Monday, March 14, 2011

Review: The Karma Club by Jessica Brody

From Inside Jacket: Madison Kasparkova always thought she understood how Karma works. It's that mysterious, powerful force that brings harmony to the universe. You know - do good things and you will be rewarded, do something bad and Karma will make sure you get what's coming to you. A sort of cosmic balancing act. But when Mason Brooks, Maddy's boyfriend of two years, gets caught tongue-wrestling with Miss Perfect Body Heather Campbell, and absolutely nothing happens to either of them - except that they wind up the hot new couple of Colonial High School - it seems like Karma has officially left Maddy in the lurch. That's why Maddy and her best friends, Angie and Jade, decide to start the Karma Club - a secret, members-only organization whose sole purpose is to clean up the messes that the universe has been leaving behind. Whether they're modifying Heather Campbell's acne cream as part of "Operation Butter Face," or righting a few wrongs when it comes to Angie's and Jade's own slimy exes, they know they're just doing what Karma should have done in the first place. They're taking care of one another. Sometimes though, it isn't wise to meddle with the universe. Because it turns out that when you mess with Karma, Karma messes back. Now Maddy must find a way to balance her life for good, even as everything around her seems to be toppling to the ground.

My Rating: 3.5 hearts 

Thoughts on the Novel: The Karma Club by Jessica Brody was a light and engaging read with an original plot and a message that tells you to beware of messing with karma.

Brody did a great job with characterization because not only was Maddy a relatable protagonist but her two best friends, Angie and Jade, were solidly developed as well, and therefore each of the girls had their own distinct personality.

I also really liked the emphasis on friendship in The Karma Club. Maddy, Angie and Jade, are constantly there to support each other and when Maddy comes up with the idea of the Karma Club, she makes sure that justice isn’t only exacted on the people who have humiliated her but also on those who have hurt her friends.

It’s easy to understand why Maddy starts the Karma Club. I mean, who wants to wait around for the universe to give the person that screws you what they deserve when you could restore the balance by yourself right away? The schemes that the girls originally come up with are funny (although a little childish) but it soon felt to me as if Maddy, Angie and Jade didn’t care about what they had to do to get revenge or how their actions would affect other people’s lives.

The other thing that bothered me was that things were wrapped up a little too neatly at the end. However, Maddy is finally able to comprehend how karma works and learns that you don’t want to use karma to get back at others but to spread good in whatever way possible.        

The Karma Club was released in April 2010 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

Comments About the Cover: It’s a cute cover and I like that the girl is hiding behind a book because the Karma Club is a secret and all its operations are written down in a notebook.

10 comments:

  1. I must admit, I`m interested in this one. It does sound cute and fun. I love reading your reviews, thanks!

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  2. I like the idea behind this one, and it seems like the lesson is presented in an entertaining way, but I'm not sure how I feel about the three of them not caring about how their actions affect others until the end. That may bother me a little. Fabulous review though Zahida, I'll have to think about this one:)

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  3. It is great to hear that friendship is the emphasis of this book and not romance. It is nice to have a change. Great review :)

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  4. I have this book on my wishlist and I hope that I can read it before 2010 ends. :0 I really like the sound of this book. I like that its not only about the main character, but also about her friends. :) Great review.

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  5. Sounds like a great beach read! Sometimes, I really crave these sorts of books. I read a lot of heavy stuff! :P

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  6. I liked that it focuses more on the friendship between the girls and this book has always seem like an empowering read with them getting revenge on the guys.

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  7. This one sounds great! I've been thinking about picking it up.
    Brandi from Blkosiner’s Book Blog

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  8. So it's kinda like the TV series "My Name is Earl" only in reverse? :)
    Thanks for signing up to review my book, Witch Song. You're blog is super cute. I like it.

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  9. I think that book that wrap up a little too neatly are the ones that are meant to be more feel good novels.

    Sounds like a cute concept. And I like books that focus more on friendship than a clique love triangle. thanks for the review. ;)

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  10. This sounds cute. I like that the cover relates to the book and the girls learn a lesson in the end.

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