Blaze (or Love in the Time of Supervillains)
Blaze is tired of spending her life on the sidelines, drawing comics and feeling invisible. She’s desperate for soccer star Mark to notice her. And when her BFF texts Mark a photo of Blaze in sexy lingerie, it definitely gets his attention. After a hot date in the back of her minivan, Blaze is flying high, but suddenly Mark’s feelings seem to have been blasted by a freeze-ray gun, and he dumps her. Blaze gets her revenge by posting a comic strip featuring uber-villain Mark the Shark. Mark then retaliates by posting her “sext” photo, and, overnight, Blaze goes from Super Virgin Girl to Super Slut. That life on the sidelines is looking pretty good right about now…
The second I saw the cover and read the synopsis I knew I wanted to read this book! It sounded cute and funny! So I’m excited to share my thoughts with you today and have Laurie Boyle there with a phenomenal Guest Post! Oh and.. I have a Giveaway!
Blaze – Geeky, Nerdy and so cute!
When I meet Blaze I knew I was going to like her! She was quirky, funny, snarky totally geeky and a true Nerd! She loves Comic – the old ones, the original ones and she LOVED to talk about them. And that, even though her friends sometimes roll their eyes at her. But, that’s her passion and that’s her world. I love her for this! Blaze never had a real boyfriend so she falls head over heels when the cute Soccer Trainer of her brother shows interest in her. In that sense, she was a little naive, but totally understandable and genuine.
Blaze and the Boys!
And.. I don’t mean the boyfriend boys, but her kid brother and his friends. Blaze drives them constantly around and to Soccer practice and seeing them interact was the cutest and most heart warming ever. Blaze loves and adores her brother and of course also the other way around. Even the other boys love Blaze fiercely. They would go through fire for each other. This was one aspect of the book I loved the most, the relationship between Blaze and the boys!
Blaze , Love, Bullying and bad choices..
Sadly for Blaze the whole first boyfriend situation goes totally wrong and Blaze finds herself being a target from the whole school. I found the story to be filled with great topics and issues Teens these days most definitely have to face. There is a lot of bullying and social media danger that was delivered in a hurtful, but genuine way. We feel with Blaze when everything goes downhill and we desperately hope for everything to be better… Of course, Blaze makes some bad choices along the way, but I totally think Teens in her situation might have done the same..
But, fear not.. the ending was just as amazing as the whole story and I can wholeheartedly give this book 5 stars of awesome!
Bewitched Rating
Bottom Line
Blaze by Laurie Boyle Crompton was a surprisingly refreshing story about bad choices a hurtful first love story and how bullying can destroy people. Blaze is a cute geeky girl who easily got a place in my heart and her story touched me, made me laugh and just made me happy. I’m excited I got to meet Blaze and I would love to meet her again 🙂
And now, I’m excited to hand over to Laurie Boyle Crompton on ..
Why My Character is “Comic Book Cool”
Blaze’s character showed up in my mind like Blam! Pow! “Tell my story!” She’s really into comics and is sort of stuck in her life as an outsider, but she isn’t ashamed of being a geek. She displays her superhero buttons proudly and is constantly drawing and reading comics. I couldn’t wait to write about her. Of course, working on a project where studying comic books counted as research was a bonus!
My step-father has this Ah-mazing! collection much like the one Blaze’s dad has in the book and I remember staying up late at night reading through stacks of them as a kid. I would try to tell my friends about these awesome characters like the Silver Surfer and Iron Man, and I’d even try to imitate Thor’s Norse God way of speaking. This was before the movies made these guys more mainstream and I was definitely on the fringe with my obsession, but when I’d find another comic book nerd we had an instant bond.
As I was writing, Blaze surprised me when she fought back against Mark the way she did and I knew at that point I could just allow her character to take over. Of course things don’t go as she plans, but no matter what tight spots she finds herself in, she uses comic books to guide and empower her. Readers who aren’t into comic books will definitely still enjoy Blaze, but my hope is that she will inspire them to check out comics for themselves, too!
Images copyright © 2012 Anne Cain
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I haven’t read Blaze yet, but I definitely want to read it. Who wouldn’t, after that blurb and guest post?
And I totes love geeky girls, since I am one as well. Geek girls unite!
Grace Lo recently posted..On My Mind (5): Bad Behavior, Bad Behavior Everywhere
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I want to read this because I adore geeky girls. I am one, and I’m dating one too.
Thanks so much for the giveaway!
