Talent: A Talent Novel (Talent #1) [Englisch] [Taschenbuch]

Mackenzie may only be an eighth-grader, but she's lived in L.A. for her entire life, and she knows the entertainment scene like the back of her perfectly moisturized hand. With no special abilities or hobbies of her own other than being the leader of her group of popular friends, Mac thinks perhaps her talent is finding that in other people, allowing her to follow in the footsteps of her mother, the famous talent agent.

When Emily, her mother, and her best friend visit Los Angeles to go sight-seeing (and hopefully celebrity-spotting), they have no idea that Emily might be the next big thing. Mackenzie does, though. After Emily acts her way into a Hollywood party, her path crosses with Mac's, and the rest is history. The week that follows features shopping sprees, auditions, and lies that could strengthen or threaten friendships and careers.

Talent will appeal to fans of The Clique by Lisi Harrison and The Ashleys by Melissa de la Cruz. Each character has her own storyline (Mac's three best friends also have famous parents and are trying to make their own strides in or out of the industry; Emily's best friend was the one with real acting aspirations) and the plots overlap evenly. These girls have money (and bridges) to burn.

I wish that Mac and company were a little less materialistic and a little more aware of the real world. I hope that Emily stays true to herself as the series continues. I was glad that this book was far tamer, content-wise, than Dean's series The A-List, more appropriate for a younger but similar audience.

Los Angeles. Hollywood. The place is crawling with talent. Everywhere you look there's some stick-thin girl trying her hand at modeling; hard-bodied hottie striving to become the next Brad Pitt; geeky waiter spending his lunch breaks penning the next big film script. Chances are, if you're in Hollywood, you're looking for fame. And to achieve fame, you'd better have a ton of talent. Like Mackenzie Little-Armstrong's family.

Twelve-year-old Mackenzie "Mac" Little-Armstrong may be the toast of the town at Bel-Air Middle School, aka BAMS, but at home, she's just another face in the crowd. While her older brother, Jenner, is a talented surfer who's constantly snagging prizes at competitions; her younger sister, Maude, is a certified genius; her father is an amazing screenwriter; and her mother is the first-ever woman to become an agent for Initiative, one of the biggest agencies in the country, repping some of the latest and greatest stars to hit Hollywood; Mac is simply a nobody. Sure, she has great fashion sense, wields an AmEx like nobody's business, and has friends galore. But what she really wants is a talent; and she's determined to find one.

Cordelia "Coco" Kingsley has been living in her mother, Cardammon's, shadow since she inhaled her first breath. Cardammon is a huge name in the music industry, and one of the most talented vocalists. Luckily, Coco managed to inherit both Cardammon's amazing looks, and her vocal capacity. Between her singing and her dancing, Coco just knows that she could be the next big thing. Unfortunately, solo stars are out; duos are in. To have a shot at stardom, Coco will have to pair up with a partner. But when Cardammon introduces the girl to Coco, fists fly. Coco's new partner is Mac's enemy. Aka, Coco's enemy.

Evangelina Becks is tan, tall, and gorgeous. While her best friends, Coco and Mac spend hours primping and getting ready, Becks is more of an effortless beauty, simply stepping out with a swipe of lipgloss on her mouth, and her sun-kissed hair hanging loosely down her back. As an amazing female surfer, being out on the water is just another day at the beach. But conversing with her suddenly-hot neighbor, Austin Holloway, has become the challenge of a lifetime. She wants to share kisses with him, and hold hands; but if she doesn't confess her true feelings, someone else just may snatch him up first.

Emily Mungler is anything but LA cool. An Iowa native, Emily and her best friend Paige Harrington are visiting LA for a little rest and relaxation; but the one thing they're determined to do is get a glimpse of their favorite movie star, Davey Woodward. With Emily's mom in tow, the two besties are planning on getting into true diva mode this week. But when Emily surprises everyone by displaying her secret talent, acting, even Mac is impressed. Mac is determined to make Emily a star during her Hollywood stay. And maybe, just maybe, by helping Emily to reach her true potential, Mac will be able to find her talent, as well.

Zoey Dean has penned tons of novels, but TALENT is the first one I have ever read. I only wish that I would have paid her efforts more mind in the past, as TALENT was a true blast. Dean takes the GOSSIP GIRL set and basically shrinks them down in size, creating middle school characters who have amazing taste in fashion, and a determination to take over the world; or, at least, Bel Air Middle School. Mackenzie is the girl about town. Great clothes, amazing family, and the Queen of her clique. Coco and Becks, on the other hand, seem a little insecure at times; and rely on Mackenzie to speak for them, pick out their outfits, and basically, make their decisions; yet they each have qualities about them that you can't help but savor. Emily is the one character who seems relatable. She's endearing, tough, and sweet, with a Midwestern charm that can't be beat. Emily's bumbling ways of trying to fit in with the Hollywood set are charming; and her character truly makes the reader excited to find out what will happen next. Breezy, lighthearted, fun...I can't wait for the sequel!

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer

Twelve year old Mackenzie (a.k.a. "Mac"), daughter of Hollywood's best agent, is one of those girls who has everything she could ever want. But she has one problem: she bet Ruby Goldman, the daughter of Hollywood's best producer and her arch enemy, that she could turn any random girl into a movie star in less than one week. Now the start of the week is coming up and Mac needs to come up with a plan...and fast!