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Pagan Jones #1
The Notorious Pagan Jones
Pagan Jones went from America's sweetheart to fallen angel in one fateful night in 1960: the night a car accident killed her whole family. Pagan was behind the wheel and driving drunk. Nine months later, she's stuck in the Lighthouse Reformatory for Wayward Girls and tortured by her guilt — not to mention the sadistic Miss Edwards, who takes special delight in humiliating the once-great Pagan Jones.
But all of that is about to change. Pagan's old agent shows up with a mysterious studio executive, Devin Black, and an offer. Pagan will be released from juvenile detention if she accepts a juicy role in a comedy directed by award-winning director Bennie Wexler. The shoot starts in West Berlin in just three days. If Pagan's going to do it, she has to decide fast — and she has to agree to a court-appointed "guardian," the handsome yet infuriating Devin, who's too young, too smooth, and too sophisticated to be some studio flack.
The offer's too good to be true, Berlin's in turmoil and Devin Black knows way too much about her — there's definitely something fishy going on. But if anyone can take on a divided city, a scheming guardian and the criticism of a world that once adored her, it's the notorious Pagan Jones. What could go wrong?
But all of that is about to change. Pagan's old agent shows up with a mysterious studio executive, Devin Black, and an offer. Pagan will be released from juvenile detention if she accepts a juicy role in a comedy directed by award-winning director Bennie Wexler. The shoot starts in West Berlin in just three days. If Pagan's going to do it, she has to decide fast — and she has to agree to a court-appointed "guardian," the handsome yet infuriating Devin, who's too young, too smooth, and too sophisticated to be some studio flack.
The offer's too good to be true, Berlin's in turmoil and Devin Black knows way too much about her — there's definitely something fishy going on. But if anyone can take on a divided city, a scheming guardian and the criticism of a world that once adored her, it's the notorious Pagan Jones. What could go wrong?
368 pages, Paperback
First published May 26, 2015
10 people are currently reading
1876 people want to read
About the author
Nina Berry
14 books313 followersThanks so much for checking out my author page and my books! I no longer check messages or friend requests here on Goodreads, so please check out my website ninaberry.com for more info or if you'd like to get in touch.
____________________________________
YA writer, redhead, bodysurfer, Nina is the author of THE NOTORIOUS PAGAN JONES, CITY OF SPIES and the OTHERKIN series. Born in Honolulu, she now writes for teens from her secret lair in Hollywood.
Learn more at ninaberry.com, or you can find her on twitter @Ninaberry and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/writerninaberry.
Nina is represented by Tamar Rydzinksi at Laura Dail Literary Agency.
____________________________________
YA writer, redhead, bodysurfer, Nina is the author of THE NOTORIOUS PAGAN JONES, CITY OF SPIES and the OTHERKIN series. Born in Honolulu, she now writes for teens from her secret lair in Hollywood.
Learn more at ninaberry.com, or you can find her on twitter @Ninaberry and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/writerninaberry.
Nina is represented by Tamar Rydzinksi at Laura Dail Literary Agency.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
June 1, 2015
If you're a fan of Ruta Sepetys' OUT OF THE EASY or Elizabeth Wein's CODE NAME VERITY, you don't want to miss this. It's dark, fun, and completely engrossing!
May 4, 2015
The Notorious Pagan Jones is a new book by Nina Berry. It begins a series about a 16-year-old Hollywood starlet, Pagan Jones, with a tarnished reputation. I was intrigued by the premise and when an ARC showed up I jumped into it and was very glad that I did. This book is an utter whirlwind of a ride.
Pagan Jones didn't have the sweetest of 16th birthdays. While drinking and driving, she inadvertently caused the death of her father and her younger sister. Now, nine months later, she has been sentenced to the Lighthouse Reformatory School for Wayward Girls for manslaughter. She is removed from solitary confinement when she gets the offer of her life while two men, one name Devin Black and one named Jerry Allenberg, come to visit her. Jerry is her father's lawyer; a man with a deal from a studio that has offered Pagan the role of a lifetime along with her freedom. The other, Devin Black, is her new guardian assigned by the film studio who will ensure that she delivers the goods. Intrigued by the possibility of freedom, and career redemption, Pagan signs the contract and is whisked away to the filming location, West Berlin, Germany.
In 1961 there was a lot of unrest in Berlin. The city had been divided a decade earlier into East and West boroughs, the lines between Communism and Capitalism firmly drawn. There is a threat of a wall being erected to firmly enforce the division. Pagan watches the politics with a keen eye but pretends to ignore it, slipping into her movie star persona. All people know is that Pagan was a child star with an overbearing mother (who has since committed suicide) and a drinking habit that mucked up much of her behind-the-screen life. Had she not been drinking on the night of her birthday the remnants of her family might still be alive, a fact that she can never forget. Now, determined to make a go of the choicest role of her life, she puts on an act that she is much more than she is; carefree, sober, feather-brained, rehabilitated and, more importantly, well-adjusted.
During the book Pagan investigates her own family history. Her grandmother lived in Berlin before coming to the States and she uses the opportunity to find out more about her past. When she encounters resistance, she finds new ways to gain the information that she seeks; information that explains why her father kept a stack of seemingly mundane letters to his wife in his safe years after her suicide. Pagan knows that there is more to these letters than what dwells on the surface and she is determined to find the truth.
Pagan is a narrator that I instantly fell in love with. She is coy and confident yet under the surface brews a sense of unease and bitter tension. Pagan has a lot of PTSD from both the accident and her stint in the reformatory. Berry shows this by many small tells; Pagan's inability to sleep with pillows on her bed, her struggles with alcoholism and interactions with people, and her panic attacks that arise whenever she is around luxury convertible cars. She is also a tremendous character actress and uses this at every turn to gather information on people and use it to her own advantage. She is far more astute than anyone gives her credit for. She suspects that Devin Black, a man only a few years older than her, is more than what he seems. She gauges her co-workers and her boss with skillful precision and reacts accordingly to their social cues, even those that may hurt her. She is, in fact, a vibrant and brilliant young woman playing dumb the whole time. It's a fascinating character study that Berry has portrayed.
