The Beginning of Everything

Jun 10, 2013 Giselle rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, own, contemporary

I was waiting in line and happened to have this book with me, and after only 10 minutes I was already hooked. The first few pages recount a horrifying situation that is bound to shock anyone, and already I could put myself in their shoes and feel it changing these boys for life. Then shortly after, we're brought into the second shock of the book: the accident that changed Ezra's life.

The Beginning of Everything is narrated by Ezra, a one time golden boy who's now feeling out of place with his ca...more I was waiting in line and happened to have this book with me, and after only 10 minutes I was already hooked. The first few pages recount a horrifying situation that is bound to shock anyone, and already I could put myself in their shoes and feel it changing these boys for life. Then shortly after, we're brought into the second shock of the book: the accident that changed Ezra's life.

The Beginning of Everything is narrated by Ezra, a one time golden boy who's now feeling out of place with his cane and worthless self image. I loved this boy from the get go. His voice is brilliantly depicted as a teenager who once had it all. You can not only feel his pain, but you also come to understand how hard it is for him to accept that he's not who he was anymore. The start is shocking but it's not like that the whole time, it's a pretty mellow read for the most part, actually. Throughout this book Ezra searches for himself, and finds what he needs to find in the most realistic, if not easiest, of way. Robyn gives us a real teenage boy with genuine insecurities and flaws. Obviously I've never been a teenage boy myself, but I found him to be perfectly portrayed with a convincing - and refreshing - personality.

This is another of those plots that aren't necessarily about anything in particular; at least nothing cut and dry. We have Ezra who was once the most popular boy in school with tennis championships and prom King crowns in his back pocket, and, of course, the prettiest girlfriend, but after the accident his life takes a 180. All in all, this book is about ever changing life; or in Ezra's case, a life forced to change following a tragedy. But is it really the worst thing that could have happened? We see him question who he really is, if he really belongs anywhere at all. It also has friendship as a major topic, primarily finding out who his true friends are. It's bizarre how sometimes it takes a tragedy to change people for the better, to make them see what they took for granted.

Romance is another large aspect of this novel, which is where Cassidy comes in. I adored this girl just as much. I found she brought a lot of energy to the book. She's intelligent and confident, but there's also something underneath her bright surface that is weighing her down. In a way, this made her perfect for the love interest. It made her and Ezra bond with this inseparable connection you can sense through the pages, born from shared brokenness - even though they're good at hiding it. The mystery behind Cassidy's past becomes fairly predictable, however - at least I found, especially after her sudden change of heart. It was made obvious by the immediacy following a certain conversation if you pay attention. I knew then exactly what had happened, though not right away who it involved. As for the ending, I think it's one that readers will easily love or hate. I fall more on the love side for how incredibly realistic it is. Life doesn't end neatly wrapped up with everything we expected and/or wanted, it just goes on. I appreciate realism over anything in these types of books.

Compelling characters, a strong narration, and great writing fill the pages of this book. The Beginning of Everything is sad, funny, hopeful, heartbreaking; it's about dealing with what life throws at you. Lemonade, anyone?

--
An advance copy was provided by the publisher for review.

For more of my reviews, visit my blog at Xpresso Reads

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Jun 12, 2013 Jaime Arkin rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: harpercollins, 2013, debut-author-challenge-2013, can-t-frickin-wait, ya, ebook-format, galley-arc, have-this, 5-starers, don-t-even-ask-just-read-it, favorites, must-buy-this, read-in-2013, reading-again, sarc-2013, stand-alone-books, will-be-rereading, dac-2013, edelweiss-arc, wishlist-books, 2013-august-release, got-at-bea-13

Sometimes I think that everyone has a tragedy waiting for them, that the people buying milk in their pajamas or picking their noses at stoplights could be only moments away from disaster. That everyone's life, no matter how unremarkable, has a moment when it will become extraordinary-a single encounter after which everything that really matters will happen.

Ezra Faulkner thought he had everything. He was the Golden Boy of Eastwood High. Star tennis player hanging with the popular crowd and dating...more

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May 04, 2013 Erin Arkin rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya, books-i-will-love-forever-and-ever

Ezra Faulkner is adjusting to life after an accident takes away his ability to play tennis. For such a long time it has defined who he is and now he doesn't have it going into his senior year of high school. He spent the summer avoiding all of his friends and trying to come to terms with what he will do when he goes back to school.

Cassidy is the new girl and although it is clear she is hiding something, she refuses to talk about it. A number of the kids that Ezra ends up hanging out with know he...more

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May 25, 2013 Lauren rated it 4 of 5 stars

A review will be posted on my blog Love is not a triangle closer to the release of the book.

Last year Ezra Faulkner had everything he thought he wanted. He was captain of the tennis team, president of his junior class and dating a popular cheerleader. Then in one night, Ezra caught his girlfriend cheating and got hit by a car that shattered both his knee and his athletic career. Now he's feeling lost and struggling just to make it up the stairs to his second floor classes. He's also realizing t...more

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Mar 07, 2013 Mitchii rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc-or-galley, young-adult, romance, realistic-fiction, drama, contemporary, 2013-reads

Y’all know about the story of someone who has it all. The person who is on top of his game and it took just a single event to take everything he has. And now he’s sort of lost and undergoing some transition…sometimes life altering ones? If your answer is yes, then you have a vaguely idea what Severed Heads, Broken Hearts by Robyn Schneider is all about.

