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It Started with a Dare: A Young Adult Novel About High School Lies, Popularity, and a Façade Spiraling Out of Control
Self-proclaimed nobody CG Silverman sees her move to an upscale new school as her chance to be somebody different. Her devil-may-care attitude attracts the in-clique, and before CG realizes it, a routine game of truth or dare launches her to iconic status. While this rebel image helps secure CG’s newfound popularity, it also propels her through a maze of unprecedented chaos, with each new lie and every dare opening doors that, in most cases, were better off left shut. CG is on a collision course with disaster. Will she be able to keep up the façade? Or will the whole world find out she’s a fraud?
312 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
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December 26, 2014
When CG Silverman moves to a decidedly more affluent town, she decides to reinvent herself. Before she knows what is happening, she has befriended Alona, Grace, and Sammie, the resident "popular" girls. A simple game of Truth or Dare at a sleepover sets in motion a chain of events that CG could never have anticipated.
When I began reading It Started with a Dare, I anticipated a funny, sometimes poignant coming-of-age story. In the barest of senses, this book delivered on that front. What I didn't realize: That CG's personal journey would be powered by pathological lying, smugness, and an often callous disregard for others. CG finds herself, all right--after lying to everyone around her for months, the chickens finally come home to roost and she becomes a total outcast at school. The alone time forces her to confront her bad behavior, but at no point does her remorse feel particularly genuine. Even when pondering how she has hurt people, she finds ways to make digs at them, to keep them firmly rooted in villain roles (e.g., referring disparagingly to Alona as "Her Majesty," insinuating that Grace is stupid after pulling a truly vicious MySpace prank on her, etc.).
I had a strong reaction to this book. I am, as I have indicated in other reviews, a character-driven reader. If the protagonist doesn't grab me, I have a difficult time getting through a story. Unfortunately, that was the case here. I went out of my way, grasping at straws, to find something to like about CG. I never did.
The chief problem for me in this book was characterization. The characters herein are, for the most part, caricatures--typecast people with a typecast set of traits/problems. The rich people are snobby and bad. The poor people are genuine and misunderstood. So not only does this story break no new ground while exploring the high school social hierarchy, but it falls into some pretty egregious stereotyping. Throughout, I found that CG behaved just as badly as, if not worse than, her rich friends, but let herself off the hook because she was poor and shopped at Salvation Army. In other words, because she was poor, her bad behavior was somehow less bad.
At one point, after the unpopular Glory takes a now-equally-unpopular CG back as a friend, CG eviscerates her former frenemy behind her back: "Grace is nowhere near as smart as she seems. I thought she had a brain in there somewhere, but she let me down. As far as I can see, she's always gonna be somebody's puppet, whether the one pulling the strings happens to be Jordan or Alona or some other unlucky schmuck she's only using to fill the hole inside her soul. And she'll never stop exploiting that emptiness as her excuse to be a first-class bitch." (300) This is tough to swallow. CG perpetually exploits her socioeconomic status as an excuse to be, at times, an even bigger "bitch" than Grace. Because she wears Janis Joplin T-shirts, however, she is somehow justified in her lying and vicious pranking.
Perhaps most alarming is Glory's and CG's kvetching about Sammie, who is undergoing treatment for bulimia. Glory dismisses her erstwhile best friend as "chronically image-obsessed" (301), even after schooling CG earlier about how Sammie's eating disorder is a disease she can't control.
This encapsulates my other problem with this book: at various junctures, there is real potential for depth, and the book takes a more surface-skimming route. Instead of pursuing the eating disorder angle in any depth, the "heroines" resort to trashing the afflicted behind her back. Instead of showing us why CG feels like nobody (the emotion that incites her "incredible" journey), the narrative simply tells us repeatedly that she feels like nobody. Instead of pushing the boundaries of the high school hierarchy, the book falls comfortably into well-traveled character types. Instead of condemning some of the uglier behaviors of high school girls, the book inadvertently validates them [e.g., CG continuing to trash the girls she has betrayed behind their backs, and dismissing the English teacher whose life she almost destroyed with an ongoing prank as a "total dorkmonger who bores me to tears" (182):].
The responsibility of a coming-of-age comedy like this one is to establish a character whose happy ending we crave. It is what keeps us turning the pages. However, when CG's life finally began to work out in her favor, I was plagued with the lingering conviction that she deserved none of it. The problem: the story takes too long to showcase her remorse (which isn't particularly genuine, anyway--even when her parents confront her about her lies, she finds ways to manipulate their emotions), too long to give any indication of why CG behaves as she does, too long to probe the characters in any depth.
An aside: My linguistic diet consists of enough salt to give a healthy person a heart attack, but even I found the cussing in this book to be excessive, perhaps even gratuitous.
Lindsay Faith Rech is a strong writer with enormous potential. The dialogue in this book was snappy, the underlying concept compelling and worthy of exploration. The problem, for me, lay in the character development. I never connected with CG. In fact, when Alex finally kissed her, I found myself thinking, "He'd be better off with someone like Glory."
(Disclaimer: I received the galley proofs of this title from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for review.)
When I began reading It Started with a Dare, I anticipated a funny, sometimes poignant coming-of-age story. In the barest of senses, this book delivered on that front. What I didn't realize: That CG's personal journey would be powered by pathological lying, smugness, and an often callous disregard for others. CG finds herself, all right--after lying to everyone around her for months, the chickens finally come home to roost and she becomes a total outcast at school. The alone time forces her to confront her bad behavior, but at no point does her remorse feel particularly genuine. Even when pondering how she has hurt people, she finds ways to make digs at them, to keep them firmly rooted in villain roles (e.g., referring disparagingly to Alona as "Her Majesty," insinuating that Grace is stupid after pulling a truly vicious MySpace prank on her, etc.).
I had a strong reaction to this book. I am, as I have indicated in other reviews, a character-driven reader. If the protagonist doesn't grab me, I have a difficult time getting through a story. Unfortunately, that was the case here. I went out of my way, grasping at straws, to find something to like about CG. I never did.
The chief problem for me in this book was characterization. The characters herein are, for the most part, caricatures--typecast people with a typecast set of traits/problems. The rich people are snobby and bad. The poor people are genuine and misunderstood. So not only does this story break no new ground while exploring the high school social hierarchy, but it falls into some pretty egregious stereotyping. Throughout, I found that CG behaved just as badly as, if not worse than, her rich friends, but let herself off the hook because she was poor and shopped at Salvation Army. In other words, because she was poor, her bad behavior was somehow less bad.
At one point, after the unpopular Glory takes a now-equally-unpopular CG back as a friend, CG eviscerates her former frenemy behind her back: "Grace is nowhere near as smart as she seems. I thought she had a brain in there somewhere, but she let me down. As far as I can see, she's always gonna be somebody's puppet, whether the one pulling the strings happens to be Jordan or Alona or some other unlucky schmuck she's only using to fill the hole inside her soul. And she'll never stop exploiting that emptiness as her excuse to be a first-class bitch." (300) This is tough to swallow. CG perpetually exploits her socioeconomic status as an excuse to be, at times, an even bigger "bitch" than Grace. Because she wears Janis Joplin T-shirts, however, she is somehow justified in her lying and vicious pranking.
Perhaps most alarming is Glory's and CG's kvetching about Sammie, who is undergoing treatment for bulimia. Glory dismisses her erstwhile best friend as "chronically image-obsessed" (301), even after schooling CG earlier about how Sammie's eating disorder is a disease she can't control.
This encapsulates my other problem with this book: at various junctures, there is real potential for depth, and the book takes a more surface-skimming route. Instead of pursuing the eating disorder angle in any depth, the "heroines" resort to trashing the afflicted behind her back. Instead of showing us why CG feels like nobody (the emotion that incites her "incredible" journey), the narrative simply tells us repeatedly that she feels like nobody. Instead of pushing the boundaries of the high school hierarchy, the book falls comfortably into well-traveled character types. Instead of condemning some of the uglier behaviors of high school girls, the book inadvertently validates them [e.g., CG continuing to trash the girls she has betrayed behind their backs, and dismissing the English teacher whose life she almost destroyed with an ongoing prank as a "total dorkmonger who bores me to tears" (182):].
The responsibility of a coming-of-age comedy like this one is to establish a character whose happy ending we crave. It is what keeps us turning the pages. However, when CG's life finally began to work out in her favor, I was plagued with the lingering conviction that she deserved none of it. The problem: the story takes too long to showcase her remorse (which isn't particularly genuine, anyway--even when her parents confront her about her lies, she finds ways to manipulate their emotions), too long to give any indication of why CG behaves as she does, too long to probe the characters in any depth.
An aside: My linguistic diet consists of enough salt to give a healthy person a heart attack, but even I found the cussing in this book to be excessive, perhaps even gratuitous.
Lindsay Faith Rech is a strong writer with enormous potential. The dialogue in this book was snappy, the underlying concept compelling and worthy of exploration. The problem, for me, lay in the character development. I never connected with CG. In fact, when Alex finally kissed her, I found myself thinking, "He'd be better off with someone like Glory."
(Disclaimer: I received the galley proofs of this title from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for review.)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 21, 2018
DNF
Reminds me too much of the movie Mean Girls. I'm getting annoyed with CG and her antics. Moving on.
Reminds me too much of the movie Mean Girls. I'm getting annoyed with CG and her antics. Moving on.
September 27, 2010
Summary: Like probably every other teenager, CG Silverman is figuring out who she is and who she wants to be. She sees moving to a new town and going to a new school as her opportunity to reinvent herself and cuts all the ties to her old life, even telling the boy who was her best friend and almost boyfriend she's not interested anymore. The leader of a group of 3 popular girls takes to CG and at first things sail smoothly, sure CG has to lie and pretend she's something she's not, but all's fair in love and the war for popularity right?
Even messing around with the older brother of one of your new 'friends' and chatting up your English teacher on an online dating site. Everything is soon spiralling out of control, what will CG do when her lies start to catch up to her? How will she explain it all to the one true friend she's made since moving, who's not in the in-crowd, and let's not forget her parents?
