Compulsion

Nov 13, 2012 Luke rated it 2 of 5 stars

The book Compulsion by Heidi Ayarbe is about Jake Martin, a soccer star at Carson City High School. He is overly obsessed with prime numbers and is constatly checking the time. He believes all numbers will come together perfectly on the day of his team's third state soccer championship. Jake is hopeful that if his team wins the championship on Saturday, all the numbers will go away and his life will be "normal".

I find Jake and his personality hard to relate to. Being so overcompulsive with numb...more

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Jul 12, 2012 Alicia rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: boy, romance, sports, science, odd

I read Freeze Frame and enjoyed it, but didn't enjoy Compulsion although the concept seemed readable enough-- a high school soccer player who is living with obsessive-compulsive disorder. And I can pinpoint why I didn't enjoy it- I read the first 20-30 pages and then the last few chapters and felt like I didn't miss anything in the middle. I wasn't attached to the characters, the writing, or the plot, not to mention that it is laced with the f-word.

Jake's OCD is with numbers, odd numbers, count...more

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Apr 06, 2012 Rachel rated it 3 of 5 stars

This story was told from the captivating perspective of Jake Martin, a high-school soccer superstar. Underneath that identity, Jake suffers from a disease that forces him to stick to strict routines and prime numbers, otherwise he fears everything will go wrong. Everything in Jake's life is building to upcoming the state soccer championship and Jake knows that if his routines and numbers are perfect, then the "magic" will help his team win. After a third straight state championship Jake will be...more

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Jan 25, 2012 Shoshana rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recommended to Shoshana by: a blogger, but I can't remember who or find the review

Shelves: realistic, ya

So I just finished this and I cried at the end.

It's a little bit of a tricky book, because of all the numbers - which I know are there because they're all there for Jake, and they absolutely bring his brain into your brain, which is vital for the book to work - but I just can't read all the numbers, so I end up skimming and skipping. Which is fine, except that when I get in the habit of skimming and skipping I do it with other text too, especially as the pace of a book picks up and everything ge...more

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Jan 17, 2012 Rene Kirkpatrick rated it 4 of 5 stars

I don't know if I can say I enjoyed reading this. It was really good, it was well written, but I found myself taking huge gulps of air throughout because of how tied up this kid is by his OCD.

Jake Martin is a soccer star at his high school, certain to get scholarships for college, and he only has one more game to play. He has the Magic, a series of rites to keep his good luck going, and this Saturday all the primes come together.

The rites he has developed to keep his family safe have begun to t...more I don't know if I can say I enjoyed reading this. It was really good, it was well written, but I found myself taking huge gulps of air throughout because of how tied up this kid is by his OCD.

Jake Martin is a soccer star at his high school, certain to get scholarships for college, and he only has one more game to play. He has the Magic, a series of rites to keep his good luck going, and this Saturday all the primes come together.

The rites he has developed to keep his family safe have begun to take over his entire life. He is unable to leave his house without an elaborate routine, one he has to start over if he misses a single piece or if he can't finish before the clock ticks over. He is constantly checking his watch, to the second, adding and subtracting just so he can hit a prime number, the only number he can move to. He is constantly late because he may miss that moment for leaving and have to wait for the next prime.

It seems like such a simple thing: just don't do it, but he is sure that if he wins the game, the spiders that clog his brain and make him do this will go away and he'll be normal, he won't be crazy anymore. He can't talk to anyone about it, everyone else on the team has these rituals- one guy wears the same socks, never washing them, surely this is the same kind of thing. But when the compulsions finally harm someone he loves, rather than keeping them safe, he begins to realize that he has bigger worries than he ever thought.

I wondered if he could really hide his problems as well as he seemed to, if people really wouldn't notice and ask him about it, but, he's in high school, he's popular and smart, he's the soccer star. Those people are often as invisible as they are visible. Things get overlooked and left behind when you're popular and, in Jake's case, no one wants to see that anything's wrong. Only an old friend who resurfaces, one who doesn't sleep through the night, can see how much he's changed.

I really did like the story, I loved Jake and his sister, I found myself fascinated with his rituals and his whole family is in crisis. I couldn't put it down, once I took a little break from the constant counting.

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Oct 25, 2011 Kelly rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya-fiction, read-in-2011

3.5.

