Balancing Act

The first installment of The Heights series is touted as Sweet Valley High (series) for a new generation. From the first couple of chapters, I could sense this as a reader familiar with the original books and appreciated how it takes the drama of that series and puts it under a modern lens. With the backdrop of an elite charter school, city life, competitive sports teams, there is not a dull moment in Balancing Act. While the story has some soap opera-style elements, the novel is grounded in some very real issues, makes it feel very authentic.

The multiple points of view, along with the hot gossip that is dropped through the social media platforms allow for a smooth pace in the story. Though the novel is a bit slow to start in setting the scene, the plot only ramps up until the novel’s explosive ending, which is part cliffhanger and part plot twist. Readers who like stories such as Gossip Girl will thoroughly enjoy the suspense and truth under the glamorous institution of The Heights.

The characters feel very developed and varied, leaving the readers with loveable favorites and those that seem like villains. It makes for some moments filled with high tension and popcorn drama that will leave the reader wanting more. Against the sensational parts of the novel, it also touches on many serious topics such as grief, gun violence, bullying, and racism. It makes the story much more of an emotional read, while also bringing awareness to these issues.

Chase has crafted a solid start to a new series where the story will resonate with teen audiences and older readers as well. It’s a great story about the challenges of trying to juggle family, changing friendships, and ambition. It highlights how the community that surrounds Chyna, Jamaal, and the other characters affects them, even with the promise of new beginnings. The story has a lot of lessons on how the choices we make can propel us forward or affect us negatively.