Airhead (Airhead #1)

Reader reviewed by Yan

It makes me wonder at points if this book had not been written by Meg Cabot, would it have received the same amount of attention? Certainly, for me, the summary and title/cover would not have interested me as much. A bit generic and a tad cliche, Airhead was nothing jaw-dropping.

I never seem to enjoy Cabot's series, mostly her stand alone books, and Airhead backs up that thought. Nothing really held my attention for more than that actual page. That is not to say that Airhead was awful. It wasn't. It just was not substantial.

Emerson Watts was a conflicting character for me. Sometimes I like her, and others I do not. Her sudden new appearance results in a sudden new rush of male attention. Of course, Em receives it with open arms. I kind of understand it since she never had such a romantic life but it gets too much. I just wish she stops fawning over so many guys--behave yourself girl!

When I first encountered Lulu, I hated her. Pompous cheerleader with a pea-sized brain, her attitude made me gag. But I gradually came to terms with her and found myself liking her (who knows why).

Em's family I really did quite like. Her little sister had spunk and sass and both parents were sweet. And Cosy was squeal-worthy. Adorable!

It was an on again off again for many of the characters. Appear in one scene just to disappear for another five.

Overall: Airhead shows potential but nothing more.

Reader reviewed by Sara

From inside cover: EM WATTS IS GONE. Emerson Watts didnt want to go to the new SoHo Stark Megastore grand opening. But someone needed to look out for her sister, Frida, whose crush, British heartthrob Garbriel Luna, would be singing and signing autographs there along with the newly appointed Face of Stark, teen supermodel sensation Nikki Howard.

How was Em to know that disaster would strike, changing her and her life as shed known it forever? One bizarre accident later, and Em Watts, always the tomboy, never the party princess, is no longer herself. Literally.
Now getting her best friend, Christopher, to notice that shes actually a girl is the least of Ems problems.

But what Ems pretty sure shell never be able to accept might just turn out to be the one things thats going to make her dream come true&

NIKKI HOWARD IS HERE TO STAY.

I started this book, then forgot it in my car and forgot to read it for quite some time. Doesn't bode well for my review, huh? Actually - it was by far NOT my favorite Meg Cabot book. However, by the end, I was kind of getting into it. I will be reading the next story about Em (Being Nikki), but it isn't on the top of my To Read Pile.

Basically, Airhead is about a girl, tomboy Em Watts, who is involved in an accident that kills her - or at least her body. At the same time as Em's accident, the current teen sensation, model Nikki Howard dies - internally. Em's brain is put into Nikki's body. The story pretty much goes from there, doesn't have any twists, and isn't as funny as Cabot's novels usually are.

Another issue I had with Airhead was that Em seemed to be bit one note. I felt like the story never developed, Em was a broken record with her complaints and observations.

I did enjoy some of the minor character though, like Em's sister, Frida, and Nikki's best friend, Lulu. They showed a lot more dimension than Em/Nikki. I especially liked Frida's strong will and Lulu's wise advice about boys.

Finally, near the end, Em (in Nikki's body) goes back to her old high school as a new student and tries to be friends with her old best friend/secret crush, Christoper. I was interested in this part of the plot, but otherwise, I was disappointed.

I still love Meg Cabot though - this book just wasn't for me.

Ratings (Out of 10):
Plot: 6
Characters: 6
Writing Style: 9
Romance: 8
Memorable: 5
Total: 34/50 (C-)

I would recommend getting it from the library, but I wouldn't rush out and get it or anything. Instead read Cabot's Mediator series or her Heather Wells mysteries!