Author: Lauren Sabel
Series: Stand Alone
Published By: HarperTeen (June 3, 2014)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Mystery
My Rating: 3 Stars
Book Description:
In this fast-paced adventure set in Mexico, teen celebrity Vivian Divine goes on the run after receiving a death threat, and discovers that everything she thought she knew about her charmed life—and the boy she loves—is a lie.
This isn't one of those books that you go into expecting an in depth look into the characters or a heart felt read or anything even truly mind blowing, instead it gives you exactly what most books should, an escape from reality for however long it takes you to finish it.
This is a hard book to review. The writing was fabulous in some aspects and lacked in others. The plot was wild and out there but still maintained some originality which, lets face it, is becoming harder and harder to find in the world of YA. Yet where it excelled in originality is failed in reality.
At times this seemed so far out there that it was completely unbelievable and I felt like rolling my eyes and yet, it still kept me turning the pages because I couldn't help but be fascinated as each new twist took on an even wilder and crazier one than the last.
Overall I would say this was a crazy ride that while laughable was still very much hard to put down.
*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*
This is the second review I've seen for this and you both commented on how it was just a bit too unbelievable. The plot does sound overly dramatic and far fetched at times, which I know will annoy me. I definitely think this is one I will skip, thanks for the honest review :)
ReplyDeleteOf course! It really was hard to take sometimes but it did make me laugh numerous times because it was so crazy and out there.
DeleteI love books that are really out there, but the story still has to be believable to a certain extent. It sounds like Vivian Divine is Dead delivered in all areas except for the latter which isn't too bad. I'll have to read a few more reviews before I fully decide.
ReplyDeleteYou might not like this one but it was entertaining if nothing else.
DeleteBahahaha all the twists in this books were crazy. I saw more than half of them coming but in some weird way they were still somewhat entertaining to read about.
ReplyDeleteI am glad to see you liked this one more than I did (I was craughing by the end of it :P)
Great review!! :)
Rashika @ The Social Potato
It was pretty bad at times and yes, very predictable.
DeleteUh oh. Eye rolling is never a good sign. I love the cover and title though. Overall it doesn't sound like a bad read if you suspend belief and just go with it :)
ReplyDeleteIf you just look for entertainment purposes then it isn't bad at all.
DeleteI didn't know this one but I love the cover. I confess that even if some things were good, other looked mixed... I think I'll pass.
ReplyDeleteYeah sometimes the bad is too much to make you want to read it. I understand. ;)
DeleteI never heard of this book before. Why? I don't know! But, it sounds like it's something for me. I love these kind of books. I'm not sure why, but I just do. :) Great review! Oh and yay! love that the setting is in Mexico.
ReplyDeleteI hope if you decide to try it you really like it. :)
DeleteThis book is new to me. It sounds like it would be the perfect book for when you just need a break from reality.
ReplyDeleteIt really is. ;)
DeleteSounds like something I might enjoy, and the cover is really nice-going to add it to my TBR list :)
ReplyDeleteI hope you do like it!
DeleteHmm . . . I probably pass on this one, b/c as much as I like originality and twists and turns, if ultimately, it's unrealistic and unbelievable . . . no bueno. Great review though! And thanks for the heads-up ;)
ReplyDelete;)
DeleteI've seen mixed reviews but still, I think I'll give this one a go. PLUS all the twists you're all talking about. ME WAnt. Though I've doubts I'll really enjoy the book. But that title and cover! Plus I can't resist reading about rich brats just so I can hate them. Call it an obsession :P
ReplyDeleteHeehee well then, I hope you enjoy it! :)
DeleteI LOVE the cover, but I don't know.... I can take 'out there' but this sounds like it might be a bit too much. I guess I might need to look around for a few more opinions before I make a decision on this one.
ReplyDeleteI understand and don't blame you at all. :)
DeleteNot sure this would be the best fit for me...sometimes you really DO need something a bit kooky though.
ReplyDelete-Lauren
Very true. :)
DeleteI don't' think you could either Heidi, I think too many things would get on your nerves.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your honest insights, dear! :) I honestly don't think I'll give this a go! Many of my friends gave it less than three stars, and honestly, I'm less forgiving than many of them so I have a feeling this one would make me rage a lot o_O Plus my co-blogger didn't like it too so there's that...
ReplyDeleteFaye at The Social Potato Reviews
Yeah, lots of reasons for you to pass on this one. ;)
DeleteThe cover is fabulous. The idea sounds like it would be great...still on the fence. Great review though :)
ReplyDeleteIt does have a great cover.
DeleteI remember someone else mentioning the 'out there' moments too, but can't remember who. That rhymed. Anyway, I'm not sure if I'd read this. I'm guessing nah. :)
ReplyDeleteYou are a poet and didn't know it. ;)
DeleteAfter reading the synopsis, there was the automatic, "dunh, dunh, dunhhhh" in my head. It sounds like an adventurous read, but the fact that it lacked reality kind of sets me on the fence. I like action, but unless it's fantasy or paranormal and MEANT to be made up, then I want to to be real.
ReplyDeleteSame here and I think that is why so many people had issues with it, just too far fetched.
DeleteFirst, I love the cover of this book. I like that there are no people on it. I am kind of over all of the couple-y covers.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, I know what you mean about the writing not being uniform throughout the whole book. I have read some books recently that were great, but had moments of off-ness, and I didn't quite know what to make of that.
This still looks like a good read. Thanks for sharing it with me.
Great review
Michelle @ Book Briefs
Thank for stopping by Michelle!
DeleteI was already intrigued by this book, and I do have a copy to read as soon as I can get to it, but after reading your review I'm even more interested in it. I'm honestly not sure if I'm going to love it or hate it. lol Great review!
ReplyDeleteNever know till you try. There were some good points to it but a lot of predictability too.
Deleteso it sounds like it was just a decent read, glad you still found some enjoyment out of it!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing. Your opinion really helps me know which books to add, put at the top of my list, move to the bottom, and/or subtract.
ReplyDeleteAww thanks Ellen, that means a lot. :)
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