America's Next Top Model #1: Face Value

Four very different sixteen-year-old girls find themselves among the forty girls admitted into Top Model Prep, an elite modeling school located in fashion central NYC. It might seem obvious that Chloe, coming from a family of supermodels, is destined to be the winner, even though she'd rather be at home with her boyfriend. But she's got some fierce competition. Lindsay, a former child star, will do anything to get her fame back. Wild Alexis might be the one to steal the show, among other things. International Shiva-Rose just might be it, especially since her crush is someone on the inside. These girls are beautiful, but do they have what it takes to be at the top--or will they lose themselves along the way? In all honesty, I didn't expect much from this book or this series. As a first impression, Face Value seemed to be a lame takeoff from the hit TV show, America's Next Top Model. To my surprise, I actually enjoyed the book. Although I've read several books before involving the modeling industry, its presentation in this book was fresh and interesting. As the story is set at a modeling academy, I actually learned along with the aspiring model characters more about fashion, hair and makeup, and, of course, the industry itself. Where this novel starts to take a dip for me is character development. It's easy to get a general idea of who each of the characters is; Alexis is spontaneous and friendly, Lindsay is clever and driven, Chloe is withdrawn and sensitive, and Shiva-Rose is focused and moral. Still, there are little bits and pieces about each character's background and personality that don't quite fit the big picture, and that partially ruined any relationship I as the reader formed with the characters. Aside from that, Face Value is a quick and enjoyable read, filled with drama, romance, and tidbits about the life of the fashion elite. The America's Next Top Model series is sure to be enjoyed by fans of The Elite by Jennifer Banash, Violet on the Runway by Melissa Walker, and The A-List series by Zoey Dean.