Let me start with what I didn't like. I thought that the tactic to make us feel what Jake felt was fine. But it became overbearing. It made me dislike him, even when I know I shouldn't have. Combine that with the fact that Ayarbe then numbered the chapters as prime numbers. It was a little much. I GOT the purpose of it, but I could have done with a little less of that and a teeny bit more character coming through. Or maybe more emotion. Something other than the "putting the reader in Jake's...more

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Jul 13, 2011 Cornmaven rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: abandoned, high-school

I abandoned this latest by Ayarbe, because it really wasn't going anywhere that wasn't obvious to the reader. She took way too long to set up/explain/expose the kid's specific OCD, but then nothing happened but more revelation of the same. I could tell that there would be a climactic moment at the end where he would either fall totally apart, or gather enough courage to begin to overcome it. That wasn't enough for me to stick with it.

I have read many books in which the protagonist has a specifi...more

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Jun 09, 2011 Wisteriouswoman rated it 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book. I felt anxious the whole time I was reading it and couldn't put it down. Jake has OCD and calms himself by adding numbers and coming up with prime numbers. It is his way of coping and using ‘magic’ to feel he has some control of his life. The numbers while annoying are an important part of the story. I just skipped reading them because it was like someone saying abracadabra over and over--you just ignore it because you already have an idea what the magic is all about.

Everyone...more I loved this book. I felt anxious the whole time I was reading it and couldn't put it down. Jake has OCD and calms himself by adding numbers and coming up with prime numbers. It is his way of coping and using ‘magic’ to feel he has some control of his life. The numbers while annoying are an important part of the story. I just skipped reading them because it was like someone saying abracadabra over and over--you just ignore it because you already have an idea what the magic is all about.

Everyone in my family has a mental illness so I could relate to the fact that there is no one for Jake to turn to that can help him escape the trap he is in. Adults that are mentally ill don’t usually develop a safety net of friends and extended family for their kids. With a mentally ill mother and a Dad that escapes into his work, you see Jacob and his sister trying to help each other cope with their own issues and find a spot in the high school scene where they can fit in and feel normal.

Even though it is obvious to the people Jake interacts with everyday that he has a serious problem they are never able to ask the right questions that will lead Jake to trust them enough to ask for help. Everyone is relying on him to be a great soccer star and win the championship for his high school. When they ask ‘are you okay’ they need him to say ‘yes’ rather than delve deeper and expose the truth.

Mera, a childhood friend, quotes from East of Eden, ’You are one of the rare people who can separate your observation from preconception. You see what is, where people see what they expect.’ He desperately needs for someone to ‘see what is’ and help him escape the OCD hell that he is trapped in. Mera ultimately plays an important part in helping Jake realize that he needs more than the ‘magic’ of numbers and rituals.

Compuls1on reminds me of Multiple Choice by Tashjian. In both books the teens are unable to take care of another child because their OCD rituals get in the way of functioning and something terrible happens. I believe it is important to feel compassion for kids with OCD and I think both these books let the reader do just that by entering into their hell.

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May 27, 2011 A&E rated it 4 of 5 stars

I really didn't know what I was getting into when I started reading this but, wow, COMPULSION is awesome...and exhausting!

Awesome because you're right in Jake's head. You go through his OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) with him. Every scene opens with how he's mentally processing numbers. And living inside his head is also why it's exhausting.

Ayarbe writes with incredible authenticity. Jake's stream of consciousness would make anyone crazy, yet for the most part, on the surface he comes acro...more

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Apr 26, 2011 Inspired Kathy marked it as did-not-finish

This won't be much of a review because it is difficult to fairly review a book I couldn't finish. I signed up to review this book through The Teen Book Scene's Blog Tours. The synopsis of the book fascinated me since I have a son who has had some obsessive behaviors around math. I read a few reviews that were very positive and it sounded like a book I would enjoy so I signed up for the tour.

Unfortunately the reviews I read failed to mention the amount of language in this book. I've not come acr...more

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Apr 23, 2011 Melanie Goodman added it

I’m always eager to pick up books about mental illness, but I’m also a skeptical reader. It’s extremely important to me that mental illness is portrayed well; I hate to see anything that will add to the stigma, and I’m particularly annoyed by fiction that shows a lack of attention to research and detail or stories that degenerate into “issue books.” Heidi Ayarbe’s Compulsion gave me little to stress about. Compulsion is one of the most realistic works of fiction portraying Obsessive Compulsive D...more I’m always eager to pick up books about mental illness, but I’m also a skeptical reader. It’s extremely important to me that mental illness is portrayed well; I hate to see anything that will add to the stigma, and I’m particularly annoyed by fiction that shows a lack of attention to research and detail or stories that degenerate into “issue books.” Heidi Ayarbe’s Compulsion gave me little to stress about. Compulsion is one of the most realistic works of fiction portraying Obsessive Compulsive Disorder that I have yet to come across.

