Overall, I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to those who like reading about how women interact, especially famous ones.

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

When I requested this book, I did it because the blurb is alluring enough to sell the story. I'm pretty satisfied with the finished product, but I found there were some flaws in the story.

First, we have 5 stories from 5 actresses competing for the lead actress award, yet none of the stories were fully connected to the other. Yes, there are separate beings, but because they're all nominated for the same award, it would be more interesting if the actresses—whose job made them part of an exclusive world called Hollywood and everybody knows everyone in that world—had more interactions between them in terms of their lives behind the scenes. That said, the author really knows the Hollywood scene and that shows it in how well crafted were the setting and the scenes descriptions.

This is my first book from this author, and I really enjoyed reading it from start to finish.

This was a fun read, though it hasn't stuck in my mind too much in the weeks since I finished it. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 since the author did a good job with the world of the story (five actresses during awards season). However, I think it was trying to manage five different "main" characters that led to the book overall feeling a bit surface and disjointed--the stories of the women weren't entirely integrated and woven together in a satisfying way. The author has a great voice humor, and I would definitely read his next one.

I enjoyed this! The timing of reading was perfect given that we were in the thick of awards season. This book gives a multifaceted view of a group of leading ladies and the tensions between them all as they compete for best leading actress at the biggest awards show of the season. While the ending I found to be predictable, I still enjoyed learning about each of these women and how stardom affects them in a myriad of ways. This was written with a true insider's perspective, which I appreciated.

I found this to be pretty dull, unfortunately. There was too little connective tissue between the women; it really felt like reading 5 (at one point 6) separate stories placed next to each other in one book; it never felt like a complete idea. The characters spend too little time together and seem to have very little to do with each other's stories, which, for a book that is about the shared experiences of women, was disappointing.

D'Addario also has a way of writing, in which he breaks up sentences with interjecting clauses like this, in awkward places, that needlessly confuses and complicates the narrative. It is, I believe, difficult to get used to, and even more difficult to ignore. (See?!)

This was an interesting, gossipy read that caught me right from the description but didn’t fully deliver. The book begins with five actresses, all nominated for the Best Actress Academy Award, all carrying their own burdens. (A sixth actress is briefly brought into the story and then shown out again.)

I enjoyed dipping into the stories of each of the women, but the pacing was a bit uneven. Sometimes I felt as though I wanted more from the characters, while in other moments I found my attention wandering as the chapters seemed to drill down on the same issue over and over again.

Learning each woman’s story was part of the appeal, but I do wonder now if choosing just one of the women and sketching her out in greater detail would have better served the book. As it was, I didn’t know them quite as well as I needed to in order to be fully invested. Still, I enjoyed the setting and tone of The Talent, and I’ll be curious to see what the author writes next.

I received an e-galley of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Written by film and awards journalist Daniel D'Addario, The Talent follows five actresses competing for the Best Actress award. Each of the women have a history and rivalries and fulfill some classic Hollywood archetypes, from the former child star to the iconic older actress. D'Addario uses his awards expertise to fill the novel with insider details and a close look at the harsh realities of Hollywood, awards season, and being a women in the public eye. This was a perfect read for the thick of awards season for any awards junkie like myself.

A group of actresses compete to see who will claim the top prize in the lead up to Hollywood’s biggest night. As a born and raised Hollywood gossip hound, this was really fun to read during awards season. I did struggle to differentiate between the characters for a lot of the book. You can tell the author has a real insider’s perspective, which added to the book’s appeal.

I was so excited for this book based on the premise, but unfortunately, it didn’t meet my expectations. I thought there would be more gossip and intrigue, but the plot felt flat for me. Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy.

An amusing look at life for film actresses during “campaign season”. The story follows 5-6 actresses who are up for an award (presumably the Oscar) over the course of several weeks. The narrative switches between their points of view, and unfortunately, the timeline jumps around a bit. Consequently, the narrative feels a bit cluttered and it is sometimes difficult to keep track of the action. The action is limited, however, most of what happens takes place in the actress’s heads. They are all unreliable narrators, and a lot of time is spent on individual thoughts and feelings; consequently, the story takes forever to move forward. Despite these shortcomings, the story is well-written, the characters distinct, and I enjoyed feeling like an “insider”. Most of us have no idea what it is like to be nominated for an Oscar, this novel gives you an opportunity to see what it might be like. Recommend.

Daniel D'Addario's debut novel "The Talent" offers an insider's look at the cutthroat world of Hollywood's awards season, following five actresses competing for the Best Actress Oscar. The book provides an authentic behind-the-scenes perspective from a Variety chief correspondent, compelling audiences with its exploration of fame's pressures and the intricate machinery of Hollywood campaigns.

While the novel attempts to deconstruct the glamorous facade of Hollywood, revealing the complex personal struggles behind the red carpet, it struggles with narrative cohesion. The character voices sometimes blend together, and the pacing becomes uneven, with character development feeling inconsistent across the multiple perspectives of the nominated actresses.

D'Addario navigates the internal politics of awards season with insider knowledge, presenting nuanced archetypes including the child star, perennial nominee, and newcomer. However, the narrative can feel intentionally opaque, with moments that seem to deliberately withhold information from the reader, creating frustration rather than intrigue.

Despite its flaws, "The Talent" remains an intriguing glimpse into the high-stakes world of Hollywood recognition. Recommended for film industry enthusiasts and awards season followers, the novel earns 3.5 out of 5 stars. It may not be a perfect debut, but it offers a fascinating, if uneven, exploration of the psychological landscape of celebrity and the intense competition for recognition.

