vikcs's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
jlove731's review against another edition
5.0
There is no doubt that Amplified makes you feel like a rock star when you're done. I love the struggles, the music, the parties, the boys, and everything wrapped up in this musical story.
We start off with Jasmine Kiss, who is from Woodside, an indicator that she comes from money. After telling her father she deferred Standford and doesn't want to do the college thing, she leaves and goes to Santa Cruz to pursue her dream of playing music. She realized life isn't as easy as she'd though it'd be. When she meets Veta and Sean... siblings in the band C-side things start to look up for her. But, she'll have to literally amp herself up to survive the life she wants.
I loved this book so, so much. If you don't know, I'm in love with music. It's what gets me through most days to be honest and I can't seem to do one thing without it. I always have it on in the background, I play it in between classes, I fall asleep to it. Music says so much that words and feelings can't sometimes. That being said, the whole music aspect of the story made me connect with it that much more. And hello.... Jasmine's ringtone is Placebo - Meds?!?! I am in love with that song.
All the characters in this book are so well developed too. None of them are perfect, they all have flaws and problems. Jasmine is trying her hardest to fulfill her dream yet in the background, she deals with extreme family issues. She's a very inspiring protagonists that I think many readers will relate to. I also, love all the band members: Veta, Bryn, and Felix. Veta is the hardcore best friend, Bryn has issues of his own to deal with while trying to be the band leader, and Felix is the comic relief. They all mesh together so well. There are also shall we say "others" that weave this story. One in particular... Amy. To me, she's the type of person that girls hate and guys just want to get with. She's spoiled and rude, and I wanted to kick her multiple times :).
And oh yes, I'm forgetting someone..... Sean. Sean is something else. Three main things hit my brain when I think of him: Smells like gasoline, has green eyes, and plays in a band. Each of those things drive me in INSANE. Uhhh perfection! I really enjoyed watching his and Jasmine's relation grow. It's not perfect, and it's not meant to be... that's what makes it so real.
To be honest, the ending of this story left me wanting so much more. But, with that being said I understand why it ended the way it did, and it ended perfectly for the story. There are so many ups and down and emotions throughout Amplified, and I wouldn't have had it any other way. A completely moving story.
We start off with Jasmine Kiss, who is from Woodside, an indicator that she comes from money. After telling her father she deferred Standford and doesn't want to do the college thing, she leaves and goes to Santa Cruz to pursue her dream of playing music. She realized life isn't as easy as she'd though it'd be. When she meets Veta and Sean... siblings in the band C-side things start to look up for her. But, she'll have to literally amp herself up to survive the life she wants.
I loved this book so, so much. If you don't know, I'm in love with music. It's what gets me through most days to be honest and I can't seem to do one thing without it. I always have it on in the background, I play it in between classes, I fall asleep to it. Music says so much that words and feelings can't sometimes. That being said, the whole music aspect of the story made me connect with it that much more. And hello.... Jasmine's ringtone is Placebo - Meds?!?! I am in love with that song.
All the characters in this book are so well developed too. None of them are perfect, they all have flaws and problems. Jasmine is trying her hardest to fulfill her dream yet in the background, she deals with extreme family issues. She's a very inspiring protagonists that I think many readers will relate to. I also, love all the band members: Veta, Bryn, and Felix. Veta is the hardcore best friend, Bryn has issues of his own to deal with while trying to be the band leader, and Felix is the comic relief. They all mesh together so well. There are also shall we say "others" that weave this story. One in particular... Amy. To me, she's the type of person that girls hate and guys just want to get with. She's spoiled and rude, and I wanted to kick her multiple times :).
And oh yes, I'm forgetting someone..... Sean. Sean is something else. Three main things hit my brain when I think of him: Smells like gasoline, has green eyes, and plays in a band. Each of those things drive me in INSANE. Uhhh perfection! I really enjoyed watching his and Jasmine's relation grow. It's not perfect, and it's not meant to be... that's what makes it so real.
To be honest, the ending of this story left me wanting so much more. But, with that being said I understand why it ended the way it did, and it ended perfectly for the story. There are so many ups and down and emotions throughout Amplified, and I wouldn't have had it any other way. A completely moving story.
cupcakegirly's review
4.0
This is the story of 17 year old Jasmine and her struggle to not only follow her dreams of playing guitar in a real band but of finding out who she really is apart from her controlling father. She'll find the band but will she be able to convince them she has what it takes? Will she be able to convince herself?
Jasmine quickly discovers the life of a true musician is a complicated one, especially when there are egos, reputations and even hearts to protect. If she can keep her focus on her dream and not let her own heart get distracted by a certain bass player she just might make her dreams come true and prove something to both herself and her father.
