When privileged 17-year-old Jasmine gets kicked out of her house, she takes what is left of her savings and flees to Santa Cruz to pursue her dream...
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Feb 17, 2012
Glass
rated it: 
I already know what will be the biggest "don't like" for some of the readers - ending of this novel. But that's just what was turning point in my decision to give Amplified five stars instead of four. Author didn't give in to the temptation of the usual happy endings - girl gets the boy, daddy and mommy are my biggest fans after all and so on... And this girl knows how to use the words and not make them pathetic and cheesy.
I have to admit that I didn't completely understand More...
I have to admit that I didn't completely understand More...
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Feb 09, 2012
Isamlq
rated it: 
Normally I’d be all a-gush over this music filled novel, of a girl coming into her own as well as a boy to die for… but something was missing because I’m not (gushing, I mean) . It’s an OK book though with Jasmine Kiss who’s more than a music loving, guitar playing girl. She WAS daddy’s little girl. She TRIED her best in school, but she really loves music and wants more of it. SO she makes time and gets leaves home- all this in the first couple of chapters.
Here’s what I did like. The More...
Here’s what I did like. The More...
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Jan 10, 2012
Jessica
rated it:
een rebellion, hot boys, stunning realism; Amplified is the epitome of a good YA read. The story begins with 17-year-old Jasmine who is living on her own in Santa Cruz after telling her father she doesn’t want to go to college, at least not yet. This is a great book for any girl, or guy, who has longed to tell their parents the popular line, “I don’t want to follow your plan for me.” Lots of adults have plans for us teens and I really think it takes guts to follow your own plan for yourself. O,
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Feb 18, 2012
Maggie
rated it:
When I reviewed Tara Kelly's debut, Harmonic Feedback, back in September, I noted its bravery, its heart, and, of course, its music. Its beloved and lovely Manic Pixie Dream Girls (and Boys). Its street cred. I also noted its unfortunate earnestness and clumsy debut tone; wrinkles that I was sure would be ironed out in Kelly's sophomore release, Amplified.
And were they. Oh, ever were they. In Amplified, Kelly brings us a spunky, brash, and wonderful YA whose author has wised up as much More...
And were they. Oh, ever were they. In Amplified, Kelly brings us a spunky, brash, and wonderful YA whose author has wised up as much More...
Jan 22, 2012
K
rated it: 
Worthwhile. I really enjoyed this one.
Jasmine has a bit of an early life crisis after graduating high school. Her emotionally distant, by-the-books father fully expects her to start at Stanford in the fall. She can’t imagine much worse. She’s done everything according to his plan and still seems to disappoint him constantly. When her friends start planning for the summer and getting excited about life in general, Jasmine decides she’s had enough. This is the summer she makes somethin More...
Jasmine has a bit of an early life crisis after graduating high school. Her emotionally distant, by-the-books father fully expects her to start at Stanford in the fall. She can’t imagine much worse. She’s done everything according to his plan and still seems to disappoint him constantly. When her friends start planning for the summer and getting excited about life in general, Jasmine decides she’s had enough. This is the summer she makes somethin More...
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Jan 18, 2012
Jasmine was kicked out of her house by her overly realistic father who really doesn't understand how someone can just go off and forget about college. Jasmine loves music and just wants a break from school. After her car breaks down and a little luck finding a place to stay, Jasmine joins a band under the false pretense than she can perform live.
Jasmine was a great character who has major stage fright. Despite her fears, she wasn't afraid to stand up to the other band members, when More...
Jasmine was a great character who has major stage fright. Despite her fears, she wasn't afraid to stand up to the other band members, when More...
Dec 23, 2011
Lauren
rated it: 
Seventeen year-old Jasmine ‘runs away’ (she’s a high school grad) from home and her father’s wishes for her life in order to work on her music. She ends up renting a room in exchange for joining a band, except she has no prior stage experience. I know practically nothing about guitar playing, industrial rock or its culture, and that took up a large part of the book. Even so, I enjoyed the story and the subject matter was fairly interesting, even though the author used a lot of details in describ
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Sep 12, 2011
Bailey (IB Book Blogging)
rated it:
AMPLIFIED is a one-of-a-kind and outstanding YA that I cannot stop thinking about!! Seriously, I was so engaged in the characters and their lives that I was stuck thinking about them long after I had finished. AMPLIFIED is so honest, raw, and mesmerizing. I don't have a single complaint about it at all. You have to pick this one up when it hits shelves!
