Customer Reviews

In Too Deep (Elite Novel)

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

 

 

IN TOO DEEP picks up not long after where THE ELITE ends. Casey McCloy and Drew Van Allen are an official item, and Madison Macallister is acting friendly(-ish) to her face but preparing to break them up. Sophie and Phoebe try to be friends to both, but they're busy with their own dramas. Even in the glittery world of the exclusive Bram building, they still have to deal with two things that plague every teenager: boys and family. (Well, some teenagers are plagued by girls and family.)

I love how much more grounded THE ELITE series seems than some of the other series of this type I've read. In so many there may be parents present, but they'll have no control over their children. IN TOO DEEP explores many of the characters' relationships with their families as well as the relationship drama.

Madison, like a true queen bee, chafes under the control of her mother. (I'm not saying her mother's the best, but she's far better than Madison makes out.) She feels she's more grown-up than she actually is and it gets her in over her head. She gets scouted for modelling and encounters people who don't care what her last name is. She flirts with a man too old for her without once considering his age.

Phoebe Reynaud also has problems with her mother, but more because she keeps forgetting to pick up her little sister because she's too busy with whoever her boyfriend is. Phoebe cuts her own support lines by getting involved with a boy she can't tell her friends about. He can make her happy when he's physically present, but most of the time he just makes her feel guilty at a time when she needs something to feel positive about.

Sophie St. John loves her mother and father, but she's angry at them for the secret they kept and eager to meet her birth mom. IN TOO DEEP definitely showcases Sophie more than THE ELITE. Her Sweet Sixteen is approaching - and it's going to be on camera, on an MTV-esque show. She finds she can speak to Casey before the cameras start rolling because she can be more objective than the friends who have known her forever. Of course, those friends will eventually find out Casey knew about the adoption first. Sophie sets herself up for all kinds of drama.

On the other hand, Drew adores his father and still gets along with him quite well. He doesn't like his relationship advice about Casey, but he's always felt a strong camadarie with his father since they're rather similar. However, he's about to find out about some of his father's mistakes, which makes him question himself as a person.

This only adds to his relationship drama with Casey. Liking each other isn't enough to sustain a relationship and the two have serious communication problems. Both want to make it work but their actions often convince the other of the opposite. They don't really understand how the other thinks, which makes it hard to know when they've sent the wrong signal. Of course, their problems aren't helped by Madison helping the misunderstandings along.

In the finale Jennifer Banash really ups the ante for SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE. I can't wait to pick up the third book and see how some of the snarls come undone. Banash is fabulous at creating relatable characters in over-the-top situations. Her characters act like real teenagers and really captures that sense of being almost ready to be an adult but not quite and the out of control emotions.

Everyone's favorite characters from The Elite are back with more drama, fun, and lessons of the Upper East Side. Jennifer Banash picks up where The Elite left off and continues writing the fabulous story of Madison and her clan, Casey, and Drew. In Too Deep is once again written in alternating chapters between the characters, and I can never get enough of all the characters. I'm hoping to hear more from Phoebe and Jared in Book 3! In Too Deep reveals so much more of all the characters stories and lives. It's jam packed with drama, drama, and more drama. The end leaves readers begging for book 3!

Step back into the super privileged world of The Elite. The infamous girls living in one of New York's classiest apartment building, the Bramford, are back. While they may look absolutely perfect and dazzling, dark secrets are hiding behind their all too perfect appearance.

Casey McCloy is finally starting to fit in. Her hair's not as unruly as it used to be, she's learning the ins and outs of a good fashion sense and she's dating Drew, one of the hottest guys in all of Manhattan. As she becomes the "New York Casey" though she feels like she's losing herself.

Then there is Madison Macallister, the reigning queen of the Upper East Side, who just so happens to believe that Casey stole Drew from her. Even though Madison and Drew weren't officially dating, Madison was majorly crushing on him, and still can't believe that a Midwestern freak like Casey could steal him away from her. Determined to get Drew back, Madison all but wages a silent war on Casey in order to exact her revenge.

Will the queen bee get what she wants or will the new girl find herself all of a sudden a lot more powerful then she ever thought possible?

These books are splendid! In Too Deep picks up right where The Elite left off, not missing a beat. All the gossip and drama that occurs in Gossip Girl is present in these books, except these girls actually have moral standards.

