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The Competition
2019 In the Margins National Book Award Recommended Fiction
Some students will do anything to win, but others may pay the price.
For Mary Sofia, The Penultimate writing competition is more than a chance at a free college education; she wants to show her younger siblings that they can all rise above their violent family history. For Raiden, the pressure to succeed comes from within, although he knows that family traditions play a part in his determination. For Camara, writing fiction is almost compulsive, but her own dark secret may be the best story she can ever tell. For Michael, swimming and writing fit his introverted personality perfectly, but meeting a smart and beautiful girl at The Penultimate makes stepping outside of his comfort zone easy. All four will compete against each other along with 96 other high school juniors for the chance of a lifetime: a full scholarship to a prestigious private college.
Some students will do anything to win, but others may pay the price.
For Mary Sofia, The Penultimate writing competition is more than a chance at a free college education; she wants to show her younger siblings that they can all rise above their violent family history. For Raiden, the pressure to succeed comes from within, although he knows that family traditions play a part in his determination. For Camara, writing fiction is almost compulsive, but her own dark secret may be the best story she can ever tell. For Michael, swimming and writing fit his introverted personality perfectly, but meeting a smart and beautiful girl at The Penultimate makes stepping outside of his comfort zone easy. All four will compete against each other along with 96 other high school juniors for the chance of a lifetime: a full scholarship to a prestigious private college.
- GenresYoung Adult
308 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 18, 2018
147 people want to read
About the author
Cecily Wolfe
16 books493 followersCecily Wolfe writes contemporary young adult and women's fiction, as well as contemporary sweet romance with her teenage daughter under the name Alessa Martel (Goodreads: https://bit.ly/31EsB5b). She is also the author of the award-winning, best selling Cliff Walk Courtships Christian historical romance series as well as the sequel series, Cliff Walk Cousins, and the Heart Lake Christian contemporary romance seriesunder the name Cecily K. Wolfe (separate Goodreads account: https://bit.ly/31Cpfj9)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
September 17, 2018
Review Published On: https://museofnyxmares.wordpress.com/...
*I was provided with an ARC of this book through Netgalley, in exchange for my honest opinion.
My mind was very open going into this book, as I didn’t know what a story centred around a writing competition would be like. It’s a very unique idea for a book, but I think that it definitely had its limitations with where the author could take it. Because of it being a writing competition, the pace was fairly slow, as there was a lot of time spent in exam rooms. I do think that the author did the best job that she could in working around this, by delving into the characters’ pasts and with the use of a 3rd person narrative. And for the most part I didn’t mind it, but didn’t particularly love it either.
I enjoyed reading about how the characters’ experiences fed into their writing. Writing is such a personal thing, and so I’m really glad that the author chose to show that constant struggle, with whether or not you are being too honest in your work. It was a great way to learn more about the characters as they each had very unique backstories. Although all of them were extremely authentic, Julia’s story was definitely my favourite, even though we only learnt about snippets of her story through one of the other characters.
The best thing about this book was the diversity in the characters. They were from several different backgrounds; Chinese, Puerto Rican, Middle Eastern, Mixed Race and Caucasian. There was also diversity, in my opinion, in the male characters that the book portrayed in comparison to most books. Both of the main male characters were such understanding, sensitive, quietly confident and caring individuals. It is not typical in a YA, or books in general, for the majority of the male characters to be something other than extremely ‘manly’, overconfident and flirtatious, it was refreshing.
The best character to me, Julia, was also Autistic. It was lovely that the author actually broke down some of Julia’s behaviours, it would be really educational for those who aren’t familiar with Autism, or even those who are, to read about. It was crucial that the author showed some of the characters’ initial struggles with how to react to Julia, and then how they took the time to understand her, as this seemed the most honest, realistic and yet ideal reaction that people could learn from. What was also phenomenal is that Julia’s strengths were equally displayed alongside her Autistic characteristics, as this isn’t often done. This is probably one of the most diverse books that I’ve read.
I did find the plot to be lacking a bit and did find myself a bit muddled with the 3rd person narration, however I liked how the characters’ story’s started to cross over as the book progressed. With them being strangers at the start of the book, it felt like we got to know the characters, as they began to get to know each other. I’m not sure how I feel about the way the competition ended, although I guess in some ways it worked out for the best, it just felt a bit random. I can’t understand why that character would go to the lengths they did, their actions literally changed everything, I just didn’t get it.
The Competition was definitely an easy read and had a unique cast of characters. I’m in a position though, where it wasn’t bad, but also wasn’t great. In cases like this I still suggest to read the book if it appeals to you.
*I was provided with an ARC of this book through Netgalley, in exchange for my honest opinion.
My mind was very open going into this book, as I didn’t know what a story centred around a writing competition would be like. It’s a very unique idea for a book, but I think that it definitely had its limitations with where the author could take it. Because of it being a writing competition, the pace was fairly slow, as there was a lot of time spent in exam rooms. I do think that the author did the best job that she could in working around this, by delving into the characters’ pasts and with the use of a 3rd person narrative. And for the most part I didn’t mind it, but didn’t particularly love it either.
I enjoyed reading about how the characters’ experiences fed into their writing. Writing is such a personal thing, and so I’m really glad that the author chose to show that constant struggle, with whether or not you are being too honest in your work. It was a great way to learn more about the characters as they each had very unique backstories. Although all of them were extremely authentic, Julia’s story was definitely my favourite, even though we only learnt about snippets of her story through one of the other characters.
The best thing about this book was the diversity in the characters. They were from several different backgrounds; Chinese, Puerto Rican, Middle Eastern, Mixed Race and Caucasian. There was also diversity, in my opinion, in the male characters that the book portrayed in comparison to most books. Both of the main male characters were such understanding, sensitive, quietly confident and caring individuals. It is not typical in a YA, or books in general, for the majority of the male characters to be something other than extremely ‘manly’, overconfident and flirtatious, it was refreshing.
