I had every reason to like this book and I could not get through it.

It must just be me though since it has relatively good ratings.

"Park watched the undulated blade of a flamberge pierce the side of the Northerner and rip upward, unzipping the huge barbarian's rib cage in a spray of blood."

It made sense in context, but undulated blades are where I hang my hat up.

I really enjoyed this!

Great story that's quite nuanced. Probably missed half of what was really going on until the ending.

Off to watch the movie adaptation now!

Nothing like some Danish vengeance!!

I went to school with a girl like Stargirl. She transferred to us in junior high and she was different. Alarmingly different. She held seances. Her hair was this wild brillo pad that stuck straight out in all directions. She tried to levitate herself at recess. She had funny moles. She was a budding artist who drew on any surface that would not be deemed vandalism.

She was completely ostracized. Like the students at Mica, we did not know what to do with her. Unlike the students at Mica, there was no honeymoon period. Just hate. Here we were, little Catholic conformists with our plaid uniforms and this complete oddball had been thrust into our midst. I have never before or since seen children be so mean. To be associated with her was anathema. I haven't thought about her in years, but now I wonder, what were her parents thinking? Why send your child who desperately wants/needs to be different, to be herself- into this hotbed of sameness. She even joined my scout troop. Another uniform to wear. Unlike Stargirl (spoilers I guess) she survived the year. She actually stayed with us until high school. Unlike Leo, I never got the chance to see her jar of stones. I never allowed myself to be friends with her. I don't know how unhappy or happy she was with her lot. She must have the toughest skin or maybe she didn't care. I hope she's doing well, wherever she is today. I know it's a stretch, but I hope high school was better for her.

Reading this book was in a way very cathartic. I have reservations about its plausibility, but that's honestly a good thing. If some junior high student reads this book and decides to be a little left of the center, or better still, if some jerky junior student reads this book and decides to be a little nicer to the kids who take a chance on standing out, it's worth its weight in gold.

Couldn't put it down!

Was a reach to give this three stars, though it's considered a classic. This story failed for me in two different ways. First, the story is structured around vignettes told by multiple narrators. The quality of these stories varies widely. One of them was so schlocky I could hardly finish it. Two of them were brilliant, so I guess that redeemed the story enough for me. Second, there was absolutely no resolution. The finalization of the story is dependent on the sequel, which totally aggrevates me.

One of my favorites. This would make one hell of a TV show on AMC or HBO.