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The Story of Awkward
If you are looking for a happy book about beautiful people, this is the wrong story.
If you are looking for a narrative without emotion, without regrets, and without mistakes, this is definitely the wrong story.
This is by no means an uncomplicated tale about uncomplicated people. It is by no means sweet or light.
This story is ugly.
This story is complicated.
This story is emotional.
This story is tragic.
In short, this story is about being awkward.
Peregrine Storke is an artist with an odd sketchbook full of pictures she’s drawn since she was a child. It is a book full of strange sketches and awkward characters, for there is no better way to hide from bullying and life than to create a world of your own. With a stroke of her pencil, she has given life to a spectacled princess, a freckle-nosed king, a candy loving troll, a two-horned unicorn, and a graceless fairy.
At nineteen, Peregrine leaves her home, her sketchbook, and awkwardness behind. But what happens when something goes wrong in the world of Awkward? Trapped inside of her complex realm with the bully she thought to leave behind, Peregrine discovers there is nothing worse than falling for your own villain.
If you are looking for a narrative without emotion, without regrets, and without mistakes, this is definitely the wrong story.
This is by no means an uncomplicated tale about uncomplicated people. It is by no means sweet or light.
This story is ugly.
This story is complicated.
This story is emotional.
This story is tragic.
In short, this story is about being awkward.
Peregrine Storke is an artist with an odd sketchbook full of pictures she’s drawn since she was a child. It is a book full of strange sketches and awkward characters, for there is no better way to hide from bullying and life than to create a world of your own. With a stroke of her pencil, she has given life to a spectacled princess, a freckle-nosed king, a candy loving troll, a two-horned unicorn, and a graceless fairy.
At nineteen, Peregrine leaves her home, her sketchbook, and awkwardness behind. But what happens when something goes wrong in the world of Awkward? Trapped inside of her complex realm with the bully she thought to leave behind, Peregrine discovers there is nothing worse than falling for your own villain.
265 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 10, 2014
551 people are currently reading
2561 people want to read
About the author
R.K. Ryals
41 books781 followersR.K. Ryals is the author of emotional and gripping young adult and new adult paranormal romance, contemporary romance, and fantasy. With a strong passion for charity and literacy, she works as a full time writer encouraging people to "share the love of reading one book at a time." An avid animal lover and self-proclaimed coffee-holic, R.K. Ryals was born in Jackson, Mississippi and makes her home in the Southern U.S. with her husband, her three daughters, a rescue dog named Oscar the Grouch, A Shitzsu named Tinkerbell, an OCD cat, and a coffee pot she honestly couldn't live without. Should she ever become the owner of a fire-breathing dragon (tame of course), her life would be complete.
Contact her on twitter at @RKRyals, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/RKRyals or online at http://www.authorrkryals.com
Contact her on twitter at @RKRyals, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/RKRyals or online at http://www.authorrkryals.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 503 reviews
April 12, 2017
All these deep and relatable quotes made me love this book.
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This is free on Amazon Kindle, so grab it while you can!
“This world is built on awkwardness, on the idea that there is someplace where it’s okay to be different. Where it’s okay not to be perfect,” the troll said. “This world lives in more than one imagination. It was simply your hand that finally gave it a face.”
“Even when we grow up, the child remains. It’s the child that shapes the adult. What happens to you when you are young shapes what you become later. Whether you think you belong here or not is beside the point. The little girl that drew Awkward still lives inside of you.”
“It isn’t about being awkward. It’s about not being ashamed to be awkward. It’s about embracing what makes us different. Perfection and Stereotype are threats to that.”
“Love isn’t roses. It’s those little square caramels and a root beer from the gas station because he knows that’s your favorite snack. It’s watching a musical with you without groaning. It’s handing you your glasses at night because he knows you’re too blind to find your way to the bathroom without them. Love is awkward.”
“You look for acceptance in an awkward world, and you shy away from people. It makes sense.” I stared. “My father hitting me makes sense?” Even as large as the bed was, Foster took up a lot of room. He propped one arm under his head, the other falling to the comforter beside my hip. “Did he?” he asked. My lips parted. “No. He wasn’t that kind of drunk. But what he couldn’t do with his fists, he did with his words. There were times I’d rather have bruises than his stinging opinion.”
“There’s nothing worse than having someone you’ve villainized admit he was wrong. There’s nothing worse than admitting someone’s words had done more than tear you down, they’d made you angry enough to fight back. There’s nothing worse than having to forgive someone whose words gave you strength.”
“It’s difficult growing up with someone who doesn’t think he has a problem. It changes you. My mother wanted to pretend his issues didn’t exist. It drove her to hide behind anything that would dull her senses.”
“Because avoiding the things that hurt us doesn’t fix us,” I told her. “There’s only so long you can hide from life. Don’t worry about being enough for Prince Dash. Worry about being enough for you. In the end, that’s what counts. He or someone else will love you more for that.”
“True courage isn’t about being brave. It’s about being real. It’s about being able to admit our weaknesses so that we can turn them into strengths.”
