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littlemimus 's review for:
Gorgeous
by Paul Rudnick
My first reaction after I read the last word of this book was: what on earth just happened? As I collected my thoughts, and tried to reread parts of the story, this is what I concluded:
- The book is super fast paced. A lot happens to Becky, from her mother's death to her accepting the deal with Tom Kelly, to the process of her becoming the most beautiful woman on Earth. These events span over very few pages, making it feel unrealistic to me. Her decisions seem to rash and her accomplishments seem too easy.
- The protagonist could get quite annoying. I did not connect with her well, I did not agree with many of her actions, and I did not find her funny. Rudnik's has humor, but it did not show well here. Also, the romance between the prince and Becky did not feel right. It felt insta-lovey, and I really did not care about this couple. Everything was too perfect, and any complications were clichéd complications that we see in everyday YA. which leads me to...
- This book has so many clichés but manages to be very unpredictable at times... not necessarily in a good way. I appreciate the lessons and ideas about inner beauty, but none of the stuff seems new. Some, concerning relationships, I could see miles ahead. However, I was surprised by certain plot twists, especially the crazy ending! Which I did not understand...
- This book was SO confusing! Becky is supposedly transformed from average to gorgeous, with a dress. What magic is this? And no, she does not get surgery or other treatments. Yet everyone else saw a beautiful girl emerge. But HOW did this happen? In an otherwise normal, Earth-like world, I find it hard to believe in this one-off fantastical magic.
I did have some scenes that I liked, but they do not cover up for the holes in this book. I've read better books by this author, and unfortunately, Gorgeous just didn't meet my expectations.