Customer Reviews

Reckless: An It Girl Novel (The It Girl Series)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

When Jenny Humphrey arrived at Waverly Academy, the Waverly Owls had one thing on their minds, discussing the new girl and her voluptuous body. Jenny, on the other hand, had something quite different on her mind, creating a reputation for herself entirely different from the one she had earned back in Manhattan. Here in Upstate New York, the petite sophomore has managed to catch the eye of three of the hottest guys on campus, kissed two of them - quite passionately, I might add - and had the privilege of making one of them her boyfriend: the artistic, adorable, oft-times brooding, Easy Walsh. The Kentucky-native is just the type of guy Jenny has always wanted, and Easy can't keep his eyes off her. Too bad his eyes should have been on someone else - namely, his girlfriend, the waif-like, shopaholic Callie Vernon. Soon the ultra-powerful Tinsley Carmichael was informing Callie that their sweet-faced, city girl new roommate was nothing more than a manipulative tramp who was using Callie to get to Easy; even though Tinsley was guilty of something much worse: stealing the scrumptious Mr. Dalton out of Brett Messerschmidt's perky clutches just to spite her. Now war has been declared. Callie and Tinsley against Brett and Jenny. But when the two groups are split up against enemy lines - Callie and Jenny in Dumbbarton 303, and Brett and Tinsley living just downstairs - conflicts will seemingly come to a head. For suddenly, everything is about to change. Tinsley's dirty laundry is about to be aired for the world to know. And when Easy comes searching for Jenny, and stumbles upon Callie, some scandalous activity will occur that will leave someone in tears. With the entire Waverly student body waiting in the wings for something juicy to happen, everyone knows something will - it's just a matter of which girl will come out on top and claim the title of IT.

Rarely do I come across a YA series that I can hardly put down, but that is the exact feeling that I am overcome with whenever I pick up one of Cecily von Ziegesar's IT GIRL novels. The characters found at Waverly Academy are addicting and riveting; while the gossip and catfights that ensue between the student body is absolutely jaw-dropping. From the witchy ways of the glamorous Tinsley; to the underhanded, yet oft-times moody ways of Callie; and the sweet-faced, innocent qualities of Jenny; to the intelligence found in Brett; along with a slew of handsome guys who each bring a handful of strange, yet hilarious - and often grotesque - qualities to the mix that add an extra oomph to this spectacular series. Each character brings a delectable entree to the table that you can't help but gobble up with a silver spoon. There is only one word to properly describe this series: scandalous. Now it's only a matter of seeing what Cecily von Ziegesar will manage to come up with for the Waverly Owls next.

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer

Reckless is not a disappointment! It is every bit as addictive as the two It Girl novels that preceeded it. You can't help but be swept away with Jenny, Callie, Brett, and Tinsley as they navigate through the sometimes excruciating, sometimes thrilling, moments of their priviliged lives at Waverly Academy. And then there are the boys - Easy Walsh is so sweet and sexy, of course Jenny couldn't end up happily-ever-after with him like was promised at the end of Notorious. Which would have been boring - it's so much more fun to see the romantic entanglments all play out - like what about the great addition of Kara to the Waverly cast??

These books do just keep getting better. The best part of the It Girl is that these girls aren't just your standard rich girls at a private school. The author has formed each character completely, well above and beyond physical characteristics like different hair and eye color. They have interests and quirks and attractions, even struggles, and that makes them real. Reading Reckless, at any moment you may laugh or let your mouth drop open in disbelief with them. That's why I'll keep reading the It Girl series - not for the 200 pages devoted to a weekend in a dorm, but because of the girls (and guys) in the dorm. If you put these characters in any setting, over any time frame, delicious drama will occur - because the characters are so damn good - even if it's usually in a naughty way!

Like gossip girls, the it girl series is a total page turner. Cecily von Ziegesar makes sure that she tells you a lot of information but not too much so it will keep you hooked. It's annoying to have to wait a long time for the next one, but it's worth it.

I have read the two other books, and I enjoyed this book more than the first two. I can't wait for the fourth book this summer. The book gives both reality & fiction all rolled into one. I love it!

I enjoyed the latest installment whipped up by von Ziegesar. Though at times slightly predictable the novel was relevant to furthing the overall plot. But it did much more than that--not only did it set up a delectably sweet fourth installment it refined the ever present charaters and set up new ones as well. I gobble up these books so quickly that I'm already at the edge of my computer chair waiting for the next. Let's just hope that wait isn't long and we atleast get some of the answers were dieing to know. The dethroning of sweet Tinsley has already begun. I hope Jenny becomes her next predecessor.

C.V.Z is following in the footsteps of her Sweet Valley High predecessor and many other authors, becoming more of a brand than a bookwriter. There is very little substance left in her books. When she started writing Gossip Girl, her writing was clear and sharp and fun...now it's as if she has taken her storylines and thrown them in a blender, creating nothing but a muddle.
Her characters have become caricatures of themselves (in both series!). They have no substance behind them. You spend the entire book waiting for something to happen. Nothing ever does, though.
Also, her editors need to pay more attention. Perhaps they should read each book before publishing it. In Reckless, there is a mention of Jenny and her father having visited Waverly before Jenny enrolled, yet in the first book of this series, it clearly states that Jenny never visited Waverly, having chosen it based on the brochure.
It's a shame--I think this series could have a lot of promise. Honestly, I would rather scour eBay for old "The Girls of Canby Hall" books---at least it's a more realistic view of boarding school & the angst of the teenage years.

Things get very interesting in 'Reckless'...More drama, scandal, parties! If you want to keep reading the 'It Girl' series, this one is worth the read. Some new characters pop up. This book is more of a guilty pleasure more than anything, a continuation from the previous 2 books. The storyline isn't perfect, sometimes it gets a little redundant like the 1st and 2nd book, but it keeps you reading and leaves you wanting more.

Jenny Humphrey has had nothing but boys chasing after her since she began attending Waverly Academy. Namely, the three hottest guys on campus! And one of them happens to be her current boyfriend, the sexy-manly-artist Easy Walsh.

Who just happens to be her roommate, Callie's, ex-boyfriend, who still likes him.

And with gossip like that, Tinsley had to start drama and tell Callie. So the two roommates have done nothing but ignore and avoid each other for a long time. But Easy does something not good behind Jenny's back.

What does he do? Will Callie and Jenny ever be friends? What stunt will Tinsley pull next? Well, you are just going to have to read this book to find out!

With every new IT GIRL book I read, I love Jenny a little more, and hate Tinsley a little more. Mrs. von Ziegesar has created characters that will keep you on your toes, and dying to know what will happen next!

Reviewed by: Taylor Rector

The other two books have been disapointing on how things turn out. Though they are still both very good books, I like this one the best. I like better endings rather than bitter and based on that fact I naturally loved reading this book! I couldnt put it down.

This book is amazing! In my opinion it's the best in the series. Alot of the characters secrets were revealed in this book which leaves youwanting more. In the first book I had a bad feeling about Easy Walsh. In book 2 I still wasn't sure but I did like him more then I did in the 1st. Then in this one I realized my felling was correct! He turned out to be a total (to put it nicely) jerk!! I won't tell you why but I'm pretty mad about. I like Jenny, she's a tie for my favorite character with Callie and what he does to both of them will make you have the same exact feeling I do. I can't wait for Unforgettable. YOU SHOULD READ THIS BOOK!!!!!! Remember that. TA!