The Oracle Rebounds by Allison van Diepen

The Oracle Rebounds by Allison van Diepen

Release Date: November 1, 2010
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 208
Source: Publisher
Interest: Story line
Other Titles in the Series: The Oracle of Dating
Challenge: None
Buy the Book: Amazon

As the “oracle of dating,” Kayla is supposed to have all the answers about love and relationships. She’s supposed to have the perfect relationship. But now that Jared is “taking a step back,” Kayla feels like a total fraud.

So the expert on dating starts taking her own rebound advice—and some from her friends—and stops moping around. Yeah, there are other possibilities out there—including the beyond-cute French foreign exchange student she’s showing around town. But when controversy erupts about the Oracle’s advice, Kayla is sent reeling once again. Will anything work out for her this year? Yet when her friends start seriously needing the Oracle, Kayla begins to focus on what really matters: Viv, Sharese, Amy and Ryan, her trueblue buds. And suddenly, everything starts making sense again…

As you might have seen in my The Oracle of Dating review, that I had to start The Oracle Rebounds as soon as I finished the last pages of The Oracle of Dating…. and can I say that I loved this novel even more than the first!

The Oracle of Rebounds had everything I loved from The Oracle of Dating and then some! Can I just say that I love Kayla! She is such a great protagonist to read about! And even though she makes her share of mistakes… I never feel the need to yell at the book… you know what I’m talking about.. when you have that character that is just too stupid to live and you find yourself yelling at them by yelling at the book! Oh… you don’t know what I’m talking about.. maybe that’s just me. anyway…

I often complain about the crappy friends that I read about in YA… the ones that the protag can’t share her real feelings with in fear of being ridiculed by her friends. (Hate those! Those people are NOT your real friends!) But I love the dynamics of the friendship between Kayla and her group of friends. They aren’t afraid to be honest with her, but they know how to be supportive and keep the interest of the friend first and foremost. Even when they don’t listen to each other, you know they respect each other. Exactly how a friendship should be.

Loved how Allison portrayed this aspect of a relationship…. if you can call rebounding a part of a relationship… which I think you can. An aspect of some relationships anyway. There isn’t a magic formula even though Kayla does try to come up with her own. I think it one of things that just takes time. I like that Kayla tried to move on… the best way to move on is to find some else to focus on. (Wait that’s not how that saying goes… ) Even though her choices may not have been the smartest ones, we don’t always think the most rationally in that type of situation.

AND! There was this part in the story where Kayla’s blog is under fire… well Kayla herself is criticized and called names… that hit just a little to close to home for me! Kayla handled it way better than I did the first time… or the second and third time. (Obviously it takes some of us a little bit more time to learn from our mistakes.) But I loved how Kayla handled the situation and only wish I could have been that cool!

Like I said before… The Oracle Rebounds has everything I loved about The Oracle of Dating and then some! Such a great series… I’m hoping there will be more… will there be more?

The Oracle of Dating by Allison van Diepen

The Oracle of Dating by Allison van Diepen

Release Date: May 1, 2010
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 256
Source: Publisher
Interest: Story-line
Challenge: none
Buy the Book: Amazon

For five bucks, the Oracle of Dating will tell you:

* How to flirt

* If that cute guy you’re crushing on likes you, too

* Whether your new romance will last through lunch period

* And much more

What she won’t tell you? Who she is.

No one at Kayla’s school knows she’s the famous Oracle of Dating— the anonymous queen of dating advice. She doesn’t even have a boyfriend. Two relationship disasters were enough to make Kayla focus on everyone else’s love life.

But then her advice backfires on her own best friend. And Kayla starts to seriously obsess about Jared Stewart—the very cute, very mysterious new guy in school. Suddenly, the teen queen of advice needs her own oracle of dating—and she knows just where to find one….

My initial thoughts on this novel were fast, fun and super cute! And I think that describes this novel perfectly.

I had no problem devouring this novel in it’s entirety. I sat down on the couch and the next thing I new I was flipping the last few pages… (I might have even started and finished the next novel right away!) The Oracle of Dating is a very easy novel to read, with a lovable protagonist and a charming plot-line, even if it was a little predictable.

I loved the supporting cast of characters, which mostly consisted of Kayla’s group of friends. They weren’t the most well developed characters, but they were very realistic and very entertaining! And I think they definitely made a difference in my overall likeness of this novel. I also loved the fact that Allison included the relationship background on Kayla’s mom and the current relationship struggles of her sister Tracey. It just helped to reaffirm that love and romance problems are universal…. they don’t stop at a certain age!

If you’re looking for a feel good, fluffy read, with a fun protagonist I would definitely recommend this novel. I can’t wait to read the next one! (And I couldn’t wait, which is why I had to read it right away, and I liked it even more! Review will be up tomorrow!)