Ayarbe’s main character, Jake Martin, is obsessed with prime numbers. (This is cleverly played out in chapter numbers, which are exclusively primes.) Prime numbers keep Jake safe. They keep his family safe. They keep his soccer team winning. If he is going to make it through the championship game and get a college scholarship, he has to give in to the magic of primes. But then they will go away. As soon as he wins the game, he is sure that the primes and the spiders in his head will leave him alone. He will be able to have a normal life again, one without the constant need for counting, or the need to keep the majority of his thoughts a secret from his friends and loved ones. Sure, Jake needs the primes now, but once they’re gone, maybe he’ll be able to go on a regular date or make it through a party without panic attacks. But what happens if the game ends and the primes won’t go away?

Compulsion is an exhausting and difficult read, but it is the qualities that make it so challenging that also make it so compelling and real. Jake cannot turn off the voice in his head that makes him follow through with his compulsions. OCD is typically considered an egodystonic disorder, meaning that the person realizes that their obsessions and compulsions are not normal or logical. I think it is this part of the disorder that makes it especially anxiety-inducing; you want to make it stop, but it’s incredibly hard to keep yourself from doing something that you feel makes you safe. Jake’s constant internal monologue is distressing and upsetting, and his lack of ability to talk about what was going on in his head and get real support was even more so.

The secondary characters in Compulsion add a great deal of depth; family dynamics certainly impact mental illness, but they also show quite a bit about how somebody gets to be the way they are. Jake’s family is often depicted through flashbacks that are gritty and intense. I wish that some of these relationships had been played out more in the present, particularly with more interaction between Jake and his mom. Jake’s family members’ thought patterns and coping mechanisms are powerfully revealing.

Jake’s mother shares similar compulsions, obsessing over the possibility that she might have run over somebody and needing to retrace her steps until she can ensure that there’s no body. His little sister simultaneously needs his protection in the frequent absence of a parental figure, but also offers Jake protection, understanding his illness in a way that nobody else in his life does. Their father comes across as overwhelmed, often hiding behind his work, and perhaps less accepting of Jake’s problems or just unwilling to face the reality that another one of his family members might be suffering from this same illness.

Similarly, Jake’s friendships help to illuminate his OCD, showing in particular the struggle to keep it a secret. It’s hard enough to be a soccer star, but Jake has the added stress of coming across as “normal” when there’s clearly nothing average about his routine. Some days it can be hard for him to just make it to school or practice on time if the numbers don’t work out right, and the strict schedules and social demands of high school offer few allowances for any behavior that doesn’t fit inside the box. Compulsion shows that mental illness really can affect anyone, even the kid at the top of the high school food chain, the one you’d least expect.

Compulsion is at once hard to put down and hard to read all the way through. It is fast-paced and gripping, but at times overpowering, requiring breaks to digest it a bit. I’d love to see Jake Martin’s story discussed not just among YA readers but in psych classes and reading groups. Be sure to pick this book up if you want to get inside the head of a teen with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and understand the illness in a whole new way.(less)

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Aug 28, 2012 Kritika rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult, teen-problems, summer-2012-challenge, did-not-like, mental-illness

In case you couldn't tell by the one-star rating, I hated this book. I probably would have abandoned it halfway through if it weren't the last book of a reading challenge.

Qualities you need to enjoy this book:

1. You enjoy stories about boys who are jerks - Jake is...unlikeable to say the least. He doesn't seem to care about anyone, except perhaps his sister. He's selfish, always thinking about himself and forgetting friends and breaking team rules for soccer because he's Magic Martin and thus t...more In case you couldn't tell by the one-star rating, I hated this book. I probably would have abandoned it halfway through if it weren't the last book of a reading challenge.

Qualities you need to enjoy this book:

1. You enjoy stories about boys who are jerks - Jake is...unlikeable to say the least. He doesn't seem to care about anyone, except perhaps his sister. He's selfish, always thinking about himself and forgetting friends and breaking team rules for soccer because he's Magic Martin and thus the sole reason the soccer team wins games...um, yeah right. Jake Martin lacks personality. The only thing that makes him vaguely interesting is his obsession with prime numbers, but after a certain point, when there's no explanation (ok fine, no satisfactory explanation) about why it exists and what makes it so hard to break the habit, even that gets tedious. I never understood the math behind it - he'd add the numbers of the time and then randomly add and subtract until he got to a prime. So...shouldn't any time be ok?

