Customer Reviews

Chocolate Star

5 star:		(38)
4 star:		(22)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Like Kimberla Lawson Roby, Ms. Copeland is a good storyteller with poor writing skills. Much of this book read like a list. Every time food was served, and this was often, the entire menu was listed. One well-known name could never be mentioned; there always had to be one of those doggone lists. "The Arsenio Hall Show, The Tonight Show, Oprah." Or "Jheryl Busby, Quincy Jones, Eddie Murphy, Al B. Sure, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Jam and Lewis, L.A. and Babyface." Or "Chanel, Saint Laurent, Chloe, Christian Dior, Hermes, Givenchy."

The name dropping got old real fast. Every time luggage or a wallet was mentioned it was preceded by the words "Louis Vuitton." (I think this designer is one of the author's personal favorites; a trivia game could be established counting the number of times she mentions it.) Ms. Copeland obviously was hoping her readers would drool over the descriptions of Italian furniture, Chinese rugs, pink marbled bathrooms, ad nauseam, or else she believes her readers are as shallow as Gunther and Topaz. Lines like "They pulled up in front of a four-bedroom house," or "Don't you think it's time we started getting ready for the Natalie Cole concert at the Bowl?" are showing off merely for the reader's benefit. It is impossible for someone to drive up to a house and know how many bedrooms it has. And anyone who was asking their spouse to get ready would simply say, "for the concert," because the spouse would already know who is performing and where. I haven't seen anything so blatant since the Huxtable family had that Princeton fixation (it was never "school," always "Princeton.")

The writing is extremely amateurish. There is nothing creative about not using, "he/she said." But no one "said" anything in this book. They barked, yelled, repeated, suggested, sang softly (?!), commented, joined in, protested, scolded, replied, questioned, asked, shouted, squealed, mumbled, admonished, heard voices proclaim (?!), laughed, giggled, promised, offered, commanded, rattled off...but never SAID.

Cliches were rampant, another mark of the amateur. Pleased as Punch, cool as ice, like a kid in a candy store, sugary sweet. How did this get published?

The point of view bounced back and forth like a tennis ball. Dialogue was usually accompanied with empty descriptions of emotions, i.e. "She couldn't believe it." "She was sincere." "She was livid." If Ms. Copeland knew anything about writing she would know that the first rule of writing is show, don't tell! But yet every time a character was introduced their complexion was described, even people who were just passing through, like customer service clerks. What's up with that?

The use of "Dang" REALLY got on my nerves. In the end I found myself skipping through the endless lists and empty emotions just to see Gunther and Topaz get their comeuppance.

But, hey, considering all the readers who thought this book was fabulous, maybe I'm just being too picky to expect good writing.

I've had Chocolate Star since it was first released but never got around to reading it until now...and gosh was I pleasantly surprised. Ms. Copeland's debut novel was very well written with in-depth characters and a plausible storyline. Once I started reading Chocolate Star it was definitely a page-turner and a book that was hard to put down. Ms. Copeland took us into the lives of four rags to riches characters whose lives were all intertwined as the result of Topaz the female character. Topaz...what a character! This chile' worked it and could have any man she wanted and definitely was an attraction for Germaine, Sean, and Gunther. Each of these men would either break her heart, steal her heart or never leave her heart. Chocolate Star allowed one to escape into the world of the rich and famous...albeit while money provided access to gourmet foods, travel to exotic locations, all the drugs you wanted when you wanted them and shopping, shopping, shopping, shopping and more ...it definitely didn't provide happiness. Each chapter was devoted to a different character and I liked reading the in-depth characteristics of each individual. I felt like a fly on the wall eavesdropping on the lives of some of Hollywood's greatest stars. Okay...you knew some "buts" were coming.... My biggest pet peeve with the book was the constant reference to skin color. Why did EVERY character have to be described in detail according to their skin color (mocha brown; deep, deep chocolate; vanilla almond)? After awhile it became a big nuisance. I can imagine what people look like I don't necessarily have to know what shade of black they are since we all come in so many color variations anyway. Additionally the inference that you couldn't be a star unless you were into drugs was annoying as well as the frequent mention of brand names. Also, I couldn't believe that once Topaz became a big star that the tabloids/media never discovered her secret past. This alone is unbelievable in today's world. Fortunately, the pet peeves were neutralized a little by accepting that Chocolate Star was a portrayal of life in Hollywood where folks aren't always real and tend to be a little superficial. Aside from the "stuff that was unbelievable or that I could live without" the book was good and held my interest to the very end. If you're looking to escape with a book this summer then check out this one...I believe you will be pleasantly surprised. I know I was.

