REVIEW: The Princesses of Iowa by M. Molly Backes
Title & Author: The Princesses of Iowa
Series: N/A
Publisher: Candlewick Press, 442 pages
Release Date: May 8, 2012
Genre: Contemporary
Source: purchased
Amazon | Goodreads | M Molly Backes
SYNOPSIS: (According to my husband, who has NOT read the book — see how well he listens to my bookish ramblings)
Some girls that call themselves princesses get drunk at a party and end up in a bad car accident. The one girl ends up with a cane, but is still really mean. The main character has a crappy boyfriend that cheats on her with the crippled girl, but it’s okay because she meets some other guy that changes her into a nice girl. Lots of drinking, high schoolers and crazy times. Fun!
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BOOK ROCK BETTY BREAK DOWN:
- THE KISSING – There are some kissing scenes…. but don’t get too excited. This was definitely not an epic love story. Alcohol and kissing don’t do much for romance. I don’t know about you, but a kiss that tastes like teeth, yes you read that correctly… TEETH doesn’t really turn me on. Maybe I’m missing out, who knows.
- THE SWOONING - Wait, what??? Book Rock Betty read a book that didn’t make her swoon?? The cat is out of the bag. Let’s see– we’ve got the drunk a-hole named Jake that says things like “Fuck!” and “Maybe the problem is that I’m too much man, if you know what I mean…” multiple times throughout the book. Yeah, not really my thing. Then we’ve got the nerdy writer dude, Ethan that everyone thinks is a freshman for half the book. He was sweet, genuine and kinda mysterious, but he just wasn’t enough for me. I liked his character, but we are talking SWOON here! The swooniest, most captivating guy in the book was the substitute teacher Mr. Tremont, but he was gay for goodness sakes, so not even a chance for me there. Catch my drift? This book was quite SWOONLESS. :(
- THE SWAGGER – I enjoyed the writing. I didn’t necessarily love the characters, but they were so real! I went to high school with these losers. It’s depressing to think about, but yes, people do act like this. M. Molly Backes did an awesome job capturing their voices and showing how insane High School drama can be. She kept building the tension until everything just kinda spiraled out of control. I liked the way Paige’s thoughts were woven into the writing. I was able to see how her actions didn’t always reflect how she was truly feeling. I could feel the pressure she experienced and how impossible it seemed to make good decisions. As the story progressed there was a gradual shift as her feelings began to dominate her actions. Oh, best of all– it was funny! There were so many little comments made by characters that just fit the moment so perfectly that I couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
- THE OH SNAP! - 1. The play by play of the accident is revealed throughout the story– even Paige is shocked by what she remembers. 2. Paige’s Mom is the worst Mom on the face of the earth. 3. All friends in high school should be as cool as Shanti. 4. It’s not a series!!!! :)
- THE UMMM WHAT?? - 1. A kiss is described as tasting like TEETH and this is supposed to be a good thing. 2. Since when do girls wear high heels to high school?? 3. There is a scene that escalates to potential date rape, yet nothing is even mentioned after it happens. 4. Jake jumps on the stage and has a “moment” with Paige after her speech. No one would ever do something like that. Total cheese.
- THE ROCK: Head Over Feet by Alanis Morissette
ENCORE:
I went into this with a negative attitude, but it really surprised me! It was not a GREAT book, but I liked it. It was very predictable as it showed the journey of a typical high school “princess” that finally gives a decent person the time of day… She is awakened to how meaningless her life has been and gradually changes, making the effort to stop the cycle. I could easily put myself in her shoes. I had a lot of ups and downs in that phase of life, so I totally got it. It was much more enjoyable being a spectator! People are such idiots, and M . Molly Backes depicted that so well. It is inspirational and has a good message. Sometimes it only takes one teacher, or one good friend to change your whole life. People can change and even the means girls might be worth the effort.
“I wanted to be the kind of girl who drank black coffee and didn’t take shit from anyone.”
