Monday 25 June 2012

Another World

The Fame Game by Lauren Conrad


Synopsis

In Hollywood, fame can be found on every corner and behind any door. You just have to know where to look for it. Nineteen-year-old Madison Parker made a name for herself as best frenemy of nice-girl-next-door Jane Roberts on the hot reality show L.A. Candy. Now Madison's ready for her turn in the spotlight and she'll stop at nothing to get it. Sure, she's the star of a new show, but with backstabbing friends and suspicious family members trying to bring her down, Madison has her work cut out for her. Plus, there's a new nice girl in "reality" town—aspiring actress Carmen Price, the daughter of Hollywood royalty—and she's a lot more experienced at playing the fame game... When the camera's start rolling, whose star will shine brighter?



My review

I was pleased to read that Lauren Conrad is going to publish another trilogy since I really enjoyed reading the L.A. Candy novels. But as soon as I finished The Fame Game I was a little unsatisfied. I was hoping for a little bit more action because L.A. Candy really pushed my expectations.

“The Fame Game” is a book about big dreams and how you should never give up on them because one day they might come true and you have to be ready!

Madison Parker is a 19 year old girl who knows exactly what she wants. Coming from a poor family, Madison had the desire early on to escape her background and start to live her life. She lies about her family and her past and soon gets a part on a TV show called L.A. Candy. She wanted to be famous. She wanted it all. She was willing to do everything and even betrayed so-called friends.
Now she is back again, still the old Madison addicted to everything related to money.  And still not willing to share the spotlight.
Carmen Curtis was born into a family with very popular parents so she shouldn’t need to worry about fame and money. But Carmen wants to step out of her parents’ shadow and make an acting career on her own.
Kate Hayes the girl next door from Columbus, Ohio is trying her best to be the number one in the music charts. Some might know her from her youtube videos other will get to know her from “The Fame Game”.  After High School Kate decided not to go to college and moved to L.A. instead where she now has two jobs and is trying to survive.
At last there’s Gaby. Gaby has no special talents and is just doing what she’s told. She just needs a pretty boy on her side and she’s fine.

Four Girls, one dream.
Make it in Hollywood and just do what they love to do, whether it’s acting, singing or fashion.
When Trevor Lord asked the girls if they want to be in his new show on one of them thought it would end up like that.
It is Kate’s first time in L.A. and she has come here in the hope of moving forward with her singer-/songwriter career. When Kate meets Luke it couldn’t be better for her. Finally she has her stage fright under control and there’s a man in her life besides Ethan, her Ex, she can talk to. They spent a lot of time together and it looks as if the would fall for each other if weren’t for his acting career and the fact that he’s in a fake relationship with Carmen just to promote their movie.
All Carmen ever wanted was to step out of her parents’ shadow and be famous for things she accomplished herself. She never intended to hurt Kate because even though they know each other for just a couple of weeks, she is one of her best friends. At the moment everything is a little out of control. She has got the part in a major movie but her dad still thinks “The Fame Game” is a bad idea and she still doesn’t know if Drew is just her best friend or if the kiss a few weeks back was more than that. Then there’s the fact that Madison is making her life more complicated than it already is. Why does she have to challenge her on all their meetings?
Everyone knows Madison is after money and fame and she’s willing to do almost everything for that. But now of all things her sister got out of rehab and she doesn’t return empty handed. Their dad, Charlie, is back and after all those years when he didn’t call or write he wants to spend some time with his girls. Madison is very sceptical but soon she starts to believe that he truly means what he says. She starts to trust him again but in the end he disappoints her much more and she’s in a lot of trouble.
While everyone has her own little drama in their private life, the “The Fame Game” adds a lot more.
Are they ready to let everyone in America have a look at their lives?

Lauren Conrad was a big positive surprise for me when I read her first trilogy ‘L.A. Candy’ and she didn’t disappoint me this time.
She has created four different characters and made them work together. I like the idea, and in my head it was like one TV episode after another.
However I think there’s something missing in that story but I can’t figure out what it is.
You will get a really good look in each of the girls’ point of view because the chapters are written from each perspective, which makes the whole book even more interesting.

If you’re a fan of ‘The Hills’, reality TV in general, and a lot of drama, this book is definitely the right one for you.
I swallowed page after page. This book will attract you in more than one way and before you know it, you in the middle of the game for fame!

Monday 11 June 2012

When It Happens by Susane Colasanti

Synopsis


Seniors in high school Sara and Tobey couldn’t be more different. She wants to get into her first-choice college; he wants to win Battle of the Bands. Sara’s other goal is to find true love, so when popular Dave asks her out, she’s thrilled. But Tobey always creeps into her thoughts. Lucky for Sara, one of Tobey’s goals is to make her fall in love with him.







My review

“When it Happens” is a book about growing up, the uncertainty of the future and finding a real relationship.
Sara Tyler is a senior in high school. Her goals for the last year in school: Get into NYU and find something real. She’s a good student and working very hard to make sure at least one of her goals comes true.

Tobey’s only goal is it to win the Battle of the Bands and on his way to do that, win Sara’s heart.

Right before the summer holidays, the new guy, Dave, asks for Sara’s number and the whole time she wonders why he’s not calling her. Together with her two best friends, she analyses the whole situation until he finally asks her out, the first day back at school. It couldn’t be better for Sara. People are recognising her and she doesn’t mind the attention. Through Brian she has a new circle of friends but doesn’t feel quite comfortable. The relationship with Brian turns out not to be what she thought it would be.
Meanwhile Tobey has an eye on Sara but does he have a chance against Brian? He tries everything to win Sara’s heart and in the end he can’t believe he did it.
Now that she’s with him what else could he want? Everyone around him is applying for college or at least has a clue what to do after school but Tobey never thought about it. Thanks to Sara and his music teacher Tobey soon realises that he wants more than just live from day to day and that his decision might affect Sara’s and his future.

“When it Happens” is a really easy and quick read. It tells the story of Sara and Tobey in such a lovely, a fresh way that you’ll finish it in no time.
Though, you shouldn’t take it too seriously because clearly it’s meant to be for the younger readers. The characters in the book are around 17-18 years old but they certainly don’t act like that. They have a naïve way of handling things and sometimes their thoughts made me laugh.
The main point of the book is the relationship between Tobey and Sara and how they find their way together and make their relationship work even though they’re so different. During the book they find out that they actually have a lot in common, it got more ridiculous each time they found something new. In my opinion it was a little too much!
I couldn’t be too disappointed because I knew what kind of book this would be but there are still a few things that bothered me.
For example the fact that Tobey changed so much throughout the relationship and Sara just stayed the same to me. She often mentioned that “my old me” would never do that, or “in my earlier days I would’ve thought about it twice..”, but you never get to know her “old-self” so you don’t get the feeling she changed much.

Nothing really happens in the book but you swallow it page by page. You don’t have to think too much while reading it and you can just enjoy it.
If you’re looking for something cheerful to read for a holiday or a long journey, you’ve found the right book.