Monday, November 21, 2011

ARC Review: The Taming by Teresa Toten and Eric Walters

The Taming by Teresa Toten and Eric Walters
Release Date: Jan.24/12.

Synopsis courtesy of Netgalley:


Katie likes to believe she's invisible. It seems much safer than being exposed as she is--shy, poor, awkward. So getting up on stage in the school production of The Taming of the Shrew should be complete torture. But as Katie tells it, something totally unexpected happened when she stepped on stage: "My head exploded. I loved it. Acting hit me like a sucker punch and I loved, loved, loved it! . . . Invisible Katie became visible Katharina."

Evan Cooper is, as they say, another story. He knows just what it takes to get noticed, and he uses every one of the skills he's honed after years of being the new kid. Like tossing the keys to his father's high-end Audi to a kid he's never met, first day of school. "I have insurance for car theft," he explains to a shocked Danny. "And there's a full tank." An abuse of the power that comes with privilege and money? Sure.

But more dangerously, is his romance with Katie another version of the same thing? Or is it the real thing?

My Thoughts:

WOW! This is one of the most INTENSE books I've read all year!

Warning!!! There is A LOT of sexual content, drugs, alcohol in this book.

The great thing about this book, was the writing of the emotions Evan and Katie experience through their relationship both on and off the stage. I had moments where I would begin to LOVE Evan, but than his true colours would spring free and I would feel a whole wave revulsion.
The same rains true for Katie, she's shy and beginning to break out of her shell by staring in the female lead of the school play, but the longer she spends in Evan's presence, the weaker and more insecure she becomes.

Be warned this is NOT a love story! These two characters bring out the absolute worst in each other's personality which is the perfect equation for an abusive and destructive relationship. 

The intertextuality in this plot is cleverly woven through Evan and Katie's relationship on and off the stage. I was thoroughly hooked and entertained throughout.

This book is definitely not for the faint of heart, however, once I started it, I was unable to stop. it's a gripping and intense read that provides ideal literary merit on abusive relationships (both physical and emotional).

I think that everyone, aged 14 up, should read this book. It delivers an important moral lessen that it doesn't matter what people feel and think about you, but that YOU LOVE AND RESPECT YOURSELF enough to walk away from someone who doesn't appreciate you.

Please read this book guys, you won't be disappointed. And thank you Toten and Walters for not sugarcoating the reality of young abusive relationships.

Happy Reading!!!









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