Before my write-up of Scarlett Fever, a brief note to the author (Which contains spoilers, but in such a confusing, disjointed and possibly insane manner that they shouldn't actually be all that spoiler-y. But, as the book doesn't come out until 2/1, do feel free to skip this next bit if you're at all concerned.)
Dear Maureen Johnson,
ARE YOU TRYING TO MAKE ME INTO A CRAZY PERSON? How could you leave me hanging like that? Seriously? The only thing that stopped my agonized "GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!" from actually being verbalized was the fact that I was reading under the blankets with a flashlight, trying desperately not to wake my snoring husband. You, madame, are a monster. Also, I am way tired this morning. So thanks for that, too.
Also, is it gross that I'm kind of in love with Spencer? (Not because he's a literary character -- that doesn't even remotely bother me -- but because he's practically jailbait.)
Lastly: I'm totally on Team Max. I know he did a bad thing -- a thing, actually, that felt a little bit Edward Cullen-ish, though The Sparkling Wonder would have had some annoying Sparkly Self-Righteous and Condescending Explanation for his motivation, whereas Max quite possibly just acted out of self-interest -- but I JUST DON'T CARE. Team Max. Make it right, Johnson. Make it right.
Love, Leila
If you haven't read Suite Scarlett, then the following won't mean much to you. Go. Read. And then return. (I mean it. If you're looking for a light, funny, quick read to help you forget it's January (or February... or March... UGH), then look no further than this series.)
The show is over, her shabby hotel of a home is back to its natural state (mostly empty), and Scarlett Martin is about to begin her sophomore year. She's working for a talent agent who she's pretty sure is certifiable, her brother has landed a job that has the entire city mad at him, her older sister isn't acting like her usually reliable self, and her younger sister is acting -- and trust me, this is totally weird and terrifying -- nice.
Also, she's still obsessed with her not-quite-ex-boyfriend (not-quite-ex-boyfriend as in "he was never actually her boyfriend, so he can't technically be her ex, but her heart still got all stomped on"), her boss told a client that Scarlett would be happy to spy on the client's son, and because of that, said son has decided to make Scarlett's life utterly miserable. Well, MORE utterly miserable.
Such is the life of a Martin. Sounds like an difficult existence, maybe, but after reading about them, I doubt you'd pass up the chance to be one, or to at least be a friend of the family. Or even stay in their hotel. The Martins are one of those literary families -- like the Cassons or the Melendys or the Conroys -- that I read about and just wish I could be a part of. (Not as a replacement for my own family. Yeesh. You know what I mean.) They squabble constantly, bicker even more, and occasionally have Epic Battles, but they all very much have each others' backs. They are all, in their own very different ways, awesome. And, for that matter, strangely wholesome. I kid you not.
As for the setting -- very, very rarely, I read a book that makes me want to live somewhere other than Maine. Even less often, I read a book that makes me want to live somewhere urban. This series falls into both categories -- the trials and tribulations of Scarlett Martin make me daydream about living in New York City.
Thumbs up, yet again, for Maureen Johnson. I hope that you get that call from Dick Wolf.
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Previously:
Suite Scarlett
Girl at Sea
13 Little Blue Envelopes
Devilish
SDQ Interview with Maureen Johnson
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Book source: Review copy from the publisher.
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I'm part of the Amazon Affiliate program. Which I'd assume would be apparent by the ad in the sidebar, but assuming that you're bright enough to understand that is not enough for the FTC. So, I will spell it out: if you click through to Amazon and buy something, I get money.
OMG the note to Maureen is the best thing ever.
Posted by: Korianne | 07 January 2010 at 01:12 PM
I still want Molly Weasley to be my mom. I told my own mom and explained that this desire no way reflected on her or how I felt about having her as a mom and she admitted that she kind of wanted Mrs. Weasley to be HER mom too.
Posted by: Str4y | 07 January 2010 at 02:00 PM
Oh, I've been waiting to read this book for forever, and now I REALLY can't wait. Thanks for the review.
Posted by: Meagan | 07 January 2010 at 03:21 PM
YES!
It sounds just as good as I knew it would be. And you are not alone in your Spencerlove. Hehe. Can't wait to get my hands on this one.
Posted by: Angie | 07 January 2010 at 04:03 PM
I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who'd like to live with the Martins for a while (hey, I could cook them some decent food, right?). Thanks for the tip -- can't wait for it to come out!
Posted by: Brooke Shirts | 07 January 2010 at 09:41 PM
That note to Maureen is brilliant. My M can't wait for this book to come out - it's on her "Top 10 for '10" list of books she's most anxious for.
Posted by: Kelly Fineman | 07 January 2010 at 09:45 PM
Fun, fun review--I look forward to reading this one. I very much enjoyed Suite Scarlett. It kinda made me want to live in NYC, too--which I'm sure I could not handle weather-wise!!
Posted by: aquafortis | 08 January 2010 at 10:15 PM
Thanks for the review--can't WAIT to read this one.
Posted by: Emily Wing Smith | 09 January 2010 at 04:41 PM
seriously in love with Spencer too and I'm a 30 something librarian in a midwestern college town who'd LOVE to live in NYC in the Martin hotel for a few months. It was the most cliffhanging ending I'd ever read. Hopefully Johnson doesn't make us wait too long for the next Scarlet installment.
Posted by: katharine | 25 February 2010 at 04:06 PM
Yep: in love with Spencer, Team Max, and the GAAAA! ending. Hit it right on the nose there Leila. :-)
Posted by: Melissa (Book Nut) | 01 March 2010 at 03:57 PM
I have just finished the book and I AM LOOKING FOR ANSWERS!!!!! (Warning: Spoiler alert) Who did Scarlett choose, whats up with Lola, and when is the next book coming out? If this is it, then i will probably need some therapy, because she cant give Scarlett fans that much of a cliff-hanger and expect them to be fine with it. Ill be faithfully waiting for the next book and heating up the oven to stick my head in until that book arrives!!! How do you like them apples Ms. Johnson? (Just an fyi, that was completely sarcastic)
Posted by: Claire | 02 March 2010 at 08:51 PM