Harry N. Abrams 2014
A-
The Basics:
Maddie, Angela and Zoe have moved on to college and their first year apart. Their friendship continues through the IMs and texts we’ve been privy to through their high school years, as they face and share their new challenges as adults.
The Downside:
The attitude of our beloved Internet Girls when they discuss the now-infamous date rape scene comes across as more or less, “we’re glad you’re okay, and we’re not going to say it was your fault… but we’re totally thinking it.” Because of Myracle’s stellar track record for frank and sensitive handling of female sexuality, I was a little disappointed. Though, for the same reason, it’s easier to overlook that moment in favor of the many better-handled parts than it might otherwise be. I’m also compelled to call out yet another instance of the pop-culture convention which drifts ever further away from reality, by which all normal people of any intelligence at all are entitled to go live in student housing at four year universities straight out of high school no matter their families’ income or attitude toward their ambitions.
The Upside:
All problems aside, YOLO is a worthy continuation of the series. Fans will love the reunion with the trio and the chance to watch them grow up a little more. The magnificent balance between zany humor, serious content, and ultra-realist IM dialogue that always made the series special remains as magnificent as ever, and the format keeps it a lightning quick pageturner.
Agree? Disagree? Comments are always welcome! Or keep up with my fictional musings by joining me on Facebook, on Twitter, or by signing up for email updates in the panel on the right!