I really wanted to like the book more than I did, since it’s all about Hollywood and I love behind the scenes stuff from Hollywood. This though didn’t give me what I really wanted. I liked the set up and I liked getting to jump from women to women, but I feel like I never got to know any of the women well enough to really know how I felt about them. And not that it matters but I did not like who eventually won, although I’m glad there was an actual winner

I couldn't put this novel down. The Talent follows the five actresses nominated for the year's Oscar race as they launch their campaigns to win. Each is dealing with different issues--from the eternal loser to the constant winner, the new woman on the scene, the former child star, and the theater actress. The internal politics involved were fascinating--people who enjoy royal court or political dramas will enjoy this book. The one character who didn't quite land for me was Davinia--she seemed to be perceived completely different from her pov chapters, and to do things that didn't quite seem in character. I also didn't love the ending, aka the person who won the category, but I imagine that outcome will land different for different people, depending on whom they are rooting for. Overall, a great read, especially at this time of year.

I've loved award shows my entire life. The red carpet, the silly interviews, the beautiful dresses... everything a little nerd from Oklahoma thought was glamour. The Talent from Daniel D'Addario is a look at the five nominees for Best Actress at an "Oscar-type" award.

This isn't a fluffy, gossipy story. It deals with the stress of fame and the dirt behind the sparkle. The women, Adria, Davina, Bitty, Countess, and Jenny, are all struggling with something. The pretty outfits and smiles hide so much, and each woman feels that this award could be life-changing.

D'Addario is a Variety chief correspondent and a moderator of the Actors on Actors series, so he is writing from experience...I would assume. While reading, I was trying to figure out who he was talking about, especially as the Oscars are coming up quickly. Who is the 'always the bridesmaid", the child actor who has grown up, the secret lesbian, the alcoholic, and the three-time award winner? I have my ideas, but only D'Addario knows how much of real life he applied to The Talent.

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

Thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the advanced reader copy.

I really wanted to like this book--following four actresses, at different points in their careers, as they vie for nominations (and wins) in award season. The four women were distinctly different and I enjoyed getting to peek behind the curtain of the machine that is someone's "team," but the author kept dropping in these moments that made it feel like he was intentionally keeping the reader out of fully knowing the characters, which eventually was so frustrating that I had to quit reading. With so many books vying for a reader's attention, I wasn't keen to feel like the author was withholding information that wasn't vital to understanding the story, but was treating the reader like they needed to stand on the other side of the velvet rope.

The Talent is out February 25, 2025

definitely interesting characters but i find other parts of it a bit weak, like the overall story. 3.25 stars. tysm for the arc.

Wanted to love this one so much but I could never ground myself with the characters and their stories. Lost interest and wasn't able to finish. LOVE the idea of this- award season is my favorite time of year!

I’m simply not sure what to make of this book. As a huge fan of awards season (my favorite season!) and the author’s coverage of Hollywood, I thought this would be a slam dunk. I expected a salacious, page-turning look at catty actresses and juicy drama. However, I found it quite boring and unoriginal. I truly expected more from an author who has covered this world for years and who is fantastic at creating drama himself (I had also been a fan of his Twitter and oft controversial opinions.

As we follow 5 actresses all up for the top awards of the year, we learn about each one in alternating chapters. But a vast Hollywood narrative is not made - it’s almost like those 5 actresses, along with another one who isn’t nominated and one actor who is in two of the nominated movies and in a love triangle with two of them as well, are the only celebrities in the world! It felt insular and I didn’t learn all that much about each character since we bounce around a lot. I dunno, maybe I went in with too high expectations but it just wasn’t that I wanted it to be.

As someone who considers awards season the best season, I was instantly drawn to The Talent—a novel following five Best Actress nominees through the highs and lows of their Oscar campaigns. Unfortunately, I think I know too much about award season to fully enjoy this fictionalized version.

Daniel D’Addario, a former Variety writer, is well aware of the actual beats that define awards season—precursor awards, critics' prizes, and industry politics—but he seems to have streamlined the process in favor of building suspense for the final prize. While I get the narrative choice, it took me out of the story. (There are real moments of unpredictability in Oscar history—Marcia Gay Harden’s Supporting Actress win, anyone??)

The book also struggles to find its tone, oscillating between juicy celebrity gossip and overly sentimental moments. It didn’t fully live up to my expectations, but I did have fun casting the book in my head and decoding which real Hollywood figures inspired each character.

If you love all things celebrity culture, devour stories about Hollywood, and consider awards season to be your favorite season, THE TALENT is the book for you! I was so excited to read this one based on the plot description alone—I thought the premise was just so great. I really enjoyed Daniel D'Addario's writing style, and it's clear that he is so knowledgeable about the ins and outs of the film industry and the overall world the story takes place in, how stars navigate the chaos of awards season and what winning might mean for them, their careers, etc., as well as living in the public eye and being "in the business of being perceived." Similarly, D'Addario does a fantastic job of developing all five actresses as characters and fleshing out their backstories, as well as exploring the different relationship dynamics and tensions among them.

I will say that while I love stories with multiple POVs, and thought it was a great decision to include those here, I struggled a little with that choice in format initially/found it difficult to distinguish some of the voices from each other at first, and really hone in on their individual journeys. As the story went on, that aspect became easier for me, however! I would recommend THE TALENT, especially for film buffs who are eagerly awaiting Oscars Night and following everything related to awards season—this book is releasing at the perfect time! Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the ARC.