Customer Reviews

The Elite (Elite Novels)

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Casey McCloy is the new girl in town, New York City that is. From the first moment she steps into her new home, the Bramford, she realizes how out of place she is. So when she finds out that the girl to know is Madison Macallister, she tries to become friends with her. But being recently transplanted from Normal, Illinois to the Big Apple isn't helping her at all, and neither are her frizzy hair and not-expensive-enough wardrobe.

Madison, the it girl who gets anything and everything she wants, in a rare act of kindness, helps Casey out a bit. Madison's two closest friends, Sophie and Phoebe, are slightly more welcoming. But they've all got problems of their own. Sophie has always felt like an outsider ever since she skipped a grade, and because she looks nothing like the rest of her family. Phoebe yearns for her mother to stop being so jealous of Phoebe's beauty. And Madison's got problems too when her ex Drew shows interest in newcomer Casey.

At first glance, The Elite seems like another Gossip Girl book, but as the story progressed, it turned into so much more. The Elite is told from alternating points-of-view of the different characters, and that helps provide much insight into their lives. I enjoyed how Jennifer Banash developed all five main characters instead of just focusing on one. What I appreciated the most was how the characters seemed real. Instead of being just stereotyped and/or ruthless, these girls and guy each had a conscience and feelings I could relate to (most of the time). Many times, I felt sympathy for the characters, but at the same time, I didn't because I felt kind of removed from them which is probably because most of us don't experience the lavish life of the wealthy and beautiful as these characters do.

The Elite is definitely a step up from the Gossip Girl series. I recommend it is you liked the It Girl series by Cecily con Ziegesar, the A-List series by Zoey Dean, and also the Fast Girls, Hot Boys series by Kylie Adams. Be prepared for a slightly more meaningful story than the ones presented in the series mentioned above though. Jennifer Banash's novel was certainly a worthwhile read, and I look forward to the continuation of The Elite series.

[..]

Casey McCloy is a normal girl from Normal (no, seriously, she's from Normal, Illinois), and then she moves into the most exclusive apartment building in New York's Upper East Side. Now she's surrounded by wealth and elegance she's only dreamed about. This world is ruled by Madison Macallister. But making friends with the hottest girl and her friends is never easy, as Casey discovers, especially when she might be falling for Madison's sort-of boyfriend.

I really enjoyed "The Elite", though I was doubtful at first. It seemed like it would be a cross between the "Private" series by Kate Brian (a normal girl mixing with the upper class) and "Gossip Girl" (the wealthy of Manhattan). These books normally aren't my sort of reads. So I was expecting "The Elite" to be just some fun, mediocrely written with unlikable and flat charaacters.

But I was wrong.

The five characters at the center of the novel all got their own chapters, so we didn't just see Casey's struggle to fit in or Madison's reactions. We got to know more about Madison's two friends as well as Drew, the love interest. All five characters are well drawn with distinct voices. More than that, they're relatable. Banash gives her characters real problems. Even if you don't have a fortune and live in New York City, you can find some way to empathize with these characters, to care about them, even queen bee Madison.

I also really liked how Casey kept to her values. She never completely gave up who she was to fit in, which I think is admirable and needed in young adult fiction, especially of this sort. It certainly surprised me, as I expected Casey to become a second Madison, or try to. But that never happened.

"The Elite" is also fairly well-written, and some of Banash's descriptions are quite brilliant. The only thing that bothered me was the designer name-dropping. I don't really care about the fashion world, so all the names meant nothing. But that didn't really get in the way of my enjoying this novel.

If you're looking for a book about the upper class but hoping for something more substantial, "The Elite" is definitely the book for you and I for one cannot wait for the release of "In Too Deep".

I really enjoyed reading The Elite. It was a lighter read full of drama from the top of the social ladder Upper East Side teen girls. The drama wasn't the over the top and exagerated drama that you see so much of these days, which was certainly entertaining. I loved the alternating chapters between the 5 main characters, reading the story from all the different characters added so much depth and you get to hear their side. Jennifer Banash's writing style really draws readers in as well. I found myself having a hard time putting this one down!