There's an interesting dichotomy between her and Devin Black as well. He seems to have a stake in Pagan that lies far beyond a mere guardianship. The two also display a mutual attraction that, were it to come to light, might jeopardize their relationship and her already blackened reputation. Pagan was once in love with a man named Nicky Raven, a popular singer who has since moved on in life and is dating another woman, an apparent copy of Pagan. Pagan knows that she still loves Nicky but she cannot help her growing attraction to Devin Black, a man who Pagan can tell is also putting on an act. The two have tremendous banter and play off of each other quite well. To be frank, I was shipping them the entire story.
I did have one problem with the book - the last 100 pages. I felt that the plot developed in a natural way that made sense, but I was a bit bored by the pacing of the last quarter. I feel that the book could have benefited from a little more editing to sharpen the action towards the end. In this I am clearly in the minority, as most of the reviews that I have read take issue with the first 300 pages of the book and not the latter. This was the part that I reveled in, the beginning. The character development was spot on and the building plot seemed weighty enough to carry a whole series (and I suspect that it will). But, for me, when the ending came it fell flat and it should not have. I can't even pinpoint what it is that I want to see more of, I just know I felt the lack of it in the end of this book. Perhaps I will get more of what I want in book two and it will completely convert my complaint. This has been known to happen.
Still, this book is fun and thrilling, an up-and-down roller coaster. I loved the people and the placement and the feel of the period. I loved that Berry made a realistic heroine in the 1960's who felt like a woman of the time and not a modern teenager completely out of context. I loved the atmosphere and the mystery within. I can't wait for more of Pagan Jones's adventures. She's every caper movie starlet and Bond girl fleshed out into brilliance and I loved her so much.
4 out of 5 stars.
- review courtesy of www.bibliopunkkreads.com
June 9, 2015
This is not my usual thing, but I picked up a copy at Winter Institute and the cover called to me. The cover tagline is also fabulous and a great hook.
Pagan Jones was a FUN FUN FUN heroine. She was also extremely sad (recovering alcoholic, responsible for the deaths of her father and younger sister), but she's, as one character puts it "clever, brave, and extremely determined". This is a spy story, sure, but also a story of a Hollywood starlet seeking redemption for past mistakes.
Berry did some impressive research into 1961 pop culture and Hollywood and Berlin, and the time period was super well-fleshed out. I even went onto Google and pulled up the entertainment magazines and cover articles she referenced Pagan reading on the plane. I'm always super over the moon about the little details like that. I'm glad the focus wasn't on fancy clothes and parties, so much as it was on the /action/ and /people/ at those parties. A ton of YA books (especially dystopian ones, figure that out) get bogged down by weighty descriptions of every single AHMAZING gown the protagonist gets to wear, and it was nice to not have that, except as a gentle reminder about 1961 fashion.
Pagan Jones was a FUN FUN FUN heroine. She was also extremely sad (recovering alcoholic, responsible for the deaths of her father and younger sister), but she's, as one character puts it "clever, brave, and extremely determined". This is a spy story, sure, but also a story of a Hollywood starlet seeking redemption for past mistakes.
Berry did some impressive research into 1961 pop culture and Hollywood and Berlin, and the time period was super well-fleshed out. I even went onto Google and pulled up the entertainment magazines and cover articles she referenced Pagan reading on the plane. I'm always super over the moon about the little details like that. I'm glad the focus wasn't on fancy clothes and parties, so much as it was on the /action/ and /people/ at those parties. A ton of YA books (especially dystopian ones, figure that out) get bogged down by weighty descriptions of every single AHMAZING gown the protagonist gets to wear, and it was nice to not have that, except as a gentle reminder about 1961 fashion.
November 19, 2014
Okay truth-telling time, I read this book a bunch of times because I acquired and edited it for Harlequin. So I'm a bit biased. But believe me -- you DON'T want to miss this one. Utterly brilliant, fun, gripping, and somehow still incredibly historically accurate/educational. If you're a fan of historical novels by Ruta Sepetys and Elizabeth Wein, this is one for you.
March 13, 2016
To see review with gif click here.
It’s been a DNF week. I do not lie about that. The one good thing about DNF’ing things left and right is that I am sort of catching up on my GoodReads reading challenge. Though some people might find that a bit of a cheat, but I don’t. And that’s all that matters.
With Downton Abbey ending I have been craving period pieces. I’ve had The Notorious Pagan Jones in my TBR pile for what seems forever. The premises intrigued me enough, but with the bar and everything else I just sort of forgot about it.
The Notorious Pagan Jones takes place in the 1960’s at the height of the Cold War. Pagan is a fallen film star, think Lohan but with manslaughter added to her record.
Honestly, I didn’t like Pagan.
I like imperfect heroines, but I like them to own their fuckups. Pagan really doesn’t seem to think she deserves to be in jail, she tried to escape, despite killing her entire family.
To be fair though, if this was 2016 she’d probably have a pretty good defense using the affluenza card. Though in 1960, being a poor little rich girl couldn’t get you off on manslaughter. It could though get you out of jail for free if you had the right connections and you were THE only actress who could play some minor film role.
To be honest, I think the book planned on expanding this point further, but as previous mentioned I DNF’d the book because 200 pages in, I still couldn’t see where they were going with this.
Pagan, obviously, wasn’t a very sympathetic character and other than her the only character were given any sort of details of was her guardian/love interest, Devin Black, and I didn’t care for him too much either. The fact that he’s her nineteen-year-old guardian-who has no blood relation to Pagan (tell me exactly how that happens-current hypothesis is he’s a vampire or something that’s really a lot older than nineteen much like Edward Cullen) and sort of has a thing for her has me dumbfounded. Much like the fact that a judge would allow a convicted felon to go to a foreign country to shoot a movie.
I did like that Berry was going to explore this era in history, but honestly with what I saw I lost interest. Having a Ethan Couch/Lindsay Lohan hybrid who just mopes and complains about her circumstances is just really not that endearing to me. All I wanted to do was shake her and tell her than she killed two people and that she is a horrible person because she doesn’t realize the severity of her circumstances or at least attempts to repent.
It’s been a DNF week. I do not lie about that. The one good thing about DNF’ing things left and right is that I am sort of catching up on my GoodReads reading challenge. Though some people might find that a bit of a cheat, but I don’t. And that’s all that matters.
