Jinx

I hate to admit it, but this is the first Meg Cabot book that I have read. I own many of her books, but I have never read them. I enjoyed Jinx. It’s not overly complicated or highly original, but I still liked it. The inside flap makes you think there will be something devious and “sinister” hidden in the plot, but really it’s nothing more than a jaded, spoiled, rich teenage girl pretending to play “witch-believe” with several equally snotty friends. The only thing sinister would be the personality of Tory, Jinx’s NY cousin. Talk about a character! If I had met this girl in high school, I could only imagine how awful my memories would be. Wow.
Tory is by far the best description of a woman scorned I have read in YA fiction—witch craft aside, of course. On a human level, Tory is despicable. Back stabbing, deceitful, envious. The whole nine yards. She is pure evil in the disguise of outward beauty. Her friends were equally disgusting, although they weren’t mentioned much in the book. I got the impression they were meant to be more like groupies than supporting characters. For all of the negative vibes you got from Tory, Jinx gives you the exact opposite. She is the image of mid-west innocence; after all she is a preacher’s daughter. The quaintness of her character, combined with her gorgeous natural curly red hair make her an easy target for Tory’s wrath. Plus, it doesn’t help that Tory’s secret love is head-over-heels for Jinx. The characters were decent. You certainly felt sorry for Jinx during all of her mishaps, and you couldn’t help but dislike Tory. Unfortunately, that’s where the charm ends.
The plot is pretty predictable. It’s a classic case, really: Pretty girl doesn’t realize she’s pretty. Pretty girl falls into the trap of equally pretty girl with disgusting personality. Pretty girl unknowingly wins heart of handsome boy. Love triangle ensues. Mean girl gets what she deserves while pretty girl realizes she has self worth and falls for handsome boy. The end. Yep, that’s pretty much it. Granted there were a few twists along the way, but nothing overly exciting. I did like that Zach (said handsome boy) seemed like a complete charmer. He had some personality traits that made him very likable. There were a few scenes in the book that had potential to be suspenseful, but it seemed like the majority of the story only skimmed the surface and never fully dove into a deeper plot. For a younger reader I’m sure it would be satisfying, but I like a little more depth in my reading material. Of course, I probably shouldn’t have expected anything more than what I got considering I bought this book for my classroom library.
Overall, it was a fun, quick read. I enjoyed it. I’m sure if I was a middle school girl I would be enthralled with this novel. I would probably even imagine Zach Efron’s face for Zach in the book… if I were a middle school girl. But, alas, I’m not. (I really couldn’t imagine anyone that I felt would fit the characters when reading the book.) I gave the book 3 stars because it was decent. There were some funny parts that made me chuckle, and the descriptions were well written. My visualization abilities were working in overdrive throughout most of the book. However, it wasn’t exactly “mature” content like the jacket flap implied.

Reader reviewed by Ruthie

I love Meg Cabots writing and this book was no exception. The story was great! It gave off a very Halloween-esque vibe but could also be comfortably read in any season. Plus, the characters were animated! Jinx was so innocent and shattered inside to the point where you couldnt help but love her&and her romantic interest ;) . She had strong feelings about witchcraft although she tried to stay away from it. In the end, as any good coming-of-age main character must do, she came to terms with herself. Oh, and the ending was very well-put. It left an unclear fog in the plot which I thought made great detail. It left you to do some thinking. If you see this book lying around, I suggest you to pick it up.

Reader reviewed by Agustina Gonzalez

The book contains as others pervious books from Meg Cabot, humor, drama, and love. It was a very good book, I laugh in most of it. And the ending was perfect. Cabot couldnt have a better book, yet.

