ARC REVIEW – WAITING FOR CALLBACK by Perdita & Honor Cargill

Posted January 11, 2016 by Emma in Blog / 18 Comments

Waiting for Callback
by Perdita & Honor Cargill
Release Date – January 28th 2016
Publisher – Simon and Schuster
Buy – Amazon | Book Depository

Geek Girl meets Fame meets New Girl in this brilliantly funny new series!

When Elektra is discovered by an acting agent, she imagines Oscar glory can’t be far away, but instead lurches from one cringe-worthy moment to the next! Just how many times can you be rejected for the part of ‘Dead Girl Number Three’ without losing hope? And who knew that actors were actually supposed to be multi-lingual, play seven instruments and be trained in a variety of circus skills?

Off-stage things aren’t going well either – she’s fallen out with her best friend, remains firmly in the friend-zone with her crush and her parents are driving her crazy. One way or another, Elektra’s life is now spent waiting for the phone to ring – waiting for callback.

Can an average girl-next-door like Elektra really make it in the world of luvvies and starlets?

Debut novel Waiting for Callback is what I needed. I read at the end of last year because I couldn’t wait and although it seem like a very young book, I find that some really don’t work and some are actually pretty brilliant and I believe that WFC is in the later category for me.
Elektra James, she isn’t no superhero but she is pretty unique character for this YA novel. It first begins as  Elektra: “I’m dressed as a spider, waiting to go on stage to impersonate a carrot.” That line really says it all. After that performance she was discovered by an acting agency. But it isn’t all movies and TV shows, she didn’t’ quite realise that she was going to be ‘dead’ sometimes or even just a voice on a commercial. What I loved is that Peridta and Honor touched upon the realistic approaches to acting and to the life of a teenager, it hits up first love, friendships and family. This novel certainly didn’t lack any drama, embarrassment and poignant moments of a life of a teenager. They didn’t make it that acting isn’t always easy for some people, you have to work for it and sometimes there will be a lot of disappointment in between. 
As a duo authored novel it was my first and also by a mother and daughter I had my concerns as to how it would read when there could be conflict of writing or exchange of ideas. But I guess my curiosity picked at me and I enjoyed it far more. What I enjoyed was that Honor and Perdita reflects what there relationship truly is like, that are strong and so in tune, it’s amazing to be honest it’s showed between Elektra and her mum too, how it could be based on them not as individuals but as family.
When I recieved my copy in the post and saw the bright happy cover and the quote “Geek Girl meets Fame..” I knew it would be for me. Although I hadn’t read Geek Girl, I just needed an easy, funny, that puts-a-smile-on-your-face-till-the-very-end type of book. Waiting for Callback ticked all those boxes for me. This novel proved to be one of my favourite younger YA I’ve read in a while and I would recommend to those who loved anything similar from the likes of Ally Carter, Holly Smale and Jenny McLachlan! Waiting For Callback is a super-cute, amazing and light novel that awarded its 5 stars from me. 
Rating – 5

Divider

18 responses to “ARC REVIEW – WAITING FOR CALLBACK by Perdita & Honor Cargill

  1. I hear you Emma, sometimes all I want is a quick fun read that isn't going to rip my heart out and stomp on it in the end. Glad this was that kind of book for you and that it left you with a smile on your face!

  2. Seems like a cute, fun read. I've not read Geek Girl or anything similar, but I'm always trying new genres to read. Glad you enjoyed this & great review!!

  3. This sounds like a lot of fun! I'm glad you enjoyed it so much. I'm always scared books like this will fall flat so it's great to here this one didn't.

  4. This looks like a really fun and light read that I'm definitely planning on checking out! Thanks for the awesome review, I never would have heard about this otherwise.