Blog Post #24: Reality Check Archetypes

I have just started the book Reality Check by Jen Calonita and noticed that the cover really relates to the book. The cover is 4 dolls, which I think are the 4 characters in the book. The dolls really take in the personalities of Charlie, Keiran, Brooke, and Hallie. These girls have just signed up to be on a reality show that shows their lives. This caused some problems because it shows their true life not a pre-scripted life. When they spoke the truth they hurt others and this was going to be on public television. While I was reading the book I noticed some archetypes popping up.

The hero of the book is Charlie because she is not perfect, though she shows courage and self sacrifice. Charlie sacrificed her real life to become someone who she is not. The reality show made her become another person and changed her friends too. Charlie showed courage when she stood up to Brooke. Brooke was starting to separate from her friends and hanging out with Marleyna all the time. It took Charlie a lot of courage to confront Brooke for being too caught up with Marleyna and not being with her real friends. The mentor of the book is Addison because she guides Charlie. Addison helped Charlie when she needed help and had experienced what Charlie had. Addison was the mentor because when Charlie was confused Addison helped her understand what was happening. I think that Addison was a great mentor because she really knew what to say to Charlie.

The shadow of the book is Brooke because she created tension in the book by being lured toward a person that just wants to have fame. She continues to ignore her real friends and keep hanging around Marleyna because Marleyna is acting like she really cares for Brooke. Though Marleyna does not really care for Brooke and is just taking advantage of her. I think Brooke should not have become friends with Marleyna because it just makes everyone else depressed. The shapeshifter of the book is Zac because he could not make up his mind with Charlie. At first he really liked her and asked her out, but then when he found out that Charlie was in a reality show he started to change his mind. After he was on camera he felt that he should breakup with Charlie. Soon after that he changed his mind again and wanted to be with Charlie again, but it was too late. I do not think that breaking up with Charlie was a good idea because now that Charlie was a star she would be able to get someone quickly.

Overall, there were very interesting character patterns in this book. It was interesting because I would have never guessed that Brooke would be the shadow of the book in the beginning. Some of the archetypes surprised me when I started to realize that the characters were who they were. Some of the archetypes were really obvious like the hero and the mentor. The others I had to fish out by reading slowly and carefully. I think that some of these archetypes might change as I continue reading this book.