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The Julian Game
Never part of the in crowd, Raye is thrilled when popular girl Ella Parker starts to show interest in her. So when Ella proposes an online prank on her ex, Julian Kilgarry, Raye is more than happy to play along. Together they develop an online persona and use it to friend" him. But then things go a bit too far. And when Ella learns that Raye has been flirting with Julian face-to-face, things really escalate. Soon, what Raye thought was just some innocent online fun turns into a vicious smear campaign - against Raye herself!
"Griffin elevates the mean girl plot with spot-on insights into teen social politics and quirky, multidimensional characters." - "Booklist"
"
"Griffin elevates the mean girl plot with spot-on insights into teen social politics and quirky, multidimensional characters." - "Booklist"
"
209 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 26, 2010
9 people are currently reading
1256 people want to read
About the author
Adele Griffin
47 books670 followersfrom Wikipedia:
Adele Griffin is the author of over thirty highly-acclaimed books across a variety of genres, including Sons of Liberty and Where I Want to Be, both National Book Award Finalists.
Her debut adult novel The Favor explores themes of friendship, surrogacy, and nontraditional family building.
Find her on TikTok at @adelegriffinbooks and Instagram at @adelegriffin or www.adelegriffin.
website: www.adelegriffin.com
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/adelegriffi...
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Adele-G...
Open Road Media interview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSa3P...
Adele Griffin is the author of over thirty highly-acclaimed books across a variety of genres, including Sons of Liberty and Where I Want to Be, both National Book Award Finalists.
Her debut adult novel The Favor explores themes of friendship, surrogacy, and nontraditional family building.
Find her on TikTok at @adelegriffinbooks and Instagram at @adelegriffin or www.adelegriffin.
website: www.adelegriffin.com
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/adelegriffi...
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Adele-G...
Open Road Media interview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSa3P...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews
March 4, 2011
My first social networking/cyberbullying YA read. Internet here is used as a tool to fake personas, to flirt, to execute revenge and to bully. I felt quite old reading it. Clearly I don't get out much internet-wise as I have never been obsessed enough about someone to create a fake Facebook account just to become that someone's "friend" to follow his/her updates. But apparently that's what (young) people do?
Strangely enough, for a book which is mostly about bullying, The Julian Game is a lot like Mean Girls Lite, it is kind of rompy and not overly serious. Not as much of a stress factor and drama as I expected. The consequences of bullying are only touched upon. I somehow expected the story to be a little meatier in this regard. I also felt that this book needed to be longer, to develop secondary characters and relationships better.
The writing style, the main character's "voice," is great though. I am not sure if teenagers talk this way (again, I am too old to hang around teens and watching "16 and Pregnant" probably doesn't count, plus I'd be hard pressed to call any of those teens witty), but there is a certain snappiness about the dialog that I rarely see in YA fiction. And the main "mean girl" is a deliciously wicked villain. Naturally, she has a whole set of problems of her own.
P.S. This book cover is very unfortunate IMO.
Strangely enough, for a book which is mostly about bullying, The Julian Game is a lot like Mean Girls Lite, it is kind of rompy and not overly serious. Not as much of a stress factor and drama as I expected. The consequences of bullying are only touched upon. I somehow expected the story to be a little meatier in this regard. I also felt that this book needed to be longer, to develop secondary characters and relationships better.
The writing style, the main character's "voice," is great though. I am not sure if teenagers talk this way (again, I am too old to hang around teens and watching "16 and Pregnant" probably doesn't count, plus I'd be hard pressed to call any of those teens witty), but there is a certain snappiness about the dialog that I rarely see in YA fiction. And the main "mean girl" is a deliciously wicked villain. Naturally, she has a whole set of problems of her own.
P.S. This book cover is very unfortunate IMO.
November 12, 2014
3.5 stars.
This isn't normally something I'd pick up, but I needed something light, well-paced, and different from my usual fare. This book satisfied all three needs.
The story isn't the most realistic in execution, but it's entertaining nonetheless. I enjoyed the concept of using the internet to create a secret identity and seeing what that can lead to. I enjoyed Raye as a character and sympathized with her situation.
Enjoyable, quick read that puts Adele Griffin on the radar for future reading.
This isn't normally something I'd pick up, but I needed something light, well-paced, and different from my usual fare. This book satisfied all three needs.
The story isn't the most realistic in execution, but it's entertaining nonetheless. I enjoyed the concept of using the internet to create a secret identity and seeing what that can lead to. I enjoyed Raye as a character and sympathized with her situation.
Enjoyable, quick read that puts Adele Griffin on the radar for future reading.
June 1, 2010
Raye Archer is trying to be popular after transferring to an all-girl school full of already formed relationships. They have all been going to the same school together since...forever. Raye finds a friend in Natalya a fellow outcast of the school. Together they create a fake profile on facebook for a girl they deem Elizabeth. Elizabeth sits dormant for awhile, after that initial development, but when one of the popular girls, Ella, seeks revenge Elizabeth might be just what she needs. Elizabeth seems to get Julian, the very hot boy from the near-by all boys school, into a lot of trouble when they lure him to a party. Raye feels bad and wants to confess, so she confronts Julian who seems to be interested in her despite what happened. As the school year continues though, sabotage and taunting seem to be high on the list of things to do for Ella's crowd and Raye is the perfect target.
I kept reading this book waiting for it to get better. It didn't. I just kept waiting and waiting for something, anything to happen. The book sets up all these nice plot lines that could be quite viciously executed by the characters, but instead nothing happens. From the cover and the book tag line on the back cover("The blue wig was supposed to win Julian's heart...not wreck the game") I was expecting a much more action-driven plot line. This book was a big disappointment for me. The characters' emotions were also lacking, it was a case of telling not showing. No one really seemed that driven by their own emotions at all and no one ever seemed to feel that much. Everyone was just walking around in Bland City. Another thing that I didn't really enjoy was the dialogue. The characters were not that witty, yet sometimes when they spoke they were full of wit and cunning turns of phrase. The dialogue was just too inauthentic for me to believe these kids were real people. All in all I can honestly say this book wasn't that good. It was a very short read but had me dragging my feet waiting for the climax that never came.
First Line:
"'This is the craziest idea you ever had,' said Natalya."
Favorite Line:
"'She said you had a shrine to me, but I didn't believe it.'"
I kept reading this book waiting for it to get better. It didn't. I just kept waiting and waiting for something, anything to happen. The book sets up all these nice plot lines that could be quite viciously executed by the characters, but instead nothing happens. From the cover and the book tag line on the back cover("The blue wig was supposed to win Julian's heart...not wreck the game") I was expecting a much more action-driven plot line. This book was a big disappointment for me. The characters' emotions were also lacking, it was a case of telling not showing. No one really seemed that driven by their own emotions at all and no one ever seemed to feel that much. Everyone was just walking around in Bland City. Another thing that I didn't really enjoy was the dialogue. The characters were not that witty, yet sometimes when they spoke they were full of wit and cunning turns of phrase. The dialogue was just too inauthentic for me to believe these kids were real people. All in all I can honestly say this book wasn't that good. It was a very short read but had me dragging my feet waiting for the climax that never came.
First Line:
"'This is the craziest idea you ever had,' said Natalya."
Favorite Line:
"'She said you had a shrine to me, but I didn't believe it.'"
February 15, 2022
Książka nie jest zła lecz czytanie jej nie sprawiało mi przyjemności.
September 21, 2010
The Julian Game was nothing what I expected it to be like, but I still thought it was absolutely fantastic. It’s realistic and entertaining and in the end, you’re hit with a lesson on internet privacy that you won’t even see coming. Entertaining, enthralling and informative all the same time!
Raye starts out as a pushover, seeking attention and acceptance from her school’s coldest yet popular girl, Ella. But as the charade of pretending to be a sexy, blue-haired foreign girl grew, so did Raye’s backbone. Her feelings for acceptance transformed into feelings for Julian, Ella’s ex-boyfriend, whom Raye agreed to flirt with under the fake Facebook personality. Raye goes through several stages in this story; allowing people to walk all over her, but what I loved was that in the end, after all of the humiliation and betrayal has ended, Raye is a much better character than when the novel first started.
If you’re expecting a funny, flirty book like I was, you will be in for a major surprise. Raye learns that a single picture can change your life. Some of the things that happen to her are so horrible, and probably wouldn’t happen in real life, but it really makes you aware of just how huge and dangerous the internet and social networks can be.
And I loved how it all ended. Nothing really came together, but it gave you a sense of closure and it was enough for me. And I always admire a book that can throw me so off course that I can’t predict the outcome. Well done, Adele!
