The Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove - Lauren KatePages: 235
Publisher: Razorbill
Release Date: 12th November 2009
Other Titles by this Author: Fallen (my review)
All it takes is one fatal mistake.
What she wanted:
Natalie Hargrove wants one thing and one thing only - to be her high school’s Palmetto Princess. Among the other Southern Belles, a.k.a. Bambies, competing for the crown, she’s by far the most beautiful, and the most deserving. Or so she thinks.
The catch:
Her boyfriend, Mike King, is on the brink of losing Palmetto Prince to Nat’s nasty nemesis Justin Balmer. And let’s just say Natalie and Justin have a history so shady it could wither flowers. Sure, Natalie could share the throne with Justin - over her dead body.
The trick:
So Nat convinces Mike to help her play a naughty little prank on Justin…just to make him look bad. Little do they know, the plan is about to go terribly, terribly wrong.
The fatal flaw:
Natalie and Mike desperately try to cover up what happened to Justin. But blackmail and buried desire, dark secrets and even darker deeds slowly begin to tear them apart. Because fate is the one thing more twisted than Natalie Hargrove.
Lauren Kate’s debut, The Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove, is a re-telling of Macbeth that’s full of twisted, sexy intrigue.
I have to admit that I didn’t really connect with Natalie. She’s cold, hard and very scary. I mean, is anyone actually that arrogant and assured? It’s really quite unnerving. But regardless of that, I really wanted to learn more about her. Nat’s bad girl past was heavily hinted at but we only saw one or two tiny snippets of it. I would have liked to have known more about what made her so messed up. And Nat really is concrete proof that both greed and your parents really can screw you up for life. She just completely shocked me. Maybe I’m naïve. Maybe lots of high school seniors are like Natalie. I really hope not, though.
One of the first things that struck me about The Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove is how different it is to Fallen. Lauren Kate’s sultry, sumptuous prose is harsher and darker (but not supernaturally dark) than I expected, but it fit Natalie’s story and personality perfectly. The writing is what kept me going during The Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove as not connecting with the main character really reduces the chances of me liking a book.
I didn’t enjoy The Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove nearly as much as I wanted and expected to. I do love Lauren Kate’s writing, though.
For my 2010 100+ Reading Challenge
Sophie
What an interesting review! I can completely understand how not connecting with the main character can detract from your enjoyment of the book. I don't think I'll read this one. I love Lauren's writing too. Fallen is just so... addictive.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to hear that Lauren's writing is still good in this book, as I thought Fallen was really well written.
ReplyDeleteIt's a shame you didn't enjoy it as much as you thought you would, though. It sounds like an interesting read - hopefully I can get to it soon!
So, wait, this is a book before Fallen? I actually thought Fallen was her debut novel. I guess I was wrong. This seems interesting though.
ReplyDeleteGreat review, Sophie! Oh, I get how not being able to relate to a protag can end up spoiling a book for you. It's a shame you didn't enjoy this book much. I do think I want to read it for myself though, just to see - I really loved Fallen! Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteI totally get where you're coming from with this one. I did really enjoy it myself, but more as a 'guilty pleasure' read - whereas I just adored Fallen on every level. I don't the characters felt as real to me in this one either.
ReplyDeleteI totally felt the same way with this book. I hated Natalie. I haven't read Fallen yet but I hope to soon. Great Review!
ReplyDeleteI've been looking forward to hearing what you thought of this one as I've read mixed reviews. Thanks for the great review!
ReplyDeleteI LOVED IT !!! It was much better than i thought it would be ! the end made me want to cry poor natalie and justin
ReplyDelete