Author: Libba Bray
Genre/Age: Humor, satire, young adult
Publication: 2011
Source: Library
Genre/Age: Humor, satire, young adult
Publication: 2011
Source: Library
Summary: The 50 Miss Teen Dream pageant contestants were expecting a fun-filled, sunny beach trip. Instead, their plane crashes on a seemingly desert island, and only a handful of them survive. Together, they fight snakes, search for food, and practice their pageant moves. They're in for a surprise when the heartthrob pirates show up, and they discover there is more to the island then they initially thought...
My Thoughts: Okay, the first thing that you should know about this book is that it is entirely satirical. It is all a giant play on today's materialistic society and the idea of beauty vs. brains. Can you have both? What does it mean to be beautiful? It also speaks a lot on media influence. The story is full of irony, wit, and pure satire, as stated before. It even has "commercial breaks" for various products sold by The Corporation who is basically running America.
While I truly appreciate the satire, uniqueness, and sense of sarcasm that is shown throughout the book (seriously. I'm one of the most sarcastic people you'd ever meet), I think it went a bit too far. By that I mean that the ENTIRE book was focused solely on being clever and making a point rather than focusing on the storyline at all. Because of this, the story was really hard for me to get into, and I found I had no problems putting it down at all.
There were definitely aspects I enjoyed about this book. It was pretty funny and clever at times, and the characters were developed extremely well. Despite there being a ton of characters, I felt a sense of knowing each of them. The girls really started to learn about and better themselves too. The ending also really picked up pace, and the last 75 pages or so finally captured my attention, which is what prompted a slightly higher rating from me. Despite all this though, I was simply not engaged for the first 300 pages or so. I think satire can be done really well so long as there is still a real and enjoyable story underneath it all. With Beauty Queens, though, it just seemed like every single thing was a big joke and I was quite bored.
My Rating: 2.5/5
I like witty and sarcastic books but I also agree that there is a limit. I don't like people that are all jokes and wit all the time with no sense of emotion and seriousness, let alone books. I thought I would really enjoy this book, but maybe not. Thanks for the honest review Steph.
ReplyDeleteGreat honest review, sounds like a mix of Uglies and Bitter is the New Black :-0
ReplyDeleteI learned something new about you - your sarcastic, interesting. I was wondering when I was reading JenL's book.
Sorry you didn't like it. When I first saw this, I sort of knew already it wasn't for me. I feel like I have so many other books out there to read first before this!
ReplyDeleteI have read similar reviews about this book and it does not sound like I will like it too much, so I think I might pass on it. Great, honest review :)
ReplyDeleteI've read some mixed reviews on this one. I appreciate your honesty. I miiiight give this one a try, but if I get frustrated, I'll prolly set it down.
ReplyDeleteLove it or hate it seems to be the majority reaction. It's kind of interesting to see what side everyone comes from. Though I agree it wasn't super engaging.
ReplyDeleteHmm..300 pages is a long time to be unengaged when reading a book...not sure I would have had your patience to finish.
ReplyDeleteI agree - I definitely was able to put this book down, it was a struggle getting through it. And what a shame because I really enjoyed Libba's Gemma Doyle trilogy. You're right - satire can be enjoyable, but not when it impedes a writer's style.
ReplyDeleteAww I'm bummed you didn't enjoy it! I just recently read it and LOVED it, I thought it was awesome.
ReplyDeleteYou have a point, it was less plot-oriented at first. It was more about jabs at society, and learning about each of the girls. I wasn't bored though - the satire was cracking me up. I'm easily amused, lol.
Ahh, that's too bad. I really like Libba Bray. Oh well, I'll still read it and see what I think. I do enjoy sarcasm!
ReplyDeleteOh right on. I've been on the fence with this one too.
ReplyDeleteBummer to hear this one didn't work for you! I have really liked everything else I've read from Libba, so I had really high hopes for this one. Pretty sure every review I've read has been pretty polarized, ya either love it or hate it. Hopefully I'll be a love it! :)
ReplyDelete