Almost Fabulous is Michelle Radford‘s first YA novel, and I certainly hope it’s not her last. It was such a fun read! I read it while sick in bed, and it was the perfect book to keep me completely interested and distracted from my various ailments, not bored for a second, but it also did not hurt my already throbbing brain. Which is great even if you’re not sick (which I hope you’re not; it sucks).
Ahem. I digress. Almost Fabulous stars Fiona Blount, a fourteen-year-old girl living in London with her mother, a former pop star and currently a major music producer. When she was younger, Fiona’s mum used to travel around with her band, the Bliss Babes, and Fiona has lived in various countries and started over so many times that she’s perfected the art of Total Anonymity. They’re staying in London now, which Fiona is happy about because she does not enjoy change, to say the least, but Fiona, now with her best friend, Gina, is still content to lay low and not attract attention from the school bully, Melissa.
Some of Fiona’s problems are typical fourteen-year-old girl problems; some are not. She’s got a crush on a fantastic guy, Joe, who happens to be dating the mean girl and school bully, Melissa. Her mother might just ruin her life (if anyone finds out who Fiona’s mum really is, Total Anonymity will be difficult). Melissa might ruin her life. The new girl, Peaceflower, stands out far too much for comfort and has attached herself to Fiona and Gina. Fiona is also searching for her long-lost father, William Brown (a common name doesn’t make it any easier). And to make it even worse? She might have superpowers. Or possibly a brain tumor.
Although I do tend to find all-powerful and totally evil popular girls in teen novels a little unrealistic, because I don’t think anyone is really that powerful or that evil (but maybe I’m just lucky enough not to have experienced that), it didn’t detract from my enjoyment of this book. Almost Fabulous is completely fabulous and entertaining and hilarious! I loved the characters. I loved the London setting (I love London, actually). I loved the music aspect, the superpower aspect–well, the whole book is just pretty fantastic and fun. It’s not a seriously deep-thinking read, but my brain certainly didn’t deteriorate as I read it, either. Somewhere in between, which is just what I need a lot of the time! I really loved this book, and I would love to read more about Fiona in the future.
April 10, 2008 at 12:52 pm
I enjoyed this, but the all-powerful and totally evil popular girl really got on my nerves as too unrealistic. If she had been more believable, I would have liked the book more. But it was still a really fun read. :D
April 10, 2008 at 3:38 pm
Hi Jocelyn,
My new series THE ELITE drops on June 3rd, and I’d love if you’d consider reviewing it! Just let me know if you’re interested, and I’ll be glad to send you an ARC.
Best,
Jennifer Banash
April 10, 2008 at 5:25 pm
I’ve never heard of this, but it sounds really good. I think that the popular and evil girls in books are somewhat far-fetched, too, but some of the stuff I’ve seen has actually happened at my school before… unless our school is just weird. (Learning this fact would not surprise me.)
hope.
November 14, 2008 at 10:50 pm
Heey,
I reead this book,
and im actually doing it for a booktalk ,
prees =]
and its awsoomee ..
ahha
juust hope i do good on thee booktalk :P