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Starstruck Cyn Balog Books

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Starstruck Cyn Balog Books

This is the 3rd book I've read by this author and I think that I'm just not a fan of her way of telling a story. After reading the premise of this one I really thought that I would like it and now that I've read it all I can say is... it's just okay for me. I didn't care about the main character and I had absolutely no sympathy for her. All she did was feel sorry for herself and doubt herself for most of the book. Then she started lying to people once she was starting to be accepted by her peers. She couldn't believe that her super hot boyfriend that she hadn't seen for a long time would ever like her based on how she looks. I know that's reality for a lot of young people but it was just written so negitively that I didn't really enjoy reading it.


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Starstruck Cyn Balog Books Reviews

Cyn Balog is one of my favorite young adult authors. Her stories always have the perfect blend of magical realism/supernatural, romance, and wit. The unique spin she puts on paranormal stereotypes and expectations constantly amazes me. I adored FAIRY TALE and swooned at SLEEPLESS, so while I didn't know what to expect with STARSTRUCK, I knew that I was in great hands.

In STARSTRUCK, Ms. Balog has an unexpected protagonist. Gwendolyn is an overweight (230 pounds) teenage girl with unfortunate hair, an even more unfortunate wardrobe, and a truly mind-blowing nickname. She's invisible at her own school--well, when she isn't the butt of their jokes, that is. But she has an amazing best friend who also happens to be her boyfriend. The only problem is that for their entire relationship he's lived on the other side of the country. When Dough discovers he is moving back, she is nothing short of shocked. And thanks to Ms. Balog's superb writing and knack for nailing the teenage voice, I felt every single fear along with her.

I have to admit that when I first started reading I was nervous. Even the skinniest girl in school had body issues in high school at some point, so living in someone's head with so much against her instantly had my stomach in knots. I wanted to drop kick a few characters at first, and even secretly hoped something would happen that would transform her into the school's Ms. Thang. But that's why it's a very good thing that I did not write this story. It is absolutely perfect the way it is. Gwen's weight does not define her and her relationship with Wish was so sweet. I loved having him come back, all gorgeous and popular, and having him still loving her. I loved being able to live vicariously through Gwen's eyes and watching all those people who made fun of her before now have to see her with new eyes. I loved witnessing her finding herself, gaining confidence naturally, and in the end realizing how beautiful she truly is and always was. It made my heart happy.
As for Wish, he was a great love interest! The fact that he saw Gwen for who she really was and didn't even blink when he met her again after so many years actually brought tears to my eyes. Then again, I am a sap. But still, he supported her and truly cared for her, and I only wish there had been a Philip Wishman back when I was in school. And the ending with him was pure perfection.

My only complaint is not getting to know new guy Christian even better. He was hot, sweet, and the perfect amount of bad boy. The glimpses into his past and heart were awesome and I would LOVE to see him get his own story somehow in the future. (Please, Cyn? Just a thought?? ) The other characters were great, too. The relationship with her sister Evie was realistic, as was the crowd that populated the high school.

The magical realism/supernatural spin was unique (at least to me) and a concept that is fun to explore. That is the gift of Ms. Balog. All three of her books now have left me wanting more of that story world. To see other characters with similar issues, explore more with the main characters we already know. All three have left room for many other books to spin off if she so chose and I would be the first in line to snag them up. Keep them coming!!
This book definitely touched on the subject of appearances and that you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, and that people are a lot different than they seem. I think that Gwen was trying to fit in since her boyfriend came back, but soon realized that looks aren't the most important thing and that true love and friendship is. I think that this books went off into something more fantasy like with the whole Luminati aspect, but overall was okay.
I didn't really enjoy how it ended with Gwen and her boyfriend. I felt like it could have gone a little bit farther in the end instead of just ending it that way. I did however like the fact that Gwen didn't have to change herself to get the guy, but I didn't like how she felt she needed to change her looks to keep the guy
I wanted to like this book but it just didn't happen. Dough's constant barrage of criticism of her body is hard to take...but probably somewhat realistic considering the pressure to be slim in today's culture. That said, her evolution seems awkward and forced...and feels motivated so much by external forces. Moreover - her growth comes from her feeling like she looks better more than realizing her personal strengths and the power she has over her own life. I think there were some hints of some substantive transformation with her role with Wish near then end of the book - but it wasn't given its due.

All up - I thought Christian was the most compelling character in the book and I wanted to read more about his story than about Dough and Wish's. Although the whole "oh, he reads complex books" part just seemed so "10 Things I Hate About You" but it was even less salient to the plot.

And, perhaps to drive the mystery of Wish, his character was so poorly formed...only near the end hints of true depth coming through. But it was way too late to truly engage with him as a character. The rest of the cast were mere shadows of characters that didn't add anything to the story (hi there 2-mention-Skull and hello to you dropped he's-bad-news-Rick plot hints) and seemed to be there because "the slim perky sister" as a counter point is de rigeur and the "disconnected unaware parent" figure ensures we don't have to ask/answer messy questions like "why isn't the mother connecting her overweight daughter with life in the bakery and why aren't you helping her?" or "is letting your 14 and 15 year old daughters go out to a party at 9pm at night a great idea?"

And finally - when the plot is supposed to be paying off (re Luminati) it felt rushed, with little motivation demonstrated, and not enough detail to be engrossing.

It's an quick read, that's for sure. So while I'm glad I didn't waste too much time...I'm sorry for the $11 I spent on the ed.
This is the 3rd book I've read by this author and I think that I'm just not a fan of her way of telling a story. After reading the premise of this one I really thought that I would like it and now that I've read it all I can say is... it's just okay for me. I didn't care about the main character and I had absolutely no sympathy for her. All she did was feel sorry for herself and doubt herself for most of the book. Then she started lying to people once she was starting to be accepted by her peers. She couldn't believe that her super hot boyfriend that she hadn't seen for a long time would ever like her based on how she looks. I know that's reality for a lot of young people but it was just written so negitively that I didn't really enjoy reading it.