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
Ah!!! You’re back!
Kristi sounds exactly like me, minus the hating. Also the breasts.
So just the psychic-ness, then? Or do you also go to an awesome alterna-school?
Seriously, though, I think my favorite people are misanthropic teens in books. Not actual misanthropic teens, because they remind me of my own warped high school years, and then I start behaving like I’m still a misanthropic teen. Which is why I am currently wearing a hoodie, an American Apparel tee, corduroys that have been hemmed with safety pins, and Chuck Taylors that are at least three years old. (None of that has anything to with the current laundry crisis. None.)
Anyway, you’re missing nothing, Nina. The hating? Not fun. The boobs? Not so much fun, either, though all my girlfriends with petite B cups — you know, the ones who don’t have to wear bras that look like body armor — say complaining about big breasts is like weighing 90 pounds and complaining about being fat. I we should switch places for a month and see if we’re any happier.
And yes, I’m back! I’ll be taking it slow, and I’ve got a LOT of catching up to do, but I couldn’t let YA New York die on the vine. Besides which, while I’m not a hundred percent cured I am doing much better now, and this here blog is something that actually makes me feel good. Trust me, I missed you all as much as, maybe more than, you missed me.
Yay you have returned!
Also, I loved Vibes. Which I also got an ARC of, though I have no idea how, but I know I read it a couple weeks ago and may have even reviewed it. But yeah, I loved Kristi’s voice…and the ambigousness of the supernatural elements. By the end, it really could have gone either way.
I loved this book too. I got a bound manuscript of it to blurb back in like March or something. Great review, and glad to see that you’re finally back!!
*hugs!*
Egads! And Yay!
This was the first book I’ve read, not for school, in 5 years! I loved it, although I lost it in Florida, I had to buy it again! Amy Kathleen Ryan is a FANTASTIC writer and she displays what truly happens in high school, minus the psycic part! Again, my favorite book!