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3.57 AVERAGE
3.57 AVERAGE
Five reasons I loved this one:
1) MUSIC. Tara Kelly KNOWS her stuff. She nailed the music aspect so hard and made it come alive.
2) Distinctive cast. Jasmine, Sean, Veta, Brynn and Felix all had such clear voices and I really cared for the faith of C-side, especially Jasmine as the new guitarist. They also had real issues and just really authentic characters.
3) Sexual tension. I spent a good time of the book just flailing over the chemistry between Jasmine and her love interest and then they kiss and I'm like hot daaaamn.
4) Narrative. Engaging in that it made me keep on turning pages and relatable for people who have big dreams and strong passions they want to pursue.
5) Writing. Flows really well and really grabs at your emotions, making the reader as nervous for the protagonist when she confronts her stage fright.
Strongly recommended for rockin' readers who like YA stories mixed with music and heart.
1) MUSIC. Tara Kelly KNOWS her stuff. She nailed the music aspect so hard and made it come alive.
2) Distinctive cast. Jasmine, Sean, Veta, Brynn and Felix all had such clear voices and I really cared for the faith of C-side, especially Jasmine as the new guitarist. They also had real issues and just really authentic characters.
3) Sexual tension. I spent a good time of the book just flailing over the chemistry between Jasmine and her love interest and then they kiss and I'm like hot daaaamn.
4) Narrative. Engaging in that it made me keep on turning pages and relatable for people who have big dreams and strong passions they want to pursue.
5) Writing. Flows really well and really grabs at your emotions, making the reader as nervous for the protagonist when she confronts her stage fright.
Strongly recommended for rockin' readers who like YA stories mixed with music and heart.
Amplified was a great read. Lighthearted at times, it still brought on the drama at others and for her second novel, Tara Kelly gave us a wonderful picture of a girl's coming-of-age and fulfilling her dreams.
Jasmine was wonderfully written. I'm sure readers can sympathize with her, especially with her struggles of wanting to pursue her dreams. I didn't think they were very far-fetched; taking a year off before college to pursue music seems reasonable, but of course, her father's reaction is a reflection of how most parents would react anyway. I liked how Jasmine herself has a back story regarding her mother. It gave her an extra dimension and it made the story more touching as well.
The story really kicks in when Jasmine is left to fend for herself. She tries to audition for a band and if she gets in, she'd get to room with the rest of the band. I found Jasmine rather adorable as well; she can obviously play her guitar well but she gets stage fright. It's obvious that her lies will get unraveled and that she'll get into big trouble but I felt bad for her really. She has to put up with some of the prejudices from the band members because she's from a privileged background but she's very headstrong and I admire that about her. She has a dream and she's willing to go to great lengths for it.
Sean, the male lead, is snarky, very intense and when he argues with Jasmine, they really get into it. Their chemistry is amazing and I liked how that when they first meet, it's not all sunshine and peaches. It's almost like they're about to explode from all the tension between them. Their relationship starts off rough but it progresses really nicely and by the end of it, you'd see how sweet Sean can be as well.
There's also a few other memorable characters as well, such as Vita. She's very sure of herself and her friendship with Jasmine is an important point in the novel. Felix was really adorable as well, such a teddy bear, and I wished we had more of him.
Overall, a great novel and I look forward to Tara Kelly's future works.
Jasmine was wonderfully written. I'm sure readers can sympathize with her, especially with her struggles of wanting to pursue her dreams. I didn't think they were very far-fetched; taking a year off before college to pursue music seems reasonable, but of course, her father's reaction is a reflection of how most parents would react anyway. I liked how Jasmine herself has a back story regarding her mother. It gave her an extra dimension and it made the story more touching as well.
The story really kicks in when Jasmine is left to fend for herself. She tries to audition for a band and if she gets in, she'd get to room with the rest of the band. I found Jasmine rather adorable as well; she can obviously play her guitar well but she gets stage fright. It's obvious that her lies will get unraveled and that she'll get into big trouble but I felt bad for her really. She has to put up with some of the prejudices from the band members because she's from a privileged background but she's very headstrong and I admire that about her. She has a dream and she's willing to go to great lengths for it.
