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Who R U Really?
Thea's overprotective parents are driving her insane. They invade her privacy, ask too many questions, and restrict her online time so severely that Thea feels she has no life at all. When she discovers a new role-playing game online, Thea breaks the rules by staying up late to play. She's living a double life: on one hand, the obedient daughter; on the other, a girl slipping deeper into darkness. In the world of the game, Thea falls under the spell of Kit, an older boy whose smarts and savvy can't defeat his loneliness and near-suicidal despair. As Kit draws soft-hearted Thea into his drama, she creates a full plate of cover stories for her parents and then even her friends.
Soon, Thea is all alone in the dark world with Kit, who worries her more and more, but also seems to be the only person who really "gets" her. Is he frightening, the way he seems sometimes, or only terribly sad? Should Thea fear Kit, or pity him? And now, Kit wants to come out of the screen and bring Thea into his real-life world. As much as she suspects that this is wrong, Thea is powerless to resist Kit's allure, and hurtles toward the same dark fate her parents feared most. Ripped from a true-life story of Internet stalking, Who R U Really? will excite you and scare you, as Thea's life spins out of control.
Soon, Thea is all alone in the dark world with Kit, who worries her more and more, but also seems to be the only person who really "gets" her. Is he frightening, the way he seems sometimes, or only terribly sad? Should Thea fear Kit, or pity him? And now, Kit wants to come out of the screen and bring Thea into his real-life world. As much as she suspects that this is wrong, Thea is powerless to resist Kit's allure, and hurtles toward the same dark fate her parents feared most. Ripped from a true-life story of Internet stalking, Who R U Really? will excite you and scare you, as Thea's life spins out of control.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2014
13 people are currently reading
1820 people want to read
About the author
Margo Kelly
2 books148 followersMargo Kelly loves to be scared … when she’s reading a good book, watching a good movie, or suffering from the hiccups. She enjoys writing mysteries and thrillers for young adults and hopes her stories give readers the goose bumps or the itchies or the desire to rethink everyday things. Margo is a native of the Northwest and currently resides in Idaho. Her award-winning debut, Who R U Really?, and her second novel, Unlocked, are both available through Simon Pulse (an imprint of Simon & Schuster). Margo welcomes opportunities to speak to youth groups, library groups, and book clubs. For more information visit: www.margokelly.net
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 135 reviews
January 5, 2015
3,5
This is not the type of book I normally go for, but from the moment I read the synopsis I was intrigued and I found this book very interesting! We all know or have heard so many times on the news about internet predators.They know how to manipulate young children and create a relationship with them. When we're young we all look for acceptance from others. Sometimes we can't find what we want and so we go and look for it in the wrong places (one of them is internet), and when we are young we don't know what is right. So it's a little dangerous when you are young to make relationships with people you know only from internet. These relationships can go wrong and turn into extreme situations... such as kidnapping.
The story develops very well, I liked the writing! The characters were okay, I liked Thea's mother, she was trying to have a good connection with her daughter but many times I find Thea very annoying but I can understand that maybe this is the way a fifteen years old must be...(It's been a long time since I was 15 and I don't remember how it was) The best part about the book I think, was the ending! When I finally find out who Kit was and it was so creepy...really!
I highly recommend it to parents and teens.
This is not the type of book I normally go for, but from the moment I read the synopsis I was intrigued and I found this book very interesting! We all know or have heard so many times on the news about internet predators.They know how to manipulate young children and create a relationship with them. When we're young we all look for acceptance from others. Sometimes we can't find what we want and so we go and look for it in the wrong places (one of them is internet), and when we are young we don't know what is right. So it's a little dangerous when you are young to make relationships with people you know only from internet. These relationships can go wrong and turn into extreme situations... such as kidnapping.
The story develops very well, I liked the writing! The characters were okay, I liked Thea's mother, she was trying to have a good connection with her daughter but many times I find Thea very annoying but I can understand that maybe this is the way a fifteen years old must be...(It's been a long time since I was 15 and I don't remember how it was) The best part about the book I think, was the ending! When I finally find out who Kit was and it was so creepy...really!
I highly recommend it to parents and teens.
January 17, 2015
Who R U Really is an eye opener. A book that should be more talked about not only because of the issue that is tough and popular but also because it was incredibly crafted.
Thea is one of the most realistically written 15 year old girl that I've ever read. I won't lie, she is SO HARD to read. I found myself asking if I was this annoying and irritating when I was her age. One thing we have in common though is our naivety. I admit this because I also felt what Thea is going through in this book.
"I longed for a boyfriend who would confide in me and need me. I wanted him to say the three most beautiful words in the world to me: I love you. A slow sigh escaped my lips, and I rested my chin on my hands."
Ahh, to be fifteen and.. naive. Thea wants what other girls have. Things that, in her mind, is so important to have. And what better way to find those than the Internet.
We should know this: being a teenager is much much harder these days. Sure, the Internet is a big help when it comes to studies and entertainment but we should be aware that its not a safe place. I'm not saying that the Internet is a place full of bad people because that's a big fat no, but what I'm telling is this: we must be careful. Internet is helpful, but it has its dangers too.
The Parental aspect in here is so impressive. Both parents present and I love how they were written and portrayed. You can really see how they tried and tried to be in inside their daughters life and prevented this tragedy to happen but.. some things are really just out of our control. Some things needs to happen so that the lesson can be truly learned. Thea learned it in a hard way and I honestly felt bad for her.
I was pretty much disgusted and angry when the creep was revealed. I felt sick that these pervs and sickos truly exist in our world. Margo really made me feel all this emotions which is just a sign on how good the book is. The characters are authentic,the dialogues are believable and the pacing is just perfect! Overall, Who R U Really is a provocative book that I won't stop recommending. It needs to be read and this topic needs to be heard. Praise for Margo Kelly!
You can also read my review on my BLOG...
October 10, 2017
The second half of this certainly got creepy! I sure do love books about stalkers!
December 31, 2015
One of my favorite "scary movies" is Scream. And my absolute favorite part of the movie is the beginning scenes with Drew Barrymore. Remember this part? That was the part where you're watching and you're thinking "Oh shit. She's in trouble now."
This book had A LOT of the moments for me. This story creeped me out so much! I was up reading late and I couldn't shake the feeling I was being watched. I eventually had to sleep with the TV on. Was I being weird/paranoid? Yes. But (like the movie Scream) this story is SO REALISTIC! It's not some far-fetched idea that someone could find you using the internet. It COULD happen! And it does. Who R U Really? is a cautionary tale about a young girl revealing too much about herself to a stranger through an online relationship.
Thea Reid is a 14 year-old girl who becomes interested in a new online game and through this game, she meets 19 year-old Derek. Derek and Thea communicate through chat and they end up hitting it off. Derek tells Thea about his sad home-life and Thea talks him through hard times. She obviously begins to tell Derek about her life as well.
Things take a turn, however, when "Derek" slowly begins to pressure Thea into giving him more details about her life. He preys on Thea's compassionate nature and then guilts and manipulates her. He asks her for pictures. He asks her to exchange texts...
Throughout the story, you start to notice little suspicious things about almost every male character that comes into contact with Thea. As a reader, you become extremely alert. Any touch or comment can be misconstrued. Margo Kelly puts you right in Thea's shoes because you don't know who to trust anymore! "Derek" could be anyone! That's the scary part!
What's also extremely scary about this story is that the relationship Thea develops with "Derek" doesn't happen due to her parents being uninvolved/careless. The mother in this story has a great relationship with Thea and has strict rules about the internet and what Thea's allowed to do on it. When Thea breaks those rules, the mother does what every responsible parent does. She takes away Thea's computer and cell phone privileges, etc.... But Thea STILL finds a way to talk to Derek! I know she's young and all, but I seriously wanted to slap Thea sometimes while reading this.
I'm not a parent yet, but this book is definitely something I think should be required reading. The internet and social media are such a huge part of our lives this day and age (people become famous via Youtube for heaven's sake!) - it's so easy to overlook the dangers that can lurk online for impressional/naive kids.
I seriously think this book should be required reading for kids in school. It was great! Margo Kelly did an EXCELLENT job with this story and it's definitely left an impression on me.
5 stars! Bravo!
September 18, 2014
My thanks to Merit Press & Edelweiss
Point of View: Single (Cynthia)
Writing: First Person | Past Tense
Setting: Idaho
Genre: Young Adult | Mystery Thriller
This is the matter of personal opinions because I truly think the book had a nice way to convey the message to people, especially teenagers, to not trust strangers to quickly on the internet. I believe it might help prevent such things from happening in real life. However, the problems I had with the book outweighed that.
Thea was one of the most irritating and clueless fifteen-year-old girls. Time and time again, her friends and parents said "Oh Thea, you are not stupid. You are just naive." Well, guess what, Thea? They were totally wrong. You ARE DUMB! Her internet boyfriend could have screamed at her that he was a psycho and I guess she would have swooned instead of running away. She was too trusting and I wanted to shake some sense into her. Just a few "I love you" and she was a goner. Besides, I didn't like that she was unbelievably stubborn and that she lied to her parents so many times. The way she still kept pining over that "boy" after all the creepy things happened was beyond me. Just when I thought she was just a clueless little girl...
Thea's parents gave a new definition to overprotective. And I didn't buy it. I grew up with overprotective parents myself and her parents did top that by a million times. I understood that they wanted to keep their little "sweet" innocent girl safe and all that, but demanding her read out the text messages, walking into her room without knocking (a little rude if you ask me), making her keep the door open whenever she used the internet (her room had no lock!!!), and then some were way over the line that it didn't sound realistic at all. It was way too extreme.
The characters aside, the storyline was very predictable, a little cringe-worthy and ended too abruptly. It wasn't difficult to guess what was going to happen because everything was right there in plain sight. I felt a little (just a little) bad for what happened to Thea by the end of the book, but the girl seemed to ask for it. So whatever. At one point it made me feel uncomfortable that she got too much attention from the male characters because there wasn't much information that supported or gave the reason why that happen. I might have missed that part, so maybe I was wrong, but I cannot recall anything to back that up. I know that people do that all the time, but I so hate it when people write "UR" instead of "you are" and the messages back that forth between the characters were full of that. Speaking of messages, it was when the cringing happened. The way they added, like *tucks u into bed*, *clears throat and sings* *peeks out of closet* ... it was supposed to be all cute and sweet, but to me, it just didn't work. NOT AT ALL.