This is about Ezra Faulkner who lost it all after a tragedy that ended his athletic career. He has future in playing tennis but a car accident th...more Y’all know about the story of someone who has it all. The person who is on top of his game and it took just a single event to take everything he has. And now he’s sort of lost and undergoing some transition…sometimes life altering ones? If your answer is yes, then you have a vaguely idea what Severed Heads, Broken Hearts by Robyn Schneider is all about.

This is about Ezra Faulkner who lost it all after a tragedy that ended his athletic career. He has future in playing tennis but a car accident that broken his knee disabled him from playing tennis. His so called friend ignored him like he didn’t exist. That his ex-girlfriend lodged herself to one of his former best friend. Everything is wrong. And rubbing more salt to his wound he’s now sitting in a different table with people he didn’t think he’ll associate himself during his golden days. But then he met Cassidy Thorpe. Cassidy is different. She is smart, funny but behind that façade she’s hiding something…dark.

That is Ezra’s story in a nutshell. I liked how it tried to explore this type of story where people realized that sometimes we thought we are living blissfully because we have it all. But then we realized that something is missing in our life. And what we thought was disaster but it turned out that it was only a triggering event that will put us on the right place. In Ezra's life that even though the titles, fame and his status were taken from him because of that accident, it actually open a lot opportunities to sort his life out. It put him on the place where he truly belongs. He finally realized is not all about the title. He has found true friends who doesn’t care what his status in school. He reacquainted with his former buddy. Who really appreciates him for just him.

This book was unexpected for me, it’s not that I’m not a huge pro on contemporary (I mean half of the books I read these days are contemporaries) but something different about this book. Different like Cassidy is to Ezra. It’s oddly refreshing but at the same left me impassive because I didn’t feel anything for Ezra. Added to the mix is Cassidy and my not having some fondness towards her character. Sometimes acted like the know-it-all-person. And this type hugely annoyed me. I know she has the brains to back it up but sometimes her remarks were not I truly appreciate as humor. And then there were times that she acting strange that bothered me in not so positive way. And because of that I wasn’t so keen with the romance going on with Ezra and Cassidy. Not even the ‘smart’ flirting amused me. Well, maybe that is just me.

But the book is more Ezra which I’m completely grateful for. Cassidy has served her purpose to Ezra’s life and after everything that has happened I had tolerated her ‘til the end. So all in all, I compared this book to a roller-coaster ride. Ezra had undergone a lot of phases so he could grow. He finally found his place in the sun. But it took him from his highest to his lowest to get there. He needed to face life on its ugliest so he could determine what he really needs to be. And who he wants to be with.

I received an eARC from Katherine Tegen via Edelweiss. Thank you.(less)

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Apr 16, 2013 Jessica rated it 4 of 5 stars

First off, let me say that this book has been renamed and will be published as The Beginning of Everything. This, in my opinion, is SO unfortunate! The original title so funny and fit the book perfectly!

Anyways, I really enjoyed this book and was surprised by how much I actually liked it. Ezra was the typical popular jock during his junior year of high school. He was a tennis star, dating a beautiful and popular girl and went to all the great parties. He had everything going for him until one fa...more First off, let me say that this book has been renamed and will be published as The Beginning of Everything. This, in my opinion, is SO unfortunate! The original title so funny and fit the book perfectly!

Anyways, I really enjoyed this book and was surprised by how much I actually liked it. Ezra was the typical popular jock during his junior year of high school. He was a tennis star, dating a beautiful and popular girl and went to all the great parties. He had everything going for him until one fateful night when an accident changed his life forever.

Ezra starts out his senior year alone after shutting out all his old friends. He is unsure where he will fit in now that he can't play tennis anymore. When his old friend, Toby, takes Ezra under his wing, Ezra finds out how fake his old life was. Ezra meets a new girl, joins the debate team and becomes friends with the "nerd" group. With the help of Cassidy, Toby and the rest of the group, Ezra finally figures out who he really is and what he wants out of life.

I loved Ezra and Cassidy's relationship. There was no insta-love which I was grateful for. They were friends first and I loved their friendly (and sometimes not so friendly) banter towards each other. The mystery behind Cassidy was sad and explained a lot. I was sad at the end with what happens with Cassidy but you know what? It was real and I appreciate that. I get tired of always having happy endings because that just isn't life.

Toby was awesome! He was quirky and had his own style and I love that he just plain didn't care what others thought of him. He had a very traumatic thing happen to him when he was younger that he constantly got teased about but he didn't feel sorry for himself. I also loved how he didn't hold a grudge against Ezra. He just carried on like nothing had ever happened.

I thought this book was funny, sad, and romantic all at once. It showed how great friends never really lose that friendship, even if they grow apart. I really enjoyed it and found this book hard to put down. It was very engaging and a realistic read. I only wish the original title would have been kept.(less)

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Apr 02, 2013 Tee loves Kyle Jacobson rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013-must-read, 2013-new-book-release, around-the-world-arc-tours, march-2013

Where to start this review..... Man this book was crazy! I have been out of high school for a long time and after reading this book I do not miss it. I really forgot how crazy high school can be and how one minuet you are at the top and the next you are at the bottom. For golden boy Ezra he finds out what happens when an accident takes who you are and where your going. One minute Ezra is an up and coming Tennis star and then in a freak accident his knee is injured and he is no longer popular. Hi...more

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Mar 12, 2013 Isamlq rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013-favorites

“I’m not certain I can pinpoint the exact moment when I became irreparably different. These days, I think it wasn’t a moment are all, but a process. A chemical reaction, if you will. I was no longer Ezra Faulkner, golden boy, and maybe I hadn’t been for a while, but the more time I spent with Cassidy, the more I was okay with that.”

