Review: Notorious

Note: This is another re-read of mine, so I would like to have it noted that I liked it better the first time, though I have read, in my opinion of course, a lot more "worthwhile" books!


Notorious by Cecily von Ziegesar
Published: by Poppy- 6/6/06 <=Ahhh, day of the devil, lol.
Pages: 288
Series or Standalone? 2nd in a series

Summary (from GoodReads):
Popular Gossip Girl character Jenny Humphrey is making a splash at Waverly Academy, an elite boarding school in New York horse country where glamorous rich kids don't let the rules get in the way of an excellent time.It's less than a week into school, but Jenny's already been caught with her roommate's boyfriend (in bed!), flashed the whole school at a field hockey game, and gone up against the Disciplinary Committee. She's become notorious, just like Tinsley Carmichael, Waverly's former It Girl, who was expelled last year and is rumored to be jet-setting around the world.So what happens when Tinsley arrives back on campus and moves in with Jenny? After all, there can only be one It Girl.

My Review: The It-Girl series are fun, slightly leaning towards trashy, guilty pleasures. Notorious in particular is a drama-packed sequel, that while in my opinion not as good as first, holds the promise for the series to get better.
When Hooked: Immediately. The cliff-hanger from the previous book draws you in and has you captured until the final page is turned.
Hookability: (8.5/10) I'll give the series props for it's hookability, when it hooks you it hooks you. You need to know what the heck those crazy Dumbarton girls are going to do next.
Writing: (8/10) The writing is very engaging and flows quite well, but it is not anything really original or set apart. Though I am a fan of the multiplte character's thoughts portrayal this book contains, I like hearing all the sides to the story!
Characters: (7.5/10) There are times when I loved certain characters, and times when I wanted jump into this book just so I could yell and scream at them. They took me on a rollercoaster. Jenny. Shes the most likeable character, and the one that I definately root for. I have to admit she was pretty awesome in this book with that cheer, I wish I had that much courage! Brett. Are you really surprised at the aftermath with your scandalous affair? Honey, you're supposed to be the smart one, it was obvious as to what was gonna happen! Callie. Hey, get a backbone! Don't be such a spineless person who just tries to top someone else, but won't stand up to anyone. And seriously get over your pathetic love life already! Tinsley. I find it funny that the first time I read this I liked Tinsley, and this time I found her a complete and total b*tch. Hahaha, I do tend to love the "mean girl." Easy. I'm torn, I wanna love you, which is mostly what I feel for you, but you can be a total jerk-off sometimes. Brandon. Grow some! Eeeerrrrrgh, thats about all I have to say!
Plot: (8/10) I have found that with this series there really isn't a central "plot" but rather just a string drama-filled events that occur and somehow flow together in the end. However, I do like how chalk-filled of drama goodness they are!
Originality: (7.5/10) Nothing is quite original about this book per se, but I definitely don't think its a copy of anything either.
Romance: (8/10) I wouldn't read this book/series specifically for its romantic appeal but it is a nice little addition, that as long as your not seeking it out, will leave you content! Jenny and Easy are so cute together!
Ending: (9/10) Cecily is a master of the cliff-hanger endings. They will leave you in need to pick up the next installment to find out what happens next! You can't help it!
Remembrable: (6/10) Yeah, not so much on that one. Basics you might/will remember, but its not the kind of book where you remember every little detail, or even just the specifics.
Recommendability: (7/10) Check out the section below of the graphic/violent content, if none of that bothers you and you are in need of a guilty pleasure than I will recommend this to you! Fans of Gossip Girl will probably like this. Also, I'm definitely going to say girls will like this a whole lot better than boys.
Any Particular Graphic/Violent/"Inappropriate" Content? Drinking? YES! Drugs? Yes, not heavy or descriptive of anything but the references are still there. Swearing? YES! Not potty-mouth kind of swearing per se, but there is definitely swearing every couple pages or so. Sexual Content? HECK YES! You've hit the mother load with this one. Not really a fade-to-black kind of book, but not really graphic either, lets just say things don't really stop at making out. Also, there is a heck of a lot od sexual innuendos and implied sexual occurances. I personally think that basicly you can read anything, well besides erotica or whatever, when your over the age of 12. But I totally get that others might say this should be read by older teens only. (12+)
Overall: (8.06/10) Notorious is a drama-filled sequel that will have in need of the next installment. I feel there are better books to be your main source of reading, but as a guilty pleasure, this series is a good pick.

Cover Comments: I like the single girl on the cover thing this series has going on, simple and pretty. It doesn't blow my mind but I'm content with it. Oh, I've mentioned it before but if you do have the whole series, or even a few of the books in the series, the spines look really cool all lined up together! (8/10)
Want more of the It-Girl series? There are currently 8 other books released in the series; The It-Girl, Reckless, Unforgettable, Lucky, Tempted, Infamous, Adored, and Devious. The 10th book Classic will be released June 1, 2010!
Want more Cecily von Ziegesar? Try her Gossip Girl series; (in order) Gossip Girl, You Know You Love Me, All I Want Is Everything, Because I Worth It, I Like It Like That, Nobody Does It Better, Nothing Can Keep Us Together, Only In Your Dreams, It Had To Be You (prequel), Would I Lie To You, Don't You Forget About Me, I Will Always Love You. Or her Carlyles series: (in order) The Carlyles, You Just Can't Get Enough, Take A Chance On Me, Love The One You're With. Also, you can try the popular CW show Gossip Girl which is based off the GG books, even though mostly they improv all the stuff.