reviews
Mar 21, 2010
Take a deep breath and steel yourself for Amy Reed’s debut novel “Beautiful.” It’s beautiful for sure, but it’s not easy, nor is it supposed to be. Consider the verbs Reed uses: punched, scraped, gutted, crush, explode, smash, destroy, cutting, burning, scarring. But really, what better words are there to describe thirteen-year-old Cassie’s harrowing descent into the world of drugs, alcohol, abuse and the sex she wishes she weren’t having?
“Beautiful” is a gut check of a young adult n More...
“Beautiful” is a gut check of a young adult n More...
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Mar 15, 2010
It's hard to know exactly how to describe Beautiful in a way that will do it justice. Alice down the rabbit hole. Amazing.
First things first: what Daisy said here. I especially agree with her when she says Beautiful reads like a memoir. It does and that makes it almost unnerving at times. It's almost like a memoir you don't have permission to read, if that makes sense--that's how personal it is.
Amy Reed has tapped into a voice that will haunt you. You will ache More...
First things first: what Daisy said here. I especially agree with her when she says Beautiful reads like a memoir. It does and that makes it almost unnerving at times. It's almost like a memoir you don't have permission to read, if that makes sense--that's how personal it is.
Amy Reed has tapped into a voice that will haunt you. You will ache More...
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Dec 10, 2009
Loryn
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Before moving to a small town outside of Seattle, Cassie had always been what most people would call a good kid. She had lived on an island called Bainbridge Island and she was invisible, living but not fully. She had fake friends, and did well in school because it was what was expected of her.
For the first week or so at her new school as a seventh grader, it seemed like things were going to be exactly the same as when she went to school in Bainbridge. That all changed though wh More...
For the first week or so at her new school as a seventh grader, it seemed like things were going to be exactly the same as when she went to school in Bainbridge. That all changed though wh More...
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Dec 28, 2011
LibraryFairy™
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I first bought the book because of the wonderful cover but it wasn't my cup of tea. First of Cassie's character had so much potential but it wasn't explored. Most of the story flew right past me and if your a bit slow like I am you wouldn't understand the author's cryptic words. We never knew what was up with Cassie's dad. Alex wasn't well described altough she was one of the books main characters.The only interesting part of the book was Sarah. Altogether it seemed like a failed attempt at copy
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Jan 28, 2011
Kelly
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Full review here: http://stackedbooks.blogspot.com/2011/01...
At times this one is too real, too pulsing, especially because these girls exist and are lost and broken. My heart ached for Cassie and was repulsed at the same time. She is such a SMART girl but that's not enough and no one would be able to convince her anyway.
The writing is almost stream of conscious, and I really dig that style. It worked so well to give the lost girl a voice.
The ending bothered me a More...
At times this one is too real, too pulsing, especially because these girls exist and are lost and broken. My heart ached for Cassie and was repulsed at the same time. She is such a SMART girl but that's not enough and no one would be able to convince her anyway.
The writing is almost stream of conscious, and I really dig that style. It worked so well to give the lost girl a voice.
The ending bothered me a More...
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Feb 10, 2010
Sue
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I bought Beautiful on a whim...and ended up being floored. I've never read anything like this before. It is probably the most emotionally-charged book that I have ever read. Reed paints a very vivid picture and creates such a realistic plot. I've often wondered how does someone get to be like "that"? Reed has come along and given us a gut-wrenching story that illustrates the "how". Once I started reading I could not put it down...I finished it all in one sitting. I believe th
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Jan 02, 2012
Isabel
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It being not an intense book, or so I thought. To be perfectly honest with you, Beautiful was not what I expected. Based on the title, I thought it was some stupid book about some girl not thinking she’s beautiful, and that occassionally comes up. But after reading the online summary, I was amazed to find out that there would be some intriguing content hidden in there. So, I borrowed the book. Now anyone reading this, here’s my terrible summary.
Beautiful is a book involving the life of a t More...
Beautiful is a book involving the life of a t More...
Nov 04, 2011
Brandi
rated it:
Beautiful, was a well written book about a girl named Cassie who moved to a new town in Seattle and started a new school, and wanted to create a new identity. She didn't have the best family, her dad was never there and her mom is an alcoholic. Even with family issues, she was still a good girl who kept her grades up. She was a good girl who never got into any trouble and wasn't popular. At her new school a girl named Alex ran into her and became the first person to show any interest in her. To
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Mar 09, 2011
Sarah-Greenbeanteenqueen
rated it:
Rating: 2.75
Beautiful is an interesting little book. It's very gritty and perfect for fans of Ellen Hopkins. I can see readers who love gritty realistic fiction devouring this one. But adults will see the many faults that are in the book. It's also a bit odd because the character is so young, but I don't know how many middle school libraries could really carry it and I don't know if older teens would read about the addictions of a 7th grader. So I don't know who the audience really i More...