To wrap it all up, I still think the message the book intended to send out was great because who wants that happens to them? However, the characters and the plots were not really what I would want to read again. I think those who don't mind a book that is a little over the top might like this one.
September 9, 2014
My full review on my blog: http://sleepsontables.blogspot.co.at/...
This one's a tough one guys. It's tough because it's so real and harsh with the subject matter. We're all taught from a very young age not to talk to strangers. That's practically the first lesson we learn. But how well does that apply to the technology of today. How can you decide that someone online is not a stranger? It's very obviously touch and go because unless you video chat or meet them in person you don't know who they really are.
This book does a great job of displaying everything in a way that's relatable for a teenager. What I mean is often we read young adult books that you can tell are written by adults but this one has a certain way of speaking to and sympathizing with the target audience. Since I am still technically a teenager I can attest to this. It's very easy for me to see the choices that Thea makes in her life and on one hand think 'Oh my God. Why did she do that? She's such an idiot.' but then in the back of my mind I think to myself 'You know I probably would have done the same thing...'. This book has the power to show teenagers the consequences of not practicing safe online habits. I know all we teenagers do is whine about how unfair life is and say that we know what we're doing but sadly, that's not always true and some people don't like to bring attention to the instances where teenagers were wrong in their judgment and the consequences that arose from it and that's what this book does. It's why I really liked it.
I put this book in with all the real issues books that include ones like Thirteen Reasons Why and anything and everything by Ellen Hopkins. This is the kind of book that teenagers need to read so that they are aware of the consequences of everyday choices that they make that they think are redundant and safe. I know that I learned things from this book and I know other teenagers can too.
This one's a tough one guys. It's tough because it's so real and harsh with the subject matter. We're all taught from a very young age not to talk to strangers. That's practically the first lesson we learn. But how well does that apply to the technology of today. How can you decide that someone online is not a stranger? It's very obviously touch and go because unless you video chat or meet them in person you don't know who they really are.
This book does a great job of displaying everything in a way that's relatable for a teenager. What I mean is often we read young adult books that you can tell are written by adults but this one has a certain way of speaking to and sympathizing with the target audience. Since I am still technically a teenager I can attest to this. It's very easy for me to see the choices that Thea makes in her life and on one hand think 'Oh my God. Why did she do that? She's such an idiot.' but then in the back of my mind I think to myself 'You know I probably would have done the same thing...'. This book has the power to show teenagers the consequences of not practicing safe online habits. I know all we teenagers do is whine about how unfair life is and say that we know what we're doing but sadly, that's not always true and some people don't like to bring attention to the instances where teenagers were wrong in their judgment and the consequences that arose from it and that's what this book does. It's why I really liked it.
I put this book in with all the real issues books that include ones like Thirteen Reasons Why and anything and everything by Ellen Hopkins. This is the kind of book that teenagers need to read so that they are aware of the consequences of everyday choices that they make that they think are redundant and safe. I know that I learned things from this book and I know other teenagers can too.
August 23, 2014
3.5 stars
Who R U Really? is a fantastically creepy book that is surprisingly realistic and totally engrossing. I decided to go into this book completely blind — I didn't even look at the back cover or search its Goodreads page first! — and once I opened it, I couldn't close it. Yup, I read this entire book in one single sitting. I just didn't want to put it down!
I'd actually been thinking recently about the fact that there aren't very many YA books that are about online relationships. Well Who R U Really does a great job of portraying what it's like to find friends online as a teenager that you really connect with. It's so amazing to finally feel understood, but at the same time there's also those lurking questions in the back of your mind — are they really who they say they are? How do you know if somebody is truly who they represent themselves as online? Are online relationships ever safe to have? All these questions and more are discussed throughout this book, and Kelly presents a solid case that maybe your real-life friends are the only people you can ever truly trust.
There were a few times, though, that I felt like the book went a little bit too far, in a preachy sense. At one point, one of the characters yells and insists that it's impossible to be friends with somebody online. That you can only be friends with people you actually know and interact with. Well, as a book blogger, I have to completely disagree with that statement. Yes, there are some creepy and untrustworthy people online, but there are also real people that you can form real connections with. Safety is always key, of course — you never want to give away personal information and specific details about yourself without verifying a person's identity first — but I am a big believer that online friendships can not only exist, but flourish, and can be just as real and satisfying as a "real-life" friendship.
I also felt like Thea's parents were so over-the-top extreme. It's obvious that they love Thea very much, and I actually thought that her parents were super realistic, because I've known people like that, but they were so over-protective of her to a very extreme degree. They had rules like: she can't use the internet with her door closed, she's not allowed to minimize screens if they walk in the room (which they can do at any point without knocking — she's not allowed to have a lock), that she can only use a family email account in which all sent and received emails are monitored by her parents, and they're allowed to read all of her texts at any time. To me, that is just...beyond. I could never have lived like that as a teen. Even though they were doing that stuff out of love, I strongly feel that Thea would've been better off with a little more independence. She didn't feel like she could tell her parents anything because they were so controlling and overreacted about every little thing. You don't want to alienate your kid like that...but I guess that's probably the lesson here! Even overly strict parenting can't stop kids from pursuing online relationships and putting themselves in potentially dangerous situations. In fact, it might even drive them to! At least I hope that's what the lesson of this book was, haha. Because Thea's parents were clearly not helping the situation.
Thea was such an interesting main character. At first, I was a little bit annoyed by her immaturity and how stupidly she was acting at pretty much every moment of the day. But I quickly got used to being inside her head and started to actually enjoy how realistic she was. Even though she was so dumb at times and I wanted to slap her silly, I could easily picture myself acting the same. exact. freaking. way. as her when I was 14–15 years old. She blindly trusts people, she hurts her friends in the name of "true love," and she defies her parents at every turn...just like teenagers are supposed to act! And as the novel progresses, mostly towards the very end, it's easy to see how much she's changed. Finally, she takes her life by the reigns and fixes a problem. Her actions in the last chapter of the book were extremely inspiring and made me want to cheer out loud for her. And it allowed me to realize that, eventually, I had grown to seriously love this narrator, even though I kind of hated her in the beginning.
I also adored the side characters! Thea's mom, Tim, her best friend Janie — they were all so developed and well-rounded. I came to truly care about them, especially Janie, and loved how each of them contributed to the story. I especially liked Thea's relationship with her mom. At times, I felt like I was reliving arguments that I once had with my mom as a teenager. The dialogue in this book is that realistic! And it was really nice to see their relationship grow and transform throughout the story. I'm a sucker for mother-daughter relationships in books, and I appreciated this one a lot.
I think that my biggest problem with this book was the ending. I liked the climax scene a lot, but then the book ends about two pages later! I wish that the author had given us more room to breath before ending the book, because there is a lot of stuff that happens in those last few pages. Thea and her mother both have these huge epiphanies, but there isn't really time spent on fleshing that out before it just, all of a sudden, ends. I also wish that there'd been more of a wrap-up with Janie's character. I grew quite attached to her during the book, and I'm bummed that there wasn't more of a conclusion with her in the end, especially after everything that she went through.
This review is going on forever, and I could probably talk about this book even more if you'd let me! But let me just end with this...Who R U Really is a satisfyingly unique YA thriller that left me guessing up until almost the very last page. My heart was pounding right alongside Thea's the whole time, and I couldn't manage to put it down for even one second! Definitely worth the read — this book is very realistic and I really enjoyed the writing style. I'm so excited to read more from this author in the future!
Who R U Really? is a fantastically creepy book that is surprisingly realistic and totally engrossing. I decided to go into this book completely blind — I didn't even look at the back cover or search its Goodreads page first! — and once I opened it, I couldn't close it. Yup, I read this entire book in one single sitting. I just didn't want to put it down!
I'd actually been thinking recently about the fact that there aren't very many YA books that are about online relationships. Well Who R U Really does a great job of portraying what it's like to find friends online as a teenager that you really connect with. It's so amazing to finally feel understood, but at the same time there's also those lurking questions in the back of your mind — are they really who they say they are? How do you know if somebody is truly who they represent themselves as online? Are online relationships ever safe to have? All these questions and more are discussed throughout this book, and Kelly presents a solid case that maybe your real-life friends are the only people you can ever truly trust.
There were a few times, though, that I felt like the book went a little bit too far, in a preachy sense. At one point, one of the characters yells and insists that it's impossible to be friends with somebody online. That you can only be friends with people you actually know and interact with. Well, as a book blogger, I have to completely disagree with that statement. Yes, there are some creepy and untrustworthy people online, but there are also real people that you can form real connections with. Safety is always key, of course — you never want to give away personal information and specific details about yourself without verifying a person's identity first — but I am a big believer that online friendships can not only exist, but flourish, and can be just as real and satisfying as a "real-life" friendship.
I also felt like Thea's parents were so over-the-top extreme. It's obvious that they love Thea very much, and I actually thought that her parents were super realistic, because I've known people like that, but they were so over-protective of her to a very extreme degree. They had rules like: she can't use the internet with her door closed, she's not allowed to minimize screens if they walk in the room (which they can do at any point without knocking — she's not allowed to have a lock), that she can only use a family email account in which all sent and received emails are monitored by her parents, and they're allowed to read all of her texts at any time. To me, that is just...beyond. I could never have lived like that as a teen. Even though they were doing that stuff out of love, I strongly feel that Thea would've been better off with a little more independence. She didn't feel like she could tell her parents anything because they were so controlling and overreacted about every little thing. You don't want to alienate your kid like that...but I guess that's probably the lesson here! Even overly strict parenting can't stop kids from pursuing online relationships and putting themselves in potentially dangerous situations. In fact, it might even drive them to! At least I hope that's what the lesson of this book was, haha. Because Thea's parents were clearly not helping the situation.
Thea was such an interesting main character. At first, I was a little bit annoyed by her immaturity and how stupidly she was acting at pretty much every moment of the day. But I quickly got used to being inside her head and started to actually enjoy how realistic she was. Even though she was so dumb at times and I wanted to slap her silly, I could easily picture myself acting the same. exact. freaking. way. as her when I was 14–15 years old. She blindly trusts people, she hurts her friends in the name of "true love," and she defies her parents at every turn...just like teenagers are supposed to act! And as the novel progresses, mostly towards the very end, it's easy to see how much she's changed. Finally, she takes her life by the reigns and fixes a problem. Her actions in the last chapter of the book were extremely inspiring and made me want to cheer out loud for her. And it allowed me to realize that, eventually, I had grown to seriously love this narrator, even though I kind of hated her in the beginning.
