Second Skin Review

Second Skin by Jessica Wollman

Publisher: Delacorte BFYR

Release date: July 14, 2009

Source: Bought

Beauty is only skin deep. Popularity goes much deeper. . . .

Appearances can be deceiving. Sam Klein’s found that out firsthand. All she wanted was to be popular. But sometimes what we want is the absolute worst thing for us.

Sam discovers that Kylie, It-girl of Woodlawn High, owes her popular status not to her expensive clothes, highlighted hair, and spot on the cheerleading squad but to a magical second skin. Nobody can actually see it—but they can feel it. And if you’re wearing the skin, you feel incredible. Invincible. Popularity is yours.

So Sam stole the skin from Kylie. Now she’s the most popular girl at school, while Kylie’s social life takes a serious hit. Sam can barely recognize herself. Her old geek clique is history—but are her new friends really people she can count on? The skin is clinging tighter to her each day . . . can Sam get it off before it’s too late?

Review:

Well Second Skin was… interesting. That’s all I can say. I didn’t enjoy it, but I didn’t dislike it. The whole book revolved around the main character, Sam, who was obsessed with popularity, popular people, and being popular herself. I understand at times some people will wish they were more popular, but for Sam it was her life. She secretly disrespected her best friends, hated her parents, and scorned herself. I just didn’t like Sam at all. The fact that when the chance came for her to actually be popular- she takes way too much advantage of it, and I think everyone forgave her way too easily.

Sam was really mean to her friends and completely ruined Kylie’s life, but for some reason everyone still liked Sam after everything was over. Sam was terrible to her friends and even broke her best friend’s heart, and I think everyone got over it too easily. Sam jumped from one group of friends to another and one boyfriend to another with a snap.

Now I don’t want to completely smash this novel, because I think the premise was an original idea. Second Skin also showed that popularity isn’t as great as it seems and that people aren’t always how they appear. I’m happy with Kylie’s decision in the end, but for some reason wished everyone had just turned against Sam. I know that sounds mean- but I really felt she deserved it, after she ruined so many lives and was so horrible to everyone. All in all, I wouldn’t really recommend this. It was a quick read, but one I didn’t really enjoy. It was a original idea, and possible worth a read if popularity is up your ally, but I just didn’t get anything out of it.

Overall: 3 out of 5 stars