Book Review: Jinx by Meg Cabot
In which we learn Meg Cabot is human…
So now that we are back, I thought I’d start things out with my trademark bang and do a negative review! And not just any review! Queen Meg, she who created Amelia Mignonette Thermopolis, Princess of Genovia, as well as my future boyfriend-on-the-side Michael Moscovitz, she failed me here.
It’s only happened once. Let’s discuss and then realize that this exception proves the rule of her awesomeness and move on.
Book Rating: lower than it should be
Book Jacket: It’s not easy being Jinx.
Jean Honeychurch hates her boring name (not Jean Marie, or Jeanette, just . . . Jean). What’s worse? Her all-too-appropriate nickname, Jinx. Misfortune seems to follow her everywhere she goes—even to New York City, where Jinx has moved to get away from the huge mess she caused in her small hometown. Her aunt and uncle welcome her to their Manhattan town house, but her beautiful cousin Tory isn’t so thrilled. . . .
In fact, Tory is hiding a dangerous secret—one that could put them all in danger. Soon Jinx realizes it isn’t just bad luck she’s been running from . . . and that the curse she has lived under since the day she was born may be the only thing that can save her life.
Book Review: My problem with Jinx is that Jean Honeychurch (aka Jinx) did not seem all that jinxed to me. In fact, she had a lot going for her! This naive country girl managed to move to an awesome townhouse on the Upper East Side (69th Street, obvs), snag a super hot guy, learn to use her magical powers for good (double obvs), and generally do lots of triumphing (I’m not ruining anything), all while complaining about how jinxed she was.
Ad nauseum.
I will admit. There are still moments of Meg Caboty goodness. “It wasn’t until the old lady and her pet rat passed all the way by that I heard the click.” Hehe.
She mostly came off as a bit of a klutz. But in that adorable endearing way, where men, her family, random strangers!, just want to save her! And naivety is only attractive so long as it’s relateable. I may have wanted to shake her.
I think it comes down to the fact that this sweet uprooted girl was just a little too down on herself and a little too nice. I was glad when she grew a backbone, but she needed to grow an edge too. Where was the Lily Moscovitz sidekick – or even the Princess Mia? – when I needed her.
Nowhere, that’s where. Which is why I will now set this book aside and contemplate whether to watch Princess Diaries 1 or 2 this evening.





Feb 04, 2013 @ 23:46:00
Jinx is definitely not my favorite Cabot book. I didn’t hate it or anything, but it just wasn’t as awesome as some of her other books. I’m actually read How to Be Popular by Cabot right now. Well, I’m listening to it on audiobook. So far I like it, but I’m not very far in.
My least favorite Cabot is She Went all the Way. Have you read that? It’s an adult book.
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Feb 11, 2013 @ 15:30:23
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