At first Rech paints a realistic world of a high school were the social clique exists of the queen bee and her two minions, soon joined by CG. They're all 15-year old girls who each have their own set of issues. The Queen Bee, Alona, seems kinda clueless and is actually not that evil and nasty, she just likes things going her way. On the other hand, there's Grace, who is definitely the mean girl in this group. She not only gives her 'friends' crap, but is generally not a very nice person, she's actually the most intriguing character of this book, because she's got some real issues that aren't all that clear right from the start.
CG herself is a mess, she's all over the place trying to get Alona and her friends to like her and keeping it that way. She pretends to be some kind of rebel and after a slightly altered game of truth or dare, she's in. She develops a huge crush on Jordan, Alona's brother, who's in college and already has a girlfriend. She juggles him and the online flirting she has going on with her English teacher (pretending to be 25 instead of 15).
I must say I didn't really like CG, she said things just to be cool and I know that there are probably whole boatloads full of people who do that, but it's not very pretty. She was however believable in her teenage heartbreak over Jordan, but she seemed very fickle in her affection for her English teacher and even the boy she left behind in her old town. The only reason she seems to clean up her act is that of course she's found out in the end. I thought it was strange that she picked the most unpopular girl in school to form a real friendship with, as she was trying very hard to be popular herself and this doesn't seem to fit in. The only time I really believed she wasn't being selfish was when she seemed to snap out of it long enough to worry about a friend's health.
I remember being 15 and thinking everything that happened was a huge drama, when looking back, of course it wasn't such a big deal. However, I don't remember betraying my friends and messing with people's lives and generally being nasty. I like to believe that at 15, people have a moral compass. Sure they make mistakes, but especially the part with the English teacher went too far in my book and seemed like something that would never happen like that.
This wasn't really my kind of book, I couldn't relate to the main character and didn't really understand the way she acted.
My rating: 2.5 stars.
Even messing around with the older brother of one of your new 'friends' and chatting up your English teacher on an online dating site. Everything is soon spiralling out of control, what will CG do when her lies start to catch up to her? How will she explain it all to the one true friend she's made since moving, who's not in the in-crowd, and let's not forget her parents?
At first Rech paints a realistic world of a high school were the social clique exists of the queen bee and her two minions, soon joined by CG. They're all 15-year old girls who each have their own set of issues. The Queen Bee, Alona, seems kinda clueless and is actually not that evil and nasty, she just likes things going her way. On the other hand, there's Grace, who is definitely the mean girl in this group. She not only gives her 'friends' crap, but is generally not a very nice person, she's actually the most intriguing character of this book, because she's got some real issues that aren't all that clear right from the start.
CG herself is a mess, she's all over the place trying to get Alona and her friends to like her and keeping it that way. She pretends to be some kind of rebel and after a slightly altered game of truth or dare, she's in. She develops a huge crush on Jordan, Alona's brother, who's in college and already has a girlfriend. She juggles him and the online flirting she has going on with her English teacher (pretending to be 25 instead of 15).
I must say I didn't really like CG, she said things just to be cool and I know that there are probably whole boatloads full of people who do that, but it's not very pretty. She was however believable in her teenage heartbreak over Jordan, but she seemed very fickle in her affection for her English teacher and even the boy she left behind in her old town. The only reason she seems to clean up her act is that of course she's found out in the end. I thought it was strange that she picked the most unpopular girl in school to form a real friendship with, as she was trying very hard to be popular herself and this doesn't seem to fit in. The only time I really believed she wasn't being selfish was when she seemed to snap out of it long enough to worry about a friend's health.
I remember being 15 and thinking everything that happened was a huge drama, when looking back, of course it wasn't such a big deal. However, I don't remember betraying my friends and messing with people's lives and generally being nasty. I like to believe that at 15, people have a moral compass. Sure they make mistakes, but especially the part with the English teacher went too far in my book and seemed like something that would never happen like that.
This wasn't really my kind of book, I couldn't relate to the main character and didn't really understand the way she acted.
My rating: 2.5 stars.
November 3, 2010
I'm going to essentially paste what I wrote in my review at One Librarian's Book Reviews, since I said everything I really wanted to there:
The book showed a complicated look at popularity and the kinds of things people will do to be popular. It was also quite interesting in its depictions of the carelessness we feel toward other peoples' feelings. CG was not a person I liked or related to at all, especially in the way she treated others, but I did see that I can become just as cavalier with the feelings of other people. It played kind of a cautionary story for me. BUT:
I actually really didn't like the characters or story much. CG is a sarcastic, crass, potty-mouthed jerk, to pretty much everyone throughout. She toys with people over and over and doesn't even seem to care, until she loses friends. I really got tired of her. The story was fairly interesting, but held nothing original or terribly entertaining to me. When CG does "figure it out," the message is pounded into our heads so obviously that it lacks any kind of subtlety. In short, I just wasn't impressed.
The book showed a complicated look at popularity and the kinds of things people will do to be popular. It was also quite interesting in its depictions of the carelessness we feel toward other peoples' feelings. CG was not a person I liked or related to at all, especially in the way she treated others, but I did see that I can become just as cavalier with the feelings of other people. It played kind of a cautionary story for me. BUT:
I actually really didn't like the characters or story much. CG is a sarcastic, crass, potty-mouthed jerk, to pretty much everyone throughout. She toys with people over and over and doesn't even seem to care, until she loses friends. I really got tired of her. The story was fairly interesting, but held nothing original or terribly entertaining to me. When CG does "figure it out," the message is pounded into our heads so obviously that it lacks any kind of subtlety. In short, I just wasn't impressed.
January 25, 2011
To be honest this book was only so-so. I found the majority of the book to be lacking. It was so stereotypical and clique-ish. I'm in high school and I can honestly say kids aren't like that. I mean yeah there are cliques and stuff and but it isn't social suicide if you have friends in more than one and there's definitely not one girl that rules the school (although some of the girls THINK they're that one girl). I'm just kind of sick of novels being so stereotypical that way. It's the whole typical pretty rich kids have issues and the geeky kids are wholesome and good. Which again, totally not true!
I also found that the beginning and middle of the novel to kind of boring and annoying. The main character had no common sense what so ever and had no idea of consequences. She was just a liar, and I have no patience for liars. I didn't even feel a connection to her or any of the other characters because they were all so shallow. I even felt like the one character who was supposed to be the deep one the whole time was just as shallow. Also, the main character, CG, says how shallow her friends are and stuff but, hello earth to CG you're the same way! CG also keeps talking about the girl she used to be, hanging out with her friend Alex, being a tom-boy, all that jazz, and I thought she sounded really cool then and I would have liked to read about the old her. Also, she kept talking about Alex and I really wanted to meet him but we didn't for like ever! It really frustrated me. The characters were well developed though, all with their own personalities and issues that they had to work through. You saw some of them change and develop in the book which was cool and I always like that. (We learned the term for that in English but I can't remember at the moment, the opposite of a static character. Mr. Gregory would be very disappointed in me at the moment.) Also, this was totally just me being stupid but I kept mixing up CG's friends Grace and Alona.
I did really enjoy the ending though. I felt that there was a message there that you have to watch what you say and do because there is consequences for your actions (although if I ever even thought of doing what she did I would my consequences would be much worse!)
Also, I found the novel was very witty. I liked the narrator's voice. She was funny and I found a few quotes I really liked and actually am planning to use in a project I've decided to work on! (Secret Project! MUAHAHAHA!) I've never heard expressions used like this on did. It was just some of the most random things ever!
Overall, the book was kinda boring but interesting enough throughout most of the novel. There was a really good ending though. The characters were shallow but all had their own background. There was a good message to the book which was nice. Finally, the book was witty and that's something that I look for in books.
I also found that the beginning and middle of the novel to kind of boring and annoying. The main character had no common sense what so ever and had no idea of consequences. She was just a liar, and I have no patience for liars. I didn't even feel a connection to her or any of the other characters because they were all so shallow. I even felt like the one character who was supposed to be the deep one the whole time was just as shallow. Also, the main character, CG, says how shallow her friends are and stuff but, hello earth to CG you're the same way! CG also keeps talking about the girl she used to be, hanging out with her friend Alex, being a tom-boy, all that jazz, and I thought she sounded really cool then and I would have liked to read about the old her. Also, she kept talking about Alex and I really wanted to meet him but we didn't for like ever! It really frustrated me. The characters were well developed though, all with their own personalities and issues that they had to work through. You saw some of them change and develop in the book which was cool and I always like that. (We learned the term for that in English but I can't remember at the moment, the opposite of a static character. Mr. Gregory would be very disappointed in me at the moment.) Also, this was totally just me being stupid but I kept mixing up CG's friends Grace and Alona.
I did really enjoy the ending though. I felt that there was a message there that you have to watch what you say and do because there is consequences for your actions (although if I ever even thought of doing what she did I would my consequences would be much worse!)
Also, I found the novel was very witty. I liked the narrator's voice. She was funny and I found a few quotes I really liked and actually am planning to use in a project I've decided to work on! (Secret Project! MUAHAHAHA!) I've never heard expressions used like this on did. It was just some of the most random things ever!
Overall, the book was kinda boring but interesting enough throughout most of the novel. There was a really good ending though. The characters were shallow but all had their own background. There was a good message to the book which was nice. Finally, the book was witty and that's something that I look for in books.
July 22, 2010
From my blog: (\__/)nymfaux
So last night I stayed up all night reading Lindsay Faith Rech’s upcoming release It Started with a Dare!
While I had intended to just read a couple chapters, go to sleep, and pick it up later, once I started reading, I just couldn’t stop myself—I kept telling myself, “just a little more,” that I was half-way through, that there were “only 60 more pages…” And the only way I could justify continuing to read, is that I’d never have been able to sleep not knowing what happened—And not only was it good, but I could not stop laughing. Out. Loud. Literally.
Now there are plenty of times when I say lol, and plenty of times where something funny or humorous happens in whatever book I happen to be reading at the time—But RARELY do I ever actually LAUGH. OUT. LOUD.
It Started with a Dare is completely hilarious!!!! It’s daring and amazing and absolutely jaw-dropping funny!!!
When C.G. Silverman moves to town, she’s just hoping that she won’t have to sit alone at lunch—But when Alona, Grace, and Sammi, the Triple Threat of Beaubridge High decide to sit with her, C.G. sees this as her chance to finally be popular. This is C.G.’s chance to totally reinvent herself. But will C.G. still recognize herself when she’s done?