I also adored the side characters! Thea's mom, Tim, her best friend Janie — they were all so developed and well-rounded. I came to truly care about them, especially Janie, and loved how each of them contributed to the story. I especially liked Thea's relationship with her mom. At times, I felt like I was reliving arguments that I once had with my mom as a teenager. The dialogue in this book is that realistic! And it was really nice to see their relationship grow and transform throughout the story. I'm a sucker for mother-daughter relationships in books, and I appreciated this one a lot.
I think that my biggest problem with this book was the ending. I liked the climax scene a lot, but then the book ends about two pages later! I wish that the author had given us more room to breath before ending the book, because there is a lot of stuff that happens in those last few pages. Thea and her mother both have these huge epiphanies, but there isn't really time spent on fleshing that out before it just, all of a sudden, ends. I also wish that there'd been more of a wrap-up with Janie's character. I grew quite attached to her during the book, and I'm bummed that there wasn't more of a conclusion with her in the end, especially after everything that she went through.
This review is going on forever, and I could probably talk about this book even more if you'd let me! But let me just end with this...Who R U Really is a satisfyingly unique YA thriller that left me guessing up until almost the very last page. My heart was pounding right alongside Thea's the whole time, and I couldn't manage to put it down for even one second! Definitely worth the read — this book is very realistic and I really enjoyed the writing style. I'm so excited to read more from this author in the future!
October 22, 2014
It starts as a day-to-day exploration into the world of an American teen-age girl. But, almost immediately, a growing sense of danger and dread hovers over the pages of author Margo Kelly’s inspired portrayal of teen life: friendship, embarrassment, angst, and love, all deeply felt as only a teen can experience them.
“Who R U Really?” is the story of Thea, who traveled the harrowing path from average American good girl, to ever-more duplicitous friend and daughter, to a person no one really knew and who did not even really know herself any more. I am convinced that Ms Kelly’s novel, inspired by real-life events that happened to her own family, should be required reading for teens and their families in the twenty-first century.
Thea is the every-kid. She and her best friend form an unbreakable clan of two. She fantasizes about having a boyfriend. She is involved in after school sports. She maintains a sometimes fragile dedication to her family. And, like life for teens everywhere, everything happens in epic proportions.
Ms Kelly gives us people to care about, people to be suspicious of, and possible solutions to increasing problems. And just about every time the reader has something figured out, a gut-wrenching twist pulls us back into mystery and foreboding. Thea often shows a distinct lack of confidence to stand up for herself, but no lack of strength to support a friend who needs help. Because of this, we might wonder how Thea could ever save herself, as we watch her spiral away from the comparatively idyllic life she once knew.
Initially tenuously trusting her gut feelings about what she knows is just not right, Thea has to learn to lie to herself to accept what she desperately wants to believe. It does not take long for her to force herself to ignore her instincts. This internalized deception soon extends to the world outside of herself: she hides the truth, and she hides what is happening to her, from the friends and from the adults who care about her.
Thea is pulled into a reality inhabited by Kit, a boy she meets online while playing a computer game. She develops a relationship with Kit’s character, who then inserts himself into her life outside of the game. Against her own best judgement, she reveals more and more about herself to Kit, while he tells her only what he knows she wants to hear, never really telling her any more about himself than is necessary to keep her emotionally connected to him. Kit uses sweet talk, guilt, promises, threats of suicide, and words of love, to ensure Thea’s primary focus is on him. Kit masters his manipulation of her through chats, texts, and phone calls, trying to keep Thea from having any other life but the one he is grooming her for. Is he really as wonderful as Thea’s hopeful heart wants him to be? Is he as sinister as her unheeded instinct keeps prodding her to consider?
Thea wants to make Kit happy. She changes her participation in traditional family activities. She wears the clothing she thinks he would like. She gives up sleep to keep in contact with him. And she feels terrible when she is not in communication with him, because she is afraid that her absence from his moment-by-moment existence could result in his decision to take his own life.
When Thea’s family and friends are finally able to realize the extent of what has happened to her, they leap into action to help her, to save her. Any disappointment or anger that her circle of supporters might feel, are overcome by the decision to do whatever it takes to try to free her from what her mother and the police believe is an Internet predator. But Thea does not work as diligently for a solution as her family and friends are trying to do. Her wish for Kit to be who he told her he is, her desire for his words of love to have been real, and for her to have the future he promised, places her in a new level of danger.
This novel propels the reader through every page, reading as quickly and as often as possible to find out what is going to happen next. The teen-girl voice seems impeccable, the tribalism of teen friends is revealing and realistic, and Thea’s combination of naiveté, devotion, and forced maturity create a true-to-life cautionary tale that entertains and educates. I believe it is not overstating to say that the message of “Who R U Really?” could even minimize potential suffering, or possibly save a life.
“Who R U Really?” is the story of Thea, who traveled the harrowing path from average American good girl, to ever-more duplicitous friend and daughter, to a person no one really knew and who did not even really know herself any more. I am convinced that Ms Kelly’s novel, inspired by real-life events that happened to her own family, should be required reading for teens and their families in the twenty-first century.
Thea is the every-kid. She and her best friend form an unbreakable clan of two. She fantasizes about having a boyfriend. She is involved in after school sports. She maintains a sometimes fragile dedication to her family. And, like life for teens everywhere, everything happens in epic proportions.
Ms Kelly gives us people to care about, people to be suspicious of, and possible solutions to increasing problems. And just about every time the reader has something figured out, a gut-wrenching twist pulls us back into mystery and foreboding. Thea often shows a distinct lack of confidence to stand up for herself, but no lack of strength to support a friend who needs help. Because of this, we might wonder how Thea could ever save herself, as we watch her spiral away from the comparatively idyllic life she once knew.
Initially tenuously trusting her gut feelings about what she knows is just not right, Thea has to learn to lie to herself to accept what she desperately wants to believe. It does not take long for her to force herself to ignore her instincts. This internalized deception soon extends to the world outside of herself: she hides the truth, and she hides what is happening to her, from the friends and from the adults who care about her.
Thea is pulled into a reality inhabited by Kit, a boy she meets online while playing a computer game. She develops a relationship with Kit’s character, who then inserts himself into her life outside of the game. Against her own best judgement, she reveals more and more about herself to Kit, while he tells her only what he knows she wants to hear, never really telling her any more about himself than is necessary to keep her emotionally connected to him. Kit uses sweet talk, guilt, promises, threats of suicide, and words of love, to ensure Thea’s primary focus is on him. Kit masters his manipulation of her through chats, texts, and phone calls, trying to keep Thea from having any other life but the one he is grooming her for. Is he really as wonderful as Thea’s hopeful heart wants him to be? Is he as sinister as her unheeded instinct keeps prodding her to consider?
Thea wants to make Kit happy. She changes her participation in traditional family activities. She wears the clothing she thinks he would like. She gives up sleep to keep in contact with him. And she feels terrible when she is not in communication with him, because she is afraid that her absence from his moment-by-moment existence could result in his decision to take his own life.
When Thea’s family and friends are finally able to realize the extent of what has happened to her, they leap into action to help her, to save her. Any disappointment or anger that her circle of supporters might feel, are overcome by the decision to do whatever it takes to try to free her from what her mother and the police believe is an Internet predator. But Thea does not work as diligently for a solution as her family and friends are trying to do. Her wish for Kit to be who he told her he is, her desire for his words of love to have been real, and for her to have the future he promised, places her in a new level of danger.
This novel propels the reader through every page, reading as quickly and as often as possible to find out what is going to happen next. The teen-girl voice seems impeccable, the tribalism of teen friends is revealing and realistic, and Thea’s combination of naiveté, devotion, and forced maturity create a true-to-life cautionary tale that entertains and educates. I believe it is not overstating to say that the message of “Who R U Really?” could even minimize potential suffering, or possibly save a life.
September 30, 2015
Three and a half stars: A frightening and realistic look at the dangers of online friendships that every adult should read and discuss with their teens.
Thea is a bright, smart fourteen year old girl, who like any girl at that age, wants to fit in and feel loved and accepted. When Thea is introduced to an online video game by one of her older brother's friends, Thea quickly finds herself immersed into the online game and loving making internet connections with other players. Thea starts chatting regularly with Kit, one of the players, about music and interests, and soon, a friendship forms. Quickly, Thea is drawn into Kit's drama, and she finds herself trying to comfort him. Then when Kit professes his love, Thea can't resist him. She is constantly lying to her parents and friends, and hiding her online relationship. Little does she know that things are about to take a dangerous turn. What will she do when her online boyfriend turns out to not be the person she thought he was?
What I Liked:
*Who Are U Really? is one of those issue books that at times, is trying to read because of the naivety of Thea, but on the other hand, it is one of those must read novels that every parent and teen should read and discuss. It could happen to anyone at any time, even the brightest and smartest girls from good families can fall prey to an internet stalker. This is a book I highly recommend any parent with teenagers should read and start a conversation with their kids on the topic.
*As I mentioned, the book is sometimes painful and awkward as the reader watches young Thea make one poor decision after another. It is hard to fathom her naivety and innocence, and yet, it is so easy to see how a young girl going through the ups and downs of adolescence, longing for nothing more than compassion and understanding, can reach out to a stranger online. Yes, Thea is immature and she makes some bad decisions, but her character is realistic, and that makes the read all the more terrifying. As an adult, I was screaming in my head for her to see the warning signs, but she was blinded by love, and that made the situation all the more dangerous. Keep in mind going in, that you will likely struggle with how naive Thea is, but in the end, I appreciated that the author kept it real.
*I appreciated that the parents, especially the mother, were very much present and involved in Thea's life. Don't think for one minute that this book features absentee or negligent parents,because that would make sense for a girl to fall victim to an internet stalker because of her poor family life. That is so not the case. Thea's parents talked to her, monitored her online behavior and even insisted she keep the door open when she was on the internet, but still, she was sucked in by a predator. It goes to show that anyone can get sucked in online. I loved that the parents always tried to maintain an open line of communication, and that they finally fully caught on to the extent of the problem, and that they ended up doing the right thing.
