The Extraordinary Secrets

of April, May and June

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(If you're wondering AMJ is the book in the middle between Sh*t My Dad Says and Hot x: Algebra Exposed. Yeah, I know, but it's the front of the store.)

Summary

(from flap)

Around the time of their parents’ divorce, sisters April, May, and June recover special powers from childhood—powers that come in handy navigating the hell that is high school. Powers that help them cope with the hardest year of their lives. But could they have a greater purpose?

April, the oldest and a bit of a worrier, can see the future. Middle-child May can literally disappear. And baby June reads minds—everyone’s but her own. When April gets a vision of disaster, the girls come together to save the day and reconcile their strained family. They realize that no matter what happens, powers or no powers, they’ll always have each other.

Because there’s one thing stronger than magic: sisterhood.

Review

I loved this book. I came into it with high expectations--maybe the highest ever for any book except HP7 and Will Grayson, Will Grayson--

and they were all met. It's not very often you can say that. Benway has created a well-written and hilarious book that's also compulsively readable--I finished it in half a day. Each sister has her own unique personality--April's a bit of a control freak, May is sulky and sarcastic, and June's Ritalin-peppy--which is good because all too often in 2/3/4-person-narrated books the characters all sound kind of the same (I'm talking to you, you-know-who-you-are). The dialogue is always frenetically witty

(mild spoilers)

I didn't even look up from my computer. "Oh, he's just the best," I informed. "After we study together, we're gonna go to the soda fountain and share a malted. It'll be dreamy! What about you? Have you banged Julian yet?" (p. 115)

and all the characters--even the minor ones--are genuine. I can't praise this one enough. HIGHLY recommended.

(Another thing: some people may think of this one as a 'paranormal' book? It's not, not really. It's more a 'regular-girls-with-powers-that-ruin-their-lives-somewhat' book. EITHER WAY IT ROCKS.)

IF YOU LIKED THIS...

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If you haven't already you must read Benway's debut Audrey, Wait! It's the epic as well.

NEW RUBRIC!
Writing: 9/10
MC(s): 10/10

Other Characters: 9/10
Plot: 9/10

Ending: 9/10

Cover: 10/10

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5


Cover? 5 out of 5 - Love it. Seriously. I just . . . love it.

Razorbill

August 3, 2010

Hardcover

288 pages

$16.99

Bought off, sorry, PREORDERED off Amazon.com.