Serena is the best fried to Kori, the eccentric, totally out of the ordinary girl who everyone talks about, either good or bad. Whereas Serena is the tag along, her and Kori became friends at a young age and have been inseparable ever since. Not only are Kori and Serena always together, getting into trouble or getting out of trouble, but Serena has started acting like Kori. Trying to be as brave and as daring as her and even dying her hair. Everyone says they look alike and they even have the same birthdays, they were destined to be friends.

Serena’s life gets turned upside down when Kori’s life is taken away and Serena is left to fend for herself and determine her fate alone. Serene encounters strange situations that she would never put herself through, but she knows Kori would, so she trys new things, meets new people, and ultimately betters herself because of it.

I actually really like this book. I love that it is real and so similar to ups and downs of life as a teenager. Its about best friends and how far one will go to be there for the other, whether they are actually really there or not. ( )

It's really good...it really shows what goes on in high school. [It was compelling] when Kori was killed and Serena really wanted to finish Kari's list. Loved it! AHS/CD

Reviewed by Sally Kruger aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com

What happens when the only person you think understands you is gone? It happened to Serena when she lost her friend Kori.

Her friendship with Kori started just a short time ago, but the two have come to almost define each other. Serena not only adopted Kori's look and style, but also gained her protection and support. Both girls struggle with family issues, but life seemed a bit easier when they could escape together.

Kori brought out the wild side of Serena. There were late night rendezvous, smoking, tongue piercings, and plans of a tattoo. Serena became more of a risk-taker and more sure of herself when Kori was there. Serena had other friends, but everyone took a step back when the two girls were together because their connection was special. The already rocky relationship Serena had with her mother became even edgier when her mother demanded that the two girls not see each other.

The accident was a shock to everyone. The ride Kori accepted with Parker became her last, and it left Serena with a feeling of responsibility to complete the tasks left undone by her friend. It was obvious from the funeral and memorial tribute that Kori's family didn't know her like Serena did, which meant that only Serena knew what to do to honor her memory. But when Serena began to check off the tasks on Kori's list, she began to uncover secrets about her own life.

Brooke Taylor is a YA author to keep an eye on. She realistically captures the frustration of teens trying to deal with family issues, school pressure, and finding a place to fit in. Readers from all backgrounds will be able to find themselves in Taylor's characters. The teen world of insecurities, impulsive decisions, and shifting emotions is well-developed in the storyline of UNDONE. I look forward to Ms. Taylor's next book. ( )

Although I have read some reviews that felt Undone was a bit predictable, I was completely taken in by the story. I wanted to know what happened to Kori that caused her to change so dramatically and understand why Serena went along with her friend's crazy ideas. Kori and Serena were both highly emotional characters and Taylor did a great job bringing those emotions off the page. I could feel the depth of Serena's loss and how utterly lost she was in her own life without Kori to ground her. All of the secrets which are revealed in the book are highly emotional as well and reveal a lot about the characters' interactions with each other and their own behaviors.

I think this is a great book for older teens as there are many references to sex and drug use, as well as some foul language. Normally these are things that would turn me off to a book but they all fit into this story of rebellious (and hurting) teens. I don't think the book would have the same impact without these elements. ( )

ORIGINALLY POSTED AT -> www.yabookrealm.blogspot.com

"Kori Kitzler is the "dark angel" of her high school: beautiful, mysterious, the subject of rumors. Serena Moore is just an average girl, until a run-in with Kori in the bathroom in eighth grade. When Kori tells her that they are more alike than she thinks, Serena is instantly intrigued, and their fateful friendship begins. When the girls are asked to complete a writing assignment listing the five things they would want to happen--their five ways to tempt fate--Serena doesn't take it seriously. But when something tragic happens to Kori, Serena is left with her loneliness and Kori's five things. Can Serena complete her best friend's tasks, or will she leave her list undone? Undone is a striking debut novel about friendship, family, and the secrets we keep from the people to whom we are closest."

(Summary from jacket flap)

REVIEW:

For once I didn’t write my own summary. The plot is too complex for me to summarize, without making it sound stupid.

This book was making quite the buzz around everyone’s blog over the summer. When I initially decided to read the book I tried not to have any expectation because whenever, I do I tend to not like the book as much as everyone (example Twilight series). But I’m happy to say this book was superb and it succeeded my expectation. Yaay!

The characters were really unique individuals with their own voice. What I loved most about Undone, were the little details, that I assumed where unimportant, were indeed not little details but played a huge role in the plot. The way how every event in the book was connected showed how well the book was thought out. My one little problem was the consistent mention of how Serena was really gifted using a computer. But that’s just me being really nit picking.

I just can't wait to read the next YA book by Brooke Taylor. ( )