RATING: Middle Shelf (hard to believe considering I can’t get the taste of teeth out of my mouth)
I’ve gone through a lot of thoughts on whether or not I want to read this. It goes a little something like this “everyone is reading this, I want to read it, too. Oh, they don’t seem to like it, I’ll pass. But what if IIIIIIII will like it? I’ll just hope it’s the Kindle Daily Deal soon.” Scene. I do this ten times a day, haha.
Also, I remember a lot of girls wearing heels to school. Maybe not on a daily basis, but for most of them it was most days. So weird.
seriously?! i remember wearing them for important events, but not every day. then again… i wasn’t a princess.
hahaha
That’s how I felt about it too! I liked it, but didn’t love it. I’m just glad I didn’t hate it lol!
A lot of the characters were annoying, but that’s how I felt too – I really did go to high school with these people!! They weren’t the people I hung out with and I’m never really understood them, but yes, it did happen. (And for real, no one wears high heels to school!)
I loved the teacher too! I was really upset that they actually did make him gay (not because I was swooning…) because I think the story would have been better where he kept quiet and didn’t act out and turns out he WASN’T gay. For some reason I like that idea better.
completely agree about the gay factor. it wasn’t necessary and if anything made everything way too extreme and complex.
thumbs up for no heels.
Haha, I want to read this. But I don’t really know what it is about, I just know a friend sent it to me in a box full of contemporaries and said READ THESE. So I trust her and I want to read it. ALTHOUGH you have made me laugh enough that I want to read it a little quicker. So there’s that. That’s good, right?
I mean, I LOVE the swoons, don’t get me wrong. I actually want to swoon most of the time, but I’m okay on the rare occasion that I don’t. So IDK. I guess I’ll see. Maybe.
I NEVER would wear high heels to school. I don’t even wear them to church. I wear my Toms. haha.
I guess I just stated that I am indeed not a princess.
hahaha …. i think you’ll enjoy this one. it’s far from being an OMG WHAT AN AWESOME BOOK… but it is good for what it is.
high five for toms!
So yeah, you summed up this book a WHOLE lot better than I did! When we discussed this one at book club everyone was like “oh I didn’t think it was realistic in how the kids acted. Why did they cuss so much? They drank way too much!” Did I mention my book club is mostly older ladies… sigh. I had to remind them that yes, this book pretty much acurately depicts REAL high school students. They really do cuss like this! They really party like this! Also, the almost date rape scene? While I wanted Paige to report him and be all girl-power, I think it’s pretty realistic that this happens and the girl doesn’t report the boy because she’s so in luvvvv and doesn’t want to lose her social standing. Which doesn’t say much about youth of America… anyway, great review, as always!
I agree on the almost date rape. It was her “boyfriend” and you’re right…. it was realistic unfortunately. It’s that endless cycle of abuse where “love” overshadows reality. Still pisses me off! Wish you were in our book club!!
Uh, ME TOO! Why does Philly have to be so far away?!
The writing is just so fantastic, and three stars kind of break my heart. But I know this book in particular is not everyone’s cup of tea. It was one of my favorites last year, and that surprised me too because WHOA was that main character a snot. I think that’s another reason I fell for it. I was never that girl, nor was I friends for her but I really wanted her to get her shit together.
Like the synop from your husband. I can only imagine what mine would come up with. haha
sorry to break your heart.
3 stars is good though! xoxo i get such a kick out of seeing what my hubby comes up with for a synopsis.. always a surprise. haha
I have this book but have not read it yet. Loved your review and I will have to read this book soon.
Love your blog!!
Yes, read it!! and… thank you!!
I haven’t read this one, but I’ve seen that it’s garnered mixed reviews. While I might not necessarily find the main character all that appealing, I’m interested in the journey that she takes when she’s allowed to write and reflect on everything that’s changed for her.
Also, I love the rock you picked to match this book