It’s an absolute rollercoaster of ups and downs and no-she-didn’ts. Ms. Rech puts us right in C.G.’s head and we get to see C.G. as a real person, vulnerable and rough-around the edges, and not always politically correct; but always smart and wry and funny—I couldn’t believe everything C.G. did, and I couldn’t wait to see what she’d do next. It Started with a Dare is a voyage of self-discovery for C.G…and thanks to C.G., it leads to a lot of self-discovery for everyone around her.
Best line ever: Not even God likes a poser.
Seriously. Funny. And has definite potential for rereadability. Make sure this one’s on your wish list; I know it’s on mine!
So last night I stayed up all night reading Lindsay Faith Rech’s upcoming release It Started with a Dare!
While I had intended to just read a couple chapters, go to sleep, and pick it up later, once I started reading, I just couldn’t stop myself—I kept telling myself, “just a little more,” that I was half-way through, that there were “only 60 more pages…” And the only way I could justify continuing to read, is that I’d never have been able to sleep not knowing what happened—And not only was it good, but I could not stop laughing. Out. Loud. Literally.
Now there are plenty of times when I say lol, and plenty of times where something funny or humorous happens in whatever book I happen to be reading at the time—But RARELY do I ever actually LAUGH. OUT. LOUD.
It Started with a Dare is completely hilarious!!!! It’s daring and amazing and absolutely jaw-dropping funny!!!
When C.G. Silverman moves to town, she’s just hoping that she won’t have to sit alone at lunch—But when Alona, Grace, and Sammi, the Triple Threat of Beaubridge High decide to sit with her, C.G. sees this as her chance to finally be popular. This is C.G.’s chance to totally reinvent herself. But will C.G. still recognize herself when she’s done?
It’s an absolute rollercoaster of ups and downs and no-she-didn’ts. Ms. Rech puts us right in C.G.’s head and we get to see C.G. as a real person, vulnerable and rough-around the edges, and not always politically correct; but always smart and wry and funny—I couldn’t believe everything C.G. did, and I couldn’t wait to see what she’d do next. It Started with a Dare is a voyage of self-discovery for C.G…and thanks to C.G., it leads to a lot of self-discovery for everyone around her.
Best line ever: Not even God likes a poser.
Seriously. Funny. And has definite potential for rereadability. Make sure this one’s on your wish list; I know it’s on mine!
July 29, 2010
Almost sixteen-year-old CG Silverman has an opportunity to remake herself from podunk nobody to high school somebody, and she doesn't take the mission lightly. She throws away all of who she used to be, or really is, in favor of what she thinks her new popular friends want her to be.
Pretty soon, CG is lying about everything and it gets more and more difficult to remember truth from fiction. With so many balls in the air, eventually they all come tumbling down and CG falls from her popularity pedestal right along with them.
IT ALL STARTED WITH A DARE has a remarkable, fresh voice and you feel like you're siting right there with CG as she tells her story. It can sometimes be difficult to keep such a unique voice going for the duration of a novel, but Lindsay Faith Rech does a great job of sustaining it.
I thought CG was believable and funny, wholly herself--even when she wasn't sure who she really was. The characters were believable, and I especially appreciated that the queen bee Alona wasn't painted to be a raging bitch like most high school popular girls are--instead she was just a pretty girl with a lot of social advantages but also a lot of her own problems.
I thought CG's predicament, especially with the gorgeous college-going older brother (and player) of Alona was really well done and totally believable. It allowed Rech the freedom to address the issues of teenage sex and love without feeling preachy or overdone. Similarly the book deals with bulimia, lying, sex, the dangers of internet relationships and to a lesser degree, teenage drinking.
I liked the resolution of the story and felt it turned out just right.
This story was laugh-out-loud funny and hard to put down. I'd recommend this book to teenage girls, with the caution that it is PG13 for profanity (lots) and subject matter (eating disorders, sex, drinking, drug use).
A great, easy fast-paced read and I'll look for more from Lindsay Faith Rech in the future!
Pretty soon, CG is lying about everything and it gets more and more difficult to remember truth from fiction. With so many balls in the air, eventually they all come tumbling down and CG falls from her popularity pedestal right along with them.
IT ALL STARTED WITH A DARE has a remarkable, fresh voice and you feel like you're siting right there with CG as she tells her story. It can sometimes be difficult to keep such a unique voice going for the duration of a novel, but Lindsay Faith Rech does a great job of sustaining it.
I thought CG was believable and funny, wholly herself--even when she wasn't sure who she really was. The characters were believable, and I especially appreciated that the queen bee Alona wasn't painted to be a raging bitch like most high school popular girls are--instead she was just a pretty girl with a lot of social advantages but also a lot of her own problems.
I thought CG's predicament, especially with the gorgeous college-going older brother (and player) of Alona was really well done and totally believable. It allowed Rech the freedom to address the issues of teenage sex and love without feeling preachy or overdone. Similarly the book deals with bulimia, lying, sex, the dangers of internet relationships and to a lesser degree, teenage drinking.
I liked the resolution of the story and felt it turned out just right.
This story was laugh-out-loud funny and hard to put down. I'd recommend this book to teenage girls, with the caution that it is PG13 for profanity (lots) and subject matter (eating disorders, sex, drinking, drug use).
A great, easy fast-paced read and I'll look for more from Lindsay Faith Rech in the future!
October 11, 2010
Posted at: http://oh-my-books.blogspot.com/2010/...
CG is going to a new school, where people doesn't know her. It's her opportunity to be different, to be popular. So she decides to reinvent herself, and if that means lying, well, she'll do it.
CG is very smart. I couldn't have said all those lies and remembered them. But she manages to get everyone's attention, even from the popular girls. It seemed like it was easy for her to fool everyone, and that made it more difficult to stop. She's also very funny, and even if I wouldn't have made some of her choices, I still like her because she thinks all this weird stuff and I couldn't help but laugh.
Also, I liked that the author manages to give each character a personality. They are very human, make mistakes and feel insecure. With such a strong protagonist, it must have been difficult to give the other characters their space in this story.
I enjoyed the book, but for some reason it took me a few days to read it. I was busy, and at the same time, I knew where CG was going and didn't like it. For being so smart, she took some really bad choices...but I couldn't blame her, because she's young and just want to be accepted. In the end, CG evolves and learn for her mistakes. It was obvious that sooner of later she was going to fall, but I wanted to know how it would be and if she was going to make it.
Overall, it's a light book that will make you laugh, and in the process, it will remind you that to make real friends, you have to be just who you are.
CG is going to a new school, where people doesn't know her. It's her opportunity to be different, to be popular. So she decides to reinvent herself, and if that means lying, well, she'll do it.
CG is very smart. I couldn't have said all those lies and remembered them. But she manages to get everyone's attention, even from the popular girls. It seemed like it was easy for her to fool everyone, and that made it more difficult to stop. She's also very funny, and even if I wouldn't have made some of her choices, I still like her because she thinks all this weird stuff and I couldn't help but laugh.
Also, I liked that the author manages to give each character a personality. They are very human, make mistakes and feel insecure. With such a strong protagonist, it must have been difficult to give the other characters their space in this story.
I enjoyed the book, but for some reason it took me a few days to read it. I was busy, and at the same time, I knew where CG was going and didn't like it. For being so smart, she took some really bad choices...but I couldn't blame her, because she's young and just want to be accepted. In the end, CG evolves and learn for her mistakes. It was obvious that sooner of later she was going to fall, but I wanted to know how it would be and if she was going to make it.
Overall, it's a light book that will make you laugh, and in the process, it will remind you that to make real friends, you have to be just who you are.
June 16, 2013
Rather Be Reading YA
Oh, boy. This book is about a girl who moves to a new town and immediately starts making bad choices. One bad choice leads to another, which leads to another, and before she knows it, she's in deep. The first, and most innocent, is to go by the initials CG rather than the slightly old-fashioned Cindy as she was known in her old town.
CG wants to fit in with the wealthier and popular students in her new town so she pretends to be more experienced - in every way - than she really is. Cindy wears a friendship bracelet given to her by her best (male) friend Alex; CG claims to have been sleeping with Alex. And so on. By the middle of the book, CG has everyone believing that she's a recovering alcoholic at fifteen. I half-expected that Alona, the queen bee, knew what was going on and was just going along to see how far CG would go.
CG's antics lead her to getting involved with not one but two older men, both unavailable in different ways. She's really not a very sympathetic or even likable character. Look, I know she just wants to be accepted in her new school, but everything that goes wrong in her life stems from one thing: her constant string of lies. It was all her fault. I didn't feel sorry for CG at all. I felt sorry for the people she hurt. I really only kept reading to see what new situations CG would find herself in and to enjoy it when everything came crashing down around her.
Cute cover though.
Oh, boy. This book is about a girl who moves to a new town and immediately starts making bad choices. One bad choice leads to another, which leads to another, and before she knows it, she's in deep. The first, and most innocent, is to go by the initials CG rather than the slightly old-fashioned Cindy as she was known in her old town.
CG wants to fit in with the wealthier and popular students in her new town so she pretends to be more experienced - in every way - than she really is. Cindy wears a friendship bracelet given to her by her best (male) friend Alex; CG claims to have been sleeping with Alex. And so on. By the middle of the book, CG has everyone believing that she's a recovering alcoholic at fifteen. I half-expected that Alona, the queen bee, knew what was going on and was just going along to see how far CG would go.
CG's antics lead her to getting involved with not one but two older men, both unavailable in different ways. She's really not a very sympathetic or even likable character. Look, I know she just wants to be accepted in her new school, but everything that goes wrong in her life stems from one thing: her constant string of lies. It was all her fault. I didn't feel sorry for CG at all. I felt sorry for the people she hurt. I really only kept reading to see what new situations CG would find herself in and to enjoy it when everything came crashing down around her.
Cute cover though.
March 2, 2013
I really liked this book to begin with.
I've been on a search for a good student/teacher romance novel, and I thought this might be good.
I made it 3/4 of the way through this novel before putting it down.
The teenage drama was just too much for me to handle. Bulimia, lies, alcoholism, a masquerade party where the teacher cant tell the difference between a 15, and 25 year old, and the stupidity of teenagers just grinds my gears. Immature. Yes, that's the way kids are, I know that. I was a teen once as well.
I am absolutely intolerant of women falling prey to men despite the obvious fact that she is being used. Wake up! (Talking about the character Jordan here, or whatever his name was) and CJ actually considers losing her virginity to this dickhead?
Ugh
I've been on a search for a good student/teacher romance novel, and I thought this might be good.
I made it 3/4 of the way through this novel before putting it down.
The teenage drama was just too much for me to handle. Bulimia, lies, alcoholism, a masquerade party where the teacher cant tell the difference between a 15, and 25 year old, and the stupidity of teenagers just grinds my gears. Immature. Yes, that's the way kids are, I know that. I was a teen once as well.
I am absolutely intolerant of women falling prey to men despite the obvious fact that she is being used. Wake up! (Talking about the character Jordan here, or whatever his name was) and CJ actually considers losing her virginity to this dickhead?
Ugh
June 1, 2011
This book was trashy. i knew that going into the book though, the title and everything was just "trashy". I have to say I was looking for a easy read though which is the reason I picked this book up. To be honest I feel like it started with a dare was a utterly pointlessbook. The characters were pretty 2 dimensional. I barely got to know the main character "CG" at all. I found that swear words were actually kind of irritating- im all for the occasional f-bomb but I mean the swearing and little plays she put on the word fuck got kind of crazy-. I tried to get through this book I really did but I couldnt make it through the last few chapters. PLEASE do not pick up this book.
July 29, 2010
Although the writing was lively and engaging, I found the premise of this book too far-fetched to be believable. A new girl, insecure and quiet, moves to a new town and on the first day of high school is accepted into the most popular clique for no apparent reason. The "reason" is eventually revealed but I actually snorted when I read it. Not at all believable or realistic. This is what really ruined the book for me!
July 16, 2010
An eye catching cover, but not much to back it up. Rach relies on caricatures and shock value, and doesn't have much else to add.
September 17, 2018
...thank god I got this book for free from some community honour system book-swap program in my region.
June 3, 2024
Nice easy high schooler read.
July 4, 2010
It might be called it started with a dare but it actually all started when GC, who was new to the school, was approached by the schools ‘it’ girl Alona Spelton and her clique, Grace and Sammie, at school during lunch after Alona noticed CG popped gum in front of her teachers face because apparently popping gum near your teacher is very rebellious. CG couldn’t even remember doing it but she thought ‘why not say I did it on purpose if it can get me in with the popular girls’ and so begins CG’s downward spiral into a moral black whole and boy did she descend. CG is welcomed into the clique and soon is completely abandoning all her principals of right and wrong, lying to everyone (to be honest I don’t know how she could remember every lie she told there were that many) just so she would seem cool to Alona, Grace and Sammie.
I didn’t connect with CG as a character at all, I felt nothing for her when she really hit rock bottom because it was her fault, she made the decisions no one forced her to she just wanted to be popular and boy did she make some crappy decisions. Hmmm where to start …. she lied to her ‘friends’ (I use that term lightly), she started an internet romance with her English teacher, she pretended she was an alcoholic, she started a secret relationship with her supposed friends college age brother and the list goes on. Whilst she may have constantly lied to Alona, Grance and Sammie I couldn’t feel sorry for them either because they were just as bad, boy these girls were terrible, I did not connect with any of them. I mean when one of the girls is sent away for a ‘medical condition’ the others act like it’s no big deal and don’t even care! I mean if my friend was sent away I’d want to know what’s wrong and if they are okay.
I also thought it was a bit weird that basically the book revolved around CG, Alona, Grace and Sammie, there was no real interaction between these characters and anyone else. They failed to even interact with other students at the school (well except for one), you’d think because they were part of the popular group that there would be some interaction with others at the school be it annoying those they dislike or fawning over the popular guys, but no they didn’t.
All throughout the book as CG’s lies became more and more ridiculous I was thinking oh boy this is going to blow up big time when it finally all comes out that CG was lying and it’s not going to be pretty, unfortunately it was a bit anticlimactic when GC’s deception was revealed, I thought (I guess was hoping) there would be more to it than what actually happened. I was also unconvinced of CG’s repentance, I got the feeling she wasn’t really that sorry for everything she did and she really wasn’t punished at all which was disappointing I wanted her punished big time, which probably shouldn’t be the case for the heroine of a novel.
Whilst I didn’t really like CG as a character she had me in hysterics in some parts, I mean some of the things that came out of her mouth were so cheesy (I love the cheese factor). One particular gem I loved was “sounds cheesy as a 10 pound wheel of cheddar” *giggles*! She also used words such as nimrod, buffoon and sheezmesiter, love it! I generally don’t mind if there is some bad language in the books I read (if it fits) however I did notice that the language in parts of the book is quite crass and extreme.
Overall I found this book a quick read with not much substance.
*I received It Started with a Dare ARC ebook courtesy of netGalley and the publisher (thanks!)*
I didn’t connect with CG as a character at all, I felt nothing for her when she really hit rock bottom because it was her fault, she made the decisions no one forced her to she just wanted to be popular and boy did she make some crappy decisions. Hmmm where to start …. she lied to her ‘friends’ (I use that term lightly), she started an internet romance with her English teacher, she pretended she was an alcoholic, she started a secret relationship with her supposed friends college age brother and the list goes on. Whilst she may have constantly lied to Alona, Grance and Sammie I couldn’t feel sorry for them either because they were just as bad, boy these girls were terrible, I did not connect with any of them. I mean when one of the girls is sent away for a ‘medical condition’ the others act like it’s no big deal and don’t even care! I mean if my friend was sent away I’d want to know what’s wrong and if they are okay.
I also thought it was a bit weird that basically the book revolved around CG, Alona, Grace and Sammie, there was no real interaction between these characters and anyone else. They failed to even interact with other students at the school (well except for one), you’d think because they were part of the popular group that there would be some interaction with others at the school be it annoying those they dislike or fawning over the popular guys, but no they didn’t.
All throughout the book as CG’s lies became more and more ridiculous I was thinking oh boy this is going to blow up big time when it finally all comes out that CG was lying and it’s not going to be pretty, unfortunately it was a bit anticlimactic when GC’s deception was revealed, I thought (I guess was hoping) there would be more to it than what actually happened. I was also unconvinced of CG’s repentance, I got the feeling she wasn’t really that sorry for everything she did and she really wasn’t punished at all which was disappointing I wanted her punished big time, which probably shouldn’t be the case for the heroine of a novel.
Whilst I didn’t really like CG as a character she had me in hysterics in some parts, I mean some of the things that came out of her mouth were so cheesy (I love the cheese factor). One particular gem I loved was “sounds cheesy as a 10 pound wheel of cheddar” *giggles*! She also used words such as nimrod, buffoon and sheezmesiter, love it! I generally don’t mind if there is some bad language in the books I read (if it fits) however I did notice that the language in parts of the book is quite crass and extreme.
Overall I found this book a quick read with not much substance.
*I received It Started with a Dare ARC ebook courtesy of netGalley and the publisher (thanks!)*
July 27, 2010
This was an E-book ARC I got from Net-Galley. I am not being compensated in any way for my review.
The release date for this book is September 13, 2010.
This book is definitely not for a younger group. There is a lot of talk about sex and profanity in it and it addresses some issues that younger aged 12 and under might be better off waiting to read about until they are older.
It's high school, the usual scene, the teen queen and her honey bees are around her. The story is told from CG's point of view. CG has just moved there and for some unknown reason, the Queen Bee has graced her with recognition. Her father is CG's father's boss. All of a sudden, CG decides to become this new person so she can stay with the honey bees that hover around the Queen Bee. She becomes this rebel that never turns down a dare, has done anything they've ever thought about, and doesn't think about anything, but staying in that group. She doesn't care what she has to do to stay there. She doesn't realize at the top that they aren't her friends, they're just the top. Then, she finally takes a look at them and realizes their lives for being so popular and monyed aren't as perfect as she thought they were and the boy who looked so golden isn't at all.
This is a typical high school wanna be popular book, but with a twist. CG doesn't have sex with the football team. She doesn't kiss ass to the cool crowd. She doesn't even ingratiate herself to the Queen bee. She builds herself up quickly as the bad girl, the rebel, the daredevil with the Queen Bee and her honey bees. I've never seen the rebel be the one that fit in with the Queen. Her clothes look like they come from secondhand stores, her shoes are Payless, and her back pack is from Good Will. But with each lie she tells she goes up a notch in the groups eyes until they rename themselves, The Four Tops. She shops with them in stores where they buy expensive clothes and she buys nothing, but it doesn't bother her in the least. They live in mansions, she lives in a townhouse the company CG's father's company set them up in. She acts like none of it bothers her and it doesn't. She's not label conscious and doesn't care about money, but she does want to be popular.
CG does some unthinkable things, as do her other "tops" and it's hard to imagine how she's going to make the mess she's made go away and keep her position in the Four Tops. Is it even possible? Does she even want it? She has to figure out who CG is before she can come clean. But will she?
I have to leave it like that though since it's predictable, you probably know what happens. There are some good lessons to be learned from her story. Not all honey bees are happy there. Sometimes the nerds are happier than the queen bees. And being yourself today doesn't mean you have to be that same person tomorrow. You don't have to have everything figured out in high school. You shouldn't. You're ever evolving.
I thought it was a good book. It was a quick easy read. Even at just 300 pages I read it in a few hours. The writing flows and the chapters don't break up the story. It touched on bulimia, slightly on alcoholism, teen sex, teacher/student relationships and as I said there was some profanity in it. It wasn't quite as light hearted as the cover makes it seem, but CG has her funny moments when she's talking in her head. I'd recommend this for 14 and up. I definitely think teen girls will identify with CG and see some part of themselves in her predicament.
The release date for this book is September 13, 2010.
This book is definitely not for a younger group. There is a lot of talk about sex and profanity in it and it addresses some issues that younger aged 12 and under might be better off waiting to read about until they are older.