“True courage isn’t about being brave. True beauty isn’t about being beautiful. True courage is about being real. True beauty is about being happy.”
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This is free on Amazon Kindle, so grab it while you can!
June 12, 2023
“Imagination can fix anything.”
The story is simple. She is a girl who does not fit into the world where perfection is key. Instead of changing herself, she changed the world. Now perfection is invading and it is up to her to defend the world she created.
Losing yourself in your own imaginary fairy tale world is escapism done right. The creativity in the world-building, the easy-on-the-eyes writing style, the almost childish innocent way to look at the world around you, the relatable universal message it tries to deliver, … I love it.
One thing really kept this from reaching the next level for me. I do not like that the protagonist falls in love with the person who emotionally scarred her for life as a kid. That said though, how can you not respect someone who picks up the stones they throw at her and builds herself a house with it?
My head wants to give this delightful story a deserving four stars. My heart however has a different say in the matter. The story is not perfect but the point this books tries to make is that it shouldn’t have to be. Embrace the imperfection. The story spoke to me, it really hit home. I’m giving it the full five stars.
The story is simple. She is a girl who does not fit into the world where perfection is key. Instead of changing herself, she changed the world. Now perfection is invading and it is up to her to defend the world she created.
Losing yourself in your own imaginary fairy tale world is escapism done right. The creativity in the world-building, the easy-on-the-eyes writing style, the almost childish innocent way to look at the world around you, the relatable universal message it tries to deliver, … I love it.
One thing really kept this from reaching the next level for me. I do not like that the protagonist falls in love with the person who emotionally scarred her for life as a kid. That said though, how can you not respect someone who picks up the stones they throw at her and builds herself a house with it?
My head wants to give this delightful story a deserving four stars. My heart however has a different say in the matter. The story is not perfect but the point this books tries to make is that it shouldn’t have to be. Embrace the imperfection. The story spoke to me, it really hit home. I’m giving it the full five stars.
October 4, 2015
This is STILL A FREEBIE on Amazon
Actual Rating 3.5
You know what I would have thought improbable about two weeks ago? Falling in love with a freebie novel I snagged from Amazon. It happened though. The Story of Awkward made me feel all the feels. It was an emotional roller-coaster and it was 100% worth it.
This is a book many people will be able to relate to. Are you awkward? Do you sometimes have trouble embracing yourself? Is it hard to sometimes remember that you are perfect the way you are? Then you’ve come to the right place.
The Story of Awkward tells the story of a girl named Peregrine. She created the world of Awkward as a way to escape all the badness in her real life. From bullying to her emotionally abusive father to her in-different mother. The thing is, in spite of all these issues, the book doesn’t start off in a bad place. It starts off with Peregrine ready to go to college and excited for a fresh start.
But, a near death accident transports her, and her tormentor (who also happens to be her best friend’s brother) to the world she imagined as a kid. To Awkward. And Awkward is in trouble. It will be up to Peregrine and Foster (her tormentor) to save it.
Awkward was an awkward world. There will be some things about it that don’t make sense but I decided to go with the flow and ignore those tid bits because it is still a wonderfully imagined world and SO CREATIVE!
This book takes us on an adventure to save a prince who has been lured in by perfection but it also takes us on a journey of self-acceptance. The book also features a super cute romance between Foster and Peregrine.
I know what you might be thinking, “BUT HE TORMENTED HER”, and I felt that too but Ryals does such a fantastic job with the romance and makes the two SO EASY TO SHIP. Their romance is wonderfully developed and doesn’t turn into instalove when it easily could have. I loved watching them support one another and help each other feel accepted.
That said, my main issue with the book was that the MC had to lose weight to let go of her body image issues.
This is a fantastic book written in a unique voice and it so loveable. It features a strong yet awkward female lead, a cute romance, an interesting world and also a great message.
Actual Rating 3.5
You know what I would have thought improbable about two weeks ago? Falling in love with a freebie novel I snagged from Amazon. It happened though. The Story of Awkward made me feel all the feels. It was an emotional roller-coaster and it was 100% worth it.
This is a book many people will be able to relate to. Are you awkward? Do you sometimes have trouble embracing yourself? Is it hard to sometimes remember that you are perfect the way you are? Then you’ve come to the right place.
The Story of Awkward tells the story of a girl named Peregrine. She created the world of Awkward as a way to escape all the badness in her real life. From bullying to her emotionally abusive father to her in-different mother. The thing is, in spite of all these issues, the book doesn’t start off in a bad place. It starts off with Peregrine ready to go to college and excited for a fresh start.
But, a near death accident transports her, and her tormentor (who also happens to be her best friend’s brother) to the world she imagined as a kid. To Awkward. And Awkward is in trouble. It will be up to Peregrine and Foster (her tormentor) to save it.
Awkward was an awkward world. There will be some things about it that don’t make sense but I decided to go with the flow and ignore those tid bits because it is still a wonderfully imagined world and SO CREATIVE!
This book takes us on an adventure to save a prince who has been lured in by perfection but it also takes us on a journey of self-acceptance. The book also features a super cute romance between Foster and Peregrine.
