Tori's Review: Girl Parts by John M Cusick

Obtained: ARC Tour
Genre: Young Adult
Series: 
1. Girl Parts

John's Website
Buy it via the Publisher
Buy it via Amazon

Hardcover - 240 pages
Price: $16.99
ISBN 10: 0763649309
ISBN 13: 978-0763649302
Released: August 10, 2010

"Hello, David. My name is Rose. It’s a pleasure to meet you. We are now entering minute two of our friendship. According to my Intimacy Clock, a handshake is now appropriate…"

David and Charlie are opposites. David has a million friends, online and off. Charlie is a soulful outsider, off the grid completely. But neither feels close to anybody. When David’s parents present him with a hot Companion bot to encourage healthy bonds and treat "dissociative disorder," he can’t get enough of luscious red-headed Rose — and he can’t get it soon. Companions come with strict intimacy protocols, and whenever he tries anything, David gets an electric shock. Severed from the boy she was built to love, Rose turns to Charlie, who finds he can open up, knowing Rose isn’t real. With Charlie’s help, the ideal "companion" is about to become her own best friend.

In a stunning and hilarious debut, John Cusick takes rollicking aim at internet culture and our craving for meaningful connection in an uber-connected world.

My Rating:

My Opinion:
I was so excited to read this book! I figured it would either be an interesting read, or it would be a guy's ultimate fantasy. And since it's a YA, I figured it would lean more towards the former... since sex, sex, and more sex = no no for YA.

The start of this book--in David's POV--felt more like the type of read a male would enjoy. "Cool kid" trying to get laid, major jerk to his peers, is rich and deemed a troubled child. Now he gets a female companion that he wants to bone.

My suspicions were confirmed within the first half of the book. Say hello, everyone, to David, our spoiled rich kid we follow around. Though I suppose I don't give the boy justice. He was a sweetheart. He did have a few redeeming qualities when he was with Rose. He was likable. But then something happens, and I hated him on multiple occasions. You'll probably dislike him too.

Rose was nothing but a puppet when with her lover boy, and I did not connect with her. However, we soon see a change after a drastic event that connects Rose with Charlie, the reject/sweetheart. I began to like Rose more after this point. I even liked Charlie. The two were cute together, and I definitely got a protective vibe from Charlie; he went out of his way to help Rose, thus making me respect his character that much more.

The story is written in a way so that you feel like someone's actually telling you what's happening, instead of feeling like you're the character and experiencing what they experience. I was disappointed in this aspect, and was also confused; was this story supposed to be specifically about David and Charlie, or was it supposed to be about Rose? I still have yet to figure it out upon reflection.

GIRL PARTS is a bit strange because it follows David and Charlie in the first few pages, but then the overall story switches to Rose and what's happening to her. Despite that strangeness, I liked that this book lightly (major emphasis on lightly) explored depression and a society obsessed about computers. I'd be amazed if robots were as realistic as Rose.

There's humor in this book too! But I think it might be a bit crude for some people. The teenage boys talk about boobs and getting ass--and yes, I admit that Cusick surprised a giggle out of me with the boob joke. You also read about Rose still adjusting to human language, and how awkward she is. You can't help but laugh while you read the start.

The start and middle aside, I'm going to backtrack to Rose and the end of the book. Usually I will not complain about a book's ending because, well, I love cliffhangers. If a book truly mesmerizes me, the cliffhanger intensifies the wait I experience. I think about the book more, too. I start to make up my own "what ifs?"

This ending? Pardon my language, but what the fuck?

I mean, damn, the only reason I began enjoying the book was because Rose finally started growing a backbone. She was developing into an interesting character. And then to end it the way it ended, leaving me wondering what the hell happened to her while the two boys just went back to living their lives?

Not cool. I am dissatisfied. It didn't feel like an actual ending.

Anyway, GIRL PARTS was an interesting debut with some laugh out loud funny moments. I would like to read another book by this author, despite my dissatisfaction with the book's execution. It's definitely a new and unique approach to YA, and I think it's accessible to both sexes (though I'm convinced guys will love this story more at the beginning). Suggest you read it if you're looking for something that's not your typical YA read.