The Lipstick Laws by Amy Holder

Title: Lipstick Laws
Author: Amy Holder
Pages: 240
Publisher: Graphia
Publication Date: April 4, 2011

At Penford High School, Britney Taylor is the queen bee. She dates whomever she likes, rules over her inner circle of friends like Genghis Khan, and can ruin anyone's life with a snap of perfectly manicured fingers. Just ask the unfortunate few who have crossed her. For April Bowers, Britney is also the answer to her prayers. April is so unpopular, kids don't even know she exists. But one lunch spent at Britney's table, and April is basking in the glow of popularity. But Britney's friendship comes with a high price tag. How much is April willing to pay?

Just like the average high school, Penford High has its own cliques...and its own set of mean girls. The queen? Britney Taylor. April Bowers is the complete opposite. Barely anybody knows she exists. But when Britney notices her one fateful day, April is sucked in to a world of superficiality. Sure, April's popular now, but Britney has plans that April has to refuse.

The Lipstick Laws provides readers with an entertaining, appealing look into high school life. Though it portrays a lackluster, exaggerated version of high school, readers are able to grasp the complexities of friendship and choices in this novel. The Lipstick Laws is a charming, light read, but its concepts and ideas aren't as original, making it a little forgettable. The conflicts in this novel are often seen throughout the young adult genre and the outcomes are somewhat predictable.

One of the better aspects of this novel are the characters. Although most fall into their respective stereotypes, characters such as April and her fellow 'Lipstick Lawbreakers'. April's transformation is even more pronounces as she changes from a weak, push-over follower to an independent, strong person who stands up for herself. The 'Lipstick Lawbreakers' all bring life and hilarity to the novel as well as balance out the ditzy, typical queen bee Britney Taylor. The pranks that they play on Britney are extremely funny.

Holder's writing flows smoothly, although at times cliché. April's narration is captured flawlessly as an outsider. Her insecurities and worries are really seep into Holder's writing. The atmosphere The Lipstick Laws is unconvincingly-developed because it over-emphasizes popularity and the fabricated concept of the 'Lipstick Laws'.

The Lipstick Laws is a love-hate book. There are times you'll want to laugh out loud and hug the characters, and other times, you'll want to rip their heads off because of their stereotypes. It effectively portrays friendship and the idea of insecurities, but it also stays a rather generic, typical Mean Girls meets The Clique. A good debut, but not a great one.

The Bottom Line: I've already seen a lot of books like this, but this book made me LOL my heart out! It's just a matter of laying low with too many stereotypes. Forgettable, but still a light, fun read.

---Field Report---
Originality: 5/10
Ending: 7/10
Characters: 7/10
Plot: 6/10
My reaction/enjoyment: 8/10
Theme: 7/10
Imagery: 7/10
Setting: 4/5
Voice: 4/5
Style: 4/5
Tone: 5/5
Cover: 9/10
Total Score: 73/100 (B-)