Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Devilish by Maureen Johnson

Have you ever read one of those books that just seems so incredibly bizarre from the front flap description and then manages to make complete sense as soon as you've actually started reading?

That completely describes Devilish.

Jane Jarvis is a genius out of place in St. Theresa's School For Girls. Not that you'd know her brilliance just to look at her. Ever since the horrific end to her relationship with Elton (the perfect boy), Jane has allowed herself to spiral out of control. Now she's accumulating a record as a troublemaker that might harm her chances of getting into a college worthy of her incredible brain. But college is the last thing on her mind when her best friend's sanity is in danger. Ally is a misfit of the highest degree and only serves to aid her descent when she throws up at an annual school event. After that, everything changes.

Ally comes into school with a new haircut, a new attitude, and apparently, new friends. Jane can't be sure of her sudden drop on the importance list until she goes on one fateful train ride. Where Ally and Elton are (insert my reaction here __NOOOOOOOO__) making out. Enter Jane's freshman stalker, who won't stop trying to convince her that Ally's new friend is really a soul stealer of the corporations of Hell. And it isn't long until Jane believes him. She must quite literally deal with the Devil and find a way to save her best friend, and possibly the world, before it is too late.

I really enjoyed this book. And ever since the suggestion of a few people, *cough* Plenty of Paper girls and Reese *cough* I have been completely hooked on everything Maureen Johnson. Even her blog. It seems that Nerdfighter authors hold a certain intrigue for their fellow warriors/minions. Anyway, back to reviewing. Devilish went by too quickly and was full of Miss Johnson's incredible wit and trademark creativity. I loved all of the characters. Even Ally, when she was being a backstabber. Plus, the demon girl was amazingly written. One of those villains you adore hating. The struggles were convincing on both a physical and mental level, sometimes even spiritual.

All the same, I did not enjoy this particular work as much as some of the other Maureen Johnson books I've read. That is the only thing keeping it from the revered 7 rating. But still...

CRASHBANGSLAMWACHING! 6 Lightnings out of 7! And I highly recommend everything else by her as well!

Reading the Bermudez Triangle,

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

I have a signed copy of that book. *grin*
also...
I ♥ Maureen Johnson. Seriously. ESPECIALLY the blog.

Though personally, Devilish is pretty much my favorite of her books. because i loves me the supernatural elements. 13 Little Blue Envelopes is pretty full of win though...and Suitte Scarlett has NYC awesome and hilarity...
which reprises the earlier point, that MJ rox.

Khy said...

Devilish is actually my favorite too. All her other books are tied for second though.

Anonymous said...

hey, i can see your header now!

Anonymous said...

This sounds reallyreallyreally good... I want a copy. :) -goes to attack her bookstores-

Great review and fantastamagical sound effects, as always!

Rachel said...

I always saw this book, and I thought it looked ok, but it never made it to my books to read list...I dont know why becaue now that I read your review it seems like a fun read =]

Jessica Burkhart said...

I loved that book. All of MJ's books are sooo good. :)

Enna Isilee said...

K, sorry if I sound rude but I have to ask. When you say you want to do a link exchange, do you mean you'll actually read my blog or you just want your address on my blog. I'm cool either way, I'd just put you in a different place depending. And I may not put you on my feed.