All of the characters in the book were excellently developed. Each had their own unique story and personality. I really love how Jennifer Banash had two supporting characters who each had their own thing going on. They were separate from Madison and Casey and really had their own lives, dealing with their own problems. What's also really great about the characters is that even though they are spoiled socialites, any girl could easily relate to them. Even Madison, who appears to be untouchable, has many insecurities that are present in your everyday teenage girl.

The pages were definitely drama filled and I found it hard to tear myself away from the book, eagerly anticipating what would happen next. There were many twists and turns that I would never been able to predict and I found many of the plot aspects to be really creative.

Jennifer Banash has definitely created a great sequel to The Elite, and while she answered many questions from the first book, she has created even more in this one. All the better though as it promises a great third book in the series, ***, which hits shelves in Summer 2009. In the mean time though go out and enjoy yourself as you read this deliciously guilty book!

I love this series! Now, I was never a big fan of Gossip Girl, but The Elite has blown me away from the very first book! I love Jennifer Banash's writing style, and how the story lets you see what's going on from every characters point of view. I really relate to the things Casey is going through in trying to fit in with a new crowd, and Banash even finds a way to make Madison, the queen bee of the series, not only believable, but sympathetic. And the clothes! Sigh. Some people may find the descriptions over the top, but personally, I love imagining the fabulous outfits the characters are wearing. And, of course, there's Drew Van Allen, the gorgeous, sensitive New York boy of my dreams! I really hope Drew and Casey work it out, because it seems like they were meant to be together. Now, if only Madison would get out of the way!

I read The Elite and loved it so obviously I needed to read the sequel. I was a little bit bummed that In Too Deep wasnt quite as entertaining as the first book. Not much seemed to be going on in this book. Maybe the third one will be better, if I choose to read it when it comes out.

Ooooh this sequel to The Elite was soo much better. It keeps getting better and better. I can't wait for Simply Irresistible (July 2009)!!
****I wouldn't recommend reading this next paragraph if you still haven't read The Elite, I wouldn't want to spoil things for you****
In this book Sophie (one of my favorite characters) has her sweet sixteen coming up and she is going all out. That night is going to be HUGE, especially since her biological mother is making an appearance (!!).
There seems to be a bit of trouble in paradise for Drew and Casey, will they work it out?
****It's safe to read from here****
There's of course more drama here and there including some new problems for Drew, Phoebe, Sophie, Casey, well everyone actually. Some of those problems are HUGE.
The writing of course continues to get better. I liked learning more about the characters and seeing how realistic they keep getting, it's nice to read something not so fictional. The problems these characters go through are real, they happen often as sadly and entertaining as that is.
I loved the ending! There is a very interesting thing that will happen with the characters in the next novel and I can't wait to find out how everything will work out for everyone involved.
[...]

From www.mrsmagooreads.com

Title: In Too Deep: An Elite Novel
Author: Jennifer Banash
Grade: B+
Ideal Audience: Girls, 11-16
Previous book in the series: The Elite
*Spoiler Warning* The following review contains spoilers for the previous book in the series

Summary: Madison is taking her mother's old advice and is keeping her enemies even closer than her friends. After boyfriend-thief Casey stole drew right in front of Madison's disbelieving eyes, Madison has made a large effort to be nice to that Midwestern freak. And, of course, an even larger effort to get Drew back.

Casey, on the other hand, truly believes that Madison has forgiven her. Her relationship with Drew is going great... until she realizes he may not be the most loyal of boyfriends. Casey needs to come up with a way to keep Drew to herself, and fast.

But the battle over Drew is not the only thing going on in In Too Deep. Sophie and Phoebe, Madison's "friends" (more like posse), have some huge drama going on in their lives. Sophie receives some startling news about her biological mother, but she also needs to focus on throwing the sweet sixteen of the century. Meanwhile, Phoebe is secretly seeing Sophie's older brother, but Phoebe hates the dishonesty of sneaking around behind Sophie's back.

All is not well among Manhattan's richest...

My thoughts: I loved all the drama of In Too Deep! I also loved the exciting characters and the way Jennifer Banash alternated the point of view so that the reader knows what's going on in all of the characters' heads.