A friend of mine bought the book to me and told me "girl this book is the bomb", page after page I found myself craving for more chocolate. Each character was given a teaspoon of life and I must admit I am totally impressed with Sheila Copeland's wonderful style of writing. I loved Sean Ross and respected his stand on "no sex before marraige", he had a beautiful relationship with God and his parents. No matter how many woman threw themselves at his feet he was able to go to his mother and find out how he could determine real love from love because of success. Topaz, being a beautiful sista with talent did not appreciate the only people that would ever love her, how can you give up a marraige and a child in a finger snap and not feel guilty about it when you lay your head down to sleep at night, most women crave a good man to come along, she only wanted the fame. And last but not least Gunther, he was a straight trip-he did not appreciate where he came from only cared when he got to the top and looked down on people. I was surprised that he and Topaz were married at all. Thank goodness Sean did not fall into her "things to do list". I will definitly buy part 2 and enjoy the pages that make me want to read it over and over. This book is a must, pick it up you won't be disappointed.

I wanted to read Chocolate Star based on some reviews given by Sherry Carter of BET and Brenda Ritchie. I was not disappointed because Chocoalate Star had all the ingredients of a great novel. The characters were really out of this world, a little larger than life - soap opera like - but still very intriguing. The main characters, basketball player Sylk Ross and Topaz the singer were my favorites. Sylk seems like a dream guy - he is successful, loves his family and friends, and remembers to give praise and thanks to the Lord for his blessings. Topaz is self-centered and demeaning at times but I think she learns valuable lessons in the end. That movie producer Gunther is a hard person to like. He is arrogant, forget that he is Black, and is just simply unbelievable at times. If there are any sour points in Chocolate Star it would have to be the overemphasis on designer names, but then again maybe that is someone else's reality. The book was truly a page turner and I believe other readers will find Chocolate Star an enjoyable read as well.

I must say that I read Chocolate Affair before I read Chocolate Star, as I was unaware that Chocolate Affair was a sequel. When I went back and read Chocolate Star, it did clear up some questions I had. But I must say Chocolate Star, where it all started, was fantastic! The story drew me in and I couldn't let go. If you haven't read Chocolate Star, please do so and then follow up with Chocolate Affair. You will not be disappointed, I promise.

A rags to riches story of three African American wanna-be stars. We follow them from adolescence where their life experiences and dreams set the stage for their adult pursuits to fame. Topaz Black wanna-be singer uses everyone to get to the top; Gunther Lawrence wanna-be film producer forgets his roots and gets led astray; and Sean Ross wanna-be basketball hero clings to his roots despite temptation all around.

The author does a good job with pacing because the story moves well. The supporting cast of characters is solid, imagery is sound, and there is just the right amount of dialogue. I enjoyed it and I'm looking forward to reading the sequel.

After I finished reading this book, I just couldn't believe that it was Ms. Copeland's first. It was well organized, had great plots, and plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader interested. Although this was a work of fiction, I felt as if it could've been a true story and since Ms. Copeland is the founder of a production company, I haven't any doubt that these characters are based on some real-life people. I advise anyone thinking of picking up this book to go ahead and get it. YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED! Ms. Copeland touches on issues such as selfishness, greed, abandoning one's roots, faith, integrity and true love. Her literary piece is well woven and I applaud her creative effort. Chocolate Star is truly deserving of five stars!

I read this book for the first time a few years ago, and I found it to be very entertaining Intriguing characters, good storylines, and a fairly quick read for its size. Recently, I purchased "Diamond Revelation", and I needed to refresh my memory of the characters, so I revisited "Chocolate Star". The second time around for me was even better. The first time, like I said, it was just light fun reading. The second time I read it, it held more meaning. Perhaps I needed time to grow to appreciate the trials of the characters. Topaz was definitely over the top, but Ms. Copeland gave her just enough realness to keep it interesting. I loved the development of Gunther; a brilliant mind and amazing talent mixed with a huge ego and self hatred. That almost always is a recipe for disaster. Sean provided good balance, to me. While everything was so "Hollywood" and glitzy, Sean, although famous and extremely wealthy, remained a very grounded person. Use of description for the atmosphere was outstanding. I had a bit of a problem in the beginning with the POV switching from third person back to first person, but after a chapter or two, that all fell in line, and I didn't even notice. A good story needs good characters, and Ms. Copeland definitely provided those. You'll have a love/hate relationship with Topaz. You'll find yourself rooting for her, then when she does something so completely selfish and stupid, you just want to see her get hers. With Gunther, you're pretty much waiting for him to crash and burn. Even almost perfect Sean has his issues; falling for Topaz and becoming addicted to painkillers. You'll find yourself hoping that his faith pulls him through. What I love about this book is that it is gripping, yet there are so many subtle and valuable lessons. Good read!

I was surprised I liked the book. I loved the twists and the life messeages that the book entailed. An enjoyable read.

I just finished reading this book and am giving it 2 thumbs up! Sheila's descriptive writing style definitely helped me to visualize the characters; however her overuse of describing the characters skin & eye color and hair texture definitely turned me off just a tad.

The book was a fun read and I loved feeling like I was along for the ride as Topaz, Gunther & Sylk rode up the ranks of the music biz, Hollywood & the pseudo NBA.

I really wish that a book like this would be adapted to a movie screenplay - it's what is lacking in movies about African-Americans today...it shows friendship, love, betrayal and the rags to riches stories of people who had goals & dreams and pursued them successfully.

I bought the sequel to this book and can't wait to read it!