Publisher: Scholastic
Release Date: December 26th 2019
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Original fiction based off the hit television series Riverdale !As a fan of the Riverdale TV show, I was really excited to get a chance to read a prequel to the first season. Ostow was able to capture each character's personality and voice which allowed for an easy set up to the intertwining conflicts we see later played out on the first season of Riverdale.
Based on the massively successful CW show, Riverdale, this prequel novel explores what the gang was doing before Season One.
Why did Jughead and Archie have a falling out? What did Veronica's life look like in the Big Apple? And how long has Betty really been in love with Archie?
Told from multiple POVs, your favorite characters tell their story their way.
It was really nice to know all the characters beforehand because I could easily picture them and have their voice in my head as I read through their point of view. I particularly enjoyed getting into Jughead's mind because he is the narrator on Riverdale. He tends to tell his and the town's story like a writer would, even narrating his own interactions. Jughead's story revolved around dealing with his father's and mother's breakup. It also revolved around his friendship with Archie or lack thereof during the summer. Jughead is my favorite character so I was easily wrapped up in his story. There was even a Jellybean moment (his sister) that made me feel for his situation.
For those who have seen the show, Archie and Jughead aren't on friendly terms the first day back from summer, and I could easily see why. Archie isn't a character I like following along on the TV show, but I was surprisingly interested in his storyline and where his thoughts are focused on. His story arc really made me understand where he was coming from and why his friendship with Jughead was rocky in the beginning of the show. Their friendship arc was my favorite part of the whole story which would make sense since their friendship is such an integral part of the show.
Meanwhile in Los Angeles, Betty is interning at Hello Giggles, a fashion blog. She's hoping to land a chance to actually write instead of just filing papers and getting coffee. Betty is one of my favorite characters, after Jughead, so I was looking forward to her backstory. Unfortunately, I didn't love where her story took her because it seemed pointless. I did like seeing her writing and her point of view through her diary entries. I could understand where the author was going with her story because it shows off some of Betty's instincts and some darker reactions... I enjoyed most of her story just not the end because I couldn't imagine Betty the way she was being portrayed as well as it not ultimately connecting (completely) with what was going to happen when she got home.
Veronica is in East Hampton, New York with both her parents. You get to see her personality in all its glory. What she doesn't see is that things are about to change real fast. Veronica was one of the clearest voices since her personality and the way she speaks is so unmistakable. Like Archie, she isn't my favorite character to follow on the show, but again like Archie I was invested in her story. I got a lot of insight into who she is and why she wants a fresh start on the show. I felt the most empathetic towards her because of the great storytelling surrounding her character.
There are some side characters that get a few chapters on their own. Dilton Doiley had the most interesting and shocking backstory of them all. There is some of Cheryl, Polly, and other characters along the way. There are also different formats that you find throughout the pages like Betty's diary, texts, e-mails, and a notice or two.
Riverdale: The Day Before has made me want to rewatch the series all over again. This book actually made me become interested into the character's lives that I don't particularly like on the show. The variety of formats, character's voices, and my knowledge of the story beforehand established an easy flow that kept the story fun and interesting. Riverdale: The Day Before was a fast, fun read perfect for fans of the show!
Thanks to Scholastic Inc. and The Fantastic Flying Book Club for providing me with Riverdale: The Day Before in exchange for an honest review!
You can find more reviews, spotlights, quotes, and playlists about the book here.
Micol Ostow has written over 50 works for readers of all ages, including projects based on properties like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Charmed, and most recently, Mean Girls: A Novel. As a child she drew her own Archie comics panels, and in her former life as an editor she published the Betty & Veronica Mad Libs game. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two daughters who are also way too pop culture-obsessed. Visit her online.
This giveaway is for 3 copies of the book & 3 copies of the Riverdale Student Handbook (to 3 winners). US Only.
Are you a fan of the show?
Who's your favorite Riverdale character?
I have heard so many great things about the TV series but haven't watched it myself yet. This sounds like a lot of fun and I am glad you enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteThe TV series is a fun mystery with a lot of teen angst. The book would be great for you if you ever get the chance to watch the show and if you enjoy it, of course (:
DeleteI had no ideas there was a Riverdale prequel book! This sounds awesome actually. I'd love to see prequel bits on Cheryl and Dilton actually, and like you I'm not always a fan of show Archie and Veronica, but it sounds like their stories here are done well. I'll have to get this!
ReplyDeleteMe either until this popped up in my e-mail. Oh someone else who agrees about Archie and Veronica. I think there storyline isn't quite as interesting as Jughead's and Betty's especially since Betty seems to be the center of the story more than Archie. Hope you enjoy the book! There is a handbook that's out as well (:
DeleteI still really need to catch up on Riverdale! This book looks so good but I think I'll wait a bit to read it until I've watched more of the show. I'm glad you liked it!
ReplyDeleteI need to catch up on the last few episodes. I don't know how I'm going to be able to see them. I might have to wait until it's on Netflix ):
DeleteI’ll have to watch the series and read this book! It sounds good!
ReplyDeleteThe series is a fun mystery show with lots of angst. It has some goof storylines with all the characters.
DeleteI've only watched a few episodes of the first season, but I do really love Jughead. I'm glad you liked this prequel book for the most part.
ReplyDelete-Lauren
www.shootingstarsmag.net
The first season is probably the best one although the last one kicked it up a notch. Jughead is the best 👑
DeleteI don't know if Riverdale ever aired in the UK? I haven't seen it myself so I guess this prequel would be lost on me. It's got an amazing cover image though. So eyecatching!
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure honestly. Yeah, the cover is really nice. I especially like Pop's Diner in the corner.
DeleteI have not seen Riverdale- but I have read about these characters in the comics growing up. :) I am glad you enjoyed this prequel and that it gave you insight into different characters- even ones you aren't a fan of on the show. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete~Jess
I always knew about Archie Comics thanks to my grocery store always supplying them but I never really got into their story until this new adaption. It's a lot... edgier? I guess you would say. Doesn't seem like the comics which makes it interesting. You never know what you are going to get.
DeleteOooh I was on the fence about reading this but now I really want to! Great review!
ReplyDeleteAwesome! Have you've seen the show?
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