This is a book I never would have picked up on first glance, but I ended up pleasantly surprised. I have been trying to increase my running mileage and my MP3 player isn't working, so I'm limited to the audio playaways at the library. Desperate times call for desperate measures. I was intrigued by the title and felt it couldn't hurt to give it a try. The reader was very good (I don't think I would have enjoyed it so much reading on my own.) Also, Larbalestier creates a very unique alternate reality.

How to Ditch Your Fairy is a typical teenage 'grass is greener syndrome' story with some creatively atypical variations. Larbalestier presents the usual teenaged angst in a new way. Instead of body type, hair color, or other young adult issues, her characters are stressed about the type of personal fairy they are stuck with. It creates a fresh look at an old theme. Larbalestier also successfully produces a new teenage society complete with alternate and entertaining slang. I was expected minimal entertainment, but feel glad I stumbled onto this book.