Being a music lover myself, I enjoyed how author, Tara Kelly gives the reader a backstage pass into the music world and we get to see the good, the bad, and the mundane. Being able to experience the performance through the eyes of the characters whether it's hearing the roar of the crowd, feeling the guitar strings slide beneath your fingers or the dizzying high after a great show, Kelly's words put you right there. She gives us a lesson in the technical side of band life too and had me asking myself, "Diezel?" Wait, isn't that a type of gas or the name of some dude who drives cars in action movies?" We're also given a glimpse into the disappointment of the music dream as what was "supposed to be" doesn't always equal "how it really is" as is evident when Jasmine has her meeting with Nile.
Kelly's cast of characters are all full of raw emotion, giving them a real, authentic feel. Jasmine is full of life and determination and doesn't give up easy. When she bombs at her first live show, you feel all the pain, frustration and humiliation right along with her. When she's trying to navigate her feelings for Sean, you get caught up in the emotion of falling hard for a cute boy for the very first time. Each time she deals with her father, your heart breaks a little more for both of them but mostly for what he's missing out on.
Veta is a mix of nonconformity and immaturity. (Like a lot of teens) While she is fiercely protective of those she loves and loyal to her friends, she also doesn't hesitate to retaliate against those she feels have wronged her. (veggie smoothie anyone?) Felix is a colorful character (literally) with his blue pigtails and pink tutus but he has the biggest heart of all of them and then there's Sean. (insert swoonish *sigh*) At first glance, Sean appears to be the typical rocker boy with the all black clothes, funky hair, tats, piercings and 'tude, LOTS of 'tude but once he begins to let his guard down we see there's more to him than meets those amazing green eyes. (not focusing on the abs, not focusing on the abs...) He's thoughtful, caring, and also happens to be crazy smart! (There's nothing hotter than a cute boy with a brain.)
Most of these characters tend to live in the moment, not necessarily focusing on the consequences of their actions. This isn't out of the norm for the average teen and certainly doesn't seem abnormal for band life either, however, there are extremes in every situation. Jasmine's father imposing so many rules suffocates her but the life that Nile describes leaves very little accountability or boundaries whatsoever. Zia, leader singer for "Luna's Temptation" attempts to give Jasmine advice about the industry telling her, "This business will devour you like an afternoon snack," she said, "If you're not ready for the fight of your life...run." "Run like hell." (page 280) With the odds stacked against her, now more than ever, Jasmine must decide whether to stay and fight for what she wants or pack up and go back to Daddy and the life he wants for her.
It's never easy to follow your dreams but as Jasmine discovers, sometimes following your dreams is the only way to really find the your way home.
Jasmine quickly discovers the life of a true musician is a complicated one, especially when there are egos, reputations and even hearts to protect. If she can keep her focus on her dream and not let her own heart get distracted by a certain bass player she just might make her dreams come true and prove something to both herself and her father.
Being a music lover myself, I enjoyed how author, Tara Kelly gives the reader a backstage pass into the music world and we get to see the good, the bad, and the mundane. Being able to experience the performance through the eyes of the characters whether it's hearing the roar of the crowd, feeling the guitar strings slide beneath your fingers or the dizzying high after a great show, Kelly's words put you right there. She gives us a lesson in the technical side of band life too and had me asking myself, "Diezel?" Wait, isn't that a type of gas or the name of some dude who drives cars in action movies?" We're also given a glimpse into the disappointment of the music dream as what was "supposed to be" doesn't always equal "how it really is" as is evident when Jasmine has her meeting with Nile.
Kelly's cast of characters are all full of raw emotion, giving them a real, authentic feel. Jasmine is full of life and determination and doesn't give up easy. When she bombs at her first live show, you feel all the pain, frustration and humiliation right along with her. When she's trying to navigate her feelings for Sean, you get caught up in the emotion of falling hard for a cute boy for the very first time. Each time she deals with her father, your heart breaks a little more for both of them but mostly for what he's missing out on.
Veta is a mix of nonconformity and immaturity. (Like a lot of teens) While she is fiercely protective of those she loves and loyal to her friends, she also doesn't hesitate to retaliate against those she feels have wronged her. (veggie smoothie anyone?) Felix is a colorful character (literally) with his blue pigtails and pink tutus but he has the biggest heart of all of them and then there's Sean. (insert swoonish *sigh*) At first glance, Sean appears to be the typical rocker boy with the all black clothes, funky hair, tats, piercings and 'tude, LOTS of 'tude but once he begins to let his guard down we see there's more to him than meets those amazing green eyes. (not focusing on the abs, not focusing on the abs...) He's thoughtful, caring, and also happens to be crazy smart! (There's nothing hotter than a cute boy with a brain.)