With Downton Abbey ending I have been craving period pieces. I’ve had The Notorious Pagan Jones in my TBR pile for what seems forever. The premises intrigued me enough, but with the bar and everything else I just sort of forgot about it.
The Notorious Pagan Jones takes place in the 1960’s at the height of the Cold War. Pagan is a fallen film star, think Lohan but with manslaughter added to her record.
Honestly, I didn’t like Pagan.
I like imperfect heroines, but I like them to own their fuckups. Pagan really doesn’t seem to think she deserves to be in jail, she tried to escape, despite killing her entire family.
To be fair though, if this was 2016 she’d probably have a pretty good defense using the affluenza card. Though in 1960, being a poor little rich girl couldn’t get you off on manslaughter. It could though get you out of jail for free if you had the right connections and you were THE only actress who could play some minor film role.
To be honest, I think the book planned on expanding this point further, but as previous mentioned I DNF’d the book because 200 pages in, I still couldn’t see where they were going with this.
Pagan, obviously, wasn’t a very sympathetic character and other than her the only character were given any sort of details of was her guardian/love interest, Devin Black, and I didn’t care for him too much either. The fact that he’s her nineteen-year-old guardian-who has no blood relation to Pagan (tell me exactly how that happens-current hypothesis is he’s a vampire or something that’s really a lot older than nineteen much like Edward Cullen) and sort of has a thing for her has me dumbfounded. Much like the fact that a judge would allow a convicted felon to go to a foreign country to shoot a movie.
I did like that Berry was going to explore this era in history, but honestly with what I saw I lost interest. Having a Ethan Couch/Lindsay Lohan hybrid who just mopes and complains about her circumstances is just really not that endearing to me. All I wanted to do was shake her and tell her than she killed two people and that she is a horrible person because she doesn’t realize the severity of her circumstances or at least attempts to repent.
December 12, 2015
Esse livro é perfeito para quem ama História e aventura. A personagem principal é carismática e esperta. Fez com que eu torcesse por ela desde o princípio. Como a autora conduziu o desenvolvimento dela que foi meu problema. Momentos emocionais aconteciam em partes bizarras da trama, fazendo com que minha suspensão de descrença fosse... Bem, suspensa! Heheehhehehe.
Não imaginava que a história fosse envolver as turbulências alemãs durante a Guerra Fria, mas isso foi uma grata surpresa. Principalmente porque fica óbvio o cuidado da Nina Berry na pesquisa histórica para o desenvolvimento de seu enredo e narração.
Esse livro não é super profundo, mas definitivamente é divertido e rápido de ler.
Não imaginava que a história fosse envolver as turbulências alemãs durante a Guerra Fria, mas isso foi uma grata surpresa. Principalmente porque fica óbvio o cuidado da Nina Berry na pesquisa histórica para o desenvolvimento de seu enredo e narração.
Esse livro não é super profundo, mas definitivamente é divertido e rápido de ler.
March 9, 2016
*Source* Library
*Genre* Young Adult, Historical Fiction
*Rating* 4.0
*My Thoughts*
*Key Characters* Pagan Jones, Devin Black, Thomas Kruger
The Notorious Pagan Jones is the first chapter in Nina Berry's Pagan Jones series. 16-year old Pagan Jones was once an up and coming actress who had a bright future ahead of her. She won a Golden Globe award and a British Academy Film Award (BAFA). She could have been the next Marilyn Monroe if she had kept her head on straight. But, that was before her mother Eva died, which led her to become a major alcoholic, which lead her to driving her car that killed her remaining family; her father and younger sister Ava.
*Full Review Posted @ Gizmos Reviews 03/09/2016*
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
Published May 26th 2015 by Harlequin Teen
*Genre* Young Adult, Historical Fiction
*Rating* 4.0
*My Thoughts*
*Key Characters* Pagan Jones, Devin Black, Thomas Kruger
The Notorious Pagan Jones is the first chapter in Nina Berry's Pagan Jones series. 16-year old Pagan Jones was once an up and coming actress who had a bright future ahead of her. She won a Golden Globe award and a British Academy Film Award (BAFA). She could have been the next Marilyn Monroe if she had kept her head on straight. But, that was before her mother Eva died, which led her to become a major alcoholic, which lead her to driving her car that killed her remaining family; her father and younger sister Ava.
*Full Review Posted @ Gizmos Reviews 03/09/2016*
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
Published May 26th 2015 by Harlequin Teen
February 28, 2015
Loved the main character--the archetypal bad girl with a good heart in there, somewhere--and the setting: Hollywood and Berlin (and East Berlin, ooh!) in 1961. I felt like it was a kind of YA Mad Men episode there was so much historical color: the teased, cotton candy hair-dos, the winged black eyeliner, the girdles for teenagers, the rooms full of cigarette smoke and all those martinis... In addition to the color and characters, there are many mysteries that make you want to keep turning the page.
June 5, 2022
THIS BOOK WAS
Look, this is the literary equivalent of a big, loud summer popcorn action movie. It’s not going to win any awards, but it is action-packed, CRAZY RIDICULOUS and loads of fun.
On the way home from her 16th birthday party in 1961, drunk teen starlet Pagan Jones drove her cherry red Corvette off a cliff in the Hollywood Hills and killed her father and younger sister. She’s sent off in disgrace to the oh-so-dramatically named Lighthouse Reformatory for Wayward Girls. After a thwarted escape attempt, Pagan is thrown into solitary confinement. But suddenly a white knight shows up to rescue her in the form of a hotshot studio executive named Devin. Devin informs her that she’s being released from juvie 2 years early so she can replace a pregnant actress in a new movie being filmed in East Germany by a big-time director. All she has to do is stay sober during the shoot; if she doesn't, she's off the movie and back in juvie. He also informs Pagan that he’s now her legal guardian. Even though he’s only 19. Because OF COURSE. It only makes sense that a cute 16-year-old starlet becomes the ward of a hot, mysterious, sophisticated 19-year-old guy, right? Pagan is both indignant and turned on.
She’s also highly suspicious because it was cake getting her out of juvie. She has to get to the bottom of this! She also decides somewhere along the way that her mother’s suicide 4 years earlier is also suspicious, so now she has two mysteries to solve.