As soon as Casey McCloy steps into the luxurious Bramford apartment building she knows that she has entered another world. Everything seems so much more elegant and sophisticated then even the nice places in her hometown of Normal, Illinois. Casey has moved to Upper-East Side Manhattan to stay with her grandmother while her feministic mother travels to England to do research for her up and coming book. Before Casey even steps foot in her grandmother's apartment she is greeted by Madison MacAllister, the ultimate It Girl, and her possey. Even though the girls seem intimidating, Casey thinks that maybe, possibly they could be her friends. They even invite her to the park with them after she has settled in. When Casey finally makes it to the park she is thoroughly introduced to Madison's sidekicks, Sophie and Phoebe, who seem to be a lot nicer than Madison. Casey is also introduced to Drew, who just happens to have something going on with the Queen bee herself, but definitely has eyes for Casey! During the last few weeks of summer vacation Casey finds herself hanging out with Madison, Phoebe, and Sofie quite a bit. They even give her some fashion advice for her first day of school outfit. Casey's stoked that she has found some friends, but when Casey starts talking with Drew jealousy overcomes Madison and things aren't as bright for Casey anymore. Madison is determined to get Drew back, and she always gets what she wants. Will Casey's sweet demeanor trump Madison's nasty attitutude?

This book was awesome. I couldn't put it down. Originally I was a little skeptical because the book sounded a lot like the Gossip Girl books which I don't really care for, but I made the completely wrong assumption. While there is drama in this book it doesn't overpower the story, it actually makes the book even more devourable. The characters are extremely real and in most cases likeable. Yes, the girls were rich, but money wasn't the main focal point of the story. Actually, I liked how Casey was able to lead a very interesting life without all the glitz and glamor that money provides. I also liked how two of the supporting characters, Sophie and Phoebe, got their chance to shine too. I haven't read many books where this happens and I really liked how the reader got to take a little break from the main character(s) to see what else was going on in the story. Another great thing about this book is the humor. I found myself laughing out loud a lot and just smiling at what Sophie would say, or how Casey would act. This was a great first novel from Jennifer Banash and I desperately wish that the sequel, In Too Deep, was already on my bookshelf

Hmmm... Another series about a Midwestern beauty moving to NYC. Another series featuring more rich, beautiful, bratty teens. Excuse me, haven't we done this before? Yes! Unfortunately, many times over! Excessively! Enter Jennifer Banash. JB has skills. Ms. Banash extinguishes the competition w/ her Manolo's then struts down to Bergdorf's to pick up a pair of Corset Bootie 's (Dior), a Stella McCartney Piercing Tote & a Kooba Blake Leather Shoulder Bag (love)! Banash is clearly a rock star & the others pale in comparison screeching karaoke. Like movie theater popcorn w/ extra butta, a foot massage, a sundae w/ caramel, marshmallow & cherries ;P; a shopping spree @ Christian Louboutin, Victoria Secret & Sephora. Jennifer Banash has a sure fire hit w/ her fabulous Elite series. Banash's characters are authentic, unique & interesting. Every player has a tale to tell & it is not just filler... it's substance. Banash was brilliant crafting the chapters in alternating points of view. It brings all the characters front & center. No kibbles & bits for the secondary characters... Banash illuminates every cast member w/ a glow of their own. The Elite isn't just about "poor" Casey & snotty Madison doesn't overshadow the novel w/ her grandstanding & diva tantrums... Jennifer deftly displays every character's voice & allows them to be genuine characters not high society caricatures! Applause! Sophie & Phoebe aren't Madison's accessories they are three dimensional young adults w/ intriguing lives w/ secrets to confront, endure & disclose. Now, I'm not going to leave out the tidbit that the begining of The Elite was a bit slow going but once Banash sets the members up...away we go! Some may grouse @ the designer brands dripping off the pages, but it is a way of life in the world of big bucks! Eventually, Banash eases up on the labels & gives us the true grit. Drama, check! Scandal, of course! Fashionista's, come hither... The Elite is a must to toss into your tote! Kudos to Banash, she didn't wave a La Perla garment & make Casey uber pop. Nah, just wouldn't be believable. Double kudos to Banash for the way she piloted Drew ~ spot on! Jennifer's characters are extremely well developed. Madison is one of the nastiest something ~ somethings, but Banash writes w/ such emotion, you can't help but feel empathy for the bratty prima donna! Madison tells it like it is & remains true to form. Casey seems to lose herself once stepping foot in NYC. She is too easily manipulated & I wondered @ times if she left her smarts back home. Grrr.... I hate when a intelligent female loses sight of herself for a guy or a clique. Weak! Casey needs to toughen up if she's going to make it in the big A. Casey has the backbone to make it... she is just finding her way in Gotham city. Banash has a hit on her hands & a mean pair of stilettos on her feet! Hurry, grab a copy of The Elite.

