Now is not the time for Carmen to fall in love. And Jeremy is hands-down the wrong guy for her to fall for. He is infuriating, arrogant, and the on...
read full description
reviews
Aug 21, 2011
Cory
rated it: 
I was actually prompted to write this review after a friend pointed me to this interview: http://www.jessicamartinez.com/index.php...
In case you're reading this Jessica, I'm not a guy. I'm a seventeen-year-old girl. Just thought I'd get that out of the way.
Now, onto the review.
It's difficult for me to express what I disliked about this book. It wasn't the writing style, nor was it the romance.
No, I think it comes down to the protagonist. I like a More...
In case you're reading this Jessica, I'm not a guy. I'm a seventeen-year-old girl. Just thought I'd get that out of the way.
Now, onto the review.
It's difficult for me to express what I disliked about this book. It wasn't the writing style, nor was it the romance.
No, I think it comes down to the protagonist. I like a More...
31 comments
like
(38 people liked it)
Dec 16, 2011
Reynje
rated it: 
I confess that I am one of those people that say: “I love music.” Probably a lot. And I do, in a certain sense of the word. I love music in that I find emotional connection and release in it. I love music in that I come home from work some days, pour myself a glass of wine, put on the Cure and dance around my lounge room. In that I listen to it every day without exception.
But when I stop to really think about it, I see how limited my appreciation of music really is. I watch my six-y More...
But when I stop to really think about it, I see how limited my appreciation of music really is. I watch my six-y More...
16 comments
like
(23 people liked it)
Sep 12, 2011
Lisa O.
rated it: 
4.5/5 stars
When my good friend Maja mentioned in her review of Virtuosity that she recommended it for fans of Where She Went, I knew I couldn't possibly skip this book.
And she was right, if you like Gayle Forman, you will most probably like Jessica Martinez and this stunning debut as well.
In Virtuosity, Carmen is an accomplished violinist at only 17. Not only is she a child prodigy about to start Juilliard in the fall, but she might probably be the best out there with More...
When my good friend Maja mentioned in her review of Virtuosity that she recommended it for fans of Where She Went, I knew I couldn't possibly skip this book.
And she was right, if you like Gayle Forman, you will most probably like Jessica Martinez and this stunning debut as well.
In Virtuosity, Carmen is an accomplished violinist at only 17. Not only is she a child prodigy about to start Juilliard in the fall, but she might probably be the best out there with More...
43 comments
like
(23 people liked it)
Sep 09, 2011
Maja
rated it:
At first glance, Virtuosity is just another story about a girl who isn’t in control of her own life. And you know what? That’s exactly what it is on second glance as well. But unlike so many of these stories, it is well written, completely engrossing and definitely worth a read.
To say that Carmen grew up shielded from everyday life would be a serious understatement. She was homeschooled, she never had a real friend other than her tutor Heidi and she never spent any time with boys her More...
To say that Carmen grew up shielded from everyday life would be a serious understatement. She was homeschooled, she never had a real friend other than her tutor Heidi and she never spent any time with boys her More...
30 comments
like
(27 people liked it)
Sep 09, 2011
Aleeza
rated it:
The thing about reading books set heavily around music is that they get me sort of really obsessed. Like, when I read If I Stay by Gayle Forman, I totally fell for the cello. When I read Where She Went, If I Stay’s sequel, and Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly, I totally fell in love with the guitar. When I read The Day Before by Lisa Schroeder, I thought: Dude, I NEED to learn how to play the drums… And so forth.
But it’s actually really awesome, falling in love with these different in More...
But it’s actually really awesome, falling in love with these different in More...
11 comments
like
(10 people liked it)
Sep 24, 2011
Jo
rated it: 
“And once the nervousness had completely disappeared and the flatness descended, it seemed like whole world took on a matte finish. No gloss to slip on.”
Initial Final Page Thoughts.
That last page saved what would have been a ‘WHAT THE EFF’-type of ending… but we’ll get to that. Don’t worry.
High Points.