ANYHOO. Pagan gets spruced up by a Hollywood glam squad and fitted out in the latest Dior fashions (seriously, Pagan and her Dior suit dress need to get a damn room as much as she lusts over it). She decides she’s going to show Devin who is boss. She breaks into her dad’s safe and steals files of papers, sneaks out from under the nose of Hot Guardian and heads to the airport. She wants to show him he’s not in control? By flying to West Germany first? It’s kind of bizarre. But Devin is SO SMART that he’s anticipated her every move. He buys up all the tickets so she has to have a layover in NYC, where he catches up to her. She’s pissed but turned on. This will be a common theme from here on out.
Once on location, she’s pissed (but turned on) when she finds that she has to share her hotel suite with Devin. The nerve! But oh, is he in the other room thinking about her? Cause she’s TOTALLY not thinking about his hot bod in her room! Many attempts to outwit and figure out his ~mysterious ways ensue. She goes through his things. She finds a gun! Is she in danger? Yet another mystery to solve!
Pagan strikes up a friendship with her handsome East German co-star Thomas. Pagan notices he seems to have ~issues with Devin, too. So she & Thomas start spending a lot of time together. Take that, Devin!
(Oooh will there be a love triangle? Or maybe a love square…)
A night out on the town with Thomas turns disastrous after Pagan runs into her ex-boyfriend Nicky Raven (think Elvis mixed with Vic Damone or some other early 60s crooner) and his new wife Donna. Donna is a Pagan lookalike. Pagan is brokenhearted and drinks 2 martinis. Her director finds her staggering around the club and fires her from the movie. Distraught, she somehow manages to hide in her hotel suite and fool Devin into thinking she’s not there. (Nevermind that NO ONE has been able to outsmart him at ANYTHING through the entire novel thus far.) She overhears him saying shady stuff on the phone! In a Scottish accent instead of his boring American one!
Thomas invites her to a garden party at the home of Walter Ulbricht in East Germany. Y’know, on the historic night when he locks down the border and starts building the Berlin Wall. Because, of course. While there, Thomas is tortured! Pagan is questioned by the Stasi! Which causes Pagan to think…
These ugly old men were being unnecessarily mean. But they were interfering with her life. It was late; she needed her beauty sleep.
(I’m a bit sorry I listened to this instead of reading it because I COULD QUOTE THIS BONKERS NOVEL FOR DAYS.)
Pagan breezes through her interrogation by straight-up Elle Woods’ing the crap out of the Stasi. I kid you not. By playing dumb, she manages to escape Ulbricht’s house (which is crawling with armed soldiers), free Thomas, race back to East Berlin in the dark, arriving just in time to rescue his mom & sister from the police Ulbricht sent to arrest them. She is chased through the streets & shot at by Stasi! She eludes tanks! She knocks out a soldier by toppling a statue of Karl Marx on his head! When she finally finds herself safely back in West Berlin (with the help of two drunk Hawaiian shirt-wearing American businessmen named Bob and Dickie…because of course), a relieved Devin FINALLY breaks the tension and kisses her. And they end up in bed together. Only he’s on top of the covers, she’s underneath because this may be published by Harlequin, but it’s still YA. (But ooh-la-la she’s in her bra and panties and guess how undressed her…)
She later finds out that she’s saved the lives of Thomas and her family. She’s rehired for the movie! She’s a hero! Devin admits she was released from juvie and specifically hired for the movie because Because of her hapless heroism, Devin’s handler suggests the CIA might be in touch with her someday. BECAUSE OF COURSE. The ending sets up perfectly for a sequel, promising more ditsy teen starlet antics mixed with Cold War intrigue!
Thankfully, there was no love triangle (or square). Enemies to lovers is kind of a fun trope, even if it is predictable.
I was interested in this book because I like fictionalized accounts of Old Hollywood. I wasn’t expecting spy antics. Or the utter ridiculousness of Devin’s entire existence:
Look, this is the literary equivalent of a big, loud summer popcorn action movie. It’s not going to win any awards, but it is action-packed, CRAZY RIDICULOUS and loads of fun.
On the way home from her 16th birthday party in 1961, drunk teen starlet Pagan Jones drove her cherry red Corvette off a cliff in the Hollywood Hills and killed her father and younger sister. She’s sent off in disgrace to the oh-so-dramatically named Lighthouse Reformatory for Wayward Girls. After a thwarted escape attempt, Pagan is thrown into solitary confinement. But suddenly a white knight shows up to rescue her in the form of a hotshot studio executive named Devin. Devin informs her that she’s being released from juvie 2 years early so she can replace a pregnant actress in a new movie being filmed in East Germany by a big-time director. All she has to do is stay sober during the shoot; if she doesn't, she's off the movie and back in juvie. He also informs Pagan that he’s now her legal guardian. Even though he’s only 19. Because OF COURSE. It only makes sense that a cute 16-year-old starlet becomes the ward of a hot, mysterious, sophisticated 19-year-old guy, right? Pagan is both indignant and turned on.
She’s also highly suspicious because it was cake getting her out of juvie. She has to get to the bottom of this! She also decides somewhere along the way that her mother’s suicide 4 years earlier is also suspicious, so now she has two mysteries to solve.
ANYHOO. Pagan gets spruced up by a Hollywood glam squad and fitted out in the latest Dior fashions (seriously, Pagan and her Dior suit dress need to get a damn room as much as she lusts over it). She decides she’s going to show Devin who is boss. She breaks into her dad’s safe and steals files of papers, sneaks out from under the nose of Hot Guardian and heads to the airport. She wants to show him he’s not in control? By flying to West Germany first? It’s kind of bizarre. But Devin is SO SMART that he’s anticipated her every move. He buys up all the tickets so she has to have a layover in NYC, where he catches up to her. She’s pissed but turned on. This will be a common theme from here on out.
Once on location, she’s pissed (but turned on) when she finds that she has to share her hotel suite with Devin. The nerve! But oh, is he in the other room thinking about her? Cause she’s TOTALLY not thinking about his hot bod in her room! Many attempts to outwit and figure out his ~mysterious ways ensue. She goes through his things. She finds a gun! Is she in danger? Yet another mystery to solve!
