Review: I'm With Stupid

Book three of the Felton Reinstein series
By Geoff Herbach
Available now from Sourcebooks Fire
Review copy
Read my review of NOTHING SPECIAL

I love when a series ends this well.  Felton Reinstein has come far from the dorky, bullied kid he once was.  But at the same time, he's still awkward and anxious with a legacy of depression and addiction.  Just now he has fame because he's one of the best high school football players in the country and he's choosing which college he'll play ball for.

I love how detailed the setting of I'M WITH STUPID is.  Over the three books, Felton has come into contact with a wide range of people in his hometown of Bluffton, Wisconsin.  Many of those people's stories come into play in this final book.  For instance, Felton's friend Abby becomes important as she starts to fall apart following her parents' divorce.  Her issues and Felton's dovetail in a very destructive way.

Felton is at heart a decent, nice person, but he gets angry and doesn't always think things through.  He's the kind of character you want the best for, but he's prone to making mistakes and his support network is pretty distant.  I worried for Felton as he started turning to alcohol to handle his emotional issues.  I had to keep taking small breaks because it seemed as if he was going to ruin his life just when he had so many chances.

It's the rare book that can make me sympathize with the main character so much and feel so deeply.  As far as I know, Geoff Herbach is not going to write Felton's college adventures.  I'm very satisfied by this sendoff, but I'll miss the character, his friends, and his unique voice.  I'M WITH STUPID confirms that this is one of the best YA series out there.  I highly recommend all three books.  Any of them can standalone, but why miss one when they're all this good?

Review: Nothing Special

By Geoff Herbach
Available now from Sourcebooks Fire
Review copy

Geoff Herbach follows his excellent debut STUPID FAST with another tale about Felton Reinstein and his family.  Felton went to being unnoticed (except by bullies) to being a track and football hero.  His younger brother, Andrew, remains uncelebrated.  Then Andrew runs away to Florida and Felton follows.

NOTHING SPECIAL is told as a long, journal-like letter to Felton's girlfriend Aleah, who isn't talking to him.  He's recounting his current journey to Florida as well as the one he took earlier in the year.  Felton, charmingly, doesn't censor his weaknesses and low points.  He ain't perfect, but he's honest about being selfish and thoughtless sometimes.  What's really sweet is he seems to think he's the only person in his life who can be accused of narcissism.  Felton's voice, as in STUPID FAST, is direct, funny, and the perfect blend of self-aware and completely clueless.

Fans of the first book will be happy to spend more time in Felton's head, but NOTHING SPECIAL is welcoming to new readers.  There might be some questions about Felton's father or other minor bits of continuity, but there is no complex mythology to follow.  It's a book about siblings - and other relations - and most everyone can relate to that with or without the backstory.

I honestly don't have much more to say than that.  Herbach is a great new talent and I can't wait to read his next book whether it involves Felton or not.  (But I definitely won't say no to reading about Felton's adventures in college.)  NOTHING SPECIAL will appeal to contemporary lovers, particularly those looking for a book that isn't about romance.

STUPID FAST Cover

Sourcebooks has been asking readers about their covers on their Teen Fire ning. Sounds reasonable to me, considering how much readers complain about covers.

Currently, they're asking for input on the cover of STUPID FAST by Geoff Herbach.

Either #1 or 2 would catch my eye.  #3 both has too much going on and a lame color scheme.  As for representing the content, the blurb is available if you follow the link.  It pushes me towards picking #2.

How about ya'll?