I cannot believe that this is Lauren Oliver's first novel. It's just too good!

The teenagers in this novel are realistic - more realistic than any others I have read. Oliver has a thorough knowledge of high school politics. Though the book centres around the 'popular group' at high school, aka the mean girls, none of the characters seem fake. Yes, they do some downright b****y things, but they aren't totally evil as some mean girl characters are in other books, they do have redeeming qualities. That is what makes them so realistic. And not only are the supporting characters realistic, but they are strong. They have a definite depth; each and every one of them.

Sure the storyline is a little repetitive - but that's to be expected when a character is reliving the same day over and over again. It's testament to Lauren Oliver's writing abilities, however, that the book never becomes dull or boring. Each day is the same, and yet totally different. It shows how much impact a small thing, something you would consider inconsequential at the time, can have on not just on your life, but on others' lives too.

Samantha is originally not a character that I liked; she is quite mean and inconsiderate. But by the end of the novel, I really liked her, and I cared absolutely about what happened to her. This change, from not liking to loving, was so gradual that I didn't even notice it. Sam changed too, each day as she learned something new about herself or those around her and she became a little more wise.

This is one of those books that change the way you view the world. It is full of subtle, positive messages, and overall has a very carpe diem (seize the day) feel to it. It shows that you need to treasure every moment, because you don't know how many moments you have. I came close to crying a couple of times in Before I Fall, and at the end the tears finally poured, but it is one of the most beautiful endings you will ever read. This book is definitely one of my all time favourites, and I'm going to read anything Lauren Oliver writes in the future, anything and everything.

THE SHORT VERSION:
I rate Before I Fall at 5 stars out of 5. I recommend it to anyone and everyone, especially you!