Sealed with a Diss

The Clique #8

by Lisi Harrison

Massie Block: Stands at the threshold of the most ah-mazing secret room at OCD. But to prove the Pretty Committee is worthy of the honor, the girls need dates to Skye Hamilton's "famous couples" costume party. On top of all that, Massie has to convince her old crush, Chris Abeley, to be Skye's date . . . or else they can kiss the room-and their popularity-goodbye. How will she ever get her girls suitable dates and melt Chris's heart? She'd need to be a mind reader! Luckily for the PC, alpha status just happens to come with ESP . . . not the actual superpower, but a secret weapon that shows them exactly how boy brains work.

Kristen Gregory: Loves supersensitive guys, and thanks to ESP, has her eye on a boy who loves The Notebook as much as she does. So why on earth is she going to Skye's party as the Bride of Chucky?

Alicia Rivera: Diss-missed her crush, Josh Hotz, for having a bizarrely clean room. Then ESP tells her Josh's sister is actually the neat freak, and suddenly hawt Hotz looks hawter than ever.

Dylan Marvil: When ESP clues her in to the fact that guys-plural- like a girl who's not afraid to eat, it's all mozzarella sticks for this former Jenny Craig groupie. Will gaining six pounds make her regret trusting her sixth sense?

Claire Lyons: As the only Pretty Committee girl with a real boyfriend, the date-mission should be a breeze. But when her newfound Claire-voyance tells her Cam's hiding a huh-yuge secret from her, his gifts of gummies leave a stale taste in her mouth. ESP? Extra Sucky Problem is more like it.

The Clique...The only thing harder than getting in is staying in.

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Middle Grade, Chick Lit, Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Childrens

248 pages, Paperback

First published July 2, 2007

About the author

Lisi Harrison is the author of the #1 New York Times best-selling series "The Clique", "Alphas", "Monster High," Pretenders," and her first adult novel: "The Dirty Book Club" out 10.10.17. Lisi was born in Toronto, Canada, and lived in NYC for 15 years while she worked at MTV. She now lives in Laguna Beach, CA and is a member or her own Dirty Book Club.

Reviews

[Melissa · Rating 1 out of 5]

If "Gossip Girl" was "Sex and the City" for the high school set (as its cover proclaims), and "Clique Series" is "Gossip Girl" for the middle school set, then it probably doesn't take a close reading to conclude that this is a piece of crap.

Can I push aside 90% of the book that is devoted to consuming luxury goods (in the seventh grade!) and written in grating diction ("gawd", "ah-mazing") to find one positive note? Perhaps Massie Block's pursuit of alpha status is a tinge of "girl power" - but she climbs to the top by keeping her less wealthy friends down. Massie bullies them into finding HART (hot, alpha, rich and toned) boys to bring to an 8th grader's graduation party. When the whole thing blows up in their faces, Massie insists that the Pretty Committee give up boys. Will they establish a Lesbian Feminist society in book 9?!

[michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

1. these plots are getting more n more circular
2. unfortunately i remain unimpressed w the girls’ color combinations and outfit descriptions
3. femininity/ heterosexuality as prison, pubescence as induction

“Would you call that a lack of communication?” the man-voice prompted him.

“No, I’d call it psycho.”

Cam laughed with the rest of the boys, giving Claire an instant ache in her stomach, her legs, her temples, and her heart. She would have expected Cam to understand Bella’s point of view, not mock it. Had her seemingly sensitive crush always been such a guy’s guy?

The laughter died and Cam tapped a Bic pen against his Nikki notebook. It was then Claire realized that maybe she’d never really known him at all.

welcome to hell claire

[Isabel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Its AH-MAZING u have to read this series NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Janel · Rating 5 out of 5]

“A girl shouldn’t eat in front of her crush until they’re married.”

I’ve said it before I’ll say it again, Lisi Harrison is the greatest satirical writer of our generation.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a very interesting book because it was easy for me to connect to myself. It's about a group of girls in Octavian Country Day School and they basically have cliques like all of the people in every school. This book has a Pretty Committee, which is just a popular group of girls who is pretty spoiled and self centered. In this story, they all need to have dates for a certain party, and in the end, some of the girls do have dates, but they realize that boys aren't essential in their life. All they need in life are each other, a shoulder to cry on, and they come to a realization that boys are a distraction from school. I never fully read any books from the clique series, but i think the final message is very important to some girls. If you have a bunch of supportive and a sincere group of friends, I mean, what more can you ask for in life? :)

[Kelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun read, even though most of it was boy drama. I love when The Pretty Committee, or, New Pretty Committee, work together as a complete group.

