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Starstruck Rachel Shukert 9780385741088 Books

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Starstruck Rachel Shukert 9780385741088 Books

Reading this story, I paused more than once to do some research online to try to determine just how much of the plot is inspired by true Hollywood history. The story is just so real, the dialogue between characters is so perfect for the time period, and the characters are so credible that it drops the reader right into the middle of the golden age of cinema. The picture Shukert paints of the time period and world of Olympus Studios is perfect down to the tiniest details: the small town Main Street set on the studio lot, the bungalow where Margo lives after signing her contract, even the glittering nights danced away by Margo, Gabby, and Amanda at the original Trocadero Cafe and the Cocoanut Grove. I love when authors take the time to put a lot of research into historical fiction, and Shukert has taken no short cuts. It's amazing to consider what her characters undergo at such young ages in their pursuit of fame, but then, Lana Turner was discovered at 16, and just like Gabby Preston, Judy Garland spent her entire childhood performing in vaudeville shows before making the switch to movies. Shukert perfectly sets up your curiosity for the next book: Why were Margo's society-darling parents so cruel to her? Was she really their biological daughter, or does the mysterious pin she wears have something to do with her true identity? What will jealous, conniving Gabby do with all of the juicy gossip she's uncovered? Will Amanda find a way to overcome her troublesome past? Like a true pro, Shukert slowly reveals secrets about her starlets in away that leaves you stunned and breathless by the last chapter. It's difficult to select which of the three girls to sympathize with the most: they're all likable and in awful predicaments. Anyone who has an interest in Hollywood, or who has ever dreamed of becoming a famous actress will really enjoy this book.


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Starstruck Rachel Shukert 9780385741088 Books Reviews

Review originally posted on The Book Addict's Guide

Completed Marked as DNF April 1, 2013
Publishing Info March 12th 2013 by Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Source Sent to me by Random House for review & promotion of Screen Free Week

Despite my frustrations with picking up a book and deciding not to finish, I actually really like writing DNF reviews for a very specific reason — There’s always a different reason I’ve chosen not to finish. In the case of STARSTRUCK, it really wasn’t that I felt like the book was awful or unbearable. I made it about 100 pages into the book and just didn’t find myself connecting with any of the characters or the setting.

STARSTRUCK is set in the golden age of Hollywood (think Singin’ in the Rain — after the transition from silent films to “the talkies”, where movies stars are THE legends). I really thought this was going to be such an interesting time period to read about and I was really hoping to get swept away with all of the glamor of Hollywood, but I just never made that connection. Instead of really getting into it, I had a hard time placing myself in that time period.

The characters didn’t come together for me either. Margaret was a perfectly nice girl — and the character I really got to know the best throughout the first 100 pages — but I never got interested in her story and didn’t find myself behind her or rooting for her to have all of her dreams fulfilled. If I can’t get behind the main character, it just makes it really hard for me to continue with a book and not struggle with it the rest of the way.

Another thing I knew would be the final nail in the coffin was the mystery. There was a small mystery set up and Margaret was curious enough to start digging and possibly solve it… But I found myself not really caring what happened at all. Before I became obsessed with YA, I was a mystery girl through and through. If the mystery of the story doesn’t interest me, there’s no way I’m going to make it through and come out the other end of the book enjoying it.

Overall, STARSTRUCK didn’t seem like a “bad book”. It just wasn’t the book for me. If all of these things interest you, I’d say give it a shot! Personally, I just didn’t make the connections with the book like I had hoped to and chose not to invest the time in finishing when I could tell I was already struggling.

Disclaimer It has come to light that I need to put a disclaimer regarding DNF reviews. It is my policy to review every book that I read and I include books that I wasn’t able to finish in that category, provided I had read enough of the book to share my thoughts. For the case of Starstruck, I was working with the publisher on this book and had informed them that I was struggling with the book and had chose not to finish. I had full permission to post my review from the publisher and that is why I chose to still write a review for this book. I understand that marking books as DNF can be a sensitive subject, especially when posting reviews for them so I thank you for respecting my feelings about the book as understand the reasons why I posted a DNF review.
I was interested in real stories...clearly i didn't read the fine print. I read a few pages and put it down.
That Rachel Shukert is writing novels for young adults--a trilogy, even!--is yet another reason to be depressed I'm an old adult.
but not a great book. Good for beach reading or on the plane. Nice details of historical Hollywood but some glaring anachronisms.
Just finished reading Starstuck. Truly a book that you are sad when it's over. Starstruck takes you back to a time we all dream about 1930's Hollywood. It describes it so well, you really feel like you were there...the clothes, the attitudes, and of course the stars. It was really a fun read with great characters and unexpected twists and turns along the way. People of all ages will enjoy this book. Can't wait to read more.
How did you nail this so well? It's masterfully written, tasteful and compelling. You rip hollywood open for all that it is.

Each character and his or her related story is deeply compelling. Thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Wonderful
Reading this story, I paused more than once to do some research online to try to determine just how much of the plot is inspired by true Hollywood history. The story is just so real, the dialogue between characters is so perfect for the time period, and the characters are so credible that it drops the reader right into the middle of the golden age of cinema. The picture Shukert paints of the time period and world of Olympus Studios is perfect down to the tiniest details the small town Main Street set on the studio lot, the bungalow where Margo lives after signing her contract, even the glittering nights danced away by Margo, Gabby, and Amanda at the original Trocadero Cafe and the Cocoanut Grove. I love when authors take the time to put a lot of research into historical fiction, and Shukert has taken no short cuts. It's amazing to consider what her characters undergo at such young ages in their pursuit of fame, but then, Lana Turner was discovered at 16, and just like Gabby Preston, Judy Garland spent her entire childhood performing in vaudeville shows before making the switch to movies. Shukert perfectly sets up your curiosity for the next book Why were Margo's society-darling parents so cruel to her? Was she really their biological daughter, or does the mysterious pin she wears have something to do with her true identity? What will jealous, conniving Gabby do with all of the juicy gossip she's uncovered? Will Amanda find a way to overcome her troublesome past? Like a true pro, Shukert slowly reveals secrets about her starlets in away that leaves you stunned and breathless by the last chapter. It's difficult to select which of the three girls to sympathize with the most they're all likable and in awful predicaments. Anyone who has an interest in Hollywood, or who has ever dreamed of becoming a famous actress will really enjoy this book.