Title: Insatiable
Author: Meg Cabot
First published June 8, 2010
451 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780061735066 (ISBN10: 006173506X)
Rating: 3.43
Overview
Tired of reading about the same old love stories? So is Emmy Reeves.
But her job as a scriptwriter is making her write one anyway, even though Emmy doesn’t believe in love. Not that Emmy isn’t familiar with heartbreak.
You see, Emmy Reeves knows how every love story ends. (Not that you’re going to believe her; no one ever does.) But not even Emmy’s cynicism can prepare her for what happens when she meets, then makes the mistake of falling in love with, the charming and enigmatic actor, Jake Stone.
It’s a love story a lot of people, like Jake’s possessive ex-girlfriend and overbearing manager, would prefer to see fail. The problem is, Emmy’s already in too deep.
Maybe that’s why Jake is the first guy Emmy’s ever met that she could see herself having a future with. See, while Emmy’s always been able to predict everyone else’s love story, she’s never been able to write her own.
And while Jake seems like everything Emmy has ever dreamed of in a leading man, he might turn out to be more like a supporting actor. Now might be a good time for Emmy to start learning to write her own love story…if she even believes in it.
About the Author
Meg Cabot was born on February 1, 1967, under the Chinese astrological sign of the Fire Horse, which is considered unlucky. She grew up in Bloomington, Indiana, where people were unaware of this stigma until she became a teenager.
As a teen, Meg failed freshman Algebra twice and even cut her own bangs. She attended Indiana University for six years before moving to New York City to pursue a career as an illustrator.
However, she failed at that and turned to writing novels as a hobby. To make ends meet, she worked various jobs, including as an assistant manager of a 700 bed freshmen dormitory at NYU, a position she still misses sometimes.
Meg has written nearly fifty books for both adults and teens, selling fifteen million copies worldwide. Her books have been #1 New York Times bestsellers, and she is best known for The Princess Diaries series, which is published in over 38 countries and was made into two Disney movies.
She has also written several other popular series, including the Mediator and 1-800-Where-R-You? series, the All-American Girl books, Teen Idol, Avalon High, How to Be Popular, Pants on Fire, Jinx, a series of novels written entirely in email format, a mystery series, and a chick-lit series called Queen of Babble.
Meg is currently working on a new children’s series called Allie Finkle’s Rules for Girls and a new paranormal series called Abandon.
Meg divides her time between Key West, Indiana, and New York City. She has a primary cat named one-eyed Henrietta, several backup cats, and a husband who doesn’t know he married a Fire Horse.
Editoral Review
Insatiable by Meg Cabot is a captivating novel that explores the world of vampires in a fresh and exciting way. Meg Cabot is a bestselling author, known for her young adult fiction, including The Princess Diaries series, and Insatiable marks her foray into adult fiction.
The book was first published on June 8, 2010, and is not only a compelling vampire story but an insightful commentary on class, privilege, and female empowerment. The novel revolves around Meena Harper, a young woman who works as a dialogue writer for a popular vampire soap opera.
Meena has always been able to predict how people will die, but when she starts to notice that a string of murders in New York City are related to a group of vampires, she finds herself caught up in a dangerous game of politics and power. Along with her new love interest, Lucien, a sexy and charismatic vampire, Meena must navigate the complicated world of vampire dynasties and protect herself and those she loves from a dangerous cult.
Cabot’s writing style is engaging and witty, with well-written dialogue that moves the plot forward. The novel is structured like a classic romance, with tension-building moments of passion that will make readers swoon.
The setting of New York City adds an extra layer of excitement and danger to the story, and Cabot’s descriptions of the city’s energy and chaos are vivid and beautiful. In Insatiable, Cabot also tackles important themes such as classism, female empowerment, and the role of power in relationships.
Meena’s struggle against the vampires is also a struggle against the patriarchal nature of the vampire world, where women are often seen as objects to be controlled and discarded. However, Cabot resists simplistic binaries and shows that even within a dark and violent world, there are nuances and complexities that must be considered.
One of the strengths of the novel is Cabot’s characterization. Meena is a relatable and likable protagonist, with flaws and insecurities that make her a fully realized character.
The romantic tension between Meena and Lucien is also well-crafted, with a slow burn that builds to a satisfying conclusion. The supporting characters, including Meena’s brother and best friend, are also fleshed-out and contribute to the story’s emotional depth.
However, the novel is not without its flaws. The pacing of the book is at times slow, and the plot can feel predictable.
There are also moments where the dialogue feels clunky or forced. However, these criticisms are minor in comparison to the overall quality of the book.
Insatiable is a must-read for fans of vampire fiction, but also for anyone looking for a well-written and engaging romance with a feminist twist. Cabot’s ability to explore complex themes while still delivering on the promise of a fun and exciting story is truly impressive.
The book is also a timely commentary on power, consent, and gender relations, making it a poignant read for today’s society. Overall, I would give Insatiable by Meg Cabot a score of 4.5/5.
Though there are minor flaws, the book is a triumph of storytelling and an important addition to the supernatural romance genre.