Jillyn recently posted..Barbie Girl by Heidi Acosta
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I do love geeky girls, being one myself. I really want to read this because I used to read and like comic books but ultimately was driven away by the terrible sexism throughout the mainstream industry. I’ve gotten a bit back into them now with being able to find comics online that doesn’t have the “every woman has no spine to give the boobs & butt shot, which of course are size HH, and wearing heels” going on.
Anyways, I’m curious to meet Blaze and what her views/comics are like and to see how the whole slut shaming gets dealt with here.
Brooke Banks recently posted..Around the Blogosphere: Live To Read: 100+ Book Giveaway Month!
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I love geeky girls~~~ I also love any stories with a strong female character who would stand up for herself~ I think it was why I liked Blaze instantly. Really want to read the book!
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Geeky girls rock!!!! 😉 I am really interested in this book. It sounds different from other books I’ve read and I’m really excited to learn more about Blaze. Just her name is freakin’ awesome!! lol
Thanks for the chance & good luck everyone!!!
Rose. P recently posted..January 2013 Recap
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I love geeky girls and comic books so I definitely want to read this book!
Great blog post…and thanks for an awesome giveaway =)
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This sounds even better than I imagined! Original and refreshing and fun – like the cover!
kay @ Infinite Curio recently posted..Filling the Shelf – 89
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I AM a geek girl, and I totally get how passionate she gets about things other people think are weird!
Sounds like a wonderful meaningful contemporary:)
Lovely review!:)
Thank you:)
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Blaze is such a cute geeky girl! And she knows not many people can understand her love, but she doesn’t care. This is who she is – period!
Hope you’ll love it!
Danny recently posted..Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi
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I’ve been hearing really good things about this book. It sounds like fun! I’m definite;y adding it to my TBR.
Lori recently posted..Waiting on Wednesday (112)
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I really think this might be a great book for you!!
Danny recently posted..Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi
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I’m about 30% through this and she’s just falling for Mark, despite Josh’s warnings…I can see bad things on the horizon for poor Blaze. But I’m really enjoying it (I had to put it aside when SCARLET dropped in my box yesterday but I’m definitely picking it back up!).
Mary @ BookSwarm recently posted..Waiting on…THE OATHBREAKER’S SHADOW by Amy
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Oh yes I know….. Poor Josh tried sooo hard to warn her about Marc the Shark!! I’m also reading Scarlet right now!!!
Danny recently posted..Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi
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Yayyyy So glad you loved this one! I thought it was really great, and lots of realistic issues to talk about, but still keeping it light at times with all the superhero themes 🙂
Brittany @ The Book Addict’s Guide recently posted..The Scorpio Races – Maggie Stiefvater
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Ahh I’m so excited to hear that you also loved it”!!!! It was the perfect blend of seriousness and fun!
Danny recently posted..Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi
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I saw this one on NetGalley Danny and am BEYOND bummed that I didn’t request it! Clearly it’s brilliant and I need to buy myself a copy asap. I adore a geeky girl as I am one myself, so I’m already pretty much in love with Blaze, and feeling mighty protective of her given what happens with that picture. Poor girl!
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I know!! I also nearly passed on this but then I got it and I was sooooo happy I read it!!!! YES we are all small Geek girls and yes, I also felt very protective of her! She’s so cute in her nerdiness!!! YOU will love it!! A must read Jenny!
Danny recently posted..Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi
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I really loved reading Blaze too! She was so quirky and fun! Her bad decisions broke my heart, but in the end, it made her such a strong person and character!
I am so excited to be able to go to Laurie’s signing this Thursday! I can’t wait to see the finished book with all its illustrations!
Great review, Danny!!! 🙂
Margie aka The Bumble Girl recently posted..Waiting On Wednesday #46: Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
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Yes you are right! She grew and she knew that she made some bad decisions and just faced the consequences!! Love her so much!
Totally need my on finished copy!
Danny recently posted..Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi
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Blaze seems to make up half the population of girls I know today. I cannot wait to read this book! It seems that this is a story that a lot of us can relate to! Thanks so much for the giveaway! Good luck all!
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Yes, this is SUCH a great book! I loved the whole sibling relationship. And I was SO mad at her friend who took the pic. What a freaking IDIOT! I just felt horrible for Blaze! Fantastic review!