Overall, The Julian Game is definitely a book that you need to pick up. It manages to be a wake up call to girls everywhere to keep your body to yourself, out of pictures and away from the internet, disguised as a shocking but hooking page-turner. I definitely recommend!
(P.S - Can somebody send this book to Vanessa Hudgens? I feel like out of anyone, she really needs to read this.)
Raye starts out as a pushover, seeking attention and acceptance from her school’s coldest yet popular girl, Ella. But as the charade of pretending to be a sexy, blue-haired foreign girl grew, so did Raye’s backbone. Her feelings for acceptance transformed into feelings for Julian, Ella’s ex-boyfriend, whom Raye agreed to flirt with under the fake Facebook personality. Raye goes through several stages in this story; allowing people to walk all over her, but what I loved was that in the end, after all of the humiliation and betrayal has ended, Raye is a much better character than when the novel first started.
If you’re expecting a funny, flirty book like I was, you will be in for a major surprise. Raye learns that a single picture can change your life. Some of the things that happen to her are so horrible, and probably wouldn’t happen in real life, but it really makes you aware of just how huge and dangerous the internet and social networks can be.
And I loved how it all ended. Nothing really came together, but it gave you a sense of closure and it was enough for me. And I always admire a book that can throw me so off course that I can’t predict the outcome. Well done, Adele!
Overall, The Julian Game is definitely a book that you need to pick up. It manages to be a wake up call to girls everywhere to keep your body to yourself, out of pictures and away from the internet, disguised as a shocking but hooking page-turner. I definitely recommend!
(P.S - Can somebody send this book to Vanessa Hudgens? I feel like out of anyone, she really needs to read this.)
November 1, 2011
I received this book for free as part of a giveaway here on goodreads. :)
I wanted to like this book so much more than I did. The cover is amazing and the concept is interesting, but I just feel kinda MEH after finishing it. I admit it's well written and fast paced - I read it start to finish in a very short time period. The main character is likeable and easy to empathize with as well.
The basic storyline is that slightly nerdy Raye is new to the school. She ends up meeting Ella, the popular mean girl, and falls into a scheme with her in order to be popular. They make a pretend facebook page to flirt with Ella's ex-boyfriend Julian, but it backfires when Raye falls for Julian. She and Julian start dating, which of course makes Ella turn on her and in comes the cyber bullying.
With the amount of media attention given to cyber bullying and the number of suicides that have resulted from it, I was expecting it to be handled better. Instead, the moral seems to be "it's okay, because the mean girl will eventually get over it and bully someone else." I didn't like that at all. There was no consequences for Ella's behavior at all, and that bugged me.
I also understand Julian's reaction to everything, but it seemed a little out of character. When he and Raye talk at the party and in the days after, he comes across as someone who is a little nerdy/studious himself and doesn't care what people think. He ends up completely reversing this and dropping Raye because she might hurt his social status. Perhaps he was a total slimeball the entire time and we just don't find out about it until the cyber bullying starts, but he definitely was not portrayed that was until the end.
The book was a quick read and held my attention, but I was hoping for a little more. :(
I wanted to like this book so much more than I did. The cover is amazing and the concept is interesting, but I just feel kinda MEH after finishing it. I admit it's well written and fast paced - I read it start to finish in a very short time period. The main character is likeable and easy to empathize with as well.
The basic storyline is that slightly nerdy Raye is new to the school. She ends up meeting Ella, the popular mean girl, and falls into a scheme with her in order to be popular. They make a pretend facebook page to flirt with Ella's ex-boyfriend Julian, but it backfires when Raye falls for Julian. She and Julian start dating, which of course makes Ella turn on her and in comes the cyber bullying.
With the amount of media attention given to cyber bullying and the number of suicides that have resulted from it, I was expecting it to be handled better. Instead, the moral seems to be "it's okay, because the mean girl will eventually get over it and bully someone else." I didn't like that at all. There was no consequences for Ella's behavior at all, and that bugged me.
I also understand Julian's reaction to everything, but it seemed a little out of character. When he and Raye talk at the party and in the days after, he comes across as someone who is a little nerdy/studious himself and doesn't care what people think. He ends up completely reversing this and dropping Raye because she might hurt his social status. Perhaps he was a total slimeball the entire time and we just don't find out about it until the cyber bullying starts, but he definitely was not portrayed that was until the end.
The book was a quick read and held my attention, but I was hoping for a little more. :(
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 10, 2010
I first need to give it up to the marketing genius' behind this book. The cover was engaging and drew me in right away and when I read the summary write up on the back of the book I was hooked; I just had to read it so I begged to be on this tour. With the actual book itself, I admit that I was just a little disappointed. It wasn't exactly what I was expecting or hoping that it would be. While I still think the premise and overall idea seem quirky and fun, I don't really think the book lived up to all the hype for me.
There were some traditional characters in this book that all readers will recognize right off the bat. We've got the popular girls who are catty and mean (yet everyone wants to be them), the super cute high school boy all the girls drool over, gossip about and pine for, the straight A student who wants more of a social life, and we can't forget her one true and loyal friend who is happy with who she is and where she ranks on the social hierarchy.
Rae makes the mistake of telling uber-popular Ella about her little scheme on facebook and from there the drama takes off and turns into a wicked tail spin of events. I felt kind of bad for Julian (the object of said scheme) at times and sometimes I thought he was a jerk who deserved what he was getting. But overall I thought the scheme would have been bigger, a little juicier, but it just wasn't in my opinion.
I didn't find myself relating to these characters and for that reason maybe I just didn't give the book enough of a chance? I'm unsure why, but this one just wasn't for me.
There were some traditional characters in this book that all readers will recognize right off the bat. We've got the popular girls who are catty and mean (yet everyone wants to be them), the super cute high school boy all the girls drool over, gossip about and pine for, the straight A student who wants more of a social life, and we can't forget her one true and loyal friend who is happy with who she is and where she ranks on the social hierarchy.
Rae makes the mistake of telling uber-popular Ella about her little scheme on facebook and from there the drama takes off and turns into a wicked tail spin of events. I felt kind of bad for Julian (the object of said scheme) at times and sometimes I thought he was a jerk who deserved what he was getting. But overall I thought the scheme would have been bigger, a little juicier, but it just wasn't in my opinion.
I didn't find myself relating to these characters and for that reason maybe I just didn't give the book enough of a chance? I'm unsure why, but this one just wasn't for me.
May 20, 2010
This review is based off of an ARC and could possibly change slightly in the final copy.
What first attracted me to this book was the cover! I mean, wow, awesome job! One of the best covers I've seen in awhile! When I started reading this book, I thought it was a remake of "John Tucker Must Die" and there are some similarities, but the book quickly took a turn and I thought it was really well done.
Raye wasn't the typical nerdy girl that let the popular girls run all over her. She wanted popularity and was willing to go pretty far to get what she wanted. Even if that meant changing her appearance and pretending to be someone she wasn't. Ella, the most popular girl in school, wanted to get back at her ex-boyfriend, Julian, for breaking her heart, so Raye came up with a plan to get back at him. She made a ficticious facebook account and "friended" Julian. As Raye gets to know Julian, however, she's not sure if she wants this game to continue, but Ella isn't ready to stop, and when Raye puts her foot down, Ella turns her venom on Raye instead. And Ella has a lot of venom.
What I liked about this book was that it really showed how putting yourself out there on Facebook etc. can come back to haunt you in a big way. It also spoke to bullying and how unyielding bullies can be when they fix on a target. I loved that Raye stayed strong with the girls, and that her friend, Natalya stood by her side even though it could've hurt her too. I also really liked Raye for the most part. I thought she was smart and funny, and I enjoyed all the IM chats between the characters.
What I didn't care for in the book was how pathetic Raye got around Julian. No matter what happened, she just melted around him and it drove me crazy. But, I know that happens to a lot of girls, and it's good that it brought up so much emotion in me. It shows that I actually cared about Raye and how she was treated (a sign of good writing). The other things I didn't care for were the descriptiveness of a physical relationship between two of the characters, and some of the language. The intense "make-out" scene was too much, in my opinion and it didn't seem right anyway. It seemed like an afterthought that was put in for shock value. And the language is just a personal preference. It wasn't too bad, it's just not something I care for.
Overall, I did really enjoy it and I finished it in a day, so it was a quick, fun, easy read that had my emotions running the gamut!
~Andye http://ReadingTeen.blogspot.com/
What first attracted me to this book was the cover! I mean, wow, awesome job! One of the best covers I've seen in awhile! When I started reading this book, I thought it was a remake of "John Tucker Must Die" and there are some similarities, but the book quickly took a turn and I thought it was really well done.