Beautiful is an interesting little book. It's very gritty and perfect for fans of Ellen Hopkins. I can see readers who love gritty realistic fiction devouring this one. But adults will see the many faults that are in the book. It's also a bit odd because the character is so young, but I don't know how many middle school libraries could really carry it and I don't know if older teens would read about the addictions of a 7th grader. So I don't know who the audience really i More...
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Jul 20, 2010
Robert
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All right, so just to be clear: Beautiful by Amy Reed is not appropriate for all age groups. Come to think of it, the life of the modern American teenager is not appropriate for all age groups. Both it and this book contain lots of sex, including some incest, drug abuse, alcohol, suicide, violence, all manner of foul language, and many other adult elements I usually don’t get to write about here. I’m not too worried as I know most of you Esteemed Readers are adults, but if you are under the age
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Dec 05, 2009
Heather
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I don't always need a happily-ever-after at an end of every book. I also don't live in some fairytale bubble, where I only read fluffy-sappy-love-stories. With that being said, I'm really conflicted about this book. On the one hand, I didn't really care for this story at all. Part of me thinks, I may have missed some over arching context, like it went over my head or something... Then, there is the other side of my brain that is shouting that this book was tragically brilliant.
I thin More...
I thin More...
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Aug 18, 2009
Jessica
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My mother was a librarian, and sometime in the summer of 1973, she handed me a novel that upset, intrigued, and convinced me so fully, I almost refused to go to middle school. She didn’t really give the novel to me. She shoved it into my hands, insisting that I read it. That book was the novel Go Ask Alice, purportedly based on a teenager’s diary. The story is, as we all know now, a vivid cautionary tale about drugs and their rabbit hole allure.
But really, the most frightening aspect More...
But really, the most frightening aspect More...
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Jan 27, 2011
Sydney
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Aug 05, 2010
Emily
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This book was so awful that I'm thinking about changing my Twilight reviews to be one star higher.
Has their ever been a protagonist as unlikeable as Cassie? The whole novel is unbelievable. Cassie is a nice, sweet girl, that moves to a new school and has the chance to be popular. In a matter of days she is doing drugs, has casual sex, and drinks. At 13. Not likely.
Also, I realize that her parents are pretty uninvolved in her, but really? If she smoked pot as much as she More...
Has their ever been a protagonist as unlikeable as Cassie? The whole novel is unbelievable. Cassie is a nice, sweet girl, that moves to a new school and has the chance to be popular. In a matter of days she is doing drugs, has casual sex, and drinks. At 13. Not likely.
Also, I realize that her parents are pretty uninvolved in her, but really? If she smoked pot as much as she More...
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Feb 18, 2010
Val
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Although the book is classified as Young Adult fiction, anyone who has ever been a young adult can enjoy it. The toxic friendship between Cassie and Alex is something most girls have known all too well at some point in their lives and seeing it here on the page is both riveting and therapeutic. The author is just as adept at describing the more fulfilling, life-changing best friendship between Cassie and Sarah, that instant connection that feels almost like falling in love. Reed does such a wond
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Jun 09, 2010
laaaaames
rated it:
Three point five really.
I feel like I want to review this on two different levels. Firstly, this book is really strong. I was swept into it immediately, and Reed writes with such urgent immediacy that you just keep up with Cassie. I also found something so real and true about how Cassie gets swept into the "wrong" crowd. Having been a new kid at the same age, I know how these decisions can be made for you, and if you don't have a strong sense of self already (or if you're n More...
I feel like I want to review this on two different levels. Firstly, this book is really strong. I was swept into it immediately, and Reed writes with such urgent immediacy that you just keep up with Cassie. I also found something so real and true about how Cassie gets swept into the "wrong" crowd. Having been a new kid at the same age, I know how these decisions can be made for you, and if you don't have a strong sense of self already (or if you're n More...
Oct 30, 2010
Anna
rated it:
Hmm. I don't know about this one. It was charismatic and kind of electrifying in the beginning and then... well, it sort of became monotonous. And the ending was sort of BLAH. The book is definitely addicting and I read it all one sitting because the beginning really grabbed me but at some point I felt like the book featured too much bad girl drama and not enough thinking or reflection or growth was actually happening. The main character, Cassie, became draining after a while because she's obvio
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Mar 06, 2010
Allison
rated it:
Beautiful is an extremely in-your-face novel about what really goes on with some teens at an extremely young age. Even though I've never been in a situation anywhere near as intense as Cassie's, I could still relate to the emotions and desires that led her there. Wanting to fit in and trying to make friends at a new school, not to mention having that one friend who you know is no good, but still better than no friends at all.
Watching Cassie's journey deeper and deeper into this life More...
Watching Cassie's journey deeper and deeper into this life More...
Jul 30, 2011
Elizabeth
rated it:
I don't know...
