The Luxe
The Luxe
By: Anna Godbersen
I have to admit, I judge books by their covers. There. I've admitted it, now you can all shame me. A cover tells the reader things they may or may not expect from the text of the book, it may even say something about the book that's not in the description or jacket copy. On the other hand, sometimes there are covers that are so completely wrong that you wonder what the editors and designers were thinking when they picked it out. Granted, part of this has to do with taste, (and let me just say I am utterly tired of headless bodies on the covers of books) but I expect a cover to tell me something about the book. The Luxe doesn't disappoint on this level: the pretty blonde (Elizabeth) with the gorgeous pink dress (and I detest pink) on the cover grabs your attention instantly. The fact that the dress is more the focus than the girl I find intriguing, but I still like it. Now to another shameful confession: I really thought this book was going to be a piece of trite fluff that would not be interesting in the least bit. Sometimes I like being proven that I'm wrong!
Now that I've gone the opposite route that I usually take by discussing the cover first, let's get on with it! Picture it: Manhattan, 1899, high society and a love knot that is beyond complicated (I can't even call it a triangle as there are so many people involved! At least 6, some whom love the same person, some who detest each other, and some who will stop at nothing to get what they want!)
Elizabeth is the main character of this particular story. The omniscient narrator really lets you into the heads of Elizabeth, her sister Diana and her (Elizabeth's) friend Penelope and allows you to see little details about each of the girls that her acquaintances miss. Misunderstandings abound in this high and mighty proper society!
We begin the story with a death, and then go back in time to see how it all came about. I have to say, I saw the ending of this story coming, but I constantly kept wondering if I was right or if it would turn out differently. Let me go on the record as saying I'm satisfied with it! The storyline is gripping and keeps you enthralled with these society girls and the males they're interested in. Yes, there is female cattiness in the story, but I found it to be of a very believable nature. Girls can be nasty to each other, even supposed ‘friends' and this story will not disappoint you there!
The writing is crisp and clean and keeps you turning the pages. I especially enjoyed the little excerpts that were at the beginning of each chapter. These were in the form of notes from character to character, society gossip column excerpts, invitations, and advice from ladies books of the time (which seem to be made up as I looked up a few of the ‘book' titles and couldn't find them - I'm assuming she made them up, but also based them on research).
Let me just go on record as saying I am completely stoked that I can immediately pick up books 2 (Rumors) and 3 (Envy) immediately!
Notes on the Cover:
See the first paragraph!
Recommended To:
- Girls who love to play dress-up, or those who wonder what life would have been like back in the day when having to wear a dress that requires help to get in and out of!
- Adult females - Yes, I realize this is a young adult book, but for the love of pete don't let that stop you! After you pick up the first one you're going to swoon and beg for more!
- Everyone!
On our shelves!
http://www.harperteen-theluxe.com/luxe.html