Inside an Outcast
Gosh, college is busy! But I finally got around to reading another book. I just finished Anatomy of a Misfit by Andrea Portes. I expected a relatively lighthearted read, so it hurt even more when it took my heart and crumpled it up like a paper ball.
Our main character is Anika, a tenth grader in Lincoln, Nebraska. Her dad is a famous Romanian professor, and she lived with him until she was ten. Then, she moved in with her relatively normal mother in the middle of America. She is, proudly, the third most popular girl in school. In her somewhat tenuous position in the social hierarchy, her life is a constant struggle between her outer bubblegum self, and her inner, self-described "spider stew". I quite liked Anika as a character. She's snarky, spunky, and has no idea what she's doing most of the time. She's real, and I related to her easily.
Her predicament begins in the form of Logan McDonough. Last year's social pariah, this year Logan has a whole new look, including a new haircut, new clothes, and a new moped. However, even with all this newness, he's still near the bottom of the high school totem pole. Dating him would be social suicide. But Anika can barely help herself. Logan gives her rides home. Does outrageous things to impress her. Is so full of life, imagination, and brilliance. But Anika soon discovers there may be a darker side to Logan. One that might ruin what they have forever?
The plot only thickens from there. Soon, the most infamously cute guy in all of Lincoln, THE Jared Kline, comes knocking down Anika's door. Is everything he's doing a scam, or is he for real?
Portes did an amazing job with this book. The characters are relatable and yet out of the ordinary. The world that she creates seems just a bit more magical than the real one, but a sort of magic that just might come true. The story she wove sucked me in and then spat me back out, and I loved every page. I look forward to more from Portes in the future! Anatomy of a Misfit was so excellent, I can't wait to see what's next.
Our main character is Anika, a tenth grader in Lincoln, Nebraska. Her dad is a famous Romanian professor, and she lived with him until she was ten. Then, she moved in with her relatively normal mother in the middle of America. She is, proudly, the third most popular girl in school. In her somewhat tenuous position in the social hierarchy, her life is a constant struggle between her outer bubblegum self, and her inner, self-described "spider stew". I quite liked Anika as a character. She's snarky, spunky, and has no idea what she's doing most of the time. She's real, and I related to her easily.
Her predicament begins in the form of Logan McDonough. Last year's social pariah, this year Logan has a whole new look, including a new haircut, new clothes, and a new moped. However, even with all this newness, he's still near the bottom of the high school totem pole. Dating him would be social suicide. But Anika can barely help herself. Logan gives her rides home. Does outrageous things to impress her. Is so full of life, imagination, and brilliance. But Anika soon discovers there may be a darker side to Logan. One that might ruin what they have forever?
The plot only thickens from there. Soon, the most infamously cute guy in all of Lincoln, THE Jared Kline, comes knocking down Anika's door. Is everything he's doing a scam, or is he for real?
Portes did an amazing job with this book. The characters are relatable and yet out of the ordinary. The world that she creates seems just a bit more magical than the real one, but a sort of magic that just might come true. The story she wove sucked me in and then spat me back out, and I loved every page. I look forward to more from Portes in the future! Anatomy of a Misfit was so excellent, I can't wait to see what's next.
(picture courtesy of goodreads.com)
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