It's high school, the usual scene, the teen queen and her honey bees are around her. The story is told from CG's point of view. CG has just moved there and for some unknown reason, the Queen Bee has graced her with recognition. Her father is CG's father's boss. All of a sudden, CG decides to become this new person so she can stay with the honey bees that hover around the Queen Bee. She becomes this rebel that never turns down a dare, has done anything they've ever thought about, and doesn't think about anything, but staying in that group. She doesn't care what she has to do to stay there. She doesn't realize at the top that they aren't her friends, they're just the top. Then, she finally takes a look at them and realizes their lives for being so popular and monyed aren't as perfect as she thought they were and the boy who looked so golden isn't at all.
This is a typical high school wanna be popular book, but with a twist. CG doesn't have sex with the football team. She doesn't kiss ass to the cool crowd. She doesn't even ingratiate herself to the Queen bee. She builds herself up quickly as the bad girl, the rebel, the daredevil with the Queen Bee and her honey bees. I've never seen the rebel be the one that fit in with the Queen. Her clothes look like they come from secondhand stores, her shoes are Payless, and her back pack is from Good Will. But with each lie she tells she goes up a notch in the groups eyes until they rename themselves, The Four Tops. She shops with them in stores where they buy expensive clothes and she buys nothing, but it doesn't bother her in the least. They live in mansions, she lives in a townhouse the company CG's father's company set them up in. She acts like none of it bothers her and it doesn't. She's not label conscious and doesn't care about money, but she does want to be popular.
CG does some unthinkable things, as do her other "tops" and it's hard to imagine how she's going to make the mess she's made go away and keep her position in the Four Tops. Is it even possible? Does she even want it? She has to figure out who CG is before she can come clean. But will she?
I have to leave it like that though since it's predictable, you probably know what happens. There are some good lessons to be learned from her story. Not all honey bees are happy there. Sometimes the nerds are happier than the queen bees. And being yourself today doesn't mean you have to be that same person tomorrow. You don't have to have everything figured out in high school. You shouldn't. You're ever evolving.
I thought it was a good book. It was a quick easy read. Even at just 300 pages I read it in a few hours. The writing flows and the chapters don't break up the story. It touched on bulimia, slightly on alcoholism, teen sex, teacher/student relationships and as I said there was some profanity in it. It wasn't quite as light hearted as the cover makes it seem, but CG has her funny moments when she's talking in her head. I'd recommend this for 14 and up. I definitely think teen girls will identify with CG and see some part of themselves in her predicament.
March 2, 2012
Though it's not the best book I've ever read, I did find myself enjoying the mess that main character CG makes for herself as she is trying to fit in to the popular crowd at her new school. Convinced that they won't accept her as she is, CG creates a new version of Truth or Dare and finds the dares getting her deeper and deeper into trouble. Then to top that off, she just can't seem to stop lying about - or hiding - the true CG (or Cindy as she was known at her old school). The trouble continues to mount for her until everything just comes unraveled and she finds herself in a heap of trouble with her friends, her parents and a teacher at school. I think the things that happen are pretty typical teen things. There is some strong language, but not like some books I've read. There's talk of sex, but no actual sex occurs in the story and there is one party where they spike some punch and one of the girls gets drunk, but for the most part, it's tame compared to other YA titles I've read recently. A fun read for teenage girls.
Booktalk Notes:
CG, Cynthia Gene, is new in Beaubridge High School, and she is trying to fit in to the popular crowd at her new school. Convinced that they won't accept her as she is, CG creates a new version of herself and of the gameTruth or Dare and finds the dares getting her deeper and deeper into trouble. Then to top that off, she just can't seem to stop lying about - or hiding - the true CG. It starts with a dare to steal away from a slumber party at her friend Alona's and slip into Alona's older brother Jordan's room, whisper something in his ear and give him a kiss on the cheek. When Jordan is even more receptive, it turns into a makeout session, which she, of course, has to hide from her friends. Jordan, a Penn State student, turns out to have a girlfriend who he claims to not love and of course, by stories end, he's claiming he loves CG while trying to take her virginity - oh, that's another thing she lied about. Her friends all think she slept with her friend Alex, a boy whose not really her boyfriend, back in Philly. Later she's dared to invent a new persona and enter a chatroom to pick up a guy there. So, CG, becomes Fiji a 25-year -old New York City resident. She goes into the chatroom and meets a great guy, who reveals some information to her thinking that she is a 25 year old woman. Turns out the great guy is CG's hot English teacher, Mr. Fenowitz. She knows she should call it off, but the girls all think it is so cool - and really she does, too. So, Fiji and Bill carry on an online relationship. CG thinks this is as far as it will go until that darn Truth or Dare game comes into play again. This time the girls write a script for her and she is to e-mail Bill and invite him to a masquerade party. Slightly unbelievable, but at the party, she hides her identity - barely when Jordan arrives at the party, too, and learns that Bill is boring... Now what? Later, she confesses to being a recovered alcoholic, hides the fact that she's become good friends with the class nerd Glory who lives on her street, and inadvertently reveals her identity to Bill. Then her Mom gets wind of her status as a recovering alcoholic and all hell breaks loose. She is caught - caught in the tangled web of lies and misrepresentations she's made and finds herself losing everything. Will she somehow recover?
Booktalk Notes:
CG, Cynthia Gene, is new in Beaubridge High School, and she is trying to fit in to the popular crowd at her new school. Convinced that they won't accept her as she is, CG creates a new version of herself and of the gameTruth or Dare and finds the dares getting her deeper and deeper into trouble. Then to top that off, she just can't seem to stop lying about - or hiding - the true CG. It starts with a dare to steal away from a slumber party at her friend Alona's and slip into Alona's older brother Jordan's room, whisper something in his ear and give him a kiss on the cheek. When Jordan is even more receptive, it turns into a makeout session, which she, of course, has to hide from her friends. Jordan, a Penn State student, turns out to have a girlfriend who he claims to not love and of course, by stories end, he's claiming he loves CG while trying to take her virginity - oh, that's another thing she lied about. Her friends all think she slept with her friend Alex, a boy whose not really her boyfriend, back in Philly. Later she's dared to invent a new persona and enter a chatroom to pick up a guy there. So, CG, becomes Fiji a 25-year -old New York City resident. She goes into the chatroom and meets a great guy, who reveals some information to her thinking that she is a 25 year old woman. Turns out the great guy is CG's hot English teacher, Mr. Fenowitz. She knows she should call it off, but the girls all think it is so cool - and really she does, too. So, Fiji and Bill carry on an online relationship. CG thinks this is as far as it will go until that darn Truth or Dare game comes into play again. This time the girls write a script for her and she is to e-mail Bill and invite him to a masquerade party. Slightly unbelievable, but at the party, she hides her identity - barely when Jordan arrives at the party, too, and learns that Bill is boring... Now what? Later, she confesses to being a recovered alcoholic, hides the fact that she's become good friends with the class nerd Glory who lives on her street, and inadvertently reveals her identity to Bill. Then her Mom gets wind of her status as a recovering alcoholic and all hell breaks loose. She is caught - caught in the tangled web of lies and misrepresentations she's made and finds herself losing everything. Will she somehow recover?
August 10, 2010
Let me begin by saying that this book was so good that I felt the need to email Lindsay Faith Rech at 2 AM to let her know how much I loved her book. In retrospect, I regret that a bit. Since she hasn't written me back I can only assume that my mad, caffeine fueled fan letter scared her away. Lindsay, I'm sorry and I don't blame you. I think I would have scared myself. A word of advice my friends, no matter how much you love a book wait until you wake up and can write coherently before you choose to write a letter! That being said, there was so much to love about It Started with a Dare. Let's get started.
First off, C.G. (Cynthia Gene) is truly a spunky female protagonist. Lindsay takes us deep into C.G.'s head, and the reader gets an opportunity to relive those confusing and popularity driven teenage years. C.G. is witty, she's bright, she pops off the page and will even make you laugh out loud at times! Yes my friends, this is not a book that you'll want to read in front of other people. That is unless they are okay with you breaking into fits of giggles periodically and having no way to explain what was so funny! Portions of this book will most definitely tickle your funny bone, so to speak.
When C.G. decides to remake herself and suddenly becomes popular, the line between what is right and wrong starts to blur. Her apparent discomfort with this at first was endearing. Thank goodness she had a conscience! I also loved the the chemistry that was present between C.G. and the other girls in her group. Each of them were so different and yet fit together so perfectly. Characters like Alona come up in books quite often, the girl whose parents are too rich to care. However into the mix comes bitter, angst driven Grace and self conscious Sammie. Between the four main characters, any person who happens upon this book will find someone to connect with. It is these vivid characters that really drew me into the book and kept me involved well past my bedtime.
The one thing that was difficult for me about this book was the ending. Without saying too much or spoiling things, I'll simply say that I wish C.G. would have learned more through everything that she went through. In the end it seemed a little too perfect how things worked out. Everything was tied up in a perfect little bow. I'm glad that this book addresses as many issues as it does (cyber-bullying included), however I would have liked to see just a little more remorse in C.G. as to the way things worked out. This is a personal thing I know, and it definitely didn't take away from how much I loved the book overall.
Before I ramble on yet again, I'll end with the simple fact that this is a great book! Whether you fall into the same age category as C.G. and her popular counterparts, or happen to be an older reader like I am, it's certain that you will find something to enjoy in this book! I cannot wait to see what else Lindsay Faith Rech has in store for her readers!
First off, C.G. (Cynthia Gene) is truly a spunky female protagonist. Lindsay takes us deep into C.G.'s head, and the reader gets an opportunity to relive those confusing and popularity driven teenage years. C.G. is witty, she's bright, she pops off the page and will even make you laugh out loud at times! Yes my friends, this is not a book that you'll want to read in front of other people. That is unless they are okay with you breaking into fits of giggles periodically and having no way to explain what was so funny! Portions of this book will most definitely tickle your funny bone, so to speak.
When C.G. decides to remake herself and suddenly becomes popular, the line between what is right and wrong starts to blur. Her apparent discomfort with this at first was endearing. Thank goodness she had a conscience! I also loved the the chemistry that was present between C.G. and the other girls in her group. Each of them were so different and yet fit together so perfectly. Characters like Alona come up in books quite often, the girl whose parents are too rich to care. However into the mix comes bitter, angst driven Grace and self conscious Sammie. Between the four main characters, any person who happens upon this book will find someone to connect with. It is these vivid characters that really drew me into the book and kept me involved well past my bedtime.