Sean, the male lead, is snarky, very intense and when he argues with Jasmine, they really get into it. Their chemistry is amazing and I liked how that when they first meet, it's not all sunshine and peaches. It's almost like they're about to explode from all the tension between them. Their relationship starts off rough but it progresses really nicely and by the end of it, you'd see how sweet Sean can be as well.
There's also a few other memorable characters as well, such as Vita. She's very sure of herself and her friendship with Jasmine is an important point in the novel. Felix was really adorable as well, such a teddy bear, and I wished we had more of him.
Overall, a great novel and I look forward to Tara Kelly's future works.
I think I liked this one more than Harmonic Feedback. LOVE Jasmine as a main character. She doesn't wallow in feeling bad for herself; she actually sucks it up and does what she needs to do.
Full review here: http://www.stackedbooks.org/2011/10/amplified-by-tara-kelly.html
Full review here: http://www.stackedbooks.org/2011/10/amplified-by-tara-kelly.html
3.5 stars. Not great, but interesting enough that I will be checking out the sequel when I get a chance.
Oh man, he descubierto una debilidad por los libros que tiene bandas.
La historia comienza súper cliché, pero con el paso de las hojas nos muestra que es muchísimo más.
Los personajes me atraparon y me gustaron cada uno de ellos y si, hasta Bryn. No me enamore de los chicos porque... bueno ni idea.
La historia comienza súper cliché, pero con el paso de las hojas nos muestra que es muchísimo más.
Los personajes me atraparon y me gustaron cada uno de ellos y si, hasta Bryn. No me enamore de los chicos porque... bueno ni idea.
Music and Contemporary YA are a perfect combination, and Amplified is a great example of how to do it right. This coming of age story, with romance, quirky characters, and an inside look at the life of a musician is very readable and entertaining. I enjoyed getting lost in this book and following Jasmine on her musical journey. I basically read it in a day because I was so invested in the story and had to know how it ends.
Jasmine is an intriguing main character that is easy to root for. She’s a private person and afraid to let anyone in. She is focused and determined to reach her goals, even when detractors and other setbacks get in the way. She has baggage with her controlling father to deal with, and the complex situation makes it so that you sympathize with both characters, though I can’t imagine letting my own daughter fend for herself at that age like Jasmine.
The other members of C-Side were realistic and added authenticity to this musical tale. Bass player Sean comes off strong and sarcastic, but has his reasons for being difficult. His sister Veta is the bold lead singer and amateur psychic who takes Jasmine under her wing. Bryn is the drummer and self-appointed leader of C-Side who is a hard-ass and a ladies man. And Felix the keyboard player is sweet and goes with the flow. Their music sessions gave a behind the scenes look at the dedication and hard work required to make it as a band.
Amplified is a fast paced and absorbing read that got my attention when I was in a reading rut. It’s smartly written, with witty dialogue and a relatable story sure to appeal to fans of music centered YA. I’m eager to seek out the author’s other music themed book Harmonic Feedback.
Jasmine is an intriguing main character that is easy to root for. She’s a private person and afraid to let anyone in. She is focused and determined to reach her goals, even when detractors and other setbacks get in the way. She has baggage with her controlling father to deal with, and the complex situation makes it so that you sympathize with both characters, though I can’t imagine letting my own daughter fend for herself at that age like Jasmine.
The other members of C-Side were realistic and added authenticity to this musical tale. Bass player Sean comes off strong and sarcastic, but has his reasons for being difficult. His sister Veta is the bold lead singer and amateur psychic who takes Jasmine under her wing. Bryn is the drummer and self-appointed leader of C-Side who is a hard-ass and a ladies man. And Felix the keyboard player is sweet and goes with the flow. Their music sessions gave a behind the scenes look at the dedication and hard work required to make it as a band.
Amplified is a fast paced and absorbing read that got my attention when I was in a reading rut. It’s smartly written, with witty dialogue and a relatable story sure to appeal to fans of music centered YA. I’m eager to seek out the author’s other music themed book Harmonic Feedback.
