Review: Flash Burnout by L.K. Madigan

Information:
Released: November 19th, 2009
Published by: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
Series: Stand Alone Title
Overall Rating: 5 out of 5
Source: Chapters (Local Bookstore)
Page Amount: 330
School Rating: A+
Age Group: Young Adult

Synopsis:

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Telephoto lens. Zoom. In a shutter release millisecond, Blake’s world turns upside down. The nameless woman with the snake tattoo is not just another assignment. “That’s my mom!” gasps Marissa.

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Saturated self-portrait: Blake, nice guy, class clown, always trying to get a laugh, not sure where to focus.

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Contrast. Shannon, Blake’s GF. Total. Babe. Marissa, just a friend and fellow photographer. Shannon loves him; Marissa needs him. How is he supposed to frame them both in one shot?

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Chiaroscuro. Lightdark. Marissa again, overexposed. Crash and burn.

Talk about negative space.

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Review:
After hearing about this book, it didn’t take me long to pick it up. The first time I ever laid eyes on it was in one of The Story Siren’ In My Mailbox. She told a brief summary, and I knew I had to pick it up. I went to the book store one time, with no thought in mind what I was going to get. I was walking through the bookshelves, and there I saw FLASH BURNOUT, staring at me. I knew I had to get it. It took me a little while to pick it up from my bookshelf, but then I picked it up during March Break. I am VERY glad I read this book.

The plot and the story are very fast pacing, something that either irks me or enlightens me. For this story, it was enchanting (yes, I just used a Taylor Swift line). This novel was a page turner… in a different way. The plot itself is pretty flat, but L.K. Madigan was a wonderful author and brought it to life. The story was very witty and unexpectedly funny.

L.K. Madigan is an amazing author, including her writing style, and I am saddened that I have only one other book of hers before I have no more of my addiction. I loved the writing in this novel, it was extremely funny, and Blake’s witty voice lightened up the not so light subjects in this novel.

Blake was witty, hilarious, and a great character. Uh… Blake, could you marry me? Seriously. Blake is every guys dream. I don’t think there are many characters I dislike in this novel, which is a good and bad thing. I do like my villains, but I hate talking about them. I also love it because there is no hate in this novel. I even liked Shannon, Blake’s GF that most people are probably not a fan of.

This book was something fresh, and I loved the photography woven into the book. I would definitely say to read this book if you have a chance to read it, because it is truly an amazing read.

Cover Comments:
This book cover is okay, but seeing the blond girls eyes in one of the photographs really bugs me. But it is unlike any other cover I have ever seen, so it gets originality points. I really like the concept of it, but a lot of people who saw the cover thought he was smelling the photos.

Ratings:
Plot 10/10
Like able Characters 10/10
Problem Development 10/10
Solution Effectiveness 10/10
Writing Style 10/10
Character Development 8/10
Cover 8/10
Setting 9/10
Ending 7/10
Beginning 8/10
=
90%

Love,

Sierra