Book Review: Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan

Title: Dash & Lily's Book of Dares
Authors: Rachel Cohn & David Levithan
Publication Date: October 26, 2010
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Add to: Goodreads / Amazon / Book Depository

“I’ve left some clues for you.
If you want them, turn the page.
If you don’t, put the book back on the shelf, please.”

So begins the latest whirlwind romance from the bestselling authors of Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist. Lily has left a red notebook full of challenges on a favorite bookstore shelf, waiting for just the right guy to come along and accept its dares. But is Dash that right guy? Or are Dash and Lily only destined to trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations across New York? Could their in-person selves possibly connect as well as their notebook versions? Or will they be a comic mismatch of disastrous proportions?

My Thoughts:

An early Christmas read in which I actually ditched my Halloween reads because of this (and because I was busy during the last few days of October hence my inactiveness). Very short, cute and funny read that left me saying, "No more?" at the end. And this made me want Christmas to come sooner (I love Christmas, favorite time of the year).

When adorable and so-called nerdy, soccer player Lily decided to leave a red notebook with clues in a bookstore's certain bookshelf, nobody expected the good-looking, hipster-ish yet snarky Dash to pick it up and dared to complete the clues or task that was asked in the notebook. So it begins the exchanging of dares and getting to know without seeing each other through the certain notebook during the holiday season.

I didn't regret ditching my Halloween reads for this and to think that this book was bargained and it took me a very long time to actually pick it from my shelf and read it. Now I'm asking myself what took me so long to read this one when in fact it's very short and the synopsis is something I would read in the contemporary genre. I had fun reading their dares (or games and certain confessions) that some ended up in a hilarious scene, some in an exciting one and lastly, ended up to Dash finding Lily..in some state that was absolutely unpredictable. It was sweet for one notebook to bring two people together and share New Year's Eve and I've been smiling time to time while flipping the pages. Recommended if you're eager for Christmas and you're someone like me who's fond of adorable stories like this.

My Rating:

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Book Review: Invisibility by David Levithan & Andrea Cremer

Title: Invisibility
Authors: Andrea Cremer & David Levithan
Publication Date: May 07, 2013
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal

Stephen has been invisible for practically his whole life — because of a curse his grandfather, a powerful cursecaster, bestowed on Stephen’s mother before Stephen was born. So when Elizabeth moves to Stephen’s NYC apartment building from Minnesota, no one is more surprised than he is that she can see him. A budding romance ensues, and when Stephen confides in Elizabeth about his predicament, the two of them decide to dive headfirst into the secret world of cursecasters and spellseekers to figure out a way to break the curse. But things don’t go as planned, especially when Stephen’s grandfather arrives in town, taking his anger out on everyone he sees. In the end, Elizabeth and Stephen must decide how big of a sacrifice they’re willing to make for Stephen to become visible — because the answer could mean the difference between life and death. At least for Elizabeth.

My Thoughts

I honestly was excited to start this book and at the very first few chapters, it managed to catch my interest. But later on, it was already kind of dragging. I haven't read any work from Andrea Cremer so this is my first from her but I've read and liked Every Day by David Levithan and also Will Grayson, Will Grayson in collaboration with John Green so I was looking forward to reading this. 

I like the invisibility concept (not to mention the cover of the book as well) and this is one of the few books I've read where I have this need to feel so bad for the male character. This need to hug him and comfort him. Being invisible is never cool and Stephen probably knows that since he's lived sixteen years being invisible. 

The things that put me off was, first: the relationship between Elizabeth and Stephen. It was cute in the beginning but the moment she knew his curse, his big secret, it became distant. Somewhat distant but they're working on it and glad that they're fighting for it. But it was...bland. I don't know, I feel like she shuts him out every time he wants to help. Of course, he's in the picture too so I think he's in the need to do something.

Then the revelations part. I'm satisfied with Elizabeth screaming when she found out that Stephen's invisible. That would create a normal reaction knowing you're the only one who can see your boyfriend. But the moment she found out about her abilities, no reaction much? Okay so maybe that's because she can feel something about her is...something. Still, I was hoping for a reaction. And until the last part of the book, her ability to see Stephen leaves a question mark. Like there's no hint? Or did I just miss it?

This was okay. Okay-Read. I like the relationship of Elizabeth and her brother, also their mom. Stephen's father is a question mark too, I would have loved his mom. Why is his grandfather strong in a fight if he's really...old. I don't quite understand Millie. 

There are tons of things I've been meaning for the book to explain further. Most of the book took up on Elizabeth's POV where she's learning magic and Stephen's POV where he's trying to figure out about his curse. To me, it lacks the grip of excitement in action scenes. And it lacks conversation. CONVERSATIONS. I'm not thoroughly fond of the "more narration, less conversation" stuff. That's all. 


My Rating:

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