The Start-Up (The Start-Up, #1)

Nov 11, 2011 Jen (In the Closet With a Bibliophile) rated it 4 of 5 stars

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,the epitome of genius w...more 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,the epitome of genius when it comes to code and computer engineering, wants nothing more than to spend her days in the computer lab, coding day in and day out.

"She's a total nerd. Like, beyond nerd. Imagine if a computer and an iPhone had a baby--that's Amelia." [Amelia's roommate--Patty]

Adam, her twin brother/bartender wants to be more than the "scholarship student", he wants to be part of the "In Crowd", he wants to go places, do things...be somebody. However, it is Amelia who is discovered by Tom Fenway--a billionaire who sold his own product to Apple in the late 90's-- and he wants to help her start her own company and eventually help her find investors to spawn her genius in computer engineering. Amelia, much to her dismay, reluctantly joins the project and suddenly is cast into the evil of Silicon Valley. With people who want her to fail and those who she doesn't think she can trust, Amelia must try to make it through with her soul in tact and hopefully her brother following closely behind.

The Start-Up is categorized as a serial story. Think of it like a nighttime TV series. The ones that take place in rich cities where the rich profit and the poor try to make it by with their smarts. Each book in the series is an episode and each episode is released monthly. To me, it's a total WIN! I don't ever get to watch TV and I love me some drama, so reading Sadie Hayes's The Start-Up is getting what I want, but better. Now, instead of watching the people on TV and their drama, I get to experience every crazy moment with them.

I get to be there while Adam and Amelia Dory try to make it through the lives they've been handed. Lives that involve foster homes in a system that was corrupt in it's own way. I get to see them make it to Stanford on scholarship and see Amelia try and keep her morals in tact while people are trying to bribe, blackmail and extort her into what they want.

I love fictional drama with characters I love to hate, characters I love to love and characters that are on that fictional line of not knowing whether I want to murder them myself or make-out with them. The Start-Up is all of that. With a huge array of characters from the bottom feeders to the spoiled to the sweet. Its a cacophony of personalities and emotions and its so fun to read and see all the characters and the dirt that accompanies their lives. Especially those who dirty up those lives on purpose. Am I evil? Who knows....what I do know is the drama in The Start-Up is jaw-dropping and hilarious and I loved every minute of it.

The book is short, and I don't want to give too much away, so I'll just say the writing is excellent and well paced and the cliffies are big, but not hurtful and besides, what good drama series doesn't have cliffies? Lucky for us a book is released EVERY month. The first 2 are out now and the 3rd is out next month. So, I give The Start-Up: Episode 1 a 4/5 and recommend it to anyone who likes YA, Adult, Crossover, Contemporary, Electronic Fiction as well as fans of Gossip Girl, 90210, Pretty Little Liars, One Tree Hill....that is, if they all "took place in Mark Zuckerberg’s dorm room… and if he had a twin sister and they lived in California (Sadie Hayes)" Also, this series contains sex, drinking and swearing and I recommend it for an older YA audience (17 years on up).

P.S. I'm now in love with Episode books! Sadie Hayes, you rock!(less)

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Mar 30, 2012 Monaliz rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebook, read-2012

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, first of all: Amelia makes me feel like I...more 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, first of all: Amelia makes me feel like I'm a total zero! That's sad. Yes, she's all awkward and I love her and everything, but man, do I hate her brain! Hell, where's my lucky break!? But at least she gave me a hell of a boost and I started actually doing something. I did got over this envy-why-i-suck-so-bad- phase and in the end, I really liked her. She's a brilliant girl with a sence of justice and I couldn't stop reading this story! Mainly because of Amelia.

