Tuesday 3 September 2013

Review: Revenge Wears Prada: The Devil Returns by Lauren Weisberger

Revenge Wears Prada: The Devil Returns (The Devil Wears Prada #2) by Lauren Weisberger.
Publisher: Harper Collins
Publication date: June 4th 2013
My rating: 4.5 stars. 


Everything's in place for the season's hottest launch: Tall latte (with two raw sugars)? Check. Gucci trench (draped over desk)? Check. Outrageous, unreasonable demands? Check. Andy has just turned thirty and is an incredibly successful magazine editor, working closely with her best friend Emily, another Runway survivor. She's about to get married - life's on track and she's been careful to stay clear of Miranda Priestly, her dreadful first boss. But Andy's luck is running out. Miranda Priestly isn't the kind of woman who hides in the background. She's back...and more devilish than ever.

I admit to being not a huge fan of The Devil Wears Prada book, it was a decent chick lit read, but after watching the film again recently (I’ve lost count the number of times I’ve watched it) that when I heard about the follow up book I felt really encouraged in giving it a go. And I’m so glad that I did because it was the best chick-lit book I have read in a long time.

In Revenge Wears Prada, we find ourselves back with Andy ten years after she left Miranda Priestly hanging at Paris fashion week. For Andy that was the worst year of her life, she didn’t expect that ten years later when Andy was actually happy with what was going on in her life that Miranda would once again threaten to have an impact in her life once more.

I adored Andy’s character, despite everyone saying that she had made the biggest mistake of her life those ten years ago; she was actually leading a successful life. Her magazine The Plunge had been bringing in a steady income for nearly the last three years and they had been having great success with big name stars lining up to feature in the magazine. And she was about to marry the love of her life Max. But then all of a sudden things started getting pretty stressful.

Andy had so much to deal with so early on that I found myself immediately backing her corner, the Andy we once knew had matured into an even more confident woman. It was easy not to form such a strong connection with her character as all she wanted to achieve was the best out of life. She was always one to think things through carefully and not make selfish, impulsive decisions like a lot of other characters did. I think this is one of the reasons I wasn’t able to rate Revenge wears Prada 5 stars, I absolutely adored this book, but a character who I really became to like over the course of the book, they had literally won me over made the biggest mistake possible. I think I was truly left heartbroken for a few days afterwards after things had gone down.

Weisberger did a brilliant job in creating new characters that were easy to fall hard and fast for. Max was an absolutely wonderful inclusion to this book; he was considerate, sweet and had some swoony moments. I admit that he did completely win me over with his gentle side that I didn’t pay attention in the slightest when some ex’s showed up on the scene. It was also great getting to know returning characters once more. Miranda once again was a difficult character to get my feelings around. Whereas I detested her immensely in The Devil wears Prada, she brought out a whole another side to her, that at times I was confused about whose character to believe.

Revenge Wears Prada was a wonderful follow up to the Devil Wears Prada. The wait for this book I would have to say was definitely worth it, with Weisberger bringing another entertaining story. There were some crazy stressful times, a pinch of heartbreak along the way (I am seriously still not over this betrayal!) but overall a whole lot of fun. If you’re in the mood for a fun read or a quick pick me up when feeling low, this is the perfect book to go to.



23 comments:

Vegan YA Nerds said...

If I saw this in a store, or even in the library, I would not have even looked twice at it because I didn't enjoy the first book or the flim. But now after reading your review, I would defo pick it up! It's always interesting when a sequel is set so long after the first book.

Christina Reads YA said...

Huh, I never knew there was a sequel to the first one! I never got to read it, actually only saw the movie, and whenever I read "Miranda Priestly," I think of Meryl Streep. There's no other way to conceptualize this book or its characters o.O. I keep thinking of Andy as Anne Hathaway, and I could totally see her playing out a much more confident Andy in this one too. Yikes! Thanks for not revealing which character made that mistake; it always is really sad when your favorite characters drop so far down your purview because of one action, though at least the new characters seemed to have helped make up for some of that. Glad you enjoyed the novel :). Sounds fantastic, and if I ever get around to reading the first, thanks to you, I now know about the second and that it's not to be missed.

Melanie said...

I've only ever seen the movie to Devil Wears Prada, though I've been meaning to read it for some time now. Never knew that there was a sequel so thanks for putting this under my radar!

Lovely review, Jasprit! <33

Mary @ BookSwarm said...

I enjoyed the first book (and movie) and was curious about this one but haven't picked it up. Andy's character was great, especially with her attitude and decision-making. I can understand being irritated with another character's poor choices, though!

Anonymous said...

I'll admit that I haven't read The Devil Wears Prada but I did watch the movie about 5000 times like you. Just a quick question first, are the book and the movie similar? Could I read this one without reading the first book?

I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed this sequel more than you enjoyed the first book. Andy sounds like she has really matured throughout the years and I definitely enjoy that with characters. Max sounds like a sweet guy as well.