Raye wasn't the typical nerdy girl that let the popular girls run all over her. She wanted popularity and was willing to go pretty far to get what she wanted. Even if that meant changing her appearance and pretending to be someone she wasn't. Ella, the most popular girl in school, wanted to get back at her ex-boyfriend, Julian, for breaking her heart, so Raye came up with a plan to get back at him. She made a ficticious facebook account and "friended" Julian. As Raye gets to know Julian, however, she's not sure if she wants this game to continue, but Ella isn't ready to stop, and when Raye puts her foot down, Ella turns her venom on Raye instead. And Ella has a lot of venom.
What I liked about this book was that it really showed how putting yourself out there on Facebook etc. can come back to haunt you in a big way. It also spoke to bullying and how unyielding bullies can be when they fix on a target. I loved that Raye stayed strong with the girls, and that her friend, Natalya stood by her side even though it could've hurt her too. I also really liked Raye for the most part. I thought she was smart and funny, and I enjoyed all the IM chats between the characters.
What I didn't care for in the book was how pathetic Raye got around Julian. No matter what happened, she just melted around him and it drove me crazy. But, I know that happens to a lot of girls, and it's good that it brought up so much emotion in me. It shows that I actually cared about Raye and how she was treated (a sign of good writing). The other things I didn't care for were the descriptiveness of a physical relationship between two of the characters, and some of the language. The intense "make-out" scene was too much, in my opinion and it didn't seem right anyway. It seemed like an afterthought that was put in for shock value. And the language is just a personal preference. It wasn't too bad, it's just not something I care for.
Overall, I did really enjoy it and I finished it in a day, so it was a quick, fun, easy read that had my emotions running the gamut!
~Andye http://ReadingTeen.blogspot.com/
April 28, 2014
Maybe 3.5 stars.
Well, I went into this one expecting a one or two star book, and obviously ended up enjoying it far more than I expected. The story goes something like this: Raye is new in town, and her only friend is Natalya. One night they create a fake Facebook account for a sophisticated, beautiful girl they name "Elizabeth," in the hopes that they can use Elizabeth to befriend the popular kids. No such luck, so they promptly forget about her.
Then Raye forges a strange connection with Ella, one of the most popular girls in her school, and Elizabeth suddenly matters again. Raye and Ella use Elizabeth to trick local hottie Julian into... who knows, really. Their plans are fuzzy. But, unsurprisingly, things get out of control and Raye is in over her head.
Honestly, none of this sounded all that compelling to me. And the beginning took me ages to slog through. But I thought Raye was an engaging character, and her scenes with Julian were a pleasure to read - sharp, honest, always realistic. Natalya was also a surprisingly pleasant character to read, and I really wish she'd had more scenes.
Ella was a serious misstep, though. Her entire characterization felt stilted and off. I know this was, too a degree, purposeful, because Ella is meant to have a strange personality, but I find it hard to imagine her being truly popular in high school. The awkward chat speak needs to stop, too. I'm beyond sick of reading YA novels written by adults who clearly have no idea how texting and Internet communication work. Honestly, these people need to just hire a teenager to edit their novels in addition to the regular editors, because the chat speak is messy. I have never in my entire life written "wuz" instead of "was."
There was a much better book hidden within this one, is what I'm getting at. I liked Raye (usually), Natalya, Julian, and definitely wanted to see more of Hannah and Doug, if only because I was intrigued by the description of their defiance of gender norms. I was a little less enthralled with Henry Henry, who seemed a bit over-the-top. And, like I already said, Ella was too much for me. Definitely in a bad way.
I'll be on the lookout for more from this author, but at the same time I probably won't be recommending this book to others.
Well, I went into this one expecting a one or two star book, and obviously ended up enjoying it far more than I expected. The story goes something like this: Raye is new in town, and her only friend is Natalya. One night they create a fake Facebook account for a sophisticated, beautiful girl they name "Elizabeth," in the hopes that they can use Elizabeth to befriend the popular kids. No such luck, so they promptly forget about her.
Then Raye forges a strange connection with Ella, one of the most popular girls in her school, and Elizabeth suddenly matters again. Raye and Ella use Elizabeth to trick local hottie Julian into... who knows, really. Their plans are fuzzy. But, unsurprisingly, things get out of control and Raye is in over her head.
Honestly, none of this sounded all that compelling to me. And the beginning took me ages to slog through. But I thought Raye was an engaging character, and her scenes with Julian were a pleasure to read - sharp, honest, always realistic. Natalya was also a surprisingly pleasant character to read, and I really wish she'd had more scenes.
Ella was a serious misstep, though. Her entire characterization felt stilted and off. I know this was, too a degree, purposeful, because Ella is meant to have a strange personality, but I find it hard to imagine her being truly popular in high school. The awkward chat speak needs to stop, too. I'm beyond sick of reading YA novels written by adults who clearly have no idea how texting and Internet communication work. Honestly, these people need to just hire a teenager to edit their novels in addition to the regular editors, because the chat speak is messy. I have never in my entire life written "wuz" instead of "was."
There was a much better book hidden within this one, is what I'm getting at. I liked Raye (usually), Natalya, Julian, and definitely wanted to see more of Hannah and Doug, if only because I was intrigued by the description of their defiance of gender norms. I was a little less enthralled with Henry Henry, who seemed a bit over-the-top. And, like I already said, Ella was too much for me. Definitely in a bad way.
I'll be on the lookout for more from this author, but at the same time I probably won't be recommending this book to others.
July 26, 2010
In The Julian Game, a Facebook prank turns into a campaign of online bullying at an all girl's prep school on the Main Line of Philadelphia. I received an ARC of this book, and before I could read it, my 13 year old daughter disappeared with it -- drawn by the fascinating cover. Luckily, it didn't take long to get it back: she finished it in a single afternoon, completely unable to put it down. As a new Facebook user herself, she was sucked into the subject matter and hopefully came away from the book a little wiser.
Adele Griffin's writing is a pleasure to read -- smooth and vibrant and compelling. There were times when I suffered from serious sentence envy.
Ring leader Ella Parker was a fascinating study in the role of chief bad girl at Fulton. Her quirky and compulsive behaviors -- ritual tapping, gloves, and catch-phrases -- bring a strange depth to her character. Our narrator Raye is believable and sympathetic. We see her making mistakes -- even knowingly making mistakes for the chance at being more popular -- and we sympathize, even while knowing it will all go wrong for her. I loved the ending -- because Griffin does not take the cheap and easy way out (the Hollywood ending where every bad guy gets their comeuppance). The Julian Game ends the way real life problems end ... with one small step toward emotional maturity and lots of new possibilities.
Adele Griffin's writing is a pleasure to read -- smooth and vibrant and compelling. There were times when I suffered from serious sentence envy.
Ring leader Ella Parker was a fascinating study in the role of chief bad girl at Fulton. Her quirky and compulsive behaviors -- ritual tapping, gloves, and catch-phrases -- bring a strange depth to her character. Our narrator Raye is believable and sympathetic. We see her making mistakes -- even knowingly making mistakes for the chance at being more popular -- and we sympathize, even while knowing it will all go wrong for her. I loved the ending -- because Griffin does not take the cheap and easy way out (the Hollywood ending where every bad guy gets their comeuppance). The Julian Game ends the way real life problems end ... with one small step toward emotional maturity and lots of new possibilities.
May 18, 2013
I didn't really know what to expect of this one going in. I just was up for something a bit different from my norm. I liked Raye for the most part until I thought she was blowing off her true BFF just to gain a spot at popularity but I sort of could see where her mind was at even though I felt she should have invited her friend Nat along for the ride or at least let her make her own mind up over whether she wanted to or not.
Ella I couldn't stand from the start! I have known a good many Ella's in my day and they are not to be trusted and are not good friend material. They think only for themself and don't care who they hurt or walk all over to get what they want. Raye was a bit nutso for ever doubting her first judgement of Ella but we all have to live and learn correct?
Julian surprised me big time. One minute he is the victum, then he is a friend, and then he is just a flat out jerk in my book. He's a douche bag a dweeb, a big fat b-hole. He tries to be all sweet and innocent and he's the type that wants to be your friend as long as nobody else knows it. Heck with that! If you can't be my friend all the time instead of when it's convenient for you piss on you don't be my friend at all!
This was a great book about fitting in and cliques. We've all been there at one time or another.
Ella I couldn't stand from the start! I have known a good many Ella's in my day and they are not to be trusted and are not good friend material. They think only for themself and don't care who they hurt or walk all over to get what they want. Raye was a bit nutso for ever doubting her first judgement of Ella but we all have to live and learn correct?
Julian surprised me big time. One minute he is the victum, then he is a friend, and then he is just a flat out jerk in my book. He's a douche bag a dweeb, a big fat b-hole. He tries to be all sweet and innocent and he's the type that wants to be your friend as long as nobody else knows it. Heck with that! If you can't be my friend all the time instead of when it's convenient for you piss on you don't be my friend at all!
