Don Zolidis’ first novel after a lengthy playwright career is a good start. He maintains a brisk pace with the plot and the main character is a funny, relatable lead. The language is what you would hear in a high school, but that means I wouldn’t think many middle schools would allow it in classroom sets. The dialogue is snappy, and I appreciate the look at an underserved teen population (the DND set).
Overall, a worthy first novel from one of the most popular playwrights working today!

This is the first book that I have read by this author and I have to say.. I really enjoyed it. There was also a little something at the beginning of the book before the chapter started an I kind of like that. I feel like some more authors should do that. This book was also set in the 90’s which is amazing. I liked that it was in Craig’s POV because its usually in a female POV, so it was nice to have a male one.
It was weird for me a little bit because the relationship between Amy and Craig felt real. Like you are going on he journey with them. I mean Amy and Craig are just trying to figure themselves out, so there on and of again relationship is relatable.
I really related to Craig’s awkward nerdiness. He’s sarcastic and has a great sense of humor, He is a Dungeons and Dragons fanatic.
Amy is class president and determined to show that nothing is going to hold her back for the things that she wants to do.
The constant breaking up and getting back together was relatable because I remember when I was in school there were kids doing the exact same thing. If not as often as Amy and Craig maybe more.
* I Received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

Loved to read a story from the male perspective! thought this isn't a happily ever after story, it has heart and characters who are real and relatable. It was a refreshing change to read a love story from the male pov in a YA book. Loved the timeline and breakdown of chapters. Well done!

Seven Torments chronicles the on-again, off-again romance of Amy and Craig over the course of their senior year. Craig, the geeky Dungeons and Dragons aficionado, is amazed to find that Amy, the beautiful and determined class president is interested in him and they start an unlikely romance. The two main characters are each struggling with trying to reconcile their pasts and figuring out what the future may hold for them. Craig, somewhat of a social outcast living in the shadow of his athletic and popular twin sister, has been laying low in high school, biding his time until he can escape the small town of Janesville WI. Amy is determined to prove that her dyslexia cannot hold her back, and has been over achieving her way to the top of the class and the presidency of nearly every club on campus. Craig’s voice is sarcastic, humorous and thoroughly enlightened despite his myopic focus on his relationship with his dream girl, Amy. And though Amy breaks up with him every other week, Craig steadfastly holds on to the hope that he and Amy will prevail in the end. But Amy is not as committed or optimistic and her mother’s illness and her own self doubts keep her from being there for Craig as she breaks his heart again and again. Though things do not wrap up perfectly, their alternately touching and tortured relationship rings true. It is refreshing to read a realistic YA romance story with the focus solidly on the male character. A quirky and appealing read and a great choice for fans of John Green and Rainbow Rowell.

3 reasons why this book is not your typical YA contemporary romance. 1. It is set in the 90's (super cool) and I think will appeal to adults who grew up in the 90's. 2. The story is told from the male viewpoint of the relationship- which isn't as common. 3, The ending is told in the prologue. Personally, I didn't love it, but I still know a good story when I read one. I think this will appeal to the adults that enjoy reading YA.

This book is a roller-coaster, just like the relationship between Amy and Craig. Most readers will be able to relate to the idea of breaking up and making up and love lost and found. Many of my high school students will benefit from reading this book whether they are in a healthy or unhealthy relationship.

I especially liked this book because it was a romance from the boy’s point of view, and you don’t see that very often. It was filled with humor and the requisite teen aged angst, so it will be an easy sell to reluctant readers. I would have liked to see a little more character development for his friends - they were there a lot but the author could have fleshed them out a bit more. But I guess it was the point since Craig was so wrapped up in his own life to pay too much attention to his friends, another lesson teens are bound to learn.

This book was great. It had lovable characters that were relatable. Kids that grew up today will still be able to relate to these characters and the situations they find themselves in.

Received an ARC from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Every party has a pooper...and sadly, I'm the party pooper on this one. I think maybe I read a different book than the other reviewers.
Actual stars....2.75
What I loved: I honest loved the authors writing. I think he captured that 17 year old boy mind perfectly.
What I liked: I liked the weird relationship between Amy and Craig.
What I hated: The unreasonable belief that Craig could only go to college if his parents paid for it. The only college he considered was an expensive, private college. That really burned me. Take out some student loans, Craig, accept some responsibility.
Overall...the book left me feeling....meh. And I'm sad because I really wanted to love it.

This is probably one of the more realistic YA romances out there today. It is an honest view of the on again- off again timelines that some relationships go through. While the characters were easy to relate to, the relationship between them wasn't always. I would recommend this to older teens.

Great story with relatable characters. A lovable heartbreak ride through the relationship of Amy and Craig. story with relatable characters. A lovable heartbreak ride through the relationship of Amy and Craig.

Don Zolidis' debut YA is destined to be a hit. Equal parts laugh-out-loud funny and heart-achingly bittersweet, The Seven Torments of Amy and Craig features an engaging cast of characters and the kind of realistic romance that many teens will be able to relate to. Highly recommended!