(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)

Dorianna is a dark fantasy/paranormal/twist on Dorian Gray with a female anti-hero(ine), set in Coney Island, Brooklyn and Manhattan.
Internet followers, beauty, power. It all sounded good. Until it transformed into a terrifying reality Dorianna couldn’t stop.
Dorianna is a dark twist for the Internet generation on A Picture of Dorian Gray. When her father is jailed, her mother ships lonely, plain Dorianna to her aunt’s. There, Dorianna yearns to build a new identity, but the popular Lacey bullies her—mostly for getting attention from her ex, Ander.
Ander takes Dorianna to Coney Island where Wilson, a videographer, creates a stunning compilation of her. She dreams of being an online sensation, as she’s never even had a birthday party, and vows she’d give anything to go viral. Wilson claims he’s the Prince of Darkness and warns her the pledge has downsides. Dorianna thinks he’s joking. She has no idea of the dire consequences.
She’s thrust into the spotlight, and an incomprehensible nightmare. Not only is she prettier, she’s gaining harmful powers of manipulation. When her powers grow beyond anything she can control, she’s desperate but clueless as to how to stop it.

When I saw this book was available for reading, I went and checked out some early reviews and this book sounded quite exciting - a modern retelling of Oscar Wilde's 'A Picture of Dorian Gray.' With the Internet as a driving force for instant popularity and the making of overnight stars, this book examines the dangers of getting what you wish for...

For me, this book fluctuated from boring to interesting to boring on a regular basis. On the plus side, the story was actually quite good. I did enjoy the re-imagining of Wilde's story and the use of modern celebrity as a basis for this novel. I also enjoyed the setting - the author obviously knows New York - she puts the reader smack bang in the middle of the city and acts as a tour guide for the journey. I quite liked that.

On the downside...oh, the drama! Maybe it was just me but the teens in this book seemed overwrought with drama and selfishness and "look at me" syndrome. I just didn't like any of them. And the dialogue? Ugghhh...so frustrating.

So, overall, a good story that was spoiled, for me, by the characters. I hate it when that happens!


Paul
ARH