*The story also features a secondary story line regarding anorexia/ bulimia. While I wished that this aspect was a bit more fleshed out, I like that the author tackled it in the book. Another important topic that needs to be discussed.
*The ending is a bit abrupt, but it wraps up the story nicely, while leaving the reader plenty to ponder over. There was a bit of a twist that was a shock at the end when the perpetrator was revealed, showing you can never be too careful. I liked that it concluded in a good place, and that the majority of the issues were resolved.
And The Not So Much:
*While I liked that the mother was involved in every aspect of Thea's life, I felt like the dad and the older brother were not well developed, and I didn't like their minimal roles. Especially when it came to the father, he seemed to stick his head in the sand a bit. I didn't like that he suddenly goes on this mysterious business trip for two weeks, and then everything hits the fan. Why didn't he jump on the next plane home considering what was going on at home? There was no explanation for him not coming home. I never felt like he was really there for Thea. The older brother flits in and out, and his relationship with his sister isn't explored. I wished for more depth and detail on him.
*There were a few nagging things that bothered me. I didn't understand when Thea began to understand the terrifying truth, i.e. missing items from her room, damaged window that alarm bells weren't raised. Why didn't she run to her parents? What happened with the screen and window? Did her parents fail to notice the screen? Furthermore, I didn't buy that her parents would take off and leave her alone after all that went down at the end.
*While I liked that the author brought up anorexia and bulimia, I was wanting way more on that story line. I didn't like that it felt thrown in there.
*The ending is rapid fire, a lot happens in a short time span. Even though I liked the reveal and the resolution, I felt like too much was left out. For instance, I wanted a better understanding of the perpetrator and his motives. I also wanted more detail on the whole situation with Red. What happened there? I wanted to know what was going to happen to the perpetrator in the long run. Finally, I wanted to see how things played out with Janie.
*I was extremely disappointed that at the end of the book, the author didn't provide a list of resources for parents and/or teens who know someone who could be a victim of an internet stalker. Who should they reach out to? The author has first hand experience as her own daughter was the inspiration for the story, so I thought it would have nice if perhaps she had taken the time to write an author's note explaining what happened to her family, whom they reached out to for help, and what they did after the fact to put the pieces back together. I hope she will consider this in a future reprint.
Who R U Really? Is a challenging and thought provoking read that adults and teens need to read and discuss. It isn't an easy read, and it is frightening to see how a naive an innocent girl can become the victim of an internet predator. Don't think for one minute that it couldn't happen to your family because it can. I encourage you to read and discuss this with your teens. It isn't the perfect book, as I had some niggles, but it is certainly a read that will open your eyes and hopefully a line of communication. You can never be too careful.
I borrowed a copy of this book from the library. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.
Thea is a bright, smart fourteen year old girl, who like any girl at that age, wants to fit in and feel loved and accepted. When Thea is introduced to an online video game by one of her older brother's friends, Thea quickly finds herself immersed into the online game and loving making internet connections with other players. Thea starts chatting regularly with Kit, one of the players, about music and interests, and soon, a friendship forms. Quickly, Thea is drawn into Kit's drama, and she finds herself trying to comfort him. Then when Kit professes his love, Thea can't resist him. She is constantly lying to her parents and friends, and hiding her online relationship. Little does she know that things are about to take a dangerous turn. What will she do when her online boyfriend turns out to not be the person she thought he was?
What I Liked:
*Who Are U Really? is one of those issue books that at times, is trying to read because of the naivety of Thea, but on the other hand, it is one of those must read novels that every parent and teen should read and discuss. It could happen to anyone at any time, even the brightest and smartest girls from good families can fall prey to an internet stalker. This is a book I highly recommend any parent with teenagers should read and start a conversation with their kids on the topic.
*As I mentioned, the book is sometimes painful and awkward as the reader watches young Thea make one poor decision after another. It is hard to fathom her naivety and innocence, and yet, it is so easy to see how a young girl going through the ups and downs of adolescence, longing for nothing more than compassion and understanding, can reach out to a stranger online. Yes, Thea is immature and she makes some bad decisions, but her character is realistic, and that makes the read all the more terrifying. As an adult, I was screaming in my head for her to see the warning signs, but she was blinded by love, and that made the situation all the more dangerous. Keep in mind going in, that you will likely struggle with how naive Thea is, but in the end, I appreciated that the author kept it real.
*I appreciated that the parents, especially the mother, were very much present and involved in Thea's life. Don't think for one minute that this book features absentee or negligent parents,because that would make sense for a girl to fall victim to an internet stalker because of her poor family life. That is so not the case. Thea's parents talked to her, monitored her online behavior and even insisted she keep the door open when she was on the internet, but still, she was sucked in by a predator. It goes to show that anyone can get sucked in online. I loved that the parents always tried to maintain an open line of communication, and that they finally fully caught on to the extent of the problem, and that they ended up doing the right thing.
*The story also features a secondary story line regarding anorexia/ bulimia. While I wished that this aspect was a bit more fleshed out, I like that the author tackled it in the book. Another important topic that needs to be discussed.
*The ending is a bit abrupt, but it wraps up the story nicely, while leaving the reader plenty to ponder over. There was a bit of a twist that was a shock at the end when the perpetrator was revealed, showing you can never be too careful. I liked that it concluded in a good place, and that the majority of the issues were resolved.
And The Not So Much:
*While I liked that the mother was involved in every aspect of Thea's life, I felt like the dad and the older brother were not well developed, and I didn't like their minimal roles. Especially when it came to the father, he seemed to stick his head in the sand a bit. I didn't like that he suddenly goes on this mysterious business trip for two weeks, and then everything hits the fan. Why didn't he jump on the next plane home considering what was going on at home? There was no explanation for him not coming home. I never felt like he was really there for Thea. The older brother flits in and out, and his relationship with his sister isn't explored. I wished for more depth and detail on him.
*There were a few nagging things that bothered me. I didn't understand when Thea began to understand the terrifying truth, i.e. missing items from her room, damaged window that alarm bells weren't raised. Why didn't she run to her parents? What happened with the screen and window? Did her parents fail to notice the screen? Furthermore, I didn't buy that her parents would take off and leave her alone after all that went down at the end.
*While I liked that the author brought up anorexia and bulimia, I was wanting way more on that story line. I didn't like that it felt thrown in there.
*The ending is rapid fire, a lot happens in a short time span. Even though I liked the reveal and the resolution, I felt like too much was left out. For instance, I wanted a better understanding of the perpetrator and his motives. I also wanted more detail on the whole situation with Red. What happened there? I wanted to know what was going to happen to the perpetrator in the long run. Finally, I wanted to see how things played out with Janie.
*I was extremely disappointed that at the end of the book, the author didn't provide a list of resources for parents and/or teens who know someone who could be a victim of an internet stalker. Who should they reach out to? The author has first hand experience as her own daughter was the inspiration for the story, so I thought it would have nice if perhaps she had taken the time to write an author's note explaining what happened to her family, whom they reached out to for help, and what they did after the fact to put the pieces back together. I hope she will consider this in a future reprint.
Who R U Really? Is a challenging and thought provoking read that adults and teens need to read and discuss. It isn't an easy read, and it is frightening to see how a naive an innocent girl can become the victim of an internet predator. Don't think for one minute that it couldn't happen to your family because it can. I encourage you to read and discuss this with your teens. It isn't the perfect book, as I had some niggles, but it is certainly a read that will open your eyes and hopefully a line of communication. You can never be too careful.
I borrowed a copy of this book from the library. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.
November 8, 2019
I just found this book on my giveaways shelf, and I know I did a review for it previously, because I remember the story. I can even tell you exactly where it sits on my bookshelf. :/
I remember it as being a pretty decent read, though not without its issues but I have no doubt that was from the viewpoint of an adult. Because I seriously wanted to shake this girl silly. Yes, kids do massively stupid things sometimes, as I did myself, but this wasn't just foolish, it was dangerous.
Though I spent the first half of the story annoyed with Thea, the second half did get creepy as hell. Every parent's nightmare.
Welp, this is years late *though I already did it once* but thanks to GR and the publisher Simon Pulse for the book.
I remember it as being a pretty decent read, though not without its issues but I have no doubt that was from the viewpoint of an adult. Because I seriously wanted to shake this girl silly. Yes, kids do massively stupid things sometimes, as I did myself, but this wasn't just foolish, it was dangerous.
Though I spent the first half of the story annoyed with Thea, the second half did get creepy as hell. Every parent's nightmare.
Welp, this is years late *though I already did it once* but thanks to GR and the publisher Simon Pulse for the book.
March 27, 2017
My preteen read this before me and really wanted me to read it so we could discuss it. I'm glad she did. It was just what she needed to learn more about. I think my words fall on deaf ears but reading this story opened up her eyes to the dangers of the Internet. The book kept me intrigued too. I like that doubt was cast on many different characters.
October 17, 2014
Who R U Really? is such a chilling book because its happening as we speak all over the world. So many young people get sucked into things like this on the internet with horrifying results and this is why more books need to be written about this kind of thing, especially in the YA genre. Its also chilling because the authors daughter had something similar happen to her!!
Thea was such a frustrating character but yet so real. She was frustrating to me because I could see what she obviously couldn't but she is like any other teenage girl out there who's in love. While Thea see's nothing except a boy who "gets" her and loves her, we see the creep behind the facade. Kit is sympathetic, loving, trusting and just what Thea needs but he is also damaged and Thea feels for him. He tells her things he hasn't told anyone before and she feels like she can trust him. They hit it off on the game but then carry on in the real world. While reading the book I kept wanting to yell at Thea and say cop on, can you not see he is a creep!!!
One thing I didn't like was that I could see who it was early on in the book. While there is multiple suspects, the predator is pretty obvious. Saying that though, I still really enjoyed this. Its a story that every teenager should take to heart and take heed. I always tell my boys to never ever share personal information on the internet but its impossible to monitor them 24/7. I can only explain to them how they need to protect themselves and hope they listen. In this day and age internet safety is something everyone should know about.
Overall Who R U Really? is a well written, realistic, tense read. Margo Kelly has a way of telling the story that just draws you in. She told the story in such a way where any teenager will relate to it and hopefully listen. Its an eye opener for sure. Who R U Really? should be on every bodies shelf and I know I'll be getting a copy for my niece who is 14 and is always on the internet.