The best character to me, Julia, was also Autistic. It was lovely that the author actually broke down some of Julia’s behaviours, it would be really educational for those who aren’t familiar with Autism, or even those who are, to read about. It was crucial that the author showed some of the characters’ initial struggles with how to react to Julia, and then how they took the time to understand her, as this seemed the most honest, realistic and yet ideal reaction that people could learn from. What was also phenomenal is that Julia’s strengths were equally displayed alongside her Autistic characteristics, as this isn’t often done. This is probably one of the most diverse books that I’ve read.
I did find the plot to be lacking a bit and did find myself a bit muddled with the 3rd person narration, however I liked how the characters’ story’s started to cross over as the book progressed. With them being strangers at the start of the book, it felt like we got to know the characters, as they began to get to know each other. I’m not sure how I feel about the way the competition ended, although I guess in some ways it worked out for the best, it just felt a bit random. I can’t understand why that character would go to the lengths they did, their actions literally changed everything, I just didn’t get it.
The Competition was definitely an easy read and had a unique cast of characters. I’m in a position though, where it wasn’t bad, but also wasn’t great. In cases like this I still suggest to read the book if it appeals to you.
April 8, 2019
While I did enjoy 'The Competition', I thought it was a little slow. Just when I found myself wondering where the plot was heading, there was the climax, the resolve, and then it was over. A writing competition, while exciting for the participant, wouldn't be very exciting for an onlooker so this would definitely be a challenging topic to write about. I really did love the characters, though. They were well-rounded and realistic, and you could definitely relate to them. I also thought the plot idea was unique, it just dragged a bit for me. The outcome was a little disappointing. I felt I would've liked more detail about the antagonist but the conflict was resolved satisfactorily, and the epilogue was exactly what I'd hoped for. I definitely will be checking out this author's other books as I love her writing style and am interested in seeing how she handles other topics.
I received an advance review copy for free through BookSirens, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free through BookSirens, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
August 11, 2018
The Competition is a book that travels dark places with a little torch in the back pocket. It’s a book perfect for a late evening, after a long day, sipping hot chocolate on the side and realizing life once again.
The author, Cecily Wolfe has a beautiful hand at making the reader connect to every character in the book. All in the first 3 chapters, the reader is already intrigued by every character’s background and wants to know more. A character sketch keeps the reader going, and the descriptive nature of their lives keeps the story going. Every small event, every small conversation led to a new reveal of each person’s life.
The story unfolds slowly and as it seems to approach its end, a sudden twist in the tale leaves the reader curious to know the outcome. It creates an edge for the characters and leaves the reader wanting to know the result as soon as he/she can. This is probably one of the best gifts of the author, to keep her audience engaged and involved. The last few chapters unfold a little too quickly and even though the results of the competition come forth, we are still awaiting so many more.
However, the descriptions seemed repetitive for characters and although it seemed to keep the reader grasped in the emotional state for the story, it seemed to start approaching the same case from different angles but stopped bringing different conclusions.
A quick, and a must read over a weekend or after a hard day at work. For those willing to read a book that helps them through a difficult time, or to accept the changes in their lives, it’s one that gives you insight and makes you wonder a little more.
The author, Cecily Wolfe has a beautiful hand at making the reader connect to every character in the book. All in the first 3 chapters, the reader is already intrigued by every character’s background and wants to know more. A character sketch keeps the reader going, and the descriptive nature of their lives keeps the story going. Every small event, every small conversation led to a new reveal of each person’s life.
The story unfolds slowly and as it seems to approach its end, a sudden twist in the tale leaves the reader curious to know the outcome. It creates an edge for the characters and leaves the reader wanting to know the result as soon as he/she can. This is probably one of the best gifts of the author, to keep her audience engaged and involved. The last few chapters unfold a little too quickly and even though the results of the competition come forth, we are still awaiting so many more.
However, the descriptions seemed repetitive for characters and although it seemed to keep the reader grasped in the emotional state for the story, it seemed to start approaching the same case from different angles but stopped bringing different conclusions.
A quick, and a must read over a weekend or after a hard day at work. For those willing to read a book that helps them through a difficult time, or to accept the changes in their lives, it’s one that gives you insight and makes you wonder a little more.
July 2, 2018
The competition is a story about a group of teenagers who are all desperate to win a writing competition. The Penultimate challenges the students in extraordinary ways, pushing them to their limits, and forcing them to question how much of themselves they are willing to reveal to the judges.
The characters are diverse, and easily relatable. They all have their reasons for wanting to win, some are driven by the need for scholarship money, others are eager to prove themselves as writers. But all does not go as planned, two of them are harboring secrets. Distressed by painful memories, they are fighting an internal battle within themselves. And it will take the kindness of strangers to help them through it. And of course, no story is complete without a twist to keep us on our toes, right?
Everyone remembers what it was like to compete in high school, the excitement and disappointment that comes with winning and losing. The thrill of traveling somewhere new and the anxiety that accompanies the unfamiliar. The pressure we placed on ourselves to be the best and the fear of failure. The competition explores it all, triggering memories that I had not recalled in years. It is an excellent choice for young readers, but also a story that anyone can relate to, especially writers of all ages.
The characters are diverse, and easily relatable. They all have their reasons for wanting to win, some are driven by the need for scholarship money, others are eager to prove themselves as writers. But all does not go as planned, two of them are harboring secrets. Distressed by painful memories, they are fighting an internal battle within themselves. And it will take the kindness of strangers to help them through it. And of course, no story is complete without a twist to keep us on our toes, right?
Everyone remembers what it was like to compete in high school, the excitement and disappointment that comes with winning and losing. The thrill of traveling somewhere new and the anxiety that accompanies the unfamiliar. The pressure we placed on ourselves to be the best and the fear of failure. The competition explores it all, triggering memories that I had not recalled in years. It is an excellent choice for young readers, but also a story that anyone can relate to, especially writers of all ages.