And of course it’s totally fake, but Massie does so much as an alpha! At least in my school anyway, there were popular girls, but no “alphas,” and I don’t know if there truly are in any school, but Massie really does so much to keep up her status. I never liked Massie that much when I was a teenager, but weirdly, as an adult, I do!

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

[vicinthemeadow · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had me wanting keys to a secret room in 8th grade at school SO BAD

[Karen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Does anyone want to have a bonfire? At least that way, this book - and the rest of the series - will actually be of some value. I am assuming, of course, that the author did not write these books with some kind of reverse psychology ploy in mind by creating characters who are so vapid, materialistic and lacking in a single redeeming quality as to make young girls NOT want to be in the "popular group." Her constant name dropping of brands competes unpleasantly with her use of words such as "huy-yuge" and "hawt". Her characters' choices are ultimately cringe-worthy and revolve around getting and keeping a boyfriend. Unfortunately, their choices in boyfriends are just as mind-numbing. My particular favorite is the one who keeps shaking his rearend at his girlfriend. What is up with that?????


If the author actually drew these characters from real life, society as a whole should be very, very afraid.

[Farrzana Sheriff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quotes that stood out to me
"How could she have let the alpha use and abuse her like an LBR? Was it payback for all the times she had used and abused others? Impossible. Everyone she manipulated deserved it. And there was nothing Massie had done to /deserve/ what she had endured over the past two weeks. Nuh-thing. Skye needed to be medicated. It was simple as that."
"The truth was, she had forgotten all about Chris the minute Derrington told her off. And she had become obsessed with wanting to change his opinion of her. Obsessed with wanting him to like her more than the eighth-grade girls. And obsessed with figuring out the most 'mature' way of getting him back. But why admit all that when it was cooler to act like it didn't mean enough to mention?":
- Classic Massie

[Cindy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am reading this book because my 13-year-old sister is interested in these Clique novels. I am so disappointed in this book-it's all about brands, boys, and bratiness. I'm hoping there is some redeeming lesson at the end, but I don't have a good feeling...

[B · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.5 stars

this book still confuses me because i don't understand - so were all the boys lying in class? for a good grade? i can't tell?

anyway i will say this is one of the better ones i missed as a kid, because the culmination of breakups at skye's party is orchestrated perfectly and is so well deserved LOL. also i never found dylan's burping storylines funny but i think there is a charm in the fact that it's so pg, it's so young child like, and i think that's part of this series' charm: these girls are so grown up and at the same time, they're 12. like they're 12

[Paige Tipton · Rating 3 out of 5]

New York's hottest club is SEALED WITH A DISS

This book has everything:

- An underground bunker
- Questionable age gap relationships
- Nick Lachey
- Highly problematic party costumes
- ...Dan Cortese!?

Normally, I rate these books for what they are: a horrendously entertaining time capsule of just how insane growing up in the mid-2000s was. Please, please, please - never give these books to your children 😬

This would be a 4, but bumped down to 3 because I'm just not super jazzed about teasing a relationship between a 7th grader and a 16 year old. Ick.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good installment of The Clique. There were some glaring unrealistic details (the feelings class, having access to the Share Bear, and the wave pool on the top of the school - seriously?) but I thought they made for a fun read.

Also, Cam should’ve explained himself. Your girlfriend thinks you’re cheating and you just play the victim because she snooped? Gaslighter!

[Abby Rose · Rating 2 out of 5]

A lot of pointless drama. Only funny thing was the subplot with Dylan trying to act more like a guy so boys won t find her prissy and unrelateable. Of course she takes it too far and the guys complain that between the burping and constant fart jokes its like hanging out with Shrek.

[Erin_boberin · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5*

[Elena L · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly I’m going to say it. I know Claire lives with Massie. But if Claire was herself, she would still be with Cam and have excess to the committee. That being said though, the way these books ends make me so excited for the next one.

[Raquel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes I’m still reading these teen books and yes it’s addicting and yes it’s a nice way to destress from the week. These girls though oh my gosh 🤣 middle schoolers hahaha

[Erin Jochum · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars on account of all the flashbacks I had to my middle school days.

update: absolutely floored at how the girls get mad at their crushes when they admit to lying about being sensitive and in touch with their emotions like yeah no shit their 13 ????

