Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Review: The Improbable Theory of Ana and Zak by Brian Katcher


The Improbable Theory of Ana and Zak by Bryan Katcher
Published: May 19th, 2015 (Katherine Tegen Books)
Pages: 336
Source: ARC via Edelweiss
Series: NA
Buy the book: Bookdepository
Rating: ★★★★☆


It all begins when Ana Watson's little brother, Clayton, secretly ditches the quiz bowl semifinals to go to the Washingcon sci-fi convention on what should have been a normal, résumé-building school trip.

If slacker Zak Duquette hadn't talked up the geek fan fest so much, maybe Clayton wouldn't have broken nearly every school rule or jeopardized Ana’s last shot at freedom from her uptight parents.

Now, teaming up with Duquette is the only way for Ana to chase down Clayton in the sea of orcs, zombies, bikini-clad princesses, Trekkies, and Smurfs. After all, one does not simply walk into Washingcon.

But in spite of Zak's devil-may-care attitude, he has his own reasons for being as lost as Ana-and Ana may have more in common with him than she thinks. Ana and Zak certainly don’t expect the long crazy night, which begins as a nerdfighter manhunt, to transform into so much more…

The Improbable Theory of Ana and Zak quite possibly has the most improbable storyline I could've come up with, but somehow, it works. It's geeky, silly, and at time makes no sense, but I enjoyed every moment of it.

Both Ana and Zak are a bit of an outcast, both geeky in their own way. Ana is always top of her class, has a bazillion extracurricular activities and is pushed by her parents to be as perfect as possible. Meanwhile Zak is somewhat of a slacker, failing his health class and trying to dodge his mom's new husband who is trying to make him into something he's not. Ana has no free time -- Zak has too much free time and loves everything geeky. Strategy games, costumes, nerdy cons: he loves it all. But he especially loves Washingcon, the annual sci-fi convention in Seattle. But when his health class teacher tells him he is failing his health class and only joining the quiz bowl team will help him pass his class, all his plans fall apart. Because the quiz bowl team semifinals are the same weekend as Washingcon, and there is no way out of the quiz bowl activities for Zak. His Washingcon plans straight down the drain.

But Zak loves Washingcon so much, he talks about the event non stop, motivating Ana's brother, Clayton (who is also on the quiz bowl team), to sneak out and find out about the con himself. What ensues is a hilarious Clayton hunt across the entire con. Turns out Zak is some kind of legend at Washingcon -- who knew? Along the way, Ana and Zak get to know eachother and it turns out they aren't so different after all. They both struggle with pain, loss, and trying to fit in.

Both Ana and Zak go through a motion of development in this book, even though the biggest portion of the story is set during the first day of Washingcon. Ana learns to let her hair down. It's okay to be different, to have fun, to get out there. It's not the end of the world if you break a few rules. Meanwhile Zak learns to reign it in a bit. They kind of balance eachother out because they understand eachother.

By far my favourite thing in this book is the geekiness. I loved all the cosplay, the nerdy references (even if I didn't understand where half of them came from), the silly dialogue and the hilarious plotline. In any other book, it would have made no sense, but it works in this one. The setting combined with some of the wacky characters passing by is fantastic and I really enjoyed reading about all these characters who were so different but also so alike. There's one particular scene near the end of the book where Ana teams up with Strawberry to distract a cleaning guy that had me snorting up my drink through my nose -- something I don't intend to repeat. The silliness was hilarious and I found myself laughing out loud several times while reading.

While I would have loved to have felt some more chemistry between Ana and Zak, I think their story is really well done. I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Improbable Theory of Ana and Zak: quirky, goofy goodness. Like!


16 comments:

  1. This is a fun read lots of goofy action, maybe a little too goofy, and some character growth. It's a fun rump through a weekend toward the senior year.

    Penelope
    Web Marketing Indianapolis

    ReplyDelete
  2. I want to include some information from this book to my handmadewritings dissertation writing at handmadewritings. Thisbook is extremely useful and interesting for my research. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  3. It seems you are a good book reviewer, but the annotation doesn't persuade me to read it. Will check another reviews in your blog. From another hand I am just writing a psychology dissertation conclusion, and every reading may seem dull for me.

    ReplyDelete
  4. laptops spearheaded the convertible portable workstation, with a pivot that gives the show a chance to flip the distance around to make a tablet, or stop at a tent or show mode in the middle.
    laptop brand reviews

    ReplyDelete
  5. There is genuinely very little you can't do with a portable workstation. The main real distinction is that you can take your PC anyplace, and that is something worth being thankful best laptop brands

    ReplyDelete
  6. we were really back to those old days We wanted to choose the best products for complete care
    For Home & improvement
    Visit best sleeper sofa beds

    ReplyDelete
  7. hey Guys we have here To tell You about our cabs service are avilable for mumbai to mahabaleshwar
    Mumbai To mahabaleshwar

    ReplyDelete
  8. For those who’ve only wistfully watched Bollywood versions, the Bombay-to-Goa road trip ought to rank among the best of its kind in India. Mumbai to Goa Cab

    ReplyDelete
  9. The most suitable way to travel is by booking a taxi from mumbai to goa cab

    ReplyDelete
  10. Advantages of taking solution from buytube.in

    At buytube.in we are giving the finest social media solutions for you as well as likewise in a budget-friendly spending plan. You can purchase YouTube sights & clients, Instagram shoutout, and also the fans in Twitter with buytube. buy indian youtube views

    ReplyDelete
  11. Purchase google map surveys for a positive effect to your potential customers for a advanced what's greater, easy methodology.
    buy google 5 star ratings

    ReplyDelete
  12. Give your talent wings and apply for freelance model jobs, singing jobs for live concerts, anchors for events & shows.Apply for makeup artists jobs, freelance singing jobs and for other artists jobs.
    makeup artist jobs

    ReplyDelete
  13. Wish the new moms with unique gifts and thoughtful gifts for their new beginning of motherhood. gifts for beer lovers

    ReplyDelete
  14. Watch the best youtube videos, amazing memes, viral trending news , Indian news here. Watch viral and trending news here at first. Get some amazing viral and trending content only for you. upcoming web series

    ReplyDelete
  15. Best motivational, friendship quotes & status. Stories, suvichar & thoughts in hindi, shayari. All these quotes are free, share the best inspirational quotes. suvichar in hindi

    ReplyDelete
  16. One stop place for the best tech review site, best gadget, home appliances reviews site, electronics reviews etc. best electronics products review sites

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...