September 2, 2018
The message in The Competition is reminiscent of many stories I have read that are inspiring tales, fictional and non-fictional, of young people who use writing and creativity as a means of confronting their frustrations and sharing their ideas with the world. Mary Sofia is the central figure of The Competition, but we also meet several others, Jada, Michael, Raiden, Camara, and all of them have stories to tell.
Mary Sophia has had a difficult past, with a step-father who had been very abusive when he’d been alive, and a brother who had sacrificed a lot for her, but who was absent, through no fault of his own. But Mary Sophia has a strength in her that sees her through her troubles, and she has her writing.
Some of the writing was confusing in places, (for example, the very first bit of dialogue doesn’t have a tag with it, and I still don’t know who said it; Mary Sophia or Jada) and some of the writing seems a little stiff, but the story itself is very inspiring. People who enjoy stories of young people who make it through great difficulty despite tremendous obstacles would enjoy this story.
Mary Sophia has had a difficult past, with a step-father who had been very abusive when he’d been alive, and a brother who had sacrificed a lot for her, but who was absent, through no fault of his own. But Mary Sophia has a strength in her that sees her through her troubles, and she has her writing.
Some of the writing was confusing in places, (for example, the very first bit of dialogue doesn’t have a tag with it, and I still don’t know who said it; Mary Sophia or Jada) and some of the writing seems a little stiff, but the story itself is very inspiring. People who enjoy stories of young people who make it through great difficulty despite tremendous obstacles would enjoy this story.
July 16, 2018
I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. I understood this all to well. I am a writer myself but I even as an adult have problems sharing my work. I think it is the teachers that put that fear instead of confidence. The four MCs of this book go through some of that and do the best they can to better themselves. They each has a reason for being in this competition. I love the solid and diverse characters that are in this. It made it more real for me. I know they have to get to that point of who won and who lost. It was a bit emotional and that made me like the book more. Want to thank the author for allowing me to read it.
October 13, 2018
This story about a hundred high school juniors competing in a writing contest at a small college is well written. What the Penultimate means for each of the four main characters, Mary Sofia, Camara, Michael and Jaeden, is clearly explored and made them real. We follow each of them and their friends, especially Julia and Jada, through the ride to the college, their meeting there, the tour of the school, and then the three prompted writing assignments. The last one, prompted by the theme of a turning point in their lives, leads to regrets as they think about what they each wrote. I occasionally didn’t know who was speaking because of the way dialogue was presented, but that didn’t detract from the themes of the story. Titling the story The Penultimate might have differentiated this book from others with the title The Competition.
June 6, 2018
I don't always think epilogues and prologues are good things, but in this case, I really needed that epilogue, and even though it made me cry at the very end, it was worth it.
The characters get to know each other as we get to know them, and I have to admit to being a little unsure about a couple of them. As their backstories, their problems, and their worries came to light and they all learned more about their motivations behind being in The Penultimate and what was on the line for all of them (financial concerns, family pressure, personal validation) they became more real to me, and I grew to like not only the four main characters but the two main-secondary ones, Jada and Julia.
I was happy to see the self-reflections in the characters as they found themselves thinking in ways they didn't like, catching themselves saying/doing things they didn't want to be a part of who they were, and just being self-aware of how their words and actions affect others. A lot of teenagers are depicted as silly and self-centered, and sure, that is a truth at times, but there are plenty of young adults who are working on bettering themselves, and these characters are a good representation of that population.
The diverse backgrounds of these teens (Puerto Rican, biracial, Chinese, and white - as one character refers to him: White European Boy when he calls her Puerto Rican girl) and the inclusion of a homeschooled character who becomes important later in the story was a nice break from a single main character and focus in many novels (in general, not just teen).
My teenage daughter read this along with me and her only complaint was that there wasn't enough romance - there is a very small amount and that just hints at possibilities to come. Clean as far as language and subject matter, this is a good fit for younger teens to read as well as older ones in the characters' age range.
The characters get to know each other as we get to know them, and I have to admit to being a little unsure about a couple of them. As their backstories, their problems, and their worries came to light and they all learned more about their motivations behind being in The Penultimate and what was on the line for all of them (financial concerns, family pressure, personal validation) they became more real to me, and I grew to like not only the four main characters but the two main-secondary ones, Jada and Julia.
I was happy to see the self-reflections in the characters as they found themselves thinking in ways they didn't like, catching themselves saying/doing things they didn't want to be a part of who they were, and just being self-aware of how their words and actions affect others. A lot of teenagers are depicted as silly and self-centered, and sure, that is a truth at times, but there are plenty of young adults who are working on bettering themselves, and these characters are a good representation of that population.
The diverse backgrounds of these teens (Puerto Rican, biracial, Chinese, and white - as one character refers to him: White European Boy when he calls her Puerto Rican girl) and the inclusion of a homeschooled character who becomes important later in the story was a nice break from a single main character and focus in many novels (in general, not just teen).
My teenage daughter read this along with me and her only complaint was that there wasn't enough romance - there is a very small amount and that just hints at possibilities to come. Clean as far as language and subject matter, this is a good fit for younger teens to read as well as older ones in the characters' age range.
March 14, 2019
Genre: Contemporary YA.
This book is set around a writing competition involving high school juniors at a writing competition which takes place at a small college. I decided to sign up to review this novel because I loved the idea of a novel set around a writing competition.
I thought the author did a wonderful job showing how personal writing is and how much a writer pours out of themselves onto the page. Several of the characters were especially well-drawn (Julia comes to mind), and I enjoyed that the male characters in the story were not stereotypical men.
On the personal level, I also loved the local connection. Although I live in New York, I went to college at John Carroll near Cleveland. The author went to Kent State.
So why only three-stars?