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

REVIEW OF BOOK PLOT WITH SPOILERS BELOW: READ AT OWN RISK
Main focus of book: "the room" and Skye's exclusive party. The last book left off with the PC being shown "the room" that they just won. We pick up right where we left off but the room is set up as a prank with fake snakes and cobwebs to scare Massie's clique. Skye then lets the girls know that everything will be put back to the room's actual awesomeness soon. The only thing worth noting in the room is a giant flat screen TV where Skye promises it's the best thing there. She then turns it on and a room in the Briarwood school (the boy's school) shows up on screen. Skye tells the girls that this is how her and her clique seem to know what boys are thinking--the room on the screen is a class where the teacher makes the guys talk about their thoughts, troubles, feelings, etc. The camera is hidden in a stuffed bear that is passed around the room so whoever is holding it is allowed to talk and share. Skye turns it off and says that as the next year's 8th grade alpha and owner of the room, Massie's clique is invited to Skye's end of the year exclusive party. However, the theme is famous couples and all members of the PC must come with appropriate dates. If even one member doesn't have a date, all of the girls will be subject to humiliation. Massie and Claire feel confident with their boyfriends, Derrington and Cam but Alicia, Kristen, and Dylan need to find dates fast. The PC decides to show up to a pizza place where they know the entire boys soccer team will be so they can confirm dates. Massie says all dates need to be HART (hot, alpha, rich, and toned). When they get in, Claire finds Cam and Massie pushes her to flirt so the others will pick up on how to get guys. Claire takes Cam's bag as a joke and runs away with him chasing her. She runs to the bathroom with it and expects to find treats inside but stumbles across some notes from someone named Nikki. Not wanting to seem like a snoop she gives it back to Cam but notes he seems to be hiding something and was worried she found something. Kristen seems to have eyes for a busboy at the pizza place and Derrington lets her and Massie know that his name is Griffin and his parents own many restaurants and such. Kristen accepts him as HART and decides he's the one she'll ask. None of the girls get a chance to finalize dates and Massie starts to doubt Derrington when questions of his maturity arise. Additionally, a pizza is dropped at Massie's table with directions for her to be ready to be picked up by Skye on saturday. When saturday comes, Skye picks up Massie and takes her to where Massie rides horses. She then lets it on that even thought Chris sent her a locket and note (this was actually done by Massie so she wouldn't be thought of as cheating in the key game in the last book) Chris hasn't called her and she wants him as her date to her party. Chris is at the barn, where Skye knew he'd be, and Massie introduces them. Chris still seems sad that his girlfriend, Fawn broke up with him but seems a bit better and talks a lot with Massie before leaving to ride his horse. Skye notes that Massie is an access to Chris and wants her to make him call her. Massie agrees only if the PC can have access to the room early (hoping to use the TV to know how to get dates with the guys). Skye says that Massie's clique can have it for a couple days/week with the promise that Chris shows up to be Skye's date. If he's not her date they don't get the room. They shake and Skye clarifies that if Chris isn't her date, the PC doesn't get the room EVER. Once in the room, which is now decorated with foot spas, a huge vanity with tons of makeup, a popcorn machine, etc. the PC turns on the TV at the time their 7th grade crushes will be in the class. The guys go around sharing and two guys (Kemp and Hurley) mention that they both like Dylan because she's the only girl that eats around guys and jokes around. Dylan is elated and thinks both of them can be her dates for the party. Kristen hears that Griffin is actually a sensitive guy despite his goth-ish exterior and love of horror films and that those are just used as a front. She picks him for her date. Alicia sees how much Josh has in common with her and picks him. When Cam is picked to speak, he doesn't want to and Derrington jokes about Nikki. Claire freaks but before more can be elaborated, Cam asks why Derrington won't share about his problem with Massie. Massie freaks. The Briarwood school is having a party to celebrate the finished wave pool they built on the roof and Massie decides it's a great place to try to set up Chris and Skye. However, the more time Massie spends with Chris the more she questions if Derrington is mature enough and notices her crush on Chris starting to return. Dylan scores her two crushes as dates to Skye's party and continues to eat and make burp jokes thinking that they love that part of her. Kristen and Alicia are about to ask their crushes but the guys run off to support Cam after he and Claire get into a mini fight because Claire is upset about the Nikki thing and is acting out (but she doesn't tell Cam she knows about Nikki). The next day Massie makes all of the girls secure their dates by calling or texting. Alicia asks Josh and they agree to go as Ralph Lauren and his wife. Kristen calls Griffin and asks if they should be the couple from the notebook (thinking he loves that book because he mentioned it in his class) but he wants to go as Chucky and her the bride of Chucky. Claire texts Cam apologizing saying she was acting weird because she ate bad food and he agrees to go with her as Adam and Eve. Massie gets a text from Chris and it'c clear he likes her and he asks her to Skye's party. She says yes. He offers the idea of going as Romeo and Juliet the Dicaprio movie edition. Still planning to set him up with Skye at the party, she tells Skye what Chris will be wearing making up and excuse as how it will fit with Skye's costume. Derrington also texts her asking if she's going to ask him because everyone else is going. She says yes too (and they decide to go as David and Victoria Beckham). Claire and Massie decide to go to the room without the rest of the PC hoping to gather more information on who Nikki is and what Derrington's "problem" with Massie is. However, when they turn on the TV the signal to the camera goes dead. To save time: Massie gets the PC, Todd, and Layne to go to Briarwood after school hours to sneak in and have Layne fix the signal. They get in, Layne starts to drill into the ceiling. Hits something but it doesn't seem serious, Kristen realizes the camera in the bear just needed new batteries, and then they leave. At Skye's party the girls all show that they have their dates. Skye isn't in the room yet and Chris hasn't shown up making Massie really nervous. Derrington shows up and tries to hang out with Massie but she's distracted and really doesn't acknowledge him much. when Chris gets there she is excited and hugs him (happy she can finally get him with Skye so the room will be hers) but Derrington gets upset and leaves to hang out with 8th grade girls. When Massie finds Skye, she isn't interested in Chris, saying her new crush is on the surfer that was at the wave pool party. She says Massie will still have the room and did a good job. Massie is furious with this and how much worrying and planning she had to do but agrees that Chris is a downer (still being heartbroken over Fawn). Cam finds Claire and tries to give her a picture frame with their picture in it but she asks about Nikki. Cam gets upset that she snooped through his stuff and says that she doesn't trust him and she doesn't know the full story. In the kitchen, all of the guys seem to huddle talking about how they want to get away from the girls. Griffin says Kristen keeps trying to talk to him about rom-com movies, Dylan is grossing the boys out with her nonstop burping, Cam is hurt by Claire, and Derrington says that 8th grade girls are so much more mature. Massie hears this and can believe that he thinks she's the immature one. The only ones having a good time are Alicia and Josh but he leaves with the guys and Alicia wants to stay with the girls. Lastly, back at school there is an assembly and the principle says that when school starts back in the fall, there will be new students. Massie and the PC make a commitment to swear off boys and go through a "cleanse" becoming a new and improved PC. The principle then says that the Briarwood school collapsed when a pipe was broken that lead to the wave pool on the roof. She says that the boys will be joining their school in the fall. End of book 8.

