Tag: Premiere High Series

Review: Ambitious by Monica McKayhan.

Posted August 30, 2011 by Rowena in Reviews | 0 Comments


Main Character: Marisol, Drew
Love Interest: ??
Series: Premiere High Series, Book 1
Author: Website|Facebook|Twitter|Goodreads

There’s only one thing tougher than getting in to Premiere High: Staying in…

At Premiere School of the Performing Arts, nicknamed Premiere High, talent is a must and competition is fierce. But the payoff is worth it. Some of the biggest stars in music, movies and dance are on the alumni list. New student Marisol Garcia dreams of taking her place among them one day. And being chosen to take part in a local dance contest where a film role is the prize could possibly be her first step into the spotlight.

Almost as big a challenge: getting Drew Bishop to see her as more than a friend. But Drew is preoccupied with his own dilemma of either playing basketball, which could be a free ticket to college, or pursuing the stage where he really comes alive. But every dream comes with a price. And as Marisol becomes consumed with winning, the once straight–A student risks losing everything. Starting with her parents’ approval, her friends and her place at Premiere High…

After I read the blurb for this book, that old TV Show Fame went through my head and while I never watched the show, I remember that my older sisters did and loved it. I thought I’d give this book a try and see if it was something I’d enjoy.
Now that I’m finished with the book, I’m not quite sure what I think. I mean, the book was a quick read but I never really connected with any of the characters. This is a story that follows some students from Premiere High School of Performing Arts. Premiere High is for the gifted and talented kids in dancing, acting and music. Any of the arts, really. It shows what each student goes through while attending this school. Only the best of the best get in and only the bestest of the bestests stay in the school.
Mari is a dancer and new to the school. She’s met some nice people who have become her friends but she’s starting to realize that starting this new school is taking her farther and farther away from her friends from her old school and she’s trying to juggle all the old with all of the new and everything is pulling her in different directions. On top of that, she’s got a crush on a boy at school who is flirty spice with everyone.
Drew was the basketball star of his old high school before he transferred over to Premiere to go after his dreams of becoming an actor. He wants to hone his craft so that he could grow up to be a famous actor and he’s really good at what he does so with his father’s blessing, he transfers and his dilemma is trying to come to grips with falling from the ranks of the most popular at his other school and becoming just a regular person at Premiere. His father doesn’t understand his need to become an actor as he’s an athlete and sports is what he knows but I liked that his father didn’t stop Drew from going after what he really wanted.
This book had a lot going for it in the sense that there was a lot going on and it was easy to follow along with everything but the overall character development fell a little flat for me and while I enjoyed it, I didn’t absolutely love the book. I just thought the book was okay. The pacing was good but the characters didn’t jump out at me and I know that I won’t remember much about this book or the characters weeks from now. I wanted to enjoy it more than I did and I’m kind of bummed about that. So while it wasn’t the worst book in the world, it wasn’t the best either.
..and that’s your scoop!

Buy the book: B&N|Amazon|Book Depository
Book cover and blurb credit: http://barnesandnoble.com


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