THE BOOK REVIEW CLUB JAN 11: Getting Revenge On Lauren Wood by Eileen Cook

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Pub.Date:January 5th 2010

Age Range: young adult

Pages: 224

Format: paperback

Source Of Copy: requested and received from the publisher

Popularity is the best revenge.

In the final weeks of eighth grade, Lauren Wood made a choice. She betrayed her best friend, Helen, in a manner so publicly humiliating that Helen had to move to a new town just to save face. Ditching Helen was worth it, though, because Lauren started high school as one of the It Girls--and now, at the start of her senior year, she's the cheerleading captain, the quarterback's girlfriend, and the undisputed queen bee. Lauren has everything she's ever wanted, and she has forgotten all about her ex-best friend.

But Helen could never forget Lauren. After three years of obsessing, she's moving back to her old town. She has a new name and a new look, but she hasn't dropped her old grudges. She has a detailed plan to bring down her former BFF by taking away everything that's ever been important to Lauren—starting with her boyfriend.

Watch out, Lauren Wood. Things are about to get bitchy.

If you love highschool drama, you should probably pick up this book. If you're wanting to plot revenge on your frenemy, you would love to hear Helen's story. Totally relatable and fun, Getting Revenge On Lauren Wood is a book about breaking out of past cocoon to find one's true self.

Just like What Would Emma Do?, this book is easy to follow. The tone is nice and the description is neat. It has a touch of religion/belief enough to summarize the author's point of view in the issue, but not too preachy. It's both entertaining and meaningful, simple but complicated, fun yet thought-provoking.

The subject of revenge is always fascinating to me, and I guess, to lots of teen readers out there. Even when she already reveals Helen's plan at the beginning, the author somewhat manages to switch our thoughts to a different directions of the story so we won't be able to predict everything and get bored in the middle. Also, it allows her to add some twists that I really enjoy reading. I, too, love the dangerous atmosphere she creates for the book. At some parts it feels like I'm watching a drama series on CW.

Helen is just as lovable as Emma is. I love how she discovers herself through out the event of her revenging on Lauren. I'm surprised at how she can be all sweet and nice, but amazingly sly and "evil" when the chances of destroying Lauren come. As for Lauren, she's a character that readers would love to hate. She's the kind of friend you want to stay away from forever, yet makes the story much more interesting with her personalities.

To sum up, once you read and love What Would Emma Do? You would love Getting Revenge On Lauren Wood. For those who wants your ex friend to pay back, read this, and see if you still want to.

Rating: 4/5