[Gabo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've just finished re-reading this book and I have to say it's ah-ma-zinhg!
I don't know why there's so much negative reviews. It might be because they're not the targeted audience. It is a book set in middle-school after all.
Re-reading it reminded me of why I began to love reading. <3
-

Characters: The more I read into the series, the more ways the characters feel real to me.
Massie - I think this book really challenged Massie Block in terms of being an alpha. She was known as the trendsetter chic alpha of the seventh grade. Everybody respected her, except Skye Hamilton . In front of Massie is an alpha like herself, only older and way more experienced than she was. She was pushed out of her comfort zone of how everyone is praising her and she's put in a situation where she had to mooch up just to maintain her alpha-superiority. I like that. I love Massie's moments with Chris Abeley. It feels all cutesy and innocent. She may be OCD's 7th alpha but she's so young to experiencing her boyfest. I love her relationship with Derrington :( but this book was clearly not for them.
Alicia - She sounded like a total Karen Smith to me. She didn't have her moment in this book. She sounded dumb and way too girl to do anything. I love her being all bitchy and sassy. She's my favorite PC member! <3 But her romance with Josh is sooooooo <3. Her love life is definitely my fave.
Dylan - Dylan had her shining moment. She just caught two ah-dorable boys pining for her. She's a tomboy dressed in girly clothes is the best way to describe her. I love how she feels so real like a friend.
Kristen - Poor K! :( She doesn't much stand out here like most books. She's always depicted as the poor girl with scholarship and love for soccer. I miss Kristen's persistence over things. I think to me, that was her most essential trait.
Claire - Good gracious does this character annoy me?! No wonder Massie disliked her in the first book. She can be such a whiny brat. But what can you expect from a seventh grader who just got her first boyfriend? She just felt like the same old Claire to me. She's definitely my least favorite PC member but she was the most relatable one out of all of them. Her relationships with the characters was really, realistic. I felt bad for her at the end but she was a clingy girlfriend no doubt. But I think it kind of shows the trials of experiencing boy crushes for the first time.