2. You don't mind swearing - The f-word is quite literally on every page of this book. And if by some miracle it isn't on a page or two, do not fear, because it will crop up five times on the next page to make up for it.

3. There's no such thing as TMI - Jake ogles at girls. A lot. Ok fine, ogle all you like, but I don't need to know what's going on inside your pants while you're doing it. Nor do I need to know about your "pubes" going down the drain. Goodness.

4. It doesn't bother you when there's no plot line or character development to speak of - It's simply all about Jake's obsession with prime numbers, and how he expects it to magically go away when he wins the third soccer championship in a row...and then it doesn't. He doesn't try all that hard to fight it - a couple of paragraphs and then it's just too hard for the guy and he gives up. I'm sorry, but sitting outside a friend's house - a friend you haven't talked to in years, for that matter - and admitting you have a problem after her constant asking isn't heroic. It isn't particularly difficult to do either. You are not redeemed, Jake Martin. Nor do I care that I have no inkling about whether you ever get better or not.

So...if those 4 things describe you, you might enjoy this book. I certainly didn't. I can't think of a single thing I liked about it, which is saying something, because I didn't start this book expecting to hate it. The concept of OCD and trying to overcome it is a good one, but it's not even explored half as much as it could have been. The main character wasn't particularly likeable or memorable, and the writing wasn't particularly great either. I'd call this book a complete waste of time - save yourself the frustration and go read something else.(less)

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May 07, 2011 April Nichole rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2011

I had a hard time reading this one. I thought it sounded interesting. There are times when I have thought I was a little OCD but this takes it to a whole new level. I guess that could be the point. But, it got to be a little distracting having the character constantly counting. I know it was his thing but it just started to make less and less sense. I couldn't finish it cause I got bored seeing it all the time.
I also didn't like the constant language. I know it gets used but good grief just beca...more

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Feb 26, 2011 Barbara rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Anyone suffering with, or involved in OCD

This book was difficult for me to read and difficult to like but it did pull me into its world. I've given it three stars because of the reason I found it difficult. This is an in-depth portrayal of the life of Jake, a young man with OCD. Heidi Ayarbe brought me deep into a disturbed mind that knows his life is not normal and feels his only hope of becoming normal is "magic." The magic of prime numbers and the hope that winning his third soccer championship will break their control over his life...more This book was difficult for me to read and difficult to like but it did pull me into its world. I've given it three stars because of the reason I found it difficult. This is an in-depth portrayal of the life of Jake, a young man with OCD. Heidi Ayarbe brought me deep into a disturbed mind that knows his life is not normal and feels his only hope of becoming normal is "magic." The magic of prime numbers and the hope that winning his third soccer championship will break their control over his life. Keeping himself a secret grows harder every day, as does his fear of what will happen if anyone figures him out.

I don't have OCD, I don't know anyone who does. Compulsion truely took me to a foreign state, and I totally recommend this book to anyone trying to understand this insidious illness. Watching Jake was uncomfortable for this so-called "normal" person. I knew his belief in magic was wrong but prayed with every page I turned that maybe in his case I was wrong. That is the power of this book, I had to root for this boy compelled to do things I could not understand and hope he would succeed.

Jake is compelled to look at clocks, knowing that some time were good - those he could manipulate into a prime number like 7:31 where 7-3-1= 3. Other times were bad and left him literally frozen in place while friends and family complained until the clock changed. This is not MONK, Jake needs more than just to have the shampoo and conditioner equal. One of the most compelling scenes occurred after well-meaning friends disturb his morning ritual and he is forced to risk loosing his spot in the all-important game because he has no choice. He MUST leave school and go all the way home and back to bed so he can start his day over again correctly.

The story also covers his best friend Luc, a young man suffering anger issues after living with an abusive father. We also meet Jake's younger sister who is sometimes forced to assume the role of mother because their own mother has her own form of OCD but really just wants to beleive that jer brother "has her back". When his father tells Jake he needs to help keep the family together and promises he won't ask the impossible of his son, it was hard not to cry as Jake thought, "You already have."

The weakest part of the book was an attempt to go into the past and offer an explaination for Jake's OCD and obssesion with clocks and time. I didn't care why. it simply was, and as a reader I was content with that. I just wanted to know what would happen to him and his family next.