This was a great book about fitting in and cliques. We've all been there at one time or another.
September 13, 2016
Probably my least favourite of all the Adele Griffin books I've read so far. I didn't think she did anything that different with the whole notion of bullying (including cyber-bullying) and the book felt kind of unfinished. I was hoping we'd get more about Ella's obvious mental health issues () but that never happened. I was also never a huge fan of the narrator, Raye; I think it might have been more interesting to have Ella narrating (although potentially it could turn a lot of readers off, I admit!). Certainly the situations and themes of the book involving friendship, wanting "in" to a certain crowd, and bullying are relatable, and Raye is in the thick of it in a way that many teens are: in the mushy middle of the pecking order, wanting to climb higher and (somewhat) willing to put others down to do so. When Raye becomes the target of the bullying, I was surprised that she seems to be able to "take" so much of it without crumbling...I would have been so distressed if I was in her situation.
I'd say my favourite character was Henry Henry, really. This book needed so much more of him, he was awesome. (Clearly superior to Julian.)
I'd say my favourite character was Henry Henry, really. This book needed so much more of him, he was awesome. (Clearly superior to Julian.)
October 13, 2011
The book was okay...just one of those where I didn't really care for any of the characters, and therefore I didn't care what happened to any of them...though it was short, it was slow for me to get through.
It lured me in with that awesome cover, and it also got me with my vast love for books with titles that are like 'The ________ Game/s'...well...I guess it's just The Hunger Games, but have you READ that book? So freaking good. Read that instead of this.
It lured me in with that awesome cover, and it also got me with my vast love for books with titles that are like 'The ________ Game/s'...well...I guess it's just The Hunger Games, but have you READ that book? So freaking good. Read that instead of this.
July 11, 2015
Pretty terrible book with cliché, unbelievable characters that you don't invest in, a plot that could have been much more, terrible writing (what even was the terrible Polish accent, it was beyond offensive) and "quirks" thrown in that are just a bit random.
The best thing this book has going for it is the cover and the blurb. I only made it to the end because it was short.
The best thing this book has going for it is the cover and the blurb. I only made it to the end because it was short.
September 22, 2020
Ugh. This was totally not what I expected. I was hoping for lighthearted and fun and sweetly romantic. Big NO.
This got three stars instead of two because the overarching message was a good one, but the characters were kind of flat, the bullying was awful, and the "internet speak" was annoying and barely understandable.
Too bad because the cover is so much fun.
This got three stars instead of two because the overarching message was a good one, but the characters were kind of flat, the bullying was awful, and the "internet speak" was annoying and barely understandable.
Too bad because the cover is so much fun.
February 2, 2012
Kinda creepy... wherre did Adele Griffin come up witht the colored gloves?
August 14, 2017
It’s a good thing I’ve started exercising again, because with all of this author cheerleading I’m doing, I need to get in shape. I am totally fangirling here. Ever read a book by an author and think, “Where have you been all my life?!” It started with an innocent Goodreads giveaway (Tighter review) and, well, I may have a few more Adele Griffin books making their way through inter-library loan as I write this review.
Small appreciation
Usually I’m a “more is more” kind of person, and don’t get me wrong, I love my series, but you know what really knocks my socks off? A tiny book that packs a punch. When an author can take a measly 200 or fewer pages and create a book with characters who live and breathe, a story that hits me in the gut or grabs a hold of my heart and then leaves me thinking about the book long after I’ve turned the last page, well, that right there is just perfection.
Add in the fact that I just really like the way Adele writes and I’m floored. I think this is a much more difficult feat to accomplish in a short book than it is with the flexibility of a longer book or series. I’m always left in awe, and that’s where I am right now: Awed. And maybe more than a little uncomfortable (in the best possible way).
The Julian Game is a mere 200 pages on the dot. I figured I would fly through it in an hour or two, but that is so not what happened. It took me two whole days to get through this slim book, but that’s not to say I wasn’t enjoying myself. Oh no, it took me so long because I kept putting the book down to think about what I had just read. Think! And not just about one issue either. There is so much to think about here: cyber bullying, online anonymity, teenage relationships, mean girls, insecurities, friendship, control, and so much more. I could write an essay. This is not a light-hearted or funny mean girls book.
Painfully real
I always say it and I’ll say it again: I am a character girl. The thing here is, the characters? They’re kind of horrible people. Not always, and not all of them (Natalya is by far the most awesome best friend in the world), but at some point through the course of the book each of the main characters acts in a less than admirable way. But you know what? I may be outing myself here, but I loved these characters because I could relate to each and every one of them. They were so real. The relationship between Raye and her crush? Totally, painfully real. Ella’s maniacal need for power and control? Real, relatable. Raye’s insecurities? Oh boy, I’ve totally been there.
I’ve read a lot of mean girl books, and while I’ve enjoyed many of them, I often feel like there’s something missing in them. The mean girl is just a little unbelievable. She’s a caricature. The storyline is just a little too predictable. The guy just a little too “You’re an unrealistic fictional hottie.” The cruelty, as mean as it may be, often lacks that spark, that little something that makes a deeply buried tiny vulnerable nugget inside of me sob in painful sympathy.
All of those “somethings” are most definitely not missing here. Ella is a mean girl. She’s horrible, and yet…a part of me loves her. She’s so fragile, and in many ways she (embarrassingly) reminded me of myself at that age. There’s a scene where she is instructing Raye to take control of her life. This scene comes right on the heels of another scene where Ella’s complete lack of control is exposed like a raw, weeping wound. The juxtaposition of these two scenes just made my heart break for her. But you know what? She’s still a mean girl and I liked that. I like that the characters don’t all hug and become friends because that would be a cop out. I wouldn’t buy that and this book is too real for that kind of resolution.
Raye wasn’t a paragon of virtue herself, but I really liked her anyway. This is probably in large part because I saw much of my teenage self in her. Her narration is searing and honest. She grows so much through the book, but it’s not an obvious growth. There isn’t any one scene where she has an epiphany and vows to change her ways. Her growth is subtle, slowly and unobtrusively building as Raye gains experiences and, ultimately, wisdom. She is a very different person by the end of the book, with all of her changes honest and believable.
Lecture-free zone
I could go on and on, but I just wanted to touch on one more thing I really appreciated about this book: It wasn’t preachy. Cyber bullying is topic that is primed for preaching. It practically comes with its own ready-to-use soapbox and bullhorn. And yet Adele took the pontificating paraphernalia and chucked them out the window. Thank you! The message is clear, it’s there, but it’s not in your face. And you know what else? It isn’t some unrealistic or knee-jerk call to action. The message is harsh but it’s also honest and true.
The same goes for Ella’s OCD (which is wonderfully never mentioned by name and never made into a “teaching issue”). There were so many things here that could have been made into an awkward after-school special that just feels so false, but Adele masterfully skipped around these traps.
Sometimes I shouldn't judge a book by its cover
I had seen a number of mixed reviews for this book and I was pretty nervous about it. What if I didn’t like it? After reading and loving Tighter I didn’t want to be let down. The cover made me even more nervous. I don’t really like it (though I understand and appreciate it a lot more now). I had a very different idea of what the book was going to be like based on that cover. The girl looked too quirky and I was worried this would be a book that reached desperately for quirky-cool humor and instead came off as trite. I also didn’t like the blue hair, but that’s probably because I’m old. Talk about misjudgment! My assumptions couldn’t possibly have been further from the truth.
I am so glad I read Tighter because I don’t think I would have given The Julian Game a second glance otherwise. Boy would I have missed out! Because guess where this book is going? That’s right, the Special Shelf.
Originally posted at Small Review
Small appreciation
Usually I’m a “more is more” kind of person, and don’t get me wrong, I love my series, but you know what really knocks my socks off? A tiny book that packs a punch. When an author can take a measly 200 or fewer pages and create a book with characters who live and breathe, a story that hits me in the gut or grabs a hold of my heart and then leaves me thinking about the book long after I’ve turned the last page, well, that right there is just perfection.
Add in the fact that I just really like the way Adele writes and I’m floored. I think this is a much more difficult feat to accomplish in a short book than it is with the flexibility of a longer book or series. I’m always left in awe, and that’s where I am right now: Awed. And maybe more than a little uncomfortable (in the best possible way).
The Julian Game is a mere 200 pages on the dot. I figured I would fly through it in an hour or two, but that is so not what happened. It took me two whole days to get through this slim book, but that’s not to say I wasn’t enjoying myself. Oh no, it took me so long because I kept putting the book down to think about what I had just read. Think! And not just about one issue either. There is so much to think about here: cyber bullying, online anonymity, teenage relationships, mean girls, insecurities, friendship, control, and so much more. I could write an essay. This is not a light-hearted or funny mean girls book.