Thea was such a frustrating character but yet so real. She was frustrating to me because I could see what she obviously couldn't but she is like any other teenage girl out there who's in love. While Thea see's nothing except a boy who "gets" her and loves her, we see the creep behind the facade. Kit is sympathetic, loving, trusting and just what Thea needs but he is also damaged and Thea feels for him. He tells her things he hasn't told anyone before and she feels like she can trust him. They hit it off on the game but then carry on in the real world. While reading the book I kept wanting to yell at Thea and say cop on, can you not see he is a creep!!!
One thing I didn't like was that I could see who it was early on in the book. While there is multiple suspects, the predator is pretty obvious. Saying that though, I still really enjoyed this. Its a story that every teenager should take to heart and take heed. I always tell my boys to never ever share personal information on the internet but its impossible to monitor them 24/7. I can only explain to them how they need to protect themselves and hope they listen. In this day and age internet safety is something everyone should know about.
Overall Who R U Really? is a well written, realistic, tense read. Margo Kelly has a way of telling the story that just draws you in. She told the story in such a way where any teenager will relate to it and hopefully listen. Its an eye opener for sure. Who R U Really? should be on every bodies shelf and I know I'll be getting a copy for my niece who is 14 and is always on the internet.
December 8, 2014
A giveaway is also part of this blog tour! You can find it here - http://blueeyebooks.blogspot.com/2014... until 1/12/15!
Thank you to the author, Margo Kelly, for participating in the blog tour and to Kathy from I Am A Reader for organizing the tour!
This is like real life people. Honestly, it was kind of scary while I was reading because I could really connect with it. I know (or at least I hope we're all aware) we're all aware of the dangers of internet stalkers and that some people you meet online aren't actually who they really are. You can be anyone online and a lot of people will believe anything. You can make great friends online but when those friends start pressuring you for your phone number or where you live or start saying they'll commit suicide without you, I think that's getting a bit manipulative.
That's exactly what happens in Who R U Really and it's quite a scary prospect which is why I gave this book 5 stars. I think it really shows what we're all up against in this digital age and what we need to be careful of. It's a very vivid book which I think led to me actually examining what I do online and what I say.
The title does say it all. Who R U Really? I guess you don't really know until you've met them in person.
This book takes place over about a yearish. I'm actually a bit wishy-washy on the timetable because I don't actually know. I think that's where the author could improve or just add a bit. Having milestones in how long Thea was actually talking to Kit would have helped me a lot.
The Final Verdict:
A very well-written, vivid, spot on book about the dangers of online life. I definitely think it's a must-read for anyone who goes online as a warning to what can happen if you aren't careful. A timetable would have been nice to track Thea's relationship with Kit.
5 stars
Thank you to the author, Margo Kelly, for participating in the blog tour and to Kathy from I Am A Reader for organizing the tour!
This is like real life people. Honestly, it was kind of scary while I was reading because I could really connect with it. I know (or at least I hope we're all aware) we're all aware of the dangers of internet stalkers and that some people you meet online aren't actually who they really are. You can be anyone online and a lot of people will believe anything. You can make great friends online but when those friends start pressuring you for your phone number or where you live or start saying they'll commit suicide without you, I think that's getting a bit manipulative.
That's exactly what happens in Who R U Really and it's quite a scary prospect which is why I gave this book 5 stars. I think it really shows what we're all up against in this digital age and what we need to be careful of. It's a very vivid book which I think led to me actually examining what I do online and what I say.
The title does say it all. Who R U Really? I guess you don't really know until you've met them in person.
This book takes place over about a yearish. I'm actually a bit wishy-washy on the timetable because I don't actually know. I think that's where the author could improve or just add a bit. Having milestones in how long Thea was actually talking to Kit would have helped me a lot.
The Final Verdict:
A very well-written, vivid, spot on book about the dangers of online life. I definitely think it's a must-read for anyone who goes online as a warning to what can happen if you aren't careful. A timetable would have been nice to track Thea's relationship with Kit.
5 stars
August 15, 2014
I was privileged enough to read an advanced copy of this amazing YA debut by Margo Kelly. It was riveting from the very first page and left me wanting more. The story follows a young teenage girl named Thia who develops an unhealthy attachment to a guy she meets on a social gaming site.
Mrs. Kelly is a master storyteller who meshes realistic settings/experiences with unbelievably strong, well-developed characters. Thia's inner circle are so complimentary to her development that all the relationships within the text were seamless. I loved that Thia was snarky, yet insecure about herself. The author also really sales this as a true pre-teen novel. It addresses so many topics that girls face everyday. From body image issues to dating. So appropriate for young girls who are experiencing a first crush and learning about true friendships, just as Thia does.
There were parts in the novel that made me feel serious goosebumps. When Thia begins to question the validity of this online "friend", some of the scenes were so detailed and dramatic that I literally jumped out of my chair. The climax had me reading well into the wee hours of the morning. I just had to know what happened.
I'm truly excited for more people to read this breathtaking portrayal of what happens when you "friend" the wrong person online. A stellar debut by this up and coming author! I can't wait to read more from her!
Mrs. Kelly is a master storyteller who meshes realistic settings/experiences with unbelievably strong, well-developed characters. Thia's inner circle are so complimentary to her development that all the relationships within the text were seamless. I loved that Thia was snarky, yet insecure about herself. The author also really sales this as a true pre-teen novel. It addresses so many topics that girls face everyday. From body image issues to dating. So appropriate for young girls who are experiencing a first crush and learning about true friendships, just as Thia does.
There were parts in the novel that made me feel serious goosebumps. When Thia begins to question the validity of this online "friend", some of the scenes were so detailed and dramatic that I literally jumped out of my chair. The climax had me reading well into the wee hours of the morning. I just had to know what happened.
I'm truly excited for more people to read this breathtaking portrayal of what happens when you "friend" the wrong person online. A stellar debut by this up and coming author! I can't wait to read more from her!
April 20, 2016
According to Kirkus Reviews: "Kelly’s first novel is a suspenseful page-turner with multiple suspects, a little bit of romance, and a strong but not overbearing message. (Thriller. 12-16)"
You can read their full review here: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-re...
But here's another favorite line from the review: "Thea’s mistakes, while frustrating to encounter, are frighteningly plausible, and the relationships among characters are well–fleshed out, especially between mother and daughter."
You can read their full review here: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-re...
But here's another favorite line from the review: "Thea’s mistakes, while frustrating to encounter, are frighteningly plausible, and the relationships among characters are well–fleshed out, especially between mother and daughter."
April 23, 2017
I LOVED THE STORYLINE AND PLOT OF THE BOOK!!! I learned SO MUCH about internet safety from this, and to think that this actually was based on her daughter it makes me realize how careful people should be on the internet. But, still, a GREAT BOOK!! Not too big not too small of a book for me it was a good size! :)Margo Kelly
September 15, 2014
To see my full review:
http://wp.me/p1jhaj-5rA
When I was a teen, I played an online role playing game much like Skadi, and I met some guys online. The good news? We didn't really have cell phones then... it was a new concept and they were really expensive, and since everyone I wanted to talk to lived in my tiny little town and had a landline, I didn't have any use for a cell. Neither did the guys I talked to ask me for my number, but I do wonder now if any of them were potential threats. I'd forgotten about this phase in my life until I read this novel. I constantly spoke to a man in Denmark and a man in Florida--I say man because I'm pretty sure they were past college age, but I don't remember ever really asking them. And I used computers at the local college for this, not at my house, so tracking would have been a little more difficult, but still. Wow. Technology is fighting and I can't believe that I ever decided it was a good idea to start chatting up random strangers I met in the online gaming community… and back then, as a teen, I never even thought of predators or internet safety, which is what makes this story all the more real for me.
And while Thea is an aggravating main character because she just doesn't get it, she’s very much like I was at her age. She’s oblivious to the world around her, it seems, and not even when her friends and family try to spell it out for her does she relent and realize the danger she truly is in. She's so far gone believing that Kit is her one true love that no warning signs blare for her, and so I spent a majority of this novel yelling at her through the pages. Mainly because this is very realistic, even though I hate to admit that. I hate that there are girls who fall prey to internet predators, and I hate that Thea’s parents still couldn't protect her once they realized what was happening. It's a sick and twisted world we live in, but thankfully we have novels like this one that paint a very real picture for our teens and tweens—showing them that sometimes we don’t know best, that our family and parents can see things we can’t, and that we need to listen to them.
The plot itself moved right along, and I really enjoyed the novel, though I did find that the predator in this story was, unfortunately, obvious. There are some telltale signs early on in the story, and everything points to this person, so I was a little disappointed with this specific aspect of the story, but otherwise it was really well done. And while Thea did drive me crazy at times, I loved the suspense that begins to build as her parents get involved and strange things begin to occur. The end had me rigid in my seat, and I really enjoyed it. This is definitely going on my students' outside reading list as an option.
http://wp.me/p1jhaj-5rA
When I was a teen, I played an online role playing game much like Skadi, and I met some guys online. The good news? We didn't really have cell phones then... it was a new concept and they were really expensive, and since everyone I wanted to talk to lived in my tiny little town and had a landline, I didn't have any use for a cell. Neither did the guys I talked to ask me for my number, but I do wonder now if any of them were potential threats. I'd forgotten about this phase in my life until I read this novel. I constantly spoke to a man in Denmark and a man in Florida--I say man because I'm pretty sure they were past college age, but I don't remember ever really asking them. And I used computers at the local college for this, not at my house, so tracking would have been a little more difficult, but still. Wow. Technology is fighting and I can't believe that I ever decided it was a good idea to start chatting up random strangers I met in the online gaming community… and back then, as a teen, I never even thought of predators or internet safety, which is what makes this story all the more real for me.
And while Thea is an aggravating main character because she just doesn't get it, she’s very much like I was at her age. She’s oblivious to the world around her, it seems, and not even when her friends and family try to spell it out for her does she relent and realize the danger she truly is in. She's so far gone believing that Kit is her one true love that no warning signs blare for her, and so I spent a majority of this novel yelling at her through the pages. Mainly because this is very realistic, even though I hate to admit that. I hate that there are girls who fall prey to internet predators, and I hate that Thea’s parents still couldn't protect her once they realized what was happening. It's a sick and twisted world we live in, but thankfully we have novels like this one that paint a very real picture for our teens and tweens—showing them that sometimes we don’t know best, that our family and parents can see things we can’t, and that we need to listen to them.
