REVIEW for Likely Story Number 3

A big thank you goes out to Jess at Random House. She is always so kind!


TITLE: Likely Story #3 (Red Carpet Riot)

AUTHOR: David Van Etten

GENRE: YA

RATING: 4 Stars

http://www.randomhouse.ca/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780375853562







This is the 3rd installment in the "Likely Story" series, YA novel featuring ourmain character Mallory who grew up on the sideline of a soap opera, which which her mother starred. Now in her mid-teens, Mallory decides to write her own soap opera, featuring her own brand of realism, directed to the average teenager out there. She hits it big and her show "Likely Story" is "the" thing - which, of course, means that her mother must, somehow be the star of her daughter's show.

While this plotline may sound a tad contrived, its actually quite fun end engaging, especially since Mallory and her mother DO NOT and never have anything in common (or so Mallory thinks) and have never really gotten along. So, its alot of fun to read about the stunts and events that Mallory thinks up in order to take her mother down a peg or two.

Of course, there are also a bunch of other characters in this storyline, including the "hottie" named Dallas who may or may not be a future love interest for Mallory, as well as Alexis (the girl you love to hate) and Amelia (Mallory's ex best friend who is now out to get Mallory) oh and I cannot forget the presence of Keith - Mallory's boyfriend.

I like this series and the writing because the author chooses to make Mallory a strong headed, sometimes too bright for her own good character. There are no wimpy characters in this storyline - believe me!

However in number 3, Mallory is really starting to get on my nerves. While she claims to be entirely different than her mother, it seems to me as though she is turning more and more into her mother every day. I found that the stunts Mallory pulled in this particular book as well as some of her retorts back to people was, at times, just plain mean and way too arrogant. I think that is the problem I have with this one - Mallory is becoming wayyyyy too arrogant.

Having said that, I am glad that towards the end of the plotline, Mallory will get called out on some of her crap and will be forced to rethink who she is and what she is becoming.

I was hoping that in this book, we would get a clearer vision of the relationship (or lack of) between Mallory and her mom - and we do get a few tidbits, but not enough for my taste. I highly think its time for the authors to explore this more in future books (should there be some).

Also, I have to say that the whole square dancing thing was way, way over the top and should not have been in this storyline at all. I just find it way too hard to believe that a bunch of teenagers would gladly "do sa do" in gym class!!!!

But, this series attracts me regardless of all the little "things" that don't exactly work for me. I am not sure why - except to say that the writing is always well done and that the characters are always doing things that are a surprise to me! I finished this one in two days.

Hopefully there will be a number 4.