Pagan strikes up a friendship with her handsome East German co-star Thomas. Pagan notices he seems to have ~issues with Devin, too. So she & Thomas start spending a lot of time together. Take that, Devin!
(Oooh will there be a love triangle? Or maybe a love square…)
A night out on the town with Thomas turns disastrous after Pagan runs into her ex-boyfriend Nicky Raven (think Elvis mixed with Vic Damone or some other early 60s crooner) and his new wife Donna. Donna is a Pagan lookalike. Pagan is brokenhearted and drinks 2 martinis. Her director finds her staggering around the club and fires her from the movie. Distraught, she somehow manages to hide in her hotel suite and fool Devin into thinking she’s not there. (Nevermind that NO ONE has been able to outsmart him at ANYTHING through the entire novel thus far.) She overhears him saying shady stuff on the phone! In a Scottish accent instead of his boring American one!
Thomas invites her to a garden party at the home of Walter Ulbricht in East Germany. Y’know, on the historic night when he locks down the border and starts building the Berlin Wall. Because, of course. While there, Thomas is tortured! Pagan is questioned by the Stasi! Which causes Pagan to think…
These ugly old men were being unnecessarily mean. But they were interfering with her life. It was late; she needed her beauty sleep.
(I’m a bit sorry I listened to this instead of reading it because I COULD QUOTE THIS BONKERS NOVEL FOR DAYS.)
Pagan breezes through her interrogation by straight-up Elle Woods’ing the crap out of the Stasi. I kid you not. By playing dumb, she manages to escape Ulbricht’s house (which is crawling with armed soldiers), free Thomas, race back to East Berlin in the dark, arriving just in time to rescue his mom & sister from the police Ulbricht sent to arrest them. She is chased through the streets & shot at by Stasi! She eludes tanks! She knocks out a soldier by toppling a statue of Karl Marx on his head! When she finally finds herself safely back in West Berlin (with the help of two drunk Hawaiian shirt-wearing American businessmen named Bob and Dickie…because of course), a relieved Devin FINALLY breaks the tension and kisses her. And they end up in bed together. Only he’s on top of the covers, she’s underneath because this may be published by Harlequin, but it’s still YA. (But ooh-la-la she’s in her bra and panties and guess how undressed her…)
She later finds out that she’s saved the lives of Thomas and her family. She’s rehired for the movie! She’s a hero! Devin admits she was released from juvie and specifically hired for the movie because Because of her hapless heroism, Devin’s handler suggests the CIA might be in touch with her someday. BECAUSE OF COURSE. The ending sets up perfectly for a sequel, promising more ditsy teen starlet antics mixed with Cold War intrigue!
Thankfully, there was no love triangle (or square). Enemies to lovers is kind of a fun trope, even if it is predictable.
I was interested in this book because I like fictionalized accounts of Old Hollywood. I wasn’t expecting spy antics. Or the utter ridiculousness of Devin’s entire existence:
December 10, 2018
The Notorious Pagan Jones sounded very much like a Christina book, with the historical setting, the old Hollywood appeal, and a romantic mystery. While left feeling a bit distant, I did quite enjoy The Notorious Pagan Jones.
One thing that I really enjoyed about The Notorious Pagan Jones was the setting. There are a lot of books set during WWII, but there aren’t nearly so many set in post-WWII Berlin, especially in YA which doesn’t do much historical anyway. Set against the backdrop of the period just before the Berlin wall went up, Berry captures a moment in time that doesn’t often get a lot of attention. She captures a wide range of experiences in both East and West Berlin; it’s not an in depth study, but I thought she did a pretty good job with the set up.
I actually also liked Pagan herself quite a bit. Evans does a great job voicing Pagan. Growing up as a child actor is tough, and, when the novel opens, Pagan’s in a Reformatory for Wayward Girls because she’s an alcoholic who drove drunk and killed her family. The fact of Pagan’s alcoholism is very well done, and it fairly subtly points to what a mess the industry is, without actively preaching. Pagan’s a mess, but she’s sympathetic.
However, plot-wise, I had pretty serious believability issues. Pagan’s rescued from the Reformatory for a role in a movie filming in West Berlin to play a privileged American teen who falls in love with a communist boy from East Berlin. The mysterious Devin Black, sexy 19 year-old, is assigned to serve as her court-appointed guardian (and love interest). Shockingly, spying is going on. Sure, maaaaaybe they would bring her to Berlin because some influential man’s son is a fan and they can use her for invites to parties, but no way in hell would a teen be assigned to be her guardian. I know we wanted that romance, but come on now. The climax is also back to back unbelievable spy stuff. It’s fun, but it didn’t totally work for me.
The audiobook specifically had some problems. Evans does a great job reading for Pagan, and I really liked most of her delivery (Devin does a Scottish accent sometimes, and I wasn’t a fan of that but whatever). However, I took German for seven years, and no one at Audible bothered to look up how words in German are pronounced. As I’ve found in other audiobooks, Fräulein is pronounced like the umlauts aren’t present (WRONG), Mutter is pronounced like American word for mumbling and not the German word for mother, and more complex words like Sicherheit I only figured out through context because the pronunciation was so butchered. JUST GOOGLE THE WORDS. THERE ARE PRONUNCIATIONS ONLINE. IT REALLY ISN’T FUCKING HARD.
On the whole, The Notorious Pagan Jones was a really good listen, though I’m disappointed with the production quality in terms of pronunciation. I liked it enough to proceed to book two.
One thing that I really enjoyed about The Notorious Pagan Jones was the setting. There are a lot of books set during WWII, but there aren’t nearly so many set in post-WWII Berlin, especially in YA which doesn’t do much historical anyway. Set against the backdrop of the period just before the Berlin wall went up, Berry captures a moment in time that doesn’t often get a lot of attention. She captures a wide range of experiences in both East and West Berlin; it’s not an in depth study, but I thought she did a pretty good job with the set up.
I actually also liked Pagan herself quite a bit. Evans does a great job voicing Pagan. Growing up as a child actor is tough, and, when the novel opens, Pagan’s in a Reformatory for Wayward Girls because she’s an alcoholic who drove drunk and killed her family. The fact of Pagan’s alcoholism is very well done, and it fairly subtly points to what a mess the industry is, without actively preaching. Pagan’s a mess, but she’s sympathetic.