The one thing that was difficult for me about this book was the ending. Without saying too much or spoiling things, I'll simply say that I wish C.G. would have learned more through everything that she went through. In the end it seemed a little too perfect how things worked out. Everything was tied up in a perfect little bow. I'm glad that this book addresses as many issues as it does (cyber-bullying included), however I would have liked to see just a little more remorse in C.G. as to the way things worked out. This is a personal thing I know, and it definitely didn't take away from how much I loved the book overall.
Before I ramble on yet again, I'll end with the simple fact that this is a great book! Whether you fall into the same age category as C.G. and her popular counterparts, or happen to be an older reader like I am, it's certain that you will find something to enjoy in this book! I cannot wait to see what else Lindsay Faith Rech has in store for her readers!
September 27, 2010
At her old school, CG was not in the cool crowd. That’s why she named herself CG at her new school, to give her an edge with the socialites. And it worked. Within no time, she’s part of the “Four Tops”, the smart, edgy one. But a little game of Truth, Dare or Torture is going to be the downfall of this princess. What starts with an innocent kiss on the cheek with her friend’s college-aged brother, ends with a lot of drama, grounding, a scandal with a teacher, and a friend in rehab. Oy vey. But, it doesn’t all go downhill. There is a small light at the end of the tunnel in the form of her former BFF Alex who may be more than just a friend.
I’m very mixed feelings about this book still, after I’ve let it sim for a couple of days. It was cute, made me feel like I was really hanging out with high schoolers and brought up a bunch of issues high school students face. I think the last of those way my favorite part of the book. It didn’t really sugar coat anything. Doing anything to fit it, eating disorders, hooking up with older guys, meeting people on chat rooms, lying about your age, drinking. These are all things that high schoolers face. Most of these were on the table when I was in school and I know they are not drifting away. The honesty of the problems was brutal, respectful and real.
This book also is a great lessona bout lying. We all have been through it. It starts as something small like with what all we ate for lunch, then expands and before you know it, you don’t know what is true and what is not. This is very prevalent in CG’s life and a problem I think many teens are faced with. They want people to like them and will go to the ends of the Earth to make that happen. Unfortunately, as in CG’s case, it normally doesn’t end pretty. Be honest!
My problem with this book, along with many teen shows right now is the approval for teens to have relationships with teachers. Pretty Little Liars and Life Unexpected are two shows that I watch that have student/teacher relationships. It seems very prevalent right now. I know it has always happened and hot topics come and go, but I feel like for sensationalism in tv and books, it’s pushed to the limits. Granted in this book, nothing necessarily illegal happens, not necessarily, but the issue is still there, pounding on the front door, ready to be let in. I am in no way ridiculing Rech for her decision to put this in, I just hate the topic in general no matter where it comes up. It worries me that it’s very serious when it happens in real life, but in shows, it is played up and seems sexy and ok. I am stepping off my soap box now.
Trying not to let an issue take over my review, I really have no other problems with the book, other than I am glad as ever not to deal with high school drama. Oh those girls drove me nuts at times! I give It Started With A Dare 3 bookmarks.
I’m very mixed feelings about this book still, after I’ve let it sim for a couple of days. It was cute, made me feel like I was really hanging out with high schoolers and brought up a bunch of issues high school students face. I think the last of those way my favorite part of the book. It didn’t really sugar coat anything. Doing anything to fit it, eating disorders, hooking up with older guys, meeting people on chat rooms, lying about your age, drinking. These are all things that high schoolers face. Most of these were on the table when I was in school and I know they are not drifting away. The honesty of the problems was brutal, respectful and real.
This book also is a great lessona bout lying. We all have been through it. It starts as something small like with what all we ate for lunch, then expands and before you know it, you don’t know what is true and what is not. This is very prevalent in CG’s life and a problem I think many teens are faced with. They want people to like them and will go to the ends of the Earth to make that happen. Unfortunately, as in CG’s case, it normally doesn’t end pretty. Be honest!
My problem with this book, along with many teen shows right now is the approval for teens to have relationships with teachers. Pretty Little Liars and Life Unexpected are two shows that I watch that have student/teacher relationships. It seems very prevalent right now. I know it has always happened and hot topics come and go, but I feel like for sensationalism in tv and books, it’s pushed to the limits. Granted in this book, nothing necessarily illegal happens, not necessarily, but the issue is still there, pounding on the front door, ready to be let in. I am in no way ridiculing Rech for her decision to put this in, I just hate the topic in general no matter where it comes up. It worries me that it’s very serious when it happens in real life, but in shows, it is played up and seems sexy and ok. I am stepping off my soap box now.
Trying not to let an issue take over my review, I really have no other problems with the book, other than I am glad as ever not to deal with high school drama. Oh those girls drove me nuts at times! I give It Started With A Dare 3 bookmarks.
August 17, 2010
How do I start this review, hmm..
Let's just say, I finished reading this in less than 6 hours, with around 3 hours being away for tuition, and not to forget I stayed up till' 2AM while having to wake up the next day at 7AM. (and I'm here writing this review!) Why yes, thank you for your compliment.
So, now you know how Lindsay Faith Rech made me sacrificed my sleep and school works, how she took me on an interesting ride with this book, and how much I like this book. The whole book is cute, the atmosphere is light, and quite funny.
Honestly, when I started reading, I didn't like this book as much. It was kind of typical high school drama, and reminded me soooooo much of Mean Girls. I believe though, that this is even more dramatic than Mean Girls.
The main character, CG, or Cindy, gosh I like and dislike her. I don't understand at all why she had to create so much lies! (Then again, the high school system here does not work the way US high school does) Despite all those lies, I still managed to like her somehow. I wouldn't mind being friends with her at all. She is funny and sarcastic, and smart. That's why I don't get why she had to create a whole new person with all the lies, she is smart!
I like Jordan a lot, I only dislike him for that few scenes.(I'm a sucker for bad boys that aren't really that bad!) As for Alona, is it just me or is she Alice in Wonderland? We didn't get to know or discover that much about Alex, only little. I think I would like him better, or even more than Jordan if I had knew him better! I would love to know more about him!
I like how Lindsay revealed some random secrets of Cindy/CG that we didn't know or expect, and they're usually quite surprising. Author keeping secrets from readers, hello? I also like the addition of chats and emails, I guess they make me feel closer to the book.
This book took me by surprise towards the end of the book, it is so good! I think the greaat part of this book started around there as well! Great twist! I kept hoping for another twist, okay! I approve of the ending, even though it was not what I expected when I was reading the first half of the book.
**MAJOR SPOILER!**
I kept hoping that Jordan would turn out to be super nice and awesome and they would end up together. Oh well, the disappointment. But this is one of the (small amount) of books that has the girl choosing the guy who stood by her for very long time over some hottie she just known for few months. Also, I thought Cindy would at least speak a little with Alone or Grace after the truth came out, but no! :(
Let's just say, I finished reading this in less than 6 hours, with around 3 hours being away for tuition, and not to forget I stayed up till' 2AM while having to wake up the next day at 7AM. (and I'm here writing this review!) Why yes, thank you for your compliment.
So, now you know how Lindsay Faith Rech made me sacrificed my sleep and school works, how she took me on an interesting ride with this book, and how much I like this book. The whole book is cute, the atmosphere is light, and quite funny.
Honestly, when I started reading, I didn't like this book as much. It was kind of typical high school drama, and reminded me soooooo much of Mean Girls. I believe though, that this is even more dramatic than Mean Girls.
The main character, CG, or Cindy, gosh I like and dislike her. I don't understand at all why she had to create so much lies! (Then again, the high school system here does not work the way US high school does) Despite all those lies, I still managed to like her somehow. I wouldn't mind being friends with her at all. She is funny and sarcastic, and smart. That's why I don't get why she had to create a whole new person with all the lies, she is smart!
I like Jordan a lot, I only dislike him for that few scenes.(I'm a sucker for bad boys that aren't really that bad!) As for Alona, is it just me or is she Alice in Wonderland? We didn't get to know or discover that much about Alex, only little. I think I would like him better, or even more than Jordan if I had knew him better! I would love to know more about him!
I like how Lindsay revealed some random secrets of Cindy/CG that we didn't know or expect, and they're usually quite surprising. Author keeping secrets from readers, hello? I also like the addition of chats and emails, I guess they make me feel closer to the book.
This book took me by surprise towards the end of the book, it is so good! I think the greaat part of this book started around there as well! Great twist! I kept hoping for another twist, okay! I approve of the ending, even though it was not what I expected when I was reading the first half of the book.
**MAJOR SPOILER!**
I kept hoping that Jordan would turn out to be super nice and awesome and they would end up together. Oh well, the disappointment. But this is one of the (small amount) of books that has the girl choosing the guy who stood by her for very long time over some hottie she just known for few months. Also, I thought Cindy would at least speak a little with Alone or Grace after the truth came out, but no! :(
December 3, 2010
It’s never easy moving to a new school, especially when you’ve always been on the sidelines, so imagine CG Silverman’s surprise when she’s adopted into it girl Alona Spelton’s inner circle. CG is terrified that once Alona and her clique discover who she really is, an unworldly tomboy, they’ll drop her like last season’s fads. CG is desperate to impress these girls, so when playing truth or dare, she maybe goes a little too far. One or two little lies grow into a monster that CG doesn’t know how to stop. Propelled by a new rebellious image, CG finds herself getting involved in schemes she never would have before, like sneaking around with Alona’s older brother and having an illicit online affair with her English teacher. Can CG stop herself before it’s too late, or will everyone find out that’s she’s just a fraud?
It Started with a Dare tells the not particularly original story of a girl trying to fit into a new high school. The only way CG’s story stands out is that she doesn’t deliberately court popularity, or at least at first. Her inclusion in the in crowd comes as a total surprise to her, and unfortunately, once she realizes she’s in, she focuses on staying in, transforming herself into a careless and selfish person. Although CG holds herself above the other members of Alona’s clique, because she could care less about how she dresses and because she hangs out with a social outcast on the side, she really is no better than any of them, as CG eventually comes to understand. Her commitment to her new life of lies leads her to betray nearly every person, important or not, in her life, including herself. While CG’s exploits contain an important message or warning to readers, it is poorly executed. I had difficulty getting into this story because I could see the path that CG had chosen was a terrible one and personally could not relate to her choices at all. To make matters worse, every other supporting character was poorly developed and often hard to understand or inconsistent.