In the beginning I actually cheered for Adam since he's sort of an underdog; he has no special skills, except getting along with people, but the only way he goes to Silicon Valley is because of his sister, not really because of himself. Which kinda sucks. On the other hand it feels like Adam is taking advantage of Amelia's talent and it did bother me occasionally. But like with Amelia's huge brain, I got over this too. Even though it did feel sometimes like there's people who can do it, and there's people who are bathing in your light, so to say. But hey!, it doesn't bother Amelia, so let's forget about it!

This story did remind me of one book series I've read: Gossip Girl. Except I couldn't stop reading this one, and I had to force myself into reading Gossip Girl (6 books, then I started to feel like I was losing my will to live. But I do love the TV show! Okay, let's move on). These two series share some similar quality, but The Start-Up has more depth and action and man, did I love the action! It was quite exciting, I can tell you that.

The story was quite short, but since I had the second part of this series already on my computer, I didn't mind. Though it kept me up too long, I should've been sleeping, but I couldn't stop reading. So prepare yourself ;) And WARNING, get the second part before reading this, because there's huge cliffhangers.

Love,
Monaliz @ Mind Reading?(less)

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Apr 30, 2012 Steven R. McEvoy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-best-of, read-2011

I work fulltime in IT in a high tech company. Not in Silicon Valley, but in what most consider Silicon Valley North, The Golden Triangle, specifically Kitchener Waterloo. Having watched many friends go through co-ops and work for such companies as RIM, Cisco, Open Text, Microsoft and more, I can say this book would appeal to any who work in technology or any who just want an amazing book to read. The story is fast-paced, informative and very well crafted. Sadie Hayes does an amazing job of captu...more

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Jan 08, 2012 Mary rated it 5 of 5 stars

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. A chance gl...more 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. A chance glimpse into the world of venture capital at a ritzy graduation party where he's tending bar pushes Adam to consider capitalizing on Amelia's gift. Meanwhile, Amelia has her own serendipitous encounter with an investor who seems different from the other vultures. But Adam and Amelia are both naive and the high tech, high stakes world of Silicon Valley may devour them.

The Start-Up is the first episode in a new electronic-only series. It's very short (~88 pages), but that's the idea--to get readers hooked into the world of the episode so they'll keep coming back for the next one. It's a snappy business model and will work well if all the stories are as fast-paced and captivating as this one, which is kind of like Gossip Girl, Pretty Little Liars, and The Social Network, all rolled into one. All of the characters use information strategically to get what they want. Amelia and Adam are engaging characters whose hard luck background makes them sympathetic. This is all the more true when they're forced to dip their toes into the shark-infested waters of Silicon Valley, where the competition is ruthless and the players will use any advantage they can--a policy that applies to both business and personal alliances. Who can they trust? Can they hide their secrets? And how can scholarship students afford iPhones? These questions and more will send most readers scrambling to get the next installment of this great new series. Recommended for ages 15 & up. Sexual situations, language. Available @ Amazon and B&N. (less)

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Dec 17, 2011 Erika rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2011

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.

Review: I think there is something magical about th...more

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Nov 29, 2011 Sara Oestreich rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: series, ya-lit, guilty-pleasure

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 ready for m...more 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 ready for my teens to be a little more adult. The fact that they’re attractive and super smart is a major bonus.

2. Tech-Geeks So very cool. I couldn’t write more than simple HTML code if I tried. Throw in the word algorithm and you left me miles behind. But to watch Amelia type away like some crazy-genius of a computer geek is very fun. The power this slight girl holds in the books is awesome. Add to this she’s all moral and ethical. Like the going green movement of the tech-world…she’s like a hippie-code-geek. And something tells me her morality vs. love for her brother are going to cause more than a few gut wrenching decisions.

3. Rich People Ahh, what would a Gossip-Girl-like novel be without the powerful elite. But we don’t delve into the overdone Manhattan crowd, nor those preppy New Englanders, we’ve even set aside the Orange County and their housewives. Turn your eyes to Silicon Valley’s corporate sugar daddies and their overly spoiled children.

