The Rise and Fall of Ava Arcana

A Novel

De: Jennifer Banash

Narrado por: Jess Nahikian, Samara Naeymi

An electrifying novel about a woman in thrall to the exhilarating rhythms of Manhattan, lost in the dizzying promise of youth, and fatally naive to the dark pressures of fame.

When Rolling Stone journalist Kayla McCray is assigned a cover story on pop icon Lexi Mayhem, Kayla stumbles across a startling new angle to the exposé. Years ago, another rising star from Lexi’s past mysteriously leaped to her death. Some things are better off forgotten, Lexi says. Kayla disagrees.

It’s 2005 and Ava Petrova moves to New York with a notebook full of songs and a dream. Then she meets Lexi, an up-and-coming singer who brands Ava with an enigmatic new stage name and introduces her to an intoxicating city alive with possibilities. From fast friends and kindred spirits to creative muses and inseparable soul mates, Ava and Lexi embark on a parallel journey to stardom, but there is room for only one at the top.

As past and present converge, Kayla chases the ghost of a young woman doomed by betrayal and erased by a secret, and unravels the truth that it takes more than ambition to become a star.

©2023 Jennifer Banash (P)2022 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Reseñas de la Crítica

“Read-in-one-sitting…Banash masterfully interweaves guilt, love, remorse, and yearning with a bit of playfulness, creating a tale that is multifaceted in its content and spirit.”—Booklist

“Banash’s sublime new stunner immerses us in an intoxicating female friendship between two young singers, each striving for pop stardom, until one of them suspiciously dies, later leading a Rolling Stone journalist to dig out the truth no one seems to want uncovered. A psychological why-done-it about the glittering allure and tragic cost of fame, and the heady bliss of bonding, all set against an unforgettable soundtrack of love and deception.”—Caroline Leavitt, New York Times bestselling author of With or Without You and Pictures of You

“Gritty, propulsive, and complex, Banash paints a vivid picture of two young women navigating their way through the dark side of the music industry and the journalist who uncovers their shocking truth years later. I found myself completely transported into Banash’s world of glittering stages, bright city lights, and deeply nuanced, compelling characters. The Rise and Fall of Ava Arcana is an addictive read that will leave you wanting more.”—Julia Spiro, author of Full and Someone Else’s Secret

Really fun summer listen

I haven't written a review in a while. i bought this book as the special of the day and really enjoyed it. The story was good. i like the narration a lot and it was just a fun listen.

This is the real story of Lady Gaga

It is about Lina Morgana, who committed suicide in October 2008, throwing herself from the roof of a hotel on State Island in New York. The mother of the young promise of just 19 years old blamed the death of her daughter to Lady Gaga and claimed that Gaga had plagiarized her style while Morgana’s look stood out for its extravagance and eccentricity.

An Okay Mystery

The story was a bit predictable, but the narration was good. I recommend getting this on sale rather than for a credit though.

Excellent story and Narration was spot on!

I really enjoyed this book! I can't say for sure what I liked so much about it; the two stories running simultaneously, one from the past and one current; the characters; the mysterious twists; the tiny bit of romance.... they all made it what it is! It was a little bit predictable, but I did not predict the final ending.

I listened at an increased speed, but that is common for me.

One thing is for sure, the narration was excellent, it made the story come alive! Bravo! My only complaint is that one of the narrators voice was much quieter than the others voice, so I had to keep changing the volume. Not a huge deal though.

Some reviews comment on it being a young adult book. I thought that was fine, but I can see where they are coming from, and since I have never experienced the intense friendship that is apparent between the characters, so some of it was a little cheesy to me, but it was all part of the story and I didn't mind it.

I am bummed that Jennifer doesn't have very many novels, and no other audio books. Hopefully she comes out with more soon!

Hidden gem

An interesting, insightful story. Great narration. Full of detail and mystery. I enjoyed this book!