Reader reviewed by Sara

From inside cover:
"It's not easy being Jinx.
The only thing Jean Honeychurch hates more than her boring name (not Jean Marie, or Jeanette, just... Jean) is her all-too-appropriate nickname, Jinx. Misfortune seems to follow her everywhere she goes - which is why she's thrilled to be moving in with her aunt and uncle in New York City. Maybe when she's halfway across the country, Jinx can finally outrun her bad luck. Or at least escape the havoc she's caused back in her small hometown.
But trouble has definitely followed Jinx to New York. And it's causing big problems for her cousin Tory, who is not happy to have the family black sheep around. Beautiful, glamorous Tory is hiding a dangerous secret - one that she's sure Jinx is going to reveal.
Jinx is beginning to realize it isn't just bad luck she's been running from. It's something far more sinister... and the curse Jinx has lived under since the day she was born might just be the only thing that can save her life."

This wasn't my favorite Meg Cabot book. Jean, aka Jinx, wasn't really a character that I felt a connection with. In fact, I found her a bit dull and not very bright. It was, however, interesting to read a Cabot book that had a bit of a "magical element" in it... but I think her books that lacked the element were much better. The love interest aspect of the story was okay... Jinx was kind of clueless in this arena... and not in a good, cute way... in an annoying way. 5 out of 10 stars for Jinx...

Reader reviewed by hpatel

This book starts off as a girl named Jean--nicknamed Jinx--moving into her aunt's house in New York from good old Hancock, Iowa. She has to leave for a "reason" that is related to her family ancestry. When she reaches her aunt's house, she thinks all of her past is left back in Iowa. Guess not. Her cousin Tory also knows about the magic that lies in the two girls who are descendants of a great and powerful witch. But when Tory tries to go too far with her magic, Jinx has to learn to embrace her powers to stop her. I thought this book was very entertaining. It kept me reading to the end. I reccommend the book to anyone who likes fantasy and suspense.

Reader reviewed by Jazmin

When she was born a lightning struck the lights went out and ever since then she became known as Jinxs. Supposubly she is a witch. Her cousin Tory is Jelous of her because she knows that she has powers and Tory doesn't. Every second Generation of girls/boys get their powers inherrited.

I would recommend this book to anybody. I think anybody can read it. Believe me if you like witchcraft stuff and proms/spring formals then this book is for you. I really enjoyed this book. This book is like part Romance so some people may like it.

Reader reviewed by the book muncher

Jean Honeychurch has been nicknamed Jinx, and not without good reason. From the moment of her birth, bad luck and misfortune has followed her everywhere. Jean is relieved that shes moving to New York City to live with her aunt and uncle, because maybe then she can have a new start. But unfortunately for Jean, bad luck cant be shaken off by fleeing halfway across the country, some people will stop at nothing to get revenge, and secrets are meant to be discovered. Jean is going to have to learn to embrace her gift if shes ever going to survive life in NYC.

I found Jinx to be a cute story even though it was flawed. Firstly, Jeans character was a little confusing at some times. The way she talked about her oh-so-dreaded secret from her hometown made it seem like it was something extremely incriminating, but when that secret was revealed, I didnt find it to be that horrible. Strangely, my favorite aspect of this novel was Jeans cousin Torys diabolical character. It kept some surprises and twists in the plot. I actually liked her (in a way) much better than Jean, who just seemed a little too trusting and quick to dismiss that certain boys might actually like her. All this together made for a mildly amusing story.

I wont say Jinx was my favorite of Meg Cabots books, but that doesnt mean I didnt enjoy it. If you like books about witchcraft or are a die-hard Meg Cabot fan, then you should read Jinx.

reposted from http://thebookmuncher.blogspot.com

Reader reviewed by Ashley S.

A recent released book called Jinx by Meg Cabot is a spellbinding story about confidents, self esteem, adapting to new settings and getting over your fears. This book does contain people using drugs, so it does show how drugs can affect a person. Jinx is the unwanted nickname of a flaming red haired girl named Jean, who in her past caused so mischievous that, leads her not to believe in her powers or herself. Almost as soon as the story starts Jean moves in with her aunt, uncle, and their family in their nice New York City house which happens to be the opposite of Jeans house that is located in the country.