Lovely review, Jasprit! :)

Keertana said...

I haven't read this book series and though I've seen the movie, I haven't been compelled to read the book as well. I think this one sounds interesting, though, so I should probably check it out, and I love the title! I'm glad you enjoyed this, Jasprit, and really felt for the characters - I love when that happens! Great review, dear!(:

Melissa (i swim for oceans) said...

I haven't read the first book in the series, but the movie was alright, so I'm intrigued to hear that there is a sequel to the first book. Plus, the fact that you liked the second installment and really enjoyed the characters, whereas you struggled with the first book really says something! Thanks for the amazing review, Jasprit!

Jasprit said...

I'm glad that I could convince you to give this book a try Mandee.

Jasprit said...

I read the first book so long ago, but watched the film recently and could get into the second book straight away just by watching the film (they are quite similar). The second book also recaps quite a lot so I don't think you'd be missing out on a lot by not reading the first book.

brandileigh2003 said...

I def think that I would solidly be in her corner as well

Unknown said...

After reading your review I feel like we read completely different books! I didn't have much respect for Andy, nor did I think she demonstrated any sort of confidence until the end of the novel, a shame since she was the same girl who told Miranda off at the end of the last book. The way she handled everything up to the end of the novel was by avoiding confrontation which to me doesn't demonstrate confidence. Honestly, I liked the Andy of The Devil Wears Prada much more than this Andy. However, I completely agree with you concerning Miranda! She is incredibly hard to read. I can never quite figure her out because she seems to be all over the place.

Henrietta @ Leisure Reads said...

It's good to know that you adored Andy's character. I always like to include something fun on my read list - thanks for sharing :)

Emma said...

I can't count the number of times I have watched the film. I love it. I really enjoyed the first book as well. I'm really interested as to how the sequel will compare and I'm so glad you connected with Andy more. I have a weakness for Chick-Lits sometimes like this one!:)

Do you think they will do another film? I hope so! :) Great review Jasprit. :)

Rachel said...

The film was one of my favorites. Its so nice that their is a great continuation to Andy's story. I hate it when characters I love make grim decisions too. Why can't they just always do the right thing?

Wonderful review Jasprit!

Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings said...

I barely remember the movie since I only saw it once. I do love a good chick lit book and I am always in the mood for a pick me up read. This sounds like a fun one to check out!

Unknown said...

I really liked TDWP, but never read the book. I wasn't aware of a sequel, but thinks it's such a cool idea. I'm glad you enjoyed Revenge so much, Jasprit.

Aneeqah said...

Okay, can I just say BAHAHA at the title for these books? Like, I seriously love the whole Prada thing.

But ahem, anyways, it seems like this is a chick-lit series I definitely need to pick up! I haven't read the first book of this series, but I think I will now, especially because you enjoyed this one so much, Jasprit. It's a lovely feeling when a sequel lives up to expectations, isn't it? =)

But, anyways, the characters definitely sound so strong in this one, especially the MC. I love how she actually stopped to think through her decisions- so many characters never do that! However, I'm so intrigued by the one character who makes a bad decision...

Max also sounds like a lovely romantic interest! I'm sure the whole ex's thing must have added some sense of drama onto the everything else already there- and it seems like there was so much going on already. I definitely like that kind of stuff in my contemps.

Lovely review, Jasprit! <3

Lauren @ Love is not a triangle said...

WHOA this is bringing me back! I think THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA completely stressed me out, and I was hesitant to get back into Andy's world. BUT this review has me rethinking that. I love that she's 10 years older and has grown up, and I'm curious to see her tackle Miranda again as someone who's come into her own. I may read this one now. Thanks for increasing my interest!

Wendy Darling said...

I never read the first book, but I'd heard there was a sequel and wondered how it stacked up! I wonder if they'll try and make the movie, too? All those people are still working, hah.

I love characters that are well drawn and funny and memorable. I'm glad you enjoyed it, Jasprit, and that it lived up to your expectations. Sequels can be so tough, especially when the story is revisited after such a long break.

Wendy @ The Midnight Garden

Kat C @ Books and Sensibility said...

It still boggles my mind (in a good way) that this book exists. I read the first book when I was 17 and just loved it. I thought my life was going to be just like it, so I am so happy to see a new one out.

Unknown said...

I haven't read the first one but I loved the film and after seeing how much you enjoyed the sequel I'll have to give it a go! What can I say, I love heartbreak :P
Great review, Jasprit!

Unknown said...

Ooh, I never heard there was a sequel! I never read the 1st one, but LOVED the movie. So I'll have to read both of them (and keep in mind that you adored this one way better). It sounds fantastic! Thanks for the lovely review, Jasprit!

Sara @ Forever 17 Books said...

I have not read the first book or even seen the movie! So glad you ended up liking this sequel. I must find time to rent the movie. :)

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