How can a book published in 2006 have aged so badly?

Chuyler Van Alen never fit in with the blue-bloods at her prestigious New York City private school-so why does she find herself so affected by the sudden death of a classmate?  Why is the most popular boy in  the school suddenly taking an interest in her?  And who-or what-is running the mysterious “Committee”?

This is a confused book-the author can’t decide if we’re supposed to judge the wealthy characters for their frivolous livestyles or envy them.  There’s a ‘rich bitch’ character, of course, and we’re supposed to judge her harshly-but we’re also supposed to cheer when our Hollywood plain heroine is featured on a billboard and scores a pair of $500+ jeans.

Schuyler is a distinctly flat protagonist-although she’s supposed to be an outcast, above and beyond her fickle classmates, she never displays any particular interests or useful skills-and of course, her vintage clothes can’t hide the fact that she is Beautiful After All.  The love interest is flat.  There are too many viewpoints, too many characters, and the author peppered the book with references to then-current songs and trends, so it’s aging badly.

Students who enjoyed Twilight will probably enjoy this book-but that doesn’t make it good.  Try Cassandra Claire’s Mortal Instruments series for better action, better characters, and a more fully realized New York.

Grade Level Equivilant:  4.8

Rating:  ★1/2