Queen of Babble in the Big City by Meg Cabot
Sequel about Lizzie Nichols Moves to New York City
Sep 13, 2008
As the book copy states: Lizzie Nichols is back! The heroine from Queen of Babble is the star of its sequel, Queen of Babble in the Big City (and precursor to the third book of the trilogy) by Meg Cabot. No longer summertime, Lizzie is now residing in New York City with boyfriend Luke, a real (yes, real) prince, in his mother’s Fifth Avenue apartment. Cozy living arrangement aside, Lizzie has less luck on the job front – after seemingly endless pavement pounding and dropped-off resumes everywhere from Vera Wang to any thrift store, Lizzie finds two jobs: as the morning receptionist at Chaz’s father’s law firm, because it pays $20 per hour, and as a no-pay intern at Chez Henri, a small bridal gown restoration shop (her true passion).
New City, New Job
Cabot has an interesting way of blending the complete fantasy with surprising reality. For example, how many 23-year-olds who move to New York have such an ideal living arrangement? However, Luke is an increasingly complex – and not perfect – character, and it’s also refreshing to read a novel where the recent college graduate doesn’t end up with a hectic-yet-perfect job at Vogue. Her job struggles are interesting and readers in their 20s will relate.
Predictable at Times
At times, the novel is incredibly predictable. Some plot twists are apparent long before they are finally “revealed”. A particular example of this involves Lizzie’s best friend Shari’s love life. When Shari finally tells Lizzie her “secret”, the reader breathes a sigh of relief that it’s out in the open because it’s been obvious for chapters.
Welcome New Characters
But Queen of Babble in the Big City is in ways superior to the first book. The new supporting characters are a welcome addition. Instead of in the first book, where readers were forced to spend time with Dominique, Luke’s snobby then-girlfriend, the sequel introduces Tiffany, the model/afternoon receptionist at the law firm, who’s at times ditzy but also suprisingly acute. Another new character is Jill Higgins, a client at the law firm who is set to marry one of Manhattan’s richest bachelors but has been dubbed “Blubber” by the press due to her job (she works with seals at the zoo) and weight (she isn’t a waif). And guess who needs a stunning bridal gown...
Cliffhanger
Cabot is also smart to end Queen of Babble in the Big City with a cliffhanger that practically requires readers to purchase the next book.
Queen of Babble in the Big City
Meg Cabot
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Pub. Date: May 2008
ISBN-13: 9780060852016
Read review of the first book, Queen of Babble
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