So you’re either going to love this or hate this. Personally, there was a lot more to love for me than to hate in this one, and that the one bit that I didn’t like...more

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Jun 09, 2013 Jennifer rated it 5 of 5 stars

Wow. Where do I start? I don't think I have ever started a positive review like that before.

Schneider isn't writing for people who live thirty years in our future. She is writing for you, right here and right now. Ezra Faulkner is a boy all of us know, or at least think we know on the outside. His narration is succinct but flows, his words are poetic but not flowery. and most of all, he's a nerd.

TBoE is like a nerd coming-of-age story, that will delight both male and female readers. While snark...more

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May 01, 2013 Anna (Gatsby's Girl) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Ezra Faulkner had it all - the girl, the car, the friends, popularity, jock status and the possibility of an athletic scholarship. But then one night after he left a party, Ezra was in a horrible car accident that shattered his leg and destroyed his dreams for the future. Now his friends are no longer involved in his life and his girlfriend, Charlotte, is dating his former best friend. So he finds himself sitting with Toby, his friend from elementary school who caught someone's severed head on a...more Ezra Faulkner had it all - the girl, the car, the friends, popularity, jock status and the possibility of an athletic scholarship. But then one night after he left a party, Ezra was in a horrible car accident that shattered his leg and destroyed his dreams for the future. Now his friends are no longer involved in his life and his girlfriend, Charlotte, is dating his former best friend. So he finds himself sitting with Toby, his friend from elementary school who caught someone's severed head on a Disneyworld rollercoaster and was ostracized for it. Ezra also becomes the newest member of the debate team, as his schedule has been changed to accommodate for no longer being on the tennis team. This is how he meets new girl Cassidy, who is mysterious and smart, completely different from anyone he's ever met before. They begin a whirlwind romance, but with all the secrets she's keeping things may not last as long as Ezra hopes. Can he become the person he always should have been and will his life ever be the same now that Cassidy is part of it?
I went into this expecting it to be more like reading a Sarah Dessen book than anything else. That would have been totally fine, seeing as I love Ms. Dessen's books but what I got was something special in its own right and very original! Unlike the synopsis implies, Ezra's friends are still trying to half-assed include him in their lives and activities. But they do it in stupid, unfeeling ways like inviting him on sporty trips he can't be part of because of his leg. And he's rightfully angry and confused, because none of them stayed to help him when he was hurt in the accident, they all left because they didn't want the cops to bust them for the party. None of them visited him in he hospital either. Toby's reacceptance and integration of Ezra into his life, group of nerd friends and the debate team he captains is wonderful. He is an excellent example of taking an unfortunate circumstance and not letting it derail you (aka the severed head). Also, he's not afraid to tell Ezra when he's acting like a douchebag. Cassidy was my least favorite character, although the friendship and eventual romance between the two of them did make me smile. But she is hiding some major secrets and has a serious superiority complex, acting like everyone else is dumber than her and beneath her notice. Her stunts at the debate team competition are stupid and juvenile, and made me angry even though I understood her pain (if not her jacked up reasoning). I guess that was the point of some of the events in this book, life doesn't always make sense and we don't always know people as well as we think we do. The best thing about this book is the transformation of Ezra (definitely for the better) and how he becomes a completely different person gradually through the course of the book.
There was some very smart, witty dialogue but I never felt like I was being pandered to and I never got an impression of phoniness from any of the characters (except for Cassidy, but it fit with her habit of trying too hard to be okay). Ezra's narration was very teenage boy, real and involving some deep feelings but also dealing with moments without common sense and garden variety teen behavior. He's caught between letting himself change and trying to hang onto the way things used to be, even if they no longer fit into place the same way. That's something everyone can relate to. The ending was heart-wrenching, but wonderful in that it was completely unexpected and more true to life than most contemporary YA books turn out to be. I did feel like some of the pop culture nostalgia was more in line with mid to late twenty-somethings and not teens. For example, Furby and Tamogachis were both mentioned! Although Ezra's Halloween costume is pure late 2000s and will make you laugh if you have a sense of humor like mine! Also, the twist involving an unknown connection between Cassidy and Ezra felt like it kind of came out of nowhere and didn't fit in with the feeling to the rest of the narrative. Highly recommended for fans of contemporary YA romance/coming of age stories, who like a book that will play with their emotions and make them fall in love with the characters.

VERDICT: 4.5/5 Stars

*I received this book as part of Around the World ARC Tours, run by the lovely Princess Bookie. No favors or money were exchanged for this review. This book's expected publication date is August 27th, 2013.*(less)

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Feb 13, 2013 Emily May marked it as did-not-finish

Shelves: arc, contemporary, ya-na, 2013

No rating because I didn't make it very far with this. No real review either but I'm going to share a few thoughts on my initial impressions, mostly because I want you to tell me if I'm wrong. I just got the feeling almost straight away that this wouldn't be my type of book. The first chapter starts very well, great male narrator's voice and a rather shocking opening with Toby. Then the next few chapters reminded me of a Taylor Swift music video. And I don't mean that in a general way, I mean it...more

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Jan 23, 2013 Melissa rated it 2 of 5 stars

The title alone will get you to pick up the book to see what it is about. Ad that will lead you to reading it, the first chapter alone had me laughing in a sick way.

