This book was, in one word... a disappointment.
It wasn't that it was really that bad or anything, but I expected so much more since it's gotten such rave reviews and so many 5-star-ratings from all my friends on Goodreads. That ought to teach me; never go into a read expecting it to be more than fine.
Kel and I load the last two boxes into the U-Haul. I slide the door down and pull the latch shut, locking up eighteen years of memories, all of which include my dad.
--First paragpraph of Slammed
There are two things which make a book: characters and plot.
As far as characters go, the two main in this book annoyed me...
The story is told from Layken's POV, and I can't say I was in love with it as the character pissed me off.
All of her wallowing, thinking he's a jerk, dragging things, blaming her mother, not talking, etc... as you can see, I've many complaints on her.
I also think she's got good points; I loved her relationship with Kel, her brother. I loved that she could take care of herself, and I loved her conversations.
As for Will, I liked him a lot more. First, he's a poet. A talented one, too. Then, he's mature, he puts himself last for his family's sake, he's kind, an awesome kisser, and he really accepts everything there is about Layken.
However, at a point he pissed me off too; always saying he's sorry to her, or slipping and then promising it won't happen again.... Dude, make up your mind!
The characters I actually liked best are Kel and Clauder, Layken and Will's younger brothers. Those were a couple of awesome kids! Simply loved the both of them to death. Especailly Kel, whom we've gotten to see a lot more of as this book was told from Layken's POV.
As for the relationship between Lake and Will... Sad to say, as so many people loved it (I mean, the whole book is about it), I wasn't crazy about it.
First of all, they fell too hard and too fast for one another, which is always a big issue for me, especially as I sometimes really couldn't decided what he saw in her. After that first date, she's been acting pretty annoying.
Also, right about the first 10% of the book I got a very Pretty Little Liars vibe. I've only ever seen the first episode of that show, and never managed to finish the first book, but I pretty much guessed what would be the main 'problem' of this couple.
And really, Lake handled it bad. I mean, she refused to see his side of things, even when she said she did. All she could think about, really, is that he didn't chose her and kept looking for him to do so, even though there are more important things.
And to top it all, there is that ending where basically... he did end up putting her first. What of the people who need him? His income? All the things that stopped him before? Really?
Yep, wasn't the biggest fan. But maybe that was because there was only angst and no "relationship" in this book, just trying to get there.
One of the biggest parts about this book that I did like were the poems. I used to (and still do, though much less) write poems like this and read them all the time. Poems written by you and me, not some fancy writers.
So, that part of the book was very enjoyable to me.
Though, for the life of me, I can't imagine them being read! How do they put the emphasizes, show the literary means and all that through their voice? I'm dying to see, though I've never heard of a Slam here :/
I heard Point of Retreat, the second book, is told from Will's POV, so perhaps I'll like that one better? I'll read it and let you know!
For this review and more, pop by my blog - Drugs Called Books