Review: Invisible by Marni Bates

Be sure to check out my review of Awkward, a companion book to Invisible.

Invisible

by Marni Bates

6/25/13

K-Teen

Format: eARC

Source: Netgalley

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Purchase: Amazon / B&N / IndieBound

Jane Smith has survived three years of high school without making a single enemy, all by keeping a low profile. Not even her three best friends, Kenzie, Corey and Isobel, can say the same. But with Corey dating the lead singer from ReadySet and Kenzie in a relationship too, being invisible tends to be lonely. But now she's written an article for her school newspaper that has accidentally snagged the attention of some celebrities. Turns out, people get really upset when their innermost secrets are splashed all over the front page. And new her well-ordered life is being blasted to hell, with results that are wildly unexpected.

I received an e-galley of this book in exchange for an honest review 

I really enjoyed Marni Bates' first book set at Smith High, Awkward, and was really excited to jump back into this world and hang with its characters in Invisible. And while Invisible didn't wow me as much as its companion, I found it an enjoyable and entertaining read.

Invisible focuses on Jane Smith, one of the BFF's of Awkward's heroine Mackenzie. Mackenzie, her new popular boyfriend Logan, and her and Jane's other BFF, Corey, all play important roles in Invisible, but this book is Jane's time to shine. Quite, reserved, studious Jane is tired of living in Kenzie and Corey's shadows as they remain famous (Kenzie) and date rock-stars (Corey), and after an altercation against a bully and the chance to write a front page story for the school newspaper, Jane just may get her chance to stand out. But writing that front page story means being stuck with photographer Scott. Cute, infuriating, smug Scott. And when a story never meant to be made public is “accidentally” published, Jane gets more recognition than she ever wanted.

What I loved about Marni Bates' writing and storytelling style in Awkward, was how authentic and relatable it was. Bates does a fantastic job of crafting a high school setting that feels incredibly real, which is carried over in Invisible. I really enjoyed immersing myself back into the world of Smith High and all its awkward, funny, cringe-worthy, and been-there-totally-know-how-that-feels moments. The teenage dialogue is often spot-on and rarely feels contrived or forced. Yet, Invisible lacked the fresh, smart humor that Awkward was dripping in. Invisible definitely has its funny moments, but its humor just didn't sparkle or captivate like I hoped it would.

Bates explores some serious topics, like bullying; homophobia; and self-esteem issues, throughout Invisible, but I was disappointed in how these things are, for the most part, glossed over and given very little attention. Bates definitely sends out a positive message about acceptance and tolerance, but I think, overall, the book lacked real depth and was overly cutesy.

I really loved Jane in Awkward and liked her a lot in Invisible. Her shy, logical, always aiming to please and avoid confrontation personality is relatable, and it was fun seeing her break out of her shell throughout Invisible and really come into her own. There were definitely times though when I wanted to reach through the pages, shake her and scream “Stop letting people walk all over you! Stand up for yourself woman!”. Jane's love interest, Scott, was disappointing. He had his sweet moments, but he was mostly an arrogant jerk. One of the characters that surprised me in a good way was mean girl Chelsea. Bates gave Chelsea a lot of depth and development for a mean girl. I loved that, even though she is often bitchy and snobby, I totally get why characters are enamored with her. She isn't just all pretty clothes and a pretty face, and people aren't simply scared of her; she has an addicting charismatic charm, without ever resorting to being cheesy or out of character. I look forward to discovering more about Chelsea in Notable.

MY FINAL THOUGHTS: Invisible is a cute, fun read with a likable heroine and hip story. I really enjoy Marni Bates' entertaining and fresh writing style and storytelling, and always look forward to her next book. Invisible and its companion, Awkward, would make great summer reads!

MY RATING

Marni Bates

Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook

Marni Bates still can’t believe she falls in love with fictional characters for a living. Her career began during her freshman year at Lewis & Clark College, when she wrote her autobiography, Marni, for HCI’s Louder Than Words series. By the time she graduated, she was on the New York Public Library’s Stuff for the Teen Age 2010 List and had made her fiction debut with her young adult novel, Awkward.Marni is still adjusting to life in sunny Los Angeles, California. When not writing in front of her air conditioning unit, she can be found rollerblading, bargaining at garage sales, reading romance novels, and watching copious amounts of TV—strictly for artistic inspiration, of course. She loves hearing from readers and hopes that you will visit her at www.marnibates.com.

ARC Review and Giveaway- AWKWARD by Marni Bates

TITLE: Awkward                                   AUTHOR: Marni Bates PUB: Kensington Teen                           PUB DATE: 1/1/12 FORMAT: ARC, 259 pgs                       SOURCE: publisher

Mackenzie Wellesley has spent her life avoiding the spotlight. At Smith High, she's the awkward junior people only notice when they need help with homework. Until she sends a burly football player flying with her massive backpack and makes a disastrous - not to mention unwelcome - attempt at CPR. Before the day is out, the whole fiasco explodes on YouTube. And then the strangest thing happens. Suddenly, Mackenzie is an Internet sensation, with four million hits and counting. Sucked into a whirlwind of rock stars, paparazzi, and free designer clothes, she even catches the eye of the most popular guy at school. And that's when life gets really interesting.

