The Rise and Fall of Ava Arcana by Jennifer Banash
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Kayla has finally landed writing a cover story at Rolling Stone, and it’s to interview pop star Lexi Mayhem. After watching old performances from Lexi’s starting club days, she is intrigued by another girl in the background who seems to be friends with Lexi. Her name is Ava Arcana, and Lexi refuses to talk about her.
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What I liked:
-I loved all the mystery that surrounded Ava: who was she, why didn’t Lexi want to talk about her, and most importantly what happened the night she died?
-Kayla’s boss (Keats) and coworker (Simone) were pretty awesome, I loved the little ways they had her back in this book.
-I thought the past POV chapters of Ava’s were done well because I really went through a rollercoaster of feelings for her.
-The article the Kayla wrote at the end was perfect. I wish I could have read the whole thing instead of the two sentences that a character read from it.
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What I didn’t like:
-I have to be vague due to spoilers, but there was one decision that Kayla made at the end of the book that I scrunched my face at. I wasn’t a supporter of that decision and kind of wish she would have decided differently.
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4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Rise and Fall of Ava Arcana" is a gripping and thrilling novel that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Here are some reasons why it's a recommended read:

Engrossing Storyline: The novel follows the life of Ava Arcana, a rising Hollywood starlet, as she navigates her way through the cut-throat world of show business. The plot is fast-paced and full of twists and turns, making for a thrilling read.
Well-developed Characters: Keene's characters are complex and multi-dimensional, with motivations that are both believable and compelling. Ava Arcana is a particularly strong protagonist, whose journey readers will be invested in from the very beginning.
Noir Atmosphere: The novel's setting and tone are both deeply noir, with a sense of danger and intrigue lurking around every corner. Keene's writing style is perfect for this genre, with a knack for creating vivid descriptions of people and places.
Powerful Themes: "The Rise and Fall of Ava Arcana" explores themes of power, fame, and the corrupting influence of the entertainment industry. The novel is a thought-provoking commentary on the darker side of Hollywood.
Classic Genre: Fans of classic noir fiction will love this novel. It has all the hallmarks of the genre, from the morally ambiguous characters to the twisty plot. It's a must-read for anyone who loves hardboiled detective stories or Hollywood glamour.
Overall, "The Rise and Fall of Ava Arcana" is a recommended read for anyone who loves fast-paced thrillers or classic noir fiction. Keene's skillful writing, well-developed characters, and powerful themes make for an engaging and thought-provoking novel that will keep readers hooked until the very end. If you're looking for a book that will transport you to the seedy underbelly of Hollywood, this is the one to pick up.

I really enjoyed this book. In ways, it's not a new story but one we are already familiar with - - two best friends broken apart by their search for fame and their feeling of betrayal where a man is involved. Yet, it still felt fresh and different.
4 1/2 stars

Lexi Mayhem and Ava Arcana are two best friends trying to make it big in the music business in the early 2000's. Lexi's been working towards this goal for years but Ava is new on the scene and a natural. It's difficult for Lexi to not feel some jealousy. Unfortunately, she lets it cloud her judgement and damage her friendship. As the two drift apart, they are both left without the other one to ground them.

Later, it's 2019, when a young reporter named Kayla is interviewing Lexi for Rolling Stone. It's supposed to be a fluff piece but as Kayla explores it further, she sees a picture of young Lexi with Ava and inquires about her. When she's told that Ava died years ago, she senses there is a story there and begins to investigate it wholeheartedly. She has no idea what she's about to uncover.

This was an enjoyable read about the friendship of two women and the heartbreak that followed their falling out. It also addresses the manipulation that sometimes occurred by men of the women dependent upon them for a future in the music industry. Tucked in with all of this is a mystery to be solved.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to read and review it and the opinions contained within are my own.

An entertaining mystery set in the world of pop music. In the present, the story follows Kayla, a Rolling Stone journalist who has landed her first cover story featuring pop icon Lexi Mayhem. Alternate chapters go back to 2005 and follow Ava Petrova, a young and naive songwriter who falls into a fast and deep friendship with Lexi. The plot was excellent, propulsive and fascinating, but the characters were very one-dimensional and deserved more fleshing out. There was a romance in the present timeline that was completely lacking depth and chemistry, and Kayla's own past betrayal, hinted at and eventually revealed, felt rather underwhelming. However, the mystery of what happened to Ava and Kayla's slow uncovering of the past was really well done. Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for a digital review copy.

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.

Sizzles with tension, desire, and a forever-escalating sense of menace! Let this supremely enjoyable book whisk you up, up and away. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

An entertaining dual time line novel that moves between 2006 and 2019 to tell the story of Lexi and Ava who were rivals of a sort. Except that Ava died and Lexi went on to success. All of this is framed by Kayla, a journalist who is writing a cover story for Rolling Stone. There's a bit of a mystery but it's also about female relationships. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Would be a good travel book.

This was a great read!! Thanks so much to Netgalley for the he opportunity. The storyline was very suspenseful and moved quickly. Crazy glamorous and not so glamorous depiction of the music industry eas well done.

This is a really well written delve into the lives behind the glamour of rock stars. Set in the noughties the story of Ava and Lexi is told through the eyes of both Ava and a current day journalist who is researching Lexi Mayhem. Its really a story female friendships and how men can come between good friends if ambition wins. Interesting and sensitively written with characters you can really relate to. Loved it. Brilliant for fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid.