I found this novel moved somewhat slow, and I kept putting it down and picking it back up, never becoming quite fully invested. In part, I think is due to what actually drew me to the novel: the writing competition. I also found this novel to occasionally be confusing. The cast of characters was a little too big, and I found it difficult to keep track of who was who; the story uses four of the students as point of view characters, and after a bit, the characters ran together. This was aggravated by the author's choice not to let each character have their own chapter (which I think would have helped a great deal). Finally, I am all for diversity of representation in novels, but here, it felt a bit forced, as though the author was trying to check off boxes in terms of making sure her novel was populated by as many different ethnicities and socioeconomic backgrounds as she could fit within the book's cover.
Overall, this is a very solid story, and I do not regret reading it. I would certainly try another one of the author's novels.
I was provided with a free copy of this book but am leaving this review of my own accord.
This book is set around a writing competition involving high school juniors at a writing competition which takes place at a small college. I decided to sign up to review this novel because I loved the idea of a novel set around a writing competition.
I thought the author did a wonderful job showing how personal writing is and how much a writer pours out of themselves onto the page. Several of the characters were especially well-drawn (Julia comes to mind), and I enjoyed that the male characters in the story were not stereotypical men.
On the personal level, I also loved the local connection. Although I live in New York, I went to college at John Carroll near Cleveland. The author went to Kent State.
So why only three-stars?
I found this novel moved somewhat slow, and I kept putting it down and picking it back up, never becoming quite fully invested. In part, I think is due to what actually drew me to the novel: the writing competition. I also found this novel to occasionally be confusing. The cast of characters was a little too big, and I found it difficult to keep track of who was who; the story uses four of the students as point of view characters, and after a bit, the characters ran together. This was aggravated by the author's choice not to let each character have their own chapter (which I think would have helped a great deal). Finally, I am all for diversity of representation in novels, but here, it felt a bit forced, as though the author was trying to check off boxes in terms of making sure her novel was populated by as many different ethnicities and socioeconomic backgrounds as she could fit within the book's cover.
Overall, this is a very solid story, and I do not regret reading it. I would certainly try another one of the author's novels.
I was provided with a free copy of this book but am leaving this review of my own accord.
September 30, 2018
Review: The Competition by Cecily Wolfe
Here is a summary of what the book is about. For Mary Sofia, The Penultimate writing competition is more than a chance at a free college education; she wants to show her younger siblings that they can all rise above their violent family history. For Raiden, the pressure to succeed comes from within, although he knows that family traditions play a part in his determination. For Camara, writing fiction is almost compulsive, but her own dark secret may be the best story she can ever tell. For Michael, swimming and writing fit his introverted personality perfectly, but meeting a smart and beautiful girl at The Penultimate makes stepping outside of his comfort zone easy. All four will compete against each other along with 96 other high school juniors for the chance of a lifetime: a full scholarship to a prestigious private college. Some students will do anything to win, but others may pay the price.
I thought this book was well written. It was a very interesting story.
I found some unexpected twists in this book.
I look forward to reading more books by this author.
Happy Reading Everyone!
Here is a summary of what the book is about. For Mary Sofia, The Penultimate writing competition is more than a chance at a free college education; she wants to show her younger siblings that they can all rise above their violent family history. For Raiden, the pressure to succeed comes from within, although he knows that family traditions play a part in his determination. For Camara, writing fiction is almost compulsive, but her own dark secret may be the best story she can ever tell. For Michael, swimming and writing fit his introverted personality perfectly, but meeting a smart and beautiful girl at The Penultimate makes stepping outside of his comfort zone easy. All four will compete against each other along with 96 other high school juniors for the chance of a lifetime: a full scholarship to a prestigious private college. Some students will do anything to win, but others may pay the price.
I thought this book was well written. It was a very interesting story.
I found some unexpected twists in this book.
I look forward to reading more books by this author.
Happy Reading Everyone!
March 17, 2019
Unusual concept and well-executed!
I loved The Competition. It’s based on an unusual concept of a writing competition where students come from different walks of life to win a slot in a small but highly desirable college. As the students come together, we learn of their backgrounds and how these backgrounds affect their writing.
Two of the girls have suffered a high level of traumatic abuse, and when they write about it, they are subsequently left feeling the shame all over again. This affects their burgeoning relationships with the other students, and the story becomes a dance of getting to know one another despite the tragic pasts that the girls will strive to keep secret.
I recommend the book. It not only deepens an awareness of how we are all affected by the traumas of our lives, but also engenders an awareness of how these traumas affect all future aspects of our lives from that point on.
I loved The Competition. It’s based on an unusual concept of a writing competition where students come from different walks of life to win a slot in a small but highly desirable college. As the students come together, we learn of their backgrounds and how these backgrounds affect their writing.
Two of the girls have suffered a high level of traumatic abuse, and when they write about it, they are subsequently left feeling the shame all over again. This affects their burgeoning relationships with the other students, and the story becomes a dance of getting to know one another despite the tragic pasts that the girls will strive to keep secret.
I recommend the book. It not only deepens an awareness of how we are all affected by the traumas of our lives, but also engenders an awareness of how these traumas affect all future aspects of our lives from that point on.
May 23, 2020
The Competition is a story about a group of teenagers who want to win a writing competition. As the students come together, we learn of their backgrounds and how those affect their writing. The characters the story mostly evolves around are Mary Sofia, Michael, Raiden, and Camara. And the Penultimate Writing Competition where the prize is a full ride to a top prestigious college.
The author captured perfectly the reason for the individual wanting to win, and all the excitemend, and fear that comes along. She tells this part of the story so well that I truly felt like I was there with them. The atmosphere she created was intoxicating.
I loved the story and the way this author tells a story is unbeliavable. Like a poet warrior.
The epilogue was exactly what I'd hoped for.
The author captured perfectly the reason for the individual wanting to win, and all the excitemend, and fear that comes along. She tells this part of the story so well that I truly felt like I was there with them. The atmosphere she created was intoxicating.