However, plot-wise, I had pretty serious believability issues. Pagan’s rescued from the Reformatory for a role in a movie filming in West Berlin to play a privileged American teen who falls in love with a communist boy from East Berlin. The mysterious Devin Black, sexy 19 year-old, is assigned to serve as her court-appointed guardian (and love interest). Shockingly, spying is going on. Sure, maaaaaybe they would bring her to Berlin because some influential man’s son is a fan and they can use her for invites to parties, but no way in hell would a teen be assigned to be her guardian. I know we wanted that romance, but come on now. The climax is also back to back unbelievable spy stuff. It’s fun, but it didn’t totally work for me.
The audiobook specifically had some problems. Evans does a great job reading for Pagan, and I really liked most of her delivery (Devin does a Scottish accent sometimes, and I wasn’t a fan of that but whatever). However, I took German for seven years, and no one at Audible bothered to look up how words in German are pronounced. As I’ve found in other audiobooks, Fräulein is pronounced like the umlauts aren’t present (WRONG), Mutter is pronounced like American word for mumbling and not the German word for mother, and more complex words like Sicherheit I only figured out through context because the pronunciation was so butchered. JUST GOOGLE THE WORDS. THERE ARE PRONUNCIATIONS ONLINE. IT REALLY ISN’T FUCKING HARD.
On the whole, The Notorious Pagan Jones was a really good listen, though I’m disappointed with the production quality in terms of pronunciation. I liked it enough to proceed to book two.
January 23, 2019
I was interested in the story line all the way through, even though it was unbelievable
March 31, 2015
Nothing really happens until page 300. Until then I had to suffer through the Notorious unlikeable Pagan Jones.
She's whiny and complains about her escort who got her out of jail and on a movie set but she thinks he's hot.
This is supposed to be historical fiction and the significance of Berlin in 1961 isn't revealed until the end. I don't know world history well b/c I didn't take it in high school. I just know that this was post Hitler and pre Cold War but I don't know what's happening in Berlin in 1961 and you won't either until the end or unless you Google it. I didn't want to Google it because a good historical fiction novel is supposed to be informative. This book was far more telling than showing. It was like a history book. They would take Pagan on tours and explain everything to her. It would have been better if she was German and in the middle of her country in turmoil.
This is petty but I was sick of hearing about Pagan's Givenchy outfits and her Hermes bag. She's wealthy, I get it. Teens won't even be able to properly pronounce Givenchy and Hermes let alone know what it is.
It was a bit predictable.
Writing wasn't terrible but it wasn't special either.
None of the characters where interesting. Devin Black was kind of interesting but I just stopped caring.
Overall, it was boring. Nothing happens. Pagan Jones isn't likable. The historical fiction part seemed like a backdrop to her outfits, her drinking problem, and her career-page 1-300 was about her career and her issues and page 300-387 was about the historical significance of Berlin in 1961.
She's whiny and complains about her escort who got her out of jail and on a movie set but she thinks he's hot.
This is supposed to be historical fiction and the significance of Berlin in 1961 isn't revealed until the end. I don't know world history well b/c I didn't take it in high school. I just know that this was post Hitler and pre Cold War but I don't know what's happening in Berlin in 1961 and you won't either until the end or unless you Google it. I didn't want to Google it because a good historical fiction novel is supposed to be informative. This book was far more telling than showing. It was like a history book. They would take Pagan on tours and explain everything to her. It would have been better if she was German and in the middle of her country in turmoil.
This is petty but I was sick of hearing about Pagan's Givenchy outfits and her Hermes bag. She's wealthy, I get it. Teens won't even be able to properly pronounce Givenchy and Hermes let alone know what it is.
It was a bit predictable.
Writing wasn't terrible but it wasn't special either.
None of the characters where interesting. Devin Black was kind of interesting but I just stopped caring.
Overall, it was boring. Nothing happens. Pagan Jones isn't likable. The historical fiction part seemed like a backdrop to her outfits, her drinking problem, and her career-page 1-300 was about her career and her issues and page 300-387 was about the historical significance of Berlin in 1961.
June 5, 2015
Pagan is a fallen star, sent to jail after accidentally killing her family while driving drunk. When she gets the chance to get out of jail as long as she stars in a movie in Berlin, she jumps at the chance. But political unrest between East and West Germany are growing and Pagan is seeing them all happening. Will she be able to stay sober to stay in the movie, and will the political unrest affect her?
All of the characters were so well thought out and I could really tell how historically accurate everything was. I really felt like I was in Berlin at this time.
As you can see, I really loved this book. The plot was very well thought out and had just enough things happening at a given time to make it perfectly spaced out. I didn't feel at all like there were any boring parts and I loved that.
The characters were all 3D. I felt like I knew each one of them like they were my best friend, but I also liked how they sometimes surprised me. Pagan was a kick-butt heroine and I loved that. I also liked how there wasn't insti-love and she was still trying to get over Nicky.
I had no problems with this book and I really loved it. I would strongly recommend it for people who want to read some things about the Berlin Wall. I loved how unique it was and how it wasn't fluffy at all like I thought it would be. In ways it reminded me of Nancy Drew and I really liked that.
***Thanks go out to Goodreads Firstreads and Harlequin Teen for providing me with an ARC of this book!***
All of the characters were so well thought out and I could really tell how historically accurate everything was. I really felt like I was in Berlin at this time.
As you can see, I really loved this book. The plot was very well thought out and had just enough things happening at a given time to make it perfectly spaced out. I didn't feel at all like there were any boring parts and I loved that.
The characters were all 3D. I felt like I knew each one of them like they were my best friend, but I also liked how they sometimes surprised me. Pagan was a kick-butt heroine and I loved that. I also liked how there wasn't insti-love and she was still trying to get over Nicky.
I had no problems with this book and I really loved it. I would strongly recommend it for people who want to read some things about the Berlin Wall. I loved how unique it was and how it wasn't fluffy at all like I thought it would be. In ways it reminded me of Nancy Drew and I really liked that.
