DNF Review: Wild Cards

Author: Simone Elkeles
Date of Publication:  October 1, 2013
Pages: 342
Source: Library

After getting kicked out of boarding school, bad boy Derek Fitzpatrick has no choice but to live with his ditzy stepmother while his military dad is deployed. Things quickly go from bad to worse when he finds out she plans to move them back to her childhood home in Illinois. Derek’s counting the days before he can be on his own, and the last thing he needs is to get involved with someone else’s family drama.

Ashtyn Parker knows one thing for certain--people you care about leave without a backward glance. A football scholarship would finally give her the chance to leave. So she pours everything into winning a state championship, until her boyfriend and star quarterback betrays them all by joining their rival team. Ashtyn needs a new game plan, but it requires trusting Derek—someone she barely knows, someone born to break the rules. Is she willing to put her heart on the line to try and win it all?

Review:
I’m going to start this review by stating that I’m a huge Simone Elkeles fan. I've been one since I read Perfect Chemistry for the first time in 2009 and that respect and absolute devotion has never wavered, even now.

From the title of this review, you can tell that I wasn't impressed by Wild Cards. The book is introduced to the reader as YA contemporary fiction romance based around a football team. The female protagonist is a tomboy captain of the boys' varsity football team, Ashtyn. That’s pretty kickass if you ask me, but Ashtyn was anything but. 

The downfall of this story stared with its premise and football playing Ashtyn. Immediately, I envisioned something like Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally. What I got was a lot of telling that Ashtyn was a state level football player but I didn't see any football. 

I didn't much care for any of the characters. They were all very stereotypical: jocks, cheerleaders, 20 year old bimbo step-moms. Add some angst, instalove, family drama and there you have it.

The story felt very awkward which was probably a result of Ashtyn and Derek's awkward relationship. Step-aunt and Step-nephew. That wasn't really the awkward part though; this could've made for a few funny situations. It was mostly the characters themselves. All Ashtyn did was brood about her bad family situations, her gloomy boyfriend and how Derek should stop looking at her because she hates him but she can't stop herself from wanting to be held by him.

As for "bad boy" Derek; expelled from private school, Derek: all he did was rake the leaves, wear cowboy boots, have an estranged relationship with his grandma and oh, paint the outhouse. 

From the first meeting, there was something wrong with the two of them. They never actually sit down and talk to each other. All their conversations result in a brawl, where they are plain mean to each other. Then somehow they fall in love, but she already has a boyfriend and he doesn't want a relationship. Oh boy.

It did have some positives and that goes to Ms. Elkeles’ skill of keeping the reader engaged. Despite not caring much for the characters or plot, I still felt driven enough to continue reading for as long as I did. The writing was great, clear and vivid, as one would expect. 

Wild Cards isn't a bad book at all, but it fell flat to my skyscraper expectations and that's okay. Many others have enjoyed it and maybe I will too if I ever come back to it. I’m still looking for that great YA sports novel and this one missed that mark. 

-MARI

10 comments:

  1. Oh, too bad you didn't enjoy it too much Mari. I really enjoyed the antagonistic relationship at the start, but it petered out towards the end and got boring. There was a lot of flaws to this novel but I didn't rate it too harshly because I think it was what I was looking for at that time. Great review!

    Jeann @ Happy Indulgence

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    1. I think I built this one up too much in my mind, to the point where it couldn't compete with the image I had in my head. It was still fun though and I'm glad you enjoyed it more.

      -Mari

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  2. Aw :( I haven't read this one yet but it was high on my TBR since like you I loved the Chemistry series. Sad to hear that it disappointed. I haate storylines where the girl leads another guy on while having a boyfriend. Sounds like the romance was a bit erratic, aghh

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    1. It's too bad I was also very excted about this one, but maybe you'll enjoy it. I think the key is to have an open mind and be in the right mindset. Hopefully, Simone's future books make up for it though, as I love her books.

      -Mari

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  3. I was disappointed by Wild Cards. I feel like if you read one of Simone Elkeles you've read them all. It's so predicable. It feels like the same story that she has been telling. I get it. It's a decent story but I feel like I already read it.

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    1. I know what you mean. Simone's book offer me comfort and they are cliche but they work. Unfortunately, this one didn't.

      -Mari

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  4. Great review Mari, very honest!

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  5. It seems like fans of Elkeles' previous series have been less enthusiastic about this book than newcomers. I've seen several fans who didn't like this book after loving the Perfect Chemistry books; I did really like this book and look forward to the next in the series. Hope your next reads are better!

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    1. I'm glad you liked it. There must be something there but I can't really grasp it... Hopefully the next one is better as Simone is still a fantastic writer and I have faith :)

      -Mari

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