Though I didn’t find this novel particularly enjoyable, It Started with a Dare may still appeal to fans of Little Black Lies by Tish Cohen and The Diamonds by Ted Michaels.
reposted from http://thebookmuncher.blogspot.com
It Started with a Dare tells the not particularly original story of a girl trying to fit into a new high school. The only way CG’s story stands out is that she doesn’t deliberately court popularity, or at least at first. Her inclusion in the in crowd comes as a total surprise to her, and unfortunately, once she realizes she’s in, she focuses on staying in, transforming herself into a careless and selfish person. Although CG holds herself above the other members of Alona’s clique, because she could care less about how she dresses and because she hangs out with a social outcast on the side, she really is no better than any of them, as CG eventually comes to understand. Her commitment to her new life of lies leads her to betray nearly every person, important or not, in her life, including herself. While CG’s exploits contain an important message or warning to readers, it is poorly executed. I had difficulty getting into this story because I could see the path that CG had chosen was a terrible one and personally could not relate to her choices at all. To make matters worse, every other supporting character was poorly developed and often hard to understand or inconsistent.
Though I didn’t find this novel particularly enjoyable, It Started with a Dare may still appeal to fans of Little Black Lies by Tish Cohen and The Diamonds by Ted Michaels.
reposted from http://thebookmuncher.blogspot.com
July 28, 2010
CG is hoping to reinvent herself. New school, new crowd, why shouldn't she be popular this time around? No one knows her here, she can be whoever she wants to be. She ups the ante with a simple game of truth or dare. Telling the truth isn't hard for CG, but she prefers to embellish her answers. As for the dare, well, the more outrageous, why not? Her devil-may-care attitude gets her in the door with the popular crowd, but once there, she needs to maintain the status quo.
I, curiously, enjoyed reading about CG and did connect with her on some level. The more I read though, the more my head started shaking. I could just imagine where she was headed, and kept pleading with her to stop. Of course, she's a fictional character and can't hear or comprehend what I'm saying, so that didn't help matters any. She is a loveable character, though she does some daft things. Her character does evolve and there is hope for her. Whether she continues on the path she is on, or realizes what she is doing and stops, is another matter entirely.
The integral characters to the book are all richly realized. They are fleshed out and you can't help but feel sorry for some, or roll your eyes at certain others. Regardless, they are all human, and this book goes to show that what some may constitute as fun, may unintentionally harm others.
The humour throughout the book kept the general atmosphere tongue in cheek, without being cloyingly sweet. CG's use of expletives was abundant and varied; some of her outbursts had me laughing out loud, they were so off the wall.
All in all, a lighthearted book about the measures that people will take to fit in. Well worth the read, the moral of the story is pure. This will definitely be a book that I remember, especially for the lessons on what not to do to fit in.
Disclaimer: This book was obtained through netgalley, free of charge, in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for sending me this copy to review.
I, curiously, enjoyed reading about CG and did connect with her on some level. The more I read though, the more my head started shaking. I could just imagine where she was headed, and kept pleading with her to stop. Of course, she's a fictional character and can't hear or comprehend what I'm saying, so that didn't help matters any. She is a loveable character, though she does some daft things. Her character does evolve and there is hope for her. Whether she continues on the path she is on, or realizes what she is doing and stops, is another matter entirely.
The integral characters to the book are all richly realized. They are fleshed out and you can't help but feel sorry for some, or roll your eyes at certain others. Regardless, they are all human, and this book goes to show that what some may constitute as fun, may unintentionally harm others.
The humour throughout the book kept the general atmosphere tongue in cheek, without being cloyingly sweet. CG's use of expletives was abundant and varied; some of her outbursts had me laughing out loud, they were so off the wall.
All in all, a lighthearted book about the measures that people will take to fit in. Well worth the read, the moral of the story is pure. This will definitely be a book that I remember, especially for the lessons on what not to do to fit in.
Disclaimer: This book was obtained through netgalley, free of charge, in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for sending me this copy to review.
September 2, 2010
Moving home and being taken notice of by the most popular girl in her new school, CG takes the opportunity to reinvent herself and soon becomes one of the "Four Tops". Her three new friends - Alona, Grace and Sammi - are not only popular but also rich. A few made up tales and an inability to afford the clothes the other girls are wearing, CG gets herself the position as the rebel of the group. She wears, does and says whatever she likes. She starts an online relationship with her English teacher under the alter-ego of Fiji, she's secretly making out with Alona's older brother and also telling other people that he's her boyfriend ... the list goes on. Basically, this is a story about how a few little seemingly innocent lies can escalate and end up causing a who lot of trouble. CG adds lie upon lie to try and get out of the mess but she just keeps sinking deeper.
The best way I can describe It Started With a Dare is 'laugh-out-loud funny'. It's very much like Mean Girls (omg! I love that movie!) in that the popular girls are so mockingly stereotypical - and of course there's the new girl who isn't the obvious addition to the group thing. The story is narrated by CG so we also get to see her thoughts on everything which redeems her a little bit. A lot of the time she knows she shouldn't be doing what she is but she doesn't know how to get out of it without getting in a whole lot of trouble and/or loosing her new friends. There's also a few sections that are written as emails and IMs which works really well in this book. In fact one of my favourite bits is a Myspace blog post that CG writes logged in as Grace.
Although it's hard to actually like some of the characters in this book they are brilliantly written and although superficial in their personalities, there's underlying depth there with teenage insecurities that most people will identify with in some way.
It Started With a Dare is essentially a fun, quick and easy read that will amuse and entertain.
The best way I can describe It Started With a Dare is 'laugh-out-loud funny'. It's very much like Mean Girls (omg! I love that movie!) in that the popular girls are so mockingly stereotypical - and of course there's the new girl who isn't the obvious addition to the group thing. The story is narrated by CG so we also get to see her thoughts on everything which redeems her a little bit. A lot of the time she knows she shouldn't be doing what she is but she doesn't know how to get out of it without getting in a whole lot of trouble and/or loosing her new friends. There's also a few sections that are written as emails and IMs which works really well in this book. In fact one of my favourite bits is a Myspace blog post that CG writes logged in as Grace.
Although it's hard to actually like some of the characters in this book they are brilliantly written and although superficial in their personalities, there's underlying depth there with teenage insecurities that most people will identify with in some way.
It Started With a Dare is essentially a fun, quick and easy read that will amuse and entertain.
January 26, 2014
The cover looked fun, but the story was dumb.
Tomboyish Cynthia Gene Silverman moves to a wealthy suburb, reinvents herself as CG, and find herself promptly absorbed into the ruling class of her new high school. Convinced that she has to stand out to fit in, CG constructs a tower of lies atop a foundation of poor decisions that will inevitably crush her. That’s pretty much it for plot.
This book is not even worth the energy I have already spent reviewing it. It reads as though written by a high-schooler and falls dully short of the melange of Mean Girls and Pretty Little Liars it was aiming for. CG is somehow desperate for approval from her peers even as she feels superior to them. She claims to be a nice person who has changed a lot into the lying, scornful, manipulative hussy we see by mid-novel, but since we meet her as CG and not Cynthia Gene there is no evidence that she was ever a decent person other than her own word. The dialogue is flat, the attempts to build tension fall limp, and it all seems more than a little far fetched. If the author had gone in a campy direction it might have worked, but she plays it straight while incorporating ridiculous plot elements like a fifteen-year old (who by all accounts has yet to “blossom”) being mistaken for a woman in her mid-20s in both online conversation and after face time in lingerie and a masquerade mask with a teacher she sees on a daily basis.
It is pure fantasy. The fantasy of a nigh-unlikable girl who sees the world as beneath her even as she would like to plunder its riches. Her friends range from shabbily veiled tropes to cartoon villainesses, and despite CG’s (universally acknowledged) average-to-plain looks and hideous personality she has her choice of every male character with a name in the book.
Tomboyish Cynthia Gene Silverman moves to a wealthy suburb, reinvents herself as CG, and find herself promptly absorbed into the ruling class of her new high school. Convinced that she has to stand out to fit in, CG constructs a tower of lies atop a foundation of poor decisions that will inevitably crush her. That’s pretty much it for plot.
This book is not even worth the energy I have already spent reviewing it. It reads as though written by a high-schooler and falls dully short of the melange of Mean Girls and Pretty Little Liars it was aiming for. CG is somehow desperate for approval from her peers even as she feels superior to them. She claims to be a nice person who has changed a lot into the lying, scornful, manipulative hussy we see by mid-novel, but since we meet her as CG and not Cynthia Gene there is no evidence that she was ever a decent person other than her own word. The dialogue is flat, the attempts to build tension fall limp, and it all seems more than a little far fetched. If the author had gone in a campy direction it might have worked, but she plays it straight while incorporating ridiculous plot elements like a fifteen-year old (who by all accounts has yet to “blossom”) being mistaken for a woman in her mid-20s in both online conversation and after face time in lingerie and a masquerade mask with a teacher she sees on a daily basis.
It is pure fantasy. The fantasy of a nigh-unlikable girl who sees the world as beneath her even as she would like to plunder its riches. Her friends range from shabbily veiled tropes to cartoon villainesses, and despite CG’s (universally acknowledged) average-to-plain looks and hideous personality she has her choice of every male character with a name in the book.
August 10, 2010
CG is new to town and determined to be 'somebody' when before she was nobody. Well, nobody with a best friend she found actually really liked her. Leaving him and his revelation behind, CG reinvents herself as daredevil, alcoholic, sexually experienced and apparently into teachers. Her new friends are popular, but she soon realises they're not as perfect as everyone sees from the outside. And when CG's lies start unravelling, she realises who her true friends actually are.
CG is a funny character. Her internal monolgue (and some external too) was extremely realistic to girls her age and I could relate to the feeling of having a fresh start to reinvent yourself. I also related to losing yourself in the process. Wanting to impress people isn't unheard of, and she does horrible things to get there.
