Sarah J. Schmitt
Författare till It's a Wonderful Death
3 verk 84 medlemmar 7 recensioner
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ACLopez6 | 1 annan recension | Feb 25, 2023 | Mix several cups of drama with a tablespoon of showtime pizzazz and a pinch of romance to get a mix of nerves, concerns, mistrust and simple fun.
Peyton can't believe she was chosen to participate in the first Top Teen Chef cooking show. The prize, a scholarship to a culinary university, is the only way she believes she can escape her otherwise difficult life. But not only her past becomes a part of the show's scripted drama, but the relationships with the other contests are throwing loops she'd rather avoid. Still, she may not be able to if she wants to win the show.
I grabbed this one up with very high hopes, and while this wasn't quite as good as I was wishing it might be, it still held its own. The novel starts at the cooking show, a few moments before Peyton makes her first walk out into the spotlight. Her confusion and nerves are clear as she meets her contenders one by one for the first time. That this isn't only a cooking show but a reality show, the cameras follow them everywhere, the contestants live together, and scenes (faked as also real) play a role. It's cooking with a huge heap of drama...and that's why it wasn't as I'd hoped.
In the first part of the book, we do see Peyton cooking a bit and hear her thoughts as she chooses her recipes. The actual cooking is summed up pretty fast (which it needs to be to avoid boredom), and it is fun to picture her working through the kitchen with the different themes and difficulties. Unfortunately, the cooking only stays front and center during the first part of the book and slowly fades into the background as the drama of the set takes over. Now, drama is necessary to hold the plot. But there are so many plot threads weaving along...or possible plot threads is a better term.
There a many characters, which each bring a different background and twist, but they pop in and out without ever gaining much depth. Peyton has a tough past, but it's basically ignored. Her 'enemy' during the show is never fleshed out or the problem really addressed. The romance is superficial. Friendship is a glance. Even the difficult judge is there as required but without reason. This book could have gone in so many directions and it took none of the paths. What was left was an entertaining read but it lacked any depth...which is too bad because it could have been an awesome read.
Still, I wouldn't say this one isn't worth picking up. It's an easy read with a very quick pace, tons of humor, enough tension to keep those pages turning, and Peyton is a character to like. I did enjoy reading this one and read it in one sitting. It just that it was good when it could have been great. I received an ARC through Netgalley.… (mer)
Peyton can't believe she was chosen to participate in the first Top Teen Chef cooking show. The prize, a scholarship to a culinary university, is the only way she believes she can escape her otherwise difficult life. But not only her past becomes a part of the show's scripted drama, but the relationships with the other contests are throwing loops she'd rather avoid. Still, she may not be able to if she wants to win the show.
I grabbed this one up with very high hopes, and while this wasn't quite as good as I was wishing it might be, it still held its own. The novel starts at the cooking show, a few moments before Peyton makes her first walk out into the spotlight. Her confusion and nerves are clear as she meets her contenders one by one for the first time. That this isn't only a cooking show but a reality show, the cameras follow them everywhere, the contestants live together, and scenes (faked as also real) play a role. It's cooking with a huge heap of drama...and that's why it wasn't as I'd hoped.
In the first part of the book, we do see Peyton cooking a bit and hear her thoughts as she chooses her recipes. The actual cooking is summed up pretty fast (which it needs to be to avoid boredom), and it is fun to picture her working through the kitchen with the different themes and difficulties. Unfortunately, the cooking only stays front and center during the first part of the book and slowly fades into the background as the drama of the set takes over. Now, drama is necessary to hold the plot. But there are so many plot threads weaving along...or possible plot threads is a better term.
There a many characters, which each bring a different background and twist, but they pop in and out without ever gaining much depth. Peyton has a tough past, but it's basically ignored. Her 'enemy' during the show is never fleshed out or the problem really addressed. The romance is superficial. Friendship is a glance. Even the difficult judge is there as required but without reason. This book could have gone in so many directions and it took none of the paths. What was left was an entertaining read but it lacked any depth...which is too bad because it could have been an awesome read.