I know what you might be thinking, “BUT HE TORMENTED HER”, and I felt that too but Ryals does such a fantastic job with the romance and makes the two SO EASY TO SHIP. Their romance is wonderfully developed and doesn’t turn into instalove when it easily could have. I loved watching them support one another and help each other feel accepted.
That said, my main issue with the book was that the MC had to lose weight to let go of her body image issues.
This is a fantastic book written in a unique voice and it so loveable. It features a strong yet awkward female lead, a cute romance, an interesting world and also a great message.
January 5, 2015
That's one hell of a blurb right?
On christmas, after I cried my eyes out for receiving what I wanted, I decided to do what all readers do when a new e-reader is put into our hands . . . search for more books. There in the amazon store under free reads, was a book that stood out to me more than the others. The Story of Awkward's cover snatched my attention, and that intriguing synopsis is what pulled me in to one-click the book to my device.
This story is ugly.
This story is complicated.
This story is emotional.
This story is tragic.
Those very four lines had me truly excited to dive in. I remember jumping into bed, snuggled up with my son under my Spiderman covers, seriously anxious to start chapter one. Then I began reading. At first enjoying the flow of the story and how weird and awkward the main character seemed to be, and then . . . it seemed as if I hit a break wall of some sort. The impact from this collision felt more like a slap in the face. A slap which opened my eyes to realize that the very four lines that compelled me to make this purchase, were quite misleading. Quite isn't even the proper word choice here. Maybe I should rephrase it and say,
" Very F#$@ing Misleading. "
You see, there was nothing ugly about this story.
Nothing complicated.
Nothing emotional.
Nothing tragic about this story either.
I feel as though my version of the synopsis would be a better representation than the original.
I've read some pretty dark and ugly stories, and compared to those, reading this book was like eating orange sherbet on a hot summer day. Or maybe like running through a field of wild flowers, blowing those cute white flower thingies after making a wish. (Okay so I don't know the name of it, don't judge me lol) It was more " pretty " than anything. Reminding me of some sort of cute, princess-eyy, fairytale story like Cinderella or something. I've read some complicated stories, and in comparison, the main character wasn't complicated, she just wasn't ready to grow up. I couldn't connect emotionally to this story, so parts where someone would have shed a tear , (especially after what was supposed to be the " tragic " scene) caused me to do nothing but roll my eyes.
The reason why I'm so irritated that I had to DNF this book, is because it had the bones to be great. I absolutely loved the concept of an incredibly awkward artist who found an escape from reality through her drawings. This same awkward artist that was innocently living vicariously through these characters, in a world made up of nothing but pencil and paper. A world she formulated in her mind, that eventually became her new reality. It was as if the author created this amazing foundation, then as the story went on, she built a beautifully ambitious, but poorly executed house, that after a few chapters gave way and tumbled to the ground.
" Maybe I'm just not in the mood for it. I'll try again tomorrow. " Is what I kept telling myself as I tried to push through. But every time I powered on my Kindle to pick up where I left off, I could never get too far ahead. I was trudging through mud as thick as cement, and no matter how many times I put it down and picked it back up, this weird resistance kept me from making it to the end.
So yes I am disappointed that this book with so much freaking promise, didn't meet my expectations. I'm even more disappointed that such a captivating blurb, is slapped on a book that has zero connection to the words used to describe it. I don't know about you guys, but I hate having to classify a book as " Did Not Finish ", especially this early in the year . . .
Usually I wait a couple of months before I attempt to try again, buttt I think this one has already settled in it's new home on my DNF shelf. Blah.
On christmas, after I cried my eyes out for receiving what I wanted, I decided to do what all readers do when a new e-reader is put into our hands . . . search for more books. There in the amazon store under free reads, was a book that stood out to me more than the others. The Story of Awkward's cover snatched my attention, and that intriguing synopsis is what pulled me in to one-click the book to my device.
This story is ugly.
This story is complicated.
This story is emotional.
This story is tragic.
Those very four lines had me truly excited to dive in. I remember jumping into bed, snuggled up with my son under my Spiderman covers, seriously anxious to start chapter one. Then I began reading. At first enjoying the flow of the story and how weird and awkward the main character seemed to be, and then . . . it seemed as if I hit a break wall of some sort. The impact from this collision felt more like a slap in the face. A slap which opened my eyes to realize that the very four lines that compelled me to make this purchase, were quite misleading. Quite isn't even the proper word choice here. Maybe I should rephrase it and say,
" Very F#$@ing Misleading. "
You see, there was nothing ugly about this story.
Nothing complicated.
Nothing emotional.
Nothing tragic about this story either.
I feel as though my version of the synopsis would be a better representation than the original.
I've read some pretty dark and ugly stories, and compared to those, reading this book was like eating orange sherbet on a hot summer day. Or maybe like running through a field of wild flowers, blowing those cute white flower thingies after making a wish. (Okay so I don't know the name of it, don't judge me lol) It was more " pretty " than anything. Reminding me of some sort of cute, princess-eyy, fairytale story like Cinderella or something. I've read some complicated stories, and in comparison, the main character wasn't complicated, she just wasn't ready to grow up. I couldn't connect emotionally to this story, so parts where someone would have shed a tear , (especially after what was supposed to be the " tragic " scene) caused me to do nothing but roll my eyes.