CG's immature. She's young and she's dreaming of being a person she's not. She exploits her friendly teacher and her nerdy secret friend. Her parents are barely blips on her radar and her best friend's brother is cheating on his girlfriend with her.
I found the story to be sweet, but also carry a sensible message - it's not okay to pretend to be someone you're not - especially when you end up hurting people. CG makes up for this in the end, but she spends a great deal of the novel not really caring or realising her actions might have bad consequences.
The end of the novel feels a little bit like it's drumming in the message a little too hard. And the whole 'happy ever after' was a bit of a let down. But overall I really enjoyed this book and I think when it comes out, it'll have a lot of happy readers.
CG is a funny character. Her internal monolgue (and some external too) was extremely realistic to girls her age and I could relate to the feeling of having a fresh start to reinvent yourself. I also related to losing yourself in the process. Wanting to impress people isn't unheard of, and she does horrible things to get there.
CG's immature. She's young and she's dreaming of being a person she's not. She exploits her friendly teacher and her nerdy secret friend. Her parents are barely blips on her radar and her best friend's brother is cheating on his girlfriend with her.
I found the story to be sweet, but also carry a sensible message - it's not okay to pretend to be someone you're not - especially when you end up hurting people. CG makes up for this in the end, but she spends a great deal of the novel not really caring or realising her actions might have bad consequences.
The end of the novel feels a little bit like it's drumming in the message a little too hard. And the whole 'happy ever after' was a bit of a let down. But overall I really enjoyed this book and I think when it comes out, it'll have a lot of happy readers.
December 1, 2010
It Started With a Dare by Lindsay Faith Rech
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2010
305 pages
YA; Contemporary
3.5/5 stars
Source: Netgalley
Summary: CG has moved to a new school and sees this as her opportunity to make herself over as a popular rebellious girl with a mysterious background. Along the way she is entangled in two romantic relationships and is enmeshed in all of her lies.
Thoughts: Wow-does CG lie a lot! I really liked her at the beginning (she lives in southeastern Pennsylvania, roughly where I'm originally from) and she was funny and an outcast. But then she starts lying and lying and lying. She starts up an online flirtation with her English teacher; she starts up a flirtation with her friend's older brother, who has a girlfriend; she lies about having been an alcoholic; she shuns the one girl who genuinely likes her; she lies about her relationship experience; etc. I was disgusted most particularly with the way she brushed off how the affair with the teacher was inappropriate and she whined a lot about all of her lying without doing anything to remedy it.
At the end, her parents find out mostly everything and punish her. I am somewhat uncomfortable with her parents' invading her privacy; although she is a minor (she turns 16 toward the end of the book), I do believe that she is deserving of some privacy. Of course she was doing awful things with little thought to the consequences and she definitely deserved punishment. I'm turn on this aspect. She ends the book pretty happy with herself, but I wasn't.
Overall: Unlikeable main character with a few funny turn of phrases and an almost redemption
Cover: It's very cute with the cherry lollipop.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2010
305 pages
YA; Contemporary
3.5/5 stars
Source: Netgalley
Summary: CG has moved to a new school and sees this as her opportunity to make herself over as a popular rebellious girl with a mysterious background. Along the way she is entangled in two romantic relationships and is enmeshed in all of her lies.
Thoughts: Wow-does CG lie a lot! I really liked her at the beginning (she lives in southeastern Pennsylvania, roughly where I'm originally from) and she was funny and an outcast. But then she starts lying and lying and lying. She starts up an online flirtation with her English teacher; she starts up a flirtation with her friend's older brother, who has a girlfriend; she lies about having been an alcoholic; she shuns the one girl who genuinely likes her; she lies about her relationship experience; etc. I was disgusted most particularly with the way she brushed off how the affair with the teacher was inappropriate and she whined a lot about all of her lying without doing anything to remedy it.
At the end, her parents find out mostly everything and punish her. I am somewhat uncomfortable with her parents' invading her privacy; although she is a minor (she turns 16 toward the end of the book), I do believe that she is deserving of some privacy. Of course she was doing awful things with little thought to the consequences and she definitely deserved punishment. I'm turn on this aspect. She ends the book pretty happy with herself, but I wasn't.
Overall: Unlikeable main character with a few funny turn of phrases and an almost redemption
Cover: It's very cute with the cherry lollipop.
April 5, 2011
It Started With a Dare was a novel addressing serious subjects and at the same time it was packed with laugh out loud moments, I really enjoyed the ride. Mrs. Rech writes about serious topics in a way that enables you to laugh at the same time that you know that this is serious matters she addresses. We have subjects like how difficult it can be to fit in, how easy it can be to tell lies to be accepted, romance, teenage drama, eating disorder, friendship and dysfunctional families, you name it It Started With a Dare got it.
I’m usually not a big fan of characters that lies and at some point of the book the main character, CJ’s, actions made me feel uncomfortable. Why not stop to think about the consequences? At the same time I could understand her, when CJ first started lying, with a hope of becoming friends with the most popular girl in school, it only went from bad to worse and it seemed like it was impossible to stop. But at least she was with the in-crowed. Still CJ was a witty and likable character and she had a nice character development throughout the book. It’s not easy being 15-16, in a new place and trying to figure out who you really are.
One of my favorite characters in the story was one of the mean girls named Grace We mustn’t forget that people often say hurtful things or does mean things to others because they have some serious issues with their own person (not that it’s alright for people to hurt others because they hurt themselves but I think you get my drift).
I’m usually not a big fan of characters that lies and at some point of the book the main character, CJ’s, actions made me feel uncomfortable. Why not stop to think about the consequences? At the same time I could understand her, when CJ first started lying, with a hope of becoming friends with the most popular girl in school, it only went from bad to worse and it seemed like it was impossible to stop. But at least she was with the in-crowed. Still CJ was a witty and likable character and she had a nice character development throughout the book. It’s not easy being 15-16, in a new place and trying to figure out who you really are.
One of my favorite characters in the story was one of the mean girls named Grace We mustn’t forget that people often say hurtful things or does mean things to others because they have some serious issues with their own person (not that it’s alright for people to hurt others because they hurt themselves but I think you get my drift).
July 7, 2010
CG Silverman is starting a new school, in a new town, and hoping for a new life - a more popular life. When the small "in" group of girls takes notice of her on her first day, she can hardly believe it. Before she knows what's happening she's the rebel of the group - doing whatever she feels like and going where no one has dared (or really should dare) to go before. One small white lie spins into another and suddenly CG is living a life of lies and half truths, dragging her friends, teachers, and family in with her.
I fell in love with CG from the get go. She was fun, outgoing, and truly a rebel in her own little way. When the white lies starting getting bigger and bigger (and even a bit ridiculous, but hey this is fiction), she finds herself living a double life. She strives for the approval of the popular group and once there she's scared to let go - so things just keep getting crazier.
The popular group is so stereotypical that it's perfect. They are cruel to the world at large, but latch on to silly little charitable projects that are "cute" to do. As the story unfolds and CG becomes a full fledged member of the group we get to see their inner demons and more about what makes them tick. We see their insecurities, their family secrets, and their surprising love for each other.
Somehow through this whole mess, CG ends up actually doing some good, and when everything falls apart around her (as we all knew it inevitably would), she finds out who her true friends are.
A little over the top in some spots, but still a good read.
I fell in love with CG from the get go. She was fun, outgoing, and truly a rebel in her own little way. When the white lies starting getting bigger and bigger (and even a bit ridiculous, but hey this is fiction), she finds herself living a double life. She strives for the approval of the popular group and once there she's scared to let go - so things just keep getting crazier.
The popular group is so stereotypical that it's perfect. They are cruel to the world at large, but latch on to silly little charitable projects that are "cute" to do. As the story unfolds and CG becomes a full fledged member of the group we get to see their inner demons and more about what makes them tick. We see their insecurities, their family secrets, and their surprising love for each other.
Somehow through this whole mess, CG ends up actually doing some good, and when everything falls apart around her (as we all knew it inevitably would), she finds out who her true friends are.
A little over the top in some spots, but still a good read.
December 1, 2010
Oh the joys of high school. Friends, homework, parties, and backstabbing fiends.
CG, the new girl, make her way in to the in-crowd by lying. Yes, she lies. Alot. I can understand CG point of view. High school sucks. There are so much rules and social standards, its hard to stand out. But the things she did were just not right. I had a hard time reading this book. Not because it was not written well. Just that all the things were bad.
CG, once in the in-crowd creates so many lies, that she doesn't even realize the truth anymore. And that is quite sad. She is so caught up with all the games that she is playing that she doesn even realize who she is really hurting...herself.
I was a little appalled of how she got involved with her teacher. Granted he was unaware of the situation. (They met on the Internet) but what got me was even after she found out who he really was. She used him, asking for lesson plans, and whatnot. She flirted with him and just kept on using him. Poor guy had no idea what was going on.
I would definitely not recommend this book to young reader. It has way to much sex, cursing, drinking, and just plain meanness. This book did remind of the movie Mean Girls and that high school was such a bad experience for me that I would never repeat the process ever again! At least in the end I was glad she saw the errors of her ways and was able to to be who she was meant to be. Herself.
CG, the new girl, make her way in to the in-crowd by lying. Yes, she lies. Alot. I can understand CG point of view. High school sucks. There are so much rules and social standards, its hard to stand out. But the things she did were just not right. I had a hard time reading this book. Not because it was not written well. Just that all the things were bad.
CG, once in the in-crowd creates so many lies, that she doesn't even realize the truth anymore. And that is quite sad. She is so caught up with all the games that she is playing that she doesn even realize who she is really hurting...herself.
I was a little appalled of how she got involved with her teacher. Granted he was unaware of the situation. (They met on the Internet) but what got me was even after she found out who he really was. She used him, asking for lesson plans, and whatnot. She flirted with him and just kept on using him. Poor guy had no idea what was going on.
I would definitely not recommend this book to young reader. It has way to much sex, cursing, drinking, and just plain meanness. This book did remind of the movie Mean Girls and that high school was such a bad experience for me that I would never repeat the process ever again! At least in the end I was glad she saw the errors of her ways and was able to to be who she was meant to be. Herself.
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