Storyline: I love misadventures set in a school setting with goals and missions. This book definitely had that. <3 I loved the cliffhanger! It's so intriguing. I think that this book was a test to the Pretty Committee (mostly Massie) but to their clique as well. They were the most popular girls in school, well-respected, loved and admired for their beauty, wealth and fashion style. Then one day, fate just decided to test their alliances to see how far they're willing to go in order to maintain their status. I think that this was the beginning of the turning point for the Pretty Committee.

[Emily Sklaver · Rating 1 out of 5]

I FINALLY figured out how to attach pictures. Yay! I’ve been struggling with that for FOREVER.

Let's get started.

Not much to rant about here. I reckon that’s because I used up my energy on my last rant review. This is another example of movie-in-your-head visuals and distinct dialogue, i.e. the spa scene.

Like my previous rant-reviews, I’m going to go out of order in the actual book and be all over the map, so to speak. Let’s start with “Everyone knew Massie Block was as close to perfect as God would allow a human being to be.” Before that: “What could Derrington’s ‘issue’ possibly be? Is he intimidated? Does he feel like he’s not good enough? Am I too perfect?”

Let me repeat: repeat: “Am I too perfect?” WTF?!?!?!

Excuse me while I flush my head down the toilet.

Moving on. There is one example of Massie bullying in this book, as follows: “A dancing Christina Aguilera accidentally elbowed Massie in the kidney. She elbowed back twice.” If someone had accidentally elbowed ME in the kidney, I would ignore it. It’s a minor offense, compared to KICKING SOMEONE’S PENCIL CASE INTO THE TEACHERS’ BATHROOM!!! (Refer to my last rant review.)

Remember how I said I was going to get into a primer on how much I loved Layne? The time has come. To quote from the book, "Claire was constantly impressed with Layne, who had the uncanny ability to not let the Pretty Committee get to her. It was like she was made of Teflon or something, and their words just slid off her." Even as Massie is at her most intimidating, i.e. "Massie narrowed her amber eyes, silently threatening social homicide if Layne didn't comply," Layne isn't scared. She even manages to turn the tables and make fun of THEM. Example: "Why do you hate that word so much?" Layne teased with delight. "You're all gonna get it." Her eyes zeroed in on Alicia's C-cups. "I can't believe you don't have it already. I mean, you're so developed and--"

Those are examples from THIS book. There are countless other examples from the previous books that I don't have room to include here. Okay, fine, here's one from book three: "Oops, my popsicle melted and I ran out of tissues." Layne tossed the sopping-wet scarf at Alicia.
Another from book five: "Which Glossip Girl flavor were you wearing?" Layne asked sarcastically.
One more from book four: "Hey, Layne, knock-knock." Massie put her hands on her hips. Claire sighed. "Who's there?" Layne asked, happy to help. "Butt out," said Massie. "Butt out who?" said Layne. "Butt out, Layne!"
I could go on forever.

Anyway, I think that's about it, considering how exhausted I was after my last rant-review.

[Michelle Tierney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing. I could not put it down. Theres just so much going on and so many twists and turns that i just kept reading. It talks about four best friends living in New York going through tons of drama. Lots of stuff happens between these girls, but you will have to read the book to find out!

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really like this series i really do, but i am so tired of cliff hanger endings. And they should get new guys and i just felt she didn't have as cool outfits or snarky comments i think this book was a real let down compared to the others in the series.,

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought that I would not like this one because of the one before it wasn't that great but I fell in love with it. It was a page turner for me and I bet anyone would like it. I like how it puts you towards what teens deal with in life!!!

[Kerry]

Number One on NYT best-seller list. my fave in the series.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

ehwmagawd the secret room can not fall out out of the PC's hands

[Brenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was an AMAZING book. you have to read the first seven but other than that it is amazing. its so funny and the "romances" are so fun to read. this is the best series.

[Bhavya · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

[laur gluchie · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF ~ 30%