Painfully real
I always say it and I’ll say it again: I am a character girl. The thing here is, the characters? They’re kind of horrible people. Not always, and not all of them (Natalya is by far the most awesome best friend in the world), but at some point through the course of the book each of the main characters acts in a less than admirable way. But you know what? I may be outing myself here, but I loved these characters because I could relate to each and every one of them. They were so real. The relationship between Raye and her crush? Totally, painfully real. Ella’s maniacal need for power and control? Real, relatable. Raye’s insecurities? Oh boy, I’ve totally been there.
I’ve read a lot of mean girl books, and while I’ve enjoyed many of them, I often feel like there’s something missing in them. The mean girl is just a little unbelievable. She’s a caricature. The storyline is just a little too predictable. The guy just a little too “You’re an unrealistic fictional hottie.” The cruelty, as mean as it may be, often lacks that spark, that little something that makes a deeply buried tiny vulnerable nugget inside of me sob in painful sympathy.
All of those “somethings” are most definitely not missing here. Ella is a mean girl. She’s horrible, and yet…a part of me loves her. She’s so fragile, and in many ways she (embarrassingly) reminded me of myself at that age. There’s a scene where she is instructing Raye to take control of her life. This scene comes right on the heels of another scene where Ella’s complete lack of control is exposed like a raw, weeping wound. The juxtaposition of these two scenes just made my heart break for her. But you know what? She’s still a mean girl and I liked that. I like that the characters don’t all hug and become friends because that would be a cop out. I wouldn’t buy that and this book is too real for that kind of resolution.
Raye wasn’t a paragon of virtue herself, but I really liked her anyway. This is probably in large part because I saw much of my teenage self in her. Her narration is searing and honest. She grows so much through the book, but it’s not an obvious growth. There isn’t any one scene where she has an epiphany and vows to change her ways. Her growth is subtle, slowly and unobtrusively building as Raye gains experiences and, ultimately, wisdom. She is a very different person by the end of the book, with all of her changes honest and believable.
Lecture-free zone
I could go on and on, but I just wanted to touch on one more thing I really appreciated about this book: It wasn’t preachy. Cyber bullying is topic that is primed for preaching. It practically comes with its own ready-to-use soapbox and bullhorn. And yet Adele took the pontificating paraphernalia and chucked them out the window. Thank you! The message is clear, it’s there, but it’s not in your face. And you know what else? It isn’t some unrealistic or knee-jerk call to action. The message is harsh but it’s also honest and true.
The same goes for Ella’s OCD (which is wonderfully never mentioned by name and never made into a “teaching issue”). There were so many things here that could have been made into an awkward after-school special that just feels so false, but Adele masterfully skipped around these traps.
Sometimes I shouldn't judge a book by its cover
I had seen a number of mixed reviews for this book and I was pretty nervous about it. What if I didn’t like it? After reading and loving Tighter I didn’t want to be let down. The cover made me even more nervous. I don’t really like it (though I understand and appreciate it a lot more now). I had a very different idea of what the book was going to be like based on that cover. The girl looked too quirky and I was worried this would be a book that reached desperately for quirky-cool humor and instead came off as trite. I also didn’t like the blue hair, but that’s probably because I’m old. Talk about misjudgment! My assumptions couldn’t possibly have been further from the truth.
I am so glad I read Tighter because I don’t think I would have given The Julian Game a second glance otherwise. Boy would I have missed out! Because guess where this book is going? That’s right, the Special Shelf.
Originally posted at Small Review
February 4, 2018
Enjoyable read and a lesson in internet privacy. However this book ended so abruptly I had to check there weren't any pages missing, if left open for another book in this vein then so be it, but the ending disappointed me.
September 1, 2018
Not a cup of tea, however is acceptable if you like drama. Not bad, but could be far better.
April 13, 2020
This book was an okay read. I didn’t enjoy the ending. It seemed rushed.
December 4, 2022
This book was in no way what I expected it went from teen Disney movie to raunchy Dan fiC back to teen drama in a way I kinda liked it but over all it was just ok.
February 1, 2023
Szybko sie czyta, krótka. Książka na wyjście z zastoju, idealna po ciężkiej i mało przyjemnej książce. Nie jest zła, aczkolwiek nie jest niczym wspaniałym.
October 1, 2023
A lighthearted read about a teen on the outside of the popular group at high school and bullying. It was an okay read but I did feel towards the end it lost its way a bit.
October 2, 2017
Spoiler Alert!!!!
I was disappointed because the book cover is misleading. I thought I will be reading a Hunger Games type of book here but nope I ended up reading a Middle Grade book.
The concept is okay. It's just that I was expecting more from it than the usual high school drama.
I was disappointed because the book cover is misleading. I thought I will be reading a Hunger Games type of book here but nope I ended up reading a Middle Grade book.
The concept is okay. It's just that I was expecting more from it than the usual high school drama.
June 7, 2010
Title: The Julian Game
Author: Adele Griffin
Publisher: Putnam (Penguin)
Let me start by saying this: I am not putting up a cover comments section because I want to rave about it in depth. Right now. This cover is just amazing. It makes me want to eat healthier and exercise more just because I want to be able to look at it again in the morning. Not only does it look really cool, but it's completely plot oriented! That's right, it actually has something plot relative. In fact, the entire thing is plot relative. Even the title font. I'm practically oozing out of my seat in a puddle of awe. But does the book stand up to its awesomesauce cover? Heck yeah!
Raye Archer recently lost and gained a few things: her mother died and left her and her father to recuperate, and eventually adjust to an almost-stepmother named Stacy who is pretty cool. She got lucky enough to be accepted into an ace-scholar program at a school that trims students for Ivy League. And she just doesn't really know what to do with herself. Raye and her best friend decide to make an online alter-ego named Elizabeth, to fool boys from the adjacent boys school and just have some fun. Ella, the Designated Popular Bitch (DPB), squirms her way into finding out about Elizabeth, and uses Raye and her alter ego to concoct a plan.
The victim: Julian Kingberry (aka crazy hot guy whom everyone knows about - yes, even Raye) The motive: Revenge The plan: Sweet, online seduction. Ella and Raye take some risque pictures of 'Elizabeth' (Raye with an electric blue wig and other accessories) and send them to him...All the while, Raye is talking to Julian behind Ella's back. When she gets to know him, and develops a kind-of major crush, things can only get more complicated as Ella's itty-bitty revenge snowballs into a plan reminiscent of the most cruel villains on Saturday-morning cartoons.
Character wise, you will be addicted. Raye is a startlingly intelligent personae that manages to actually show off the intelligence and still be a teenager. Ella is the classic popular chick...until you dig deeper. Her depth as a character in terms of her odd-number obsession and her cynical outlook on life made for some interesting thoughts. Julian was actually a well-done popular jock, and I was strung right along with Raye as she got to know him. I knew he was bad-news for her and I still liked him! The secondaries are also pretty fun, if not appearing much. I liked the idea of naming a British exchange student Henry Henry and felt it was really funny. Don't ask me why, but it appealed to my sense of humor...and his characterization wasn't bad, either, though I would have liked to see more of him.
The writing and plot fit together just as perfectly. I never once felt like I was getting the short end of the stick. For only being two hundred pages, it really packs a punch, getting in a bunch of great events that revolve around the internet, true relationships, and the ability to be logical in your teenage years. Internet plots easily move into contrived areas, but the more updated take on Facebook and social networking kept it surprisingly fresh. It was also nice to see something so real in a YA novel. Sometimes the internet is really fictionalized, and not in a good way. Raye gets brutalized by using the pictures she took, and it sends a good message to teenagers about monitoring themselves and their friendships.
The Julian Game is the work of someone who knows their craft. The plot's tight, the characters are sharp and dimensional, and the premise is unmatched. If you like any number of YA genre types, you'll find yourself magnetized to this read; be it for the connection to Facebook, the fish-out-of-water story involving a popular girl and one normally in the shadows, and the quest for gaining a love that is at first unattainable. The combination makes for a gripping story that will leaving you wanting to read more of Adele Griffin, and that's the one of the best types of books.
Rating: Five Stars
Copy: Received from Adele. Thankies!
Author: Adele Griffin
Publisher: Putnam (Penguin)
Let me start by saying this: I am not putting up a cover comments section because I want to rave about it in depth. Right now. This cover is just amazing. It makes me want to eat healthier and exercise more just because I want to be able to look at it again in the morning. Not only does it look really cool, but it's completely plot oriented! That's right, it actually has something plot relative. In fact, the entire thing is plot relative. Even the title font. I'm practically oozing out of my seat in a puddle of awe. But does the book stand up to its awesomesauce cover? Heck yeah!
