Amy Kathleen Ryan has written a fabulous book chock full of phrases that make me want to hop out of my chair and shout joyously. Indeed, I’m sorry it’s taken me this long to review Vibes, because I loved it from the moment I got it.
I only have the galley (meaning the version I read was not the final version), but before I even tell you what the story is about I want to present my favorite sentence in the book, which I hope was not edited out:
Video games were invented by demons riding dragons through the depths of a computer-generated hell rendered with excellent graphics so that I can see every drop of my blood on their three-pronged spears.
Now, while I personally have a great affinity for some video games, I love how Amy paints a picture with her words. And how her protagonist, Kristi, so often expresses her dissatisfaction with phrases telling us “X was invented by …” These particular gems are witty and vivid and not overused.
So. The book. It’s about a girl who thinks she’s psychic. She hears other people’s thoughts. And what she hears is basically that everyone hates her, or that members of the opposite sex can think of nothing but her breasts. Kristi goes to one of those high schools we encounter often in books but rarely in real life: a wacky alternative place where the students sit around in a circle at “morning meeting” and have a principal who is an endearing but completely nutty aging hippy. Kristi hates it, mostly because she is a misanthrope and hates everyone because she believes they hate her.
Of course it doesn’t turn out that way in the end, but I won’t tell you anything else lest I spoil it for you. Okay, just a bit: Vibes is one of those books that uses a supernatural theme without being the least bit supernatural. I’d place it more in the category of angsty teen chick lit — which, of course, is my very favorite category.
It’s a super-fun book, Vibes is. And just think: this is my first post back, and this is the first recommendation I’m making. Which is to say, if you are in the mood for something funny, smart and light-hearted, you should go grab Amy’s book. If you’re not in the mood for something funny, witty and light-hearted, you’ve obviously lost your bearings and should go read Amy’s book anyway.
Much love,
brina