As of right now, I'm still in the middle of the book. So, maybe it's not right to judge just yet, but I swear that after reading the mere first chapter, I thought, "Wow... this is going to be one of THOSE types of books." You know the type- You pick it up and instantly feel depressed and sick and like you reallllyyy need a reaaalllyyy hot shower to rinse away the negativity? That's all I have for the plot line. (So far. Maybe it'll get better...???) As for the rhe More...
As of right now, I'm still in the middle of the book. So, maybe it's not right to judge just yet, but I swear that after reading the mere first chapter, I thought, "Wow... this is going to be one of THOSE types of books." You know the type- You pick it up and instantly feel depressed and sick and like you reallllyyy need a reaaalllyyy hot shower to rinse away the negativity? That's all I have for the plot line. (So far. Maybe it'll get better...???) As for the rhe More...
Mar 07, 2010
Nic
rated it:
This is one of the books that left me thinking about it later. I felt Cassie was a real teenager making real choices and how bad choices can lead your life in a downward spiral as can try to fit in.
I loved this book.
I loved this book.
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Nov 05, 2011
Shannon
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I've read alot of young adult books lately and I have to say I am getting thoroughly tired of whiny, pity party teenage girls! All of these authors are giving the world the impression that all teenage girls are these horrible monsters full of self hate...although they are making me soooo proud of my own girl who bears absolutely no resemblance to these pathetic losers.
By the time I had read (for the 3rd time!) Cassie describing some ceiling or another while she was being used by some More...
By the time I had read (for the 3rd time!) Cassie describing some ceiling or another while she was being used by some More...
Dec 04, 2009
Princess Bookie
rated it:
My Thoughts: I started reading this one and had it finished within a few days. We meet Cassie who is just trying to find her place in the world. She was always the goody good girl and never did anything wrong. That all changes though when she meets a few new friends. She starts doing drugs and having sex and just overall not caring about anything or maybe she cares too much and just lets it all go. I especially liked her friends sister which ends up surprising me what Cassie goes through with he
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Dec 09, 2010
Laura (Bookish Belle)
rated it:
I really wanted to like this novel, I thought I would take away something from it, but I was left feeling a bit empty and unmoved. I felt as though the writing was nothing but a bunch of run-on sentences along with excessive use of the word 'and'.
I understand where Cassie is coming from, truly. I've been in her position (though I was older than thirteen) and it's horrible. Though I felt she was too out of control and was so ignorant of what she had. I wish it didn't have to take what h More...
I understand where Cassie is coming from, truly. I've been in her position (though I was older than thirteen) and it's horrible. Though I felt she was too out of control and was so ignorant of what she had. I wish it didn't have to take what h More...
Jan 18, 2010
Izzy
rated it:
Beautiful is about a seventh grade beauty that makes all the wrong choices. She just moved to Seattle from Florida where she wasn't anybody. Just the girl who ate lunch alone. Now, in Seattle, she is known as the beautiful seventh grader. She has an abusive friend who forces her into the worst situations and a boyfriend who she's sleeping with just because he's popular and sells weed. She can't turn back now...
While reading this book, I made a text-to-text connection. I connected Bea More...
While reading this book, I made a text-to-text connection. I connected Bea More...
Oct 25, 2011
Brittany
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Feb 09, 2012
Renae
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I stubled across this book on B&N while I was spending my Christmas cash. After reading the little excpert they had up, I knew right away that I had to read this book. So worth my money.
What I Liked: Initially what drew me into this was the writing. Reed’s style is absolutely phenomenal. It’s the sort I look for in my YA reads. As a genre, YA doesn’t do much for me character development-wise, and I’m not too picky about plots. So it all comes down to the writing. Authors like Markus Zu More...
What I Liked: Initially what drew me into this was the writing. Reed’s style is absolutely phenomenal. It’s the sort I look for in my YA reads. As a genre, YA doesn’t do much for me character development-wise, and I’m not too picky about plots. So it all comes down to the writing. Authors like Markus Zu More...
Jun 13, 2011
Caroline
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Jul 04, 2011
Christina
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This book was an eye opener to a world of drugs and pain that has opened up to a much younger generation. At age 13 so many girls have become sexually active and turned to drugs to make the pain go away. Why is this generation in such a hurry to grow up? This book shows just how much that is true. This book was so hard to put down when I had to go to work. This young girls pain is something that I wanted to find a way to fix. And I felt so bad for her, she is so smart, but it takes her too much
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Dec 09, 2009
Jan
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Beautiful is a riveting and very disturbing book about a young girl named Cassie who moves from her small island home of Bainbridge Island to Seattle. She decides to re-invent herself and take advantage of the fact that she is "beautiful." She latches on to a popular but viciously cruel girl who introduces her to a new world of casual sex, drugs and gangs.
What is horrifying about this book is how completely she is able to submerge herself into her new identity, in the pro More...
What is horrifying about this book is how completely she is able to submerge herself into her new identity, in the pro More...
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Apr 13, 2010
Really?
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