Jasmine, to quote Kari from A Good Addiction, is so spicy! She doesn't back down from anything and is determined to make a nich More...
Jasmine, to quote Kari from A Good Addiction, is so spicy! She doesn't back down from anything and is determined to make a nich More...
Jun 18, 2011
Rachael
rated it:
The one thing that Jasmine Kiss wants more than anything is to be a musician. But when she picks her music over college, her father kicks her out of the house, leaving Jasmine with no place to live and a whole slew of new problems. She finds a nice room to rent, but now she needs to convince the three other guys living in the house that she’ll be the best roommate. She finds a band looking for a guitarist, but now she needs to show them that she’s worth their time. Too bad Jasmine the band’s ba
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Jan 20, 2012
Ms-Heather
rated it:
Recent high school graduate Jasmine Kiss (yes, that is her real name) has just left home for good after an argument with her father. He wants her to go straight to college. She wants to take a year off, join a band, and find out if she has what it takes for a career in music. Now she's stuck with no place to sleep, no job, and a beat up Jetta belching smoke. After perusing Craigslist she finds the perfect situation advertised: "Looking for a live-in lead guitarist (industrial rock)." T
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Oct 24, 2011
Simply Books
rated it:
Summary:
When privileged 17-year-old Jasmine gets kicked out of her house, she takes what is left of her savings and flees to Santa Cruz to pursue her dream of becoming a musician. Jasmine finds the ideal room in an oceanfront house, but she needs to convince the three guys living there that she's the perfect roommate and lead guitarist for their band, C-Side. Too bad she has major stage fright and the cute bassist doesn't think a spoiled girl from over the hill can hack it. . .
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When privileged 17-year-old Jasmine gets kicked out of her house, she takes what is left of her savings and flees to Santa Cruz to pursue her dream of becoming a musician. Jasmine finds the ideal room in an oceanfront house, but she needs to convince the three guys living there that she's the perfect roommate and lead guitarist for their band, C-Side. Too bad she has major stage fright and the cute bassist doesn't think a spoiled girl from over the hill can hack it. . .
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Sep 26, 2011
Sarah
rated it:
Tara Kelly's debut book, Harmonic Feedback, was a finalist in the 2010 Cybils Young Adult Fiction category. It was a fabulous story and frankly, she had a lot to live up to. Luckily for everyone (especially me!) Amplified is a powerful and just darn good story. It's the perfect follow-up for me.
Synopsis: When privileged 17-year-old Jasmine gets kicked out of her house, she takes what is left of her savings and flees to Santa Cruz to pursue her dream of becoming a musician. Jasmine fi More...
Synopsis: When privileged 17-year-old Jasmine gets kicked out of her house, she takes what is left of her savings and flees to Santa Cruz to pursue her dream of becoming a musician. Jasmine fi More...
Feb 19, 2012
Sara
rated it:
After graduating high school, 17 year old Jasmine decides to go against her father's wishes of college and explore her dreams and love for music. Jasmine suddenly finds herself without a home, a broken down car, and with limited funds. Worried about her situation, Jasmine lies her way into a band about her onstage experience. Unfortunately, not all the band members of C-Side think she has what it takes, including herself.
I was a little worried this was going to end up a book where th More...
I was a little worried this was going to end up a book where th More...
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Nov 12, 2011
Mark
rated it:
"I said no to my dad this morning. The five-foot seven soup can of a man nobody denies. It's got to be his arctic blue eyes; they're like the edge of a knife. And still, I told him I wasn't going to Stanford or any college next year.
Now I was stranded on Ocean Street with a few hours to find some rat hole to rent. So much for a graduation present."
So begins the saga of seventeen-year old Jasmine Kiss. Thrown out of the house by her father, she heads to Santa Cruz, t More...
Now I was stranded on Ocean Street with a few hours to find some rat hole to rent. So much for a graduation present."
So begins the saga of seventeen-year old Jasmine Kiss. Thrown out of the house by her father, she heads to Santa Cruz, t More...
Oct 31, 2011
Ashelynn
rated it:
This review also appears on Gypsy Book Reviews.
Amplified is Tara Kelly’s sophomore novel, and the first one I’ve read of hers, and let me tell you: it’s brilliant and wonderful and now I’m going to be her fan forever and ever. And I’m already looking for money in the couches to buy her debut novel, Harmonic Feedback!
From what I knew about Amplified, there was a girl with stage fright, but plays a killer guitar, and she’s a little bit rich, and she’s also kicked out. What More...
