Book: Introducing Vivien Leigh Reid: Daughter of the Diva
Author: Yvonne Collins and Sandy Rideout
Pages: 240
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Reviewed by: Kat (Age 20)
Amazon.com Price: $9.95
Purchase: Here

Leigh is the daughter of an accountant and a diva. She was named after Vivien Leigh, the oscar winning actress who brought Scarlett O'hara to life in Gone with the Wind. Leigh's mother, Annika, left her when she was three to pursue her own career in acting. She's achieved moderate sucess in various B-grade films but has now landed the lead role in a feature film. The movie; Danny Boy, is filming in Ireland over the Summer and Leigh's father is shipping her off to Ireland to spend the summer with her mother. Yay? So not.

Leigh soon discovers there are some highlights. For starters there's Sean, Annika's hot young co-star. Then Leigh lands a small part in Danny Boy and soon she and Annika are not only sharing a bedroom, but scripts, scenes and the spotlight. Can they successfully tackle the biggest role of all; mother and daughter?

Introducing Vivien Leigh Reid: Daughter of the Diva is a wonderful novel. Leigh is a truly entertaining heroine who is appealing in her naivety and overwhelming desire to be treated like the adult she (almost) is. Leigh's fantasies are written in the form of film scripts and perhaps some of the most entertaining moments in the novel. Life really isn't like in the movies...

Leigh's mother is a diva-licious character whom you both love and hate at varying points in the story. The Irish setting in the novel is great. Try to decode the lingo while envisioning gorgeous Irish scenery. You'll be wanting to book your first class ticket to Ireland long before you're done reading!

Overall Introducing Vivien Leigh Reid: Daughter of the Diva is a breath of fresh air in the Young Adult fiction arena. I definitely recommend checking it out and check out our reviews for the sequels: Now Starring Vivien Leigh Reid and The New and Improved Vivien Leigh Reid.