It was so cool to see a different crowd, with different financial motivations and barely an ounce of family money. The greed is so very different in the land of computers. But no need to worry, there’s still a ton of name dropping, mansion owning, finery to feed the voyeuristic need. Guilty Pleasure Abounds! lol

4. The Twins Amelia and Adam Dori are going to cause a lot of trouble. She’s too smart and he’s too driven. They’ve come to this book with a past involving prison time…and their status as orphans only adds to the mystery. Hayes has given herself some plot leeway by keeping their past from the reader. It allows them to simultaneously be the victim as well as the villain. And again…these two are going to tug at the heart! You like them both, but they’re coming from such different viewpoints…not too hard to see where they’ll clash.

This read was a breath of fresh air. A brand new viewpoint on our favorite type of YA guilty pleasure.

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Nov 05, 2011 Dana JH added it

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 could do extre...more

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Oct 25, 2011 Jess Bierschied rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

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 like watching...more

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Oct 24, 2011 Sheila rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: cultural, current_issues, lunchtime-read, mystery, relationships, suspense, young-adult

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...more

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Oct 23, 2011 William Bentrim rated it 5 of 5 stars

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 enough to meet some of...more

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Jun 02, 2012 Lj Ducharme rated it 3 of 5 stars

I'm not completely sure how to rate this one (or three really).

Lost a first mark for the fact that they separated the 3 books. One is not complete without the others. Nor are any of the three of them to rate novels on their own. They are more like novella's making up a novel - and an incomplete novel at that.

Although the characters were all adults, the writing would have been readable my a 10 year old. Not complicated at all. I felt that the author was just writing and publishing as she went.

On...more

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Nov 25, 2011 Remarkable Reads rated it 5 of 5 stars

Read more reviews and extras on my blog: http://remarkablereads-sandra.blogspo...

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 encounters and discoveries th...more Read more reviews and extras on my blog: http://remarkablereads-sandra.blogspo...

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 encounters and discoveries their world is turned upside down. Now they are thrust into a new world where it is do are die and the one person you trust most could be the one stabbing you in the back.

My first reaction after finishing The Start Up was WOAH! and then after that I immediately started reading the next book. This new series is Awesome it's like "Gossip Girl if it took place in Mark Zuckerberg’s dorm room" quoted by author Sadie Hayes, which is the perfect way to describe it. Now being a huge Gossip Girl fan (the show, not so much the books) and after having seen The Social Network I was more than a little excited to read this book, and it completely exceeded my expectations. I love that each book is referred to as an "episode" because it literally feels like your watching a brand new show in your head the books are each short and long enough that there is plenty going on but a the same time you are left wanting me more and waiting for the next episode. I can't say I have ever experienced anything like this before with a series. Usually I'll read a book then get to the end and pull my hair out over the cliff hanger and have to wait a couple months to a year for the next book to come out, but with this series you get a new episode every month almost like a TV show where you get a new episode every week. Sadie Hayes is a genius for using this method, it works perfectly for this series and will keep readers both content and eager for the next book and the one after that and so on....

Another thing that took me be surprise was the point of view, I was expecting Adam and Amelia to be the only ones telling the story but I was happy to discover that each main character has their own story line and we get to be inside their heads as well. I always enjoy books like this mostly because I find that this method of writing doesn't always work for certain stories but for this series its perfect. Now going back to the characters I have to say Amelia is probably my favorite thus far there are others that I find interesting and fun but she is probably the easiest to relate to, well besides being a super genius which I most definitely am not. The great thing about this series is again since its almost like a show everyone will have their own favorite character and it can be anyone there is no distinct one or two favorites each character is different in his or her own way and I am positive that readers will make a connection to one or more of them in some way, shape, or form.

