Teen Book Review: Solitaire by Alice Oseman

 BONUS! This outstanding book as 2 reviews!

 

Goodreads Summary:

 

     My name is Tori Spring. I like to sleep and I like to blog. Last year – before all that stuff with Charlie and before I had to face the harsh realities of A-Levels and university applications and the fact that one day I really will have to start talking to people – I had friends. Things were very different, I guess, but that’s all over now.

Now there’s Solitaire. And Michael Holden.

I don’t know what Solitaire are trying to do, and I don’t care about Michael Holden.

I really don’t.

This incredible debut novel by outstanding young author Alice Oseman is perfect for fans of John Green, Rainbow Rowell and all unflinchingly honest writers.

 

 

Book Review #1:

 

     Alice Oseman was 17 years old when she wrote this book. Alice is an exceptional writer and wrote the main character from the point of view of an average teenager. It is written as Victoria Spring's prospective of high school and life.

 
     Solitaire is a novel about Victoria Springs, but she prefers to be called Tori. Tori is in year 12 at Higgs High School.  She is very introverted, basically hates everyone and spends most of her time blogging. Tori is also lonely, depressed, and unhappy in her own little world. One day Tori decides to follow a Post-it Notes trail that started at her locker and ends in a computer lab.  That is where Solitaire was created. Solitaire is a pranking blog group made up of mystery people or a person who pull pranks on the school. As the book progresses, the pranks start getting out of hand and people start getting hurt. While this is all going on, Victoria is reunited with an old childhood friend, Michael and they start re-connecting. Michael is happy and social. Becky is her best friend through the novel. We also meet Charlie, Victoria's brother, who is also struggling with mental health.

Throughout this bumpy journey of unexpected twists and turns, Solitaire isn't what you think it is.

I give this book 5/5 stars and recommend this book to any teenager looking for a realistic, funny and adventurous novel.

 Cassidy (Teen Book Reviewer)

 

 

Book Review #2

     Sometimes there’s no such thing as perfect, there’s only okay. Solitaire is the story of a girl, named Victoria Spring who discovers this after much complication. Solitaire is a journey of friendship, strength, at times isolation, and perhaps even heart break. Victoria is comfortable with her life, but not necessarily happy. She knows she could be happy, but this would require giving into things like curiosity and love which could just as equally make her life worse as they could better. Throughout this novel we are exposed to the realities of life which can sometimes be tough, but often turn out okay. Or in extreme cases, better than okay.

 

     As Victoria experiences good things, bad things and new things she starts to see the change in herself and the truth about those around her. Victoria’s character develops immensely through the last few chapters especially, which allows us to see just how strong she really is. This character development made the entire book for me, it inspired me to stand up for what is right even when no one else has the courage to. I judged the book harshly at the beginning, but was surprised when it proved me wrong. After reading it front to back I was awed by this heartwarming novel and would strongly recommend it.

I hope you enjoy!

Rachel (Teen Book Reviewer)