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brendalovesbooks's review against another edition
2.0
I don't necessarily think that the writing was bad in this book, it's just that the whole thing fell flat for me. I was expecting a lot more from this book, and it just didn't deliver.
Sometimes I complain that YA novels are way too long, but it's possible to go on the opposite end of the spectrum, and just be way too short. This one clocked in at 200 pages, and it moved way too fast. We didn't really have time to explore anything, or really even feel anything before the plot moved from one thing to another lightning fast.
I think I get what the author was trying to do here. I think she was trying to explore a lot of different themes that might be relevant with teens today, but again, it didn't deliver--there just wasn't enough time. There weren't really any likable characters for me. I didn't even like the main character, whose name I'm drawing a blank on, and I just finished the book. I guess she was kind of forgettable. Her best friend was interesting, and I could have really liked her as a character, but she really was barely there.
And lastly, it was quite predictable. There aren't any surprises here, and the journey wasn't that fun for me. And when I got to the end, I was thinking "that's it?" It was fast and abrupt, which I guess is fitting with the rest of the book. I wouldn't recommend this one.
Sometimes I complain that YA novels are way too long, but it's possible to go on the opposite end of the spectrum, and just be way too short. This one clocked in at 200 pages, and it moved way too fast. We didn't really have time to explore anything, or really even feel anything before the plot moved from one thing to another lightning fast.
I think I get what the author was trying to do here. I think she was trying to explore a lot of different themes that might be relevant with teens today, but again, it didn't deliver--there just wasn't enough time. There weren't really any likable characters for me. I didn't even like the main character, whose name I'm drawing a blank on, and I just finished the book. I guess she was kind of forgettable. Her best friend was interesting, and I could have really liked her as a character, but she really was barely there.
And lastly, it was quite predictable. There aren't any surprises here, and the journey wasn't that fun for me. And when I got to the end, I was thinking "that's it?" It was fast and abrupt, which I guess is fitting with the rest of the book. I wouldn't recommend this one.
britters68's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
heyjudy's review against another edition
3.0
~3/5
[Read more at my blog, Geeky Reading!]
This book surprised me, in several ways.
I expected what happened with Julian, so that wasn’t too much of a surprise. I was hopeful for something better, but oh well. The jerk.
I wasn’t quite expecting Ella. I thought she was going to be quite horrible, but not really in the ways she was. I really did not like her, at all. I did like that she had some quirks, though, since it gave her more personality, which is often missing in enemies.
I did like Raye. She’s weak at the beginning, doing as Ella says, wanting very badly to fit in, but at the same time feeling a little bad about it. And then she finally stands up for herself. I related to her during some of this. I understand why she took the high road at the end, and I am happy about that on one hand, as it was the better path to go down. But at the same time, I kind of wanted some kind of retaliation to Ella, and was disappointed that nothing happened. Not terribly surprised, but a little disappointed.
This was a very short story, and there was not quite as much development as I would have liked. And because of that, I am glad that the budding romance at the end was just starting, and didn’t jump forward too fast. It made sense, for how the rest of the book went.
Overall, this was a pretty average book. I enjoyed it, mostly, but am not feeling too intense about it.
[Read more at my blog, Geeky Reading!]
This book surprised me, in several ways.
I expected what happened with Julian, so that wasn’t too much of a surprise. I was hopeful for something better, but oh well. The jerk.
I wasn’t quite expecting Ella. I thought she was going to be quite horrible, but not really in the ways she was. I really did not like her, at all. I did like that she had some quirks, though, since it gave her more personality, which is often missing in enemies.
I did like Raye. She’s weak at the beginning, doing as Ella says, wanting very badly to fit in, but at the same time feeling a little bad about it. And then she finally stands up for herself. I related to her during some of this. I understand why she took the high road at the end, and I am happy about that on one hand, as it was the better path to go down. But at the same time, I kind of wanted some kind of retaliation to Ella, and was disappointed that nothing happened. Not terribly surprised, but a little disappointed.
