Friday, August 24, 2007

The Prada Paradox by Julie Kenner

COPYRIGHT: 2007
SETTING: Contemporary
TYPE: Chick Lit
PAGES: 334
SERIES: 3rd book in Play.Survive.Win Series

REASON FOR READING: Loved the first book in the series, The Givenchy Code.

SUMMARY/BLURB: [from the publisher]
Devi Taylor was one of Hollywood's fastest-rising starlets -- until a crazed fan held her at knifepoint and she retreated to a life of privacy and Valium. Now recovered and ready for a comeback, Devi dreams of endorsing all things Prada, whose Rodeo Drive store she can't resist. Instead, she lands the starring role in The Givenchy Code, a high-budget action-adventure flick. But with the tabloids all over Givenchy and her recent split with her drop-dead handsome costar, Blake, Devi can't shake the feeling that another crazed fan is going to strike.

Then a frightening message -- "Play or Die" -- is delivered to Devi's house, and she finds herself sucked into a deadly and cryptic game not unlike the one in the movie she's starring in. Hollywood has always been her life, but does Devi know its secrets well enough to follow the cinematic clues that might save her and her favorite Prada bag?
THOUGHTS/OPINION:

As I said above, I loved The Givenchy Code, the first book in the PSW series about an internet game that turned into a life or death treasure hunt. In fact I voted it my favorite Chick Lit for 2005. So naturally I was looking forward to the rest of the series. I never got around to reading book #2, The Monolo Matrix. But AAR gave book #3, The Prada Paradox a B+ with a Hot sensuality rating, so had to have it. Unfortunately, I didn't agree with the grade OR the sensuality rating.

The H/H are both actors and heroine, Devi, is trying to bounce back after a stalker attack 5 years ago which ended her career. The book follows the same pattern as The Givenchy Code with Devi and hero Blake gathering and solving clues. The beginning setup of the story was good and I liked the main characters but eventually I got bored with the story and just wanted it to end.

Another factor affecting my opinion was the lack of sex scenes. AAR gave it a Hot sensuality rating and that's what I expected. But there must have been some kind of typo or administrative error because this book could in no way be considered Hot. Kisses only, with one sex scene with the door firmly closed. You know what happens to me when I'm expecting Hot and it doesn't deliver, don't you? I get very cranky and it affects my grading. See this review for evidence of my crankiness.

GRADE:My Grade: C

4 comments:

CindyS said...

Blech!! You should send an e-mail to LLB or ask on the review board about the rating. Cause Hot and Kisses are two very different things. Very!

I feel your pain. But then you know that ;)

I meant to e-mail you about your Bob and how he's like mine yet again. Bob will ask to see the 'financials' every once in a while and I'll put it all up on the screen and there's the 'oh'. Well, I really wanted you to print them off and go over everything with me. Uh, no you don't because I'm about to get LOUD. And that's normally when I tell him I quit and it's all back on him. Back pedals something fierce. It's not like there are hidden numbers around.

Goober.

Cindy

ReneeW said...

Cindy: Yeah I was thinking about commenting on the review message board. Sometimes those boards scare me. Bob and I had a yelling match the last time he asked to see the bank statements. I felt like he didn't trust me but I don't think he really meant it that way. I have threatened to quit every time he gets pissy about it and that scares him so much he shuts up. Good thing.

nath said...

Nonetheless, the book sounds interesting :P I think I'm going to try the Givenchy Code... actually, I think I have it in my TBR pile :P

ReneeW said...

Nath: The Givenchy Code was great. Especially if you like solving puzzles. You need to try it.

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