A modern retelling of the German fairy tale "Tristan and Isolde," Tris and Izzie is about a young witch named Izzie who is dating Mark King, the captain of the basketball team and thinks her life is going swimmingly well. Until -- she makes a love potion for her best friend Brangane and then ends up taking it herself accidentally, and falling in love with Tristan, the new guy at school.
Expected publication: October 11th 2011 by EgmontUSA
The moment I saw this book on Netgalley I was in love. In love with the stunningly gorgeous and highly misleading cover.
The book had two things going for it.
That it was one of the prettiest book covers that I had ever seen and the fact that I really was a big fan of the Tristan and Isolde legend.
I had read negative reviews of this book but I still really hoped it would deliver.
Two pages in, I knew it wouldn’t.
The writing seemed juvenile and the characters were extremely immature.
The protagonist Izzie was insensitive and shallow.
I disliked her strongly when she claimed to be the queen of the high school since her boyfriend; the basketball captain was like the king.
Then she proceeded to tell us how she could socially outcast anyone she wants.
I mean what the hell!?
Who talks like that!!?
*someone shouts Blair Waldorf from behind*
She wasn’t even like some funny mean girl types.
I couldn’t finish the book due to the unlikable characters and a storyline that in no way resembled the original fairytale.
I do however believe that younger readers say 11-15 year olds might enjoy this book and find it a quick read.
Similar Books: Beastly by Alex Flinn
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ReplyDeleteWhat a good review and isn't it funny how how you can hate a story so much because of the characters
Lainy
:DD Blair Waldorf, that make me laugh.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read this book, but like you, I was very curious cause that amazing cover and the fact, that I really love the story of Tristan and Isolde, so I thought that the modern version sounds interesting. But after all those not good reviews I am not sure about that anymore.
I've heard this has really immature writing, which is really upsetting because it does sound good. what a shame
ReplyDeletehahahaaaaa! omg, im so sad... this is actually up next in my netgalley pile of ebooks :( maybe i should just skip it?! either way, thanks fr=or sharing your thoughts!
ReplyDeleteDiana
I actually just got this book from Netgalley, but I'm not sure I'll be able to get through it after reading your review (I have it now, though, so I'll feel obligated to read it). The cover I've seen floating around the internet for ages though, and I'm not going to lie, it's what pushed me to request it in the first place. It's really sad that such gorgeous art is apparently wasted on this book. It sounds like one cliche after another, without any interesting writing to carry it along. I don't think I'll be able to get through this book at all.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review. *sigh*
Like you, I've seen the cover for this book and thought it looked absolutely amazing. I was looking forward to reading it, but now I see that it's probably not something I would enjoy. That's too bad because the cover is gorgeous, but I guess that's why they say don't judge a book by its cover ;) Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteOWWW thanks for the reviwe, this book was in my wish list, I love the cover like you, but maybe I not buy it right now, I doesn't sound to interestig now. Thanks again for your honesti.
ReplyDeleteMan! I just got this book on Net Galley. Now I don't want to read it!
ReplyDeletexD I need to say I quit reading by page 15... as you said the protagonist was really annoying, I'd have punched her if I were her friend, like really.
ReplyDeleteIt's a shame, because I have no intention of start reading it again. I did love the cover, it is great, but I don't think it's good enough to finish a book I know I won't like.
But you saying it was similar to Beastly made me curious, why would that be? :P
thanks for the review!
librosdevida1@hotmail.com
Thanks, I told myself that I definitely wasn't going to read this one if the very next review I read was negative and sure enough. Thanks for saving me some money (-=
ReplyDeleteI said it's similar to Beastly since they are both modern-day retellings of a fairytale/legend and deal heavily with romance.
ReplyDeleteOf course Beastly was way better!!
Oh that's sad you didn't like it :( I've wanted to get my hands on it since I saw that beautiful cover! Oh well...I guess I'll just try and find it in the library sometime..thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteYou know, this is exactly my case. Until recently I STILL hoped it wouldnt be as bad as EVERYONE claims. But I dont think I will lie to myself anymore. I was really excited to read it because I love the original legend but since likeable characters are very important for me in a book, I wont even try it. Thanks for your helpful review.
ReplyDeleteOh man I was so curious about this book too! I also am into covers and I like re-tellings (even though I don't know this original story well), but I'm glad to hear your opinion - it will save me much-needed time.
ReplyDeleteI didn't like this one either! I am so glad I wasn't the only one!
ReplyDeletei would read BOOKS where blaire woldorf is the protagonist because she's hilarious and mean and entertaining. Oh im like you, i fell in love with the book cover. I'll still try it out but atleast if i also dont like it, then i wont be the only one. Im 20 so i guess this wouldnt be entertaining to me. anyways good review!
ReplyDeleteYeah, that whole "two pages in" thing? I was the same way. The cover was SO pretty, and I was really excited to read it, but then I read the first few pages and I was like . . . -_- They really WERE immature, and the thing going on between Tristan and Izzie was just . . . bad,
ReplyDeleteThe IDEA was so good!!!!
ReplyDeleteBut the writing messed up the whole idea!
I don't even have the heart to finish this one :(
I had planned to read this one initially, but im seriously reconsidering that now....
ReplyDeleteJolainne
Yet another case of a beautiful cover deceiving readers. :( It's not fair, these awful books being wrapped in pretty, shiny covers that make us read them.
ReplyDeleteIzzie was . . . ugh. I need to have SOME measure of liking for the protagonist, and for her, I had none whatsoever. She just . . . no.