The Blue Girl by Charles de Lint Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Blue Girl
Book Review: Good, but...
Summary: 4 Stars
There were aspects of this story that I really enjoyed - Imogene's quirky narration, the friendship between Imogene and Maxine, Adrian's story, the fairies and darkness - but there were a few issues that detracted from it as well.
While I liked Imogene's *voice*, the first-person narration from Maxine and Adrian didn't sound all that different. I like first-person POV but don't like it when the POV switches around. In this instance, I did enjoy hearing the story in Adrian's own words since his experience was so different from anyone else's, but didn't think it was necessary to do so with Maxine. Also, I didn't see the purpose in using different tenses (i.e., the beginning in past tense and the end in present tense). In some instances this technique can add to a narrative, but unless it's purpose is very clear, I find it often detracts from a story by interrupting the flow.
As another reviewer pointed out, the characters were all stereotypical. That didn't make them unlikable and the story itself was unique enough to compensate, but De Lint is so imaginative that I don't know why he'd need to resort to that. And two characters appeared but never had much of a role beyond being deus ex machina sources of info - the author (Christy Riddell - who just seemed like a self-insertion) and the e-mail pen pal Esmeralda.
Adrian was the only character I felt any emotional connection with and the poor guy never really got much fulfillment, even from Imogene. Only at the very, very end and only very marginally, which just made me sad for him.
There were little issues that bugged me like Maxine using a cell phone in the school basement, when she'd never be able to get reception there. Or the fact that everyone seemed to either a) have experience with the fairy world (down to Imogene's boyfriend) or b) be totally accepting of them. Only Imogene had trouble believing in the fairies which was absurd since she could plainly see and converse with a ghost.
It was still a fun and engaging read. De Lint is a talented writer - there's no doubt about that. I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys YA urban fantasy, but I thought this had the potential to be so much more than it was.
Book Review: Has some setbacks, but is still cool
Summary: 4 Stars
Anyone who has ever seen a John Hughes movie will instantly recognize many of the cliched characters in this book: There's Imogene, the tattooed, vintage clothing clad, tough-as-nails main character who is shunned by the popular kids (and likes it that way) and her new best friend Maxine, the shy, mousy intellectual who is constantly getting picked on (not only by the other kids, but also by her tyrannical mother, who still picks out her clothes for her). As soon as these two hook up, they are instantly targetted by the snobby, bleach blond captain of the cheerleading squad and her musclebound, meathead star quarterback boyfriend (the typical nemesis from pretty much every teen movie/book ever made) for no other reason than simply being different.
*yawn*
Sounds pretty boring, right? Well, that is where the similarity between this book and your typical teen fare ends. With the reemergence of Imogene's formerly imaginary friend Pelly, the discovery of a nerdy ghost and a group of feral, school-dwelling brownies with a seriously nasty streak, and the unwanted attention of some soul-sucking spirits as old as time, this story turns the entire teen genre on its head and proves itself to be a truly hypnotic read.
I do however, have a couple of complaints. First and foremost: The dialogue. Alot of the language wasn't very realistic coming from teenage mouths. I mean, teenagers in this day and age don't make paltry threats such as, "I'll squash you like the weird little bug that you are." If this were a real teenager, he or she would be turning the air blue with obscenities. Secondly: The final showdown against the anamithin was a bit, how shall I put this? Simplistic. Without giving too much away, the method with which Imogene used to dispatch this menace seemed a rather obvious tactic. So obvious in fact, it amazes me that these creatures were so feared for so long, and that noone managed to figure out how to stop them before. So yeah, the climax was a bit underwhelming.
Other than that though, this was a really good read, and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves urban fantasy/elfpunk as much as I do.
Book Review: Loved it
Summary: 4 Stars
I'm a fan of pretty much everything I've read by de Lint, and The Blue Girl is no exception. His urban fantasy genre is just so amazing--he really makes it seem possible for faeries to exist. The Blue Girl focuses on Imogene-the imaginitive punk, Maxine-the straightlaced smart girl, Adrian-the ghost, and Pelly-the imaginary friend. As usual I fell in love with all of de Lint's characters. I enjoyed the references to other Newford characters as well, because having read several other of de Lint's works I'm familiar with a lot of them. The story itself--about Imogene learning to see the creatures of the faerie world and dealing with some baddies--moved along at a good pace, and the characters reacted very believably to the events in their lives. This book is great for young adults, as well as anyone who loves fantasy or urban fantasy.Book Review: Pleased and Hoping for a Sequel!
Summary: 4 Stars
Although Imogene is the central heroine of Charles de Lint's urban fantasy novel, the story is told from three points of view including Imogene, her friend Maxine, and a ghost boy named Adrian. It can get confusing if you don't pay attention as the chapters switch from "then" to "now" and in the various points of view. Still, the story is engaging enough to keep you straight.
The basic premise is: plucky bad girl moves to new town (trying to behave), makes friends with mousy sweet loser, and weird magical stuff starts to happen. The three major characters are developed well enough that when the story ends you want to know what is next for these girls. Imogene is a kick butt "nice" bad girl...think Angelina Jolie at 16 or 17 with short spiky hair. She becomes friends with Maxine and they rub off on each other in positive ways.
I enjoyed that Imogene was a cool tough chick but she wasn't breaking laws or being a punk. She actually defended other people and tried to do the right thing.
Definitely would like to see a sequel in the future and will try de Lint's other novels.
Book Review: The Blue Girl
Summary: 4 Stars
"I have been enjoying some of the books I missed when I was a young adult, as they had not been written yet. This is a great one. I would recommend it to anyone old or young. The only difference is the amount of certain sorts of behavior they will or won't allow in Young Adult books. They don't affect the story line at all. A great read!"