Top 8 + What's Your Status? by Katie Finn

Summary/Cover Image taken from Publisher's Website:

Madison MacDonald is seriously freaking out

Madison MacDonald
16
Putnam, CT

Status: Single?

About Me:

Everything in my life was working out. I had my three best friends, a brand-new boyfriend, and the lead in the school play. Aside from that history paper I hadn't started, things felt perfect.

Then I returned from spring break to find my Friendverse profile hacked. Someone clearly out to ruin me had spilled the most damaging secrets - AND posted the worst photos of me ever taken - online.

Goals:

Figure out who could have this, get my boyfriend back, and clear my name!

Also, pass history.

Review:

I have to admit I was bit hesitant to read this one and to tell the truth I'm not really sure why. Thankfully, I did give it a try, and let me tell you I'm so glad I did because it proved to be not only be filled with funny parts and mystery but some substance as well! A mix I simply adored!

Madison, the main character in this, was one I liked a lot and could relate to, because she was funny and filled with a lot of heart, and someone who while made mistakes, fixed them and learned from them as well. Her friendship with Ruth, Lisa, and Shy was one of my favorite parts because it was easy to see how much these girls cared about each other, and when mixed together, they always provided laugh out loud scenes. Also, Nate equals swoon-worthy!

The plot of this was one I really enjoyed, because it was fully developed and always kept me guessing at who it was who broke into Maddie's profile and what their motive was all the way to the end. A good sign, no? Also, I liked the incorporation of technology with the add in of the Top 8 profiles, and how through Maddie's hacked profile it gave you a much needed warning message about technology.

Also, Katie's writing moved swiftly, making this a novel that was easy to fly right through.

In all, Top 8 proves to be a read that's not only fun but makes you think a little, too, about the technology you use in your life.

Grade: B

Top 8 is now out!

Source: Chelsy at Big Honcho Media. Thanks!

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*Warning: Spoilers may be present since this is a sequel.*

Summary/Cover Image from Publisher's Website:

Sixteen-year-old Madison still loves logging on to Friendverse to see what her BFFs and her cute new boyfriend Nate are up to. But the latest social networking craze is Status Q, which is all about rapid-fire status updates. When one of MadÂs friends has to pull off a high-pressure heist, the gang relies on Status Q to send coded messages to each other...all in the middle of a school dance! Will up-to-the-minute social networking save the day--or lead to good old-fashioned disaster?

Review:

Top 8 is back, and it's better then ever before, I have to say, because in this addition there's more romance, mysteries, heists, and extremely funny scenes that will have almost any reader laughing out loud!

If you thought Madison's life was hectic in Top 8, well you haven't seen anything yet, because in What's Your Status everything seems to be going wrong. For one, because of some unintended innuendo and an unfortunate hand gesture, Maddie's boyfriend thinks that she wants to go all the way, which is far from reality. Add in the facts that she just lost her school's most coveted treasure, her best friend is dealing with something major problems, and her other one is mad at her, well, let's just say that Maddie's prom season will be anything but forgettable.

The one thing I love about Maddie is the fact that she's flawed just like anyone else is out there. She makes mistakes and yet she doesn't let her occasional bad choices get her down- quite the opposite actually because she learns from them and does better the next time. The other thing I love about her character is how much she loves and cares about her best friends and how she would do literally anything for them. It's easy to tell she would be a kick-butt friend to have if she real. Also, I love her romance with Nate, and the fact that unlike some relationships out there in YA, it seems real, because they actually talk and communicate, not just make out.

Moving on, the plot of this is filled with action, action, and more action, which left me to be hooked on this book because I was dying to find out what would happen next. Like, would Maddie ever get back the crown? Would she work out her problems with Ruth? How evil is Isabel? And plenty more, leaving this book to be one I promise you is un-put-a-down-able. Also, I love how technology is incorporated in the plot!

Lastly, Katie's writing is even better in this addition because she fully fleshed out the characters and plot events to the point where they jumped of the page, and from that she shows she's one author who knows how to write quite the kick-butt chick-lit/romance/mystery read.

In all, the Top 8 series is one you shouldn't miss for anything! I can't wait to read more by Ms. Finn!

Grade: B+

What's Your Status? is now out!

Source: Chelsy at Big Honcho Media. Thanks!

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Check back latter for a giveaway for What's Your Status? and more!