Raye Archer recently lost and gained a few things: her mother died and left her and her father to recuperate, and eventually adjust to an almost-stepmother named Stacy who is pretty cool. She got lucky enough to be accepted into an ace-scholar program at a school that trims students for Ivy League. And she just doesn't really know what to do with herself. Raye and her best friend decide to make an online alter-ego named Elizabeth, to fool boys from the adjacent boys school and just have some fun. Ella, the Designated Popular Bitch (DPB), squirms her way into finding out about Elizabeth, and uses Raye and her alter ego to concoct a plan.
The victim: Julian Kingberry (aka crazy hot guy whom everyone knows about - yes, even Raye) The motive: Revenge The plan: Sweet, online seduction. Ella and Raye take some risque pictures of 'Elizabeth' (Raye with an electric blue wig and other accessories) and send them to him...All the while, Raye is talking to Julian behind Ella's back. When she gets to know him, and develops a kind-of major crush, things can only get more complicated as Ella's itty-bitty revenge snowballs into a plan reminiscent of the most cruel villains on Saturday-morning cartoons.
Character wise, you will be addicted. Raye is a startlingly intelligent personae that manages to actually show off the intelligence and still be a teenager. Ella is the classic popular chick...until you dig deeper. Her depth as a character in terms of her odd-number obsession and her cynical outlook on life made for some interesting thoughts. Julian was actually a well-done popular jock, and I was strung right along with Raye as she got to know him. I knew he was bad-news for her and I still liked him! The secondaries are also pretty fun, if not appearing much. I liked the idea of naming a British exchange student Henry Henry and felt it was really funny. Don't ask me why, but it appealed to my sense of humor...and his characterization wasn't bad, either, though I would have liked to see more of him.
The writing and plot fit together just as perfectly. I never once felt like I was getting the short end of the stick. For only being two hundred pages, it really packs a punch, getting in a bunch of great events that revolve around the internet, true relationships, and the ability to be logical in your teenage years. Internet plots easily move into contrived areas, but the more updated take on Facebook and social networking kept it surprisingly fresh. It was also nice to see something so real in a YA novel. Sometimes the internet is really fictionalized, and not in a good way. Raye gets brutalized by using the pictures she took, and it sends a good message to teenagers about monitoring themselves and their friendships.
The Julian Game is the work of someone who knows their craft. The plot's tight, the characters are sharp and dimensional, and the premise is unmatched. If you like any number of YA genre types, you'll find yourself magnetized to this read; be it for the connection to Facebook, the fish-out-of-water story involving a popular girl and one normally in the shadows, and the quest for gaining a love that is at first unattainable. The combination makes for a gripping story that will leaving you wanting to read more of Adele Griffin, and that's the one of the best types of books.
Rating: Five Stars
Copy: Received from Adele. Thankies!
August 12, 2013
View the full review here:
http://www.iswimforoceans.com/2013/08...
Raye doesn't fit in in her new school. While most students at the all-girls prep school are there because of their parents' wealthy status, Raye is on scholarship. And, what's more, all Raye really wants is to fit in with a few friends. On a whim, she and her friend, Natalya, create an online profile that embodies everything they're not - witty, popular, sexy and wanted. But their harmless prank goes horribly awry when Raye falls into the clutches of mean girl, Ella. But Raye realizes quickly that things on the internet never really disappear, and sometimes the scheming sorts of bullying are worse than outright treachery.
I bought this book a long time ago and, if I'm being entirely honest, I never really put two and two together to figure out that this is by Adele Griffin, also known as one of my favourite authors. The Julian Game is a cloak and dagger maze of lies, ambition, bullying and the thin, deceitful veil of the virtual world. Giving readers a taste of revenge, a hearty dose of resentment and a topping of malice and melee, this book blows the doors wide open on cyber-bullying. Offering a fast pace, steady drama and characters worth fighting for, The Julian Game plays its cards right.
I had some hesitations when it came to reviewing The Julian Game because most of the reviews I've seen for it average around three stars. Nevertheless, I've been challenging myself to read more contemporary novels, so this one definitely fit the bill. Raye was a great character to make this novel revolve around. Though she's a social outcast, she's never really self-deprecating or pathetic. Rather, she's like every other teenage girl - just trying to find the social circle in which to survive high school. The beauty of her character is that she doesn't really feel the need to stretch the bounds though. Yes, she wishes she could fit in, but she's also content with her life as it is. I did feel as though I lost her slightly when Ella's offer to bring her into the fold started to sway her, but it was believable above all else. Many a teen would do the same thing. Ella was the stereotypical mean girl that we've all heard of, but she kicks it up a notch with her scheming, backstabbing and deceit. She was willing to step on and walk all over anyone to remain at the top. While I've never really encountered an Ella in my life, I know many people who have, and her vindictive nature left an acrid taste in my mouth page after page. I do like that, at times, we feel something other than blind hatred for the girl, but I also like the fact that The Julian Game never actually makes an excuse for her actions. The plot, itself, is decidedly malicious, but it reads well for the young adult crowd. It never felt over-the-top or cloying, and the novel definitely made a case harder repercussions for cyberbullying. While spoken words sting and last for a while, eventually the wounds heal. Bullying on the internet lasts forever, and The Julian Game slyly shows us that it will never truly end once it hits the web.
Overall, The Julian Game was a well-written, quick read about a very relevant topic in our day and age. It's a fast read, and the author's signature prose will capture you from the start, leading you into a thoughtful, articulate and engaging web of lies. I give it a 4 out of 5, and I definitely recommend it to all fans of YA, especially those who enjoy contemporary fiction.
http://www.iswimforoceans.com/2013/08...
Raye doesn't fit in in her new school. While most students at the all-girls prep school are there because of their parents' wealthy status, Raye is on scholarship. And, what's more, all Raye really wants is to fit in with a few friends. On a whim, she and her friend, Natalya, create an online profile that embodies everything they're not - witty, popular, sexy and wanted. But their harmless prank goes horribly awry when Raye falls into the clutches of mean girl, Ella. But Raye realizes quickly that things on the internet never really disappear, and sometimes the scheming sorts of bullying are worse than outright treachery.
I bought this book a long time ago and, if I'm being entirely honest, I never really put two and two together to figure out that this is by Adele Griffin, also known as one of my favourite authors. The Julian Game is a cloak and dagger maze of lies, ambition, bullying and the thin, deceitful veil of the virtual world. Giving readers a taste of revenge, a hearty dose of resentment and a topping of malice and melee, this book blows the doors wide open on cyber-bullying. Offering a fast pace, steady drama and characters worth fighting for, The Julian Game plays its cards right.
I had some hesitations when it came to reviewing The Julian Game because most of the reviews I've seen for it average around three stars. Nevertheless, I've been challenging myself to read more contemporary novels, so this one definitely fit the bill. Raye was a great character to make this novel revolve around. Though she's a social outcast, she's never really self-deprecating or pathetic. Rather, she's like every other teenage girl - just trying to find the social circle in which to survive high school. The beauty of her character is that she doesn't really feel the need to stretch the bounds though. Yes, she wishes she could fit in, but she's also content with her life as it is. I did feel as though I lost her slightly when Ella's offer to bring her into the fold started to sway her, but it was believable above all else. Many a teen would do the same thing. Ella was the stereotypical mean girl that we've all heard of, but she kicks it up a notch with her scheming, backstabbing and deceit. She was willing to step on and walk all over anyone to remain at the top. While I've never really encountered an Ella in my life, I know many people who have, and her vindictive nature left an acrid taste in my mouth page after page. I do like that, at times, we feel something other than blind hatred for the girl, but I also like the fact that The Julian Game never actually makes an excuse for her actions. The plot, itself, is decidedly malicious, but it reads well for the young adult crowd. It never felt over-the-top or cloying, and the novel definitely made a case harder repercussions for cyberbullying. While spoken words sting and last for a while, eventually the wounds heal. Bullying on the internet lasts forever, and The Julian Game slyly shows us that it will never truly end once it hits the web.
Overall, The Julian Game was a well-written, quick read about a very relevant topic in our day and age. It's a fast read, and the author's signature prose will capture you from the start, leading you into a thoughtful, articulate and engaging web of lies. I give it a 4 out of 5, and I definitely recommend it to all fans of YA, especially those who enjoy contemporary fiction.
August 25, 2010
I read a few reviews for this book before I read it, and I have to say that I think some people were taking the promise of action in this story much too specifically. Action via the Internet is never all that fast paced in my experience. Although I'll be the first to admit that this book wasn't exactly what I expected it to be, I went into it with an open mind and clean slate and ended up liking it quite a lot!