I loved the story and the way this author tells a story is unbeliavable. Like a poet warrior.
The epilogue was exactly what I'd hoped for.
September 17, 2018
I really enjoyed The Competition and read it in 24 hours. I was hooked and wanted to know who would win! The story involves 4 teenagers (and their friends) who meet at the competition. They are all very different people, from very different backgrounds and have different reasons to want to win. The novel goes through their back-stories and we learn more and more about them, as the book continues. It's mostly set over 1 day, in 1 setting. It was a sweet, inspirational novel.
April 4, 2019
"The Competition" is a story centered around a group of students: Mary Sofia, Michael, Raiden, and Camara, and the Penultimate Writing Competition where the prize is a full ride to a top prestigious college. The competition consists of a two-day writing contest involving 100 high school students who are given a series of prompts and must produce a piece on each prompt. Each student has different reasons for pursuing the contest -- some desperately need the money to have a shot at college, others are in pursuit of honors.
I was attracted to this book for two reasons. First, I noted the author is also a northern Ohioan (I live near Cleveland). Second, I've never read a book centered on a writing competition and thought the premise was neat.
The book's strongest points for me were the complex characters, the overall premise, and the real-world setting. I particularly like male characters who are complex and thought the young men in the story were well-drawn and refreshingly sensitive, although the most compelling character in the story for me was Mary Sofia. I also felt this book was well-plotted, and without spoiling the story, I liked how the author wrapped up the novel on a (very) positive message. But what I liked best about this book was I felt the author captured what it's like to be a writer -- especially the self-doubt which goes along with writing. I am also a writer, and many of the things the author touches upon, especially the risk-taking which comes along in baring your soul and exposing pieces of your past to the world's prying eyes and harsh criticisms, are things which I found extremely relatable.
What kept this from being a five-star read for me was I had some difficulty keeping the characters straight due to occasional head-hopping, and I feel like the story would have benefited from more dialogue tags; at times, I was having to stop and go back to try and figure out who was the speaker. It also took me a little time to get into the story. However, as reflected by the four-star rating I gave, the well-crafted characters & the relatability of the book definitely outweighed these minor quibbles.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I was attracted to this book for two reasons. First, I noted the author is also a northern Ohioan (I live near Cleveland). Second, I've never read a book centered on a writing competition and thought the premise was neat.
The book's strongest points for me were the complex characters, the overall premise, and the real-world setting. I particularly like male characters who are complex and thought the young men in the story were well-drawn and refreshingly sensitive, although the most compelling character in the story for me was Mary Sofia. I also felt this book was well-plotted, and without spoiling the story, I liked how the author wrapped up the novel on a (very) positive message. But what I liked best about this book was I felt the author captured what it's like to be a writer -- especially the self-doubt which goes along with writing. I am also a writer, and many of the things the author touches upon, especially the risk-taking which comes along in baring your soul and exposing pieces of your past to the world's prying eyes and harsh criticisms, are things which I found extremely relatable.
What kept this from being a five-star read for me was I had some difficulty keeping the characters straight due to occasional head-hopping, and I feel like the story would have benefited from more dialogue tags; at times, I was having to stop and go back to try and figure out who was the speaker. It also took me a little time to get into the story. However, as reflected by the four-star rating I gave, the well-crafted characters & the relatability of the book definitely outweighed these minor quibbles.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 4, 2018
The Competition by Cecily Wolfe is a very well written young adult novel. The story had solid characters with intriguing backgrounds and histories to reveal as The Competition unfolded. The characters are engaging and have depth and storylines that readers may be able to identify with on some level. As the story unfolds, you can't help but read faster, and you want to see what happens because there is an intense buildup of the action involving the writing competition, the characters and forming friendships, and their personal stories. Cecily Wolfe does an excellent job of capturing and revealing the lengths some will go to get back at people, and also the tenderness of being friends. There are several instances where there is exposition (head-talking), but it's written well and passionately as if you are sitting there with the character having a conversation.
At times the story can get confusing on who is talking as there is some head-hopping between characters and there are not enough dialogue tags to signal which one is talking, but overall this is a great young adult book that transcends all ages. I liked the ending also, and it did really need that epilogue.
A good solid novel and one I would recommend.
I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
At times the story can get confusing on who is talking as there is some head-hopping between characters and there are not enough dialogue tags to signal which one is talking, but overall this is a great young adult book that transcends all ages. I liked the ending also, and it did really need that epilogue.
A good solid novel and one I would recommend.
I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
September 14, 2018
What a unique book. It tracks four high school students, and their friends, as they engage in a writing competition that awards college scholarships. The author introduces the characters as they are traveling to the college campus where the competition will take place, so the reader essentially gets to take the whole journey with the characters. This works so much better than just plopping them down in the middle of everything and trying to play catch up with their backstories. Each of the four mains (Mary Sofia, Camara, Michael, and Raiden) have their own reasons for wanting to excel, and this is where the author herself excels. While some may consider them to be stereotypical, I felt that the author did a good job of differentiating them. The secondary characters are memorable as well. The author also perfectly captured the atmosphere of such a competition. I thought the ending was a bit abrupt, but I very much enjoyed taking the journey with the characters regardless. I also would like to give special appreciation for the homeschooling shout out; I particularly loved those moments. A solid 4 stars. Thank you to NetGalley, Dangerous Hope Productions, and the author for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 12, 2019
The Competition by Cecelie Wolfie is character - driven plot that is neatly tied together. The competition _ hence the title _ brings our protagonists together, while each one of them have personal matters to conquer. Since the backbone of this story are the characters, they have to be incredibly likeable and draw the reader in with their personalities; which Mary Sophie, Michael, Riden and Camara managed to do.
I did have a fun time learning about them, how they played off each other, what they faced and what this Essay Competition meant to them. Yet despite everything, the pacing didn't coordinate well with the time. Felt like days as our protagonists mingled , but the whole story takes bout 48 hours - including an extra sweet scene at the end.
