dnf @ p. 135 
 Due to those numbers, I am being very nit-picky. 
 I like the concept of this book, but the execution and the characters? Let's just say they left something to be desired in the sympathy category. I get that Andi was depressed, but I can't exactly understand how that led her to get Fs in all her classes, something I can't really relate to. 
 In addition, when one opens this book, one sees a swirl of rich kids on drugs talking about sex. All I wanted was for them to stop the angst and get to the freaking history that this book was supposed to be about. 
 I also thought that the whole exclusive-boarding-school thing was overdone. I get it's exclusive, but why does she have to go in-depth about all the weird styles of music and esoteric band references and swearing. And somehow, her only friend (a cliche) Vijay Cliche can get the president of Afghanistan on the phone and be casual about it (How is that realistic???). And his mother... 
 "I heard two voices! Two! Why aren't you studying? Do you want to stir curry all your life? Do you think Harvard wants boys who fool around day and night?" 
 Are we reading a semi-historical fiction book or a transcript of a Superworman video? 
 And of course, the stereotypical foreigner just has to do the popular-culture-name-screw-up. "This is not the ATV world you two seem to think it is-" 
 "MTV world," Vijay corrects. 
 Not to mention I couldn't stand Andi's voice. 
 "Airports should all belong in the same country. The country of Crappacia. Or Bleakovania. Or Suckitan 
 Even after she left the extra angst and guys on drugs behind, every time she mentioned the magical key, her brother's death, or how her father - of course - has to disapprove thouroughly of whatever she does and blah blah blah, I got that same feeling and got out the post-it flags. 
 Well, I may read her adult novels, but I definitely felt Donnelly didn't understand teenagers and so this book goes to DNF.