The cover… it really doesn’t have anything to do with the story but, man, do I wish my hair would do that. Music. Pizza. Ball gowns. Walks in the park. Jazz clubs. Cur More...
Initial Final Page Thoughts.
That last page saved what would have been a ‘WHAT THE EFF’-type of ending… but we’ll get to that. Don’t worry.
High Points.
The cover… it really doesn’t have anything to do with the story but, man, do I wish my hair would do that. Music. Pizza. Ball gowns. Walks in the park. Jazz clubs. Cur More...
4 comments
like
(12 people liked it)
Sep 15, 2011
Isamlq
rated it:
3.5/5
I have got a goofy grin pasted on my face right now because that ending has got me thinking about what could be. It's simply ripe with possibility! BUT I'm also recalling what I initially felt for Carmen: CONFUSED. I mean, what exactly was the problem here? She had got parents who support her and an actual talent for her passion! But read a bit more, and I saw that getting where she was was not easy especially with a mother who drove her a little too hard and her issues on perfo More...
I have got a goofy grin pasted on my face right now because that ending has got me thinking about what could be. It's simply ripe with possibility! BUT I'm also recalling what I initially felt for Carmen: CONFUSED. I mean, what exactly was the problem here? She had got parents who support her and an actual talent for her passion! But read a bit more, and I saw that getting where she was was not easy especially with a mother who drove her a little too hard and her issues on perfo More...
5 comments
like
(4 people liked it)
Nov 03, 2011
Aly (Fantasy4eva)
rated it:
VIRTUOSITY is a book that I've seen all over the blogosphere, so I was pretty curious when I got it in the mail.
Carmen is a violinist. Her mother a failed musician has been the driving force that has pushed and encouraged Carmen to reach the potential that she has today. With a Grammy under her belt, and a place to compete for the Guarneri music prize - nothing is going to stop her. She's one of the best, if not THE best, but for the first time there's an ounce of doubt when she More...
Carmen is a violinist. Her mother a failed musician has been the driving force that has pushed and encouraged Carmen to reach the potential that she has today. With a Grammy under her belt, and a place to compete for the Guarneri music prize - nothing is going to stop her. She's one of the best, if not THE best, but for the first time there's an ounce of doubt when she More...
0 comments
like
(4 people liked it)
Aug 21, 2011
Carmen is a 17 year old violin prodigy, already accepted to Julliard, already winner of a classical music Grammy. She is pushed to achieve increasing greater success by her mother Diana, a former opera singer who lost her promising career due to a medical condition. As the story opens, Carmen is preparing for a prestigious violin competition that takes place only once every four years. If Carmen wins, she’ll tour the world. Losing is not an option. Her main competition is Jeremy - a handsome
More...
0 comments
like
(4 people liked it)
Oct 19, 2011
Angie
rated it:
Originally published here.
I wasn't really planning on reading VIRTUOSITY. I'm not sure why, because I'm actually often drawn to stories featuring prodigies or people with highly regimented lifestyles due to their skills/abilities/life choices. Also, I like the title. But, the cover doesn't do a whole lot for me (it looks more paranormal than contemporary). Nothing wrong with it, but I will say that it would help if she was at least holding a violin. Then a galley floated my way, and More...
I wasn't really planning on reading VIRTUOSITY. I'm not sure why, because I'm actually often drawn to stories featuring prodigies or people with highly regimented lifestyles due to their skills/abilities/life choices. Also, I like the title. But, the cover doesn't do a whole lot for me (it looks more paranormal than contemporary). Nothing wrong with it, but I will say that it would help if she was at least holding a violin. Then a galley floated my way, and More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Jan 02, 2012
Gabbi
rated it:
http://bookbreather4lyfe.blogspot.com
I'm sitting here trying to write this review, and all I can think to say is, "OMG THIS IS THE BEST EVER. READ IT NOW OR PREPARE TO FACE MY WRATH." But somehow I know that is not an acceptable review. So I'll do my best to put all of Virtuosity's awesomeness into words.
I'd been on a pretty bad reading streak, and Virtuosity was just what I needed to break through that. This book had its claws in me from the very beginning. Th More...
I'm sitting here trying to write this review, and all I can think to say is, "OMG THIS IS THE BEST EVER. READ IT NOW OR PREPARE TO FACE MY WRATH." But somehow I know that is not an acceptable review. So I'll do my best to put all of Virtuosity's awesomeness into words.
I'd been on a pretty bad reading streak, and Virtuosity was just what I needed to break through that. This book had its claws in me from the very beginning. Th More...
0 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
Oct 22, 2011
kristin (paper reader)
rated it:
As a musician, I loved this book. As a music lover, I loved this book. Best change of pace that I've read in awhile.
More to come next week. Review then.
-
Carmen Bianchi and her violin are inseparable. For as long as she can remember she's always known that her path in life goes like this: practice practice practice, win the Guarneri, impress the world of classical music, and afterward continue to tour and play venues such as Carnegie Hall. Already having won Grammys and se More...
More to come next week. Review then.
-
Carmen Bianchi and her violin are inseparable. For as long as she can remember she's always known that her path in life goes like this: practice practice practice, win the Guarneri, impress the world of classical music, and afterward continue to tour and play venues such as Carnegie Hall. Already having won Grammys and se More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Oct 19, 2011
Jessie (Ageless Pages Reviews)
rated it:
First-person perspective young-adult novels and I have a tricky but pretty reliable relationship etched out: if they are handled well and maturely I can legitimately love them, but if the author doesn't have the panache to pass their voice as a believable teen it's a lost cause with no hope. Happily for me, Jessica Martinez shines in her debut novel in the voice, mind and world of Carmen Bianchi, world-class violinist. Believable without trying too hard, without sounding too-mature for her years
More...
0 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
Jan 08, 2012
Jackie
rated it:
I feel like this book would probably be really enjoyable for a non musician or someone who is a light musician, but as medical people do in cancer movies, there are always things that will bother you that are in your own field.
I enjoyed the general plot of the book, and of course, prestigious classical music competitions are fascinating!
Carmen was in need of either a big reality check or a loss in a competition. She acted like she was the only one who deserved to win when these othe More...
I enjoyed the general plot of the book, and of course, prestigious classical music competitions are fascinating!
Carmen was in need of either a big reality check or a loss in a competition. She acted like she was the only one who deserved to win when these othe More...
Aug 21, 2011
Stacy/GirlsInTheStacks.com
rated it:
Usually, when I read stories about prodigies I end up with feelings of inadequacies (unless you count my mad ability to clean). Happily, this one left me just wishing I had actually practiced my clarinet.
This is a beautifully real story with characters that have depth and soul. The book description does not even come close to describe the heart of this story. It’s more than just a mere girl meets boy love story. The relationship between Carmen and Jeremy is the key catalyst that pus More...
This is a beautifully real story with characters that have depth and soul. The book description does not even come close to describe the heart of this story. It’s more than just a mere girl meets boy love story. The relationship between Carmen and Jeremy is the key catalyst that pus More...
0 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
Jan 24, 2012
Amber
rated it:
Despite not liking music, I really enjoyed this book!
---
Virtuosity is told from the point of view of Carmen, an award winning violinist who is about to enter a competition and is going up against Europe’s best male violinist. I’m not a huge fan of music to be honest. I mean, I love listening to it, but I don’t understand most of the terms that musicians use and I can’t play an instrument to save my life. Actually, that’s a lie. I used to play the recorder. Boo-yeah. Anyway, More...
---
Virtuosity is told from the point of view of Carmen, an award winning violinist who is about to enter a competition and is going up against Europe’s best male violinist. I’m not a huge fan of music to be honest. I mean, I love listening to it, but I don’t understand most of the terms that musicians use and I can’t play an instrument to save my life. Actually, that’s a lie. I used to play the recorder. Boo-yeah. Anyway, More...
8 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Aug 21, 2011
Shanyn
rated it:
I have been looking forward to reading Virtuosity from the moment my friend Katie (sophistikatied.com) told me about it. I really love the cover and music is a topic that I generally love to read about.
