Mlynowski disappoints with dull novel “Don’t Even Think About It”

Juliana Riverin
Staff Writer

Contrary to the belief that to be able to read minds would be fun, Sarah Mlynowski’s new book, “Don’t Even Think About It,” explores the idea that to read minds would be a burden. Despite an interesting premise, the novel ultimately fails to be entertaining due to a repetitive plot.

“Don’t Even Think About It” is a novel about a group of sophomores at Tribeca High School who receive a faulty flu vaccine and develop telepathy as a result. The students, despite having what most consider a superpower, quickly realize that knowing everyone’s innermost thoughts isn’t fun, especially if they’re thinking about each other.

The center of the story is the 26 students of homeroom 10B. They range from introverted Olivia to funny, well-liked Cooper. Although their situations differ, rich and poor, guilty or oblivious, their common situation brings them together and drives them apart simultaneously. These relationships are the best part of the book; they are realistic and as close to adolescent reality as a young adult novel can get. They’re also one of the book’s only redeeming qualities. The character development achieved through the shifting relationships is what ties the story together, and incidentally keeps “Don’t Even Think About It” from falling apart.

The narration plays heavily on the personal dynamics as well. Instead of the standard points of view, the narrators are the students, speaking together as one. This gives a new spin on the story, and gives the reader an interesting view of the overall plot. Because there isn’t just one narrator, multiple characters give their opinions at the same time, which intensifies their personalities to the reader while reinforcing the “telepathic bond” angle of the book. All this serves to create an overall pleasing and creative voice for the novel that stretches beyond what one would expect from a typical teen drama.

But even though the novel holds interesting character dynamics told in a unconventional way,, the relationships and interesting narration aren’t enough to salvage “Don’t Even Think About It.” Considering that the entire plot can be predicted within the first half of the novel, Mlynowski fails to create an intrigue beyond the students’ various bad habits. She relies on rarely shocking discoveries made by students accidentally overhearing thoughts in order to move the story along, which is incredibly predictable and a weak source of plot development. Nothing of substance actually happens; it’s complete “he said she said,” but instead of spoken words, its thoughts. The vast majority is also beyond unoriginal and apparent well before the characters come to the same conclusion, which makes the entire experience boring, frustrating and ultimately unpleasant.

The crux of the story is also unoriginal. How the students adapted to their new circumstances was simply reused from the author’s earlier works. Namely, “Bras and Broomsticks” has an eerily similar premise of a teenager adapting to new powers in her life and the need to hide the aforementioned powers from the general populace. Although “Don’t Even Think About It” has better character construction, it’s overwhelming similarities to the ridiculous “Magic in Manhattan” series is yet another downfall.

“Don’t Even Think About It” is boring and predictable, despite its interesting characters and voice. The book is yet another disappointing installment from Mlynowski.

“Don’t Even Think About It” is available on e-readers and wherever books are sold.