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Saturday 26 May 2012

***Review*** The Duff by Kody Keplinger

The Duff by Kody Keplinger


Released: April 5th 2012
Publisher: Hodder Children's Books
Series: No
Format: Paperback
Source: ARC review copy
Find At: Goodreads | Amazon UK | The Book Depository
Author Website: Kody Keplinger



Goodreads Synopsis:


Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper is cynical and loyal, and she doesn’t think she’s the prettiest of her friends by a long shot. She’s also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush. In fact, Bianca hates him. And when he nicknames her “Duffy,” she throws her Coke in his face.

But things aren’t so great at home right now. Desperate for a distraction, Bianca ends up kissing Wesley. And likes it. Eager for escape, she throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with Wesley.

Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out that Wesley isn’t such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she’s falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone.

My Review:

Quote: “Yeah, it was sick and twisted, but
that’s reality, right? Escape is impossible, so why not
embrace it?”
Kody Keplinger, The Duff


I’ve never heard of the term Duff before, didn’t know it stood for Designated Ugly Fat Friend, which is pretty harsh in my opinion. So imaging being called a Duff by a boy and then getting it on with him........ mmmmmm... wouldn’t happen in my case that’s for sure. Well it’s what happens to Bianca the main protagonist in the book, she is called a Duff by the school male lothario. When Bianca’s life crumbles around her she uses the lothario to her own benefit, but things turn out differently than what she expected.

 I have to say when I read a book I really like to connect to the main character, this did not happen in this book. Bianca made me cringe in so many ways. I mean what self respecting girl, no matter how much turmoil her life is in, would turn to the boy that insulted her and basically said that her friends all use her as she is the ugly one in the group. Hormone overdrive or what! I wanted to throw the book across the room and shake the main character by the shoulders. Well so many things irked me about this book. I definitely think this is a marmite book – you’ll either love it or hate it. This book did leave a bad taste in my mouth and I was actually relieved to finish it. However I did finish it and it turned out to be an OK read. I can’t knock the writing style either, it flowed it was fluent and I thought the author managed to capture the whole atmosphere.

This book is geared towards older teens; I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone younger as it does have some mild sexual scenes.


My favourite character was Wesley Rush, the lothario. He seemed a well rounded character and I could see character development throughout the book.

 I would read another book by this author, but, I don’t think I would read another book in this series if it ever came out. Just not for me.

Photobucket

Story 3/5 – I liked the writing style just not the story 
Cover: 3/5 – Not one that catches my eye. I wouldn’t normally go for this type of cover.

Many thanks to Hodder Children's Books for the review copy of  The Duff.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a horrible phrase! I can't imagine ever wanting to call someone that or to talk to someone who had called me that?! Oh wow. You said it perfectly with "hormone overdrive!"

Vicky @ A Backpack Full of Adventures said...

Aw, I'm sorry you didn't like it Jenny! I haven't read too many reviews of this one but it's on my wishlist. I had no idea what Duff stood for either!! I agree with Megan here - I can't imagine ever wanting to call someone that :(

Angie said...

Aw, this is one of my favorites! But I definitely see your point. Bianca wasn't that likeable, but I still loved her story. I absolutely adored Wesley, even if he was a major jerk in the beginning. :D

Great, honest review!

Angie @ Pinkindle Reads & Reviews

Christina K. said...

It's too bad you didn't like this story - I love Kody Keplinger and I like that her books are always realistic, even if they're harsh. This is a term used often in high school and it's awful but it's good that it's in literature so that teens can see that it happens often.

I really liked this book, and Shut-Out which is also a difficult but real book.

TayteH said...

"I mean what self respecting girl, no matter how much turmoil her life is in, would turn to the boy that insulted her and basically said that her friends all use her as she is the ugly one in the group. Hormone overdrive or what!"

No girl should do that. Bianca sounds like she has a lot of self-esteem issues.

Natalie @ Book Lovers Life said...

Great review. Ive read a few negative reviews about this and even from the blurb I dont think Id like it :)

Veronika said...

That phrase is really hars!! ugh! I love your review and writing your honest opinion! I have to say I keep hearing about this book all the time, everybody says it's awesome, but I've been always a bit wary after reading the synopsis. Who knows, maybe I give it a choice anyway one day :D

Rebecca said...

Sorry to hear you didn't love this one! I read this one about a month ago and it instantly became a new favorite! P.S - I love Wesley Rush too! :D

Ελλάδα said...

Kody Keplinger has perfectly captured the insecurities that all women have. Her writing is witty, sarcastic, hilariously funny, and perfectly executed. Bianca is easy to relate to and I could even understand her situation and why she keeps going back to Wesley. And Wesley - he's a jackass, but he's a funny jackass. His cockiness and the banter that goes on between him and Bianca is a blast to read. Then, there's Bianca's best friends: Jess and Casey are wonderful, Casey especially. They are the best friends that every girl wants and should have. I loved them both.

This book is everything I'd hoped for and then some. Bianca is intelligent, strong, fierce in that `I'll give you a verbal beatdown' kind of way, yet she is wholly and entirely flawed. She has sex, repeatedly, with a guy who called her a Duff - with someone who tears her down all the time with a degrading nickname. All the time she spends with Wesley makes her open up to him, and him to her. The two aren't really that different from one another and maybe, just maybe there could be some feelings other than hatred and lust there.

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