Zero

By: Tom Leveen

Narrated by: Jillian Yetter

It's the '90s! Not everyone's heard of Nirvana yet, and audiotapes are barely outdated. The live music scene is alive and well, and bands still make things like "demo tapes" and "albums." Were you there?

After missing her best opportunity to attend a prestigious art school, 17-year-old Salvador Dali devotee Zero begins dating Mike, a drummer in an up-and-coming punk band. As their tentative relationship blooms, Zero confronts a ton of baggage holding her back from her art career: the majorly awkward drama with her former best friend, Jenn; her dad's excessive drinking and parents' ongoing fights; and one formerly successful art teacher who might just hold the keys to her future, or smash Z's hopes forever.

When Mike's band gets a chance of lifetime to bust out of black hole that is Metro Phoenix, Zero must make a life-altering decision and answer the one question we all face at some point in our lives:

Follow your own heart, or the heart of the one you love?

Zero was an ALA/YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association) Best Book of 2013.

*This audiobook contains mature content and may not be suitable for all listeners.*

©2012 Tom Leveen (P)2019 Tom Leveen

An enthusiastic, emotional YA

Young adult, coming-of-age story, dealing wih family, friends, & future. Touches on feelings of anxiety, angst, love, fun, insecurity, excitement in a very real way. Narration was very appropriate across the cast of characters. I really enjoyed everything about this.

#audiobookobsessionreviewer

artist meet rocker

This as an angsty coming of age story. Amanda/Zero always wanted to study art. She studies and is obsessed with the works of Salvadore Dali.
Right now, her life is in chaos. She wasn't going to the college of her choice, her dad's been drinking more, she had a fight with her best friend, her professor let her down, and she has her first real relationship. which is something new to her.
Mike, a laid back guy, is in an indie band, plays small gigs around town. Mike thoughts are making a it big with the band but thats only a dream. He knows the expectations are slim. But for now he will enjoy the ride and whatever comes their way.
Tom Leveen goes into depth, the thoughts, conflicts, that are in Zero's head. Her sarcastic attitude is based on all the emotional, turmoil in her life. It would be great continuation, if the author would write a sequel about 5 years later, to see how their choices they made affected their lives.
Jillian Yetter is a new narrator for me. She captures the sarcastic personality of Zero, the laid back persona of Mike, and the others to perfection. I enjoyed listening to this story.
🎧audiobookobsessionreviewer🎧

Angsty coming of age novel

This was an angsty YA coming of age novel. There were elements of both the plot development and the main character's internal dialogue that I felt were oversold or poorly chosen. Certainly a bit of a male gaze influencing the choices and development. I enjoyed this, but was personally kind of conflicted in doing so.

#AudiobookObsessionReviewer

Awesome Book!

I loved every single thing about this entire book. It made me feel so much.

Angsty YA perfect for modern teens or adults missing their youth

This book is punk rock. I read it years ago and once I saw there was a new audio book I knew I needed to re-read, I mean listen. The narrator kills it and perfectly gets Tom Leveen’s prose and dialogue that always bites.