Review: Vibes

Vibes by Amy Kathleen Ryan

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Publication Date: October 6th 2008
Pages: 249
Format: Paperback
Source: Bought
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Paranormal
Goodreads

Nothing is beyond Kristi Carmichael’s disdain—her hippie high school, her friend Jacob, her workaholic mom. Yet for all her attitude and her mind-reading abilities, Kristi has a vulnerable side. She can hear the thoughts of her fellow students, calling her fat and gross. She’s hot for Gusty Peterson, one of the most popular guys in school, but of course, she’s sure he thinks she is disgusting. And she’s still mad at her father, who walked out on them two years ago. Soon, a school project brings her together with Gusty, her father comes home and drops a bombshell, and a friend comes out of the closet, and suddenly she is left doubting that she can read people at all.
Bitingly funny but ultimately poignant and positive, this YA novel is completely on the mark.

Vibes is a fun, lighthearted story about a girl named Kristi who is anything but normal. Kristi is a somewhat of a rebel with her recycled clothing and her snappy attitude, but inside she isn't as tough as she might seem. Her rebellion began years before when her father left her and her mom and she began to hear bits and pieces of what people are thinking, mostly negative thoughts about Kristi herself.

Kristi is a very unique main character with a rebellious don't-mess-with-me attitude that stems from her own insecurities. Kristi seems to have the attitude of an average teenager instead of the glorified attitudes that some other books portray. She has real faults that teens have to cope with in real life, and the author had a cute fun way of making this a very interesting story. Kristi has a genuine heart and I absolutely adore her as a character. Gusty is Kristi's partner for a school project, and it just so happens that Kristi has a (not so) small crush on him. When Gusty is first introduced in the story he seemed like he had a  very negative attitude and I didn't really like him as a character, but eventually he is a better person and her becomes very loveable.

The story line was very light and simple as it goes though the troubles of a teenage girl. At the very beginning of the story the plot wasn't very well set and it took a while to figure out what path the story was going to follow, and once it did choose a path it seemed to follow nothing but events that effected what was being followed.

Overall this is a quick, fun read for someone who either wants a fast read or for someone who wants a little laugh after reading to many depressing and serious topic book.