The Beginning of Everything by Robyn Schneider
Golden boy Ezra Faulkner believes everyone has a tragedy waiting for them—a single encounter after which everything that really matters will happen. His particular tragedy waited until he was primed to lose it all: in one spectacular night, a reckless driver shatters Ezra’s knee, his athletic career, and his social life.
No longer a front-runner for Homecoming King, Ezra finds himself at the table of misfits, where he encounters new girl Cassidy Thorpe. Cassidy is unlike anyone Ezra’s ever met, achingly effortless, fiercely intelligent, and determined to bring Ezra along on her endless adventures.
But as Ezra dives into his new studies, new friendships, and new love, he learns that some people, like books, are easy to misread. And now he must consider: if one’s singular tragedy has already hit and everything after it has mattered quite a bit, what happens when more misfortune strikes?
Robyn Schneider’s The Beginning of Everything is a lyrical, witty, and heart-wrenching novel about how difficult it is to play the part that people expect, and how new beginnings can stem from abrupt and tragic endings
Publishes in US: August 27th 2013 by Katherine Tegen
Genre: YA contemporary
Source: Edelweiss HarperCollins Children
Series? No.
Buy it: pre-order on Amazon here - – pre-order on Indiebound here
Find online: ~site ~twitter
Loved Ezra's voice... Funny and captivating. Exactly what a male protagonist should be. The first person pov works well here, and Robyn Schneider the author is a great storyteller through Ezra. Ezra was sarcastic and tragic, making heavy and light of just the right things. He was brutally honest at times, but also knows how to tell the story without being gratuitous or grusome, but still getting his point across. I just loved the writing style so much!
I reviewed this because I loved the synposis, the weird first name of Severed heads, broken hearts (before it changed to the Beginning of Everything) intrigued me, and especially since it was on Edelweiss, though I would have eventually bought or got from the library.
Friendship with Toby was good too and hate they went apart for a while but story would have been different. Makes me think about all the little decisions that really effect so much. I adored Toby because he took Ezra right back into his circle without question. He gave him a hard time only in that I love you man ragging kind of way, letting him know by saying the opposite that he accepts him.
Cassidy is the love interest in this one, and she is elusive, seems not to care what others think, just is her own person. I liked her, and wanted to know more about her, and only very little by little did it come out. I think that her and Ezra work together, and though there is a bit of insta-love it seems more at first like physical attraction and seeing a wounded part of each other's soul and connecting that way. So, it worked for me, but I can see how it might not for some others.
I really enjoy the debate group too. What made this awesome was just that everyone was realistic. No one was perfect, and had their strengths and weaknesses. They were more than one dimensional as well, which is awesome.
The ending is so bittersweet, because some of the things I wanted to happen and work out didn't but ultimately we see this huge character growth and development in Ezra that somehow made it all worth it.
I think this is a much better title! I love books where characters go through something huge and it changes them. I love a male POV and Ezra sounds like a great character. It does suck when everything doesn't work out perfect but I guess that is more realistic and hopefully the characters learned enough to make things better.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jennifer, this title is much better. I have seen this book around and I'm really curious about it. I'm glad you enjoyed and I characters sound great. Great review Brandi :)
ReplyDeleteThis actually does sound pretty interesting. Happy you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteI am very interested in reading this. I locs a good male teen pov, and it sounds likel the teens were well-written. Glad you enjoyed!
ReplyDeleteEzra sounds like a great character :) Great review!
ReplyDeleteJanina @ Synchronized Reading
I think the title is better than the first one. This sounds like a good one.
ReplyDeleteit's nice to have so many different characters. I agree we're alwats tempted by earc like that!
ReplyDeleteI didn't like this one as much as I hoped. I'm glad it worked for you more!
ReplyDeleteI'm so excited to hear you loved this one! I've got my copy and am super excited to start it. Ezra sounds like an amazing character. I guess if I had to choose, I'd lose use of my leg because I like to type way too much, and that's a two hand/arm activity. :-)
ReplyDeleteOh these characters sound great! I do like character driven stories. Might have to check it out.
ReplyDeleteThis one is new to me but I like that cover, it's really unique. Ezra sounds great, and I love when characters have a really original voice.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this one too everything and everyone was just so realistic! And that beginning part with the head!! GAh I still think about that months later LOL
ReplyDeleteSounds like some great characters. I love the sound of the growth there is and I'm always a fan of witty ;) Excellent review! Jaclyn @ JC's Book Haven.
ReplyDeletesounds like a good one! I really love books with male point of views. :)
ReplyDeleteEzra sounds like a great character. I love seeing a little growth in the main character! Glad you enjoyed this one.
ReplyDeleteOh... this was Severed Heads, Broken Hearts before... that's why I hadn't heard of this book. That makes much more sense now. I was wondering why I hadn't heard of it! This book sounds fantastic and Ezra sounds like a character I'd love to read about!
ReplyDeleteSounds like an interesting read and I'm glad you enjoyed it!!
ReplyDeleteI'd have to say leg, I want to always be able to wrap my arms around my kids!
Naomi @ Nomi’s Paranormal Palace
I love a great story about relationships and self-discovery. I'm so glad you enjoyed this! I acutally like the original title as well, but I think the new one suits this story perfectly:)
ReplyDeleteI've been seeing pretty good reviews of this one. It sounds like a story that really pulls you in.
ReplyDeleteKate @ Ex Libris
I really like the sound of this one, especially Ezra. His character sounds very charming and someone I would easily enjoy! I am now intrigued by this, and after your review I am definitely going to pick this up! And I like this title wayy better than the first! Glad you enjoyed this, Brandi! Great review! =)
ReplyDelete~ Maida
Literary Love Affair
I actually like a book better if the ending was unexpected. It makes the story more realistic IMO.
ReplyDeleteBraine
Loved your review :D So glad you loved this book. <3 I'm just dying to read it. Glad you enjoyed the romance :) Think I will too ;p
ReplyDeleteI've seen a lot of good things about this one! I'm glad you liked it! I hope to read it soon!
ReplyDeleteThis book was getting a lot of positive buzz when I was at BEA so I'm glad you enjoyed it too :) My cousin was actually reading it while we were there and was loving it too hehe Thanks for the awesome review!
ReplyDeleteI've been very interested following this book and its change in covers and titles. I look forward to reading it for myself (got a copy through Amazon Vine) and deciding how I feel about those changes.
ReplyDelete