle Dress was so much fun to read! It's all about Andi starting Cadet training during the summer and I loved reading it. It's reinforced my thoughts of never joining the army but it's also made me want to read more!
Battle Dress is the kind of book that leaves you wanting more. I laughed a ton during the beginning (though I'm not sure if the humor was intentional... I have a weird sense of funny) but then I got used to the insults hurled by Cadets. The actual story is very simple since most of the writing is Cadets screaming and about what Andi did at Beast, but there is a very strong theme and characters anyway.
Andi is totally relatable. Her family has some huge screws loose and I would have left them too if I were in her position. That doesn't mean Andi hates them all- there are some good parts to everyone of course, even if it's extremely hard to find. Andi is independent which I loved. This girl ain't looking for no Prince Charming. I bet she could kick Prince Charming's butt.
Andi is a winner, a completely hardcore winner. She has this drive and ambition. She proves mind over matter and she tries so hard at everything and succeeds. She does encounter setbacks but she rises above them. She's awesome and the perfect narrator.
I need to admit, reading of the military left me a bit horrified while interested. I know what the military is for of course, but I never imagined the lessons they'd have to learn to get the job. I never imagined the training and keeping the purpose in mind. Battle Dress raised awareness of that for me.
Overall, a great read, Battle Dress shows the importance of humor, drive, and persistence. Never surrendering my interest, I was completely engrossed in this book. 4 stars,
****
Battle Dress is the kind of book that leaves you wanting more. I laughed a ton during the beginning (though I'm not sure if the humor was intentional... I have a weird sense of funny) but then I got used to the insults hurled by Cadets. The actual story is very simple since most of the writing is Cadets screaming and about what Andi did at Beast, but there is a very strong theme and characters anyway.
Andi is totally relatable. Her family has some huge screws loose and I would have left them too if I were in her position. That doesn't mean Andi hates them all- there are some good parts to everyone of course, even if it's extremely hard to find. Andi is independent which I loved. This girl ain't looking for no Prince Charming. I bet she could kick Prince Charming's butt.
Andi is a winner, a completely hardcore winner. She has this drive and ambition. She proves mind over matter and she tries so hard at everything and succeeds. She does encounter setbacks but she rises above them. She's awesome and the perfect narrator.
I need to admit, reading of the military left me a bit horrified while interested. I know what the military is for of course, but I never imagined the lessons they'd have to learn to get the job. I never imagined the training and keeping the purpose in mind. Battle Dress raised awareness of that for me.
Overall, a great read, Battle Dress shows the importance of humor, drive, and persistence. Never surrendering my interest, I was completely engrossed in this book. 4 stars,
****
solaniisrex's review against another edition
5.0
A young girl named Andi needs to get away from her home, and much to her parents chagrin gets accepted to the United States Military Academy at West Point. This book follows her from the time she gets in the car heading to West Point to her graduation of her summer training (which is mostly the same as Basic Training).
I'd recommend this book to anyone considering the US Military. As the author herself is an Academy graduate, she offers an accurate representation of your first two months of life, whether you go officer or enlisted.
I also hope the author provides additional books detailing the remainder of Andi's time at the Academy.
I'd recommend this book to anyone considering the US Military. As the author herself is an Academy graduate, she offers an accurate representation of your first two months of life, whether you go officer or enlisted.
I also hope the author provides additional books detailing the remainder of Andi's time at the Academy.
bookishdea's review against another edition
4.0
This book is fairly old in the scheme of YA literature, but it's great book, and I wish the author had more books out. It shows a nice view of what Beast is like, it tackles the whole women-at-West Point issue (which really isn't one at the same time it is), and Andi is a character I would have liked to follow through West Point. I suppose that's my problem -- I wanted this book to continue and chronicle her four years at West Point.