Thursday, June 17, 2010

Goth Girl Rising by Barry Lyga

No spoilers.

Title:
Goth Girl Rising
Author: Barry Lyga
Year of Publication: 2009
Genre: YA
Pages: 388
First Line: "My mother and I both spent a lot of time in hospitals."

Summary: After six months in the Maryland Mental Health Unit, Kyra Sellars, a.k.a. Goth Girl, is going home. Unfortunately, she's about to find out that while she was away, she lost track of more than time.

Things seem normal at first. Roger's his typical pain-in-the-ass, fatherly self. Jecca and Simone and the rest of the goth crowd still do their thing. And Kyra is back in black, feeling good, and ready to make up with the only person who's ever appreciated her for who she really is.

But then she sees him. Fanboy. Transcended from everything he was into someone she barely recognizes.

And the anger and memories come rushing back.

Fanboy. The Spermling. Miss Powell. Roger.

Her mother.

There's so much to do to people when you're angry.

Kyra's about to get very busy.

Source: Back of book


Review: Another fantastic book by Barry Lyga. A great and realistic story with a plot that is more real-life than fiction. I say that because Lyga focuses on a string of problems and every day life, rather than just one large conflict. One large conflict IS in the book, but it sort of lingers in the background as it builds up. I loved this book and I feel reading it again would be like reading an entirely different book. Definitely worth checking out.

Worst part: I'm not sure Lyga does a spectacular job getting the female voice right.

Best part: Aside from the femininity question (or getting the female voice "right") of Lyga's voice, I love KYRA'S voice. I can't quite explain it. It felt like she was actually talking to you. Lyga does a great job with keeping a consistent conversational tone, diction, etc.

Grade: A-

Other Books by This Author: The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl, Hero-Type, and Boy Toy.

Other Notes: 1. Some pretty mature themes, but nothing extremely graphic.

2. This is a sequel to The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl. Despite this, it may be possible to read GGR without reading tAAoFaGG. It wouldn't be easy, and I certainly recommend reading tAAoFaGG if only for the fact that it's awesome by itself, but it is possible.

3. I recently read two graphic novels. Do you guys include those on your lists for 50? I'm considering counting them as .5 each. These are the first graphic novels I've ever read, so . . . Let me know your opinions!



43 / 50 books. 86% done!

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