Speaking of the end, I was satisfied with how things turned out. But the twist, felt rushed in and as quickly as it was added, it got solved. Even if the twist had been left out, I wouldn't have minded a standard ending instead of getting a random antagonist we barely knew.
Still a good read, would recommend.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I did have a fun time learning about them, how they played off each other, what they faced and what this Essay Competition meant to them. Yet despite everything, the pacing didn't coordinate well with the time. Felt like days as our protagonists mingled , but the whole story takes bout 48 hours - including an extra sweet scene at the end.
Speaking of the end, I was satisfied with how things turned out. But the twist, felt rushed in and as quickly as it was added, it got solved. Even if the twist had been left out, I wouldn't have minded a standard ending instead of getting a random antagonist we barely knew.
Still a good read, would recommend.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 19, 2018
Cecily Wolfe’s The Competition is a beautiful story with complex characters, not just Mary Sofia, who has the biggest role, but a whole group of other characters including those with both substantial roles Raiden, Camara and Michael) and lesser characters such as Jada and Julia. The craftsmanship behind the creation of these characters pays off in an overall story that is itself both complex and compelling. Pretty neat stuff - and great to see an author do this (and do it well) in the context of a group of high schoolers. I’m not going to go into the plot, as the publisher’s blurb does a good job of it and I don’t want to spoil anything. Instead I will simply note that this is a truly well done job, with a strong and well written plot that was a pleasure to read. Frankly, but for the fact that I’m literally dictating this review my husband from my hospital bed, I could go on and on with praises - the book definitely deserves it. Since I can’t do that I will simply note that the book is most definitely one to read, and it is easy to highly recommend.
March 4, 2019
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This is a good solid story about several different teenagers from different schools coming together to compete in a writing competition that could give the winner a full scholarship. Some of the kids need it others don't but would like the honor of it. Of all the teens competing we learn about Camara, Raiden, Jada, Mary Sofia, Michael and Julia. Mary Sofia and Camara have secrets that they are worried about people learning about, Julia and Jada are their best friends and share a knowledge about their friends secrets. Michael and Raiden both have their own struggles.
I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about this book which basically takes place over a 2 days but it dug deep and Wolfe really created fully dimensional characters that spoke to me. I could feel their angst, their struggle, their insecurities, and their bravery. I loved that Julia is probably on the autism spectrum and frequently doesn't stop talking about inappropriate things but after the initial shock these kids just accept her for who she is. Some of the kids are shy others are more outgoing just like in real life. I feel like I really got to know these characters, like they were real people which I appreciated. This is a really good book that deals with some tough topics but in a gentle way.
This is a good solid story about several different teenagers from different schools coming together to compete in a writing competition that could give the winner a full scholarship. Some of the kids need it others don't but would like the honor of it. Of all the teens competing we learn about Camara, Raiden, Jada, Mary Sofia, Michael and Julia. Mary Sofia and Camara have secrets that they are worried about people learning about, Julia and Jada are their best friends and share a knowledge about their friends secrets. Michael and Raiden both have their own struggles.
I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about this book which basically takes place over a 2 days but it dug deep and Wolfe really created fully dimensional characters that spoke to me. I could feel their angst, their struggle, their insecurities, and their bravery. I loved that Julia is probably on the autism spectrum and frequently doesn't stop talking about inappropriate things but after the initial shock these kids just accept her for who she is. Some of the kids are shy others are more outgoing just like in real life. I feel like I really got to know these characters, like they were real people which I appreciated. This is a really good book that deals with some tough topics but in a gentle way.
September 15, 2018
Compelling story! I really enjoyed this book about teens competing in a writing competition. It was intriguing getting to know the characters, with all their fears and secrets and personalities. The story
goes back and forth between people and how they meet and get to know each other. I had to pay close attention to who was who to get the depth of what was going on and to experience the full set of emotions they were going through.
It was a great group of kids, Mary Sofia, Raidan, Camara, and Michael, and supporting characters, Julia and Jada. I thought the group covered a balanced set of teens from all walks of life, and it was fun getting to know them, even the ones with problems or idiosyncrasies. I could appreciate the topics discussed and the type of developmental problems one teen had. It made for a good story, and between the actual writing competition and each teen's writing and experiences, I couldn't put the book down...it was so interesting! I highly recommend this book, The Competition, and look forward to more by this author.
goes back and forth between people and how they meet and get to know each other. I had to pay close attention to who was who to get the depth of what was going on and to experience the full set of emotions they were going through.
It was a great group of kids, Mary Sofia, Raidan, Camara, and Michael, and supporting characters, Julia and Jada. I thought the group covered a balanced set of teens from all walks of life, and it was fun getting to know them, even the ones with problems or idiosyncrasies. I could appreciate the topics discussed and the type of developmental problems one teen had. It made for a good story, and between the actual writing competition and each teen's writing and experiences, I couldn't put the book down...it was so interesting! I highly recommend this book, The Competition, and look forward to more by this author.
December 24, 2018
The competition wasn’t bad but it wasn’t great. I loved the idea of the story, the group of teenagers who are taking part in a writing competition! Loved that part too, and I actually really enjoyed reading about the characters.
I struggled throughout the book because we follow 4 of the characters and there were parts where it got confusing and I had no idea who we were following for a couple of paragraphs. I wish that we could have focused on maybe just 2 of the MCs because I feel like that would have worked a little bit better! But even though it was a little confusing I kept reading because I did want to know how everything ended!
Overall I enjoyed reading The Competition and it was definitely a character driven book rather than plot driven. I gave it 3/5 stars.
And huge thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for sending me an ecopy to read in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I struggled throughout the book because we follow 4 of the characters and there were parts where it got confusing and I had no idea who we were following for a couple of paragraphs. I wish that we could have focused on maybe just 2 of the MCs because I feel like that would have worked a little bit better! But even though it was a little confusing I kept reading because I did want to know how everything ended!
