Zen and Xander are sisterss about to ruin everything. Should Zen keep trying to protect Xander, or finally let her go?
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Jan 19, 2011
Two teenaged sisters try to come to terms with the death of their mother in very different ways. Xander is a brilliant student, but drawn to acting out to cope with her mother's death. Zen is more laid back and relies upon martial arts to keep her emotions in check. Their father is immersed in grief and unable to provide much in the way of support, but as the novel progresses, he does find his footing to some extent.
The narrator of the novel is Zen--appropriate as she is more of a More...
The narrator of the novel is Zen--appropriate as she is more of a More...
Aug 02, 2010
Tasha
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Zen and Xander are sisters who lost their mother a year ago. In his grief, their father removed himself from their lives, living in the basement and rarely talking to them. Each sister coped with the loss differently. Zen, narrator of the book, immersed herself even more in martial arts. Xander started more and more risky behaviors, coming home drunk or high with questionable guys. Zen found great pleasure in kicking one of those guys in the head, though it injured her back. It certainly d
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Jan 15, 2012
Ilovereading
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Zen and Xander are two teenage sisters who are growing up to find themselves slowly growing different and apart. With their mother gone from the world of the living, their father is distant. This is their last summer apart, as soon, they will depart for college. Zen is the responsible, selfless girl who has a black belt in karate and a crush on the boy next door, Adam, who has been their best friend since childhood. **Quick side note-while Adam loves being Zen's friend, the one he truly loves is
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Apr 15, 2011
Claire
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Mature eighth grade (spring) and up. Mom, Dad, Zen (Athena) and Xander are a close knit family. All brilliant. (Grandma is bitter crazy; Auntie, wonderful crazy; Friends loving crazy) Mom fades away with cancer, Dad removes to the basement (has been given a sabbatical- not always a good idea; note to employers) just can't stay in the room he shared with mom. Zen retreats from school and into teaching martial arts to kids, Xander uses her nubile looks to tease men for temporary distraction. At th
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Jun 20, 2010
Kayla
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I really liked this book. When I recieved it for review I wasn't really sure how interesting it was going to be. The names of the characters were nice and unique-how many Zens or Xanders can you think of? The two sisters fought as any sisters would, and loved each other underneath the outward tension exactly like siblings do. They were portrayed perfectly.
Xander's volatile nature drags the plot along, and if it weren't for her, there would not be much of a story. It is she that wants to fi More...
Xander's volatile nature drags the plot along, and if it weren't for her, there would not be much of a story. It is she that wants to fi More...
Jun 13, 2010
BookWhisperer
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Ryan's May release Zen and Xander undone is one novel that packes one hell of an emotion punch. From the book description I anticipated a heart wrenching story of loss for these two girls that becomes their undoing. What I did not anticipate was that the true under lieing storyline of a young girl that is struggling with the loss of everything in her life. Because of the lifestyle and choices of poison it is an immediate concern for the future of Xander the older out of control eighteen year old
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Nov 09, 2011
Vanessa
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Well I really enjoyed reading Zen and Xander Undone by Amy Kathleen her book has really moved me she has written a very impressive story about love and about sisters and about how they both cope with the loss of there mother at such young ages . The main reason why I choose to read this book was because of the other book that she wrote called Vibes. I have to say that Zen and Xander has much more depth it and I truly loved it. It has such a powerful message and I believe it’s one of the best bo
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Jul 09, 2010
Kelsey
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After reading and enjoying Amy's debut Vibes, I was really excited to dive into Zen and Xander Undone. This was an overall really enjoyable and well written sophomore novel that will definitely appeal to a variety of readers. While Zen and Xander were not necessarily "likable" characters, they are definitely realistic and well developed. The plot was also very original and kept me reading, enough that I finished this book in about 2 hours.
To elaborate, Zen and Xander are tw More...
To elaborate, Zen and Xander are tw More...
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Jun 20, 2010
Yan
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Ever since their mom past away, Zen and Xander have dealt with their grief in different ways. Zen turned to martial arts as a physical outlet while Xander turned to late night parties and drugs despite her exceedingly intelligence having been accepted to both CalTech and MIT. Zen although being the younger sister is watching out for Xander for her fighting skills comes in handy against unwanted men. Adam, however, Zen and Xander’s next door neighbor, is wanted. But ever so often a letter from th
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Jun 02, 2010
Jennifer
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Reviewed by Sally Kruger aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com
Two sisters who are totally different join together to solve a mystery. After the death of their mother less than a year ago, Zen (Athena) and Xander (Alexandra) are looking for ways to carry on. Their father is hiding out in his new basement bedroom and pretty much ignoring the girls.
