Book Review: Zero by Tom Leveen

Zero, Amy, Amanda . . . all names belonging to one girl. Zero is an aspiring artist with friend problems, family problems, guy problems and what to do next problems. I think it is safe to say every girl will find some way to relate to this young woman.

The moment you graduate from high school you are immediately bombarded with what’s next. No moment to breathe and take every aspect into quiet contemplation. The few of us who know what does come next may have obstacles we have no control over. Amanda has several and she’s willing to sell up and move on.
It isn’t often, try never, that I pick up a 'teen angst' novel. Thanks to Random Buzzers*, I was able to overcome my ‘run in terror’ feeling when it comes to this genre.

(My mind is speaking in bullet points today.)

Things to catch your attention on and fall for:

       1.    Zero has an on going commentary throughout the story. Occasionally she encourages the readers to: Discuss or leaves appropriate music lyrics in parenthesis that helps us as the reader grasp what she is thinking. This type of writing is especially attractive because the characters, namely Zero, live and breathe among us.

       2.     Zero isn’t perfect. You have all read the books, where the main girl assures us she is not perfect. Yet she manages to snag ’20—’s Hottest Guy of the Year. News for you, Zero ‘ain’t’ it and she will not try to sell you a bill of goods that says otherwise. Girls will especially know how she feels, when looking in the mirror all she sees is ugly and yet a few tell her otherwise.

       3.    Salvador Dali helps lead us on Zero’s journey with his quoted quips at the beginning of each chapter. A few will leave you wondering what he was smoking, but for the most part they tell the story, further proof of Zero’s adoration (idol worship) for this artist.

(From Page 105)
“Love, I said, strangely resembled certain gastric sensations. . . producing an uneasiness and shudders so delicate that one is not sure whether one is in love or feels like vomiting.” 

Did you ever think to describe love with ‘gastric sensations’ and ‘vomiting’?

       4.    Zero could be you or me. This has to be the most attractive aspect of this story. Tom Leveen, hats off to you for tackling a teenage girl’s perspective and convincingly.

In short, because I’d rather not dwell on these subjects, the things to watch for that I could have done without (may be spoilers):

      1.    Girl on girl, not major, but there nonetheless.

      2.    Brief encounters with oral sex and foreplay, which if I’m not mistake were played off as ‘not sex’. Does a leopard have spots? Than sex is sex, don’t sugar coat it.

      3.    Sex. I understand why it is in the story, but if this subject matter bothers you, especially with teens, than be forewarned.

      4.    Language. Again understood.

It was a whirlwind read, even to the last few paragraphs, but one I didn’t mind tagging along for the whole ride.

(From Page 261)
"Mistakes are almost always of a sacred nature. Never try to correct them. On the contrary: rationalize them, understand them thoroughly. After that, it will be possible for you to sublimate them."
~Salvador Dali

*If you are interested in becoming a Random Buzzer, let me know! I have special referral codes, so when you the new member use the code I give you, you get first chance dibs on the books they offer! Hurry I only have a limited number of referrals to hand out!

Also stay tuned for your chance to win a copy of Zero by Tom Leveen (In stores April 24)! Details coming next Monday!!!!