I really wanted to like this book because I heard good things about it but I guess it just was not for me. I feel like the story of the small town girl moving to the big city to live among the rich and snooty has been done many times so I really wanted something in this book to distinguish itself. While I loved Casey's grandmother and Casey herself was pretty likeable I found a lot of the relationships between the characters to be a bit unbelievable. For instance, I could understand why Drew was doubting any future with Madison but I did not really see any compelling reason that he would like Casey instead. He made mentions of liking classic movies and wanting to go to museums but other than running into Casey once in a museum you don't see him discovering the little things about her that would make him fall for her. I will say the little side bits that Banash tosses in there had my attention more than the Madison-Drew-Casey love triangle. I wanted to learn more about Sophie's problems, Phoebe's issues and what is going to happen with Sophie's brother. So I will say the temptation is there to pick up the next book but I will not be in any rush.

Casey McCloy is new to New York. On her first day she meets Madison Macallister, the popular "perfect" girl, and her two best friends, Sophie and Phoebe. Later Casey meets Madison's maybe boyfriend who she immediately begins to have a crush on since he's so darn hot.
Casey is just trying to fit in with this group of girls and the crazy rich infested and prestigious high school, Meadowlark Academy. Unfortunately things and people keep making her life there not so great.
I really liked the ending to this novel and am looking forward to reading In Too Deep then the next book after that.
I liked the fact that the five main characters talk in their own POV's because the reader really gets to know what each of them is thinking. Sophie and Phoebe were nothing like what I expected them to be, which I just loved.
This novel is very entertaining and so realistic which is something else I was not expecting. Love it! :D
-tvandbookaddict.blogspot.com

I have to tell you how intriguing it is to follow the lives of Casey, Madison, and Drew! I read THE ELITE and was blown away by Jennifer's descriptive voice and each character's deep and complicated issues. Writing multiple point of views is an awesome talent that Jennifer Banash has pulled off with chic style. If you enjoy intrigue, gossip, and the lifestyle of the elite, check out this tantalizing series.

Casey McCloy has stepped in to a brand new world, as she enters the Bramford to lives with her grandmother. She realizes that Target isn't going to cut it here, unlike in Normal, Illinois. Casey meets Madison Macallister, the it girl of New York's Upper East Side. Madison does a rare act of kindness and with the help of her two best friends, Sophie and Phoebe; she gives Casey a make over.
Still Madison isn't as welcoming as Sophie and Phoebe are. After the makeover, Casey meets Drew, Madison's on-and-off-again-boyfriend. Drew has eye's for Casey, but Madison is determined to get him back.
I really enjoyed this book. It was a fun, quick read. I like the alternating chapters, because I got to see what everyone was thinking. I liked how The Elite was more realistic then Gossip Girls. When shopping, they looked in the clearance rack, which would be like a sin in Gossip Girl. They were also more down to earth and had more real probelms. Like Sophie feeling out of place, because she is one of the youngest in her class and Phoebe's probelms with her mom. The Elite also surprised me with a nice splash of humor. I really enjoyed this book and I would recommend checking it out.

Casey McCloy has just moved to New York City from Illinois to live with her grandmother, while her mother is doing research in England. She gets to reside in a posh apartment building, attend a prestigious high school, and rub shoulders with Manhattan's elite. Even though she's not as rich or sophisticated as the other girls , she becomes friends with the three most popular girls in school: Madison, Phoebe and Sophie. The girls relunctantly allow Casey into their circle, but a social faux pas might push Casey out. Let's just hope that Casey stays away from Madison's on-and-off boyfriend Drew...

This book was a light read, full of fluff, but I still liked it a lot. It reminded me of Gossip Girl, since they're both easy to read and might be considered guilty pleasures. The characters were fun to read about, even though they fit the usual stereotypes: the perfect and pretty queen bee, the innoncent outsider, the cute and sensitive boy. It also seemed like the whole book revolved around one plot point, with few other things thrown in. The whole time Drew and Madison were trying to decide if they still liked each other, and the book was filled with "I like him, no I don't, should we date, will she be at the party, blah blah blah". Even though it got redundant, I liked reading about these girls, who seemed to define elegance and sophistication. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book, In Too Deep.