Rajiv's Reviews

Cursed! My Devastatingly Brilliant Campaign to Save the Chigg by Idabel Allen - Book Review

Release: February 4, 2018

Format: Kindle

Publisher: JKS Communications

Source: NetGalley

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Synopsis: Eighth grade was to be Ginny Edgar's best year ever! The creative genius and future award-winning zombie screenwriter/director/producer assured her parents she was older now, and more mature. There would be no more outbursts in class or trips to the principal’s office. No more food fights. Of course, Ginny has no intention of following through with these promises. And when Ginny's friends abandon her after an ill-fated adventure, her eighth-grade year goes straight down the pooper. That’s when Ginny sets about befriending eighth grade's freakazoid #1 - Carrie "Chigger" Larson – whether the clown-haired sourpuss likes it or not!  An outcast with a dark family history, the Chigg reluctantly turns to Ginny and an insulting Indian soothsayer to unlock the mysteries of the Larson Curse believed to be responsible for the death of Chigger's father. The devastating truth they uncover not only threatens their friendship but their very lives! Does Ginny have what it takes to help Chigger put an end to the Larson Curse and discover the true meaning of friendship, all while writing the most zomborrific movie screenplay of all time? You know she does.

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About the Author Idabel Allen: Idabel Allen serves up the best in new home cooked Southern Literature in the tradition of Eudora Welty, Charles Portis, Willam Faulkner and Flannery O'Connor. Besides,Idabel brings over fifteen years of experience as a professional writer and editor to the literary table. Also, She attended the Iowa Writers' Workshop Fiction program and is the author of Headshots, Cursed! My Devastatingly Brilliant Campaign and Rooted. Idabel's books are available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble and independent bookstores across this fine land. When not burrowing in the written word, Idabel is generally up to no good with her family, dogs and herd of antagonistic cows.

    To be honest, I picked up this book mainly because I loved the quirky cover. Initially, I didn’t expect much—the title felt long, silly, and confusing. However, once I started reading, I was completely hooked and finished it in one sitting. Overall, the book delivers a wildly entertaining mix of plot, characters, and dialogue. For instance, it features a zombie-obsessed girl, a Western-style villain, a voodoo woman, and a supposedly cursed girl. At first glance, these elements seem unrelated; however, the author blends them seamlessly into a fun and engaging story. In particular, the standout character is Ginny (aka Lady Godzilla). Her bold, hilarious personality brings every scene to life. Even during tense or frustrating moments, her sharp and funny remarks keep the tone lively. Additionally, the supporting characters—like Mr. Lan, Starla, and even the Chigger—add to the book’s charm. Moreover, the story balances humor with darker tones. While Ginny’s scenes feel lighthearted, the mood shifts effectively during Della’s diary entries, adding depth to the narrative. Ultimately, this book turned out to be a delightful surprise. Any story that makes me laugh out loud earns high praise. I highly recommend it and would easily rate it 5/5 ⭐.

Cursed! My Devastatingly Brilliant Campaign to Save the Chigg

by

5
5 out of 5 stars
Cursed! My Devastatingly Brilliant Campaign to Save the Chigg  book cover

Synopsis

"Eighth grade was to be Ginny Edgar's best year ever! The creative genius and future award-winning zombie screenwriter/director/producer assured her parents she was older now, and more mature. There would be no more outbursts in class or trips to the principal’s office. No more food fights. Of course, Ginny has no intention of following through with these promises. And when Ginny's friends abandon her after an ill-fated adventure, her eighth-grade year goes straight down the pooper. That’s when Ginny sets about befriending eighth grade's freakazoid #1 - Carrie "Chigger" Larson – whether the clown-haired sourpuss likes it or not!  An outcast with a dark family history, the Chigg reluctantly turns to Ginny and an insulting Indian soothsayer to unlock the mysteries of the Larson Curse believed to be responsible for the death of Chigger's father. The devastating truth they uncover not only threatens their friendship but their very lives! Does Ginny have what it takes to help Chigger put an end to the Larson Curse and discover the true meaning of friendship, all while writing the most zomborrific movie screenplay of all time? You know she does."

Release
Format Kindle
Publisher JKS Communications
Source NetGalley

My Review

 

 

To be honest, I picked up this book mainly because I loved the quirky cover. Initially, I didn’t expect much—the title felt long, silly, and confusing. However, once I started reading, I was completely hooked and finished it in one sitting.

Overall, the book delivers a wildly entertaining mix of plot, characters, and dialogue. For instance, it features a zombie-obsessed girl, a Western-style villain, a voodoo woman, and a supposedly cursed girl. At first glance, these elements seem unrelated; however, the author blends them seamlessly into a fun and engaging story.

In particular, the standout character is Ginny (aka Lady Godzilla). Her bold, hilarious personality brings every scene to life. Even during tense or frustrating moments, her sharp and funny remarks keep the tone lively. Additionally, the supporting characters—like Mr. Lan, Starla, and even the Chigger—add to the book’s charm.

Moreover, the story balances humor with darker tones. While Ginny’s scenes feel lighthearted, the mood shifts effectively during Della’s diary entries, adding depth to the narrative.

Ultimately, this book turned out to be a delightful surprise. Any story that makes me laugh out loud earns high praise. I highly recommend it and would easily rate it 5/5 ⭐.

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