A "realistic" book (with just a wee bit of dimension hopping, Norse gods, and Mad Cow disease) Libba Bray's newest tale is a madcap adventure that, at times, makes you sad, but always makes you glad to be alive.

I have to admit that Going Bovine surprised me--it's quite the departure from the Gemma Doyle Trilogy! But with Going Bovine Bray seems to have found her voice: hysterically funny, intelligent, daring, and delightfully unapologetic. Any author who can work "epic fail" and a Disney ride so lame that it's cool into her book is definitely in touch with her inner teen. I hope Bray continues to write stories this well-developed and satisfying.

That said, Going Bovine is not for everyone. It takes a certain appreciation for the mad non-sequiter to be able to love the twists and turns in this story. If you enjoy David Foster Wallace's work, you might really like this one.