Ezra had it all until he didn't. This story takes you into high school, into the rich, cliques and falling from the top to pick yourself back up which is exactly what Ezra did and fell in love. After his accident he was shunned, but he comes back with a pretty good attitude if not sometimes whiny. Then he meets Cassidy Thorpe who is...more

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May 30, 2013 Alex rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary, edelweiss, favorites, for-review, rainy-day-reads, teen-ya

The Plot: Ezra Faulkner was the boy who had it all: the hot girlfriend, the sweet ride and he was at the very top of the high school food chain... until the end of Junior year when he caught his girlfriend cheating and got into a car crash, which ended his budding tennis career.

A summer later, Ezra is starting senior year with a limp and no idea where he's supposed to belong. He's angry: at life, at the SUV that blew through the stop sign and shattered his knee, at Charlotte for cheating, at his...more

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Feb 10, 2013 Caren rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: galley, review, jun-13

3.5 Stars (rounding up)

Everyone has his or her own severed head or broken heart. Their own personal tragedy that ultimately defines the path their life will take.

For Ezra, it was one night that quickly turned from bad to worse after discovering his cheating girlfriend at a high school party which sent him running, and ended with his being the victim of a hit and run accident.

In the aftermath, he's not sure where he belongs; who he is. Returning to school for his senior year is intimidating, and...more 3.5 Stars (rounding up)

Everyone has his or her own severed head or broken heart. Their own personal tragedy that ultimately defines the path their life will take.

For Ezra, it was one night that quickly turned from bad to worse after discovering his cheating girlfriend at a high school party which sent him running, and ended with his being the victim of a hit and run accident.

In the aftermath, he's not sure where he belongs; who he is. Returning to school for his senior year is intimidating, and instead of being who he used to be: Student Body President, Tennis Team Captain and Golden Boy Extraordinaire, he's now the crippled kid with a limp who needs a cane to walk.

What he realizes, though, is that he had a friend all along who didn't care about any of those titles Ezra thought mattered. His childhood best friend, Toby, whom, following a literal severed head during a Disneyland birthday party, he’d distanced himself from, comes back into his life. Bringing with him a new group of people, a new outlook on life, the debate team…and even the new girl in school.

Cassidy.

But Cassidy has a tragedy of her own, something she’s keeping under wraps. And as we all know, secrets never solve anyone’s problems…

This book is a very real look at life’s tragedies, and how they can affect us both positively and negatively. It’s beautifully written, and will tug at your heart in all the ways that make it both swell with happiness and break with hurt. Be prepared to feel all the things. Happiness. Swoons. Love. Hate. Anger. And of course, sadness. Because that’s what life is...ups and downs and all arounds, as Ezra will learn first hand.

In the end, I'm not sure if I loved this book or hated it. I'm kind of angry at some things that happened, even though I loved Ezra. I wanted more for him. I wanted to kick Cassidy's ass (and still do)... and I wanted to give him a new puppy, just saying. But it was a great ride with several laugh out loud moments, cute bantery relationship fun and playground makeout sessions. I'd recommend this to anyone who wants a bit of a heavy read who doesn't mind angst.(less)

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Jun 15, 2013 Kirsty (overflowing library) rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: review-books

A quick review for this one.

This book is beautifully written throughout and almost quite lyrical throughout. I enjoyed that aspect of the book a lot. I loved how funny it was throughout the entire story and I must admit it did make me chuckle a lot. I loved loved loved the character of Toby. He was geeky cool and definitely the type of boy I would have fallen head over heels for as a teenager (even though he clearly wouldn't have been interested in me in that way).

However there was several thi...more

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Mar 30, 2013 Karen rated it 4 of 5 stars

Severed Heads, Broken Hearts was a total surprise for me in that I didn't expect to like it as much as I did. This story is SUPER engaging and I had the hardest time putting it down, a true testament to how good it really was. The book has been renamed and will be published as The Beginning of Everything which personally, I think is a TERRIBLE switch, but that's just me. Whatever you choose to call it, this is a GREAT book that will appeal to many.

Severed Heads, Broken Hearts introduces us to Ez...more Severed Heads, Broken Hearts was a total surprise for me in that I didn't expect to like it as much as I did. This story is SUPER engaging and I had the hardest time putting it down, a true testament to how good it really was. The book has been renamed and will be published as The Beginning of Everything which personally, I think is a TERRIBLE switch, but that's just me. Whatever you choose to call it, this is a GREAT book that will appeal to many.

Severed Heads, Broken Hearts introduces us to Ezra, a seriously popular high school student who has just had a major life-altering event happen to him. Ezra was the victim of a hit-and-run accident that leaves his knee shattered and his tennis hopes and dreams annihilated. He goes back to school completely unsure where he will fit in and how he will survive the last year of high school. Lucky for him, an old friend adopts him into his group of social misfits and things seem like they might not be that bad after all.

Enter Cassidy Thorpe, a beautiful and slightly mysterious new addition to the misfits at their school. Ezra and Cassidy quickly form a bond and a beautiful new relationship that opens Ezra up to new and exciting things. Just when Ezra thinks things can't get any better, a shocking turn of events leaves him feeling miserable, confused, and alone. Will Ezra figure out the truth in time to save his relationship? Or are there some truths that cannot be overcome? All will be revealed in this addictive tale by Robyn Schneider.