The plot itself moved right along, and I really enjoyed the novel, though I did find that the predator in this story was, unfortunately, obvious. There are some telltale signs early on in the story, and everything points to this person, so I was a little disappointed with this specific aspect of the story, but otherwise it was really well done. And while Thea did drive me crazy at times, I loved the suspense that begins to build as her parents get involved and strange things begin to occur. The end had me rigid in my seat, and I really enjoyed it. This is definitely going on my students' outside reading list as an option.
January 7, 2015
This book deals with an issue that is every mother's nightmare--your daughter becoming emotionally involved with someone on the internet. My daughter is starting to use technology more and more and I've had multiple conversations with her about what is and isn't appropriate. When she gets a little older, I will definitely give her this book to read.
Thea and her best friend, Janie, like two boys, Tim and Josh. The girls are looking forward to these boys asking them out but something else happens at the bus stop which leaves them both humiliated and embarrassed. A few weeks later, her brother's friend tells her about this cool online game, Skadi, so she starts to play. She meets a boy, Kit, who she becomes friends with. He has some big problems that she helps him deal with and their relationship starts to grow. He starts pressuring her for more and more personal information and she slowly starts to give into him, not realizing the harm she's placing herself in. Thea believes Kit is who he says he is but others are warning her that he might be someone else entirely. She's willing to break all sorts of rules for him but is Kit worth all the trouble she puts herself in?
Thea is likable. She's a typical teenager that just wants to fit in and when she has a difficult time at school, she turns to a new hobby. She made some poor decisions but was pressured by someone she came to trust. Her parents kept reminding her of their rules but once she started breaking them, it became easier to do. She started to lie to everyone, even her friends, to keep the extent of her relationship with Kit secret. While Thea made some poor choices, she never became unlikable. I kept wanting her to smarten up so nothing serious would happen, but felt her actions were typical of a trusting teenager.
I also liked Janie and Tim and thought they were good friends to her throughout. Janie tried talking sense into Thea but friendships at that age can be tricky. I wasn't sure about Tim after the first time we met him, but grew to love him and looked forward to the time they spent together.
Once I started this book, it was hard to put down until I finished. The suspense built throughout and the reveal surprised me. The fact that it's fiction based on fact was chilling to me. It's a good book to start a conversation with your teen about the dangers of the internet and the importance of not giving out personal information to anyone! This is a book that every mother and teenage daughter should read.
I received a copy of this book to review. My opinion is 100% my own.
You can read my interview with the author here: Mel's Shelves
Thea and her best friend, Janie, like two boys, Tim and Josh. The girls are looking forward to these boys asking them out but something else happens at the bus stop which leaves them both humiliated and embarrassed. A few weeks later, her brother's friend tells her about this cool online game, Skadi, so she starts to play. She meets a boy, Kit, who she becomes friends with. He has some big problems that she helps him deal with and their relationship starts to grow. He starts pressuring her for more and more personal information and she slowly starts to give into him, not realizing the harm she's placing herself in. Thea believes Kit is who he says he is but others are warning her that he might be someone else entirely. She's willing to break all sorts of rules for him but is Kit worth all the trouble she puts herself in?
Thea is likable. She's a typical teenager that just wants to fit in and when she has a difficult time at school, she turns to a new hobby. She made some poor decisions but was pressured by someone she came to trust. Her parents kept reminding her of their rules but once she started breaking them, it became easier to do. She started to lie to everyone, even her friends, to keep the extent of her relationship with Kit secret. While Thea made some poor choices, she never became unlikable. I kept wanting her to smarten up so nothing serious would happen, but felt her actions were typical of a trusting teenager.
I also liked Janie and Tim and thought they were good friends to her throughout. Janie tried talking sense into Thea but friendships at that age can be tricky. I wasn't sure about Tim after the first time we met him, but grew to love him and looked forward to the time they spent together.
Once I started this book, it was hard to put down until I finished. The suspense built throughout and the reveal surprised me. The fact that it's fiction based on fact was chilling to me. It's a good book to start a conversation with your teen about the dangers of the internet and the importance of not giving out personal information to anyone! This is a book that every mother and teenage daughter should read.
I received a copy of this book to review. My opinion is 100% my own.
You can read my interview with the author here: Mel's Shelves
January 6, 2015
Margo Kelly has written a book that I think all parents and teenagers should read. I am going to go so far to say, that I think this book should be required reading in school. We are living in a world that is overloaded with electronic devices, that allow us free reign to a buffet of all kinds of information. Some good, and some not so good.
In 'Who R U Really' we get to see that things and people are not always as they appear to be online. Thea's parents are strict, and they want to protect her. She has to leave the door to her bedroom open when she is on her computer online, and her mother is constantly reading the text messages on her phone. Like most teenagers these days Thea thinks her parents are out to ruin her life.
I could relate to that, and remember feeling much of the same way when I was a teenager. When I was a teenager the world was different. We didn't have computers, cell phones or the internet. If we had, I can guarantee you that I wouldn't have been allowed to have a computer in my room, much less a cell phone of my own! I don't feel that Thea's mother was to strict at all.
Thea starts playing a role playing game online, and it is in a chat room that she meets Kit. The more they chat, the more Thea comes to believe that he 'really' gets her. Before long Thea is telling lies to her parents just to be able to play the online game, and chat with Kit. Kit even tells Thea what to say to her mother, and how to hide the conversations they are having online.
Thea is excited by Kit's attention, and understanding. He plays on her sensitive side, and has her believing that he can not live without her. He makes her think that he is the only one that really cares, and even her best friend can not be trusted.
Who R U Really is based on true events in the authors own life. This book is written well, and I felt like that Mrs Kelly captured the voice of a teenage girl. The events in the book are believable and all to real in the world we live in today. I had a feeling early own in the book who 'Kit' was, but then I would change my mind and think it was another character. I was guessing right up to the very end.
I recommend this book to parents and teenagers everywhere. Who R U Really, should be mandatory reading for all teenagers in school. It is a big eye opener!
In 'Who R U Really' we get to see that things and people are not always as they appear to be online. Thea's parents are strict, and they want to protect her. She has to leave the door to her bedroom open when she is on her computer online, and her mother is constantly reading the text messages on her phone. Like most teenagers these days Thea thinks her parents are out to ruin her life.
I could relate to that, and remember feeling much of the same way when I was a teenager. When I was a teenager the world was different. We didn't have computers, cell phones or the internet. If we had, I can guarantee you that I wouldn't have been allowed to have a computer in my room, much less a cell phone of my own! I don't feel that Thea's mother was to strict at all.
Thea starts playing a role playing game online, and it is in a chat room that she meets Kit. The more they chat, the more Thea comes to believe that he 'really' gets her. Before long Thea is telling lies to her parents just to be able to play the online game, and chat with Kit. Kit even tells Thea what to say to her mother, and how to hide the conversations they are having online.
Thea is excited by Kit's attention, and understanding. He plays on her sensitive side, and has her believing that he can not live without her. He makes her think that he is the only one that really cares, and even her best friend can not be trusted.
Who R U Really is based on true events in the authors own life. This book is written well, and I felt like that Mrs Kelly captured the voice of a teenage girl. The events in the book are believable and all to real in the world we live in today. I had a feeling early own in the book who 'Kit' was, but then I would change my mind and think it was another character. I was guessing right up to the very end.
I recommend this book to parents and teenagers everywhere. Who R U Really, should be mandatory reading for all teenagers in school. It is a big eye opener!
November 1, 2014
I received this book via Goodreads First Reads.
This review originally appears on What Am I Reading?
Rate: 5
This story is fantastic!!! Want proof? I finished it in a matter of hours. I just couldn’t put this book. Every time my conscience told me it would be a great time to get a head start on an assignment, I responded “No!” until I had finished the book, realized it was almost 2 in the morning and went to bed. Anyone who can put this book down after starting has a strong willpower that I don’t possess.
This story is serious, realistic, and interesting. Every time someone plays a game and enters a chat room or starts online dating, they are putting themselves in the same position as Thea. How much information should I reveal? When should I lie? Is this person genuine or will he/she try to hurt me? Am I falling for this person or the image of him/her I have created in my mind?
In Who R U Really?, Thea starts playing a multiplayer game and befriends a guy by the username of Kit. Like a typical rebellious teenager, Thea disregards the advice given to her by her friends and parents. Instead Thea “falls” for Kit, begins “dating” him, and reveals things about herself that should’ve remained anonymous. Thea finds herself in one of those situations where who she thinks Kit is isn’t who Kit is.
What I enjoyed about this story is how it forces the reader to realize that you can’t truly know a person you know online; that no matter how careful you think you’re being if someone is a predator, they will find out things about you. It’s the burst of reality a lot of people who go online need. You just never know when someone from online will start to physically stalk you and danger your well-being.
I know it wasn’t the intention of the author, but for majority of the story I viewed the book as a mystery. I tried my hardest to use Thea’s interactions with guys to figure out who Kit was and still I was wrong. The revelation of who Kit is at the end is a twist I never saw coming. I was so shocked.
Who R U Really? is a story worth reading whether it’s to see how easy it is for someone to go from cyber-friend to cyber-stalker or to simply see how the story unfolds. It’s definitely awoken me to my own online habits.
This review originally appears on What Am I Reading?
Rate: 5
This story is fantastic!!! Want proof? I finished it in a matter of hours. I just couldn’t put this book. Every time my conscience told me it would be a great time to get a head start on an assignment, I responded “No!” until I had finished the book, realized it was almost 2 in the morning and went to bed. Anyone who can put this book down after starting has a strong willpower that I don’t possess.
This story is serious, realistic, and interesting. Every time someone plays a game and enters a chat room or starts online dating, they are putting themselves in the same position as Thea. How much information should I reveal? When should I lie? Is this person genuine or will he/she try to hurt me? Am I falling for this person or the image of him/her I have created in my mind?
In Who R U Really?, Thea starts playing a multiplayer game and befriends a guy by the username of Kit. Like a typical rebellious teenager, Thea disregards the advice given to her by her friends and parents. Instead Thea “falls” for Kit, begins “dating” him, and reveals things about herself that should’ve remained anonymous. Thea finds herself in one of those situations where who she thinks Kit is isn’t who Kit is.