Overall I enjoyed reading The Competition and it was definitely a character driven book rather than plot driven. I gave it 3/5 stars.
And huge thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for sending me an ecopy to read in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 18, 2018
The Penultimate Competition
As if being a junior in high school isn't enough, these of students are facing even more pressure at a competitive writing event with a college scholarship on the line. There is background drama and trauma at every front. It is a good tale. While the students were well fleshed out, the teachers were mere caricatures and stereotypes. The parents and other students almost didn't exist. The plot was great, but the ending was so rushed that it took away from any climactic confrontation that might have been planned. The book could have used another few chapters to flesh out the ending. While the epilogue helped, it only tied up some loose ends but left many unanswered questions. I received this ARC book for free and this is my honest review.
As if being a junior in high school isn't enough, these of students are facing even more pressure at a competitive writing event with a college scholarship on the line. There is background drama and trauma at every front. It is a good tale. While the students were well fleshed out, the teachers were mere caricatures and stereotypes. The parents and other students almost didn't exist. The plot was great, but the ending was so rushed that it took away from any climactic confrontation that might have been planned. The book could have used another few chapters to flesh out the ending. While the epilogue helped, it only tied up some loose ends but left many unanswered questions. I received this ARC book for free and this is my honest review.
March 16, 2019
There are several things I enjoyed about this book. I liked the diversity of the characters and the backstories that each had. I liked that the motivations for each character to win the writing competition were different for each one. I also liked the writing contest itself as I've never heard of such a competition. I only which they'd had something like that when I was a kid. How fun it would have been to attend.
I think if a student is interested in writing and likes friendship/romance stories, they would enjoy this read. It is wholesome and has some realistic elements. I'd say it would be perfect for middle grade.
I think if a student is interested in writing and likes friendship/romance stories, they would enjoy this read. It is wholesome and has some realistic elements. I'd say it would be perfect for middle grade.
October 10, 2018
Thank you net galley for the advance read copy of this novel. This was a contemporary YA novel that centers on four teens in a writing competition to earn a scholarship for college. I liked the twist of cheating in this as it have a needed boost at that point in the novel. The four main characters each have a different background that comes out in the experience of the writing competition. I found the story a bit hard to follow with the author's layout. It would have been easier if each chapter would have been told by one person. I liked how the author resolved the cheating issue.
September 18, 2018
This is a perfect example of a coming of age journey. It showcased how people can overcome their problems and do anything that they want, you just have to have the determination and grit to get through the hard times. I felt the author did an incredible job with the storyline and character development. I was captivated by the main character and her determination to make an example of herself for her siblings. The author was able to convey the true emotions that exist between siblings and how at the end of the day you only want the best for them.
September 13, 2018
I wish there were half stars! I enjoyed this cute, easy, YA contemporary read. It has a unique story line and characters I could relate to. Most importantly though it touches on some real life issues that many teens face today and their struggles to cope with life during and afterwards. I would definitely recommend it to the YA crowd.
To see my full review click the link below:
http://somewherebetween4.blogspot.com...
To see my full review click the link below:
http://somewherebetween4.blogspot.com...
September 28, 2018
I really liked this book, it's incredibly diverse, written well, and handles multiple POVs very well. The only issue I had was that we didn't get to see any of the student's writing.
February 9, 2019
It’s The Penultimate: the biggest writing competition in the state. A hundred high schoolers have been invited to compete for the chance to win a scholarship to the best local university. Mary Sofia, Raiden, Camara, and Michael are all competing, baring their hearts through their writing to the judges. They never expected to be baring their hearts to each other too.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, and you can read it here: https://stephsstoryspace.wordpress.co...
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, and you can read it here: https://stephsstoryspace.wordpress.co...
November 20, 2019
I received a free review copy through BookSirens. This does not affect my rating or opinions of this book.
I was so excited about the writing competition backdrop — kind of like The Testing but slice-of-life realistic fiction — and when each main character was being introduced, I cheered for the diversity in their ethnicities, socioeconomic backgrounds, and individual experiences. (I was particularly excited about the Chinese-American and the autism rep, in the beginning; there was also Latina and biracial rep, and each character's family income and traditions were different.)
However, I quickly lost track of the characters: who was friends with whom, who had a crush on whom, which tragic backstory belonged to which person. It didn't help that the narration frequently switched POV, used a lot of pronouns instead of names, and omitted dialogue tags in group scenes; I didn't have enough of a sense of each individual to guess who said/did what. Omniscient third-person might have been a more effective choice, especially since the characters do a lot of "mind-reading" to convey what other characters are thinking (e.g., "She gestured to the stage as if to ask why the video hadn't played properly").
There were also some concerning phrasings and presentations of the diversity that almost made me wish it hadn't been included: multiple mentions of the girls' specific skin tones (including one scene where another character compares them to each other, and another where one is described as "a perfect blend of her parents' ethnicities" with light skin), Raiden's (and no one else's) repeated references to family expectations and traditions and even folklore, Cam's patronizing if well-intended close supervision and intercession when Julia — who doesn't get her own POV, and Cam "doesn't dare" bring up the word "autism" so we don't know for sure whether Julia is autistic or just really socially inept — interacts with others.
The characters and their relationships didn't feel fully developed, and neither did the plot. The big "twist" came in pretty late and was resolved pretty quickly; the heterosexual pairings were made clear very early on and seemed to skip progression in favor of drama. There were also a lot of coincidences and repetition between different characters' experiences and decisions, which I found hard to believe. One or two, maybe, a few nice parallels, but the sheer volume made it unlikely. And ironically, the "writing samples" and scenes where the characters were writing were my least favorite parts, because they were full of cheesy cliches and empty metaphors.
