"Previews are like a little taste of candy . . . I am always amazed at how much better the movie looks in its condensed form.  It's like the potential of the film is better than the full-length reality."  Fortunately for readers, Boy Proof holds up to its promise as a worthwhile full-length feature.

An intriguing novel, Cecil Castellucci's ode to science fiction fans works not so much because of the plot, but because of the characters.  Egg/Victoria is a gifted loner with a talent for special effects make-up and design -- thanks to the fact that her dad is a renowned movie effects maker.  Obsessed with a post-apocalyptical movie, she adopts the moniker and look of the movie's heroine (Egg), and calls herself "boy proof" because of her inability/unwillingness to attract a boyfriend.  The arrival at Melrose Prep of supercool Max (internationally-reared by documentary filmmaker parents) changes everything for Egg, though she retreats as far as possible before joining the fray called Life.  A Hollywood-based story from a different vantage point, a quirky character whose fear of risking her feelings is balanced with strong opinions and a deep well of anger, and an appeal to the sci/fi-fantasy movie and graphic-novel subcultures all make Boy Proof a welcome respite from the typical teen coming-of-age novel.