Okaaayy.. so even though at some point, i didn't know what the hell they were talking about (music stuff), i still loved it. I'd give this a 4.5. I found the story to be really inspiring, fresh, humorous (i was laughing out loud at their banters) and also sweet.
At first, i didn't particularly like Jasmine. She's like a classic stow away from a rich family.. absent mom, uptight dad. She did not know what she was doing. But as the story progressed, i realized that i can actually relate to her. Her stage fright tugged at me. They way she felt about it.. arrghh it just brought up bad memories. Her failure on her first try was actually the one that pulled me in. Her insecurities were perfectly normal and really was very common to performers when they're still starting. This novel definitely drove that point straight home. I love it that the author did not filter Jasmine's thoughts. I think her internal monologues / thoughts added so much to her personality. Her relationship with Sean was kinda off in the end but still good. I think it was just right since Sean's character still had lots of hang ups with the ex.
I enjoyed reading how Jasmine became so much more than what she was when the story started. It's very inspiring.
I wish there's a sequel. I want to see what happens next to her performance during the tour. I wanna know if Jasmine can patch things up with her dad (like if her dad will support her or whatev). Okay fine, i also wish to know if she and Sean will end up being together for real. LOL.
enjoyed it? DEFINITELY. ^_^
At first, i didn't particularly like Jasmine. She's like a classic stow away from a rich family.. absent mom, uptight dad. She did not know what she was doing. But as the story progressed, i realized that i can actually relate to her. Her stage fright tugged at me. They way she felt about it.. arrghh it just brought up bad memories. Her failure on her first try was actually the one that pulled me in. Her insecurities were perfectly normal and really was very common to performers when they're still starting. This novel definitely drove that point straight home. I love it that the author did not filter Jasmine's thoughts. I think her internal monologues / thoughts added so much to her personality. Her relationship with Sean was kinda off in the end but still good. I think it was just right since Sean's character still had lots of hang ups with the ex.
I enjoyed reading how Jasmine became so much more than what she was when the story started. It's very inspiring.
I wish there's a sequel. I want to see what happens next to her performance during the tour. I wanna know if Jasmine can patch things up with her dad (like if her dad will support her or whatev). Okay fine, i also wish to know if she and Sean will end up being together for real. LOL.
enjoyed it? DEFINITELY. ^_^
This is a book that has a feel of a typical YA contemporary title - girl leaves home, has conflict with parents, meets people in the big city, does things, gets a boyfriend, tries, eventually succeeds and is better off for the experience. There's little to set this book apart.
With that said, this book hooked me for two reasons:
1) The characters are genuinely fun. Our protagonist is a guitarist (always good to see girl rockers in fiction), her band is quirky, the other bands play a good role.
2) The descriptions of music are great. Kelly doesn't just mention the music and what it sounds like, but goes beyond by describing the pace and movement of those playing the music, to give you a better idea of the urgent or fast parts of songs. It felt very realistic and different, and I liked that.
A good read. Definitely glad I picked this one up.
With that said, this book hooked me for two reasons:
1) The characters are genuinely fun. Our protagonist is a guitarist (always good to see girl rockers in fiction), her band is quirky, the other bands play a good role.
2) The descriptions of music are great. Kelly doesn't just mention the music and what it sounds like, but goes beyond by describing the pace and movement of those playing the music, to give you a better idea of the urgent or fast parts of songs. It felt very realistic and different, and I liked that.
A good read. Definitely glad I picked this one up.
Seventeen year-old Jasmine ‘runs away’ (she’s a high school grad) from home and her father’s wishes for her life in order to work on her music. She ends up renting a room in exchange for joining a band, except she has no prior stage experience. I know practically nothing about guitar playing, industrial rock or its culture, and that took up a large part of the book. Even so, I enjoyed the story and the subject matter was fairly interesting, even though the author used a lot of details in describing Jasmine’s guitar playing and, in my opinion, it got to be tedious at times. But my major problem with the story centered on the romance of the book.