I have not visited the Young Adult section of a book store in a long time, but last week I found myself in Borders picking up from that very section. I was introduced to this series by a friend, and though the style is simple, much simpler than what I usually read, I found myself falling in love with the series.
The Luxe series by Anna Godbersen are beautiful books about beautiful people with seemingly beautiful lives hiding dark secrets that could destroy all.
The series begins in 1899 and ends in 1901 - two tumultuous years that have seen reputations destroyed, fortunes lost, fortunes gained, hearts broken, lives ended and gossip made. Sound juicy? You won't be disappointed, it is.
The plot: It's 1899 and there's a storm coming - a storm of secrets, gossip, love, betrayal, death and new beginnings. The blue bloods of the New York City scene are introduced - Elizabeth Holland, the perfect, golden girl of High Society who every man loves, and every girl loves to hate. There's her impulsive younger sister Diana, who is prepared to break all the rules for love. And then there's Penelope Hayes, best friend of Elizabeth, who is manipulative, beautiful and determined to supplant her friend as the Queen of the social arena. Add in gorgeous beau's, a forbidden love, wealth, a sudden death and you have: The Luxe. It's Gossip Girl at the edge of the twentieth century.
Fast forward to the final installment, Splendor.
The good bits: everybody loves a scandal and this series serves this up in droves. The fashions are amazing, the historical tidbits that come as an excerpt from a newspaper to bits of etiquette advice from society matrons, adds some interesting elements to the plot and ties in the shifting scenarios. The strength of this series is probably the relationships - you'll find yourself supporting one couple, wishing for another, detesting another, to the point that you're desperate to know what happens next...always a good thing in a book. And it's not a happy ending for everyone, which is such a nice change.
The bad bits: In some parts the conversations feel forced, you'll find yourself thinking "oh come on, so-and-so did not just say that." Dialogue is difficult to write, but in this series sometimes it feels as though the author didn't really try. And this installment offered some even more far out plot twists than the other books - one of which, I'll leave you to read and find out which, made me laugh out loud at the ridiculousness of it all.
The audience: though the book is 'young adult' fiction, I would say that any young woman could enjoy these books. Particularly over the summer, stretched out on the beach when a simple, fun read is the order of the day.
Rating: 3/5
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