Most of these characters tend to live in the moment, not necessarily focusing on the consequences of their actions. This isn't out of the norm for the average teen and certainly doesn't seem abnormal for band life either, however, there are extremes in every situation. Jasmine's father imposing so many rules suffocates her but the life that Nile describes leaves very little accountability or boundaries whatsoever. Zia, leader singer for "Luna's Temptation" attempts to give Jasmine advice about the industry telling her, "This business will devour you like an afternoon snack," she said, "If you're not ready for the fight of your life...run." "Run like hell." (page 280) With the odds stacked against her, now more than ever, Jasmine must decide whether to stay and fight for what she wants or pack up and go back to Daddy and the life he wants for her.
It's never easy to follow your dreams but as Jasmine discovers, sometimes following your dreams is the only way to really find the your way home.
kblincoln's review
5.0
I think I'm a confirmed Tara Kelly fan now. I loved Harmonic Feedback so much; the immersion in music, the development of Drea's character that I was reluctant to pick up Amplified in case it was disappointing or (gasp) boring.
Shouldn't have worried. Kelly took me back to the Santa Cruz boardwalk culture, complete with serious and earnest psychics, annoying tourists, and an arts culture both pretentious and cool.
Jasmine has decided to leave the perfect life her Dad has mapped out for her and instead of going to Stanford she's going to at last follow her heart; music.
She has no idea how she's going to make money or if she's good enough to play live (she's only played with her best friend Jason in the garage before) and she makes naive mistakes all the time, but she's going to go through with this.
But then her car breaks down. And her last chance audition is a band that says "guys preferred."
I love the Jasmine is strong, but breaks down and tries to borrow money from her Dad. I love that their realistic fights center on both's insecurities about love and trust and how Jasmine's absent mother affects them both.
It was very, very painful watching Jasmine's first live gig, so much was I invested in her doing well. But true to real life, we fail and we pick up and move on and try harder. Jasmine makes several major mistakes and does just that; moves on.
And then there's the romance. Sean's in the band, been cheated on by his girlfriend, and seems to have nothing but criticism for newbie Jasmine. Watching him take care of her anyway in small ways was lovely. While my romance heart cringed that they were hooking up despite the fact he was just out of a major relationship and they played in the band together, I think it was entirely realistic, entirely "teen caught up in major life moments" kind of expression of Jasmine's physical self-knowledge.
The icing on the cake is Jasmine's love of music. Like Drea in Harmonic Feedback, Jasmine's utterly compelling knowledge of music and name dropping of bands and musical styles takes you into the music in a way most amateurs can never know.
Tight, compelling, and utterly fun to read.
This Book's Snack Rating: An array of tasty treats from the Santa Cruz boardwalk; cotton candy for the sweet, melt in your mouth sweetness of Jasmine and Sean's feelings to the oily goodness of fried artichokes for the way band culture (and it's accompanying drama) drenches the book.
Shouldn't have worried. Kelly took me back to the Santa Cruz boardwalk culture, complete with serious and earnest psychics, annoying tourists, and an arts culture both pretentious and cool.
Jasmine has decided to leave the perfect life her Dad has mapped out for her and instead of going to Stanford she's going to at last follow her heart; music.
She has no idea how she's going to make money or if she's good enough to play live (she's only played with her best friend Jason in the garage before) and she makes naive mistakes all the time, but she's going to go through with this.
But then her car breaks down. And her last chance audition is a band that says "guys preferred."
I love the Jasmine is strong, but breaks down and tries to borrow money from her Dad. I love that their realistic fights center on both's insecurities about love and trust and how Jasmine's absent mother affects them both.
It was very, very painful watching Jasmine's first live gig, so much was I invested in her doing well. But true to real life, we fail and we pick up and move on and try harder. Jasmine makes several major mistakes and does just that; moves on.
And then there's the romance. Sean's in the band, been cheated on by his girlfriend, and seems to have nothing but criticism for newbie Jasmine. Watching him take care of her anyway in small ways was lovely. While my romance heart cringed that they were hooking up despite the fact he was just out of a major relationship and they played in the band together, I think it was entirely realistic, entirely "teen caught up in major life moments" kind of expression of Jasmine's physical self-knowledge.
The icing on the cake is Jasmine's love of music. Like Drea in Harmonic Feedback, Jasmine's utterly compelling knowledge of music and name dropping of bands and musical styles takes you into the music in a way most amateurs can never know.
Tight, compelling, and utterly fun to read.
This Book's Snack Rating: An array of tasty treats from the Santa Cruz boardwalk; cotton candy for the sweet, melt in your mouth sweetness of Jasmine and Sean's feelings to the oily goodness of fried artichokes for the way band culture (and it's accompanying drama) drenches the book.
milliegirl21's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
styx_the_gremlin's review
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The story is pretty foreseeable but the characters are well-written and charming. A nice light-hearted read with lots of musical/guitar-focused bits in it.
nykare's review against another edition
5.0
Great, funny story :) It was really realistic and that's what I love the most about Amplified.
zoet's review against another edition
5.0
No truer words
other than
that I freaking loved this book.
other than
that I freaking loved this book.