The Karma Club, by Jessica Brody

The premise for this book sounded so intriguing - a group of girls mete out justice in the name of karma - that I picked it up from the library as soon as I could. I was surprised to see that it was by Jessica Brody. She's the author of The Fidelity Files, which I had previously tried since I believe it's being made into a prime time TV show. Unfortunately it was rampant with F-words, so I immediately put it down. I was delighted to see, however, that her imaginative plots ranged to the young adult section.

The Karma Club, by Jessica Brody
Young Adult, 2010

Madison is plodding along through high-school, one step at a time, until one day she catches her boyfriend Mason two-timing her. Furious that karma hasn't stepped in yet, she forms The Karma Club, recruiting her friends who have been waiting themselves for karma to hit their exes upside the head. But just when Madison has everything figured out, she realizes she just might need to rethink her priorities if karma really is going to be balanced.

It's a fabulous plot idea - even one with a good moral. You wait and eventually people will get what's coming to them, so hang on.

My biggest pet peeve lately in young adult literature, however, is this tendency to make 16-year-olds act 21. I mean, her friends sneak her into a bar for her 16th birthday for crying out loud. The fact of the matter is that 16-year-olds are just that. 16. And they just haven't had the time/life-span yet to understand a few things. However much current television dramas encourage them otherwise, the fact is that being 16 is still young, life isn't perfect, you don't have all the answers or perfect comebacks, and high school boys are really NOT going to be the loves of your life. So, the fact that I read this book cover to cover without throwing it across the room for driving me nuts, is a testament to the enjoyable plot idea.

The characters are cute, the guy is too perfect, of course, but the ex-boyfriend is what's perfect. Seriously? He's exACTly what high school boys are like. I like that Madison learns a valuable lesson, fixes it, and moves on with her life. And I loved the pranks. LOVED the pranks. I laughed and laughed at those - I mean, who hasn't wanted to take the standard gorgeous girl down a notch?

Graded a B-.