This book does not have the conventional "happy ending." But it does offer hope, and for that it deserves to be read. (less)

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Nov 10, 2011 TheSaint rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya

One star before the BIG GAME. Three after.
I'll admit that I picked up this book because the subject -- compulsive behavior -- was intriguing. But I was so disappointed in the first two-thirds of it: the author took too many short-cuts in characterization and plot.
Leaving the conceit of clock/counting aside, the reader knows the protagonist is troubled because he uses foul language. Constantly. The plot takes care of itself rather handily: The BG is either won or lost. Frankly, I didn't really ca...more

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Feb 01, 2012 Kalani Smith rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book was definitely a heart-breaker and an eye-opener. It makes a reader rethink their definition of normal. Jacob was seen as "normal", maybe a little quirky, but normal non-the-less, even by his sister who knew of his weird habits. Inside, however, he was a wreck, dealing with OCD alone while his mom was lost in her own world of the mental illness He felt he was alone and from a traumatic night where he didn't protect his sister at age 7, he had been dealing with the OCD. His sister was o...more

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Nov 22, 2010 Kari rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc-or-review-from-publisher-author, read-teen

The Short Version:
Exhausting and engaging, Compulsion gives a striking look into the mind of a teenage boy with OCD. Ayarbe has masterfully put into words something that is almost indescribable, getting across not only the mental drives but the physical reactions and the need that cannot be ignored. In addition to how fantastically Jake’s world and mindset is written, his relationship with his parents, his sister, and his best friend all play a large role and come through boldly. Raw and gritty,...more The Short Version:
Exhausting and engaging, Compulsion gives a striking look into the mind of a teenage boy with OCD. Ayarbe has masterfully put into words something that is almost indescribable, getting across not only the mental drives but the physical reactions and the need that cannot be ignored. In addition to how fantastically Jake’s world and mindset is written, his relationship with his parents, his sister, and his best friend all play a large role and come through boldly. Raw and gritty, with a well paced and smooth plot, mixed with Ayarbe’s flawless writing, Compulsion will leave a mark and give a brilliant look into the mind of an often ignored disorder.

The Extended Version:
Take away the OCD, and Jake is a normal, kind, well meaning boy. He has his moments of idiocy, yet plenty of things outshine those. He is incredibly real, having plenty of passing thoughts and Ayarbe has given him a very strong, believable male voice that still holds a large crossover for a female readership. His horny thoughts were hilarious and real but smoothly inserted, without being overbearing or a turn off. The depth of Jake’s disorder, however, comes through more strongly than anything else, pulling the reader in and making them feel as much of an outsider as Jake does. The fear of someone finding out, and what they’ll think, is constant and understandable, pitched in a very sensitive way.

Jake’s obsession and need to understand and function with prime numbers is truly exhausting. Ayarbe often includes the way Jake sees the time, figuring out quick math equations in his head that will make the numbers equal a prime. The way he reacts when it is a prime is very different from when it isn’t, and it’s heartbreaking to see the constant, unavoidable struggle. There are some clear differences between Jake and his peers, with a wall he maintains constantly, which often made me question how different he would be if he didn’t suffer from the OCD. When no pep talk could calm him, and when his daily functioning was impaired because of the drive, it truly brought the entire thing up front. Soccer, however, is Jake’s saving grace, and the way this incorporated in was handled flawlessly and expertly.

Luc, Jake’s best friend, is an interesting counterpart, cocky and arrogant and quite the player, but even without the soccer team that unites them, there was a clear connection and underlying kinship between the two. Their home lives are very different, but they really do have each other’s back. Luc was an amusing character, as well as frustrating, but his large presence throughout the book really brought him out as a three-dimensional character. He’s jerky and flawed, but still a good person, and a product of his upbringing as much as anyone else while still trying to resist the worst of it. Not to mention, he garners some hotness points simply for being Columbian in heritage.

There is a very large internal component to this book, centered around the OCD and Jake’s determination to keep it hidden that is as large as the drive to obey the numbers. With several intense and emotional scenes, and a growing sense of foreboding, Ayarbe truly shows just how far this disorder can go to really tear a family apart and disrupt even the simplest of daily activities. Though the source of Jake’s issues are his OCD, there are some universal truths and feelings that come out, which are masterfully woven in. From being in a group but feeling alone to a closed in, lost and scared feeling, there is something everyone can relate to and understand, giving an easy bridge to understanding the feel degree of Jake’s disorder.

