Okay, I'm only 3/4 through the 3rd installment of this witty series, but I'm beginning to get bored. The problem with series is that they just become embellishments of the intro novel. Gossip Girl #1 was AWESOME because all the characters were new and exciting. Now, I'm just plain tired of reading about Nate's constant state of 'baked-ness', Serena's 24/7 'hotness', Vanessa's rebelliousness, Dan's torturedness, Blair's whininess and Chuck's sliminess. Having an international rock star hot for 17 year old Serena is just plain unbelievable.

Also, this series said that these kids are consumed with drugs, drinking, smoking, partying and sex. I've seen a LOT of the first four, but where's this 'sex' thats so touted? So far, no one's had sex, although its been 'alluded' to (Nate and Serena in the first novel and Blair and Nate TRYING to, but....thats it. Its made to seem like its a constant orgy, which its not.

I will continue this novel and also read the last two, if only because I feel an attachment to these kids, but I hope their plots aren't contrived and predictable (I'm tired of shopping at Barneys, smoking pot in the park, etc.)

I hope the last two installments are fresher than this one. Ho-Hum. The one thing that keeps me smiling is von Ziegesar's wit and humor, especially describing these kids' thoughts of the other kids (especially Blair's thoughts about Serena's eternal lovliness) and Cyrus and Blair's mother's PDA. Hilarious!