Title: Notorious
Author: Cecily von Ziegesar
First published June 1, 2006
288 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780316011860 (ISBN10: 031601186X)
Rating: 3.71
Overview
Jenny Humphrey, the infamous Gossip Girl character, lands herself in hot water once again at Waverly Academy, an elite boarding school in the heart of New York’s horse country. From hooking up with her roommate’s boyfriend to flashing the entire school at a field hockey game, Jenny has become notorious in just one week.
But when former It Girl Tinsley Carmichael returns to campus and moves in with Jenny, the two clash in a battle for the title of It Girl. With scandalous secrets and high-stakes drama, Notorious is a page-turner that will leave readers on the edge of their seats.
About the Author
Cecily von Ziegesar is a famed writer known for her Gossip Girl novels, which were adapted into a hit TV show. Born in New York City, she had a childhood dream of becoming a ballerina but was rejected by the School of American Ballet at age 8.
During her teenage years, she commuted to Manhattan at 6 a.m. to attend the Nightingale-Bamford School. After graduating, she attended Colby College before spending a year in Budapest working for a local radio station.
Although she dropped out of the University of Arizona’s creative writing program, von Ziegesar returned to New York and worked at Alloy Entertainment, a book-packaging firm. It was here that she was inspired to create the Gossip Girl series, which follows the lives of wealthy teenagers in New York.
The series became a best-seller in 2002 and a spin-off series called The It Girl also made the list in 2005.
The Constance Billard School for Girls in Gossip Girl is based on von Ziegesar’s alma mater, Nightingale, but exaggerated. She drew inspiration from the lives of her wealthy friends and her own penchant for gossip.
Von Ziegesar currently lives with her family in Brooklyn, New York.
Editoral Review
Cecily von Ziegesar’s Notorious is a titillating read that will keep readers entertained from beginning to end. As the author of the popular Gossip Girl series, von Ziegesar is an expert in portraying teenage drama in high society, and Notorious is no exception.
The novel was first published on June 1, 2006, and is a great example of the young adult genre. Notorious is set in an elite prep school in Manhattan, where the rich and privileged students are locked in a game of cat and mouse.
The story revolves around three main characters; Owen, Callie, and Nick. Owen is a seductive bad boy who is irresistible to girls, including Callie, who is a beautiful and popular student with a troubled past.
Nick, on the other hand, is the quiet and brooding type, but he harbors a deep passion for Callie. The tension between the three characters builds as they navigate their relationships with each other, leading to a dramatic climax.
Overall, the novel is well written, with a fast-paced plot that keeps the reader engaged. The characters are well developed, and their motivations and desires are convincingly portrayed.
The setting of a Manhattan prep school adds an air of exclusivity and luxury to the story and serves as a backdrop for the drama that unfolds. However, the novel does have some weaknesses.
The characters can be incredibly selfish, and its challenging to find a protagonist to root for. Additionally, the characters’ privilege and wealth can be off-putting, especially to readers who may not be able to relate.
Despite these drawbacks, Notorious is a fun and engaging read that will appeal to young adult readers who enjoy dramatic, high-society stories. It also has some historical and cultural significance, as it reflects the privileged lifestyle of wealthy urban teens in the early 2000s.
This novel is highly recommended, and I would give it a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