This was a very short story, and there was not quite as much development as I would have liked. And because of that, I am glad that the budding romance at the end was just starting, and didn’t jump forward too fast. It made sense, for how the rest of the book went.
Overall, this was a pretty average book. I enjoyed it, mostly, but am not feeling too intense about it.
ltoddlibrarian8's review against another edition
3.0
Part Mean Girls, John Tucker must die and Cyberbully.
readwithpassion's review against another edition
3.0
Raye and Natalya create an online profile for an imaginary foreign student. They use this profile to contact students in their school. When the popular girl (who is a bit crazy) decides to join the game, things get a bit riskier. This book successfully shows the complications of school cliques. Additionally, it is a great representation of the horrors of cyber-bullying.
kaitrosereads's review against another edition
4.0
The Julian Game starts off a little slow but let me tell you this; it packs quite a punch. I didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I did but once I got into it I couldn't stop reading.
Raye Archer is just like every other girl in one way: she is in love with Julian Kilgarry. Too bad she has never even spoken to him. She's even too afraid to add him on Facebook. Elizabeth, on the other hand, is not. Raye's creation seems like a brilliant plan until a popular girl with a grudge wants to use it to get back at Julian. Will Ella get revenge or will things get out of hand?
I am going to go right out and state that I didn't like Raye. In fact, there is only one character in the book that I did like and that was Henry Henry. He was the only honest character in the book. Ella was mean, Julian was selfish, Natalya was confusing, and Raye was spineless. Raye was the only one who seemed to grow too. She was still spineless but she was easier to like at the end.
The rest of the book was great. I thought it would be predictable at first but I was wrong. I didn't have a clue what Ella had in mind for any of her revenge schemes. Julian also added some surprises to the book. It was definitely not a boring story. I found myself reading nonstop to find out how it would end. And the ending was good! =]
Overall, The Julian Game's striking cover will draw readers in but the fabulous story is what will keep them reading. I can't wait to see what Adele Griffin has in store for us next.
Raye Archer is just like every other girl in one way: she is in love with Julian Kilgarry. Too bad she has never even spoken to him. She's even too afraid to add him on Facebook. Elizabeth, on the other hand, is not. Raye's creation seems like a brilliant plan until a popular girl with a grudge wants to use it to get back at Julian. Will Ella get revenge or will things get out of hand?
I am going to go right out and state that I didn't like Raye. In fact, there is only one character in the book that I did like and that was Henry Henry. He was the only honest character in the book. Ella was mean, Julian was selfish, Natalya was confusing, and Raye was spineless. Raye was the only one who seemed to grow too. She was still spineless but she was easier to like at the end.
The rest of the book was great. I thought it would be predictable at first but I was wrong. I didn't have a clue what Ella had in mind for any of her revenge schemes. Julian also added some surprises to the book. It was definitely not a boring story. I found myself reading nonstop to find out how it would end. And the ending was good! =]
Overall, The Julian Game's striking cover will draw readers in but the fabulous story is what will keep them reading. I can't wait to see what Adele Griffin has in store for us next.
marie44109's review against another edition
Funny and so true. Adele Griffin takes the true high school and gives it a funny twist.
mattreadsalot's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
colbydcox's review against another edition
2.0
The book was okay...just one of those where I didn't really care for any of the characters, and therefore I didn't care what happened to any of them...though it was short, it was slow for me to get through.
It lured me in with that awesome cover, and it also got me with my vast love for books with titles that are like 'The ________ Game/s'...well...I guess it's just The Hunger Games, but have you READ that book? So freaking good. Read that instead of this.
It lured me in with that awesome cover, and it also got me with my vast love for books with titles that are like 'The ________ Game/s'...well...I guess it's just The Hunger Games, but have you READ that book? So freaking good. Read that instead of this.
heykellyjensen's review against another edition
I abandoned this at page 100. It was distancing to me as a reader. The characters were weird and I never cared about any of them. Pass.