Amplified is Tara Kelly’s sophomore novel, and the first one I’ve read of hers, and let me tell you: it’s brilliant and wonderful and now I’m going to be her fan forever and ever. And I’m already looking for money in the couches to buy her debut novel, Harmonic Feedback!
From what I knew about Amplified, there was a girl with stage fright, but plays a killer guitar, and she’s a little bit rich, and she’s also kicked out. What More...
Aug 12, 2011
Andrea
rated it:
Seventeen-year-old Jasmine Kiss just graduated from high school and isn't ready for four more years in a classroom. She wants to put college on hold and pursue her dream of being a guitarist in a band, which doesn't make her father happy at all. He kicks her out of the house, and she's on her own.
She packs her amp and guitar into her not-so-reliable car and heads to Santa Cruz. Without a place to live and very little money, she scans the classifieds where she finds an ad for a band More...
She packs her amp and guitar into her not-so-reliable car and heads to Santa Cruz. Without a place to live and very little money, she scans the classifieds where she finds an ad for a band More...
Dec 20, 2011
Sarah Grace
rated it:
Looooooooooooved it!
Alright this book is filled with awesome characters! I loved everyone's personality, especially Felix, he was a giant blue teddy bear<3 I really did like Jasmine and that surpised me. I mean, in a lot of books where the main character comes from a rich family with issues they try to come off as "Don't fuck with me, I don't need anyone" and I was worried Jasmine was going to be like that, but she wasn't. Jasmine was independent, but likeable, she sucked it More...
Alright this book is filled with awesome characters! I loved everyone's personality, especially Felix, he was a giant blue teddy bear<3 I really did like Jasmine and that surpised me. I mean, in a lot of books where the main character comes from a rich family with issues they try to come off as "Don't fuck with me, I don't need anyone" and I was worried Jasmine was going to be like that, but she wasn't. Jasmine was independent, but likeable, she sucked it More...
Dec 07, 2011
Jen
rated it:
This is the story of 17 year old Jasmine and her struggle to not only follow her dreams of playing guitar in a real band but of finding out who she really is apart from her controlling father. She'll find the band but will she be able to convince them she has what it takes? Will she be able to convince herself?
Jasmine quickly discovers the life of a true musician is a complicated one, especially when there are egos, reputations and even hearts to protect. If she can keep her focus More...
Jasmine quickly discovers the life of a true musician is a complicated one, especially when there are egos, reputations and even hearts to protect. If she can keep her focus More...
Jan 14, 2012
Jen
rated it:
This book's cover pretty much made the decision for me. The synopsis solidified my desperate need to devour this. A female rock goddess wannabe trying to make it? HELLO, PIPER PERABO IN COYOTE UGLY! (Sans the roof rockout, the bar dancing, and the sexy Australian...plus, Jasmine is way more awesome.)
After the first few pages, I wasn't sure what to expect. Amplified kickstarted with some parental angst and Jasmine heading off on her own. I'm so glad she does. Her dad's high-strung and More...
After the first few pages, I wasn't sure what to expect. Amplified kickstarted with some parental angst and Jasmine heading off on her own. I'm so glad she does. Her dad's high-strung and More...
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Feb 09, 2012
Eva
rated it:
I was expecting humor because the plot sounded like Amplified would be a fun read and I'm also in the mood for laughs and fluff these days. Well, there are funny scenes and lines here and there but overall, it's a bit serious given the protagonist's (Jasmine) issues...
But that's okay because the story is great and engaging - about being in a band and making it on your own. The characters are highly interesting, each having their own quirks. I hope Tara Kelly is planning to writ More...
But that's okay because the story is great and engaging - about being in a band and making it on your own. The characters are highly interesting, each having their own quirks. I hope Tara Kelly is planning to writ More...
Nov 09, 2011
Chelsea
rated it:
I loved this book!! Couldn't put it down even when I was meant to be studying for exams =P Basically this story is about a young privilaged girl named Jasmine who stood up to her father and left her comfortable safe world to follow her dream in the music industry. Obviously things do not go to plan and things are a lot harder than she thought, her new band are doubtful of her talent and she has to prove to both them and herself that she has what it takes.Jasmine has got a bit of a chip on her sh
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Aug 23, 2011
Heidi
rated it:
From page one you won’t be able to put Amplified down. The immediate reaction to lead character, jasmine, makes you want to know more and more about her. The quick introduction of Clover has you begging for more between him and Jasmine. The instant connection between these two characters is spot on. The chemistry is undeniable.
