Enchanting Review: In Too Deep

IN TOO DEEP

JENNIFER BANASH

Contemporary Young Adult

Berkley Jam

ISBN# 978-0-425-22353-6

256 pages

$9.99

Trade—Available Now

Rating: 5 Enchantments

One of the best new YA series out there, ‘The Elite series’ continues with IN TOO DEEP which picks up a short while after the first book ends. Casey is still struggling to fit in at her new exclusive Upper East Side high school and deal with Madison, Sophie and Phoebe, the ultimate definition of frenemies. Especially dear sweet Madison, who in probably the best example of the term, decides to ‘treat’ Casey to a trip to her hairstylist after a trip to Casey’s grandmother’s salon goes awry. I have to say Madison is great at the whole keep your friends close and your enemies closer line of thought. She’s truly the epitome of the character you love to hate.

There was so much I liked about this book. Madison, Sophie, Phoebe, and Casey all have their own separate intriguing storylines: Madison’s modeling, the upcoming appearance of Sophie’s birth mother, Phoebe’s secret crush and Casey still trying to fit in and deal with her new life and her relationship with Drew. I have to say what surprised me most—other than the ending—was Madison actually really grew on me with this book and you can sorta see why she acts the way she does, especially toward Casey and Drew. But that’s not the only thing going on, the alternating chapters told by the girls all shed light on explosive secrets that once they come out are going to be pretty shocking.

One of my favorite scenes is when Sophie is trying on one of her outfits for her super sweet sixteen party. When the truth comes out, not only about her being adopted, but her real birth mother—and the kicker, that she confided all this in someone not Madison—things get heated between the girls.

With a shocking ending that leaves the reader demanding to know what happens next, IN TOO DEEP is one book that keeps you riveted from start to finish. Look for the third book in this great series, SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE, due out summer 2009.

Jennifer Banash knows firsthand the life and times of Manhattan teenagers—she was born and raised in New York City. She ghost wrote for a New York Times bestselling YA series; and she is the co-founder of Impetus Press, an independent press dedicated to publishing serious literary fiction with a pop edge. Jennifer now resides in Los Angeles.

Lisa

Enchanting Reviews

January 2009

Enchanting Review: In Too Deep

IN TOO DEEP

JENNIFER BANASH

Contemporary Young Adult

Berkley Jam

ISBN# 978-0-425-22353-6

256 pages

$9.99

Trade—Available Now

Rating: 5 Enchantments

One of the best new YA series out there, ‘The Elite series’ continues with IN TOO DEEP which picks up a short while after the first book ends. Casey is still struggling to fit in at her new exclusive Upper East Side high school and deal with Madison, Sophie and Phoebe, the ultimate definition of frenemies. Especially dear sweet Madison, who in probably the best example of the term, decides to ‘treat’ Casey to a trip to her hairstylist after a trip to Casey’s grandmother’s salon goes awry. I have to say Madison is great at the whole keep your friends close and your enemies closer line of thought. She’s truly the epitome of the character you love to hate.

There was so much I liked about this book. Madison, Sophie, Phoebe, and Casey all have their own separate intriguing storylines: Madison’s modeling, the upcoming appearance of Sophie’s birth mother, Phoebe’s secret crush and Casey still trying to fit in and deal with her new life and her relationship with Drew. I have to say what surprised me most—other than the ending—was Madison actually really grew on me with this book and you can sorta see why she acts the way she does, especially toward Casey and Drew. But that’s not the only thing going on, the alternating chapters told by the girls all shed light on explosive secrets that once they come out are going to be pretty shocking.

One of my favorite scenes is when Sophie is trying on one of her outfits for her super sweet sixteen party. When the truth comes out, not only about her being adopted, but her real birth mother—and the kicker, that she confided all this in someone not Madison—things get heated between the girls.

With a shocking ending that leaves the reader demanding to know what happens next, IN TOO DEEP is one book that keeps you riveted from start to finish. Look for the third book in this great series, SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE, due out summer 2009.

Jennifer Banash knows firsthand the life and times of Manhattan teenagers—she was born and raised in New York City. She ghost wrote for a New York Times bestselling YA series; and she is the co-founder of Impetus Press, an independent press dedicated to publishing serious literary fiction with a pop edge. Jennifer now resides in Los Angeles.

Lisa

Enchanting Reviews

January 2009

Enchanting Review: The Elite

THE ELITE
JENNIFER BANASH
Contemporary Young Adult
Berkley Jam Trade
ISBN 0425221571
256 Pages
$9.99
Trade Paperback - Available June 3, 2008

Rating: 4 Enchantments

Casey McCloy has just moved from Normal, Illinois, to the Bramford, one of the most exclusive and pretentious apartment buildings on the Upper East Side to live with her grandmother and attend the prestigious Meadowlark academy. But adjusting to her new life is easier said than done, especially with a frenemy like Madison Macallister, who isn't exactly welcoming after her on-again, off-again boyfriend starts paying more attention to Casey than to her.

Even from her first meeting with Madison, Phoebe and Sophie, moments after first arriving at the Bramford, Casey can tell she's definitely going to have issues fitting in with the 'in crowd'. The girls are perfectly made up in their designer gear ready to cross the street and lay out in the sun in their bikinis while Casey's standing there exhausted from traveling and not exactly wearing this season's hottest names as she's subjected to the serious once-overs from Mad and her two closest friends. Surprisingly, Casey somehow passes inspection, if only in pity, and wrangles an invitation to join the girls in the park.

Each chapter highlights a different character and we get to know Casey, Madison, Phoebe, Sophie and surprisingly even Drew, the hottie, better. That was one thing I really liked about this book, the chapters from Drew's point of view. It was nice to see what he really thought about Madison and Casey as the story progressed.

Anyone who's been the new kid at school can easily identify with Casey and her struggles to fit in with the new crowd. The scene between her and Drew in French class on the first day of school is both cringe-worthy and amusing. Following Madison's advice, will she actually scare Drew away for good?

THE ELITE lays the groundwork for what should be an exciting new series. Casey, Madison, Phoebe and Sophie are all vibrant, interesting characters.

Lisa
Enchanting Reviews
May 2008