Bite-Sized Review: K is For Knifeball, A Contact Sport You'd Do Well to Avoid...

Published:  September 26th, 2012

K is for Knifeball: An Alphabet of Terrible Advice

By: Avery Monsen & Jory John

Chronicle Books

ISBN-13:  9781452103310

Adorable illustrated characters lead readers down a path of poor decision-making, and alphabetical, rhyming couplets offer terrible life lessons in which O is for opening things with your teeth, F is for setting Daddy's wallet on fire, and R is for Racoon ( but definitely not for rabies).  With plenty of playfully disastrous choices lurking around every corner, this compendium of black humor may be terrible for actual children, but it's perfect for the common-senseless child in all adults.

Review

       What is with this trend of humorous books, that are "made" for children (but not really)?  The authors of this book also wrote one called "All My Friends Are Dead."  I kept having their other book recommended to me and was told constantly how funny it was - so, I figured I'd give this one a shot.  After all, any book titled "K is for Knifeball," must be read and enjoyed with all the funniness the aforesaid title entails.  Except for the fact that while, yes, this book made me smile a little bit, it actually wasn't something that I found hee-haw-larious like I expected.  My expectations were probably WAY too high to be met in any realistic way, especially after all the recommendations.  Really though, the best ones are already given away in the synopsis on the back of the book.  Which, with the whole alphabet covered (kind of, they cheated with a couple letters in my opinion) you'd think there'd be plenty of room for funny stuff.  But they seemed more intent on going for the cheap laughs.  It might be black humor, but it was by no means SMART humor.  And to me, that was it's biggest failing.  What I personally want is the "Adventures of Knifeball."  But you know what they say about not having everything in life.

VERDICT:  2/5 Stars

*No money or favors were exchanged for this review.  This book is now available in stores, online, or maybe even at your local library.*

Kissed By a Cowpoke Angel

Expected Publication:  August 20th, 2013
My Totally Awkward Supernatural Crush
By: Laura Toffler-Corrie
Roaring Brook Press
ISBN-13:  9781596437333

Jenna Bloom is just an average middle school student until her family takes her to her least favorite restaurant for her birthday, where she meets Cowpoke Luke, her waiter and one true love. Oh, and he also happens to be an angel. Jenna can't believe that Luke could actually be interested in her, and yet he is! Unfortunately he's got a demonic foe named Adam who could potentially complicate matters, and when the two boys have a big showdown at the local community theater's performance of Fiddler on the Roof, Jenna is right in the middle of it all.

Review

 

     Jenna Bloom is having the worst fourteenth birthday ever.  Instead of having the beautiful, sophisticated dinner she wanted, Jenna is stuck at the steak-house (her least favorite restaurant) with her parents and brother for her birthday - as well as the annoying neighbor boy who won't leave her alone!  So when a hot guy named Luke turns out to be their server things are looking up.  But when Jenna's Mom gives her a truly ugly heirloom necklace as a present, Luke starts acting really weird around her.  Then his archrival Adam shows up and Jenna learns that there really are such things as angels and demons - and they both have different agendas involving Jenna's futures.  When the boys crash the local production of Fiddler on the Roof that Jenna is part of, hilarity and shenanigans ensue.  Throw in the holy terror that Jenna babysits, David, and you have the makings of a supernatural battle to the death.  But who will win, Adam or Luke?  Also, which boy has stolen Jenna's heart? 

     This book is obviously a parody of all the supernatural, young-adult romances and this is made clear from the very beginning.  Jenna is cute, but reads very young.  I did appreciate the non-wavering attitude towards romance on her part.  Even with this book being a parody, there is nothing more annoying than an unnecessary love triangle.  The whole thing with her necklace being the magical key to Adam (the demon) being able to stay on Earth permanently and wreak havoc was such a stock supernatural plot that it made me laugh.  My favorite character through was David, the bratty kid that Jenna babysits for so that she'll have money for clothes that weren't bought in bulk by her Mom.  He was always finding a way to make Jenna's life difficult, but they had a relationship more brother/sister-like than she did with her actual brother.  In particular the part involving him near the end, during the performance of Fiddler on the Roof had me dying laughing!  Obviously there wasn't much character development and the plot wasn't super in depth either.  I found myself wondering what the point was a few times, as the plot wandered aimlessly in circles for a good chunk of time in the middle of the book.  The conclusion was trite and overdone.  I found it slightly funny (for the fact that in ways it reminded me of the stupidity of Twilight) but saw it coming a mile away.  It was like reading a book form of Scary Movie, only a helluva lot more clean and tween friendly.  Overall, a cute read and if you can deal with obvious parody, and serious plot holes (that was probably intentional) you might enjoy this one for what it is: pure fluff!

 

VERDICT:  2.75/5  Stars

 

*I received this book as part of Around the World ARC Tours, run by the lovely Princess Bookie. No favors or money were exchanged for this review. It became available for purchase on August 20th, 2013.*