Publishers Weekly
Like the film Mean Girls, Valdes-Rodriguez's (The Dirty Girls Social Club, for adults) first YA novel offers a hip, contemporary close-up view of power struggles and social cliques at an upper-crust high school. Paski (short for Pasquala), a native of Taos, N. Mex., gets a dose of culture shock when she moves to Orange County, Calif., with her cartoonist father, who has just landed a plum animator job. The 16-year-old soon finds out that in her new environs, wealth and outer beauty seem to count for everything. ("The cars the kids drive are nicer than the cars grown-ups drive back in Taos," Paski observes when she catches her first glimpse of Aliso Niguel High.) Trouble arises when Paski's biking skills and good looks catch the notice of heartthrob Chris Cabrera, who dates Jessica Nguyen, the most popular (and feared) girl in the school. At the same time that Jessica threatens her ("Stay away from Chris or you'll be very, very sorry," the girl warns), Paski has a premonition that something terrible is going to happen to Jessica during an upcoming race. The appeal of the novel comes from the author's mix of alluring elements exotic, well-defined characters clad in designer fashions, luxurious settings, dark foreshadowing and intensely romantic scenes. Although the ending reflects fulfilled desires rather than real life, readers will likely take delight in seeing the good guys and the bad guys get exactly what they deserve. Ages 15-up. (Oct.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
School Library Journal
Gr 9 Up-When her counter-culture artist dad makes a film deal for his comic strip, 16-year-old Paski moves from comfy Taos, NM, to Orange County, CA. Her down-to-earth lifestyle hasn't prepared her for the pace of money-conscious southern California, or for the perfect-looking, incredibly wealthy teenagers who rule the school. Here, she is discriminated against not for being Mexican American, but for her digs (a luxury apartment). During a raucous party, her escort slips a date-rape drug in her soda, and she is pushed into the pool by beautiful, popular, and unflinchingly ruthless Jessica, resulting in a hospital visit. Still, Paski can't ignore the sizzling attraction she feels toward Jessica's boyfriend or the persistent visions (it's the family gift) that she's been having of Jessica wiping out during a motocross race. Valdes-Rodriguez includes all of the snarky hip commentary and girl-friend focus that defined her titles for adults, packing in explicit descriptions of clothing, home d cor, and sex. Paski's first-person narrative is lively and honest, as she faces difficult situations and learns to trust her instincts. Her relationship with her permissive, doting father is described with humor and warmth. Basically, this is a chick-lit version of magical realism, as Paski, the golden Latina, uses her fabulous good looks, super mountain-biking skills, and psychic visions to arrive at the top of the heap.-Carol A. Edwards, Douglas County Libraries, Castle Rock, CO Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
Kirkus Reviews
Confident, athletic and acutely psychic Paski must deal with a new world when her cartoonist father uproots her from sleepy Taos, N.M., moving to Orange County, Calif. Paski finds much there to enjoy, but can't avoid dealing with three popular girls who have money, looks and power and who hate her on sight. Worse, she's falling in love with the boyfriend of Jessica, leader of the pack. Even worse, Paski has enormous talent in motocross, the sport in which Jessica is the world famous national champion. As events unfold, Paski learns that people are not always as they seem, and that hatred can be deadly. The zippy prose and dialogue ring true, peppered with comic scenes involving Paski's insecure father. This first YA offering from veteran author Valdes-Rodriguez has the potential to reach a wide audience, although its length will discourage many reluctant readers who might otherwise enjoy it. (Fiction. YA)
JUN/JUL 07 - AudioFile
Cliques and the quest for popularity are the focus of HATERS. Teen Paski Archuleta’s move from Taos to California is anything but smooth. Johanna Parker’s arch tones carry listeners through Paski’s encounters with an obscenely wealthy group of girls known as the “Haters” and her crush on motorcycle bad boy Chris Cabrera. Paski’s droll wit, her father’s “puppy dog” sweetness, and Chris’s deep voice make this production enjoyable, despite the story’s plot problems. Mixed messages about materialism and morality, as well as a descriptive sexual passage, target an older teen audience. They’ll also enjoy the parade of fashion and privilege among the financially elite. C.A. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine
