When a college freshman's breakthrough software program catapults her into the limelight, she and her twin brother must navigate a treacherous worl...
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Nov 11, 2011
Jen
rated it: 
Original Review Posted: In the Closet With a Bibliophile
Deep-seated greed and corruption intricately blended with naivety and intelligence, The Start Up: Episode 1 by Sadie Hayes, is sharp and fun and full of angsty dramatic brilliance. Gossip, intrigue and illegal corporate tactics sing from Silicon Valley, telling us of the money to be made and the people who will destroy anyone in their way to get that money.
Adam and Amelia are scholarship entrees into Stanford. Amelia More...
Deep-seated greed and corruption intricately blended with naivety and intelligence, The Start Up: Episode 1 by Sadie Hayes, is sharp and fun and full of angsty dramatic brilliance. Gossip, intrigue and illegal corporate tactics sing from Silicon Valley, telling us of the money to be made and the people who will destroy anyone in their way to get that money.
Adam and Amelia are scholarship entrees into Stanford. Amelia More...
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Jan 08, 2012
Mary
rated it: 
Review copy provided by publisher.
Twins Amelia and Adam Dory have lead difficult lives, bouncing among foster homes in Indiana, but now they're scholarship students at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California. Amelia is majoring in computer science and loves nothing more than spending all her time coding. And she's good, really good, coming up with super apps for the iPhone at lightning speed. Her brother Adam is an equally quick thinker with big ideas for his and Amelia's lives More...
Twins Amelia and Adam Dory have lead difficult lives, bouncing among foster homes in Indiana, but now they're scholarship students at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California. Amelia is majoring in computer science and loves nothing more than spending all her time coding. And she's good, really good, coming up with super apps for the iPhone at lightning speed. Her brother Adam is an equally quick thinker with big ideas for his and Amelia's lives More...
Dec 17, 2011
Erika
rated it: 
Title: The Start - Up
Author: Sadie Hayes
Number of Pages: 90
Date of Release: October 17th, 2011
Summary From Goodreads:
When a college freshman's breakthrough software program catapults her into the limelight, she and her twin brother must navigate a treacherous world of money, power, and envy: Silicon Valley.
In a world of tweets, apps, and mobile games, The Start-Up is a fast-paced and exciting serial story with a new episode released each month.
More...
Author: Sadie Hayes
Number of Pages: 90
Date of Release: October 17th, 2011
Summary From Goodreads:
When a college freshman's breakthrough software program catapults her into the limelight, she and her twin brother must navigate a treacherous world of money, power, and envy: Silicon Valley.
In a world of tweets, apps, and mobile games, The Start-Up is a fast-paced and exciting serial story with a new episode released each month.
More...
Nov 29, 2011
Sara
rated it:
Ahh! I hate/love books like this. Ones that end with a *gasp*. They’re not lying when they tell you this book is “The Social Network meets Gossip Girl”. It’s deliciously good. And now I’m going to list the reasons why…
1. College Loving that this book takes place in college. Not that I don’t enjoy reading about the plight of the high school student, but I’m excited to be entering the world of college…where hook-ups and drinking abound…without the fear of high school ramifications. I’m More...
1. College Loving that this book takes place in college. Not that I don’t enjoy reading about the plight of the high school student, but I’m excited to be entering the world of college…where hook-ups and drinking abound…without the fear of high school ramifications. I’m More...
Nov 05, 2011
To see my full review, or others like it, go to www.danadoesread.com
The start up is particularly awesome if I must say so myself. Adam and Amelia were my type of people, and Amelia is super smart! The novel was light and funny, and carefree. Yet it still reminded us of the sinister ways of society. It was terrifically well written, and extremely witty, I practically smiled through the whole thing! The plot line was cool also, although I think that Amelia was a little to smart, and co More...
The start up is particularly awesome if I must say so myself. Adam and Amelia were my type of people, and Amelia is super smart! The novel was light and funny, and carefree. Yet it still reminded us of the sinister ways of society. It was terrifically well written, and extremely witty, I practically smiled through the whole thing! The plot line was cool also, although I think that Amelia was a little to smart, and co More...
Oct 25, 2011
Jess
rated it:
THE START-UP, by Sadie Hayes is a very short novella about the ups and downs about scholarship and college life for one set of twins in Silicone Valley, where they are the foster kids surrounded by the rich and powerful.
Let me start out by saying, I LOVED THIS NOVELLA! I read the whole thing in one sitting, there is not one moment that is dull. Start to finish it holds your interest and Hayes' writing is spectacular and absolutely breath-taking! The way the story was presented was l More...
Let me start out by saying, I LOVED THIS NOVELLA! I read the whole thing in one sitting, there is not one moment that is dull. Start to finish it holds your interest and Hayes' writing is spectacular and absolutely breath-taking! The way the story was presented was l More...
Oct 24, 2011
Sheila
rated it:
A novella filled with well-drawn wholly believable characters, from scholarship student to moneyed financier, and sneak to geek, Sadie Hayes’ The Start-Up recreates a very plausible student, financial and computer-oriented community, setting the reader up for high-tech genius and more to come. Even the glimpses into the Gates Computer Science Building at Stanford University ring perfectly true, leaving me wondering if there’s really a little coffee shop visible from an upstairs window. Genius co
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Oct 23, 2011
William
rated it:
The Start-Up by Sadie Hayes
Sadie Hayes provides a screen shot of technology’s sordid underbelly in this riveting e-book novella.
The reek of truth permeates this glimpse into the world of high finance and technology. The dot com bust is in the past, the present is dominated by the next cloud technology or aps for our ubiquitous cell phone companions. Ms. Hayes sets the plot in and about Stanford and their famous geeks. I spent 25 years in the computer industry. I was lucky More...
Sadie Hayes provides a screen shot of technology’s sordid underbelly in this riveting e-book novella.
The reek of truth permeates this glimpse into the world of high finance and technology. The dot com bust is in the past, the present is dominated by the next cloud technology or aps for our ubiquitous cell phone companions. Ms. Hayes sets the plot in and about Stanford and their famous geeks. I spent 25 years in the computer industry. I was lucky More...
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Nov 25, 2011
Sandra
rated it:
Read more reviews and extras on my blog: http://remarkablereads-sandra.blogspot.c...
A new series that combines the wonderful world of technology with the backstabbing and glamorous life of the wealthy.
Amelia and Adam Dory have been in foster care all their lives never having a place to call home, the only family they have is each other and they will do anything to stay together. Against the odds they both got full scholarships to Stanford, and after a few life changing en More...
A new series that combines the wonderful world of technology with the backstabbing and glamorous life of the wealthy.
Amelia and Adam Dory have been in foster care all their lives never having a place to call home, the only family they have is each other and they will do anything to stay together. Against the odds they both got full scholarships to Stanford, and after a few life changing en More...
Jan 31, 2012
Scott
rated it:
Please allow me set something straight - programmers do NOT stare at screens of ones and zeroes, at least not when they're working.
From chapter four:
Even Courier typeface misses the mark, and with all the brand names Hayes throws around throughout the novella I'm not sure what to think of this line. I code for a living and this line is either a joke or an oversight, and More...
From chapter four:
"…line after line of zeroes and ones and Courier typeface up and down the screen…"
Even Courier typeface misses the mark, and with all the brand names Hayes throws around throughout the novella I'm not sure what to think of this line. I code for a living and this line is either a joke or an oversight, and More...
Nov 01, 2011
Lauren
rated it:
The Start-Up tells the tale of Adam and Amelia Dory, twin siblings who are freshmen at Stanford. They are not like their classmates, all of whom have alumni parents and large bank accounts. The Dorii (as they call themselves) are on full scholarships. Amelia is studying computer science, and Adam is undeclared. Also unlike their peers, they are not involved in the business of Silicon Valley, but all that's about to change.
Computer Science is very interesting, as well as foreign to m More...
Computer Science is very interesting, as well as foreign to m More...
Nov 06, 2011
The Start-Up is quite short but incredibly enjoyable. If I had to compare it with something I would probably say that The Start-Up reminded me of Pretty Little Liars meeting Gossip Girl in a Silicon Valley setting, minus the murder.
I liked Amelia and I liked Adam but I have to say that Amelia’s attitude and behaviour did annoy me a little bit and I totally sided with Adam in their arguments.
I really enjoyed The Start-Up. It took off from the word go and just kept me interested thro More...
I liked Amelia and I liked Adam but I have to say that Amelia’s attitude and behaviour did annoy me a little bit and I totally sided with Adam in their arguments.
I really enjoyed The Start-Up. It took off from the word go and just kept me interested thro More...
Dec 29, 2011
SHANA - Sizzling Reads
rated it:
5/5 STARS!
More YA book reviews at: Sizzling Reads YA Blog!
I was born in the Bay Area, so I grew up hearing about the "Silicon Valley" incessantly. To me it signified huge towering buildings with so much glass the sun seemed to get stuck inside. It meant fancy cars, ties, and cell phones. It was more than a "place." It was a living breathing entity of its own that commanded power and respect. I never once thought about the people inside, or how they g More...
Nov 16, 2011
Grady
rated it:
Welcome to the World of Contemporary Cogent Fiction, Sadie Hayes!
Sadie Hayes writes about entrepreneurship in her eBook THE START-UP and the story, the style of wiritng, and the fact that this opus 1 appears to be an ongoing exposé of the new world of computer controlling frauds and genius applications would indicate that this writer has a firm grip on the very topic about which she writes. If her subsequent followup novels (or novellas: they are short) can stand up to the degree of sa More...
Sadie Hayes writes about entrepreneurship in her eBook THE START-UP and the story, the style of wiritng, and the fact that this opus 1 appears to be an ongoing exposé of the new world of computer controlling frauds and genius applications would indicate that this writer has a firm grip on the very topic about which she writes. If her subsequent followup novels (or novellas: they are short) can stand up to the degree of sa More...
Nov 14, 2011
Sandra
rated it:
Amelia and Adam are twins, former foster children, and are finishing their first year on scholarship at Stanford University. When Amelia invents a new iPhone app she soon catches the eye of a wealthy investor. At first she is opposed to starting a business and earning money off her endless hours of coding, but when she and her brother lose their scholarships, she starts the venture.
I loved this novella! The Start-Up is like Gossip Girl meets Silicon Valley. ...What I particularly More...
I loved this novella! The Start-Up is like Gossip Girl meets Silicon Valley. ...What I particularly More...
Dec 29, 2011
Becky
rated it:
The Start-Up is a quick and entertaining read. It's only 90 pages, but in those 90 pages, there was alot of characters and plot-lines introduced.
The Start-Up was told in multiple point of views, so there was many characters that had a part in the story. My favorite character was Amelia. She is smart and genuine person, that does what right and even when she could chose the easy path. She stands up for her beliefs and willing to live with the consequences.
How More...
The Start-Up was told in multiple point of views, so there was many characters that had a part in the story. My favorite character was Amelia. She is smart and genuine person, that does what right and even when she could chose the easy path. She stands up for her beliefs and willing to live with the consequences.
How More...
Jan 12, 2012
Karen
rated it:
The Start-Up episodes are an interesting concept in story telling for the changing way we read books. The story slowly unravels over a series of novellas - or episodes, as they are called.
Amelia Dory is a brilliant computer engineer who develops code like a musical prodigy creates a song. It just flows through her and she is content with the process. She's not looking for fame or fortune. The thrill of creating code is enough for Amelia. Her twin brother Adam, however, wants to beco More...
Amelia Dory is a brilliant computer engineer who develops code like a musical prodigy creates a song. It just flows through her and she is content with the process. She's not looking for fame or fortune. The thrill of creating code is enough for Amelia. Her twin brother Adam, however, wants to beco More...
Nov 23, 2011
Sonya
rated it:
The Start-Up tells the tale of Adam and Amelia Dory, twin siblings who are freshmen at Stanford. They are not like their classmates, all of whom have alumni parents and large bank accounts. The Dorii a name Amelia affectionately refer to her and twin, Adam. Amelia is a brilliant computer engineer whose high ideals much to the aggravation of twin has causes them to lose everything-their scholarship when Amelia so blinded by her sense right ruins the reputation of one of the town’s most influentia
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Dec 17, 2011
Idris
rated it:
The Start-Up surprised me from the very first paragraph, or should I say before I started reading it? The blurb caught my attention immediately, it left me with a desire to know about the characters and the plot, and I was super excited to read it. It was the first time I was reading a book with this topic, a YA book. There are no YA books like The Start-Up! No! I haven't seen them! I haven't read them! So, it was something completely different to me, something really appealing! And the b More...
Feb 06, 2012
RJ
rated it:
Read more reviews on books at RJ Does Books!
*I received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review!
Sadie Hayes has done a great job at creating a light, fun, and entertaining series split into "novellas" or "episodes" that play out like a TV show. And can I just mention how much love I am feeling for those covers! It is vaguely reminiscent of The Social Network so those intrigued by that film or even the history of what inspired the movie ma More...
*I received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review!
Sadie Hayes has done a great job at creating a light, fun, and entertaining series split into "novellas" or "episodes" that play out like a TV show. And can I just mention how much love I am feeling for those covers! It is vaguely reminiscent of The Social Network so those intrigued by that film or even the history of what inspired the movie ma More...
Feb 20, 2012
Monaliz
rated it:
My rating: 4/5 stars
Read the review in my blog!
May contain some spoilers
Amelia and Adam are twins. They're also orphans, bounced from foster home to foster home, but now they're doing better as a scholarship students in college. Even though they're twins, they aren't excactly identical, since the other one, Amelia has the the brain, and Adam the social skills.
Along the way they meet some mean people, but in the end, they have their lucky break.
Okay, More...
Read the review in my blog!
May contain some spoilers
Amelia and Adam are twins. They're also orphans, bounced from foster home to foster home, but now they're doing better as a scholarship students in college. Even though they're twins, they aren't excactly identical, since the other one, Amelia has the the brain, and Adam the social skills.
Along the way they meet some mean people, but in the end, they have their lucky break.
Okay, More...
Dec 23, 2011
❤♏αια
rated it:
Original Post: My Book Diaries
Wow. This book is amazing. Who would've thought a story about a girl inventing a i-phone app could be so fascinating? Not to mention dramatic.
From the very first page it sucks you into the Dory twins world. Wow, there's always something happening. There was never a dull point for me.
Although the story was great, I feel like the characters are lacking a bit. I mean they're fine, but not like "Oh my gosh, they're amazing!" More...
Wow. This book is amazing. Who would've thought a story about a girl inventing a i-phone app could be so fascinating? Not to mention dramatic.
From the very first page it sucks you into the Dory twins world. Wow, there's always something happening. There was never a dull point for me.
Although the story was great, I feel like the characters are lacking a bit. I mean they're fine, but not like "Oh my gosh, they're amazing!" More...
Jan 10, 2012
Stephanie
rated it:
These stories had it all; great characters, amazing setting, originality, and an overall awesome plot.
The Start-Up and The Anti-Social Network follow the lives of Adam and Amelia Dory, twins going to Stanford University on scholarships. These two are close, having been tossed from foster home to foster home.
There are other characters, too. Such as T.J. and Lisa Bristol, billionaire siblings, and their father, Ted. Another character is Patty, Amelia’s roommate.
Thes More...
The Start-Up and The Anti-Social Network follow the lives of Adam and Amelia Dory, twins going to Stanford University on scholarships. These two are close, having been tossed from foster home to foster home.
There are other characters, too. Such as T.J. and Lisa Bristol, billionaire siblings, and their father, Ted. Another character is Patty, Amelia’s roommate.
Thes More...
Jan 01, 2012
Ashlinn
rated it:
**3.5 stars
***Combined review of The Start-Up and The Anti-Social Network***
Since these both are short novellas I thought I might just combine the reviews together. Basically this is about two siblings in college who are trying to make it big in the world while still living the normal college life. I liked Adam and Amelia they were independent and somewhat driven. They came from very hard backgrounds; foster homes and never having much money to do and buy things. When they get the sc More...
***Combined review of The Start-Up and The Anti-Social Network***
Since these both are short novellas I thought I might just combine the reviews together. Basically this is about two siblings in college who are trying to make it big in the world while still living the normal college life. I liked Adam and Amelia they were independent and somewhat driven. They came from very hard backgrounds; foster homes and never having much money to do and buy things. When they get the sc More...
Nov 26, 2011
Rebecca
rated it:
This novella is a quick, interesting read. I loved how Amelia created the program just for herself, with no intention of making money off it. I admit I was a little disappointed when she sold out, but at the same time, I liked that she only did it to allow her brother to have the opportunity to finish Stanford.
While this doesn't land a spot on my all-time favorites list, the cliffhanger at the end makes me want to read the next one!
While this doesn't land a spot on my all-time favorites list, the cliffhanger at the end makes me want to read the next one!
Feb 08, 2012
Terryann
rated it:
just enough drama and just enough 'beautiful' people without being overboard and completely annoying. interesting characters, clever concept and not too much sex. a great teen read, short enough yet sophisticated enough for reluctant teen readers, ok to recommend to younger readers who like 'glamour' books. i'm looking forward to the next book!
Dec 19, 2011
Brenna
rated it:
Review coming soon, later this week!
Really surprising and enjoyable :)
Really surprising and enjoyable :)
Feb 22, 2012
