The only reason you need to read this book: Antsy.I adore Antsy. I was giggling through this whole book, in spite of the exaggerated situations and over-the-top scenarios. Antsy and his family are going on an all-expenses paid cruise with Old Man Crawley and Lexie to celebrate his 80th birthday. On board, Antsy meets a stow-a-way, Tilde who has some big (more than slightly illegal plans). Antsy knows he should run the other way, but that's never been his style. Such a fun read. I enjoy Antsy's ponderous moments about bigger issues and I thought the subplot with Howie was sweet and well-played. I like the way Neal Shusterman writes. Easy to read and relate too. Plot moves quickly. You guys! I had no idea what I was getting into when I agreed to review this book for the publisher. All the feels!The main character, a teen male, named Antsy (his short for Anthony) had absolutely no filter. He said things just the way he saw them. He was also quite sarcastic and would drop lines always at the wrong moment. But I grew to like him because he had a huge heart. According to his mother she raised him well by putting the "catholic guilt" in him.Here a few of my favorite lines:"In my neighborhood, however, the Fourth of July is all about broken rules and losing fingers.""Howie and my dad lost to a caveman in a Speedo. Don't try to imagine it; it will only bring you pain."Some of the few things that were hard for me to take were the lies. Since the book is from Antsy's pov you discover the lies with him and also get to feel betrayed and hurt a lot. But like I said he had a big heart and was quite forgiving when you look pretty.There was a bit of cursing which took me by surprise but it wasn't gratuitous.The chemistry inside Antsy's family was quite entertaining and his relationship with old man Crawley was just golden. I think old, cranky and sly man Crawley was my most favorite character.I loved that the author made all the cruise's stops as authentic as can be for someone like me who has never been on a cruise before. I also appreciated the fact that he didn't come up with an easy solution for the stowaways since they were trying to get into the US illegally.This was a really good book to read but it was a little bit much for me to take emotionally. Think of this as Twerp times two, in a teen environment complete with some romance, kissing, and lies.I know this is a companion book to two others, one of which is a high middle grade. But you don't need to read those two to enjoy or understand this one.
Do You like book Ship Out Of Luck (2013)?
The last chapter was particularly disappointing.
—canoncowgirl
