Thursday 17 February 2011

Book Review - The Treasure Map of Boys

Title: The Treasure Map Of Boys
Author: E. Lockhart
Publisher: Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers
ISBN-13: 978-0385734271

Synopsis
Ruby is back at Tate Prep, and it’s her thirty-seventh week in the state of Noboyfriend. Her panic attacks are bad, her love life is even worse, and what’s more: Noel is writing her notes, Jackson is giving her frogs, Gideon is helping her cook, and Finn is making her brownies. Rumors are flying, and Ruby’s already-sucky reputation is heading downhill. 




My Review
Thanks go once again to Janette @ -The Story Realm- for providing me with this book through an awesome competition.
I read the first books in this series 'The Boyfriend List' and 'The Boy Book' last July and tried to get hold of a copy of this one since then so was thrilled when I won Janette's competition and finally got my hands on the book.
I had to try and remember what had happened in the previous ones and get back into it, but as soon as I started reading, I found it all flooding back.
We are back in Ruby's world with all her troubles, she is still treated as a social outcast but from two friends, people still talk about her behind her back and write mean things on the bathroom wall. Trying to appear as a better person is hard work, she has sworn off boys to protect her reputation, but the one boy she really does like is off limits anyway as her friend Nora has had a crush on him forever!
Ruby is still in therapy with Dr.Z who i think is a fantastic character, she is so full of life and really fills the pages, even though she doesn't appear much or really say much, she leaps of the page. Also reading Ruby's observations of Dr.Z can be very funny.
The book is written as if Ruby was talking to you and she has a great sense of humour and an original outlook on life. I found her friend Nora very irritating, and if she was my friend i would have had it out with her long before, she only wants Ruby to do what she thinks is acceptable, what she wants, she just seemed very controlling. 
I loved Noel and all the little notes he left, he has a cracking sense of humour and his comic timing bouncing off Ruby is fantastic.
I could really feel Ruby's confusion over teh different boys, her ex-friends, her current friends, her parents and the world in general it seemed. Everything seems to pile against her and she copes well, but I have to admit if my life was anything like Ruby's, then I would be in therapy too. With questions like - does he like me? why won't my friends talk to me? does the paper made frog mean anything? Ruby has a tough life.
I found this book very easy to read, the writing moves like a conversation and really gives you a taste into Ruby's life and those around her. I laughed out loud and teared up at parts too. Fantastically written Lockhart, I will have to try and find the next book now, as I have found there is a new one called 'Real Live Boyfriends' Can't wait. 

My Rating
I would give this book 8.5/10 get a copy today.  

3 comments:

Leanna Elle said...

I haven't heard of this series before, but it sounds cute. I may just check it out! :)

Anonymous said...

yay!!!!!!! You loved it hehe ;p I actually have not read any of the books,but I have read reviews on Goodreads and now yours, I'll have to read them now lol!

~Jannette~

barmybex said...

yes i really did enjoy it, thanks again Janette!
You really should read them :D