Book Review – Invisible by Jeanne Bannon
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I won an e-copy of this book via the author’s blog: http://beyondwordsblog.blogspot.com/
I am a slow reader, as I like to enjoy the book. But I also am doing many other things, like writing my own. So, it took me a little while to finish this book. But what I’d like to say is, I DID finish. Unlike the last three books I’ve attempted to read, this story was engaging. It was easy to read. Grammar was excellent, and the plot was solid. I did enjoy this book. We all love “the underdog wins” kind of book, don’t we! 😀
However, there were a few things I had issues with in the book. We know Lola is supposed to be tall and overweight. I don’t feel that the author accurately described Lola. I never got the picture of an obese teen. Nor did I get the feeling she was overly tall. At 5’8″, that’s not too far reaching. Rather, the image I feel the author painted of Lola was more “normal” than she was going for, only a little chunky, despite Nino’s comments to her.
I clearly could see Charlie as the author wanted, I felt more feelings for Charlie than I did for Lola, and she wasn’t the main character. I think this poses a problem.
I’m not too keen on “ugly chick gets beautiful guy”. Because, let’s face it, really how many times have you seen this in YOUR high school? This is just fantasy we’d all LOVE to have happen in real life. But it just doesn’t. If Lola really is ugly…she shouldn’t get a beautiful guy. A guy, yes, but not gorgeous.
My biggest character issue is with Gram. Gram is in her 80s, but talks and acts like a teen. I could not find anything in her character as believable, really. Though her role in the story is crucial, the character personality is wrong.
Other than those issues, I really did like this. The story, the message especially. “You have to love yourself before others will love you.” This one phrase is very important and teens just don’t get it. I know I didn’t when I was a teen.
The bully/bully-ee conflict hits home with me, and I am sure with so many. However, I was starting to worry about the outcome. I really did not want an eye-for-an-eye type outcome. And, let’s just say, I am happy with the ending! No need to spoil it for you.
I definitely would recommend it to the teen reader! Especially, someone who is on the brunt end of a bully, or a girl who is not happy with who she is.
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