Book Reviews and Author Interview: The Elite and In Too Deep by Jennifer Banash

Today I am featuring The Elite series by Jennifer Banash with a review of the first 2 books in the series, a preview of book 3 and a very cool interview with Jennifer (seriously -it's worth reading even if you aren't interested in the series).

Before we get started, I just wanted to say that these are not the type of books I typically read. I have never read even a single sentence of Gossip Girl, The A-List, The Clique, or any other teen books about the fabulous lives of the rich and snobby. But hey, I like to expand my reading horizons and read something out of my comfort zone every once in a while. These novels had a lot more depth than I expected, and though they certainly don’t offer up a cure for cancer, they are good at what they set out to do.

Book 1 – The Elite
Casey McCloy is not in Normal, IL anymore. She’s moved in with her grandmother who lives in the most exclusive luxury apartment building in New York’s Upper East Side. And when she meets the three resident teen beauties, clad head to toe in designer duds, she realizes her Old Navy wardrobe isn’t going to cut it. She’s going to need a complete makeover – something new frenemy and reigning elite princess of Manhattan Madison Macallister seems happy to give – but will it come at a price?

Although this book is a bit slow at the start while it sets up, once it gets in gear, the drama, which mostly focuses on Madison and Casey competing for the attentions of Madison’s ex boyfriend Drew, flows fast and furiously. I liked that Madison’s minions, Sophie and Phoebe, weren’t stereotypical airheads but had minds and plotlines of their own.

One thing I found extremely odd and disconcerting was the fact that Casey knew her high-end cosmetics so well that she could identify the specific brand of bronzing oil/lip gloss/nail polish someone was wearing with a single glance and sniff. Can people really do this? I kept thinking she would be very valuable in the marketing department of a cosmetics company!

The book closes with some startling revelations and we’re all set for…

Book 2 – In Too Deep
Casey is finally starting to fit in, but she’s not sure New York Casey is someone she even likes. Madison is sure she doesn’t like Casey – after all, Casey got her corn-fed claws into Drew – a big no-no since everyone knows he belongs to Madison. Drew knows he’s fed up with the perfect veneer of Manhattan’s elite, and he doesn’t like that it seems Casey is headed in the same direction…

In Too Deep is even more over-the-top than The Elite – Madison is scouted by a modeling agency, Phoebe has secret trysts with Sophie’s brother, Sophie throws a fabulous sweet sixteen bash with a reality show camera crew in tow and a very famous special guest, and Casey…. Um…Casey tries to figure out why Drew sometimes showers her with attention and sometimes ignores her. (Oh, and she seems to have lost her super high-end cosmetics radar – how about that?). Yeah, I did feel like Casey sort of got short shrift in this installment, but that should be remedied in…

Book 3 – Simply Irresistible
Madison has been asked to star in her own reality TV show – with her rival Casey. Madison’s none too pleased that Casey could end up just as popular as she is…

This comes out in July, and I’m looking forward to picking it up and really seeing the fur fly.

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And now, please welcome Jennifer Banash, here to answer a few of my questions!

You wrote the series for teens, but many adults are reading YA these days thanks to the success of Harry Potter and Twilight. Do you think your books appeal to that crossover audience? Have you heard from any adult fans?

I think that YA is crossing over more and more these days, but I really don't know if my series in particular possesses that appeal. I haven't heard from any adult readers who aren't my friends!

The clique led by queen bee Madison is made up of three girls until Casey comes along. Why is it that popular girls in books and movies always run around in groups of three? I’ve noticed too that when a fourth girl comes along, it usually leads to the group’s undoing (see Heathers, Jawbreaker, Mean Girls, The Craft, etc.). Care to comment on this phenomenon?

Never thought about it before, but you're absolutely right! Three is a number that is said to theoretically posses magical properties--spells are chanted three times, and in fairy tales such as Cinderella, there is always a series of events that come in threes (Cinderella goes to the ball three times). I think that the practical reason for groups of girls that come in groups of three in YA novels is that the "leader" is always kind of a lone wolf in many ways, and her flunkies need each other for company!

Honestly, my head was spinning from all the product placement in The Elite. Why did you focus so much on labels? And did you spend a lot of time at Barney’s and Sephora in the name of research?

That's something I toned WAY down in IN TOO DEEP. I didn't have to do any research at all--I'm completely obsessed with fashion and read Vogue magazine like it's my own personal bible. I'd take out the trash in stilettos, a ball gown, and a tiara is I thought I could get away with it .. . .

I’m a total Sephora addict! Are the characters favorite brands your favorites too? Tell us what’s in your make-up bag.

Yes! I love writing from Sophie's POV because she's slightly funkier in style than the rest of the Bram Clan. I definitely share her fascination with Too Faced, and MAC! I'm also obsessed with Trucco lip glosses, and the eyeshadow palettes from Coastal Scents--they're really cheap, and the colors and pigmentation are fabulous. It's like MAC for pennies :)

You’ve mentioned BITTEN, a book you wrote about twins who move from NYC to Dracula’s castle in Romania, in a few interviews and I am intrigued. Any updates on a publication timeline you can give us?

I've actually shelved BITTEN for the time being. With the whole TWILIGHT phenomena, no one's buying vampire books right now--the market is completely saturated.

I’ve never been to NYC, but I’m going this August. What do I absolutely have to check out in order to get the insider experience? I’m definitely hitting up the Strand bookstore – but what else is can’t miss for a first timer?

Yes! Definitely go to the Strand--it's my fave bookstore and you can find a lot of ARCs there as well. If you're over 21 check out a bar called Milk and Honey--they make pre-prohibition drinks from completely fresh ingredients by hand. It's also a really cool place because you have to text the bar's number to get in--then they text you back and tell you to come over! So, it's very hush-hush, secret fabulousness! You should also go shopping--Fifth and Madison Avenues are great, but there are lots of little designer boutiques downtown in the West Village, and in Brooklyn that are unique and fantastic. Williamsburg has some amazing boutiques, and it's only a few subway stops from downtown Manhattan. Go to my favorite ice-cream parlor, Serendipity 3 and have a frozen hot chocolate--they're world-famous, and amazing. Go to Central Park and have a picnic if the weather's nice. And do go to the top of the Chrysler Building for the awesome view--it's less touristy than the Empire State, and personally I think the actual artichetecture of the building is much more beautiful.

Thank you Jennifer!