The reason why I'm so irritated that I had to DNF this book, is because it had the bones to be great. I absolutely loved the concept of an incredibly awkward artist who found an escape from reality through her drawings. This same awkward artist that was innocently living vicariously through these characters, in a world made up of nothing but pencil and paper. A world she formulated in her mind, that eventually became her new reality. It was as if the author created this amazing foundation, then as the story went on, she built a beautifully ambitious, but poorly executed house, that after a few chapters gave way and tumbled to the ground.
" Maybe I'm just not in the mood for it. I'll try again tomorrow. " Is what I kept telling myself as I tried to push through. But every time I powered on my Kindle to pick up where I left off, I could never get too far ahead. I was trudging through mud as thick as cement, and no matter how many times I put it down and picked it back up, this weird resistance kept me from making it to the end.
So yes I am disappointed that this book with so much freaking promise, didn't meet my expectations. I'm even more disappointed that such a captivating blurb, is slapped on a book that has zero connection to the words used to describe it. I don't know about you guys, but I hate having to classify a book as " Did Not Finish ", especially this early in the year . . .
Usually I wait a couple of months before I attempt to try again, buttt I think this one has already settled in it's new home on my DNF shelf. Blah.
November 19, 2014
This is definitely not something I usually read, but I was in the mood for something light, lovely and not perfect, and this seemed to fit the description.
The first thing you should know is that the blurb is misleading. This story is neither ugly, nor tragic. It gets a bit emotional and certainly complicated. What else would you expect from an awkward story?
The protagonists are a nineteen year old girl and a twenty two year old young man, plus a group of fairy tale characters.
Peregrine Storke didn't have a good life with her father being an alcoholic and a weak mother, being bullied, but the story never lingers too much on the depressing parts. You get these bits from her life every now and then, but between them are various conversations she has with Foster or whoever is present at the time. The glimpse in her life serves to show us what made Perri the person she is. After all, the land of Awkward wouldn't exist if not for those experiences.
So, you see, this is a fairy tale, but an awkward one. Here the princesses are fighting their own battles, the villains are not always the ones you thought and perfection can mean a lot of different things.
Perri and Foster somehow get pulled into Awkward, the land she created drawing. It isn't the safe place anymore. Something is trying to destroy it.
I liked that the story isn't black and white. Here, even the good guys have to stop and think about their actions and beliefs. At first I thought this will be one of those 'beautiful people are evil' stories. Fortunately, it is not. There are two sides to each story. People are not one-dimensional. Furthermore, Foster is a good guy.
The characters that help them through their adventure might annoy some readers, but since they are fairy tale characters born from Perri's mind before anything else, it isn't surprising they might seem one-dimensional at times. They are exactly what they are supposed to be.
If I had to nit pick anything it would be a moment Perri commented that easy girls kiss on the first date, but later when she acknowledges her own character flaws that one slip could be forgiven. The names of the villains made me roll my eyes. The rest of it is a good story and the ending suits it perfectly.
In any case, even if I am not exactly a target audience, I think this is a lovely story with a decent message that isn't preachy or over the top.
The first thing you should know is that the blurb is misleading. This story is neither ugly, nor tragic. It gets a bit emotional and certainly complicated. What else would you expect from an awkward story?
The protagonists are a nineteen year old girl and a twenty two year old young man, plus a group of fairy tale characters.
Peregrine Storke didn't have a good life with her father being an alcoholic and a weak mother, being bullied, but the story never lingers too much on the depressing parts. You get these bits from her life every now and then, but between them are various conversations she has with Foster or whoever is present at the time. The glimpse in her life serves to show us what made Perri the person she is. After all, the land of Awkward wouldn't exist if not for those experiences.
So, you see, this is a fairy tale, but an awkward one. Here the princesses are fighting their own battles, the villains are not always the ones you thought and perfection can mean a lot of different things.
Perri and Foster somehow get pulled into Awkward, the land she created drawing. It isn't the safe place anymore. Something is trying to destroy it.
I liked that the story isn't black and white. Here, even the good guys have to stop and think about their actions and beliefs. At first I thought this will be one of those 'beautiful people are evil' stories. Fortunately, it is not. There are two sides to each story. People are not one-dimensional. Furthermore, Foster is a good guy.
The characters that help them through their adventure might annoy some readers, but since they are fairy tale characters born from Perri's mind before anything else, it isn't surprising they might seem one-dimensional at times. They are exactly what they are supposed to be.
If I had to nit pick anything it would be a moment Perri commented that easy girls kiss on the first date, but later when she acknowledges her own character flaws that one slip could be forgiven. The names of the villains made me roll my eyes. The rest of it is a good story and the ending suits it perfectly.
In any case, even if I am not exactly a target audience, I think this is a lovely story with a decent message that isn't preachy or over the top.