***Thanks go out to Goodreads Firstreads and Harlequin Teen for providing me with an ARC of this book!***
July 7, 2015
The Notorious Pagan Jones was a total surprise to me. The description sounded like it was going to be overstuffed with content and focused on yet another silly young adult romance. Instead, the novel turned all my expectations on my head and was a delight to read. The different situations and characters were complex and interesting, and exploring the mystery behind Pagan's circumstances was deftly handled. Placing the novel around the beginning of the Berlin Wall was a fresh setting, this is an area of history that I'm not very familiar with. Pagan herself was a capable and clever protagonist with flaws and weaknesses that were treated with respect and consequence. I really appreciated the depiction of Pagan's alcoholism: the story wasn't about her alcoholism, but her actions reflected the influence of the addiction. I appreciated that the romance wasn't forced down the reader's throat, although I did find it to be a little unnecessary at times.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys young adult fiction, historical mysteries or a well-rounded cast of characters.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys young adult fiction, historical mysteries or a well-rounded cast of characters.
September 13, 2016
Basically if a whip-smart Lindsay Lohan/Marilyn Monroe starred in a comedy film in 1960 in Germany.
Pagan Jones, a recovering alcoholic at only 16 and famous movie actress, gets shipped off to Berlin to film a movie, but events quickly spiral out of control as Cold War tensions rise.
Protagonists with addictions make me antsy. I want people to overcome addictions so badly, but it's so easy to slip up. I rooted so hard for Pagan to overcome her struggles because she's just so dang likable. She's an incredible actress, clever, observant, and a good girl at heart, no matter how she acts like she isn't. The rest of the characters are promising though few have time to be really developed besides Thomas. Hopefully we'll see them get more on screen time in book 2.
Pagan Jones, a recovering alcoholic at only 16 and famous movie actress, gets shipped off to Berlin to film a movie, but events quickly spiral out of control as Cold War tensions rise.
Protagonists with addictions make me antsy. I want people to overcome addictions so badly, but it's so easy to slip up. I rooted so hard for Pagan to overcome her struggles because she's just so dang likable. She's an incredible actress, clever, observant, and a good girl at heart, no matter how she acts like she isn't. The rest of the characters are promising though few have time to be really developed besides Thomas. Hopefully we'll see them get more on screen time in book 2.
May 19, 2015
A great twist on the post-WWII spy novel, Pagan will keep you guessing as she dashes around the divided but as yet unwalled Berlin of the early 1960s. I've been a crazy Germanophile since majoring in German Studies in college, and I've visited Berlin multiple times. I am tremendously impressed by Berry's knowledge of geography and history. The setting was so evocative I felt like I was right there tailing Pagan. Pagan is now one of my new fave heroines--a fully rendered brave teen starlet whose humility tempers her fame. Her compulsion to help others is driven by some rough experiences in her past, and I can see her making a huge difference in other characters' lives in the next books in the series--which I'm already impatiently anticipating.
July 14, 2015
This book was excellent! It had just the right amounts of Hollywood, romance, and spy stuff. The way Nina Berry writes makes it feel like you're actually there and seeing the things she's describing. In my opinion, not many authors can do that, but she pulls it off effortlessly. This is only book one in the series, so I can't wait until book 2 comes out next spring and I can continue reading about the exciting adventures of Pagan Jones!
June 21, 2015
This book was written by one of my husband's close friends from high school. It is young adult fiction. As an adult I have not read a lot of YA fiction (Harry Potter- 5 stars, Hunger Games- 4 stars, Twilight- stopped reading). The novel was set during the formation of the Berlin Wall and provided some interesting history. The plot also drew me in and was a well-paced mystery.
January 31, 2016
4.5 Stars
August 29, 2021
I wanted Pagan to be more in on what was going on rather than kept in the dark for so long, other than that though I don’t really have any complaints.
Even if Pagan isn’t fully involved in the spy action until closer to the end, from early on she is investigating her mom’s past, trying to figure out her man of mystery guardian Devin, there’s the constant question of will she fall off the wagon and when things do turn more action-oriented it’s very much Pagan taking the lead on that, so there is still plenty of intrigue here even if it ultimately wasn’t as much of a full on spy story as I’d anticipated going in.
The time period details lived up to my expectations without going overboard or slowing things, I especially loved the fashion and glimpses of movie-making in that era.
I enjoyed Pagan’s chemistry with Devin (he’s only three years older and not a guardian in a parental sense so it’s not creepy) yet at the same time I appreciated that a romance between them never became the primary focus of the book given that there were other aspects to the story that I felt like were more vital to the development of Pagan’s character.
I loved every messy bit of Pagan’s personality and her life, the guilt and PTSD she carries over what she did to her dad and sister were palpable and brilliantly came into play at a pivotal moment, her lingering feelings for/and scenes with the ex who abandoned her were completely absorbing, and maybe more than anything else I liked that her drinking problem is handled realistically, ever present, ever challenging for her.
Even if Pagan isn’t fully involved in the spy action until closer to the end, from early on she is investigating her mom’s past, trying to figure out her man of mystery guardian Devin, there’s the constant question of will she fall off the wagon and when things do turn more action-oriented it’s very much Pagan taking the lead on that, so there is still plenty of intrigue here even if it ultimately wasn’t as much of a full on spy story as I’d anticipated going in.
The time period details lived up to my expectations without going overboard or slowing things, I especially loved the fashion and glimpses of movie-making in that era.
I enjoyed Pagan’s chemistry with Devin (he’s only three years older and not a guardian in a parental sense so it’s not creepy) yet at the same time I appreciated that a romance between them never became the primary focus of the book given that there were other aspects to the story that I felt like were more vital to the development of Pagan’s character.
I loved every messy bit of Pagan’s personality and her life, the guilt and PTSD she carries over what she did to her dad and sister were palpable and brilliantly came into play at a pivotal moment, her lingering feelings for/and scenes with the ex who abandoned her were completely absorbing, and maybe more than anything else I liked that her drinking problem is handled realistically, ever present, ever challenging for her.
October 13, 2022
This is a 90's-Hollywood-action-movies kind of ridiculous fun. I found the plot very refreshing, and I enjoyed how it unfolds.