Now lest this come back to bite me in the hindquarters I will say now that, yes, I do indeed adore Adele Griffin. I find her to be a very witty and amazing author! However that doesn't change the fact that I will always review a book fairly. The review below is all from the heart.
From the very first few pages I fell in love with Raye and Natalya. Here were two very intelligent girls, plotting a social networking scheme simply so that they could talk to boys they were attracted to! Isn't it amazing what the Internet can allow us to do? By taking on the persona of Elizabeth, the girls were able to break out of their shells and become the people that they wished they could be in their own lives. I completely sympathized. When I was in high school all I wanted was to be accepted, and if that meant squashing your actual feelings and needs, well that's what you did. Raye and Natalya remind us that today's generation can lead double lives, all complements of the Internet.
Does this mean that I think what the girls did was right? Not by any means. Still I think it their plot was ultimately fairly pure until it was soiled by the evil Ella. Oh Ella. I will say right now, I despised Ella with a passion. Ella is the girl who bats her eyelashes and gets what she wants. The girl who says one thing and means another. The one who gets away with bullying because she will later "apologize" to you. Why? Well that's because she is popular. I was upset with Raye for falling in with Ella, I really was. I thought she would be smarter than that. I had to remind myself that Raye was only human, and sometimes it's hard to ignore the call of the popular crowd.
Julian, oh yes Julian. He was the one character that completely tore my heart in half. I cannot say too much, as I don't want to spoil the plot line for all you readers out there, but I was fuming as I read. I applaud Raye for making such smart decisions regarding him, even if it did take her a while to do it. Smart girl. On the topic of the Internet, I thought The Julian Game touched on cyber bullying in a perfect manner. It puts the concept out there for discussion, but doesn't shove a moral down your throat in capsule form.
Are you intrigued my friends? Good! Go get a copy of the book and give it a try. You know you want to!
Before I ramble on too much further, I'll simply say that I really did enjoy this book. Although it wasn't a perfect ten for me, it did hold my attention quite well and I felt invested in the characters. Whether I was loving them or despising them didn't matter, I knew enough about them to care. I also loved how Facebook and social networking in general were so seamlessly brought into the story. I was impressed with Raye's story. I'm sure this book will resonate strongly with the social networking generation, and I hope it will also speak to them about reconsidering what should take preference in their lives.
Now lest this come back to bite me in the hindquarters I will say now that, yes, I do indeed adore Adele Griffin. I find her to be a very witty and amazing author! However that doesn't change the fact that I will always review a book fairly. The review below is all from the heart.
From the very first few pages I fell in love with Raye and Natalya. Here were two very intelligent girls, plotting a social networking scheme simply so that they could talk to boys they were attracted to! Isn't it amazing what the Internet can allow us to do? By taking on the persona of Elizabeth, the girls were able to break out of their shells and become the people that they wished they could be in their own lives. I completely sympathized. When I was in high school all I wanted was to be accepted, and if that meant squashing your actual feelings and needs, well that's what you did. Raye and Natalya remind us that today's generation can lead double lives, all complements of the Internet.
Does this mean that I think what the girls did was right? Not by any means. Still I think it their plot was ultimately fairly pure until it was soiled by the evil Ella. Oh Ella. I will say right now, I despised Ella with a passion. Ella is the girl who bats her eyelashes and gets what she wants. The girl who says one thing and means another. The one who gets away with bullying because she will later "apologize" to you. Why? Well that's because she is popular. I was upset with Raye for falling in with Ella, I really was. I thought she would be smarter than that. I had to remind myself that Raye was only human, and sometimes it's hard to ignore the call of the popular crowd.
Julian, oh yes Julian. He was the one character that completely tore my heart in half. I cannot say too much, as I don't want to spoil the plot line for all you readers out there, but I was fuming as I read. I applaud Raye for making such smart decisions regarding him, even if it did take her a while to do it. Smart girl. On the topic of the Internet, I thought The Julian Game touched on cyber bullying in a perfect manner. It puts the concept out there for discussion, but doesn't shove a moral down your throat in capsule form.
Are you intrigued my friends? Good! Go get a copy of the book and give it a try. You know you want to!
Before I ramble on too much further, I'll simply say that I really did enjoy this book. Although it wasn't a perfect ten for me, it did hold my attention quite well and I felt invested in the characters. Whether I was loving them or despising them didn't matter, I knew enough about them to care. I also loved how Facebook and social networking in general were so seamlessly brought into the story. I was impressed with Raye's story. I'm sure this book will resonate strongly with the social networking generation, and I hope it will also speak to them about reconsidering what should take preference in their lives.
September 24, 2015
Em's Review: Raye is a scholarship student at a prestigious school who wants to be a part of the in crowd. When the popular Ella Parker enlists her help in getting back at her ex, the ever-so-handsome Julian Kilgarry, Raye jumps at the chance to join Ella’s inner-circle. When Raye shares her fake online persona with her, Ella convinces Raye to take revealing pictures disguised in a blue wig in order to use “Elizabeth” to seduce Julian and lead him to trouble. But when Raye falls for Julian and the feeling seems mutual, Raye feels the wrath of Ella in ways she hadn’t predicted and has to work to get her reputation and real friendships restored.
The Julian Game is both timely and timeless. Timely is the discussion of online communication and cyberbullying; timeless is the focus on the desire for reinvention and friendship. I’m surprised that there aren’t more YA books about cyberbullying or even simply about the difference between online relationships and real life ones. There are plenty of mean girl and bullying themes in YA, but I haven’t come across many (outside of Gossip Girl) that really focus in on these themes in the context of social media and the Internet. This seems much more common in TV.* I particularly like how Griffin explores how pretending to be someone you’re not online can go from the extreme of disguises and fake profiles to having a friend feed you lines to hit on a girl.
I think most readers will relate to Raye and her desire for something new and exciting in her life. Relating to her makes it even more painful when she ditches and lies to her best friend Natalya about hanging out with Ella. Ella is a fascinating character – unlike any character I have previously read – and so even though she is clearly scary and unkind, it’s not hard to imagine being drawn to her. Though at the same time, with mean girls like Ella, one always must ask, how did she get to her position of power? There is also an interesting aspect of character development with Ella that never becomes a real part of the story, a choice which I respect – that being that she wears gloves all the time and taps things with her finger (she calls the tapping her “little compulsion”). It’s refreshing to see a character with OCD as a key player in a story that is not at all about their anxiety disorder.
The one thing that made The Julian Game difficult for me to read at times, was the chat language and made up words used by the in-crowd. It’s hard reading something written by an adult in teen speak and not second-guessing the validity of the dialogue. This is something that I struggle with in reading YA, so has nothing to do with Griffin’s writing talents. (I do love the sound of the words “shì bú shì” – Ella’s frequent phrase, which she picks up in Mandarin Chinese class; it makes me wish I had an excuse to use Chinese in my day-to-day.) Even with my holdups with teen speak in literature, Griffin writes in a believable voice for the many characters who inhabit this story. On top of that, it’s a quick and enjoyable read with a fun bit of quirkiness to it.
The Julian Game is both timely and timeless. Timely is the discussion of online communication and cyberbullying; timeless is the focus on the desire for reinvention and friendship. I’m surprised that there aren’t more YA books about cyberbullying or even simply about the difference between online relationships and real life ones. There are plenty of mean girl and bullying themes in YA, but I haven’t come across many (outside of Gossip Girl) that really focus in on these themes in the context of social media and the Internet. This seems much more common in TV.* I particularly like how Griffin explores how pretending to be someone you’re not online can go from the extreme of disguises and fake profiles to having a friend feed you lines to hit on a girl.
I think most readers will relate to Raye and her desire for something new and exciting in her life. Relating to her makes it even more painful when she ditches and lies to her best friend Natalya about hanging out with Ella. Ella is a fascinating character – unlike any character I have previously read – and so even though she is clearly scary and unkind, it’s not hard to imagine being drawn to her. Though at the same time, with mean girls like Ella, one always must ask, how did she get to her position of power? There is also an interesting aspect of character development with Ella that never becomes a real part of the story, a choice which I respect – that being that she wears gloves all the time and taps things with her finger (she calls the tapping her “little compulsion”). It’s refreshing to see a character with OCD as a key player in a story that is not at all about their anxiety disorder.
The one thing that made The Julian Game difficult for me to read at times, was the chat language and made up words used by the in-crowd. It’s hard reading something written by an adult in teen speak and not second-guessing the validity of the dialogue. This is something that I struggle with in reading YA, so has nothing to do with Griffin’s writing talents. (I do love the sound of the words “shì bú shì” – Ella’s frequent phrase, which she picks up in Mandarin Chinese class; it makes me wish I had an excuse to use Chinese in my day-to-day.) Even with my holdups with teen speak in literature, Griffin writes in a believable voice for the many characters who inhabit this story. On top of that, it’s a quick and enjoyable read with a fun bit of quirkiness to it.