December 15, 2014
So I got this book on my Kindle because it was free - or almost free, or something like that, I don't quite remember. But I thought it looked mildly interesting and I'm a sucker for a bargain so I downloaded it. I like young adult fiction sometimes, but this didn't really seem like it was particularly up my alley. I couldn't help myself, though, once I started it. I liked it, just liked it. Not loved it, just really, really liked it. It was fun and interesting and self-deprecating by definition. And the whole time I'm reading it I keep thinking, wow, this would make a great movie. It reminded me of Alice in Wonderland, The Wizard of Oz, The Phantom Toll Booth, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.... etc. It's not a childish book, although the characters are thrust into a child-like fairy-tale world. It's serious, but not overboard. The story never tries to be more than what it is and I think maybe that's what made me like it.
December 27, 2014
The book was free but it in all honesty was worth my time. Perri or Peregrine as you may call her escapes her home life and school life through a journal. Only when she is ready to let go she's sucked back into the land of Awkward. A true portrayal of what society has done to kids, the ones who grew up, perfection is what you perceive as the story told it's readers. The chapter title were cleverly giving a summary of the chapter while still holding a vague element to it. One of my favourites were “That awkward moment when you realize you’re more awkward than you thought you were, and it turns out you’re kind of okay with that.”~Peregrine Storke~. I believe I like that one so much is because it's very true in my case, I can relate to Perri in some aspects of her awkwardness, the land where it's very much a part of everyone somehow and it's there for you to embrace who you truly are. This story is wonderful and I plan on reading more stories and novels by R. K. Ryals.
July 26, 2020
Really loved this book. Everyone should read it. It teaches you to love yourself no matter how different and awkward you are. Awkward is a good thing, better than being perfect - no one is perfect.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 12, 2016
This novel is amazing and pleeeaase just ignore the blurb.
The Story of Awkward is the story of Peregrine/Perri Storke, a girl that likes drawing and describes herself as awkward. During her childhood/youth she went through an eating disorder, was a victim of bullying and her father never had a positive word for her. Her sanctuary was Awkward. A place, she herself created, a fairy tale with awkward characters, fairies that aren't grateful but clumsy and pink clouds shaped like roses.
It is a couple years later, at age 19, that Peregrine suddenly gets thrown into this fairy tale realm when she has a near death experience. And with her, the boy - her best friend's older brother, Foster, who once bullied her and who might or might not be her prince. Now, this would be embarrassing enough: her childhood fantasies coming alive with this boy to see it all, but there are more severe problems.. Awkward is in danger of getting destroyed by Perfection (she is the villain of the story) and Perri, the boy, the princess and some other lovely creatures set out to save the prince, this fairy tale and they might even rewrite (redraw - to be accurate) it while doing so.
I have to admit that at the very beginning of this story I was close to giving up. Because holy sh** everything was just so weird. But I am so glad I didn't. This novel is really special and lovely and simply wonderful.
Being completely honest, I can say that I have never before read a novel quite like this one. It might seem childish at first, superficial or cheesy and cliché but believe me, this novel is deep and light at the same time, full of humour but also serious, romantic and full of wonderful non traditional fairy tale elements. And yes its message might be simple and obvious but it is still a true and very important one.
The Story of Awkward is beautiful, it is awkward and perfect with all its imperfections. I love it and I can't believe I actually got this for free on amazon. So, if you like fairy tales at all you need to read this. And I promise there's even a very special and definitely not traditional happily ever after. It's worth it, believe me.
The Story of Awkward is the story of Peregrine/Perri Storke, a girl that likes drawing and describes herself as awkward. During her childhood/youth she went through an eating disorder, was a victim of bullying and her father never had a positive word for her. Her sanctuary was Awkward. A place, she herself created, a fairy tale with awkward characters, fairies that aren't grateful but clumsy and pink clouds shaped like roses.
It is a couple years later, at age 19, that Peregrine suddenly gets thrown into this fairy tale realm when she has a near death experience. And with her, the boy - her best friend's older brother, Foster, who once bullied her and who might or might not be her prince. Now, this would be embarrassing enough: her childhood fantasies coming alive with this boy to see it all, but there are more severe problems.. Awkward is in danger of getting destroyed by Perfection (she is the villain of the story) and Perri, the boy, the princess and some other lovely creatures set out to save the prince, this fairy tale and they might even rewrite (redraw - to be accurate) it while doing so.
I have to admit that at the very beginning of this story I was close to giving up. Because holy sh** everything was just so weird. But I am so glad I didn't. This novel is really special and lovely and simply wonderful.
Being completely honest, I can say that I have never before read a novel quite like this one. It might seem childish at first, superficial or cheesy and cliché but believe me, this novel is deep and light at the same time, full of humour but also serious, romantic and full of wonderful non traditional fairy tale elements. And yes its message might be simple and obvious but it is still a true and very important one.
The Story of Awkward is beautiful, it is awkward and perfect with all its imperfections. I love it and I can't believe I actually got this for free on amazon. So, if you like fairy tales at all you need to read this. And I promise there's even a very special and definitely not traditional happily ever after. It's worth it, believe me.
