Title: Winger (Winger #1)
Author: Andrew Smith
Release date: May 14th 2013Pages: 439
Genres: Contemporary, Realistic Fiction
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
My rating: 4/ 5
Source: Bought
Synopsis:
Ryan Dean West is a fourteen-year-old junior at a boarding school for rich kids in the Pacific Northwest. He’s living in Opportunity Hall, the dorm for troublemakers, and rooming with the biggest bully on the rugby team. And he’s madly in love with his best friend Annie, who thinks of him as a little boy.
With the help of his sense of humor, rugby buddies, and his penchant for doodling comics, Ryan Dean manages to survive life’s complications and even find some happiness along the way. But when the unthinkable happens, he has to figure out how to hold on to what’s important, even when it feels like everything has fallen apart.
Filled with hand-drawn info-graphics and illustrations and told in a pitch-perfect voice, this realistic depiction of a teen’s experience strikes an exceptional balance of hilarious and heartbreaking.
With the help of his sense of humor, rugby buddies, and his penchant for doodling comics, Ryan Dean manages to survive life’s complications and even find some happiness along the way. But when the unthinkable happens, he has to figure out how to hold on to what’s important, even when it feels like everything has fallen apart.
Filled with hand-drawn info-graphics and illustrations and told in a pitch-perfect voice, this realistic depiction of a teen’s experience strikes an exceptional balance of hilarious and heartbreaking.
(taken from goodreads)
Review:
I went into this book with really HIGH expectations due to the hype surrounding it. Although, it didn't quite exactly meet those ridiculously set standards, I found it to be a really engaging read.
When books are evidently character driven, it is crucial that the main character is, not necessarily likeable, but at least relatable to some extent. Ryan Dean West, the main character in this book, was actually somewhat charming. And although I can't really say I can relate to a hormonal 14 year-old boy, I did sympathize with his feelings toward all the mistreatment that comes with being young among people slightly older than you. He was a very interesting character to read about. He was hilarious, sarcastic and overall charming. Since this book takes place in boarding school (is it just me or does anyone else absolutely love books set in boarding schools?) there were a lot of characters. Most of them being Ryan's -also called Winger- rugby team. They were some of the most weirdly engrossing characters I've ever read about. They added amusement to the story and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The book is roughly about the main character and his infatuation with a girl named Annie. Considering the fact that he is a 14 year old boy in the 11th grade doesn't really make the whole "getting the girl' thing easy for him. Regardless he takes everything in the best way possible with his witty and sarcastic personality. The thing is that I didn't really realize that that was what the book was about. Once I reached a little over half, I was asking myself " Where is this story going?". That's why I'm knocking off a star. Because although it was very entertaining, I found it to be a little bit slow.
What I did love about this book was the way it was written. I loved how sometimes the main character referred to the reader and also, the doodles and tiny comic-book-like strips where great! The writing itself was very fluid and easy to read. This story was one that gets you attached, you know? I had a very good time reading it and I can't wait to get my hands on Stand-Off. Especially after that ending!
When books are evidently character driven, it is crucial that the main character is, not necessarily likeable, but at least relatable to some extent. Ryan Dean West, the main character in this book, was actually somewhat charming. And although I can't really say I can relate to a hormonal 14 year-old boy, I did sympathize with his feelings toward all the mistreatment that comes with being young among people slightly older than you. He was a very interesting character to read about. He was hilarious, sarcastic and overall charming. Since this book takes place in boarding school (is it just me or does anyone else absolutely love books set in boarding schools?) there were a lot of characters. Most of them being Ryan's -also called Winger- rugby team. They were some of the most weirdly engrossing characters I've ever read about. They added amusement to the story and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The book is roughly about the main character and his infatuation with a girl named Annie. Considering the fact that he is a 14 year old boy in the 11th grade doesn't really make the whole "getting the girl' thing easy for him. Regardless he takes everything in the best way possible with his witty and sarcastic personality. The thing is that I didn't really realize that that was what the book was about. Once I reached a little over half, I was asking myself " Where is this story going?". That's why I'm knocking off a star. Because although it was very entertaining, I found it to be a little bit slow.
What I did love about this book was the way it was written. I loved how sometimes the main character referred to the reader and also, the doodles and tiny comic-book-like strips where great! The writing itself was very fluid and easy to read. This story was one that gets you attached, you know? I had a very good time reading it and I can't wait to get my hands on Stand-Off. Especially after that ending!
Loved this review! All of the points that you mentioned in this review, I totally agree with you! We should talk some time, and discuss all things books and blogging! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! And most definitely; thanks for stopping by! :)
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