Overall I have to say I am hooked, The Start Up has everything you could want in a modern day series about super geniuses changing the way we use technology, there is plenty of backstabbing, and malicious intent, along with family loyalty, and learning who your friends are, romance and of course jealousy. This series will draw many male and female fans a like, because there is no specific gender classification going on the story pertains to both and its something everyone can enjoy. I for one cannot wait to see how the series progresses. (less)

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Jan 31, 2012 Scott rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, ebook

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:

"…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 I can't see how it's the former.

With that out...more

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Nov 01, 2011 Lauren rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: family, business

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 me. I though...more 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 me. I though I was a big deal for knowing common HTML on tumblr and blogger, but these people are creating websites based on nothing. No template, even! Amelia has created an app for her iPhone, which allows her to control any TV from her phone. She happens to be testing it out in front of Tom Fenway, who is starting a group of young achievers who want to venture into business. However, Amelia doesn't want in.

Amelia is a very likable character. She is strong-willed, and determined to do what's right. She doesn't want to sell out, and give her prized talent up for money. But Adam thinks she should do what she loves, and make money off of it. He feels that it could pay for their tuition, and get them out of trouble, if the time comes. Oh yeah, it's coming.

Adam is a bartender and one night on the job, gets to meet Silicon Valley's Poster-Boy, T.J Bristol. He is the son of a business mogul who, after investing money in Gibly, is supposed to be making $3.8 billion. Until Amelia hacks into Gibly's server, and realizes they aren't using their information for good. I would not have had the guts to do what she did. She stands her ground when Mr. Bristol, Ted, tries to blackmail her with $100 million.

I love the world that Hayes created. I'm not sure why I'm saying 'created', since that's what actually happens, but I have not been exposed to the greed and theviery of the real world yet, so it's new to me. They live such privileged lives, and it's really a slap in the face when he see how these rich kids live. And then there's Adam and Amelia, who are new to the scene, and get thrown in by accident.

Little is said about the Dorii's past, except that their parents died. I'm hoping to see more about that, because I felt as though I didn't know that much about them besides the main characterisitics. Although there is a secret that the twins keep mentioning, and The Start-Up did end on a cliffhanger..

The Start-Up is a short read, and the dialogue is sharp realistic. This story is something that I've never seen in Young Adult fiction, so it's different and unique. I highly recommend it to someone who enjoys stories about backstabbing, pretentious college students who are involved in the business world.

The Start-Up is a great start to an amazing series. I'm totally looking forward to reading the second installment, The Anti-Social Network.
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Apr 03, 2012 Chayse Sundt rated it 5 of 5 stars

Okay before I state of how much I totally loved, loved this book, I have one complaint. Just one! To Short. Literally this book left you wanting me more. I don't like when books leave you, the reader, wanting more. Okay well I got that out of my system now, so now lets move on to the review.

First thing I would love to mention is the plot. It was so compelling in a way that it wasn't letting me want to take a break. Every time, I thought I could take a quick break to go to the restroom, something...more

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Nov 06, 2011 Rebecca added it

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 throughout. I was...more

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Nov 16, 2011 Grady rated it 5 of 5 stars

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 savvy in des...more 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 savvy in describing lifestyles of the rich and famous as well as the contrast between those born to wealth and those who acquire it by brainy means, then she is on her way to becoming a new kind of best seller - an eBook bestseller.

The story basically deals with a brother sister/twins combo Amelia (the brainy one) and Adam (the dreamer, who wants to rise above the low income background of their orphaned childhood). They attend Stanford University on scholarships and while Adam climbs the social ladder by bartending in the wealthy homes etc, Amelia basks in the computer lab, coming up with an iPhone application of a signal frequency algorithm of multiple devices cross-coordinated with the Apple platform and unpublished cell tower proxies--that is incredibly complicated. Or as Amelia describes it, 'I wrote a little program linking the phone signals with television and radio frequencies, so I can control them with my iPhone. It's like an eye. The program is, I mean, in that it can see other devices and access their frequencies.' Amelia's 'discovery' leads to Adam's obsession to find a manner in which they can make fortunes equal or greater than those of the people with whom he begins socializing. But Amelia is wary of that direction of her brain work: "Money causes problems. The pursuit of money causes problems, and I don't like the way you're thinking."