Still, I wouldn't say this one isn't worth picking up. It's an easy read with a very quick pace, tons of humor, enough tension to keep those pages turning, and Peyton is a character to like. I did enjoy reading this one and read it in one sitting. It just that it was good when it could have been great. I received an ARC through Netgalley.… (mer)
Flaggad
tdrecker | 1 annan recension | Jul 26, 2021 | RJ, Queen Bee and Mean Girl at her high school, never expected life to end at the age of 17. However, the Grim Reaper accidentally takes her soul when a fortuneteller uses her as a shield against him. Highly upset at the consequences of his mistake, RJ refuses to be processed in the afterlife. Instead she insists her soul be returned to her body, and creates a stink about being wrongfully taken to anyone who'll listen.
A Tribunal of angels is convened to rule on her case, and she is given a task to return to three important occasions in her life that could alter her destiny. IF she manages to change the course of her life, and influence others for the good, they will grant her request. If not, she will be shut away for years until her real death date occurs somewhere in the future.
RJ is determined to ace her tests though the Tribunal doesn't seem to want her to succeed. Changing the pattern of the selfish life she'd led on Earth is not going to be easy, but if she wants to live in her own body again she'll have to figure out a way.
Schmitt has a very active imagination, describing Saint Peter, life after death, heaven, hell, and even angels in ways that would never be found in any religious book. Though some conservative types might find her descriptions of RJ's experiences in the after life to be sacrilegious, I found them to be original, highly imaginative and quite humorous.
Recommended for ages 14 and older.
Book review link: https://shouldireaditornot.wordpress.com/2017/05/06/its-a-wonderful-death-sarah-...… (mer)
A Tribunal of angels is convened to rule on her case, and she is given a task to return to three important occasions in her life that could alter her destiny. IF she manages to change the course of her life, and influence others for the good, they will grant her request. If not, she will be shut away for years until her real death date occurs somewhere in the future.
RJ is determined to ace her tests though the Tribunal doesn't seem to want her to succeed. Changing the pattern of the selfish life she'd led on Earth is not going to be easy, but if she wants to live in her own body again she'll have to figure out a way.
Schmitt has a very active imagination, describing Saint Peter, life after death, heaven, hell, and even angels in ways that would never be found in any religious book. Though some conservative types might find her descriptions of RJ's experiences in the after life to be sacrilegious, I found them to be original, highly imaginative and quite humorous.
Recommended for ages 14 and older.
Book review link: https://shouldireaditornot.wordpress.com/2017/05/06/its-a-wonderful-death-sarah-...… (mer)
Flaggad
sunshinealma | 4 andra recensioner | May 6, 2017 | 17 year old Rowena Joy (RJ) accidentally gets taken by the Grim Reaper before her time. It's nothing new in that there are multiple stories where the character dies "before their time on Earth is up", but it's still a very entertaining and quick read.
After a series of deliberations and a deal struck by the devil on her behalf, she is allowed to return to Earth and replay three critical moments in her life. If, as a result of these replays, the world becomes a better place, then she will be allowed to remain on Earth.
This book provides perspective into the consequences of actions without being preachy, and I think it will appeal to many middle school readers.… (mer)
½After a series of deliberations and a deal struck by the devil on her behalf, she is allowed to return to Earth and replay three critical moments in her life. If, as a result of these replays, the world becomes a better place, then she will be allowed to remain on Earth.
This book provides perspective into the consequences of actions without being preachy, and I think it will appeal to many middle school readers.… (mer)
Flaggad
JRlibrary | 4 andra recensioner | Sep 11, 2016 | Listor
Statistik
- Verk
- 3
- Medlemmar
- 84
- Popularitet
- #216,911
- Betyg
- ½ 3.5
- Recensioner
- 7
- ISBN
- 11
- Språk
- 1
This book is very light and fun--centered on a teen reality TV cooking competition, our main character is Peyton, a girl from a small town looking to earn a cooking scholarship. Peyton is imperfect, and is relatable as a result. While she has a father in prison, and a mother who is described as depressed and reliant on her sister, Peyton doesn't want to earn a scholarship through playing up her background--she wants to use her cooking skills. As it is centered on a reality TV set, there is lots of drama, and many little twists, but all around it's a solid book and quick read for students who are interested in cooking at all.
The only complaint I would have is that the pacing and character development feels odd at times. For example, Inaaya, who is described as Peyton's closest friend on the show, is cut from the show without the reader being able to see the how or why behind the decision, and is then barely mentioned until the closing scene--would love to see more on their friendship and more humanizing of each character! The pacing towards the end also appeared rushed at times, but the moments of food description helped slow it down and give the reader a sense of closure.
I do not see myself teaching this text necessarily, but I would love to keep a copy in my classroom for students to access.… (mer)