OnlineBookClub.org

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Outshine" by Nola Decker.]

Outshine by Nola Decker is a fantasy novel with 324 pages of action and adventure that will leave you wanting more. This book is full of young adult humor, a little angst, and did I mention action? The narration is done in first person, but each chapter alternates between the main characters. I read this book in two sittings as I found that I could not put it down, and now that it is over I find myself hoping that the author has a second book in store. That is the highest praise that a book can receive, regardless of any other factors. Did you want to keep reading? Did you find yourself wanting to know where the road takes your main characters even after the ending? If you answer yes to both of these questions, like I did at the end of this book, then the author, like Nola Decker, has truly outshined the rest!

Gabe and Jessa are two very different people. Gabe is a social outcast, one who is very shy, and the kind of guy who likes tagging over other people's tags on a wall for the fun of it. He is also "allergic," as he calls it, to any lie or untruth that he comes across. Jessa, on the other hand, is the most popular girl in school, and is the one that every other girl wants to be like. If Jessa rips her pants, as she recalls doing one day, and then puts duct tape over the hole, tomorrow it will be a fashion statement. Jessa also has a secret, (which is why she acts so rude and tries to fit in--so she won't stand out) she is super strong. These are two people who would never be caught dead being seen near the other, but their live's take a turn that neither of them ever could have imagined. One day Gabe's rude, conceited younger brother (who always tortures him, and is the most popular guy in school) comes up missing, and Gabe ends up on an adventure-filled ride with Jessa to try to get him back. Gabe is somehow framed for his brother's disappearance, and wants to get him back to clear his name and to console his mother, while Jessa wants to get him back so that she has the proper arm candy for the upcoming dance. Again, two very different characters, both of which I came to love however. Along the way they find out the secrets behind their "differences," and they are forced to work together VERY closely to protect themselves and the ones they love. It does not take a YA reading genius to figure out that they start to develop feelings for each other, and that becomes a whole other dynamic to this engaging story.

The themes of the book are truth, love, tolerance and acceptance of others, perseverance and free will. Our main characters despise each other, but in the end become very close regardless of their differences. Gabe and his "allergy" are a constant reminder of the truth being critical in word and in action as it affects him greatly when people do not adhere to this. The troubles in both of our main character's lives due to their secrets, and the secrets kept by the ones they love, are also a telling reminder of how deceit and dishonesty destroy the lives of those around us. Our two snarky heroes are also brought to struggle with the question of free will, questioning whether or not they must follow the paths laid out before them for the sake of others, or whether they are free to follow their hearts.

I loved the humor in this book. Young adult humor. Snarky humor. Sarcastic humor. Jessa for instance: "I need to escape this visually-painful purgatory of fashion illiteracy," and, "The bookshop sold some t-shirts with slogans on them--local issues, environmentalist propaganda. Like I give a crap--I'm not a recyclopath..." And of course our truthful Gabe when Jessa is talking him into trouble, "Geez, Jessa, we're not on Scooby Doo. Not interested in being one of those 'meddling kids'." I also love the message of the book. Be truthful, and be who you are no matter what. Treat other people with respect regardless of differences. You can't change the world, especially by force, but you can change yourself. This, coupled with the fact that it was a page-turner, made for a winning read!

What I did not like about the book was that there were times where the narrating was confusing, especially at first. As I mentioned the narration goes back and forth between Jessa and Gabe, and though I actually liked it in the end, it may throw off some readers in the beginning. This is a minor gripe, and mostly just an observation which, if heeded, could keep it from being an issue for new readers. There was also a time in the beginning when it was mentioned that Gabe could not read minds, and then shortly thereafter he got a very detailed "thought" from someone, which, as it turns out, was just an impression of the truth. Ok, so he can't actually read minds, but to say it that close to him receiving such a detailed impression made me think that the author had missed something. The ending was also a little abrupt, and while tied together nicely, definitely leaves you craving more.

Overall, Outshined is a shining example of a light-reading fantasy novel. 4 out of 4 stars. I recommend it to anyone who loves or appreciates the genre, or someone who is looking for a good light-read. You can't go wrong with this book, and I hope that the author has chained herself in her basement to forgo all other aspects of life to bring us a second installment.

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Outshine
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Like Escapeartist's review? Post a comment saying so!

Sounds intriguing. Thank you for a well written and insightful review.

Nice, insightful review with just the right touch of humor. "Like I give a crap - I'm not a recyclopath"...hilarious. You need to find a way to insert this line in every review.

I don't really understand the cover art, but the book looks great all the same.

@gali thank you so much. I really enjoyed the book.
@bookowlie the sarcastic, witty humor was awesome. Right up my alley! The cover art is meant to intrigue, and once you read it, it becomes obvious.

"Recyclopath" I loved that one! The book seems really amusing.
Nice, well detailed review!

@debo9967 ha ha ha, it was quite the line. Thank you so much! There was another one where Gabe saw a beautiful sunset, and then mused about how 14 people were taking pictures and posting the beautiful sight to social media at that very moment ha ha, so true! The author was very clever with the YA humor.

Fantasy usually isn't my forte, but your review has me thinking otherwise. Snarky humor is always a fun quality when reading. Nice job!

For a light-hearted jaunt into the genre, this book would be perfect. Thank you, sphillips, good to know we have another snarky reader in our midst!!!

Great review. It was fun to read and your enjoyment of the book really shines through. I am adding this to my reading list. Wonderful job!

@bluemel4 Flattery will get you everywhere!! Thank you so much, you have great taste in books

This is the first 4/4 review that I've seen. Your take on the text makes it seem accurate. Great work!

Ursula, thank your for the comment. Rating books is hard sometimes, but I loved the book and wanted to know more, not to mention not finding many errors, and therefore I felt it deserved four stars. It's not a sweeping, epic tale, but it did what it was designed for.

This review was so much fun to read! I enjoyed how much your personality was present throughout. And your obsessive enthusiasm for the next installment says so much. I don't think you could have been any more convincing.

@Tanaya wow, thank you!! If my enthusiasm came through then I did my job! After I read a book, I just let my thoughts and impressions pour out of me and only edit for grammar and sometimes a little bit of length (although looking back at them I obviously didn't edit for length very much haha). Thanks again, and I hope the review encourages more readers for the author.

Once again, Escapeartist, you've given us an awesome review! This book sounds like a lot of fun, and I now have a new favorite word: recyclopath!