The darker aspects of the world of computer wealth and manipulation and crime enter the picture and puts further stress between her money eager brother and the manner in which Adam and Amelia are absorbed into the Silicon Valley mindset and lifestyle and morals or lack of) leads to a vivid portrayal of the ills of venture capitalism and acquisitions - the instant billionaire mindset. Sadie Hayes knows that to keep her reader's attention she must insert love interest and she does that with a knowing passion. This writer understands her subject and manages to propel the reader along to an ending that is a real cliffhanger. More to follow, very obviously. THE START-UP may not be a great book, but it definitely is a door-opener for a savvy new talent on the scene.

Grady Harp
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Nov 14, 2011 Sandra rated it 4 of 5 stars

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 enjoyed was th...more

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Dec 29, 2011 Becky rated it 4 of 5 stars

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.

However, I did find myself confused at...more

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Jan 12, 2012 Karen rated it 3 of 5 stars

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 become rich and...more 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 become rich and powerful. They are attending Stanford on a scholarship and he always feels inferior to the trust fund kids around him. This time one of Amelia's codes for an iPhone app is something BIG.

Amelia: 'I wrote a little program linking the phone signals with television and radio frequencies, so I can control them with my iPhone. It's like an eye. The program is, I mean, in that it can see other devices and access their frequencies.'

Everyone and their brother is vying for this technology and for Amelia to work for them. Adam seeing it as their ticket to the top, convinces her to give up her moral high ground and join venture capitalist Tom Fenway's tech incubator. Adam and Amelia are in way over their heads when they head into the cut throat world of Silicon Valley.

Each episode is fast paced and plunges you into a high tech world of moral dilemmas, double crosses, black mail and corporate intrigue. I've seen a few people compare it to the movie The Social Network and I agree but I would also say it contains a good dose of The Lying Game. Aside from Amelia, we never know who to trust or root for. As she and Adam cross paths with new associates, the waters get murkier when everyone scrambles to get a bigger piece of the pie.

Amelia and Adam are the main focus of the series but there is a wide cast of characters who's stories often overlap as secrets and plot twists unfold.

The name dropping sometimes felt a little forced (Google, iPhone, Facebook were mentioned frequently) but this was a nice fun fast paced novella if you're a fan of twists, turns and the dangers of technology and Big Brother knowing your every move(less)

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Nov 23, 2011 Sonya rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 40-book-challenge

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...more

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Dec 17, 2011 Idris rated it 5 of 5 stars

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 best thi...more
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 best thing is that it doesn't disappoint! It's awesome!

Ok, why it's awesome?
First, amazing plot. Imagine a big mix.

Gossip Girl + Technology + Dark Secret = The Start-up.

The story talks about two brothers, Amelia and Adam. They spent their childhoods in foster homes, they don't have money, but they have a lot of dreams, they want to do something with their lives. Amelia loves everything related with technology, she loves to code and to create new things. Adam is more ambitious, he wants to improve their lives, he wants to be like the people he sees around him people that make a lot of money, billionaires. They are finishing their freshmen year on scholarship at Stanford… but.. there is a big change… a complication. Amelia discovers something that she shouldn't. Now she knows something that will put her life and her brother's in danger.

Like I said before, the topic is something new, it's something different and there is a little bit of everything:
A. Drama: Family relationships, brother and sister, when they have different opinions. Father and son, when the son wants to impress his father. Sisters, when a sister falls for her sister's fiance… OMG!
B. Romance: Not only one couple… I think there are more…
C. Technology: If you're fan of technology, or if you have an Iphone, or an smart phone, you can be sure that you're going to enjoy this book a lot. Think about Apple and Silicon Valley…

Second, the characters are very realistic. They are not perfect, they have problems, and they make mistakes. They have different opinions, and the best of all is that you understand why they behave in they way they do, or why they do those things. You can't be only on Amelia's side, or Adam's. You understand their points of view. You understand them. Both of them.
And of course, there are also other characters that you will meet, some you will hate, and others that you'll love.

