Well, this was a book that that turned into something I wasn't expecting! And that isn't a bad thing as it did well at dealing with some serious issues but in an fairly easy to read way. But I was expecting a much lighter read after the first couple of chapters! Be warned!
Lauren is the main character - she is 16, at school and the whole world is against her... in her eyes! From the beginning she sounds just like a typical teenager complaining about not fitting in, friends being fickle, periods, boys and the stresses of school. Oh and not getting the part in the school play and having to play a boy!
Her best friend is also going through a life changing experience as she wants to become a boy! Lauren doesn't seem to be the most considerate friend as she watches Stephanie become Evan and I did find that process a little harsh as Lauren doesn't seem very compassionate at all on the matter!
As things go along, the book turned much darker in its' subject matter and I did find it lost its' way a little around the middle as I think it was just trying to cover too many subjects and wasn't able to devote as much time to each as was necessary.
At times I didn't know whether to be for or against Lauren as she had moments where you felt empathy for her and all she was going through, and then other times she could be very selfish and unlikeable - a typical teenager I suppose! I found her to be hilarious one minute, and infuriating the next!
It also deals with the subject of abortion in Ireland which was approached quite sympathetically considering the situation in the country where young girls and women still have to travel to England to have an abortion or even receive proper advice on the subject.
I think this book will appeal to quite a wide range of readers from teenage years upwards - there is lots of swearing and sexual scenes - and it does a pretty good job of holding the readers' interest throughout.
Lauren is the main character - she is 16, at school and the whole world is against her... in her eyes! From the beginning she sounds just like a typical teenager complaining about not fitting in, friends being fickle, periods, boys and the stresses of school. Oh and not getting the part in the school play and having to play a boy!
Her best friend is also going through a life changing experience as she wants to become a boy! Lauren doesn't seem to be the most considerate friend as she watches Stephanie become Evan and I did find that process a little harsh as Lauren doesn't seem very compassionate at all on the matter!
As things go along, the book turned much darker in its' subject matter and I did find it lost its' way a little around the middle as I think it was just trying to cover too many subjects and wasn't able to devote as much time to each as was necessary.
At times I didn't know whether to be for or against Lauren as she had moments where you felt empathy for her and all she was going through, and then other times she could be very selfish and unlikeable - a typical teenager I suppose! I found her to be hilarious one minute, and infuriating the next!
It also deals with the subject of abortion in Ireland which was approached quite sympathetically considering the situation in the country where young girls and women still have to travel to England to have an abortion or even receive proper advice on the subject.
I think this book will appeal to quite a wide range of readers from teenage years upwards - there is lots of swearing and sexual scenes - and it does a pretty good job of holding the readers' interest throughout.