Author Interview: Allison van Diepen

Allison van Diepen

Books:

• Street Pharm (2006)
• Snitch (2007)
• Raven (2010)
• The Oracle of Dating (2010)
• The Oracle Rebounds (2010)

Website

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The Oracle of Dating and The Oracle Rebounds are really different from your previous novels, was the experience writing these novels different as well?

Definitely. Writing the Oracle books was like going to a slumber party with lots of junk food, boy talk, gossip, pillow fights and out-of-control giggling. My other books are darker, more intense stories. When I was writing the Oracle books, I revisited some of my own dating experiences – and disasters – and those of my friends. Seriously, if you can’t laugh over a guy who flosses at the dinner table, what’s wrong with you?

Which novel was your favorite to write? And why?

That’s like asking someone to choose between their children! Let’s just say when writing the Oracle books, the only tears were tears of laughter…

Did you ever give out relationship advice to your friends? Any funny stories if you did?

Oh, yes, I gave advice. Lots of it. My MISTAKE was in thinking I was also a matchmaker. It was not a talent of mine, and the results were horrific. I set up my macho colleague with my melodramatic roommate and, when the infatuation turned sour, I had to witness the fallout at work and at home. Total mistake!

Why do you love writing for Young Adults?

Teen readers are so passionate, so enthusiastic, and they will vow to love your characters forever. Some have even wanted to tattoo themselves with the Raven symbol (which, I admit, I’ve talked a few teens out of doing – I’m not big on doing something so permanent)! The teen in me is such a big part of who I am that my teen writing voice comes naturally. Funny enough, when I was a teen, I wrote mostly about adults, and as an adult I’m writing about teens.

What was your favorite YA novel as a teen? What’s your favorite as an adult?

Remember Me by Christopher Pike was my favorite back then. It was dark, romantic, suspenseful and emotional. As an adult, my fave is Sea Change by Aimee Friedman. It’s got that ethereal feel, and just fills you with romantic longing. Sigh!

What are you hoping that teens will take away from The Oracle series?

That we’ve all been through it. Crushes, love, heartbreak. They’re all a part of life. Sometimes you learn more when a romance doesn’t work out because it can help you make better choices later on.

If you could travel back in time for one year, where would you go and what three things would you take with you?

I’d go to Ancient Rome in the first century A.D. I’d bring a taser in case some centurions messed with me. A laptop to document my experiences. And a camera so I could snatch pictures of some first century celebs.

Are you working on anything now? Can you tell us anything about it?

Currently I’m working on two YAs. One of them is a gritty urban book, and the other involves time travel (hence the Ancient Rome reference above). I’m very excited about my next book, The Vampire Stalker, which comes out in June. I think the tagline says it all: What if the characters in a vampire novel left their world–and came into yours?

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Thanks so much Allison for stopping by!!

In My Mailbox (107)

Welcome to In My Mailbox! You can find out how to participate and the “official” details on the IMM page.

IMM is a meme I started here at The Story Siren with some inspiration from Alea of Pop Culture Junkie.

The idea behind IMM was not only to put new books on your radar but to also encourage blogger interaction. IMM explores the weekly contents of my mailbox & books bought. And sometimes other fun goodies.

Anyone can participate in IMM and you are not limited to only sharing books that arrive via your mailbox. You can also share books that you’ve bought or books that you’ve gotten at the library.

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Sorry didn’t have time to do a vlog with all the holiday stuff going on… had another dinner with the family today… but I was able to snap a quick pic.

Elixir by Hillary Duff (Goodreads | Amazon)
Zombies Vs. Unicorn (Goodreads | Amazon)
Eternal: More Stories Bite (Goodreads | Amazon)
Immortal: Love Stories with Bite (Goodreads | Amazon)
When the Stars Go Blue by Caridad Ferrer (Goodreads | Amazon)
Miles from Ordinary by Carol Lynch Williams (Goodreads | Amazon)

If you’d like to share your IMM posts, please be sure to sign the link list below!

For example:
Name: The Story Siren
URL: http://www.thestorysiren.com/in-my-mailbox-1000

Pretty Little Liars: Turkey, Pie & Liars

Look was the infamous “A” sent me for Thanksgiving! (You might remember when she sent me a gift for Halloween too!)

And look at the “A’s” on the pie! How cool is that! That pie was still freezing cold when I opened the box! Whatever that silver stuff is… it works! So there was a little black strip on the front of the postcard and mine had apparently chipped off a little bit, so I could see there was something written underneath… and as the post card says “turn up the heat” if you rub the strip really fast it fades to reveal: ABC.com/GoobleGooble  (which takes you to a video!) I can’t wait for the new season!! AH!

The was from the Little Pie Company and it was delicious! I think J and I ate the whole thing in just a few days! (don’t judge!)