Like I said at the beginning, The Start-up is a really easy book to read, and difficult to stop reading. The plot is unique, complicated sometimes, but unique, and the way the author describes the story is wonderful. You think you're there. That you're part of that world. So, if you like books that talks about technology, technology that you may know, that maybe you have at home or in your pocket, if you like books like gossip girl, where there are rich girls and rich boys, rich families and big parties, and if you like a little bit of mystery, you'll will love this book. Highly Recommended! : )

Happy Reading! (less)

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Feb 06, 2012 R.J. Gonzales rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: received-for-review

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 may enjoy this series. Sadie has added her own...more 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 may enjoy this series. Sadie has added her own unique flavor to this tech-ish fare that I devoured in a day back in January. (The review was delayed until now due to unforeseen circumstances, but it's here now! haha)

The Start-Up, of course, is essentially the "start-up" and beginning of this series (naturally). It introduces twins Amelia and Adam dealing with the pressures and temptations of having a "set" life—one they have never had before. Amelia who has been hard at work on creating an application that will make them rich, and Adam, who is a little more laid-back and more of a "moral support" "trust me, I know what I'm talking about" guy. They were both enjoyable characters that possessed their own definable identities.

Though, there is one thing that bothered me. Since this is written as an"episode" there were some chapters that jumped away from the two main characters and followed what was happening with others. Which, one, was absolutely essential to know what happening, or going to happen, and two, is supposed to happen just like any other "jump cut" scene in a TV show, but for a good portion of the novel, I had to adjust to this new type of read. I really would have loved to have had more scenes with the twins, or as they like to be called, the Dorii. They were such fun characters, I found myself rushing through other scenes to get to theirs.

This book has it all. Romance. Technology. Humor. Drama. So readers will find something they like in it. While this first episode is a little short, it is still enjoyable. If you are intrigued by it, I recommend sampling the first few pages from Amazon, and continue forth if you like what you read.(less)

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Feb 05, 2013 Danica Page (One Page at a Time) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult, out-in-2011, e-book, asked-to-review, asked-to-review-sequel, series

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

Disclaimers: I received an electronic copy of this novel from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

An Overview of the Novel: Amelia and Adam Dory are two twins studying at Stanford. They would do anything for each other after all they are all they have.

Adam is unsure what he wants to do an is kind of just floating through school. While Amelia knows exactly what she wants to do, she loves code and spends all her time in the Gates lab.

Amelia's talents are reco...more

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Dec 07, 2011 ❤♏αια (My Book Diaries) rated it 4 of 5 stars

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!" I'm still trying to figure out what role Pa...more

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Jan 10, 2012 Stephanie Asbridge rated it 5 of 5 stars

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.

These characters live in Silicon V...more

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Jan 28, 2013 Lai Mckinney rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013-books-read

I enjoyed this book. It was short but it let us know what goes on in the valley of the rich and powerful. I like Amelia's convictions, but also that she will do anything for her brother. Even if she has to give up those convictions. Now, I know I'll have to continue to read the other stories because I love the idea of "What if I could become rich? What would I do?"

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Jan 01, 2012 Ashlinn (at) Baffling,Bonkers,and Brilliant Books! rated it 3 of 5 stars

**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 scholarship to...more

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Sep 25, 2012 Irene rated it 3 of 5 stars

Book found on the list of the most popular e-books from the public library. Quick and fun read, even more so because it plays in the Silicon Valley tech world. I will read the sequels at one point, since this book ends with a cliffhanger.

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Nov 26, 2011 Rebecca McKinnon rated it 3 of 5 stars

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!

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