ceruleandays's review against another edition
4.0
Lets say I didn’t see it coming.
Logan DIES. God no way! I literally cried my eyes for half an hour before getting back to the book and even cried after I started reading. I mean, he really was an important character to me. But Anika was one of the beat female protagonists I’ve read.
Logan DIES. God no way! I literally cried my eyes for half an hour before getting back to the book and even cried after I started reading. I mean, he really was an important character to me. But Anika was one of the beat female protagonists I’ve read.
khairun_atika's review against another edition
4.0
This has got to be one of the best Young Adult books I have read this year. A book so genuine, raw and witty, with the emotions spilling freely into the words, weaving it into a beautiful story that any teenager struggling with his or her identity can relate to. Anika Dragomir is the "immigrant half-breed", who struggles to maintain her popularity as she starts to fall in love with the misfit Logan McDonough. But was she willing to risk having mean girl and most popular queen bee Becky dump her from the clique because of her feelings for Logan? What the school does not know is Anika is a misfit herself. It was a joy to read about Anika. She was such a breath of fresh air, a conflicted but smart girl who made some bad choices here and there, but you can definitely relate to her. The mysterious and charming Logan is a character you would definitely love, and I enjoyed reading this. While your heart might just break at some parts of the book, you cannot help but feel for the characters, and the raw emotion behind the words. An excellent read!
kandicez's review against another edition
4.0
I can see from reading some other reviews that not everyone loved this. I really, really did! Perhaps because I am decades from my teens this was just perfect. The way Anika spoke rang true to me. She was not eloquent, but she was "real" and "sincere", and that's what I am always looking for in YA.
The ending blew me away. I was simply not expecting what I got. I also blew through this over a period of about 16 hours when I really didn't have time to read which means I snuck a page here, a page there, on my Nook, on my phone, on my computer screen. To me that is the hallmark of a good read. When you simply cannot stop despite life's attempts to get in the way.
Was Anika's life a little too perfect, despite her complaints, what with the lovely family, nice home and job? Sure, but that just made her the perfect vehicle to tell these other tragic stories. Was the lesson of appreciating what you have kind of beat over the head of the reader? Again, sure, but that's ok too, because the way it was beat over my head was entertaining to read.
The ending blew me away. I was simply not expecting what I got. I also blew through this over a period of about 16 hours when I really didn't have time to read which means I snuck a page here, a page there, on my Nook, on my phone, on my computer screen. To me that is the hallmark of a good read. When you simply cannot stop despite life's attempts to get in the way.
Was Anika's life a little too perfect, despite her complaints, what with the lovely family, nice home and job? Sure, but that just made her the perfect vehicle to tell these other tragic stories. Was the lesson of appreciating what you have kind of beat over the head of the reader? Again, sure, but that's ok too, because the way it was beat over my head was entertaining to read.
bookswithbre's review against another edition
5.0
Anatomy of a Misfit is the most influential and powerful book I've read in a long, long time. Nearing the end of the book, I was a blubbering mess and had to put it aside because my eyes were clouded with tears. AOAM opened my eyes and has given me a new outlook on high school, popularity and not giving a damn about what others think of you and those you surround yourself with. To think that AOAM is based on a true story, I can't express how terrifying and heart-breaking it is.
Anatomy of a Misfit will stay with me for a long time, and I'm so glad I've read it at the same age as the characters.
Anatomy of a Misfit will stay with me for a long time, and I'm so glad I've read it at the same age as the characters.
wendiestwendy's review against another edition
1.0
This isn't for everybody and it definitely wasn't for me.
Full detailed review over at: sempiternal-reader.blogspot.com
Full detailed review over at: sempiternal-reader.blogspot.com
riellebks's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
2.0
wombat_88's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.0
emsmith14's review against another edition
2.0
there is something about this book that I just can't explain. A part of me didn't like it and just wanted to finish reading it to finish it and see what happens, but another part of me was drawn to something in it that wouldn't let me put it down.
I can't quite explain what it is about this book. I didn't necessarily like it, but I didn't hate it.
I can't quite explain what it is about this book. I didn't necessarily like it, but I didn't hate it.
libbith220's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
A bit of a wild ride that I did not expect!
One of the things that I loved about this book is that pretty much all of the characters are fucked up in one way or another, and the author really leans into that. The main character herself knows that she's fucked up, which makes her bad thoughts and actions compelling rather than irritating -- we know it's wrong, she knows it's wrong, yet it's happening anyway! The ending shows growth, that the main character has learned something, but it wasn't an over-grandiose journey to get there. This book could have gotten bogged down with right vs. wrong, moral vs. amoral, etc., but I think that the author did a really good job in keeping it from going too far.
I actually really enjoyed the main character, Anika. The first person perspective was definitely the right move, as I appreciated being in her head -- it was almost like reading a diary. The mom character was also great, especially their relationship. I could see how other readers might not like how Anika described the other characters in the book, but I thought it was fitting in light of who she was and her growth throughout the novel. She was a bit harsh on her friend Shelli at times, and while we don't get an actual resolution of how she thinks of her, I think it's pretty implied that by the end she'll be a better friend.
Speaking of the end, I did not expect it to go where it did. It shocked me, but wasn't a way-out-of-left-field plot twist, which I appreciate. Usually I don't like that kind of ending, but it made sense and worked out in this case.
Overall this book was not what I expected, but I'm very glad that I ended up giving it a chance.
One of the things that I loved about this book is that pretty much all of the characters are fucked up in one way or another, and the author really leans into that. The main character herself knows that she's fucked up, which makes her bad thoughts and actions compelling rather than irritating -- we know it's wrong, she knows it's wrong, yet it's happening anyway! The ending shows growth, that the main character has learned something, but it wasn't an over-grandiose journey to get there. This book could have gotten bogged down with right vs. wrong, moral vs. amoral, etc., but I think that the author did a really good job in keeping it from going too far.
I actually really enjoyed the main character, Anika. The first person perspective was definitely the right move, as I appreciated being in her head -- it was almost like reading a diary. The mom character was also great, especially their relationship. I could see how other readers might not like how Anika described the other characters in the book, but I thought it was fitting in light of who she was and her growth throughout the novel. She was a bit harsh on her friend Shelli at times, and while we don't get an actual resolution of how she thinks of her, I think it's pretty implied that by the end she'll be a better friend.
Speaking of the end, I did not expect it to go where it did. It shocked me, but wasn't a way-out-of-left-field plot twist, which I appreciate. Usually I don't like that kind of ending, but it made sense and worked out in this case.
Overall this book was not what I expected, but I'm very glad that I ended up giving it a chance.
collette_'s review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5