Mini-reviews: The Snowball Effect & The Cinderella Society

Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: March 23rd, 2010
Source: 1 ARC Tours

18-year-old Lainey Pike can tell you everything you need to know about the people in her family just by telling you how they died. Her reckless stepfather drove his motorcycle off the highway and caused the biggest traffic jam in years. Her long-suffering grandmother lived through cancer and a heart attack before finally succumbing to a stroke. And Lainey's mother, still devastated over her husband's death, hung herself in the basement just days after Lainey's high school graduation. Now Lainey's five-year-old brother is an orphan and her estranged older sister moves back home to act as his guardian. Dealing with her brother has always been a struggle, but sharing the responsibility with her sister is proving to be just as challenging.

Lainey knows that this is all her mother's fault, but she also knows that she eventually has to move out of the "anger" phase of the grieving process. What she can't figure out, though, is how to make peace with a dead woman.

I struggled with this book for two reasons: the main character and the plot. I'll start off by saying that I really disliked Lainey. Her flakey, pissy attitude turned me off so much that I wondered: how could anyone tolerate her? Especially her boyfriend, who's like the sweetest boy alive. Mix a mean character with a plot that circles like a toy airplane and...well... I just didn't enjoy this book very much. But my dislike of Lainey doesn't cloud my awareness of how this book is written. The foundation of the story is strong and Lainey's voice, although annoying, was very much how a real teenager would think and talk. I can sense that Hoxter has exceptional talent but her debut failed to enamour me. I think if the plot hadn't meandered so much, then I would've enjoyed this story a little more. But ultimately what turned me off was Lainey and my inability to sympathize with her. Rating: 2.5 stars

Publisher: EgmontUSA

Release Date: April 13th, 2010

Source: 1 ARC Tours

Sixteen year old outsider, Jess Parker, gets the chance of a lifetime: an invitation to join a secret society of popular girls dedicated to defeating the mean girls of the world. The Cinderella Society guides all new recruits through its top secret ultimate life makeover. It’s all part of preparing them to face down the Wickeds and win. Determined not to let the Cindys down, Jess dives in with a passion. Finally, a chance to belong and show the world what she’s made of.

...be careful what you wish for.

Jess’s transformation wins her the heart of her dream crush and a shot at uber-popularity. Until the Wickeds–led by Jess’s arch enemy–begin targeting innocent girls in their war against the Cindys, and Jess discovers the real force behind her exclusive society. It’s a high stakes battle of good vs. evil, and the Cindys in power need Jess on special assignment. When the mission threatens to destroy her dream life come true, Jess is forced to choose between living a fairy tale and honoring the Sisterhood… and herself. What’s a girl to do when the glass slipper fits, but she doesn’t want to wear it anymore?

Jess Parker is the kind of girl you want to have as a friend in high school. I really liked her character because she had a realistic and honest way about her. I was impressed with how well Cassidy was able to maintain the book's upbeat tone while also throwing in some more serious issues. The romance between Jess and a certain boy also added an interesting mix to the story--their relationship tackled the issues of how well you know someone and what happens when it's not all roses and happy endings. So basically, The Cinderella Society was very imaginative, very fun and I'm eagerly waiting for the next installment. Don't let the pink fool you--beneath this girly cover there's a powerful message of self-discovery and empowerment--it's just dressed cute ;) Rating: 4 stars