Books about fictional celebrities are a favorite of mine, and The Rise and Fall of Ava Arcana was no exception. I loved the back and forth between Kayla and Ava’s timelines, and the slow burn mystery of Ava’s death had me hooked from the start. I was absolutely sure I had the twist figured out, but I was blindsided and truly awed by the way all the pieces came together. I wasn’t a huge fan of Kayla’s friendship backstory, but it was only a small part of the book. There’s also some petty, eyeroll-worthy drama, but overall this was a solid read for me and a great book for me to round out 2022 with! (This was my final read of the year.)

This was an okay book for me. It was enjoyable and easy enough but I felt that it was lacking a certain something although I cannot put my finger on what.

Really enjoyed this, in fact I’ve read it twice since downloading it! The storytelling style is great and really engaging, the characters are likeable (mostly) and the story is told a a good pace. I would highly recommend x

I really wanted to love this book. It has a great cover, it had been compared to Daisy Jones and the Six, and there was a murder mystery element. But… unfortunately, it fell a bit flat. There wasn’t enough tension to keep me turning the pages.

I'm 100% medium on this book.

The Rise and Fall of Ava Arcana is....just that. A book that could have had a huge rise but ultimately failed to meet the promise and expectations of such a title.

Told in two timelines and two perspectives, we meet Kayla, an up-and-coming reporter for Rolling Stone. She's assigned the cover story, Lexi Mayhem, the biggest pop star. A Lady Gaga-esque character, Lexi has shot to stardom from the bars of New York City. Kayla was once a young fan and excited to have the opportunity.

We also meet Ava, a young girl trying to make it in New York 13 years prior. She gets a job at a cafe, meets a younger Lexi and the two young women hit it off.

There's a lot of story in between and then betrayal. The build-up to the betrayal has SOME tension, but there are threads of backstory that should have been explored further but never really were. More time was spent on working hours and useless drivel about cafes and hipsters.

I wanted to like - no, love this book. I love a good music mystery, but this one kind of petered out at the end. I wanted something else, a final twist. Kayla's friendship backstory was dumb and added nothing. Lexi's had more of an impact and explained everything, as did Jamie's.

Again, medium.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

If you loved Daisy Jones and the Six and Almost Famous, The Rise and Fall of Ava Arcana is for you.

I loved all of this with my entire heart. I loved the journalistic vibes and how well it told the story.

This book follows a journalist Kayla who is writing a story on Lexi Mayhem, a popular recording artist who is starting her own label. The book is told in alternating timelines and viewpoints from Ava and Kayla. Ava was friends with Lexi when she was just starting out.

There were some points in this book where I couldn’t put it down, and others where I was rolling my eyes at the drama. The jealousy Lexi had of Ava was pushed throughout the whole book. Her manager falling for Ava and then for Kayla also gave me the ick.

Overall it was an interesting story and the killer was who I thought. If you can get past some of the drama, it’s decent.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Rise and Fall of Ava Arcana by Jennifer Banash was much more enjoyable than I originally anticipated.

My first ever book by Banash and I must say this one took me for a ride!
This story was exciting, thrilling and gripping.
Kayla, Ava and Lexi are some fascinating characters.
A remarkable story of fame, betrayal and friendship.
Such a unique, intense, yet an addicting story... I was hooked on every word.
Captivating right from the first page.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Fast paced look at both journalism and the draw of celebrity. Read this in less than 24 hours which is the best review I can give! It takes a bit to get going but I got fully sucked in once it did. Worth the read.

A joyous read. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a review.

"The Rise and Fall of Ava Arcana" follows two girls who become best friend, both wanting to become important in the music industry. The book is told in two perspectives, those are Ava and Kayla's, this latter one being a journalist that is working on an article 13 years after Ava's death.

This book follows not only the music industry and the problems that come between both friends due to that, starting a competition for who is better and who will sign a contract, but also other aspects. There is a lot of jealousy and drama regarding love as well, and abuse and to what lenghts some people will go to achieve fame. It was also really impressive how that was mixed with the 'thriller' aspect, where the reader will be left in suspense wondering what really happened with Ava and if she was killed, by who.

Overall, I think this is a book people need to read to better form opinions about what they think. Now, being honest, I can't rate this book highly. Unfortunately, the music aspect wasn't like I thought would be, and I did like reading Ava's point of view, but Kayla's chapters were just a pain for me, in all honesty. This book started great, and the premise was really intriguing. I think it is well executed and I did love the writing, so I will definitely read more books of the author. However, as said before, I was really excited for this, and in fact I enjoyed the first half quite a lot, but I feel like it just became boring at some point and I could not even bother to continue, since I kept forcing myself to finish. The ending was also better, when we see what truly happened with Ava and who killed her, and I did like the meaning of Lexi's final words when talking with Kayla after everything was uncovered. This said, it was definitely not a book that kept me invested and with the need to read all day. I do feel bad for feeling that way, since it is not a bad book by all means, it is just my personal opinions and the vibes I got when reading. Ava's chapters were definitely way more interesting, and I feel like reading an entire book by her perspective would have made everything more entertaining and I would have been more invested, but I can totally understand why this was not possible. It is a pity, but I hoped to like this more. It was just boring for me, but I can see why other people would love it.

This was a read that was very easy to get into centred around Lexi Mayhem's music career, with journalist Kayla documenting her rise to fame.

However, it's the story of Ava Arcana that really piques Kayla's journalistic vibes. She knows the real story lies with her.

Kayla's determination to find the truth could be at her own peril.

Like I said, a nice easy read, I had worked out Ava's part of the story and the final reveal, but it didn't stop my enjoyment of the story.

Thanks to netgalley for the opportunity to review this book. This is my honest opinion.