MADreads

Scarlett’s story continues…

March 1st, 2010 Katharine - Sequoya

YA writing goddess Maureen Johnson’s second installment in Scarlett Martins’ story was worth the wait, Scarlett Fever was great!  Unless you have read Suite Scarlett, which was madly reviewed here, most of this new novel would not make much sense.  So go read Suite Scarlett and then come back and read this review. Just kidding, read on my good friend and just put both books on your holds list.

Sixteen-year-old Scarlett Martin lives and breathes NYC.  Her family owns and operates a tiny retro hotel there and goes to the most elite public school in town. Her boss Mrs Amberson, a former hotel guest, has started a new talent agency whose first client is Scarlett’s gifted acting brother Spencer.  Spencer has finally landed a gig, but the catch is he’s the on screen villian whose killed off tv’s beloved Sonny Lavinksi (think Law and Order) and the fans of the show are not happy.  Scarlett is already stressed out because her old boyfriend Eric keeps popping up (goes to NYU acting school) and she’s still crushing on him hard.  Life becomes even tougher when she’s asked to keep an eye on Mrs. Amberson’s newest client’s older brother Max, the trouble maker who could sabotage his sister Chelsea’s budding broadway career.  Scarlett’s relationship with Max is tense, but then somehow the romantic sparks start flying. Life at the hotel gets even more stress filled when her cancer surviving sister Maureen becomes uncannily kind, what does she have up her young sleeve?  Lots of dramatic conclusions in this YA novel and one heckuva cliff hanger too.  This other reviewer really lets Johnson have it about her ending.

Johnson’s writing style is fun and quirky and that’s what makes these Scarlett books so darn good.  Its also nice that Scarlett’s parents in the book hardly ever show up and when they do they don’t just offer up wonderful advice or ground them for life.  Johnson lets Scarlett handle her own problems and any independent young woman can probably relate to how Scarlett deals with the headaches of being a teenager.  Those are just a few reasons why this series is a must read for any serious YA writing fan.

Entry Filed under: Young Adult