One thing that was nagging me, however, was how completely unrealistic some of it was. (I don't want to be a spoiler, so I won't name exactly what.) I understand that it's a much more exciting novel if the girls are extremely wealthy, beautiful, and lucky, and I'm fine with that, but I'd like most of the story to be kept within the realm of believability. (EDIT: Jennifer Banash's response: "ITD isn't supposed to be believable by any stretch of the imagination--the plot structure is supposed to resemble a reality TV show.")

At the end, Banash left me wanting more, and I'm excited for the release of the third novel, Simply Irresistable.

In Too Deep carries very shortly after The Elite stopped. Casey and Drew are now an item, but she is still struggling to find her place. Madison is acting friendly-ish, but she still wants Drew back. She will do anything to make it happen Sophie is preparing to meet her birth mother and plan her Sweet Sixteen. She finds that it is easier to talk to Casey then her old friends. Phoebe is lost in her feelings for Jared, Sophie's brother and in her mom's secret affair. Drew is confused on, if he likes Casey or Madison more.
I really enjoyed it. The characters developed more since The Elite. Banash has really master at changing the narrators. Each character has a different story and it adds to the drama. Twisting it in the master plot. Their probelms are a bit more in depth as we learn their secret. In this sequel, some of the questions are answered, while other are created. Most of all this book, will leave with a major cliffhanger that will make you waiting for Simply Irresistible to come out on July 7th. Anyways, I hope you check it out.

If you're been following my blog for long, you know that I absolutely adored Jennifer Banash's first book, The Elite. In Too Deep is, if anything, better than it's prequel.

In Too Deep takes us farther into the drama of the five main character's, Casey, Sophie, Phoebe, Madison, and Drew's, drama-filled life. Farm girl Casey is climbing up the teen social ladder, first by becoming a sort-of girlfriend to Drew, Madison's ex, and then by becoming close with Madison's other friends. Madison's fed up and ready to take Casey down, once and for all.

But, In Too Deep is in no way just about Casey and Madison's little drama. In Too Deep introduces us to a new meaning of "family drama". Without giving too much away, there's a ton of secrets, cheating, and parents secretly dating friends' parents.

With all that drama, you're probably going to feel like you're watching some MTV drama, and that seems to be exactly what Banash is going for.

I definitely think In Too Deep is a step up from The Elite, even with all of the brand names I've never heard of. (Kidding. Slightly.) If you've read and enjoyed The Elite, I definitely recommend picking up In Too Deep. If you haven't read The Elite, now is the perfect time to pick it up.

IN TOO DEEP
JENNIFER BANASH
Contemporary Young Adult
Berkley Jam

Rating: 5 Enchantments

One of the best new YA series out there, `The Elite series' continues with IN TOO DEEP which picks up a short while after the first book ends. Casey is still struggling to fit in at her new exclusive Upper East Side high school and deal with Madison, Sophie and Phoebe, the ultimate definition of frenemies. Especially dear sweet Madison, who in probably the best example of the term, decides to `treat' Casey to a trip to her hairstylist after a trip to Casey's grandmother's salon goes awry. I have to say Madison is great at the whole keep your friends close and your enemies closer line of thought. She's truly the epitome of the character you love to hate.

There was so much I liked about this book. Madison, Sophie, Phoebe, and Casey all have their own separate intriguing storylines: Madison's modeling, the upcoming appearance of Sophie's birth mother, Phoebe's secret crush and Casey still trying to fit in and deal with her new life and her relationship with Drew. I have to say what surprised me most--other than the ending--was Madison actually really grew on me with this book and you can sorta see why she acts the way she does, especially toward Casey and Drew. But that's not the only thing going on, the alternating chapters told by the girls all shed light on explosive secrets that once they come out are going to be pretty shocking.

One of my favorite scenes is when Sophie is trying on one of her outfits for her super sweet sixteen party. When the truth comes out, not only about her being adopted, but her real birth mother--and the kicker, that she confided all this in someone not Madison--things get heated between the girls.

With a shocking ending that leaves the reader demanding to know what happens next, IN TOO DEEP is one book that keeps you riveted from start to finish. Look for the third book in this great series, SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE, due out summer 2009.

Jennifer Banash knows firsthand the life and times of Manhattan teenagers--she was born and raised in New York City. She ghost wrote for a New York Times bestselling YA series; and she is the co-founder of Impetus Press, an independent press dedicated to publishing serious literary fiction with a pop edge. Jennifer now resides in Los Angeles.

Lisa
Enchanting Reviews
January 2009