Candace recently posted..Review: Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys
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I was squealing when I saw your review yesterday and that you also gave it 5 stars!! It was soooo awesome!!! And YES her friend *frowns* that was so bad ;((
Danny recently posted..Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi
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I am a geek myself and a huge comic books lover, so I’m sure I’ll relate to Blaze in more than two ways 😛
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Do I like geeky girls? I better, I am one. Especially with books. That’s why I’m a blogger so I can be geeky with other bloggers! No one else gets me!! Well, maybe my 13 yr old son, he’s taking after me (YAY!). I’ve read Blaze the arc but I need to see the artwork and I want a copy for myself. It’s an amazing story and I have some girls in the neighborhood I want to read it. Some for a cautionary tale and some to help them out with a similar situation.
Heather
hrose2931 recently posted..Blaze (or Love in the Time of Super Villains) by Laurie Boyle Crompton Review
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Ahahah we are review twins Heather!!! I just read your review and sooo happy you loved Blaze like me!!!!
She was such a acute character and I loved her so much.. Oh and the boys!!! The boys were cute and so protective of her!
Danny recently posted..Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi
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I’ve been super excited to read this book for weeks. I read the sample on Amazon and fell in love with the story as soon as I read about the game Cows and Blaze’s interesting strategy to win. Plus, Mark the shark is an awesome villain name! Thanks for the giveaway!
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I adore nerdy main characters, and Blaze sounds like a lot of fun to read about! Funnily enough, I didn’t actually know what this book was about until now, even though I’ve seen the brilliant cover around plenty of times. I really like the sound of it. 🙂 Great review and thanks for sharing!
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Haha this happens to me constantly. I see a book and never really read the synopsis or truly get what it is about! This one was fantastic and I hope you are going to read it Sam!
Danny recently posted..Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi
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Blaze sounds really interesting and I’m a geeky girl! 😉 Thanks for the giveaway!
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I want to meet Blaze because she sounds just like my friends! (Up to and including her love of comic books and love of family) I bet we’d get along great if she was in the real world.
Bookish in a Box recently posted..Supernatural Saturday Review: Spell Bound (Hex Hall #3)
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Okay I agree it had me at sidelines and drawing comic a LOL!
Alice
Alice M recently posted..More Beautiful Cats with Unconditional Love up for adoption
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I am a geeky girl too. I would love to read this book. Tore923@aol.com
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I’ve read books about geeky girls but never about one who was so into comics and I love that since I also love comics, would definitely love to check this out! 🙂
Charlotte @ Gypsy Reviews recently posted..Book Review: Notes from Ghost Town by Kate Ellison (#09)
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Omg, I’d love to. I’m a geeky girl, and proud of it! This book sounds amazing!! Thanks for the giveaway! (:
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So, I’m a super geek. I’ve played video games since a child and until recently played them daily. I would totally get hooked on another video game, but I fear for my house if I leave my toddler unattended for more than 5 minutes. He got into my office today and removed every book on my bookshelf that he could reach. Being a little OCD with my books, I’d rather them sit on the floor than put them back on the shelf out of order.
‘
Anyways, I definitely plan on reading Blaze. Sooner rather than later if I win the giveaway. *wink*
Lizzy recently posted..Comment on 10 Questions You’re Too Scared To Ask – Michael Cargill by Lily
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I think I’m President of the geeky girls club!!!
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The moment I saw it on goodreads I was already sold from the cover itself but when I read the synopsis I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. I love geek girls too so I highly recommend you to read geek girl
Thanks for the giveaway! I wish I win.
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I can’t wait to read this one. I was always the geeky girl growing up. :). Awesome review.
Jenea @Books Live Forever
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I’d love to read this book! Awesome giveaway 🙂
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I’d love to read this book! I consider myself a proud geeky girl. And this book sounds different from everything I’ve read before.
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i want to read it because I absolutely loved the blurb 🙂
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I am a geeky girl myself and I love reading stories about geeky girls (it’s a nice change from the popular girl) Can’t wait to read Blaze and Thank you for the gievaway!
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I think I want to read blaze because it has this superhero/villian edge going on, like real superheroes 😀 It just sounds a bit cheesy and I love cheesy!
MaijaS recently posted..DIY Wednesday: Beaded bracelet
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Love your giveaway thanks!
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This book looks really interesting! Also, I am a geeky girl at heart and right on the surface as well. <3 geeky!!!
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I think I can relate to Blaze pretty well! I’m a geeky girl at heart, and I’ve also been waiting for the guy to notice me (although I maybe wouldn’t sext him, but well) and I’d love to see that play out! Sounds like a really funny story.
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