Title: Tempted
Author: Cecily von Ziegesar
First published June 8, 2008
304 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780316025089 (ISBN10: 0316025089)
Rating: 3.81
Overview
At Waverly Academy, everyone’s secrets are just waiting to be revealed. Jenny Humphrey may have been the talk of the school after the Miller Farm fire, but her savior remains a mystery.
With the annual Halloween masquerade ball approaching, Jenny is determined to find out who her secret admirer is. Meanwhile, Callie Vernon is hoping to win back her ex, Easy Walsh, by dressing up as Cinderella.
But with Tinsley Carmichael in the picture, can Callie convince Easy that she’s the one before the clock strikes midnight? In this sixth installment of the scandalous It Girl series, the girls are all vying for their happily ever after, but only one can be crowned queen bee.
About the Author
Cecily von Ziegesar is an accomplished author, known for her best-selling Gossip Girl novels that inspired the hit television show.
Born and raised in New York City, von Ziegesar had dreams of becoming a ballerina from a very young age. However, despite starting lessons at age three and auditioning for the School of American Ballet at age eight, she was rejected.
As a teenager, von Ziegesar commuted to Manhattan at 6 a.m. to attend the Nightingale-Bamford School. After graduating, she attended Colby College before spending a year working for a local radio station in Budapest.
Upon returning to the United States, von Ziegesar pursued a degree in creative writing at the University of Arizona, but ultimately dropped out.
While working at Alloy Entertainment, a book-packaging firm, von Ziegesar was inspired to create the Gossip Girl series. The series, which follows the lives of wealthy teenagers in New York City, quickly became a best-seller and spawned a spin-off series, The It Girl.
Von Ziegesar drew inspiration for the series from her own experiences and those of her affluent friends. The fictional Constance Billard School for Girls is based on an exaggerated version of Nightingale, her alma mater.
Today, von Ziegesar lives in Brooklyn with her family.
Editoral Review
Tempted, written by Cecily von Ziegesar and published on June 8, 2008, is a young adult novel that falls within the genre of romance and drama. The book captures the essence of rich teenagers and their lives in the affluent parts of New York City.
Cecily von Ziegesar is known for her Gossip Girl series, and Tempted follows the same storyline of riches, romance, and all its accompanying drama. Set in Manhattan, New York, Tempted mainly revolves around the life of characters named Mo, Scarlet, and Dex.
These characters teenage lives are filled with exploring their sexuality, addiction, relationships, and betrayal. The plot structure moves along swiftly, with regular plot twists and revelations leaving the reader wanting more.
The writing style is straightforward, making it an enjoyable read for young adults. The characters in Tempted are well fleshed out, with their personalities and struggles making them relatable.
Mo, Scarlet, and Dex present a picture of young adults who are struggling with their identity, emotions, and the pressure that comes with life in the elite circle of Manhattan. The book shows how their struggles with addiction, betrayal, fears, and desires can impact the decisions they make in life.
The themes of Tempted revolve around identity, social class, substance abuse, and the exploration of sexuality. The book identifies and addresses these themes in a way that makes its relevance contemporary.
The conflicts among the characters and the struggles they face resonate with current events and issues plaguing society. However, the books main weakness is the trope of a predictable storyline, which is evident in the Gossip Girl series.
The portrayal of the elites lifestyle remains unchanged, with no unique take on the story. The book tends to rely on the same old narrative that created the hype surrounding the Gossip Girl series.
In conclusion, Tempted offers a thrilling read, especially for young adults who enjoy drama and romance. Cecilys easy-to-read style makes the book an engaging read from start to finish.
However, the predictability and over-reliance on the Gossip Girl series narrative remains a significant flaw that needs attention. Therefore, I would recommend this book with the caveat that readers should not expect anything new.
Thus, I give the book a rating of 3 out of 5 stars.
