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A review by feliciarene
The Unraveling of Cassidy Holmes by Elissa R. Sloan
3.0
3.5 ✩
While this was touted as the "next Daisy Jones and the Six," I couldn't help but be a little disappointed in Elissa R. Sloan's early '00s girl-group novel...
Fresh from a stint on a new reality TV singing competition, Cassidy Holmes is feeling defeated, until she is offered the fourth position of a girl-group called Gloss. Immediately, Cassidy struggles with life in the spotlight and the effect it has on her personal life. Meanwhile, 15 years after the group's unexpected demise, the three original members of Gloss find out that their fourth member and former friend, Cassidy has died by suicide.
While this book had a really interesting concept, I honestly just felt that Elissa R. Sloan tried to take on too much at once. For such a short book, there was so many sub-plots and the fact that it was told from all four Gloss members' perspectives, including their future perspectives, made it hard to follow. Granted, there were some really interesting subjects tackled in this book, which I think made it a very timely critique on the power structure in Hollywood, and how that often exploits young women trying to make it big.
Was this comparable to Daisy Jones and the Six? No. I think if you go into it without that expectation, or that comparison, then you're probably much better off and you may enjoy this more.
CW: suicide, cancer, stalking, eating disorder (extreme dieting), pedophilia (sexual relationship w/ a minor), rape, sexual harassment, racism, drugs (dependence), alcohol (intoxication)
Full Review: Link
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While this was touted as the "next Daisy Jones and the Six," I couldn't help but be a little disappointed in Elissa R. Sloan's early '00s girl-group novel...
Fresh from a stint on a new reality TV singing competition, Cassidy Holmes is feeling defeated, until she is offered the fourth position of a girl-group called Gloss. Immediately, Cassidy struggles with life in the spotlight and the effect it has on her personal life. Meanwhile, 15 years after the group's unexpected demise, the three original members of Gloss find out that their fourth member and former friend, Cassidy has died by suicide.
While this book had a really interesting concept, I honestly just felt that Elissa R. Sloan tried to take on too much at once. For such a short book, there was so many sub-plots and the fact that it was told from all four Gloss members' perspectives, including their future perspectives, made it hard to follow. Granted, there were some really interesting subjects tackled in this book, which I think made it a very timely critique on the power structure in Hollywood, and how that often exploits young women trying to make it big.
Was this comparable to Daisy Jones and the Six? No. I think if you go into it without that expectation, or that comparison, then you're probably much better off and you may enjoy this more.
CW: suicide, cancer, stalking, eating disorder (extreme dieting), pedophilia (sexual relationship w/ a minor), rape, sexual harassment, racism, drugs (dependence), alcohol (intoxication)
Full Review: Link
Blog | Twitter | Instagram