THREE WORDS: Funny. Charming. Quirky.

MY REVIEW: Marni Bates’ Awkward was a pleasant surprise that had me laughing out loud and left me with the biggest smile on my face. Bates has taken a familiar storyline and breathed new life into it with endearing characters, a story that is outlandish enough to be fun and exciting but realistic enough to be relatable, and a wonderfully quirky spark.

          MY BRIEF SUMMARY

Seventeen year old Mackenzie Wellesley has always gone out of her way to be invisible. In a high school divided into the Notables (the rich and popular) and the Invisibles, Mackenzie knows her place. But that all changes after her most embarrassing moment ever is captured on film and posted on YouTube. Suddenly, awkward, geeky Mackenzie is famous. Reporters are hounding her for interviews, talk shows are inviting her to appear on their shows, designer clothes are appearing on her doorstop, and the It band of the moment, ReadySet uses her video in their latest music video. Invisibility is no longer an option for Mackenzie. And things get even more complicated when cute, infuriating boys enter the picture.

          STORY

I’ll admit that I wasn’t expecting anything extraordinary from this book; the synopsis after all isn’t anything we haven’t seen in YA before. But, Awkward turned out to be such a refreshing, charming, and enjoyable read.

Yes, the basic plot is familiar- awkward, outcast girl rises above the social hierarchy of high school, outwitting the mean girls and bullies, and gets the hot guy in the end-but Bates has managed to take this basic plot and create something quite special and meaningful.

I really loved how funny this book was. Bates writes with a smart and honest wit. There were scenes and dialogue that literally had me giggle-snorting! Awkward manages to explore the world of high school realistically, but I wouldn’t call it edgy. Yet, I wouldn’t simply call it light hearted fluff either. There’s talk of sex and underage drinking, but overall it’s a rather “clean” read.

Bates offers readers a really empowering message throughout this book. A message about self-acceptance and being true to who you are. Bates also gives readers an insightful and honest glimpse into the varying family dynamics and relationships that exist. This book isn’t just about Mackenzie’s struggle at school, it’s also very much about her broken, little family’s struggle to stay strong and endure.

Awkward paces nicely and never drags; I actually found it quite a quick read. The dialogue is fresh and hip. Modern pop culture plays a significant role throughout this book, which can be a tricky and dangerous move for an author to take. On the one hand, this makes the book fun, relatable, and very much in the moment, yet, on the other hand all the modern pop culture references may alienate some readers who are not familiar with them. I think for the most part though, most teenagers today will find the pop culture focus in Awkward to be fun and entertaining.

          CHARACTERS

I found myself really liking and connecting with the characters in this book. On the surface these characters are a bit stereotypical and familiar, but Bates does a wonderful job of making them engaging and relatable.

Mackenzie *sighs*. Oh how I can relate to this awkward, quirky girl! I really loved this character and not just because as a teenager, I kinda was her (okay, even as an adult I’m still the awkward, slightly geeky girl who rambles off useless facts when nervous). She really is endearing and likable. Her dorky awkwardness is never too much; it really does come across as natural. Even the most popular, self confidant reader will be able to relate to this character. What I really loved about Mackenzie is how invested in her story and journey I became. By the end of the book, she felt less like a character and more like a friend.

Mackenzie’s two best friends, Corey and Jane, complete our main and lovable trio. Corey is a funny, impossible to not like character. As a gay, fashion obsessed male teenager, his character is rather cliché, but that never got in my way of simply enjoying him as a character. We don’t get to know Jane all that much in Awkward which is a shame because there seems to be so much more to her than just the quiet, studious girl she comes across as in this book…however, we do get to explore Jane’s story in the upcoming Invisible by Marni Bates which makes me super excited!

There are various other characters-peers, ReadySet band members, and Mackenzie’s family members-that round out the cast, and they are all nicely developed and fun to meet.

          ROMANCE

We get two very different love interests for our girl Mackenzie- Patrick and Logan. Patrick is the guy Mackenzie has been crushing on for forever and Logan is the popular Notable that she tutors…and I’ll leave it at that…ok, just kidding.

I don’t want to give too much away because the romantic aspect of this book plays such a significant (but not dominating or overwhelming) part. I will say that I really loved Mackenzie’s flirty, fun, full of sparks interaction with one of the boys and you will too! She totally ends up with the right guy in the end and I don’t think readers will be disappointed by the romance.

MY FINAL THOUGHTS: Awkward has charmed me completely! Marni Bates has created a laugh out loud funny and relatable story that will delight and entertain readers! A super fun read!

MY RATING

You can find Marni Bates here:

Website / Goodreads / Twitter 

You can pre-order/purchase this book here:

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Book Depository

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