What I enjoyed about this story is how it forces the reader to realize that you can’t truly know a person you know online; that no matter how careful you think you’re being if someone is a predator, they will find out things about you. It’s the burst of reality a lot of people who go online need. You just never know when someone from online will start to physically stalk you and danger your well-being.
I know it wasn’t the intention of the author, but for majority of the story I viewed the book as a mystery. I tried my hardest to use Thea’s interactions with guys to figure out who Kit was and still I was wrong. The revelation of who Kit is at the end is a twist I never saw coming. I was so shocked.
Who R U Really? is a story worth reading whether it’s to see how easy it is for someone to go from cyber-friend to cyber-stalker or to simply see how the story unfolds. It’s definitely awoken me to my own online habits.
December 13, 2014
At a Glance/The Cover:
I wasn't really sure where I was going with this book. It isn't like my usual reads about romance and high fantasies. Who R U Really? is a deep novel that expresses the everyday concerns of life. This book speaks up about issues of internet stalking and cyber stalkers. And what makes it even more noteworthy is that this is based on a real event.
That just proves how much internet stalking actually happen these days. This book was based on a game online, but it can definitely happen on other websites, especially social media networks.
The Characters/My Opinion:
Thea - Well, Thea's a somewhat normal girl, with a best friend. And some crushes. Boy problems. School. The normal everyday teenage issues. Then, she gets introduced to a game. She gets obsessed. Literally obsessed. She meets new people. This is the type of game where players can chat online. Kind of like xBox and Play Station stuff. Yeah, normal.
But when a playmate gets super close and friendly, Thea befriends them and slowly falls into his trap. Keep in mind that Thea is about 14 or 15 years old. That's about my age. #scary.
Kit - Thea doesn't really know much about the guy she meets online. She thinks she does, but honestly, it doesn't seem enough. She learns that Kit is 19 and he has issues. And then she shares her number with him.
Overall Thoughts:
Who R U Really? gives a huge moral lesson to all girls out there, don't be so quick to trust someone, especially when you don't really know them.
Besides that, I mean obviously, there are actually real people out there that are genuine. You can meet other people online. I've known some people who met online and ended up getting married. It works. But just be sure to double check there background information. And really get to know them.
Even though this is categorized in the YA section, I think this works for middle grade too. Young kids go online all the time nowadays without supervision and who knows what crazy people are out there? Better to start educating kids early and give them an idea of how to protect themselves.
The Rating: (1-10): 8.5
I wasn't really sure where I was going with this book. It isn't like my usual reads about romance and high fantasies. Who R U Really? is a deep novel that expresses the everyday concerns of life. This book speaks up about issues of internet stalking and cyber stalkers. And what makes it even more noteworthy is that this is based on a real event.
That just proves how much internet stalking actually happen these days. This book was based on a game online, but it can definitely happen on other websites, especially social media networks.
The Characters/My Opinion:
Thea - Well, Thea's a somewhat normal girl, with a best friend. And some crushes. Boy problems. School. The normal everyday teenage issues. Then, she gets introduced to a game. She gets obsessed. Literally obsessed. She meets new people. This is the type of game where players can chat online. Kind of like xBox and Play Station stuff. Yeah, normal.
But when a playmate gets super close and friendly, Thea befriends them and slowly falls into his trap. Keep in mind that Thea is about 14 or 15 years old. That's about my age. #scary.
Kit - Thea doesn't really know much about the guy she meets online. She thinks she does, but honestly, it doesn't seem enough. She learns that Kit is 19 and he has issues. And then she shares her number with him.
Overall Thoughts:
Who R U Really? gives a huge moral lesson to all girls out there, don't be so quick to trust someone, especially when you don't really know them.
Besides that, I mean obviously, there are actually real people out there that are genuine. You can meet other people online. I've known some people who met online and ended up getting married. It works. But just be sure to double check there background information. And really get to know them.
Even though this is categorized in the YA section, I think this works for middle grade too. Young kids go online all the time nowadays without supervision and who knows what crazy people are out there? Better to start educating kids early and give them an idea of how to protect themselves.
The Rating: (1-10): 8.5
December 15, 2014
4.5/5
This is the book that every person should read before they are let loose on the internet. This book captures and gives the reader the raw outline of how an Internet Predator behaves. This book shows how a child, with the strictest of internet parents, can be drawn in and groomed by manipulative people online. So many times you hear, but where were their parents during all this time? This shows how it can happen even with the most attentive parents.
This novel captured my interested from the very beginning. The topic is one that needs more attention because it shows just how easy it is for an Internet Predator to get hold of an innocent person. We hear about it in the headlines weekly, but this gives you factual information on just how the predators work and where it can lead to.
The author did a great job. Through the book you can feel the changes going with Thea. You start understanding the who's, what's and why's. I picked up early on the who from a certain detail that the author included, but even than, the twists and turns in the story really made this a strong read and I was not disappointed. In fact, Thea's mother's anguish at the end ripped me to the core and sent tears down my own cheeks.
The only things I had an issue with is that the story line itself felt a little jumpy at times. Like the author had been distracted by something while writing and her train of thought had been momentarily derailed.. I had a hard time with Thea's age. Certain things and actions made it feel she was older than what she really was and the relationship with her brother seemed a bit juvenile on his end, even though he is the older brother.
I recommend this to everyone. A great thriller that not only captures the readers imagination, but also provides a well meaning lesson on how to present yourself to others online and what red flags to be aware of when dealing with other online.
This is the book that every person should read before they are let loose on the internet. This book captures and gives the reader the raw outline of how an Internet Predator behaves. This book shows how a child, with the strictest of internet parents, can be drawn in and groomed by manipulative people online. So many times you hear, but where were their parents during all this time? This shows how it can happen even with the most attentive parents.
This novel captured my interested from the very beginning. The topic is one that needs more attention because it shows just how easy it is for an Internet Predator to get hold of an innocent person. We hear about it in the headlines weekly, but this gives you factual information on just how the predators work and where it can lead to.
The author did a great job. Through the book you can feel the changes going with Thea. You start understanding the who's, what's and why's. I picked up early on the who from a certain detail that the author included, but even than, the twists and turns in the story really made this a strong read and I was not disappointed. In fact, Thea's mother's anguish at the end ripped me to the core and sent tears down my own cheeks.
The only things I had an issue with is that the story line itself felt a little jumpy at times. Like the author had been distracted by something while writing and her train of thought had been momentarily derailed.. I had a hard time with Thea's age. Certain things and actions made it feel she was older than what she really was and the relationship with her brother seemed a bit juvenile on his end, even though he is the older brother.
I recommend this to everyone. A great thriller that not only captures the readers imagination, but also provides a well meaning lesson on how to present yourself to others online and what red flags to be aware of when dealing with other online.
March 29, 2016
Fourteen-year-old Thea longs for a boyfriend, even though she's not allowed to date until she's sixteen. She joins an online gaming community and begins getting some attention from Kit. As Kit's advances become more and more aggressive, Thea begins to feel more and more uncomfortable. But who is the mysterious Kit? Could he actually be someone she knows? There are a number of potential candidates: her classmate Tim, Josh the bully, new boy Taylor, her brother's friend Marcus, self-defense instructors Jackson or Keith, even her volleyball coach Gavyn. Despite her parents' constant warnings about the dangers of the Internet, Thea continues her secret online life. What will happen when they finally find out?
The set-up of the story feels too unnatural, like the author is trying to teach us a lesson. The narrative is full of unnecessary detail such as what outfit Thea chooses to wear on a daily basis. I also found it hard to believe that Thea's parents could be so over-protective. Thea herself is not a very likable character; she is unnecessarily critical of her parents and makes some very foolish choices in relation to both boys and her best friend. I found myself not really caring what happened to her, as she seemed to bring it all on herself. As the story progressed, I became more invested in finding out Kit's true identity. But, in the end, it really could have been any one of the suspects. It almost felt like the author put all the names in a hat and then pulled one out.
Despite these drawbacks, this is still a timely warning for all teenagers and an insightful read for their parents. You never know who you are really talking to on the Internet. As Marcus says, "Online you can be anything you want."
3.5 stars
I received this book in return for an honest review.
Full blog post: http://booksdirectonline.blogspot.com...
The set-up of the story feels too unnatural, like the author is trying to teach us a lesson. The narrative is full of unnecessary detail such as what outfit Thea chooses to wear on a daily basis. I also found it hard to believe that Thea's parents could be so over-protective. Thea herself is not a very likable character; she is unnecessarily critical of her parents and makes some very foolish choices in relation to both boys and her best friend. I found myself not really caring what happened to her, as she seemed to bring it all on herself. As the story progressed, I became more invested in finding out Kit's true identity. But, in the end, it really could have been any one of the suspects. It almost felt like the author put all the names in a hat and then pulled one out.
Despite these drawbacks, this is still a timely warning for all teenagers and an insightful read for their parents. You never know who you are really talking to on the Internet. As Marcus says, "Online you can be anything you want."
3.5 stars
I received this book in return for an honest review.
Full blog post: http://booksdirectonline.blogspot.com...
September 9, 2014
Fifteen year old Thea feels like her parents are smothering her. They watch her every move, monitor how she spends her limited time on the internet, check her texts messages and they don't bother knocking before barging into her bedroom.
When Thea joins an online role playing game her mother becomes even stricter, however that doesn't stop Thea from going behind her back and making friends with an older boy who lives hundreds of miles away in Georgia.
After exchanging real names Thea and Derek start communicating more often, in private chats, then text messages and finally talking on the phone.
Derek gets Thea, he understand her, listens to her, she tells him things that she can't tell anyone else.
Before Thea realizes it she's fallen into a hole she can't climb out of. The lies start piling up and and she starts to doubt the relationship she's formed with Derek. She's been honest with him but has he been honest with her?
Margo Kelly weaves a thought provoking, all too real tale of the dangers lurking on the world wide web and the ones just outside our doors.
From the very beginning I loved everything about this book, especially Thea's over protective mother. All too often I read Y.A books where the parents are completely absent from their child's life and it was such a nice change to have a caring parent in a story.
I feel like this book should be required reading for young teens. It shows how easy it is to let tiny details slip, ones that quickly add up to giant neon signs. You never know who you're communicating with when the only thing connecting you is a mouse and keyboard.
