Reviewer: Connie Payne
Title: Totally Fabulous - Sequel to Almost Fabulous
Author: Michelle Radford
Publisher: Harper Teen
ISBN-13: 9780061285318
Release Date: June 2009
Genre/Sub-genre: YA Contemporary Paranormal
Publisher’s Age/Grade Recommendation: 12 and up
OUAR’s Age/Grade Recommendation: 12 and up
Year/Setting: Present day/New York/New Jersey
Overall rating: 4.5
Sexual Content Rating: None
Language (Profanity/Slang) Content Rating: None
Violent Content Rating: None
Michelle's Website: www.michelleradford.com
Have you ever wanted to be a superhero or have super powers?
Fourteen-year old Fiona Blount used to be a shy, never-speak-up kind of girl and most probably never even thought about being a superhero, but she recently (in Almost Fabulous) deducted that she either had a) a brain tumor or b) strange powers. In searching for answers, Fiona inadvertently found her long-lost dad, William Brown, and learned that she’s inherited ESP!
Not only does Will (superhero at large) own Funktech, a communications company, he also owns Esper, a scientific research center, which Funktech funds. At Esper, below ground, is a "boot camp" for beginner espees. They need to learn to shield and focus their powers such as teleportation, compulsion, and mind-reading. What better way to learn than by instruction from experienced espees and secret (in camp only) practice?
So it’s off to the US for boot camp to develop and understand her powers. For six weeks she leaves behind her Mum, cat (Daphne Kat), and new boyfriend Joe. It’s a difficult transition to make from one household to another; especially in the midst of Will’s "quirky" (translation: multi-issued-with-best-intentions-deep-at-heart) family. Fiona is determined, though, no matter what, to fix the Brown family. If she needs to use her new-found, not yet honed and harnessed powers, then that’s what she’ll do.
You know the saying about good intentions? Fiona may be looking at disaster in the making.
I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed Fiona’s story! There’s an upbeat and engaging tempo from the first page to the last. Fiona’s attitude and heart-felt desires were completely honest and infectious and transcended directly to the reader. You simply can’t help but like her.
Parents, you don’t need to worry about the content of Ms. Radford’s YA book. It’s clean, fun, and even inspiring. While the gist of the various ESP powers is understandable, I did find that some of the ESP jargon and theories discussed in the espee classes may be beyond the scope of some readers comprehension. Take that as a FYI, not a deterrent.
Fiona’s story, with her mishaps and insecurities and good intentions and, yes, wisdom, is a gem and it sparkles. It’s Totally Fabulous and not to be missed!!
Connie
P.S. You can bet I’m going to get my hands on Almost Fabulous. Fiona’s story seems to be kind of like the Lay’s potato chip saying…you can’t read just one.
So, since this is a sequel does that mean we’ll see Fiona again? Perhaps as a Sophomore at Esper? One can only hope…
Question or comment regarding the review or the book? Click here and let Connie know.
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