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3.57 AVERAGE
3.57 AVERAGE
There's a difference between being lyrical and being just really cheesy - but this book didn't get the memo, apparently.
It was ok, but not what I expected. I think I missed where this was a YA. Not my kind of book.
I can't even really rate this, there's nothing really wrong with this book but the whole thing was just awkward to me. I skipped large chunks of it and kept cringing away. I think it's just a personal thing.
I loved this book. I also loved Harmonic Feedback so I was expecting this one to be great, and it was. There was just the right amount of catchy dialogue, music/band talk and swoon to make this a great read. I really liked Jasmine and was willing her to do well throughout the book, not that she would have liked it but I kept on wanting to give her hugs. The other band members/housemates, Bryn, Felix, Sean and Veta were all so real and believable and I felt like I was along side them for most of the book. I particularly liked watching Jasmine and Sean's relationship develop and towards the last half of the book, I swear I had a cheesy grin on my face while reading! Amplified wasn't anything that I had to think to hard about but it was such a refreshing, fun read that also has a killer soundtrack. Tara Kelly is certainly on my list of pre-approved authors who I just know I am going to love anything they write!
I think I'm a confirmed Tara Kelly fan now. I loved Harmonic Feedback so much; the immersion in music, the development of Drea's character that I was reluctant to pick up Amplified in case it was disappointing or (gasp) boring.
Shouldn't have worried. Kelly took me back to the Santa Cruz boardwalk culture, complete with serious and earnest psychics, annoying tourists, and an arts culture both pretentious and cool.
Jasmine has decided to leave the perfect life her Dad has mapped out for her and instead of going to Stanford she's going to at last follow her heart; music.
She has no idea how she's going to make money or if she's good enough to play live (she's only played with her best friend Jason in the garage before) and she makes naive mistakes all the time, but she's going to go through with this.
But then her car breaks down. And her last chance audition is a band that says "guys preferred."
I love the Jasmine is strong, but breaks down and tries to borrow money from her Dad. I love that their realistic fights center on both's insecurities about love and trust and how Jasmine's absent mother affects them both.
It was very, very painful watching Jasmine's first live gig, so much was I invested in her doing well. But true to real life, we fail and we pick up and move on and try harder. Jasmine makes several major mistakes and does just that; moves on.
And then there's the romance. Sean's in the band, been cheated on by his girlfriend, and seems to have nothing but criticism for newbie Jasmine. Watching him take care of her anyway in small ways was lovely. While my romance heart cringed that they were hooking up despite the fact he was just out of a major relationship and they played in the band together, I think it was entirely realistic, entirely "teen caught up in major life moments" kind of expression of Jasmine's physical self-knowledge.
The icing on the cake is Jasmine's love of music. Like Drea in Harmonic Feedback, Jasmine's utterly compelling knowledge of music and name dropping of bands and musical styles takes you into the music in a way most amateurs can never know.
Tight, compelling, and utterly fun to read.
This Book's Snack Rating: An array of tasty treats from the Santa Cruz boardwalk; cotton candy for the sweet, melt in your mouth sweetness of Jasmine and Sean's feelings to the oily goodness of fried artichokes for the way band culture (and it's accompanying drama) drenches the book.
Shouldn't have worried. Kelly took me back to the Santa Cruz boardwalk culture, complete with serious and earnest psychics, annoying tourists, and an arts culture both pretentious and cool.
Jasmine has decided to leave the perfect life her Dad has mapped out for her and instead of going to Stanford she's going to at last follow her heart; music.
She has no idea how she's going to make money or if she's good enough to play live (she's only played with her best friend Jason in the garage before) and she makes naive mistakes all the time, but she's going to go through with this.
But then her car breaks down. And her last chance audition is a band that says "guys preferred."
I love the Jasmine is strong, but breaks down and tries to borrow money from her Dad. I love that their realistic fights center on both's insecurities about love and trust and how Jasmine's absent mother affects them both.
It was very, very painful watching Jasmine's first live gig, so much was I invested in her doing well. But true to real life, we fail and we pick up and move on and try harder. Jasmine makes several major mistakes and does just that; moves on.
And then there's the romance. Sean's in the band, been cheated on by his girlfriend, and seems to have nothing but criticism for newbie Jasmine. Watching him take care of her anyway in small ways was lovely. While my romance heart cringed that they were hooking up despite the fact he was just out of a major relationship and they played in the band together, I think it was entirely realistic, entirely "teen caught up in major life moments" kind of expression of Jasmine's physical self-knowledge.
The icing on the cake is Jasmine's love of music. Like Drea in Harmonic Feedback, Jasmine's utterly compelling knowledge of music and name dropping of bands and musical styles takes you into the music in a way most amateurs can never know.
Tight, compelling, and utterly fun to read.
This Book's Snack Rating: An array of tasty treats from the Santa Cruz boardwalk; cotton candy for the sweet, melt in your mouth sweetness of Jasmine and Sean's feelings to the oily goodness of fried artichokes for the way band culture (and it's accompanying drama) drenches the book.
I really liked this book. It was easy to read and I think that it will draw the musicians into reading. Many teens can relate to that feeling of not wanting to disappoint their parents, but not being exactly ready for the next step after high school. Jasmine really struggles to make it with the cost of rent, food and incidentals which most students are clueless about. I would like to think that I would handle things just like her father did with if you won't want to do what I know is best for you then you are on your own. I have a hard time believing that at 17 she could be successful with what she did, finding a place to live without a reference or a credit check and being able to play gigs without anyone ever asking how old she is. The plot kept moving and I wanted to keep reading. This was a one-sitting book. A YES vote for me.
What a fun story...I read it in a day-not an easy task with 3 kids :)
"When privileged 17-year-old Jasmine gets kicked out of her house, she takes what is left of her savings and flees to Santa Cruz to pursue her dream of becoming a musician. Jasmine finds the ideal room in an oceanfront house, but she needs to convince the three guys living there that she's the perfect roommate and lead guitarist for their band, C-Side. Too bad she has major stage fright and the cute bassist doesn't think a spoiled girl from over the hill can hack it. . . "
"When privileged 17-year-old Jasmine gets kicked out of her house, she takes what is left of her savings and flees to Santa Cruz to pursue her dream of becoming a musician. Jasmine finds the ideal room in an oceanfront house, but she needs to convince the three guys living there that she's the perfect roommate and lead guitarist for their band, C-Side. Too bad she has major stage fright and the cute bassist doesn't think a spoiled girl from over the hill can hack it. . . "
I rather liked it, though Harmonic Feedback spoke a bit louder for me.
Still, I love Tara, I love her books and cannot wait to give this one more discussion time over on the blog!
Long Review TK
Still, I love Tara, I love her books and cannot wait to give this one more discussion time over on the blog!
Long Review TK