My advice is that you read this with all the lights on and the doors and windows locked.
Until next time,
Ginger
In compliance with FTC guidelines I am disclosing that this book was given to me for free to review.
My review is my honest opinion.
December 11, 2014
Who R U Really? was a mix of suspense/ thriller, Middle grade/ Young Adult goodness. It was realistic and creepy and a wonderful tale about the do's and don'ts of the internet.
Thea is a young teenage girl being very controlled by her parents - so many rules to follow, the largest of which is no dating. But how can she not date when there are boys asking her? After a few mishaps hat school with boys, Thea turns to playing an online game and inevitably finds herself falling for another player, someone she has never met, but she feels a deep connection to. For months they talk and become closer as friends and family drift away with rules and theories about the mystery boy.
This is where the story turns into a creep-fest. Every time I picked up the book I had goosebumps about what may happen to Thea. Who was the guy she was talking to? there were just so many options of who it could have been. I found myself weary of all the males in the book. It was very realistic and very interesting to read. I really did enjoy it except for the awkwardness it does create because it is SO real.
The only reason I did not give it 5/5 stars was because in a blurb the book mentions that it is written by a mother that had a similar situation happen to her daughter - with that I began to read certain parts differently. I know that parents are way more involved in internet safety now-a-days but some of the instances of the mother asserting the dangers just seemed off to me ... I think if a teen tries hard enough there was much more that could of been hidden and in this case there was a good amount but I believe there would have been more.
For the sake of the story, I am glad the mother was overly involved in her daughters internet life, but some of it seemed over the top to me. Don't get me wrong - THIS WAS A WONDERFUL BOOK and I think all mother/daughters should read it.
Thea is a young teenage girl being very controlled by her parents - so many rules to follow, the largest of which is no dating. But how can she not date when there are boys asking her? After a few mishaps hat school with boys, Thea turns to playing an online game and inevitably finds herself falling for another player, someone she has never met, but she feels a deep connection to. For months they talk and become closer as friends and family drift away with rules and theories about the mystery boy.
This is where the story turns into a creep-fest. Every time I picked up the book I had goosebumps about what may happen to Thea. Who was the guy she was talking to? there were just so many options of who it could have been. I found myself weary of all the males in the book. It was very realistic and very interesting to read. I really did enjoy it except for the awkwardness it does create because it is SO real.
The only reason I did not give it 5/5 stars was because in a blurb the book mentions that it is written by a mother that had a similar situation happen to her daughter - with that I began to read certain parts differently. I know that parents are way more involved in internet safety now-a-days but some of the instances of the mother asserting the dangers just seemed off to me ... I think if a teen tries hard enough there was much more that could of been hidden and in this case there was a good amount but I believe there would have been more.
For the sake of the story, I am glad the mother was overly involved in her daughters internet life, but some of it seemed over the top to me. Don't get me wrong - THIS WAS A WONDERFUL BOOK and I think all mother/daughters should read it.
December 8, 2014
Read more on my blog Home Is Where the Wine Is Book Blog
5 Stars! Every teenager needs to read this book.
Kelly’s writing makes you think you are talking to an actually 15y ear old. Very well written and whether young or old, you will love this book.
Thea is your regular teenager girl. Dealing with bullies, older brothers, self conscious friends and overprotective parents.
When she first heard of the Skadi, the only role playing game she was reluctant. Once she started playing and became part of a guild she met Kit, a 19 year old boy from Georgia. They instantly start a friendship. Often starting private chats to talk. Her mom and dad start to pressure her about spending too much time in the game. They start making her leave her door open when on the computer.
Months pass. She starts lying to her parents and friends, protecting Kit every chance she gets. She learns that Kit’s real name is Derek. She is reluctant to give away private information but is dazzled by his charm and relents. They start texting and talking on the phone every chance they get. They share pictures but he never takes a selfie, saying his phone is old and doesn’t have a cam. Still she is falling for him.
When her parents find out about the relationship they ground her and take her computer and phone away. She sneaks her friends phone to talk to him. She doesn’t know who to believe.
When the truth comes out about Derek everyone she loves is in danger…
Total page turner and wow the ending took me by surprise. Must read.
5 Stars! Every teenager needs to read this book.
Kelly’s writing makes you think you are talking to an actually 15y ear old. Very well written and whether young or old, you will love this book.
Thea is your regular teenager girl. Dealing with bullies, older brothers, self conscious friends and overprotective parents.
When she first heard of the Skadi, the only role playing game she was reluctant. Once she started playing and became part of a guild she met Kit, a 19 year old boy from Georgia. They instantly start a friendship. Often starting private chats to talk. Her mom and dad start to pressure her about spending too much time in the game. They start making her leave her door open when on the computer.
Months pass. She starts lying to her parents and friends, protecting Kit every chance she gets. She learns that Kit’s real name is Derek. She is reluctant to give away private information but is dazzled by his charm and relents. They start texting and talking on the phone every chance they get. They share pictures but he never takes a selfie, saying his phone is old and doesn’t have a cam. Still she is falling for him.
When her parents find out about the relationship they ground her and take her computer and phone away. She sneaks her friends phone to talk to him. She doesn’t know who to believe.
When the truth comes out about Derek everyone she loves is in danger…
Total page turner and wow the ending took me by surprise. Must read.
September 3, 2014
Thea is a 14 year old girl frustrated with overprotective parents. She is introduced to a harmless role playing game online and soon meets an older boy who is beguiling and charming and everything a teenage girl could want in a boyfriend. As Kit pulls Thea away from her family and friends, she is aware that it could be dangerous, but Kit is too tempting to resist.
The author has a solid grasp of what it is like to be a teenage girl with all the emotional ups and downs, the frustrations and tears and the joys and sorrows of friendship and family. Thea frustrated me at times, but what teenager isn't frustrating? I found the conversations between Kit and Thea a little cutesy, but I'm old and I only have teenage boys at my house. What I really appreciated was Kelly's exploration into how Kit, by his words alone, groomed Thea into pulling away from family and friends who obviously cared about her and her well being.
YA is not my normal genre, but occasionally I find a YA novel that reaches out, grabs me and doesn't let go. Who R U Really? did just that. I read this book in one evening and I was anxious to find out Kit's identity. I had my suspicions from the beginning but there were enough twists and turns that the story kept me enthralled until the end.
A fantastic debut novel and I look forward to more from Margo Kelly. This would make a terrific book group discussion for teens and young adults, as well as simply to promote a dialogue between parents and children about Internet safety.
The author has a solid grasp of what it is like to be a teenage girl with all the emotional ups and downs, the frustrations and tears and the joys and sorrows of friendship and family. Thea frustrated me at times, but what teenager isn't frustrating? I found the conversations between Kit and Thea a little cutesy, but I'm old and I only have teenage boys at my house. What I really appreciated was Kelly's exploration into how Kit, by his words alone, groomed Thea into pulling away from family and friends who obviously cared about her and her well being.
YA is not my normal genre, but occasionally I find a YA novel that reaches out, grabs me and doesn't let go. Who R U Really? did just that. I read this book in one evening and I was anxious to find out Kit's identity. I had my suspicions from the beginning but there were enough twists and turns that the story kept me enthralled until the end.
A fantastic debut novel and I look forward to more from Margo Kelly. This would make a terrific book group discussion for teens and young adults, as well as simply to promote a dialogue between parents and children about Internet safety.
December 7, 2014
This was a tough book to read, because it is so realistic and current. The author's writing puts you right into Thea's emotions through the entire storyline, from her excitement at having Kit's attention, to her doubts, right through to her fear and terror as it plays out to the end.
This is a remarkable cautionary tale about online relationships. Unless you actually meet someone in person, or at least video chat with them, you do NOT know who they are, and therefore they are still a stranger, not your friend. However, I did feel that one of the characters was a little too over the top in trying to make this point to Thea, yelling at her that people you only know online can not be real friends. In my personal experience, I have found that you can have VERY real friends online....as long as you are very careful who you trust. There are untrustworthy "friends" in person and online, and you have to learn to tell the difference.
I would highly recommend this book to teens and parents of teens as a way to open up a dialogue about internet safety.
**I was given a copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.**
This is a remarkable cautionary tale about online relationships. Unless you actually meet someone in person, or at least video chat with them, you do NOT know who they are, and therefore they are still a stranger, not your friend. However, I did feel that one of the characters was a little too over the top in trying to make this point to Thea, yelling at her that people you only know online can not be real friends. In my personal experience, I have found that you can have VERY real friends online....as long as you are very careful who you trust. There are untrustworthy "friends" in person and online, and you have to learn to tell the difference.
I would highly recommend this book to teens and parents of teens as a way to open up a dialogue about internet safety.
**I was given a copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.**
January 16, 2016
Very good, very well done! I have read a few books and seen movies about this subject before (cyber stalking/cyber pedophiles) but really the subject never gets old. It is an important subject that we really should read about over and over! Not only is it important for teens and pre-teens to read this it is just as important for parents. Mom's - you NEED to know what your teens are doing on the internet! When my daughter was a teen I checked out everything. I watched her, I limited her usage, I checked the history, I checked her websites, I asked her to show me conversations, etc. I knew what she was doing. And if she ever used the internet when I wasn't home - she was grounded - period!
Now she is 26, married and will be having kids of her own soon and I will tell her the same thing - get involved!
OK enough ranting, getting back to the book.
This book is fast paced, interesting, with great characters! I liked the way the storyline developed. And, it kept me guessing.
Now she is 26, married and will be having kids of her own soon and I will tell her the same thing - get involved!
OK enough ranting, getting back to the book.
This book is fast paced, interesting, with great characters! I liked the way the storyline developed. And, it kept me guessing.
October 27, 2014
I won Who R U Really through First Reads giveaway and I'm beyond elated that I did! I give Who R U Really 5 full bold stars. I loved this book from front to back and found myself reading way passed my bed time just to get another chapter in. The book follows a young Teenage girl named Thea and paints a vivid picture of teen kid's current problems with the internet. Thea finds herself playing an online game called Skadi and meets Kit *aka* Derrek. Who is Derrek? Is he really the 20 year old who suffers from depression that Thea has fallen in love with through long conversations over the phone and millions of chats over the game? With an ending that will make you think twice. I recommend this book to any Young Adult Fiction lover out there and perhaps anyone who can relate to the internet relationship debacle.
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