So in summary, this book had a terrific premise, and I wanted very much to love this diverse group of unlikely friends, but it was underdeveloped and slightly problematic.
I was so excited about the writing competition backdrop — kind of like The Testing but slice-of-life realistic fiction — and when each main character was being introduced, I cheered for the diversity in their ethnicities, socioeconomic backgrounds, and individual experiences. (I was particularly excited about the Chinese-American and the autism rep, in the beginning; there was also Latina and biracial rep, and each character's family income and traditions were different.)
However, I quickly lost track of the characters: who was friends with whom, who had a crush on whom, which tragic backstory belonged to which person. It didn't help that the narration frequently switched POV, used a lot of pronouns instead of names, and omitted dialogue tags in group scenes; I didn't have enough of a sense of each individual to guess who said/did what. Omniscient third-person might have been a more effective choice, especially since the characters do a lot of "mind-reading" to convey what other characters are thinking (e.g., "She gestured to the stage as if to ask why the video hadn't played properly").
There were also some concerning phrasings and presentations of the diversity that almost made me wish it hadn't been included: multiple mentions of the girls' specific skin tones (including one scene where another character compares them to each other, and another where one is described as "a perfect blend of her parents' ethnicities" with light skin), Raiden's (and no one else's) repeated references to family expectations and traditions and even folklore, Cam's patronizing if well-intended close supervision and intercession when Julia — who doesn't get her own POV, and Cam "doesn't dare" bring up the word "autism" so we don't know for sure whether Julia is autistic or just really socially inept — interacts with others.
The characters and their relationships didn't feel fully developed, and neither did the plot. The big "twist" came in pretty late and was resolved pretty quickly; the heterosexual pairings were made clear very early on and seemed to skip progression in favor of drama. There were also a lot of coincidences and repetition between different characters' experiences and decisions, which I found hard to believe. One or two, maybe, a few nice parallels, but the sheer volume made it unlikely. And ironically, the "writing samples" and scenes where the characters were writing were my least favorite parts, because they were full of cheesy cliches and empty metaphors.
So in summary, this book had a terrific premise, and I wanted very much to love this diverse group of unlikely friends, but it was underdeveloped and slightly problematic.
July 21, 2018
The Competition is a contemporary high school story about a writing competition. Told between several characters — Mary Sofia, Raiden, Camara, Michael — it has a similar feel to One of Us is Lying, though the plotlines themselves are quite different.
The strongest point in this book, I feel, was definitely the backgrounds of the characters themselves — and especially Mary Sofia, whom I feel the story focuses sliiightly more on than the others. Not only are the characters racially diverse — Puerto Rican, biracial, Chinese, and Caucasian — but their backgrounds were diverse as well, though I definitely found the most interest in Mary Sofia's background. I ALSO highly appreciate the mental disability rep, as — though Julia is a minor character, compared to the others — I haven't read about many autistic characters, and the fact that she, too, is part of the writing competition is pretty great. I was happy for her at the end and I'm glad that autism was actually portrayed positively, for once.
However, though I liked the characters themselves, I feel like... not much happened in regards to plot. I mean, there was the competition, yeah, but reading about a bunch of teenagers sitting in a room writing prompts is only interesting for so long. The summary promises that, "Some students will do anything to win, but others may pay the price," but I feel like the 'do anything to win' part was pretty predictable and, even then, the characters got off too easily for their actions. I mean, I get that it's a writing competition so, like, nobody would be killed over it or anything, but eventually my mind started to wander a little bit because things were too predictable to hold my interest.
And, aside from the plot itself, I also feel like the writing... was a little odd? It was definitely chunky and choppy in some places, and, aside from a few typos, there was a sentence placed here or there that just... straight up didn't make much sense. Ordinarily, I quite like third person omniscient books because I like how they let you get a glimpse of every character and their thoughts/actions, but I feel like that POV only served to make the writing even more choppy and weird. The flow between narration (and between some paragraphs in general tbh) could definitely use some work.
Overall, I think the rep in this book was great! And, hey, if readers are looking for a easy-read contemporary, I wouldn't say no to recommending this book. The Competition was not, personally, my cup of tea, but I think different readers could definitely connect with the characters.
The strongest point in this book, I feel, was definitely the backgrounds of the characters themselves — and especially Mary Sofia, whom I feel the story focuses sliiightly more on than the others. Not only are the characters racially diverse — Puerto Rican, biracial, Chinese, and Caucasian — but their backgrounds were diverse as well, though I definitely found the most interest in Mary Sofia's background. I ALSO highly appreciate the mental disability rep, as — though Julia is a minor character, compared to the others — I haven't read about many autistic characters, and the fact that she, too, is part of the writing competition is pretty great. I was happy for her at the end and I'm glad that autism was actually portrayed positively, for once.
However, though I liked the characters themselves, I feel like... not much happened in regards to plot. I mean, there was the competition, yeah, but reading about a bunch of teenagers sitting in a room writing prompts is only interesting for so long. The summary promises that, "Some students will do anything to win, but others may pay the price," but I feel like the 'do anything to win' part was pretty predictable and, even then, the characters got off too easily for their actions. I mean, I get that it's a writing competition so, like, nobody would be killed over it or anything, but eventually my mind started to wander a little bit because things were too predictable to hold my interest.
And, aside from the plot itself, I also feel like the writing... was a little odd? It was definitely chunky and choppy in some places, and, aside from a few typos, there was a sentence placed here or there that just... straight up didn't make much sense. Ordinarily, I quite like third person omniscient books because I like how they let you get a glimpse of every character and their thoughts/actions, but I feel like that POV only served to make the writing even more choppy and weird. The flow between narration (and between some paragraphs in general tbh) could definitely use some work.
Overall, I think the rep in this book was great! And, hey, if readers are looking for a easy-read contemporary, I wouldn't say no to recommending this book. The Competition was not, personally, my cup of tea, but I think different readers could definitely connect with the characters.
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