July 23, 2015
THIS BOOK WAS SO GOOD I LOVED IT I LOVED IT I LOVED IT.
July 24, 2015
DNF at 41%
The only thing awkward about this book is the amount of times the author uses the word 'gaze'. Good lord.
The only thing awkward about this book is the amount of times the author uses the word 'gaze'. Good lord.
on-hold
January 22, 2017Might come back to this... not sure. For now it's a DNF. A little too fantastical for me.
December 10, 2017
3.5 STARS⭐️⭐️ ⭐️...RTC...hopefully...
August 3, 2017
Rating: 4.5 stars
Read as part of Booktubeathon 2017.
That awkward moment when you realize you’re more awkward than you thought you were, and it turns out you’re kind of okay with that.” ~ Peregrine Storke
Wow. This book took me completely by surprise in how much I enjoyed it! Basically, a girl and her best friend's brother *chants BFB in honor of Victoria Justice* are thrown into her childhood world of princesses, magic, and awkward. The characters might have been a bit weird, and definitely childish, but that's what the book was all about. It was nice to read about a character who had ALREADY gone through so much, and had ALREADY helped herself out of it (operative word being "already", not "happening in this book"). Even so, each character had room to grow, and it was fun watching that happen. Also, the romance was freaking adorable. Love me some good romance.
Overall, this was just a great book to read. It was definitely awkward, and I can see why many people wouldn't enjoy it. However, it ended up being the right book for me at the time. I'm glad I picked this up! For once, a free iBook got a rating above 2 stars; I guess books like this is the reason I keep downloading them. Ah well.
Read as part of Booktubeathon 2017.
That awkward moment when you realize you’re more awkward than you thought you were, and it turns out you’re kind of okay with that.” ~ Peregrine Storke
Wow. This book took me completely by surprise in how much I enjoyed it! Basically, a girl and her best friend's brother *chants BFB in honor of Victoria Justice* are thrown into her childhood world of princesses, magic, and awkward. The characters might have been a bit weird, and definitely childish, but that's what the book was all about. It was nice to read about a character who had ALREADY gone through so much, and had ALREADY helped herself out of it (operative word being "already", not "happening in this book"). Even so, each character had room to grow, and it was fun watching that happen. Also, the romance was freaking adorable. Love me some good romance.
Overall, this was just a great book to read. It was definitely awkward, and I can see why many people wouldn't enjoy it. However, it ended up being the right book for me at the time. I'm glad I picked this up! For once, a free iBook got a rating above 2 stars; I guess books like this is the reason I keep downloading them. Ah well.
April 18, 2014
Movie Material! Five out of Five stars!
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for a review of my honest opinion.
Disney….Pixar… are you seeing this??? Here is the next storyline for a movie! This book was amazing! What is real and what is fantasy?? I felt like Alice in wonderland while reading this story.
This is a story about a girl names Perri who felt awkward and out of place growing up. She did not have a very good home life and was teased in school. She decided to draw a fantasy world and the people in it became her family and friends. She added to this journal all through her teenage years. When it is time to go off to college Perri packs her journal of “ The Story Of Awkward” and puts it away, after all it is time to spread her wings and find herself in the adult world. She and her best friend are off to New York to go to college! Her friend’s brother is home from the military and is going to drive them there and make sure they get settled in safe and sound. But soon after leaving they run into a bad storm and have an accident. This is where reality and fantasy collide into a wild ride!
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for a review of my honest opinion.
Disney….Pixar… are you seeing this??? Here is the next storyline for a movie! This book was amazing! What is real and what is fantasy?? I felt like Alice in wonderland while reading this story.
This is a story about a girl names Perri who felt awkward and out of place growing up. She did not have a very good home life and was teased in school. She decided to draw a fantasy world and the people in it became her family and friends. She added to this journal all through her teenage years. When it is time to go off to college Perri packs her journal of “ The Story Of Awkward” and puts it away, after all it is time to spread her wings and find herself in the adult world. She and her best friend are off to New York to go to college! Her friend’s brother is home from the military and is going to drive them there and make sure they get settled in safe and sound. But soon after leaving they run into a bad storm and have an accident. This is where reality and fantasy collide into a wild ride!
November 19, 2015
“Love isn’t roses. It’s those little square caramels and a root beer from the gas station because he knows that’s your favorite snack. It’s watching a musical with you without groaning. It’s handing you your glasses at night because he knows you’re too blind to find your way to the bathroom without them. Love is awkward.”
Well,I started this New Year reading, "The story of Awkward" and I couldn't have picked a better book to start the year with. It had a lot of good stuff that I like; nerdiness, fairy-tales, romance and quotable quotes. I really got sucked into the story because I related so much with the main character Perri. Perri, the artist who drew a completely different world where awkwardness was accepted. Seriously, who hasn't thought of another world to escape to when real life got to be to tough and hard. I really enjoyed reading this story and I'm glad I read it. I couldn't help but smile when this book ended but also kinda sad that there wasn't more. Anyways, I can't wait to read more from R.K. Ryals.