Add in Jake’s intense love for his little sister and their relationship, his mom’s own issues and OCD which has done some damage to their family, and a father trying to keep it together, and there is also a strong family component. Dysfunctional but still there, Ayarbe really blends Jake’s school and home worlds, along with his friends. The plot has some twists but primarily, it is focused on Jake trying to make his way through everything. The pacing is steady, giving humor at the right moments and intensity at other, each one timed perfectly. A very strong, authentic male voice, unerring grit, and a stunning writing style all pull together to make one truly compelling, emotional and beautiful book.

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Jun 24, 2011 Amber rated it 5 of 5 stars

While I don't have OCD, I identified with this book on way too many levels. I think on some level, we all have things we obsess about, and while maybe we they don't control our lives like they do for Jake, they are still there and still influence the decisions we make. I like order. I love for numbers to match up. Maybe that's part of why being a librarian clicked so nicely for me... And now I'm going to have Bolero stuck in my head for the rest of the day.

And as a side note, it was my great ho...more

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Sep 18, 2011 Melissa rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-releases, books-from-library

Compulsion is the story of Jake Martin, who is obsessed with prime numbers. He can't stop counting. He believes that this magic he has is why every top soccer university is recruiting him, his family is kept safe, and why he anxiety attacks are under control. But this magic is also his prison because his compulsions are taking over every aspect of his life.

I think this is my first ever novel that dealt with OCD, and while I liked it a bit, I didn't think it was a "courageous and breathtaking" no...more

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Aug 05, 2011 Bookworm1858 rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-2011, ya-read

After reading Ayarbe's powerful Compromised earlier this year, I looked up what else she had written and saw that this book was upcoming. I put it in my to-read list and then requested it from the library. I've only seen two other reviews of this and was excited to read about a boy MC, still rather rare in YA, and OCD, something I've never seen tackled in a book (except for the Monk books).

In this case Jake Martin's compulsion is numbers, ideally prime or else he has to keep counting and calcula...more After reading Ayarbe's powerful Compromised earlier this year, I looked up what else she had written and saw that this book was upcoming. I put it in my to-read list and then requested it from the library. I've only seen two other reviews of this and was excited to read about a boy MC, still rather rare in YA, and OCD, something I've never seen tackled in a book (except for the Monk books).

In this case Jake Martin's compulsion is numbers, ideally prime or else he has to keep counting and calculating until they are prime. He has a specific routine that has to take just the right length of time or else his whole day would be thrown off. At the start of the book, he is preparing for his third soccer state championship victory, which would be the perfect day with prime number converging and preparing for his future. After that, he'll be normal; he'll be able to help out his family, he'll make more than one friend, he'll be able to hang out with girls, and the cobwebs won't cloud his vision.

It took me a while to get in to this book as I tried to understand Jake's compulsion. Sometimes he added numbers, sometimes he multiplied and that didn't make sense until I realized that this was Jake's compulsion and it didn't matter what I thought. As the book progressed, I had a growing sense of panic and nervousness because I knew that Jake's compulsion would not disappear like he thought and I was attempting to brace myself for something awful. And make no mistake, some awful things do happen but I'm not going to spoil that.

My favorite part of the book was how I was drawn into Jake's compulsion and recognizing that he needed help but being powerless to do anything. This also made me feel uncomfortable and helpless but also happy at how attached I felt to Jake. He was like the brother I've never had and I just wanted to reach through the book and share some of my quirks and get him to some professional help. Because he is a good guy, trapped in a bad situation and I loved him.

Overall: Another powerful read from Ayarbe; just took a while to really get going.(less)

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May 12, 2011 Mundie Moms & Mundie Kids rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-release, arcs-i-own, mundie-moms-reviews, 2011-100-book-challenge

2.5 stars

Compulsion takes reading about characters who suffer from OCD to a whole new level. I felt that I was able to really get a glimpse into the mindset of someone's life who is ruled by their compulsion with numbers. Jake's world is ruled by prime numbers and he's constantly counting. He tries to hide his compulsion, but having a broken family and only one friend it's not hard to do. Keeping his compulsion a secret starts to wear him down, and his biggest focus is helping his team win their...more 2.5 stars

Compulsion takes reading about characters who suffer from OCD to a whole new level. I felt that I was able to really get a glimpse into the mindset of someone's life who is ruled by their compulsion with numbers. Jake's world is ruled by prime numbers and he's constantly counting. He tries to hide his compulsion, but having a broken family and only one friend it's not hard to do. Keeping his compulsion a secret starts to wear him down, and his biggest focus is helping his team win their upcoming soccer game.

