Alphas [Library Binding]

This is totally embarrassing, but The Clique series is one of my guilty pleasures. It's not embarrassing to like Gossip Girl because those girls are older. However the characters in The Clique are 12-13, so I try to conceal that I read those books. When I heard that there was going to be a spin off series (because that's always the trend in YA series), I was interested but at the same time a bit wary. This is because while even though I enjoy the series, the girls and the slang in the books drive me absolutely nuts. Honestly, I don't know who on earth speaks the way those girls do.

Therefore I was more than pleasantly surprised with this first book in the Alphas series. The story was really fun to read. I found myself really drawn into the story. The characters are mostly dimensional. I found myself intrigued with the campus and the entire setting and premise of the school. While I did find myself questioning some of the tactics used, I took the story to be a fantasy YA lit type book so I let my imagination just flow along with the story. I think if, by some miracle, I had been offered a position at the school, I would take it. I'm not quite sure what it would do to my ego, but all the technology and opportunities offered at the school might just be worth it.

Even though Skye is touted as the cross over from The Clique series, I didn't feel as if she had a huge main role in these books. Compared to Jenny, who made the transition from Gossip Girl to The It Girl, I felt that Skye's role seemed almost background compared to Allie and Charlie. In fact I found their stories to be much more interesting than hers. I honestly have no idea how in the world Allie thought she was going to be able to pull off her facade for that long. Charlie's story is extremely fascinating as she is smarter than almost everyone at the school but is inwardly suffering due to a stupid rule. The chemistry between the girls is fun to watch, but they aren't catty which is greatly appreciated. The story is way out there and totally futuristic. There are objects in this book that are really sci-fi and totally unbelievable. Money apparently has no boundaries and can create anything that you could possible want. There's a lot of name and label dropping in the books which sometimes feels like blatant advertising.

I'm actually really looking forward to reading the next book in the series. I think that the writing, so far, is much better than the Clique. The biggest plus is the absence of Massie -speak which I totally applaud. Keep in mind, these books are not to be taken as serious, life changing reads. Overall it was a fun read, light escapism for YA chick lit readers. Fans of The Clique will gobble this one up.

Shira Brazille, the rags-to-riches self-proclaimed billionaire from Australia, has a plan "...to advance the female genome for future generations." She has invited 100 of the most promising teenage girls from across the world, who have the ability to be tops in their field, to a secret island to hone their craft. Shira has spared no expense. Each girl has at her fingertips a muse, the latest technology, world-class facilities and personal tutors, among other exclusive amenities. Shira has just a few rules for the girls on their quest to becoming Alphas: embrace this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity by putting forth your best effort and, oh yeah, stay away from her five gorgeous teenage sons.

Perfection has been expected from Skye Hamilton ever since she set foot inside a dance studio. Her former Russian ballerina mother and mogul father have financed her every move, and it all has been leading up to her exclusive invitation to be part of Shira Brazille's Alpha Academy. Skye has never lacked confidence on the dance floor, willing her body to obey her every command. But how will she stack up to the new fierce competition?

Allie J. Abbot, the brilliant singer-songwriter, is tearing up the charts with her infectious lyrics and eco-friendly messages. Allie Abbot, on the other hand, is reeling from a horrible breakup as her ex hooked up with her "best friend." Allie Abbot saw the golden invitation mistakenly mailed to her as a chance to get away from her latest teenage drama. A little hair dye and one perfectly drawn-in mole and Allie Abbot, I mean Allie J., is ready to take over Alpha Academy. Now if only she can hold it together until someone realizes she's a fraud.

Charlotte "Charlie" Deery has spent the last 12 years with her mother designing Alpha Academy. During that time, Charlie created much of the technology outfitted on the hidden island and fell in love with the last person Shira expected --- her oldest son Darwin. Now Shira has given Charlie a choice: leave or break up with Darwin and become an Alpha. Charlie is reluctant to leave her creation, so she breaks it off with Darwin with the hope of reuniting with him once things settle down.

At first, life in the academy runs smoothly. Girls try and establish friendships --- and dominance --- in classes and their suites. Midnight excursions to meet the Brazille boys are light and fun. The weather is perfect, and the nighttime entertainment is first-class. Then Shira drops a bomb. She kicks out a girl for secretly seeing her sons (how did she know?) and reveals that Alphas was designed to find her heir. One down, 98 to go, and everyone wants to be the last one standing.

Lisi Harrison seems to have her fingers on the pulse of teenage girls. Her books are chock full of expressions and pop culture references that appeal to any girl. The storyline and setting may seem out of reach for most, but Harrison casually invites the reader to become part of the ultra-exclusive world she has created and succeeds every time. Her characters also seem real. Each of them is filled with the usual teenage angst, but also the slight ADD that accompanies any kid not always under the watchful eye of an authority figure. Anyone who has enjoyed the bestselling Clique series will want to snatch up this new series in a heartbeat.

--- Reviewed by Benjamin Boche

I finished Alphas last night and I LOVED it. It follows the past eigth grade Alpha at OCD named Skye Hamilton, who has graduated to high school (from the Clique series). It also follows Allie A. Abbott (sp?) and Charlie Deery. First of all, I was a HUGE Clique fan, but stopped reading in the middle of P.S. I Love You, because I felt Lisi Harrison was rushing the series to get to Alphas. Let me say, Alphas is MUCH more entertaining than Clique! I could NOT keep my hands off of it! Amazing book, great start to a new series! Three cheers for Lisi!

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