So, I really did enjoy this book. It is fun, a nicely paced quick read, and it has characters that feel incredibly real. Let us talk about all the good things first, as usual!
- The aforementioned complex and realistic characters were a breath of fresh air. These kids were basically dorks. They did some really ridiculous, sometimes downright dumb things from time to time. And sometimes they did awesome things. Just like everyone else. See, that was the beauty of this book- each character felt like a legitimate dorky teenager who had problems, was wrapped up in their own lives and their own heads, but ultimately were there for their friends too.
- They were also incredibly diverse, without it feeling forced. Sometimes a motley group can feel a bit "staged", but this was done to perfection. These kids are from different backgrounds, cultures, ethnicities, orientations, and it works, because they have stuff in common. There were times that they didn't all treat each others' diversity with kindness, and they had to learn and grow along the way. And you know what? That might have been the most realistic and powerful part of the book.
- Road trips make me happy, and this book has a pretty epic one. So, the book begins with each character's personal POV, and then we get the whole gang together for the second half in a Paper Towns-esque road trip, sans Manic Pixie Dreamgirl (thank goodness). The trip is good though, because it forces the characters to actually open up and talk about their lives instead of hiding behind the pretend world they've created in D&D.
And the downsides? They were minor, but they existed.
- A few things toward the end seemed a little unrealistic. (Well, one thing was a lot unrealistic, and I may have done some eye rolling.) The thing is, I think the book could have been fine without these things, which is why I am considering it a negative. I know this is all vague, but when you're talking about junk that happens later in the book, you must be.
And one thing that is just... a thing: I didn't feel super connected to any one character, which I think fit with this book. I don't think I was supposed to, it seemed. It was more of an unbiased glimpse into the lives of each of the characters, and I liked the way it was handled.
Bottom Line: This book is character driven for sure, and I loved the journey the characters took, both the physical and the emotional. While it may not have left a deep impact, it was absolutely enjoyable and carried some lovely messages about friendship, love, life, and growing up.
*Copy provided by publisher for review