It wasn't hard for me to sympathize with Jake's compulsion. He's a prisoner in his own mind. His life is ruled by numbers and he's addicted to looking at clocks. Things were good if time was on a prime number like 7:31, if it didn't end on a prime number he couldn't look away from the clock until it turned. It's like everything stops until the clock changes. Jake's not the only character who's having to deal with a lot. His mom suffers from OCD, his dad through out much of the book isn't sure how to help her and is unaware of what his son suffers from and his younger sister is often times forced to step into the rule of playing mother. Heidi does a compelling job with bringing to light how OCD can really effect a person and their family.

While Heidi does a fascinating job at really taking the reader into the mind of a character who suffers from a severe case of OCD, I had an extremely hard time getting into the book due to all the language. I don't mind a few words here and there, or a couple mentions of the f-word, but Compulsion has numerous mentions of the word that made it hard for me to really understand the character. I felt it was a little extreme to have the f-word used so much, and it made the character seem unrealistic with how often and how much he uses that word. While I felt Heidi did an amazing job at really making me feel I was able to get into Jake's mindset, I couldn't look past all the language and enjoy the book as much as I hoping to.(less)

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May 11, 2012 Nancy rated it 2 of 5 stars

Today has to be perfect.
Magic.
I look at the clock.
10:14 am.
Ten fourteen. One plus one is two plus four is six plus ten is sixteen minus one is fifteen minus two is thirteen. OK.
I turn from the clock and walk into the hallway. "Ready.”

Saturday will be the third state soccer championship in a row for Jake Martin. Three. A good number. Prime. With Jake on the field, Carson City High can’t lose, because Jake has the magic: a self-created protection generated by his obsession with prime numbers...more

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May 23, 2011 Page (One Book At A Time) rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2011

'm draw to books about mental illness. Maybe that's what having a degree in psychology does to you. So, I immediately wanted to read this book based on the OCD fact alone. While, I had a hard time getting into the story, it did not disappoint.

While I was intrigued be Jake, I had a hard time with him at first. I didn't understand his OCD and what he was doing to calm himself. And, I was really confused by the "magic". For a little bit I was afraid it was going to have a paranormal accept. It seem...more

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May 10, 2011 J. rated it 4 of 5 stars

I wanted to read this book because the main character suffers from OCD, and I was curious to see how that would play out in terms of character development. Ayarbe really does a great job of depicting Jake and his obsession with numbers and counting as well as realistically portraying his compulsions. At first, his perspective was so alien to me that I was persplexed. I view numbers as another language like Greek or something, so I was like, "Stop counting already!" As I read, I felt the cripplin...more

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Jul 01, 2011 Laura rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed

As soon as I heard the premise of this story I know I would be picking it up as soon as possible. I'm always immediately drawn to books regarding mental illness and disorders and am fasinated by the feelings, emotions and behaviors surrounding them. Jake Martin is a high school senior, soccer player extrodinare, who is living with a secret. His life is consumed with his obsession and need for prime numbers. He feels that the prime numbers bring him magic, magic that not only protects his family...more As soon as I heard the premise of this story I know I would be picking it up as soon as possible. I'm always immediately drawn to books regarding mental illness and disorders and am fasinated by the feelings, emotions and behaviors surrounding them. Jake Martin is a high school senior, soccer player extrodinare, who is living with a secret. His life is consumed with his obsession and need for prime numbers. He feels that the prime numbers bring him magic, magic that not only protects his family but brings him luck on the soccer field as well, but these numbers also consume his life, if Jake can just make it through saturdays championship soccer game, he thinks the magic will stay with him forever, but will it, or will the numbers continue to consume his life?

I had a very hard time connecting to this story and the main character Jake, not because he was male, but just his character in general. Anyone who knows me knows i'm far from a numbers person, and I think maybe the overwhelming abudance of them make this book a bit taxing for me. Which some could argue may have been the point of the story, that in fact that's how Jake felt in regards to his OCD, but I had a hard time being able to connect.

I wish the story focused more on his disease, rather then him trying to keep it a secret, and I wish the ending resolved or came to a better conclusion, because in my opinion it felt like it was left uncomplete, and ended kinda-of abruptly. I did however find this book interesting in the respect that while I have read novels regarding OCD i've never read a book regarding OCD with regards to numbers, and I know thats very common in people with OCD, so I did get to see a whole nother side to the disease that i've never really delved into before.

