Title: Frenemies
Author: Alexa Young
Pages: 245
HarperTeen, 2008
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Recommended to: Tween girls, ages 11-14
Rating: A
Avalon Greene and Halley Brandon have been best friends for as long as they can remember. They share everything: friends, parties, clothes, advice, their puppy Pucci, and even their school's online fashion column. This year, the girls are starting eighth grade, and Avalon is planning on having a big bash to celebrate the girls' life-long friendship. But then Halley comes home from camp with a whole new style and new friends that Avalon disapproves of, and their different tastes in fashion and pals begins to drive the two BFFs farther and farther apart. Their disagreement erupts into a enormous fight, and the two former-friends will stop at nothing to make the other one look bad and to always come out on top, even if it means sabotaging, spreading rumors and nasty lies, or pulling cruel pranks. Is Halvalon over for good?
Entertaining, light, and quick, Frenemies was an absolute pleasure to read. The dialogue was colorful, the characters were realistic and utterly lovable, and the plot was different and fun. Ultimately, the story sort of reminded me of the ultra-popular Clique series, what with the power struggle between friends, the jealousy, the cattiness, and yet the friendship and bonds. I can't say I had a favorite character--I found myself siding with both girls at various points of the book. Sofee was extremely cool and sophisticated, Avalon was clever and real, Halley was unique and always said the right thing to say, and The Moms were awesome (if only every mom could be that cool)! Young's descriptions were exquisite and sparkling, and I always found myself looking forward to the hilarious-but-sometimes-not-so-nice Style Snark columns-there was always some good advice there. I enjoyed, in an odd way, reading on to see what sort of clever, backhanded prank each girl played on the other, and overall the plot was exciting and fresh. However, I found both girls to be a little juvenile. The pranks they played were shallow and, after a while, mean and lacking creativity. They turned on each other over hardly anything, and by the time I was 3/4 through the story, both girls' behavior was getting a bit old. However, I thought that the almost-alternating points of view was cool, and overall I really loved the plot and can't wait for no. 2-Faketastic! Alexa's sending me an ARC (thanks so much, A.!) and I'm soooo excited!
Well, what about you? Are you pro-Halley or are you on Team Avalon?
18 comments:
I'm planning to read this. I do love a book with different points of view.
I really want to read this, but I can't find it anywhere! Great review!
I liked the columns as well! they were very humorous.
I'm glad you liked the book. i found it to be a fun, fast read as well, and i'm definitely excited for Faketastic.
lauren
I really want to read it, even though it's set for more tweens. I think the story line seems really good.
I really want to read this!
I just won this book, so I'm glad to hear that it's good!
Team Halley all the way! Avalon is a witch.
sounds fun!
This looks pretty fun. Not what I usually read though.
This sounds like a fun read. Thanks for the awesome review :)
Sounds good! If you gave it an A I'll have to check it out.
I've heard many good things about this book. I might just pick it up.
Great review!! It sounds like a pretty good book, except they all sound so mean and snarky esp b/c they are in eigth grade.
Wdebo :)
I keep meaning to read this book it looks great thanks for the great review!
Great interview! This seems like a really fun and entertaining read.
I'm not sure if this would be quite my thing, but great review! :)
I like The Clique, so I should like this!
It sounds like everyone is really enjoying this book! The teenage years can be so brutal, especially for girls. It's nice to hear there is humor in this story. Great review!
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