This book is REALLY good. I love books told from the male perspective, and Ezra is a character you can't help rooting for. I just found this book to be engaging in a way that is hard to describe... it's almost like you don't feel that it SHOULD be as engaging as it is and it's a pleasant surprise as you keep reading. I was shocked at the number of times I had to force myself to put it down!

I think this book has really good messages about picking yourself up after a tragedy, the true meaning of friendship, hope, love, and letting go. I truly think there is something for EVERYONE in this book and highly recommend it when it comes out in August. It's a fast, easy read that you won't regret.(less)

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Feb 14, 2013 Elena rated it 4 of 5 stars

My wonderful boss snagged an ARC of this at ALA and I'm really glad she did!

Ezra was a popular tennis player before an accident left him unable to walk or run. Unsure of his new status at school, he finds himself falling in with a new crowd that includes an old friend from elementary school and Cassidy Thorpe.

I am trying to remember (and maybe somebody can help me out) if I have read any romances a la Sarah Dessen that are from a guy's point of view? I think that's what I liked so much about t...more

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Mar 13, 2013 CJ rated it 2 of 5 stars

I wanted to like this book. I think the author has a passion for writing and for YA, but i felt irritated throughout. I am a high school counselor and I am around teens who are at-risk, normal, high achievers, etc.. Every day. So, I tried. I tried to finish the book. I put aside my irritation with the overt hipster edgy feel. I filed away my annoyance with the poor me whine of Ezra. I also disregarded the lack of substance and authenticity in the high school characters. It was cliche, unfortunat...more

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Apr 16, 2013 Heather rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: no-cover-image-yet, august-2013

*This is an ARC review. And excerpts or quotes are taken from an unfinished copy and are therefore subject to change before the final print (but I hope they change NOTHING because the writing is PERFECT in my opinion;)*

A more detailed review will be posted on my blog The Flyleaf Review closer to publication.

I pretty much knew that I was going to love this book from page one.

Sometimes I think that everyone has a tragedy waiting for them, that the people buying milk in their pajamas or picking th...more

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Apr 24, 2012 Helene rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebook, 2012-reads

I didn't really have any expectations for this book, but it turned out to be pretty good.

Ezra has been in a hit-and-run and his leg his shattered. All his dreams are gone, he can't play tennis ever again and his so-called friends never even showed up in the hospital, all he got was a lousy card. So when he returns to school he befriends his old friend Toby, who is introduced into the story with a traumatizing event in his past (a severed head flying into his hands on a rollercoaster).

The story...more

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May 18, 2013 Nikki (Fiction Freak) marked it as to-read

Shelves: absolute-fave, arc-that-i-wish-i-had-in-hardback, favorites

Oh my gosh. I have absolutely no words for this. Like, none. At all.
...
Okay, so maybe I have many a few words.

"I still think that everyone’s life, no matter how unremarkable, has a singular tragic encounter after which everything that really matters will happen."

I absolutely adored The Beginning of Everything (though I did love it's old title so much more). I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I started reading, but it certainly wasn't this. There were a lot of tragedies that we faced in thi...more Oh my gosh. I have absolutely no words for this. Like, none. At all.
...
Okay, so maybe I have many a few words.

"I still think that everyone’s life, no matter how unremarkable, has a singular tragic encounter after which everything that really matters will happen."

I absolutely adored The Beginning of Everything (though I did love it's old title so much more). I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I started reading, but it certainly wasn't this. There were a lot of tragedies that we faced in this novel and this book hurt. Not in the way that makes me sob, or the one that makes me feel like I just got stabbed. The words just flowed under my skin and it was a dull ache, the kind that hangs in the back of your mind. There's a lot of philosophical thought in this and I could instantly relate to the sayings. It shows how each event can all be traced to a turning point, how everyone ends up linked in one way or another, and how different the world can look when you just change your perspective.

"That moment is the catalyst—the first step in the equation. But knowing the first step will get you nowhere—it’s what comes after that determines the result."

The story itself was beyond beautiful too. And yet, so incredibly tragic! I did expect part of the big twist--but the other? It completely broke my heart. I didn't expect it at all and it...oh my gosh. Cassidy...I couldn't blame her for much really. As much as I sometimes wanted to shake her, she had good reasons, undeniably sad ones, but still reasons. I adored Cassidy though. She had a lot on her shoulders, and she bore it, until she just couldn't. But she was a quirky, fun type of girl who had that sarcastic wit we love. At the same time, though, she understood things that people usually don't. She was a complex character who was just perfect. Or, perfectly flawed, rather.
Ezra was a flawed character too, in a different way. He had a habit of running away, something I don't think he really noticed until it was pointed out. But he had a snarky attitude that matched Cassidy's perfectly, and I loved that!

"I leaned over and placed the crown of flowers onto her head, letting my hands linger in her hair just a moment more than was necessary."
The romance was so sweet and so deep. You could immediately tell the difference between their slow burn compared to the quick flare of high school romances. But theirs was, from the start, a tragedy. It was a heartfelt kind of love and one that made me smile at every scene. It was clear they understood each other on a different level. Things were real with these two and you just hoped that it would work itself out!

"We move through each other’s lives like ghosts, leaving behind haunting memories of people who never existed."