August 13, 2010
The Julian Game was a unique and intriguing look at how far some people will go to extract revenge. Raye Archer is the new girl and just wants one thing- to fit in with "The Group". A clique of cold, beautiful girls so perfect and untouchable that no one would ever dare try to bring them down. When one of "The Group" Ella Parker reaches out to Raye for help- Raye is overjoyed. Together Raye and Ella help bring Elizabeth (a fake Facebook identity created by Raye and her best friend) to life. Ella wants Elizabeth, with Raye behind her, to bring down her ex-boyfriend Julian. But things get a lot more complicated than Raye ever imagined.
The plot was really original and completely different than anything I've read before. Watching Raye get roped into Ella's devious scheme was frightening. Ella was practically controlling Raye's every move. The idea of Elizabeth was definitely unique and it was scary to see how far some people will go to get revenge on the people that wronged them. As Raye realized Ella was taking the Elizabeth thing a little too far, she decides to take action. Unfortunately she starts to fall for the very person she's supposed to be destroying- Julian.
Raye was at first a desperate and sheltered character who didn't really know what was happening to her by getting involved with Ella. I really liked Raye and while at times I couldn't believe she was being fooled by the worst people, she was truly good at heart. Raye wasn't the only good character- I really liked her best friend and was glad when they worked things out. Natalya was a sweet, strong girl who was a great friend to Raye. Adele Griffin really knows how to create the nastiest characters! Ella was determined, frightening, and stealthy. She would take down anyone that got in her way and wouldn't think twice about it. As the revenge on Julian got more and more convoluted, Ella's true colors were really starting to show. I was glad when Raye stood up for herself, but, unfortunately, this made things even worse for herself.
The romantic interest, Julian, wasn't always who he appeared either. At times he seemed like the innocent victim, but as the novel progressed he turned out to be very different than I originally thought.
When Ella launches her second revenge plan- this time on Raye- I began to wonder: How far will she go? After compromising pictures go up and slandering rumors, Raye's life is getting really tangled up. She not only has to deal with Ella and Julian, but now the whole school as well.
Overall, The Julian Game was a complex and original novel that shows the dangers of sites like Facebook and how lies and deceit can come back to haunt you. It's an intriguing and different read that you can finish within a few hours. The Julian Game was a little difficult to review because so much was going on and there were a lot of twists and turns (I don't want to spoil anything!) but I definitely recommend checking it out!
Overall: 4 out of 5 stars
The plot was really original and completely different than anything I've read before. Watching Raye get roped into Ella's devious scheme was frightening. Ella was practically controlling Raye's every move. The idea of Elizabeth was definitely unique and it was scary to see how far some people will go to get revenge on the people that wronged them. As Raye realized Ella was taking the Elizabeth thing a little too far, she decides to take action. Unfortunately she starts to fall for the very person she's supposed to be destroying- Julian.
Raye was at first a desperate and sheltered character who didn't really know what was happening to her by getting involved with Ella. I really liked Raye and while at times I couldn't believe she was being fooled by the worst people, she was truly good at heart. Raye wasn't the only good character- I really liked her best friend and was glad when they worked things out. Natalya was a sweet, strong girl who was a great friend to Raye. Adele Griffin really knows how to create the nastiest characters! Ella was determined, frightening, and stealthy. She would take down anyone that got in her way and wouldn't think twice about it. As the revenge on Julian got more and more convoluted, Ella's true colors were really starting to show. I was glad when Raye stood up for herself, but, unfortunately, this made things even worse for herself.
The romantic interest, Julian, wasn't always who he appeared either. At times he seemed like the innocent victim, but as the novel progressed he turned out to be very different than I originally thought.
When Ella launches her second revenge plan- this time on Raye- I began to wonder: How far will she go? After compromising pictures go up and slandering rumors, Raye's life is getting really tangled up. She not only has to deal with Ella and Julian, but now the whole school as well.
Overall, The Julian Game was a complex and original novel that shows the dangers of sites like Facebook and how lies and deceit can come back to haunt you. It's an intriguing and different read that you can finish within a few hours. The Julian Game was a little difficult to review because so much was going on and there were a lot of twists and turns (I don't want to spoil anything!) but I definitely recommend checking it out!
Overall: 4 out of 5 stars
May 12, 2011
Review posted at
Amaterasu Reads
In Raye's attempt to fit in, she found herself under the scrutinizing gaze of the meanest girl in school, Ella Parker, and in her quest to be part of the "in" crowd, she agreed to get back on the popular Julian Kilgarry, using a fake online identity. What she didn't count on was that the real Raye will fall in love with the guy she was supposed to take revenge on.
Let me just say that I was never one for bullying. My high school life was pretty complicated, and I was a bit popular but I don't think I have encountered girls as terrible as the ones in this book. Instead of hating Ella, despite her outrageous behavior, I generally feel pity towards her. Her sister and her mother walks all over her at home, and so in her efforts to be "at the top" and in control, she becomes this manipulative, vindictive, cruel teenager who gets a kick out of bullying unsuspecting teens like Raye.
The internet can be such a scary place. You can be anyone you like, or be yourself, its your choice. Raye learned her lessons the hard way when her "make believe" online identity who was supposed to make Julian fall for her (and then dump him) created a mess that almost ruined her high school life. Raye wasn't exactly a "good girl", but no one deserves to be in her position when she incurred the wrath of Ella. I can't say that I pity her for what happened in the process but a guy like Julian is not worth doing anything for, let alone spend time plotting ways to destroy him. It was a matter of doing the wrong things for the wrong reasons for the wrong guy.
Despite all the things she had done, it was very nice to see Raye growing up, gaining wisdom and getting through a tough part in her life, painfully but gradually with the help of Natalia and all the realizations she had about Ella, and especially about Julian were sad, but it was a necessary wake up call. I'm glad she saw him for what he really was.
The Julian Game is as real as it gets. Adele Griffin wrote a book that discusses themes like bullying, yet it wasn't written to be preachy, but mainly to show to the readers how cyber bullying can affect someone. The message was clear in those 200 pages, and it couldn't be more honest and true than what Raye has experienced in the hands of Ella.
I recommend The Julian Game to teens who would like to read a witty, interesting novel that discusses important topics teens should be aware of. Especially on this day and age where technology is everywhere, and where everyone is on Facebook, readers can all learn a thing or two in this edgy YA novel.
In Raye's attempt to fit in, she found herself under the scrutinizing gaze of the meanest girl in school, Ella Parker, and in her quest to be part of the "in" crowd, she agreed to get back on the popular Julian Kilgarry, using a fake online identity. What she didn't count on was that the real Raye will fall in love with the guy she was supposed to take revenge on.
Let me just say that I was never one for bullying. My high school life was pretty complicated, and I was a bit popular but I don't think I have encountered girls as terrible as the ones in this book. Instead of hating Ella, despite her outrageous behavior, I generally feel pity towards her. Her sister and her mother walks all over her at home, and so in her efforts to be "at the top" and in control, she becomes this manipulative, vindictive, cruel teenager who gets a kick out of bullying unsuspecting teens like Raye.
The internet can be such a scary place. You can be anyone you like, or be yourself, its your choice. Raye learned her lessons the hard way when her "make believe" online identity who was supposed to make Julian fall for her (and then dump him) created a mess that almost ruined her high school life. Raye wasn't exactly a "good girl", but no one deserves to be in her position when she incurred the wrath of Ella. I can't say that I pity her for what happened in the process but a guy like Julian is not worth doing anything for, let alone spend time plotting ways to destroy him. It was a matter of doing the wrong things for the wrong reasons for the wrong guy.
Despite all the things she had done, it was very nice to see Raye growing up, gaining wisdom and getting through a tough part in her life, painfully but gradually with the help of Natalia and all the realizations she had about Ella, and especially about Julian were sad, but it was a necessary wake up call. I'm glad she saw him for what he really was.
The Julian Game is as real as it gets. Adele Griffin wrote a book that discusses themes like bullying, yet it wasn't written to be preachy, but mainly to show to the readers how cyber bullying can affect someone. The message was clear in those 200 pages, and it couldn't be more honest and true than what Raye has experienced in the hands of Ella.
I recommend The Julian Game to teens who would like to read a witty, interesting novel that discusses important topics teens should be aware of. Especially on this day and age where technology is everywhere, and where everyone is on Facebook, readers can all learn a thing or two in this edgy YA novel.
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