The Secret Diamond Sisters by Michelle Madow

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The Secret Diamond Sisters
by Michelle Madow

If you were a fan of Gossip Girl, you'd probably enjoy The Secret Diamond Sisters by Michelle Madow. It's about three high school sisters, Savannah, Courtney, and Peyton who find out that they're actually the daughters of a really wealthy businessman in Las Vegas.

They move from their sleepy down in California to Las Vegas and wow! The lush descriptions make anyone who loves nice things drool. From luxurious drapes to chandeliers--and SPACE! A world of difference away from the cramped apartment that the three sisters lived in.

Of the three sisters, Savannah, the youngest one, is the most eager to soak up the posh lifestyle. Courtney, the middle child, is the responsible one who wants to use Dad's cash for necessities only. She's also the most studious and likes to read. Peyton, the oldest, has seen the worst out of all sisters. She witnessed her mother's many boyfriends, some more sketchy than others.

Crazy, elaborately designed theme hotels. Limos. Nice cars. Expensive night clubs. Cute guys.

And also included in the Las Vegas package: Madison, a rich antagonista who needs to be in control all the time. Madison sees the Diamond sisters as competitors to her reign over the school, as well as her favorite boys. What will she do to stop them from taking over?

It's hard to read this without comparing it to Gossip Girl. I would say that the rivalry between Madison and the Diamond sisters lives up to its catty and juicy potential. However, the characters are a lot more redeemable and likable here than in Gossip Girl. The sisters genuinely care about each other, and even Madison has a conflicted conscience, despite her ambitions to be alpha queen.  I come away from finishing the novel feeling pretty good about everything.

One issue I had with this novel is slut-shaming. The practice of slut-shaming is common in high schools, and it exists in this novel as well. Male characters in the book get off scot-free for sleeping around--even glorified, while girls are shamed for doing the same thing. The Secret Diamond Sisters isn't necessarily promoting the practice of slut-shaming (because Madison is also portrayed as a sympathetic character at times), but it is also not attempting to subvert that mindset, from what I can see. There's the double standard of being "easy", which applies to girls but not guys.

When it comes to class and money, The Secret Diamond Sisters is a lot more sympathetic towards poverty people--it portrays working class people as respectable, even in their poverty. While characters in Gossip Girl tended to regard working class characters with disdain or even shame, the attitudes that the Diamond sisters' family takes is different. The sisters' dad respects the employees in the hotel who actually need the money to live.

Overall, I enjoyed reading about the Diamond sisters' new and glamorous life in Las Vegas. It seems like they're only getting started, but the drama is delicious. I can't wait to read the second one.

My rating:

Find out more about The Secret Diamond Sisters by Michelle Madow: 

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The Good, the Fab and the Ugly (Poseur #2) by Rachel Maude -- Book Review

The Second Book in the Poseur Series...and Sexism

Published: 2009

From the back of the book:

Halloween comes to Winston Prep and the newly named teen fashion label POSEUR introduces this season's must-have accessory: a red-hot handbag called the Trick-or-Treater. But whose design is sweetest? Janie, Petra, Melissa, and Charlotte all insist: Mine. You see the problem? 

Good thing, then, for the sweetness of revenge. Time to dust off that costume and put your best mask forward. 'Tis the season for candy, conflict, and couture. 

Once again, we are treated to the adorably cute fashion sketches, signed by Janie Farrish, who is the designated artist in the Poseur group. But they're actually done by Rachel Maude (except the Compai ones in the back). So beautiful. I was inspired to start some of my own! 

The story continues the four girls' quest to promote their fashion label, Poseur.

Poseur (Poseur #1) by Rachel Maude -- Book Review

Published: 2008

Genre: Young Adult / Contemporary / Privileged 

From the back of the book: 

Four high school girls who love fashion (but hate each other) are forced together to create a designer label for their exclusive LA private school. Can a cool coquette, a shy punk, a ghetto-glam egomaniac, and a hippie goddess make peace for couture? Welcome to Winston Prep--where wardrobe means war. 

One of the fun parts of this book is the fashion--there are beautiful fashion sketches throughout the novel, and every chapter begins with a character's outfit. If you're into what people wear, this book will have a lot of imaginary eye candy for you. There's even a DIY guide in the back so that you can make your own clothes based on what the main characters wore in the book!

Now, about the story. The narrative is mostly split up into the tales of four different girls, but sometimes veers into the perspective of minor characters, which is interesting but inconsistent. 

Gossip Girl, Psycho Killer by Cecily von Ziegesar -- Book Review

Published: October 2011

Genre: Young Adult / Contemporary / Privileged

From the back of the book:

Welcome to New York City's Upper East side, where my friends and I live, and go to school, and play--and sometimes kill each other. It's a luxe life, but someone's got to live it. Until to they die. 

Serena van der Woodsen is back from boarding school, hoping to make amends with her BFF Blair Waldorf--things just haven't been the same since Nate Archibald came between them. Serena decides the only way for her to make things right with Blair is to eliminate Nate, and if that means killing him, well, c'est la vie. The attempted murder doesn't go unnoticed by Blair, however, who isn't about to let Serena kill whoever she wants and steal the spotlight yet again--not when so many Upper East Siders deserve to die. From the #1 bestselling author Cecily von Ziegesar, this bloody reimagining of the original Gossip Girl novel takes backstabbing to new heights. 

Actually, it was less of a "bloody reimagining" and more of a "bloody cut-and-paste" of the original Gossip Girl novel. 

In Too Deep (Elite #2) by Jennifer Banash -- Book Review

A tale of the Upper East Side told from the perspective of four private school girls about parties, fashion, biological moms, and forbidden romances. 

Genre: Young Adult / Contemporary / Privileged

Although I didn't read the first one, I still enjoyed this book a LOT. The four-way, high-stakes drama was captivating. 

Published 2009

If you enjoy reading about fashion and brands, then you will definitely enjoy the descriptions of the designer clothes and cars. But even if you don't, this series is great in the way that each major character has her own motives for doing everything, even if she is slightly delusional about what's actually happening. It makes it nearly impossible for me to cheer for one particular person.

Starlet (Starlet #1) by Randi Reisfeld -- Book Review

I enjoy the Gossip Girl series as well as other preppy books, but as a San Diegan, I want to start reading the west coast versions of the luxe lifestyle. 

Genre: Young Adult / Contemporary / Privileged / Hollywood

Pub: 2007

From the back of the book: 

Seventeen-year-old Jacey Chandliss has just won Generation Next: America's Top Young Actress and scored a star-making role in a major motion picture. Now she's in the bright Hollywood spotlight. With the help of a bona fide Hollywood power agent, she's all set for her new life--starting with spending the summer in L.A. It's all a lot to handle, and Jacey would probably buckle under the pressure if she didn't have her best friends, Dash and Desi, and her cousin Ivy along for the ride. They're with her in Hollywood to keep her from going Hollywood. 

Wow, this was a fast read! I really enjoyed the descriptions of SoCal luxe, paparazzi, and behind-the-camera scenes. By appealing to all the senses, the descriptions made me feel the energy and excitement of the crowd at the events. It's written in a down-to-earth style that's fun to follow.