I had not read any violin/classical music based books, and did not know much about the topic in general, but Jessica Martinez does an excellent job of showing the passion and dedication of serious violin players. She even mentions the marks the players have on their necks from holding More...
I had not read any violin/classical music based books, and did not know much about the topic in general, but Jessica Martinez does an excellent job of showing the passion and dedication of serious violin players. She even mentions the marks the players have on their necks from holding More...
0 comments
like
(3 people liked it)
Oct 15, 2011
Nancy
rated it:
I'm a Jane Eyre fan. Okay, Jane Eyre is my favorite Chick Lit. Of all time. Gush all you want about Austen's Pride and Prejudice, I liked it, too, but mostly for the snark, spunk, and romance. But Jane Eyre features Jane, a rather unremarkable protagonist with little voice or choice in her life who finds just a little bit of happiness only to have it yanked away from her. The easy way would be to continue on in the house. Instead, she found the strength within herself to do the right thing even
More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Oct 29, 2011
Danya
rated it:
My reaction: I enjoyed getting a glimpse of the music performance industry; I thought the portrayal rang quite true from everything I've heard about it. The main characters Carmen and Jeremy were both likeable and easy to relate to, despite the fact that unlike them I have never participated in any major music competitions. Carmen may be innocent and naive, but it's believable, because she's intelligent too. We see her mature throughout the novel and end up making some decisions I had to really
More...
0 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
Oct 10, 2011
Ashley
rated it:
4.5 stars
This book offers an incredibly interesting look at the world of classical music: the seedy side of competition, the stress, the rivalries, and how important every little note can be.
Carmen is just a girl loving music, trying to deal with the horrible pressure from her mom, her teacher, the music community, and herself. Carmen’s addiction to pills is a very interesting aspect of the story, and her mother’s role in this was terrible. Carmen’s mom upset me greatly: More...
This book offers an incredibly interesting look at the world of classical music: the seedy side of competition, the stress, the rivalries, and how important every little note can be.
Carmen is just a girl loving music, trying to deal with the horrible pressure from her mom, her teacher, the music community, and herself. Carmen’s addiction to pills is a very interesting aspect of the story, and her mother’s role in this was terrible. Carmen’s mom upset me greatly: More...
5 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Feb 04, 2012
Kerri
rated it:
You don't have to be a music lover to love "Virtuosity."
Seventeen-year-old Carmen was just weeks away from the biggest violin competition of her life when she meets Jeremy King. Jeremy is infuriating, arrogant and the only person who can stand in the way of Carmen winning. Both child prodigies, they understand each other better than anyone else could, yet Carmen must not let Jeremy know her secret - she takes anti-anxiety drugs to help her perform.
"Virtuosity" More...
Seventeen-year-old Carmen was just weeks away from the biggest violin competition of her life when she meets Jeremy King. Jeremy is infuriating, arrogant and the only person who can stand in the way of Carmen winning. Both child prodigies, they understand each other better than anyone else could, yet Carmen must not let Jeremy know her secret - she takes anti-anxiety drugs to help her perform.
"Virtuosity" More...
4 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Feb 20, 2012
Amy
rated it:
I deliberately waited to read this book because everyone was reading it at the same time. I was careful to stay away from the reviews because I wanted the full effect of this book with no spoilers. I fell in love with the cover first thing and I wanted to fall in love with the story as well!
While I am a piano player, I am in no means a master of it. So when I saw that this book was about a musical child prodigy, I was curious to see how it would play out. While I wasn't a huge f More...
While I am a piano player, I am in no means a master of it. So when I saw that this book was about a musical child prodigy, I was curious to see how it would play out. While I wasn't a huge f More...
Feb 08, 2012
Sara
rated it:
Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez follows prodigy violinist Carmen who decides to take charge of her life at an important time in her life. She stops taking her anxiety drugs and goes out with one of her fiercest competitors. For the first time she questions how she's lived her life and defies her mother when she starts dating her toughest competition.