Xander is and has always been the wild one, but since their mother's death her behavior has become completely defian More...
Two sisters who are totally different join together to solve a mystery. After the death of their mother less than a year ago, Zen (Athena) and Xander (Alexandra) are looking for ways to carry on. Their father is hiding out in his new basement bedroom and pretty much ignoring the girls.
Xander is and has always been the wild one, but since their mother's death her behavior has become completely defian More...
Jun 20, 2010
Lauren
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I've been looking forward to reading Zen and Xander Undone for quite a while, so when I finally did receive a copy I was jumping-up-and-down ecstatic, which never is exactly a pretty picture. ;) Sadly, while there are good parts to Zen and Xander Undone, it left me feeling utterly disappointed at the end.
Zen and Xander Undone tells the tale of two sisters who are best friends. Xander is the wild and wickedly smart one, though ever since the death of their mother, she's been on a More...
Zen and Xander Undone tells the tale of two sisters who are best friends. Xander is the wild and wickedly smart one, though ever since the death of their mother, she's been on a More...
Jun 11, 2010
Katie
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I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by how much I loved Zen & Xander Undone. Amy Kathleen Ryan has written an amazing story about sisters and the things they share, from boys to grief. If her first book, Vibes, is anywhere near as good as this one it will be added to my list of favorites too.
Zen and Xander are sisters with very little in common. After the death of their mother Zen throws herself into her martial arts and Xander throws herself at every guy she meets. Whe More...
Zen and Xander are sisters with very little in common. After the death of their mother Zen throws herself into her martial arts and Xander throws herself at every guy she meets. Whe More...
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Feb 26, 2011
Mollie
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I had my doubts when picking up the book, but I must say I am amazed. Zen and Xander, two sisters trying to cope with the death of their mother and the mystery she left behind, each grieve in their own way. One sister through martial arts, the other through sex and drugs. In order to get answers, the two embark on a sisterly conspiracy and learn an awful lot about each other.
Jul 01, 2010
Susan P
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After their mother dies from breast cancer, two sisters cope in very different ways. Xander drinks and takes risks, and Zen throws herself into martial arts. When they find evidence that their mother may have had an affair years before, they unite to find out the truth about what happened. Local author.
May 27, 2011
Katherine
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It was very well written and had some interesting twists and brought up interesting arguments. it was fun to read and quick. I like Zen better because I could relate to how hard it is to hurt yourself and not be able to do what you love. I also liked her ideals which she had learned from shotokan.
Aug 17, 2010
Jamison
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Is it weird that I was reminded of Little Women while reading this book? The plot couldn't been more un-March-like, but the strong sister relationship and the role of the boy next door just seemed similar. Anyway, a great "kids with problems" read with a bit of a mystery thrown in.
Jun 29, 2011
Karin
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Two sisters cope with the loss of their mom in different ways in the year after her death, as they receive posthumous letters from her that make them start to question whether they knew her at all. Thoughtful and a little melancholy, but also funny and real. Quite good.
Jul 01, 2010
Lisa
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The close relationship between sisters Zen and Xander is complicated by their very different ways of grieving for their dead mother. I liked the believable characters and the mystery the sisters try to solve when they learn about a man who was important to their mom.
Sep 21, 2010
alexandra
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Touching story about how two sisters, best friends, react upon losing their mother to cancer. Not maudlin at all with a slight mystery about a man from mom's past thrown in.
Sep 26, 2011
Stacey
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For the first 100 pages or so, I only kind of liked the book. In the end though, I actually thought it was pretty good and would recommend it to others.
Jan 21, 2012
Hollie
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Good realistic fiction story about sisters finding who they are after their mother dies of cancer.
Aug 28, 2010
Paula
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Well written with good characters and enough edge to keep reluctant readers in it to the end.
Oct 01, 2010
Heather
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see this is why I don't usually read realistic fiction, too freaking sad and even though I don't have sister and my mother is still living it still hits way to close to home in some bizarre way and make me even sadder...
Nov 20, 2011
Valerie
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The characters were kind of flat and the story was just blah.... I gave up a few chapters in.
Oct 09, 2010
Kassandria
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Sadly, the two best things about this book was the narration, and the sister's names.
Feb 21, 2012
