Customer Reviews

Are U 4 Real?

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Both Kyla and Alex are lost. They feel so alone, despite everyone around them, and don't have anyone that truly understands their uncertainties, fears, and insecurities. Both deal with their feelings in different ways. For Kyla, it's partying and the never ending parade of guys. Alex, an introvert, seeks comfort in ballet. When they meet up in an online chat room, they find understanding and acceptance in each other. But despite their connection online, meeting face-to-face is different, and they find that neither of them are exactly the same as they are online. Can their relationship endure?

Written by Sara Kadefors, a Swedish author, Are U 4 Real was originally published in Sweden and is its bestselling YA novel of all time, and with good reason. Kyla and Alex's characters are full of depth and dimension, from Alex's uncertainties about dancing and wanting to discover his true motivations for continuing it, to Kyla's confusion and her fierce protectiveness and independence. Both Alex and Kyla are struggling with their identities and figuring out who they are and who they want to become. Their efforts and the pressures exerted on them don't always make them the best people, and they continually mess up in their search for acceptance. Both make mistakes, and both learn how to correct them and admit they were wrong, which is one of the most important and endearing aspects of the novel. Kadefors also deal with the issue of coping, and demonstrates how different people can be, despite how they may feel inside.

Despite the writing being occasionally vague and slightly bumpy in spots (which may be a result of how the novel translated into English), Are U 4 Real is a realistic, straightforward, and appropriately and believably complex novel for anyone who has ever felt alone in life. It's a book about reaching out, searching for connections, and learning how to deal with differences and mistakes. Are U 4 Real? is as genuine as it gets.

Alex and Kyla are two teens from California who meet on the computer and develop a close friendship. Though their online relationship is growing, it hits a brick wall when they meet in real life because they are so different.

Alex is a shy ballet dancer while Kyla is a wild party girl. With these huge differences, will their relationship survive?

ARE U 4 REAL? was originally published in Sweden in 2001, so it does sound a bit outdated in parts, but overall Alex and Kyla's story is one that readers can relate to. It's a smart novel with family issues, relationship drama, and other situations that teens could easily picture themselves in.

Reviewed by: Angela S.

I've been eagerly awaiting the time that I would finally be able to read this novel. Since, the premise sound interesting and the cover is one word: adorable! Lucky for me, this novel defiantly came close to my expectations and was one cute book!

In Are U 4 Real? you became involved in the two main characters- Kyla and Alex- struggles and issues that are present in their complex lives. These two are people who many can possibly relate to in some ways. For example, Alex deals with bullying at school and the consequences that come from being a male ballet dancer while Kyla is reeling from her mother's depression and the father who is not that present in her life. While I always like Alex, it was a bit hard to like Kyla at times. For one, she wined a bit too much for my liking and that constant winning lead to her making some choices that were not very good. Plus, I hated the generalization that Sara made throughout this book which was if your not living the best possible life and have to deal with issues you fall into skanky behavior and a slight drinking problem. It was just annoying. Other than those two things, I truly did come to like both characters by the end, and the message they brought out in the end "Be yourself and don't let anyone stop you from being who you want to be."

The plot in this book was fast paced and constantly made you wonder if Alex and Kyla were ever going to be together. Also, I loved how emails and instant messages were incorporated in the book's main plot, because they brought a realistic feeling to the book.

Overall, Are U 4 Real? is a sweet romance type book that many teen girls will come to enjoy. Though, I highly suggest you should see if your library has it before you buy it, because it seemed at times that it wouldn't be worth the full 16.99 price tag.

Grade: B

This book was awful! I found it painful to read, it got worse as it went along. The charecters were under developed, and the friends were brats. to much drama, and no connection. I can write better. i hated it.

The Good: I could not put the book down. I have no idea why. I just had to read it even though it was already 1 in the morning on a school night, I just had to find out what happens next.

I thought Alex was a pretty cool character. I mean, you don't see many male ballet dancers much, so I thought that really added some originality.

I could definetly see why it was a best-seller in Sweden, and that is always a hard thing to transfer to a different country. So... good job.

The Bad: I was so incredibly dissapointed with this book! With all the awards that it recieved (it's the top-selling book in Sweden for goodness sakes!), I would've expected some better quality of writing.

The characters are a little under-developed, but mostly the supporting ones. Kyla's friends... I just wanted to just SLAP them!! Or cut up their credit cards... I'd go with the second, because I'm sure it would be more painful for them. I am VERY surprised that Kyla could put up with them. If I were her, I would've been like, "WTF Be-yotch?!" a long time ago.

Kyla's mother... hmm. I liked how she actually tried to not be depressed for her daughter's sake, but I never fully understood why she was depressed in the first place! Is it because her husband left her? Is it because her career is over? Or is it because she has such a wild daughter? All I'm asking for is a sentence of why she so depressed!

I could go on and on about what I disliked about the characters. I mean, there is a difference from being flawed because your human, and flawed because the author put too many unlikeable traits because she was trying to make them real!! And Are U 4 Real? falls into the later.

One more thing, the online conversations were just driving me CRAZY. I know people don't spell all the words out, but it drove me insane. Also, most of the emails (not all) were corny. I guess wildly romantic in Sweden translates into very corny in America.

I know I had some for complaints about this book, but my eyes are burniing and my head feels like it's being ripped open because I am sick so, I'll stop here.

My point is that I wouldn't recommend this book, but hey, that's just my opinion. If you are still interested, go ahead and buy it. Just don't have too high of expectations.

Overall: Personally, I think they shouldn't have translated the book into English. I am sure that it is very amazing book in Sweden, but I just didn't see it. That's the one thing I don't like about translations, it could gain you international reconization or it could totally bomb. I guess you know which category I placed it in.

Grade: C-