Sunday 27 December 2009

Mini Reviews: Gossip Girl Prequel & The IT Girl byCecily von Ziegesar

Publisher: Headline UK
Pub. Date: January 10th 2008
Age Range: Young Adult
Pages: 336
Format: Paperback
Source Of Copy: from the publisher - Headline UK

Taking place over their sophomore year, It Had to Be You unveils the secrets behind the hot and sultry summer that Blair, Serena, and Nate's love triangle begins--and there's a lot more to this story than anyone realizes. Find out how Blair first snagged Nate, why Serena really left for boarding school, and how the legendary Gossip Girl column began. This beautifully jacketed hardcover addition to the #1 bestselling series will thrill author Cecily von Ziegesar's fans and will undo some of the myths created in the 11 previous novels, so don't believe everything you've read so far. After all, this is Gossip Girl.

This book takes you back to where everything began - how Nate and Bliar became a couple, why Serena left, how these three used to be so tight. The writing is nice and I like the triangle plot but I feel much annoyed by the main characters (except forSerena). Blair is very spoiled and selfish and even though sometimes I feel bad for her, I cannot stand the girl at all. Nate is the most confusing one ever. He keeps saying that he likes both girls but seems like it's just what he thinks - he's easily shaken and never says no to any girls at all. The rest of the characters are blurry to me because their lives aren't connected, thus some parts of the book makes me just want to skip. It's best for you to get to know everyone in other books of the series before getting to this prequel.

Rating: 3/5



Publisher: Headline UK
Pub. Date: September 6th 2007
Age Range: Young Adult
Pages: 288
Format: Paperback
Source Of Copy: from the publisher - Headline UK

Popular Gossip Girl character Jenny Humphrey is leaving Constance Billard to attend Waverly Academy, an elite boarding school in New York horse country where glamorous rich kids dont let the rules get in the way of an excellent time. Jennys determined to leave her crazy Manhattan past behind and become a sophisticated goddess on campus. But first shell have to contend with her self-absorbed roommates, Callie Vernon and Brett Messerschmidt. Hot guys, new intrigue, and more delicious gossip all add up to more trouble than ever for Jenny. But if getting caught with boys and going up against the Disciplinary Committee is what it takes, Jennys ready. Shell do all that and more to be The It Girl.

The IT girl is just like another softer and less mean version of Gossip Girl. I have to say that I don't have a good impression of Jenny in GG so I don't like her character much. The plot of this is kinda similar to GG too - two girls fight over one nice confusing guy and all the drama. There are some parts that are fun to read, especially about Jenny's past and those rumors they are spreading at the boarding school. Aside from that, the story is just okay. Something to read just to kill time in my opinion.

Rating: 2.5/5

4 comments:

Milka said...

I almost bought these books last year. Maybe I just wait they come into sale because these does not seem to be that good in the end.
Thanks for the reviews!

Just Your Typical Book Blog said...

Both of these reviews reminded me of why I don't read these types of books.

prophecygirl said...

I love both of these series/books. I prefer The It Girl to Gossip Girl, though!

cable said...

Another Christmas gift, and one I wanted to read very much when it first came out, but shied away from somewhat after reading several reviews comparing it to the Gossip Girl series and stating that the writing left rather a lot to be desired. Oh, I thought sadly. That's too bad. It looked better than that. So I just admired the cover from afar, and that of the sequel Rumors. I probably would have just gone on ignoring the series if my mom hadn't given me a copy of The Luxe. I'm glad she did.