Book Review: "The Chic Shall Inherit the Earth" by Shelley Adina

Lissa Mansfield has come a long way since transferring to Spencer Academy two years ago. She's made a great group of friends in Gillian, Carly, Mac, and Shani. She's strengthened and grown her relationship with God. She's even gotten over the Callum McCloud "incident" from her first semester. Now, she's ready to graduate and take on college life! Or is she? With her parents' relationship still on the rocks and the girls about to separate as they head to different colleges, Lissa is faced with some of her biggest challenges yet in her last term at Spencer. Will Lissa put her faith in God to carry her through these difficult times?

*Sigh* All good things must come to an end and we all have to grow up and move on right? That's what the girls at Spencer Academy have to face in this last book the All About Us series. Senior year has come and everyone is preparing to go their separate ways. The five friends will be soon split up and must get ready for a life without each other. The narrator for the final book is Lissa, which is fitting as she was the focus of the first book, therefore bringing the storyline full circle. I have never felt this series to be preachy. While the characters are Christians and do talk about their faith openly, they never portray the typical stereotype of a Christian. Instead the girls act like normal teenage girls, enjoying clothes, celebrities, boys and just hanging out with each other.

I think my favorite part of the story was seeing Vanessa's transformation. Without giving away any spoilers, I'll just say that it's totally amazing. I have not being able to stand her since the first book in the series, and while she still isn't my favorite character, I have a lot more respect for her now. Also I really admire Lissa for hanging in there and toughing it out with her. I don't think I would have been able to have the patience. I was also glad to see that this situation was treated realistically. Things aren't done happily or with a joyful heart. There's a lot of pain and reluctance here which I would totally expect from teen characters. It's another credit to Adina's fabulous style of writing. I was also secretly glad as to the romance bit at the end. It was a long time coming, but I'm happy to see all parties excited over it.

I'm so sad that this series is now over. I have grown to adore these girls and have loved reading their stories over the course of the series. This is have been one of my favorite YA series to read and definitely one I have been recommending to any YA reader I have come in contact with. As always, I applaud the series for it's multi-cultural cast and the approach to broadening the reader's cultural outlook. I have no idea what Shelley's next books are going to be about but if they are anything like this series, I know I will definitely be picking it up. If you are have been following this series, this is a fond farewell that is done extremely well. If you are new to this series, pick up the first book and I guarantee you will be hooked.

The Chic Shall Inherit the Earth by Shelley Adina is published by Faithwords (2010)

This ARC was provided by the publisher