Non-angsty YA! Okay, it's a little angsty, but there's not that whiny tone that drags down so much YA. The story is told through three narrators and bracketed by a fourth. Each voice is distinct and spot-on. Also, that guy I had a total crush on in high school? I wasn't even a blip on his radar. I understand that now. ( )

Having never heard of THE ABSOLUTE VALUE OF -1, I had no expectations as I cracked the cover. Not one. Which is why I was shocked to discover that this novel, Steve Brezenoff's YA debut, has landed squarely on my Best of 2010 list.

The novel is divided into three main sections - one for each character - but the first and last pages are told by Suzanne. I'll admit to being a bit confused when I saw her name printed largely on the first page... there's no mention of a Suzanne in the description. It doesn't take long to figure out who this mysterious narrator is, but it takes the majority of the novel to make sense of her role and meaning to each of the main characters.

I ended up preferring Lily and Noah over Simon. I appreciated seeing the events unfold from each POV, but Simon set me on edge. Even at the end of the novel, I wasn't completely sure I understood his motivations, which made is actions difficult to reconcile. In the end, I resigned myself to disliking his character, which was difficult for me because I can't help but try to connect with each character, even in a small way.

I found it easy to identify with Lily. She's the typically high school girl, in love with a boy who is oblivious to her. Or worse, is completely aware and chooses to act oblivious. I feel confident saying that every girl feels like a Lily at some point, whether it occurs in high school or later.

Noah was my favorite character, though it's hard to say exactly why. Part of me wonders if it's due to the fact that he had the smallest section. It's almost like when you meet someone for the first time and you think they're pretty cool, but then, the more you get to know them, the more you're aware of their flaws. And then they just don't seem so cool anymore. Simon and Lily's flaws were painfully clear, while Noah was just a stoner boy with an unrequited crush. He was much easier to like. Maybe I would have ended up liking him less if he was more of a focus, but I still can't help wanting to hear more of his story.

THE ABSOLUTE VALUE OF -1 is unflinchingly honest and beautifully written. I'm very curious to see what Steve Brezenoff offers next, but, in the meantime, I'll be pondering this novel's final pages... ( )

I enjoyed the experience of reading this book--each character's point of view was credible and unique and gave an interesting interpretation to the truth. The story leaves me thoughtful and interested. ( )

(3.5 stars, rounding up because it picked up at the end)This book got off to a slow start for me. I found Lily interesting in a fairly abstract way, but I never found her or her story compelling.It really picked up for me when the book switched viewpoints, and I started to see Noah's perspective on some of the same events. If anything, Noah is a less interesting character, but the shift really pulled me in.Then we got to Simon's section. I hadn't been interested in him either, but once I saw his perspective, and the parts of the story that his friends didn't see, his was the best part of the book.His was also the most touching and the most real, since he was dealing with significant personal issues. He could have (and often did) hide from them, but in the end, they found him.I do wish that the book had completed the circle and returned to Lily's POV. I think I would have appreciated her more at that point. All three characters were fairly shallow, self centered teens. Personally, I didn't like the casual smoking and drugs in the book. I'm not saying it was unrealistic or shouldn't be there, but that did cut down on the personal appeal of the book.In the end, I found the book interesting and well executed. I think the slower first part was necessary to get there. ( )

The Absolute Value of -1 shows the reader different points of view from four characters. Three characters perspectives on the same period of time is used throughout the majority of the book whereas the fourth character leads the introduction and then brings about the end of the novel.

Brezenoff did an astounding job with each of his individual characters. To read the same thing occur three times and in such different ways, it was written extremely well. The characters of Noah, Lily and Simon are brutally honest in their own versions of the story. Most likely anyone who reads this can relate in some way to at least one of the characters in the book, wether it be through drug use, abuse, loss of a loved one, friendship, or relationships.

On the outside they seem to be three best friends, but when each p.o.v comes around the reader sees that not only is friendship involved, by love, lust, pain, hurt, fear and multiple other emotions for each of them.

Overall Steve's YA debut is a wonderful book that I am so glad I had a chance to read.

*This book may not be appropriate for younger ages due to the heavy use of language and the use of drugs. ( )