I enjoyed this book. It did a fantastic job of putting the reader into this world of classical music. The romance was sweet and felt na More...
I enjoyed this book. It did a fantastic job of putting the reader into this world of classical music. The romance was sweet and felt na More...
Jan 15, 2012
Hayden
rated it:
From the day I was born, I sang.
At two years old, I'd make noise when my diaper was being changed, and I'd kick my legs
At three, I would bounce in my crib and sing.
At five, I would stand in front of the TV when Blue's Clues was on and shake my butt in my diaper, singing the Mail Song.
At eleven, I entered a singing competition, and when I was twelve, I won it.
The point of this timeline-style anecdote is that I've felt pressure my entire More...
At two years old, I'd make noise when my diaper was being changed, and I'd kick my legs
At three, I would bounce in my crib and sing.
At five, I would stand in front of the TV when Blue's Clues was on and shake my butt in my diaper, singing the Mail Song.
At eleven, I entered a singing competition, and when I was twelve, I won it.
The point of this timeline-style anecdote is that I've felt pressure my entire More...
0 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
Jan 03, 2012
Charlotte
rated it:
Many people know that I usually only read fantasy based books, books based on angels, vampires and fairies. But this book was entirely different and yet I found myself really enjoying it because the story was refreshing and new. I felt that the book gave the reader to take a look into the world of those kids that are talented and are pushed to go beyond their basic talent by their parents and family. The storyline is perhaps basic for many others, but for me it was interesting and engaging becau
More...
Dec 20, 2011
Carol
rated it:
~Musicality derailed by obnoxious teen heroine & lame plot devices~
All three of my children are musicians, from Suzuki violin to flute, oboe, piano, cello, bass, even opera singing, and the oldest about to graduate college with a music major. So...a novel about intense competition for a scholarship, and a teen girl who falls for her #1 rival, sounded like something I should get my youngest to read.
It would be a waste of her time. The plot reminded me of a real life stories of desp More...
All three of my children are musicians, from Suzuki violin to flute, oboe, piano, cello, bass, even opera singing, and the oldest about to graduate college with a music major. So...a novel about intense competition for a scholarship, and a teen girl who falls for her #1 rival, sounded like something I should get my youngest to read.
It would be a waste of her time. The plot reminded me of a real life stories of desp More...
Dec 14, 2011
titania86
rated it:
Carmen Bianchi is a famous virtuosic violin player stressing over the life changing Guarneri competition. This includes obsessively practicing (as usual) and checking out the competition, which looks a lot like stalking. She is caught stalking by her main rival Jeremy King and they begin their love/hate relationship. They start sniping at each other through emails, but when they finally meet in person, they treat each other like people and actually get along. The competition is usually in the fo
More...
Dec 05, 2011
The Sweet Bookshelf
rated it:
I've just finished this book. I don't even think I was planning on getting to it for some time, but I saw some reviews popping up for it and I thought maybe I should move this up on my review pile. I'm glad I did. It is beautifully written. It reminded me of when I played the flute. My senior year of high school and first yr of University I played the professional circuit (basically just getting paid to do gigs, nothing really big). I had a love of music, still do actually. I just enjoy it
More...
Nov 21, 2011
Natasha
rated it:
I got this book as an ARC from Simon and Schuster along with the ARC that I actually wanted. They said they had "extra" so, naturally, give the girl who wanted a children's book ARC a YA ARC. I read the synopsis and promptly rolled my eyes and put it at the bottom of my "to read and review" pile. Really, a drug addict violinist? That could go so many different ways, most of them shady.
However, I eventually broke down and read it because I needed the book space. Well More...
However, I eventually broke down and read it because I needed the book space. Well More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Nov 08, 2011
Carmen has made it, she's a child prodigy with a Grammy award for her violin playing. There are displays of her cds in music stores and people in the classical world have their eye on her. But, in order to be more than just a passing spark, Carmen needs to win Guarneri prize. She should be a lock for it, her grandparents have invested in a million dollar violin for her to play on and even her crotchety mentor seems to think she's ready to stand on her own against anyone who might challenge her f
More...