Well,I started this New Year reading, "The story of Awkward" and I couldn't have picked a better book to start the year with. It had a lot of good stuff that I like; nerdiness, fairy-tales, romance and quotable quotes. I really got sucked into the story because I related so much with the main character Perri. Perri, the artist who drew a completely different world where awkwardness was accepted. Seriously, who hasn't thought of another world to escape to when real life got to be to tough and hard. I really enjoyed reading this story and I'm glad I read it. I couldn't help but smile when this book ended but also kinda sad that there wasn't more. Anyways, I can't wait to read more from R.K. Ryals.
January 3, 2015
1.5, really. This author tries really really hard to be profound. it ends up being overly flowery to the point where I am rolljqng my eyes constantly. The story and characters did not touch me at all. Perri's convenient eating disorder that magically left once she was skinny and pretty is entorely problematic and untruthful. Eating disorders don't just leave like that. All of her flaws were entirely only there pretty much just to say she had them. We did not actually see these flaws but rather had to trust what the author told us about them. Her sudden trust of Foster, this guy she harbored an immense grudge toward, came so quickly without anything to actually cause it. I can't believe I even got through the entire book, to be honest.
August 13, 2021
This book started off very hmmm whats the word?…Awkwardly. Yes it started of very awkwardly. To the point where I was almost going to dnf this. But then I reached Chapter One. This books is nothing like all those other books that talks about insecurities and being bullied by others. This is like on a whole other level. I got this book thinking that I would do a very light reading today but no. This book just blew my mind, broke my heart and mended my sould altogether Although this book doesn't look much, it is packed with so many life lessons that are actually relatable. I seriously wish I could meet the characters. If only I lived in Awkward!
June 21, 2024
I adore this book. Looking at how one person finds a way to process the things that happen to them made for a fascinating story. Most of us are Awkward in some way. Some peoples awkwardness is well hidden. The story of how Peregrine created a world where she felt more at home and what she learns about herself when faced with change. It is a fabulous story and would be great for anyone who has felt apart from others.
January 19, 2015
I thought this book would be a cliche book about a awkward girl in high school who didn't know how to make friends, but I came to find it being a completely different book then I ever thought. It was a tragic book with an amazing and almost life changing ending and story plot. I enjoyed this book a lot because I enjoy the sad gruesome stories and this book fulfilled it. I think all girls 13+ would enjoy this book a lot, but boys I think would probably not.
September 2, 2018
This book is for everyone. Because everyone has felt awkward, insecure, and not perfect. This book is a charming way to truly understand that you are great just the way you are. AND That no one is perfect, it doesn't exist, no matter what you think of the person who appears perfect.
A good book for kids going through all the drama of middle and high school as well as all the adults who revert back to their middle and high school feelings and thoughts. We all do it. If you have a kid in middle school, read this book with them. You'll be happy you did.
A good book for kids going through all the drama of middle and high school as well as all the adults who revert back to their middle and high school feelings and thoughts. We all do it. If you have a kid in middle school, read this book with them. You'll be happy you did.
February 4, 2020
Relatable
When I was younger,I was that awkward kid that got bullied and often daydreamed about living in another fantasy world. This story was totally relatable and I loved it
When I was younger,I was that awkward kid that got bullied and often daydreamed about living in another fantasy world. This story was totally relatable and I loved it
May 10, 2016
It's not about being awkward.....
The Story of Awkward, The Chronicles of Narnia, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Harry Potter, and just for fun toss in the movie Labrynth. Know what they have in common? Well developed characters, a whole new world set in a fantasy and a complex and wonderfully developed story line. Oh, and a treat to settle into the character's world, even just for a bit.
The Story of Awkward is a not so beautiful tale of a fantasy come to life and all of the realizations that come with growing up. We meet Peregrine Storke, an 19 year old artist headed to New York with her best friend. Enter Foster, said best friend's older brother and unfortunately for Perri, the one person she blames for the torture she endured through school. Cramming into an SUV for the long drive from Louisiana to New York they encounter a storm, a flash flood and the horrific scene of Perri being trapped as the dark waters swirl and rise.
A bit of watermelon flavored fairy dust later and Perri is thrust into the pages of her sketchbook where she took refuge for years, with Foster along for the ride. The story is a whimsical tale of the fight against Perfection and Stereotype and the realization that maybe, just maybe, life isn't as simple or straightforward as it may seem.
I realize that this book is classified as New Adult but in my opinion it could even be read as a young adult novel. There is just enough fantasy and not enough adult situations that I would deter me from recommending the book to anyone that I know. I really enjoyed the story and can't wait to read more in this series.
And just because I went a little highlighter crazy I'll leave you with a quote from the book that describes it perfectly. "That awkward moment when you realize fairytales are much more than simple stories.”
The Story of Awkward, The Chronicles of Narnia, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Harry Potter, and just for fun toss in the movie Labrynth. Know what they have in common? Well developed characters, a whole new world set in a fantasy and a complex and wonderfully developed story line. Oh, and a treat to settle into the character's world, even just for a bit.
