Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Review: Over You by Amy Reed

Over You
Over You by Amy Reed
Max would follow Sadie anywhere, so when Sadie decides to ditch her problems and escape to Nebraska for the summer, it’s only natural for Max to go along. She is Sadie’s confidante, her protector, and her best friend. This summer will be all about them. This summer will be perfect.
But that’s before they meet Dylan.
Dylan is dangerous and intoxicating, and he awakens something in Max that she never knew existed. No matter how much she wants to, she can’t back away.
But Sadie has her own intensity, and has never allowed Max to become close with anyone else. And Max doesn’t know who she is without Sadie.
There are some problems you just can’t escape.

”add

Publishes in US: June 4th 2013 by Simon Pulse
Genre: YA Contemporary
Source: Simon Teen via Edelweiss
Series? No.

Buy it:  Amazon IndieBound BookDepository.com

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    The perspective in this one threw me at first, but not enough to put it down. The point of view is just weird. It is from Max's pov, so she is the "I" but it is also second person because Sadie is
"you". So it is like she is writing a letter, or telling the story to us, but as the reader we are in Sadie's pov. Like I said, confusing, but I got used to it. It also changed at about the halfway point because Sadie got sick.
    Oh, and I didn't like the things at the beginning of chapters. I have seen lots of authors use a short quote, but this was like page or more long of stuff about the goddess and stuff, and it just wasn't my style, so I skipped over it. I do think it is neat in theory because Max is interested in the classics as for literature and she grew up hearing myths. 
     The setting is also unique. Sadie and Max are on a commune, what her called an intentional community." They chose to live a different way, and they chose to be around each other, sharing the work, the places to sleep, cook, eat and shower. The animals, and the people help Max to learn so much about herself and realize what she wants changed and how she needs to change for that to happen. 
     One of those things is the codependency and her need to rescue Sadie from herself. I don't think that she fully gets there, but over the course of the book she definitely starts changing the friendship to a more healthy and standing up for herself more. So, in the end, I feel like there is so much hope and promise for Max's future and what she learned over the summer. 
     This is a book for mature teens only because it deals with drinking, marijuana use, language, codependency, and some sexual situations. Nothing is too explicit though. The drinking goes a little far, but it comes with consequences, it shows how scared Max is when Sadie over does it or makes poor decisions because of it. 
     The ending wasn't as wrapped up as I'd have liked it, but like I said it does end at a good spot, where Max is making a huge stand for herself. She is going back to figure out if she can piece together the mess that is her family, because she'd neglected them to some extent for Sadie, and I think that is a good first step. She will def have to stay strong though because if she let them, they could be the next place where she self sacrifices herself. 
    
    
Bottom Line: Over You is a dark, gritty but realistic book that had some powerful themes and messages.

Books similar to Over You:(links go to my review) Clean by Amy ReedCrazy by Amy ReedEmpty by K.M. Walton

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Did you ever go away for the summer?

21 comments:

  1. Does sound a little confusing but like you said, I'm sure you get used to it.

    I used to go on trips to my grandparents' house for the summer but now as an adult, I just get to work!

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  2. This book is new to me. I haven't seen it before and I must admit that I'm still confused about POV there. Still I'm glad you like it. Great review :)

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  3. This is certainly different. I think the writing would be a but hard for me too. I'm glad you liked it, though. Great review, Brandi!

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  4. I'm glad that you mentioned the POV-- I'm sure that it would confuse me like crazy! I'll probably give this one a shot, though. Awesome review, Brandi!

    Erm, in answer to your question, yeah we went places. But it was all family type things. (:

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  5. The POV sounds very strange. Sounds like an interesting story, though. It's been awhile since I've read a realistic, dark, and gritty YA.

    Nice honest review!

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  6. The perspective does sound weird. But the story sounds really interesting :) Great review!

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  7. I really like this review, especially the way you discussed your confusion over point of view. It was very interesting.
    Cheers,
    Shanae Branham
    My blog

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  8. I am not sure about the POV thing and the chapter quotes would bug me, I tend to skip over those long ones as well. I do like that this deals with some important and mature topics.

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  9. I totally agree with the long chapter quotes. I usually skip those too. The POV sounds interesting, I might have to download a sample first before buying the book to see if I can get into it. Great review!

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  10. Not sure if this is for me but it's great to know that Max discovers more about herself towards the end. Thanks for sharing.

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  11. Dark and gritty is not exactly me

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  12. Not sure of the POV, but the topic sounds like a good one for the YA crowd. Hm... might have to check it out.

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  13. The POV has me a little nervous but the dark and gritty..I like!

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  14. I'm glad you enjoyed this one. I do have a weakness for the dark and gritty books. I might have to give this a try. Great review.

    Jenea @ Books Live Forever

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  15. LOL, it's funny because I have seen two reviews of this book mentioning the same stuff pretty much. The weird POV and stuff. happy it was mostly good though.

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  16. I'm reading this one now and it's like you're just thrown in the middle of a story that's already in motion with the point of view. It's as if Max is writing a letter to Sadie describing Sadie and everything that is going on and how Max sees it. It is different, but Amy Reed seems to always have a unique way of approaching point of view so I was expecting something different. I haven't gotten far enough in to tell if it bothers me yet. Right now, I feel like it's very lyrical. We'll see.

    Heather
    Oh, the question. No, never went away by myself. Always family vacations.

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  17. First review I've seen of this. sounds like an interesting read; not sure I'd like the super long quotes, but I DO like chapters beginning with a little something.

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  18. Hmm, that does sound a bit confusing, but it's good at least that you got used to it. I like realistic!

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  19. Sounds very different both story and writing style. Kind of Single White Female weird kind of friendship. Where one friend depends too much on the other. I actually had a friend that was a little bit like that. Really liked to hang on someone else.

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  20. Thank you for sharing this review... this book is now on my "to read" list! I am now following and look forward to checking out the rest of your blog. Swing by mine whenever you get the chance.

    All the best,
    Kim

    A Spicy Boy, A Cat, and My Fat Ass

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  21. Oh there are many difficult points... I don't know if it's for me I confess...

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