Here are two things I agree with regarding the book-
1) This story truly is about the Beginning of Everything. Can't elaborate on that without spoilers though!
And
2) There've been comparisons of this book to John Green's book--and I can agree with that in full confidence. The Beginning of Everything was sad and comical, touching and funny, and all around stunning. Fans of his will definitely love this book. Because, in the end, it's a book about loss and how to deal with it.

P.s. My only complaint was that what the epilogue hinted at was a bit far fetched to me and I didn't like it. Also, the beginning was a tad slow.(less)

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Mar 20, 2013 Celeste_pewter rated it 5 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Two-second recap: The Beginning of Everything (formerly titled Severed Heads, Broken Hearts), is a clever, intriguing novel about finding your true self in the face of seemingly insurmountable loss. Schneider takes an extremely traumatic set-up, and turns it into a story with warmth, heart and optimism for the future.

***

Full review:

Confession: when I first read the synopsis for The Beginning of Everything, I wasn’t anticipating on liking the novel.

Based on the descriptors used in the synopsis...more

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Jun 08, 2013 Ashley (Loves Books) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: wishlist

***A version of this review will be posted to Ashley Loves Books at a later date.***

I feel like this book is my kindred spirit. I feel like it’s the missing piece of me I’ve always been yearning for, that extension of myself that I hadn’t realized was lost until I found it. Severed Heads, Broken Hearts feels suspiciously like home.

Probably the best word I can think to describe this book is “unexpected.” Not surprising , and nothing was horribly improbable, but there were some very unexpected twi...more ***A version of this review will be posted to Ashley Loves Books at a later date.***

I feel like this book is my kindred spirit. I feel like it’s the missing piece of me I’ve always been yearning for, that extension of myself that I hadn’t realized was lost until I found it. Severed Heads, Broken Hearts feels suspiciously like home.

Probably the best word I can think to describe this book is “unexpected.” Not surprising , and nothing was horribly improbable, but there were some very unexpected twists and revelations. They were all done perfectly and with the best treatment, but still: unexpected.

When I say this book is my kindred spirit, it’s because I feel like every single character has elements of me in him or her. Toby, Cassidy, Ezra, absolutely everyone was a little bit of the confidence I have and a lot of the questions and indecision and existential crises I go through daily. I remember all these feelings so well in high school, and even now. There’s so much complexity and depth to each one, and seeing how they all intertwine and affect the other just makes it all the better. The characters are so complementary to each other, I absolutely adore it.

More passages were marked in this book than I have in any other this year. It feels like there’s so much wisdom and guidance in these pages, I feel like there’s so much to learn between the lines. About love. About friendship. About family, and relationships and happiness and accepting a direction you feel forced to go in. Probably the best part about this story as a whole is that it’s about the changes that happen in someone’s life, whether we make them by choice or consciously or without reason. That it’s a story that focuses on living through the changes and tragedies, rather than fighting or resenting.

I also love how cool-nerdy this book is. All the references, the “smart” situations and words, how it’s about the debate team – and yet, all the characters are completely normal as well. They have friends, there’s drama, there’s schoolwork and projects and some family problems and secrets. Sure, it feels a little exaggerated sometimes between the “cliques” and the divide in high school, but it has to be so in a book (and maybe it’s not, I just didn’t’ experience a high school like this!).

Perhaps my only disappointment? The title change! I guess I get why the title is now The Beginning of Everything, but I absolutely ADORED Severed Heads, Broken Hearts. And it’s just so much more fitting!

Also, this will only be understood by anyone who has already read it: COOPER <3(less)

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Mar 07, 2013 I Eat Words added it

I've been trying to think of what I want to say about this book. It was honestly lovely--one of my most anticipated reads of this year--and I love the cover. The writing was beautiful and I enjoyed a male MC perspective.

However, there were certain things about this book that felt like I'd read this before. I know it's for fans of Looking for Alaska, but there was something TOO John Green about it. I almost wanted to be like, just write YOU girl! Don't aspire write like someone you're not! (For...more

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Jun 04, 2013 Christina (A Reader of Fictions) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, yabc-reviews

Robyn Schneider's novel underwent a title change from Severed Heads, Broken Hearts to The Beginning of Everything. Both titles I think are fitting for the story within, though I must say I feel a certain affection for the original, which conveys both the humor and the darkness of Schneider's witty, brilliant debut.

Ezra Faulkner theorizes that no one's life really begins until they go through a personal tragedy. This may seem an odd sort of belief, but it makes sense. Tragedy has a way of puttin...more Robyn Schneider's novel underwent a title change from Severed Heads, Broken Hearts to The Beginning of Everything. Both titles I think are fitting for the story within, though I must say I feel a certain affection for the original, which conveys both the humor and the darkness of Schneider's witty, brilliant debut.

Ezra Faulkner theorizes that no one's life really begins until they go through a personal tragedy. This may seem an odd sort of belief, but it makes sense. Tragedy has a way of putting things in perspective. The loss of a family member, of mobility, or of social standing has a way of forcing a person to reevaluate life and decide what is really important. Realizing how tenuous and random life can be, it's crucial to spend what life you have being who you really are and with the people who really get you.

Ezra and Toby were best friends until they were fourteen. That friendship came to a halt after a tourist stood up in the row in front of them on a roller coaster at Disney, the tourist's severed head landing in Toby's arms for the rest of the ride. For the rest of high school, Toby will be that kid with the severed head. Meanwhile, Ezra grew up well, attractive and athletic, and became friends with the popular kids. He partied, dated hot girls, and planned to get a college scholarship for tennis. Then, at a party one night, a driver hit his car, leaving him crippled.