The Story of Awkward is a not so beautiful tale of a fantasy come to life and all of the realizations that come with growing up. We meet Peregrine Storke, an 19 year old artist headed to New York with her best friend. Enter Foster, said best friend's older brother and unfortunately for Perri, the one person she blames for the torture she endured through school. Cramming into an SUV for the long drive from Louisiana to New York they encounter a storm, a flash flood and the horrific scene of Perri being trapped as the dark waters swirl and rise.
A bit of watermelon flavored fairy dust later and Perri is thrust into the pages of her sketchbook where she took refuge for years, with Foster along for the ride. The story is a whimsical tale of the fight against Perfection and Stereotype and the realization that maybe, just maybe, life isn't as simple or straightforward as it may seem.
I realize that this book is classified as New Adult but in my opinion it could even be read as a young adult novel. There is just enough fantasy and not enough adult situations that I would deter me from recommending the book to anyone that I know. I really enjoyed the story and can't wait to read more in this series.
And just because I went a little highlighter crazy I'll leave you with a quote from the book that describes it perfectly. "That awkward moment when you realize fairytales are much more than simple stories.”
December 19, 2014
I came across “The Story of Awkward” by R.K. Ryals through Amazons free ebook offers. Unfortunately, I guess I’m not like most of the fellow reviewers; I wasn't a fan of this story. I found the story didn’t hold my attention continuously, I was bored...than I was excited...than I was bored and excited again. This story reminded me of “Inkheart” by Cornelia Funke and I wasn’t a fan of that story either. They both share the same concept of fictional characters brought to life and interacting with humans. Ryals concept of an imperfect fairy tale had the potential to be great but I found it was lacking. The author tried to appeal to too wide an audience and I feel it didn't work. Some parts were juvenile while other parts had heavy themes including bullying, eating disorders, mental illness and discussion of sex. I didn't like the message that all men including princes in fairy tales are only interested in women for sex...but I did like the message that perfection is subjective and we should embrace our imperfections and love ourselves for who we are.
December 15, 2015
4.5 stars, I really liked it.
It was very philosophic but on a light way so that the reader could think, has a little bit action and love in between and then could think again and at the end there was a true take home messages. Moreover, the character were really loveable but I have wished more information about the world and the fantastic characters. The reader learned a lot about the protagonists but I was also curious about the fairy tale world. Furthermore, it was written with a lot of humor but not too silly.
And what was also right perfect was the ending but I don't want to spoiler anyone.
I enjoyed reading this fairy tale and I think I have learned a lesson and try to implement this in my life.
Thank you very much, Mrs. Ryals, for this wonderful adventure!
It was very philosophic but on a light way so that the reader could think, has a little bit action and love in between and then could think again and at the end there was a true take home messages. Moreover, the character were really loveable but I have wished more information about the world and the fantastic characters. The reader learned a lot about the protagonists but I was also curious about the fairy tale world. Furthermore, it was written with a lot of humor but not too silly.
And what was also right perfect was the ending but I don't want to spoiler anyone.
I enjoyed reading this fairy tale and I think I have learned a lesson and try to implement this in my life.
Thank you very much, Mrs. Ryals, for this wonderful adventure!
February 16, 2024
3.5☆
This book was a whimsical fairytale, with an important and inspirational message for kids and young adults, and perhaps some older adults as well, that being "awkward" is more than okay. It didn't turn out to be quite what I was expecting, but it was well written and ended up being the cute palate cleanser I needed at the time.
p.s. for any readers that might be excited to jump into this book because of the "two-horned unicorn", I have to break the news to you... there was no unicorn anywhere in this story, an adorable bookworm, yes, but no unicorn.
This book was a whimsical fairytale, with an important and inspirational message for kids and young adults, and perhaps some older adults as well, that being "awkward" is more than okay. It didn't turn out to be quite what I was expecting, but it was well written and ended up being the cute palate cleanser I needed at the time.
p.s. for any readers that might be excited to jump into this book because of the "two-horned unicorn", I have to break the news to you... there was no unicorn anywhere in this story, an adorable bookworm, yes, but no unicorn.
September 2, 2015
The whole book makes me think back to a pin I used to have on my bag that said "Why be normal!" -- I loved this book. It hit a little too close to home for me, but it was worth sticking it out and finishing it. My absolute favourite thing was the quotes at the beginning of each chapter.
Sequel please!!!
Sequel please!!!
July 28, 2016
Liked the idea of this book. Habitually awkward, bullied girl finds solace in her art and then finds herself in the world she created after a brush with death. I felt like it was laid on a little thick though. I understand that she's awkward and had a rough childhood. I don't need to be reminded every other page. Despite that, it was generally fairly entertaining.
October 26, 2015
Well, this book actually was pretty awkward ... and I was loving it! This story was such a huge surprise to me, like I didn't even know what I was getting into when I started reading it. Soooo much fun :)
January 29, 2016
I couldn't concentrate all day, I just needed to know how it ended!! I love fairytales, but awkward fairytales? Beautiful.
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