Fall for Anything by Courtney Summers

Monday, January 17, 2011

Genre: Young Adult
Synopsis: When Eddie Reeves’s father commits suicide her life is consumed by the nagging question of why? Why when he was a legendary photographer and a brilliant teacher? Why when he seemed to find inspiration in everything he saw? And, most important, why when he had a daughter who loved him more than anyone else in the world? When she meets Culler Evans, a former student of her father’s and a photographer himself, an instant and dangerous attraction begins. Culler seems to know more about her father than she does and could possibly hold the key to the mystery surrounding his death. But Eddie’s vulnerability has weakened her and Culler Evans is getting too close. Her need for the truth keeps her hanging on...but are some questions better left unanswered?

Rating: 2 stars

Review: I know a lot of people loved this book. And as much as I wished I loved it as well, unfortunately I did not.

Writing: 4 stars
This has got to be the only good thing that I liked about this novel. The writing is unpretentious and effortless, and it flows beautifully. The author, Courtney Summers, knows exactly how to portray a teenager's troubled mind and she knows exactly how to paint a picture for her readers to see and feel it as well.

Characters: 1 star
I wasn't into any of the characters. I didn't feel emotionally invested, and I didn't even empathize with the situation. Even though I could see where the main protagonist, Eddie, was coming from, I was actually quite annoyed at her. I also didn't understand the point of the rest of the characters either. Culler? Milo? Why are they even there? The worst thing though, I have to say, is that there was no character development.

Plot development: 1 star
When I finished this novel, my first reaction was, "That's it?" I couldn't believe it was over. Just like that. It was built up, and then... DONE. There wasn't any sort of development with the plot or the characters, and the same questions I had in the beginning were simply unanswered. I was left there, feeling completely underwhelmed.

Overall:
When I first started this book, I saw promise, mainly because of the writing and the very mysterious plot line. Unfortunately, Fall for Anything fell flat for me. It definitely lacked something crucial. It was depressing -- and not in a this-is-life-we-just-have-to-learn-from-it-and-get-back-up kind of way. It was just depressing and nothing else. Maybe that was the point of the novel, but I simply didn't get it.

5 comments:

  1. I have a number of friends egging me on to read this book, declaring that it's wonderful, and I just don't feel that enthusiastic about it. Good for you, for giving it a try, though!

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  2. sorry you didnt enjoy it jillian, thanks for the honest review!
    http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/

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  3. Too bad you didn't enjoy it. Her writing is pretty specific, and not for everyone. I appreciate your honest review though :)

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  4. Thanks for the honest review, always appreciate it when a blogger is able to let me know why they didn't care for a particular book =)

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  5. I love the simplicity and straightforwardness of your reviews. Hard to be upset about them, even if you're the author. Great work.

    I'm here via the Book Blogger Hop, but I'll be back.

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