Cycler by Lauren McLaughlin Book Review

Cycler by Lauren McLaughlin
(Random House, Hardcover)
Rating:

Jill is a girl for most of the month. Then right before she has her period, she turns into Jack. Jill trys to forget about the days that she is Jack, even going so far as to meditate as soon as she turns back to a girl so that she can shut out Jack's memories. Jack, on the other hand, is locked in Jill's room during his 4 days of being every month. He's not allowed to go outside, talk to anyone, or surf the internet. So he relives Jill's memories, until he decides to break free.

I think that the concept of this book was so far in left field that I just couldn't get into it. I mean, a girl that turns into a guy when she's premenstrual? Gross me out. For the first fifty pages, the book didn't move anywhere and I was a little put off by the detailed accounts of Jack's affinity for dirty magazines. Neither of the characters really spoke to me. Jill was in denial and Jack was just a perv. The plot did pick up when Jack decided to break out of the house. Ramie, Jill's best friend, was a fun character who played a part in the lives of both Jack and Jill. However, the ending was a little too neat. Although, after all that Jill and Jack had been through, I guess they deserved a break. If you're intrigued by crazy plot lines (Scott Westerfeld did give this book a good blurb), then this might be a book for you.

Cycler has been nominated for the 2008 Cybils Awards in the Science Fiction/Fantasy category.

My Rating System

So, in order to bring a little order to my reviews, I am making up a rating system. I've seen it on other blogs and find it helpful. Feel free to email me with any questions. emsbookshelf (at) gmail (dot) com

One Star: I am not so enthusiastic about the book. It may have some good points (like, thank goodness it ended after only 100 pages), but it doesn't stand out from the rest of the crowd.

Two Stars: This book has some really great moments, but suffers at a few places. Maybe a certain character isn't built up enough or the plot is wildly unbelievable. Overall, though, the book is a good read.

Three Stars: I couldn't put this book down. This is a book that I want to tell all my friends about.

Four Stars: This is highly entertaining and literary in a way that keeps me thinking long after I've finished reading. This is one that I will want to re-read over and over again and that I'll keep forever.

Five Stars: A book that receives Five Stars is one of my all-time favorite books. It has an engaging plot, superbly written characters, and is a standout in teen literature. Definitely worthy of awards and accolades.