In Too Deep

I love this series! Now, I was never a big fan of Gossip Girl, but The Elite has blown me away from the very first book! I love Jennifer Banash's writing style, and how the story lets you see what's going on from every characters point of view. I really relate to the things Casey is going through in trying to fit in with a new crowd, and Banash even finds a way to make Madison, the queen bee of the series, not only believable, but sympathetic. And the clothes! Sigh. Some people may find the descriptions over the top, but personally, I love imagining the fabulous outfits the characters are wearing. And, of course, there's Drew Van Allen, the gorgeous, sensitive New York boy of my dreams! I really hope Drew and Casey work it out, because it seems like they were meant to be together. Now, if only Madison would get out of the way!

Ooooh this sequel to The Elite was soo much better. It keeps getting better and better. I can't wait for Simply Irresistible (July 2009)!! ****I wouldn't recommend reading this next paragraph if you still haven't read The Elite, I wouldn't want to spoil things for you**** In this book Sophie (one of my favorite characters) has her sweet sixteen coming up and she is going all out. That night is going to be HUGE, especially since her biological mother is making an appearance (!!). There seems to be a bit of trouble in paradise for Drew and Casey, will they work it out? ****It's safe to read from here**** There's of course more drama here and there including some new problems for Drew, Phoebe, Sophie, Casey, well everyone actually. Some of those problems are HUGE. The writing of course continues to get better. I liked learning more about the characters and seeing how realistic they keep getting, it's nice to read something not so fictional. The problems these characters go through are real, they happen often as sadly and entertaining as that is. I loved the ending! There is a very interesting thing that will happen with the characters in the next novel and I can't wait to find out how everything will work out for everyone involved. [...]

If you're been following my blog for long, you know that I absolutely adored Jennifer Banash's first book, The Elite. In Too Deep is, if anything, better than it's prequel. In Too Deep takes us farther into the drama of the five main character's, Casey, Sophie, Phoebe, Madison, and Drew's, drama-filled life. Farm girl Casey is climbing up the teen social ladder, first by becoming a sort-of girlfriend to Drew, Madison's ex, and then by becoming close with Madison's other friends. Madison's fed up and ready to take Casey down, once and for all. But, In Too Deep is in no way just about Casey and Madison's little drama. In Too Deep introduces us to a new meaning of "family drama". Without giving too much away, there's a ton of secrets, cheating, and parents secretly dating friends' parents. With all that drama, you're probably going to feel like you're watching some MTV drama, and that seems to be exactly what Banash is going for. I definitely think In Too Deep is a step up from The Elite, even with all of the brand names I've never heard of. (Kidding. Slightly.) If you've read and enjoyed The Elite, I definitely recommend picking up In Too Deep. If you haven't read The Elite, now is the perfect time to pick it up.

IN TOO DEEP JENNIFER BANASH Contemporary Young Adult Berkley Jam Rating: 5 Enchantments One of the best new YA series out there, `The Elite series' continues with IN TOO DEEP which picks up a short while after the first book ends. Casey is still struggling to fit in at her new exclusive Upper East Side high school and deal with Madison, Sophie and Phoebe, the ultimate definition of frenemies. Especially dear sweet Madison, who in probably the best example of the term, decides to `treat' Casey to a trip to her hairstylist after a trip to Casey's grandmother's salon goes awry. I have to say Madison is great at the whole keep your friends close and your enemies closer line of thought. She's truly the epitome of the character you love to hate. There was so much I liked about this book. Madison, Sophie, Phoebe, and Casey all have their own separate intriguing storylines: Madison's modeling, the upcoming appearance of Sophie's birth mother, Phoebe's secret crush and Casey still trying to fit in and deal with her new life and her relationship with Drew. I have to say what surprised me most--other than the ending--was Madison actually really grew on me with this book and you can sorta see why she acts the way she does, especially toward Casey and Drew. But that's not the only thing going on, the alternating chapters told by the girls all shed light on explosive secrets that once they come out are going to be pretty shocking. One of my favorite scenes is when Sophie is trying on one of her outfits for her super sweet sixteen party. When the truth comes out, not only about her being adopted, but her real birth mother--and the kicker, that she confided all this in someone not Madison--things get heated between the girls. With a shocking ending that leaves the reader demanding to know what happens next, IN TOO DEEP is one book that keeps you riveted from start to finish. Look for the third book in this great series, SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE, due out summer 2009. Jennifer Banash knows firsthand the life and times of Manhattan teenagers--she was born and raised in New York City. She ghost wrote for a New York Times bestselling YA series; and she is the co-founder of Impetus Press, an independent press dedicated to publishing serious literary fiction with a pop edge. Jennifer now resides in Los Angeles. Lisa Enchanting Reviews January 2009

Step back into the super privileged world of THE ELITE. The infamous girls living in one of New York's classiest apartment buildings, the Bramford, are back. While they may look absolutely perfect and dazzling, dark secrets are hiding behind their all-too-perfect appearance. Casey McCloy is finally starting to fit in. Her hair's not as unruly as it used to be, she's learning the ins and outs of a good fashion sense, and she's dating Drew, one of the hottest guys in all of Manhattan. As she becomes the "New York Casey," though, she feels like she's losing herself. Then there is Madison MacAllister, the reigning queen of the Upper East Side, who just so happens to believe that Casey stole Drew from her. Even though Madison and Drew weren't officially dating, Madison was majorly crushing on him, and still can't believe that a Midwestern freak like Casey could steal him away from her. Determined to get Drew back, Madison all but wages a silent war on Casey in order to exact her revenge. Will the Queen Bee get what she wants, or will the new girl suddenly find herself a lot more powerful then she ever thought possible? These books are splendid! IN TOO DEEP picks up right where THE ELITE left off, not missing a beat. All the gossip and drama that occurs in Gossip Girl is present in these books, except these girls actually have moral standards. All of the characters in the book were excellently developed. Each had their own unique story and personality. I really love how Jennifer Banash had two supporting characters who each had their own thing going on. They were separate from Madison and Casey and really had their own lives, dealing with their own problems. What's also really great about the characters is that even though they are spoiled socialites, any girl could easily relate to them. Even Madison, who appears to be untouchable, has many insecurities that are present in your everyday teenage girl. The pages were definitely drama-filled, and I found it hard to tear myself away from the book, eagerly anticipating what would happen next. There were many twists and turns that I would never have been able to guess, and I found many of the plot aspects to be really creative. Jennifer Banash has definitely created a great sequel to THE ELITE, and while she answered many questions from the first book, she has created even more in this one. All the better, though, as it promises a great third book in the series, SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE, which hits shelves in Summer 2009. In the meantime, go out and enjoy yourself as you read this deliciously guilty book! Reviewed by: Tasha