As school starts up for his senior year, the former Homecoming King doesn't feel like he belongs anywhere. He walks with a cane, his girlfriend has hooked up with his former best friend, and his plans for the future are shot. In his life's nadir, he finds a sort of freedom, though. He can now admit to being intelligent and nerdy, rediscover his friendship with Toby, and cultivate a spot with some of the school's nerds. Tragedy serves as a bridge to help him realize how unsatisfying his life up to then truly was.

Schneider's writing is fantastic. First of all, she completely captures an authentic male voice. Ezra never read like a girl to me, but neither was his narrative over the top in an effort to sell his maleness. Secondly, Schneider peppers the narrative with literary references, which, admittedly, might be alienating to some teen readers, but that I loved. Finally, there are the puns. If you do not appreciate finely tuned wordplay, you might find The Beginning of Everything pun-ishing. However, if you deem puns fine humor, you may well laugh your head off (don't worry; Toby will catch it for you).

The romance in The Beginning of Everything falls a bit into manicpixiedreamgirl territory, but it works. Ezra is taken with Cassidy immediately, with her mystery, her intelligence, and her vibrancy. She appreciates his puns and can give them back. They have great chemistry, but she always keeps her walls way way up. Why this worked for me is that Ezra falls in love with her, but in a totally high school first love sort of way, and not in a true love forever sort of way. Also, there's a realization of how little she actually was the perfect girl of his dreams.

The only aspect of the book that left me wanting was the ending. The climax that leads to the spilling of Cassidy's secrets was unexpected, despite the foreshadowing that lead up to it. That scene did not rub me the right way, and just felt a bit out of place in the novel. Plus, Cassidy's sudden opening up didn't seem fitting with what went down either. Without explaining what happened, it's hard to put this clearly, but I found what happened a bit puzzling and melodramatic.

Robyn Schneider's novel is highly intelligent and full of black humor. Fans of John Green, particularly Looking for Alaska and Paper Towns, will most definitely want to read The Beginning of Everything. (less)

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Jan 31, 2013 Shanyn (Chick Loves Lit) rated it 3 of 5 stars

As someone who watches lots of various videos on the Internet, I actually found that this worked against me in the first few chapters of THE BEGINNING OF EVERYTHING. Having seen several of Robyn's videos, I found myself reading her book in her exact voice. This was very distracting, and I'm not sure if it means the text was genuine or if it wasn't enough departure from her actual real voice. So I finally got over that, but for awhile I wasn't sure it was going to work.

Ezra is a hard person to co...more

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May 24, 2013 Adrienne Fray rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013-favorites, characters-i-adore

I have never condoned person and book relationships due to the many detriments they bring with them. I’m talking a bunch of tiny paper cuts, all over your face. However, I believe the day has come for me to change my tune.

One of my absolute favourite things about this book was the attention to detail, all the little ornamental bits that made every paragraph delicious. It should be noted that this book contains:

A dog that has the soul of Jay Gatsby
A debate tournament dress code violation in the f...more I have never condoned person and book relationships due to the many detriments they bring with them. I’m talking a bunch of tiny paper cuts, all over your face. However, I believe the day has come for me to change my tune.

One of my absolute favourite things about this book was the attention to detail, all the little ornamental bits that made every paragraph delicious. It should be noted that this book contains:

A dog that has the soul of Jay Gatsby
A debate tournament dress code violation in the form of a Gryffindor sweater
Numerous Doctor Who and other nerd culture references
PUNS GALORE

photo tumblr_inline_mlyh6yAorU1qz4rgp_zps9e57d89f.gif

It’s clear even from the small glimpse of Ezra’s life pre-accident that he doesn’t exactly belong with his group of popular-jock friends. Even though Ezra spends the rest of the book attempting to discover who he is, his voice remains distinct throughout. He was reflective and cerebral, and his dry humour decorated the narration, making even the darkest parts of the book catch light just a little bit.

Not only was Ezra’s own voice sharp, the interactions with Toby and Phoebe and, of course, Cassidy were all brilliant. The characters in this book are for the most part fleshed out and on all parts entertaining.

Severed Heads and Broken Hearts (the original title) would have been an apt name for this book. Not only is it fitting within the context, it packs a swift and calculated punch. The Beginning of Everything, though dramatic and important, king of falls flat in expressing how impacting this book manages to be.

The only thing that bothered me was the way the ‘popular kids’ were portrayed. In a book that demands for its characters to be examined complexly, I would have liked to see a bit more dimension in the tennis-team members and Ezra’s ex, Charlotte. Yes, they were more immature than Ezra and his friends, but it would have been interesting if they had been more than shallow. Instead they felt like props to belittle and demonize, as well as sources of painful quotes. “I mean like, don’t you want to be like everyone else?” Charlotte asks of Ezra.

Despite this, the Beginning of Everything is a thoughtful, observant and hilarious book that just might be worth enduring paper cuts to the face for.(less)

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Apr 19, 2013 Princess Bookie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: a-net-g, read2013, 2013-debut-challenge

My Thoughts: I have heard really great things about this one! And I really enjoyed it alot.

