Jennifer W. (GeniusJen) reviewed One of Those Hideous Books Where the Mother Dies on + 5322 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Reviewed by Mark Frye, author and reviewer for TeensReadToo.com
With perhaps one of the catchiest titles in young adult fiction history, Sonya Sones has created a novel-in-verse that readers will breeze through and find thoroughly satisfying. With an economy of words, Sones creates an enthralling story of loss and recovery that is a wonderful edition to the genre of teen "chick-lit."
The narrator, Ruby, is sent to live with the father she's never met in person when her mother loses her battle with cancer. The fact that he's a famous movie star doesn't help matters; the world may love him, but Ruby is determined to make him pay for ignoring her all those years. As she juggles grief over her loss, resentment towards her father, and adjusting to life in Hollywood, Ruby is an increasingly sympathetic character.
But the father himself grows in the story, as well, as he tries to earn his daughter's love and respect. Teen readers will identify with Ruby's embarrassment at his dorky efforts to protect her and appear "cool," but may also wish that she would be more sympathetic to someone trying so hard to win her heart. To her credit, the author doesn't clumsily rush the revelations about Whip's relationship with Ruby's mother and others, but gradually unfolds the mystery of why he "abandoned" his daughter.
There are more than a few surprises for the reader along the way to a happy, satisfying conclusion. Sones ties up many loose ends in a believable manner and introduces many likeable secondary characters, ones essential to the story and ones who are periphery - such as "cameos" by Cameron Diaz, for instance. All of the characters have depth - strengths and weaknesses fully displayed - including Ruby herself, who learns that the mother she has marbleized had flaws of her own.
This novel will be especially appealing to teens who have lost a parent or even ones who are embarrassed by the ones they have. Highly recommended.
With perhaps one of the catchiest titles in young adult fiction history, Sonya Sones has created a novel-in-verse that readers will breeze through and find thoroughly satisfying. With an economy of words, Sones creates an enthralling story of loss and recovery that is a wonderful edition to the genre of teen "chick-lit."
The narrator, Ruby, is sent to live with the father she's never met in person when her mother loses her battle with cancer. The fact that he's a famous movie star doesn't help matters; the world may love him, but Ruby is determined to make him pay for ignoring her all those years. As she juggles grief over her loss, resentment towards her father, and adjusting to life in Hollywood, Ruby is an increasingly sympathetic character.
But the father himself grows in the story, as well, as he tries to earn his daughter's love and respect. Teen readers will identify with Ruby's embarrassment at his dorky efforts to protect her and appear "cool," but may also wish that she would be more sympathetic to someone trying so hard to win her heart. To her credit, the author doesn't clumsily rush the revelations about Whip's relationship with Ruby's mother and others, but gradually unfolds the mystery of why he "abandoned" his daughter.
There are more than a few surprises for the reader along the way to a happy, satisfying conclusion. Sones ties up many loose ends in a believable manner and introduces many likeable secondary characters, ones essential to the story and ones who are periphery - such as "cameos" by Cameron Diaz, for instance. All of the characters have depth - strengths and weaknesses fully displayed - including Ruby herself, who learns that the mother she has marbleized had flaws of her own.
This novel will be especially appealing to teens who have lost a parent or even ones who are embarrassed by the ones they have. Highly recommended.
Val M. (jaglvr) -
Helpful Score: 2
the author's style is breezy and effective. i sat and read the book in one sitting, getting sucked into Ruby's life and wanting to know how things turned out for her living in CA with her father.
Stephanie S. (skywriter319) -
Helpful Score: 2
Reading the title, I had expected something depressingly deep and serious. However, Sonya Sones' third novel-in-verse is surprisingly snarky and fun, all the while managing to be poignantly real. 15-year-old Ruby's mother has just died, and she's going all the way across the country to L.A. to live with her Oscar-winning actor father, Whip Logan, who abandoned her and her mother before she was even born. Needless to say, Ruby is excited not a whit, especially as this move takes her away from her boyfriend Roy, her best friend Lizzie, and her mother's grave.
At Whip's extensive mansion, Ruby determinedly avoids Whip's bonding advances, instead favoring his personal assistant, Max, who has a big heart. She also has trouble adjusting to her very "unique" school, especially her Dream Interpretation class, because her head is almost always wrapped up in missing Roy, Lizzie, and her mom. Perhaps, though, a shocking severance from her East Coast life will wake her to new possibilities in her new home.
Ruby is funny, emotional, and someone you definitely want to be friends with. I highly recommend this book.
At Whip's extensive mansion, Ruby determinedly avoids Whip's bonding advances, instead favoring his personal assistant, Max, who has a big heart. She also has trouble adjusting to her very "unique" school, especially her Dream Interpretation class, because her head is almost always wrapped up in missing Roy, Lizzie, and her mom. Perhaps, though, a shocking severance from her East Coast life will wake her to new possibilities in her new home.
Ruby is funny, emotional, and someone you definitely want to be friends with. I highly recommend this book.
