Paper Princess » Book Review

Whaaaaaaaat on earth did I just read? And why, oh why, did I like it so??? This isn't quality literature by any means. Ellen described it as having a jaunt through the gutter in her review (here), and I'd have to agree.

I think of Paper Princess as having consumed a Big Mac from McDonalds. You bite into it, and it's delicious and you crave more. But after it's over, you're left with a faint feeling of nausea and/or disgust but also may have developed a mini-addiction to it.

Ella, our Paper Princess

Our main character, Ella, has been supporting herself since her mom's death by stripping. She is a focused student living in abject poverty so as to avoid the foster care system and get herself into college. In walks Callum, her father's best friend, who wants to take her into his mansion so she can live in luxury and comfort with his five teenage boys.

She resists as much as she can, but she ultimately decides that this is what is best for her and tries to make the most out of her situation. And I LOVED her for it. She is a survivor.

The Royal Brothers

THEY ARE ASSHOLES. Actually everyone in the story is an asshole. But we shall focus on our five boys. The oldest is Gideon, who's usually away at college but comes back on weekends. He seems nice enough. Reed is next, and he is the one to be obeyed. He also happens to be Ella's love/lust interest. Then we have Easton, followed by the twins, Sebastian and Sawyer.

Easton was my favorite brother, because he had the most genuine brother/sister relationship with Ella. And I'm a sucker for those kinds of relationships. Probably because I've always wanted an older brother. Instead I ended up with a baby sister and a baby brother that I'm basically another mom to. Thanks parents.

Have I mentioned that the brothers are assholes? No?

ASSHOLES.

But they come around. Sort of.

And then, you kind of fall for them as characters.

I don't know how or why it happened. But now I kind of love them all. Please don't judge me.

Recommend?

This reads like a fast-paced, slightly better written version of Fifty Shades with less creepy characters for the new adult genre. If you are in any kind of a reading slump, I would tell you to pick this up. I guarantee you that you'll read it one sitting.

All I can say is that Ellen and I are eagerly anticipating the next installment.

We also have a spoilery discussion post coming up. Stay tuned!

You Against Me » Review

‘Do you know what Gillian told me?’ she hissed. ‘She told me it’s not my fault. She said I should be able to wear a short skirt whenever I like. She said I should be able to go to a party in my bloody bikini if I want. I should be able to dance and drink and stay up late. I should even be allowed to snog the face off Tom Parker and it doesn’t mean he can do what he did.’

You Against Me is one of my favorite books. I suppose you could say it's an "issue book," but unlike many authors of that genre who bludgeon us over the head with a message or lesson or viewpoint, Downham does an amazing job at integrating a common news item into a fully fleshed story.

Is this book a romance? It is very romantic, but the book isn't devoted to telling a love story. Just as much attention is given to family dynamics, coming of age, and social issues in equal measure. You Against Me is impeccably balanced amongst all these things.

The style of writing is quite plain and uses a lot of British vernacular, but the prose is lyrical all the same. Downham points out the beauty in the mundane in a way that is very alluring. In fact, the book has an almost dreamy tone to it, only to be sharply brought into focus at times, to great effect. In my literature classes in college, we talked a great deal about how style should be a mirror of thematic issues. Downham nails it.

She treated her body as if it was really special. He’d noticed it at the river and again today – how she kept changing the position of a strap or pulling buttons shut or yanking her dress lower so he couldn’t see bits of her. It was like she had something hidden and if you got in there, you’d be really privileged. It made him think of that line in the Spider-Man movie about power and responsibility. It was doing his head in.

Another thing I love about the book is how fair it is. Every side to an issue is treated with respect. Take the two quotations I shared. In one, a character defends her right to wear whatever she likes. She celebrates bodily autonomy. In the other, Mikey notes the power of keeping things hidden. Each viewpoint is given merit.

I love this book. Not only is an engrossing read, but it's carefully crafted and stylistically complex. I cannot recommend it enough.