I do think this book is worth picking up and giving a chance, and I do feel that a lot of guys would really enjoy this novel, The protaginist is male, and it deals with an athlete and issues I think a male would be able to relate to better then a female.
(less)

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Mar 17, 2011 Lauren (365 Days of Reading) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Summary: Jake suffers from obsessive compulsive disorder, but he doesn’t know it. He’s fascinated with prime numbers, and finds himself having to repeat certain actions or else things won’t feel “right”. Jake knows these inclinations are strange, so when he realizes that an upcoming Saturday will align perfectly with the primes, he thinks he’ll finally be free of his weirdness. Not only that—Saturday is a big game for his soccer team. Jake’s future depends on it. Will Saturday be a miracle? …Or...more Summary: Jake suffers from obsessive compulsive disorder, but he doesn’t know it. He’s fascinated with prime numbers, and finds himself having to repeat certain actions or else things won’t feel “right”. Jake knows these inclinations are strange, so when he realizes that an upcoming Saturday will align perfectly with the primes, he thinks he’ll finally be free of his weirdness. Not only that—Saturday is a big game for his soccer team. Jake’s future depends on it. Will Saturday be a miracle? …Or will it be a disaster?

My thoughts: The way Heidi Ayarbe presents obsessive compulsive disorder is stunning. She shows rather than tells, and Jake’s unflinching narrative sheds insight into the confusing and controlling aspects of the disease. Nothing feels insincere or clinical; it’s obvious that Ayarbe has done copious amounts of research, and her teen male voice is flawless.

Compulsion is mainly a character-driven novel. There isn’t much of a plot, other than Jake’s waiting for the big game and fighting the urge to look at the clock. Yet Compulsion still manages to be exciting. Jake’s stress is palpable, and I felt myself sweating along with him. His thoughts are consuming, and they’re really all that matter. I found myself caring less and less about the “once I win this game, the numbers will go away” aspect of the story, and focusing more on Jake’s inner turmoil.

Jake’s younger sister, Kasey, is a stellar foil for Jake. Their relationship was something sweeter than I’d ever seen between siblings. The haunting memory they share keeps them close, but it’s obvious that they truly care about each other.

Compulsion is an excellent take on OCD, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone interested in learning more about the disease. My eyes were certainly opened. The story isn’t just about OCD, though—it’s about learning to live with what you have, and opening yourself up to others. Even those without OCD will find parts of the story they can relate to. (less)

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Nov 04, 2012 Jennifer Wardrip rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: trt-posted-reviews

Reviewed by Lauren Ashley for TeensReadToo.com

Jake is a teen just trying to live his life, but his OCD makes it difficult to appear normal. His only real friend is Luc, and even he knows that Jake has something going on with him. But Jake keeps it hidden. He tries to be the soccer champ everyone wants him to be, and his sister helps him appear put together in front of his father...whose broken down by his wife, who deals with her own OCD.

Jake has an obsession with numbers. This is something that...more

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Jun 21, 2011 Tania rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: people who like more realistic/dark reading

Recommended to Tania by: no one, just picked it up at the library

Shelves: guy-s-perspective

It was weird, I'm not used to reading books from a guy's perspective. Besides that the book was pretty good. I understood that he has OCD, but it was also all about soccer, and i didn't really like that. The ending was also good in a way, but not in alot others, because there wasn't really a resolution just like a point where he realized that he is not ok, but I wish there was at least a chapter or 2 of what would have happened after that. That would be the only thing that I would change.

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Jun 19, 2012 Nat rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult, sports

Compulsion is a novel written by Heidi Ayarbe that explores mental illness, more specifically obsessive-compulsive disorder. The genre would be realistic fiction. In Compulsion, we get to see the world through the eyes of Jake Martin. Jake has an obsession with prime numbers, relying on them to keep his “magic”, which makes him an amazing soccer player, keeps him sane and keeps his family safe. His obsession makes his wear a watch at all times and makes him add/subtract/divide the numbers in the...more

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Dec 04, 2011 Amy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads, fantasy

This book opened the door to Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. I would never say I made fun of people with OCD, but I definitely wouldn't say I understood them. I have said and continue to say that all people have their neuroses, the things that they are compulsive about - some things that HAVE to be this way, colour coded, organized, etc. I though that this book showed me how different those are from people who actually have OCD where everything is that way. Everything has to be just so.

Not like t...more

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