We are introduced to Ezra who was popular, had a lot of friends, went to the coolest parties, and was a tennis player. Until one night, when a horrible accident left him hurting and a gimp. He has to walk with a cane, he’s sore, and he’ll never play tennis again they say. Nobody comes to visit Ezra in the hospital, none of his friends, so when he’s back in school he’s went from being popular to just a nor...more

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Feb 18, 2013 Carla rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013-reads

Sometimes when you finish a book you have to let your thoughts percolate a little. You have to let the jingle jangle mess of thoughts filter through your brain until you have words you can distill on the way out through your fingers. I've thought about this book a lot since I finished. I've filtered my feelings so much that if they were liquid they would be transparent. And the one that stand out from the rest is rankled and I can’t seem to shake it off. That’s not to say this isn't a good book,...more Sometimes when you finish a book you have to let your thoughts percolate a little. You have to let the jingle jangle mess of thoughts filter through your brain until you have words you can distill on the way out through your fingers. I've thought about this book a lot since I finished. I've filtered my feelings so much that if they were liquid they would be transparent. And the one that stand out from the rest is rankled and I can’t seem to shake it off. That’s not to say this isn't a good book, it just wasn't a good book for me.

What I look for as a reader is a way to connect. That is my one desire as a reader. I want that connection to the characters that transcends everything else about the book. I want to be invested in them; I want their struggles to feel like my struggles, I want their successes to feel like I just caught the moon along with them. And that was what I lacked with this book; I did not feel connected to any of the characters. They felt like strangers and not friends.

The book has a very familiar vibe to it but somehow managed to make me feel a sense of disconnect. It has a very hipster feeling to it that I can relate to whilst remaining indifferent. I read the book feeling vague discontent; so much about the plot line and the character arcs rang false to me. They felt like people I've met in countless other books that I let my gaze pass over because they were never interesting enough to hold it.

That was the clinch for me; I do not feel like Schneider made this story her own. It felt like a caricature of other books I have read. It was for this reason that I guessed the conclusion only a few chapters in because I have read this type of book before. I know how this story goes. For her next novel, I hope she moves away from the foundations others before her have lain because she her writing shines at times and it's a shame that it gets lost in the familiarity of an unoriginal story.

Schneider has undeniable talent as a writer; the dialogue had that particular zing to it that you can’t help but get swept up in. Her writing is intelligent and will hold a lot of appeal for readers and I can see how this book will resonate with a lot of people, of that I am sure.(less)

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Jan 03, 2013 Krys rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013-releases, young-adult, medium-length-book, stand-alone, own, fiction, first-person-narrative, read-in-2013, 2013-august

Severed Heads, Broken Hearts is an upcoming book by Robyn Schneider, the author responsible for the Knightley Academy books that I enjoyed so much (and want more of). I'm slowly edging my foot into Young Adult contemporary and this book suited my mood well. I really needed something that was a little different. For me.

Ezra Faulkner used to be the athletic darling of Eastwood high. That was before the accident that shattered his knee and broke (sprained?) his wrist. Now, unable to play tennis he...more

Severed Heads, Broken Hearts is an upcoming book by Robyn Schneider, the author responsible for the Knightley Academy books that I enjoyed so much (and want more of). I'm slowly edging my foot into Young Adult contemporary and this book suited my mood well. I really needed something that was a little different. For me.

Ezra Faulkner used to be the athletic darling of Eastwood high. That was before the accident that shattered his knee and broke (sprained?) his wrist. Now, unable to play tennis he must flow through his senior life alone and unfamiliar. The social structure of his life has been irreparably damaged. Before the accident he caught his girlfriend, Charlotte, cheating on him at the party that he fled from. Now everything is different with his friends and Ezra cannot bring himself (mentally or physically) to join in the games like he used to. He begins to talk to an old friend, Toby, a social disaster who is now a member of Eastwood's debate team. This move also brings his attention to Cassidy Thorpe, the unconventional girl who will change his outlook on life in strange and earth shattering ways.

Ezra begins to fall for Cassidy. This new development fills him with doubt. How could a woman possible fall for him now that he has nothing to offer her?

The relationships in this book are all compelling and heartfelt, not just the possible "what if" between Ezra and Cassidy. Ezra rises and falls in the social strata of Eastwood like a bird changing elevation. Many people cannot forget how who he used to be and his new limitations. They continue to engage him as he once was. Things are different now though, Ezra is different. He has new perceptions of life and he sees everything much clearer now. There is only so much he is willing to put up with.

Cassidy presents a different challenge - the great unknown. He has never encountered a woman like her, free spirited and intelligent and sexy; a dangerous combination. It's a relationship unlike any he has had with anyone and the shaky ground of newness shakes Ezra to his core. And Cassidy, the beauteous Cassidy, who may or may not be Daisy Buchanan, has her own inner tumult as well. She has a past and secrets and the unveiling of both of them is one of the most poignant parts of this whole book. And the reveal... wow. Yeah, I gasped aloud. I didn't see it coming at all. But it's the journey that is worth its weight in gold, particularly if you enjoy character driven books, which this is. In spades.

Beautifully told and achingly haunting this book just landed itself in my favourites of the year. Pay no mind to the fact that it is the only thing I have read in 2013 (thus far) it's still one of the best books I have read in a long time. I cannot remember the last time I opened something and became so utterly absorbed in the characters. Ezra is profound, I want to be friends with him. And Cassidy, well, I want to fall in love with her too. Reveals and all. I always was a sucker for a barefoot redhead in the park.

5 out of 5 stars. I absolutely loved it.

- review courtesy of www.bibliopunkk.net (less)

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