Review: Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan

SUMMARY FROM NETGALLEY.COM:

"I've left some clues for you. If you want them, turn the page. If you don't, put the book back on the shelf, please."
Lily has left a red notebook full of challenges on a favorite bookstore shelf, waiting for just the right guy to come along and accept its dares. But is Dash that right guy? Or are Dash and Lily only destined to trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations across New York? Could their in-person selves possibly connect as well as their notebook versions? Or will they be a comic mismatch of disastrous proportions?
Rachel Cohn and David Levithan have written a love story that will have readers perusing bookstore shelves, looking and longing for a love (and a red notebook) of their own.
About the authors:
Rachel Cohn and David Levithan are New York Times bestselling authors of YA fiction. They have co-written three books including Nick & Nora's Infinite Playlist which was adapted for a film in 2008.

MY TAKE:

I found the synopsis of this book so intriguing that I just had to read it immediately.

Dash & Lily's Book of Dares is about Dash and Lily who correspond through a red notebook that they hide in different places around New York.

I really liked the idea of the scavenger-hunt-like mode of communication. It's such a creative way for the characters to meet and interact. The shifting point-of-views also work as you get to see how Dash and Lily are actually like.

Lily is kind of offbeat and self-centered at times, but she has a good heart. Dash, on the other hand, reminded me of Dan from Gossip Girl. They have the same snarly hipster attitude, as well as a penchant for using big words.

It's the use of so many "big" words, even in normal conversations, which bothered me the most about this. It's not that I don't understand them, because I do. It's just that I find it hard to believe that teenagers talk that way, even if they did have a wide vocabulary.

Other than that, this book was pretty good. There are plenty of quotable quotes and gems that will make you think.

Thanks to NetGalley and MIRA Ink for the e-ARC.

THE GOOD:

1. The premise is clever.
2. There are plenty of quotable quotes.
3. Bookish teens and adults can relate to this.

THE BAD:

1. Some may find the use of so many SAT-level words.

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

“You think fairy tales are only for girls? Here's a hint - ask yourself who wrote them. I assure you, it wasn't just the women. It's the great male fantasy - all it takes is one dance to know that she's the one. All it takes is the sound of her song from the tower, or a look at her sleeping face. And right away you know - this is the girl in your head, sleeping or dancing or singing in front of you. Yes, girls want their princes, but boys want their princesses just as much. And they don't want a very long courtships. They want to know immediately.”

READ IT IF:

1. You like YA romance books.
2. You're looking for something a little bit offbeat.
3. You don't find the use of SAT-level words in ordinary conversation distracting.

RATING:


SOUNDS INTERESTING?