Review: Take A Bow

Need to Know Info:

Title: Take A Bow
Author: Eilzabeth Eulberg
Format: Hardcover, 278 pages
Publisher: Point
Release Date: April 1st, 2012

ARC received for Review from Scholastic

Synopsis
Emme, Sophie, Ethan, and Carter are seniors at a performing arts school, getting ready for their Senior Showcase recital, where the pressure is on to appeal to colleges, dance academies, and professionals in show business. For Sophie, a singer, it's been great to be friends with Emme, who composes songs for her. Emme and Ethan have been in a band together through all four years of school, but wonder if they could be more than just friends and bandmates. While Carter has been acting since he was a baby, and isn't sure how to admit that he'd rather paint than perform. The Senior Showcase is going to make or break each of the four, in a funny, touching and spectacular finale.

Shannon's Review
I'd been excited to read Take A Bow ever since I first heard the premise for it. I generally love books that deal with the arts; be it music or theater and author Elizabeth Eulberg definitely didn't disappoint me.

The story follows the lives of 4 teens during their senior year at a performing arts school and I really loved how the novel alternates between each of their perspectives. Emme and Sophie have very different personalities so it was never confusing when the POV changed and the same thing can be said about the two guys. In fact I think the changing narrative gives you a better sense of exactly who these young people are and the pressure they are under.

Emme was easily my favorite character, she's just so sweet and likeable. Watching her confidence grow as the novel moves along was really great. She's truly the heart of the story and much of what happens with the other 3 characters has a direct link back to her.

Since Emme's in a band with Ethan I loved how the novel focuses a lot on that dynamic, both romantically and otherwise. Thankfully the novel doesn't leave their other 2 band mates, Jack and Ben, out in the cold with nothing to do. As supporting characters go they added a lot of humor to the novel and were as memorable as the main quartet.

The novel's pacing is quick and while there is of course loads of drama between the characters, the story itself is light and fun. It reads a lot like a TV series or film, making you care quickly and holding your attention throughout. If I had to complain about anything it would be that at 278 pages the novel was just too short for me. I wanted to spend so much more time immersed in that school with Emme and her friends.

As you can read from this review I'm basically trying not to gush about how amazing it is and how much you all should read it. However when it comes right down to it, I am gushing, you should read it and I hope you think its as wonderful as I do.

Rating~

*Oh and on a side note: If you are a movie or TV producer you should consider contacting author Elizabeth Eulberg and finding out how to get this book made into a film or TV series. Seriously it would be amazing! Thank You!