Jasmine is a seventeen year old who just finished high school and decided to defer her first year at Stanford. This does not make her dad happy and she’s gi More...
Jasmine is a seventeen year old who just finished high school and decided to defer her first year at Stanford. This does not make her dad happy and she’s gi More...
Dec 26, 2011
Jen
rated it:
Jasmine Kiss has been kicked out of her house after graduating from high school because she tells her father she wants to delay going to college, and this begins her journey being on her own for the first time. She joins a band, gets a job and rents a room in a house with her bandmates. Unfortunately, she's also exaggerated her experience and has to prove her worth and talent. I enjoyed the descriptions of the music and the shows which brought me back to my club-going days (long past). Jasmi
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Feb 20, 2012
Alyssa
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Nov 07, 2011
Trisha
rated it:
A top notch YA read. Lots of angst and lots of music. Best summed up by Tina's psychic reading of Jasmine's question, 'did I make the right choice?'
Jasmine's life sinks pretty low and her fight to make herself worthy in front of her new friends is an excellent read. The three housemates, Bryn, Felix and especially Sean, are individual and interesting. Veta shows compassion, yet she also speaks her mind. There was enough family drama, without it impinging on the kids' independence. More...
Jasmine's life sinks pretty low and her fight to make herself worthy in front of her new friends is an excellent read. The three housemates, Bryn, Felix and especially Sean, are individual and interesting. Veta shows compassion, yet she also speaks her mind. There was enough family drama, without it impinging on the kids' independence. More...
Dec 26, 2011
David
rated it:
2.5 Stars... Interesting concept for a YA novel and the writing feels authentic, Kelly does a convincing enough job with the indie industrial scene. However, far too many characters aren't really fleshed out at all and a few serve as typical tropes - the heartthrob from the cool established band who only wants sex, angry ex-girlfriend, the gay best friend, etc etc. Also, some of the lyrics of the songs were quite... I don't know exactly what to say, corny? But she does make a reference at one po
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Dec 04, 2011
Liliana
rated it:
The book cover art for Amplified drew me in right from the start.It's simple but it's very i'm-on-top-of-the-world-and-i'm-going-to-rock-my-way-thru-it!! ...Now to the book...
In my opinion this book seems to be really honest on how the life of a musician isn't really easy all the time. (not that i'm one, but i've seen enough musician bios to realize life isn't always easy for them.) I loved Jasmine's determination even at the most bleak of times <spoiler>like when she had to sleep in her
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Dec 19, 2011
Shannon
rated it:
I loved this book so much. Everything about it was just amazing. I think it's a sign of a good book when it can make you not want to put it down. I picked this book up wanting to read a few chapters before I went to sleep and then ended up enthralled in what was happening. I honestly would have read this in one go, but then it was almost six in the morning and I eventually had to go to sleep.
The plot was what first drew me in. I liked the whole idea of a girl trying to prove hersel More...
The plot was what first drew me in. I liked the whole idea of a girl trying to prove hersel More...
Nov 10, 2011
Kristy
rated it:
street corner November read.
The good vibes:
1. The cover, I adore color-covers! Especially the Yellow, orange or green variety!
2. This is a "music book" and it actually has a lot of music included. It's not just trying to be about music, it actually is.
3.The Sexual tension between 2 of the main characters.
4. ^ Their banter.
5. Sean, the latter half of the book especially
6. The author actually is trying to give us a look into a trying to ge More...
The good vibes:
1. The cover, I adore color-covers! Especially the Yellow, orange or green variety!
2. This is a "music book" and it actually has a lot of music included. It's not just trying to be about music, it actually is.
3.The Sexual tension between 2 of the main characters.
4. ^ Their banter.
5. Sean, the latter half of the book especially
6. The author actually is trying to give us a look into a trying to ge More...
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Dec 19, 2011
Kellee
rated it:
Every girl dreams of being a guitarist in a rock band and Jasmine is giving up everything, including going to Stanford, to live this dream. But before she goes off to college, she wants to know if she can do it and her new band, C-side, is truly going to test her to make sure she is able to.
This book really made me reminisce about my high school years when I listened to live music every weekend, went to many big concerts a year, lived to buy new CDs, had googly eyes over musicians More...
This book really made me reminisce about my high school years when I listened to live music every weekend, went to many big concerts a year, lived to buy new CDs, had googly eyes over musicians More...
