Review: Multi-faceted Gem
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 08 14, 2013
"Friendzoned" is a neat little story on a couple of levels.  If you have never read anything by this author, then you are in for a treat as a pair of popular girls (Keely and Darla) take it upon themselves to help their gawky and socially inept friend Becky finally get the attention of the boy of her dreams, Mitch.  Hilarity ensues.  Darla and Keely force Becky to recognize certain things about herself and her life and do so in some unconventional but kindly ways.  This is not "Carrie", despite Becky's initially cautious and snarky reaction to the popular girls and their fabulous friends taking an interest in her dreary life.  Becky, for her part, turns out to be a much deeper and more thoughtful girl than you might first assume, and no, her weight is not her only challenge.  Kudos to the author for not taking the obvious route with her stepfather, but no spoilers.On the other hand, if you are a fan of PS Power and you have been following events in the Keelyverse, then "Friendzoned" becomes almost a "Where's Waldo" of spotting Greater Demons and laughing at those crazy sisters, Darla and Keely.  Didn't know they were secretly related?  Read the other books and the humor becomes more obvious.  This story intersects neatly with the last book in both Zack and Keely's respective series, and keeps the hope alive that we will continue to see both of these fan favorite characters in the future.This story is short but doesn't seem that way, and compares nicely to Mr. Powers other coming-of-age book, "Crayons".  If you like "Friendzoned", then read "Crayons" as well, by the way.