Pagan Jones is a very unlikable but also very understandable character. Her life is messy - her mom disciplined her too much; she knew too many ways to sneak off on her own; her mom committed suicide; her dad doesn't care that she's become an alcoholism; she stewed in grief after killing her dad and her sister in an accident; her boyfriend abandoning her to her doom. She's very flawed, very self-centered, very hormonal in decision-making. (I can't understand for the life of me what makes her think she should be fighting against Devin, when, considering their legal relationship, she should try her best to be on his good grace.) But you constantly see her struggle, and as much as this book is about Cold War spies, it's also about her recovery and growth. I think the book handles her character arc really well.
That doesn't make her any less annoying though. So, 3 stars.
Pagan Jones is a very unlikable but also very understandable character. Her life is messy - her mom disciplined her too much; she knew too many ways to sneak off on her own; her mom committed suicide; her dad doesn't care that she's become an alcoholism; she stewed in grief after killing her dad and her sister in an accident; her boyfriend abandoning her to her doom. She's very flawed, very self-centered, very hormonal in decision-making. (I can't understand for the life of me what makes her think she should be fighting against Devin, when, considering their legal relationship, she should try her best to be on his good grace.) But you constantly see her struggle, and as much as this book is about Cold War spies, it's also about her recovery and growth. I think the book handles her character arc really well.
That doesn't make her any less annoying though. So, 3 stars.
June 12, 2017
Honestly this was the first new book I've read in a suuuuper LONG time that I've picked up randomly and loved.
I loved the spy stuff, I loved the historical stuff, I loved the film star stuff
Obviously stuff comes across as unrealistic but that comes with the genre, and I personally really enjoyed all of that
It was super refreshing to me overall; I have not read anything like it, or at least not at all recently
I thought Pagan was very well written; flawed in a way that makes her complex and a strong character, and not seeking a pity party nor hero worship
The other characters are less well developed but this story is very much from Pagan's viewpoint and lives inside her head, so that's completely understandable
The mystery was well paced, hints were given without feeling forced or too obvious
The reader is exactly with Pagan the entire time, so all the action is very intimate and thrilling
I loved the spy stuff, I loved the historical stuff, I loved the film star stuff
Obviously stuff comes across as unrealistic but that comes with the genre, and I personally really enjoyed all of that
It was super refreshing to me overall; I have not read anything like it, or at least not at all recently
I thought Pagan was very well written; flawed in a way that makes her complex and a strong character, and not seeking a pity party nor hero worship
The other characters are less well developed but this story is very much from Pagan's viewpoint and lives inside her head, so that's completely understandable
The mystery was well paced, hints were given without feeling forced or too obvious
The reader is exactly with Pagan the entire time, so all the action is very intimate and thrilling
October 9, 2017
Wow... Can I even describe how much I loved this book? It was ridiculously perfect.
I loved Pagan. She was tough and sarcastic but not in a forced female YA protagonist way that most are nowadays. She was original and what made the story come alive. She had been through a lot but that didn't make her bitter... No matter the situation (no spoilers I promise! ;P), she thought of a way out and was smart about it. I never thought "Why are you doing that, dumb dumb?" Agreeing with her thinking and strategy made the story that much better because there was no room for me to say "well i could have thought of something better" like I normally do in a scary movie.
Also, I loved the historical setting. The 60's pop culture sprinkled in with the tense situation of history like that of the Berlin Wall made the story very unique and pop out.
If I could recommend a YA book to anyone, this would be in my top 5. Can't wait for sequel! :D
I loved Pagan. She was tough and sarcastic but not in a forced female YA protagonist way that most are nowadays. She was original and what made the story come alive. She had been through a lot but that didn't make her bitter... No matter the situation (no spoilers I promise! ;P), she thought of a way out and was smart about it. I never thought "Why are you doing that, dumb dumb?" Agreeing with her thinking and strategy made the story that much better because there was no room for me to say "well i could have thought of something better" like I normally do in a scary movie.
Also, I loved the historical setting. The 60's pop culture sprinkled in with the tense situation of history like that of the Berlin Wall made the story very unique and pop out.
If I could recommend a YA book to anyone, this would be in my top 5. Can't wait for sequel! :D
June 26, 2018
Always fun reading Nina Berry’s work—this one was quite different from the Otherkin/Othersphere/Othermoon fantasy series, with a strong historical bent, but it kept the same touches of humor and the strong young female protagonist. A nice choice for young adults (or those of us who used to be young and still enjoy the genre)!
I meant to read a few chapters a night, but ended up finishing the entire book. Good news: I didn’t have to wait to find out what happened! Bad news: I was really sleepy walking the dog Monday morning.
I meant to read a few chapters a night, but ended up finishing the entire book. Good news: I didn’t have to wait to find out what happened! Bad news: I was really sleepy walking the dog Monday morning.
October 8, 2023
Pagan Jones, teen starlet fallen from grace after driving drunk and killing her family, has been taken from Reformatory School to star in a comedy filmed in Berlin during a near nuclear crisis. Her release as well as her temporary guardian, Devin Black, are all suspicious, but Pagan finds she must redeem herself even if it means trusting the suspicious. She is, after all, the Notorious Pagan Jones.
Great plot, wonderful descriptions, fantastic characters and character development. This book made me realize how little I know about Berlin during this time period.
Great plot, wonderful descriptions, fantastic characters and character development. This book made me realize how little I know about Berlin during this time period.
May 27, 2020
I really enjoyed this book. I thought the background setting of Berlin as the Berlin Wall was being erected added to the drama. For teenagers, the book deals with things like the attraction of alcohol and the fight to stay sober, first loves, all with a little intrigue and espionage. I wish I hadn’t stayed up until 1am reading it only to discover that there are more books with the characters because I immediately wanted to jump into reading another one!
April 3, 2018
Equal parts spy novel and Hollywood expose, kind of a YA The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. Pagan (and I'd really like to know why her mother named her that) is tough and broken, and I like her more than I expected to. Devin Black is a little too good and mysterious to be true, though.
February 17, 2022
I had to give up on this one before finishing because it simply didn't seem to be leading anywhere. Two stars because the writing style was pleasant to read, but the characters just lack appeal and the overall genre was doing nothing for me. I expected quite a bit more from this one.
March 26, 2017
I just finished reading this book. It was interesting right to the end. On to the next book by Nina Berry.
July 22, 2017
This book was everything I hoped it would be. There were so many twists and unexpected turns in the story that made it very interesting.
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