Top Model tells the story of Estelle Li, a young Asian woman trying to make it in the competitive world of fashion modeling. Estelle is a great example of someone with a strong personality trait that is simultaneously her best and worst quality. She is extremely ambitious and willing to do anything it takes to get ahead. Readers can admire her strength and determination, but her ambition pushes her to places she shouldn’t go.

The novel is centered on Estelle, yet there are also interesting characters around her. Lily is her agent and her friend. She is concerned for Estelle but keeps her client’s career at the top of her priorities, even if she might deny doing that. And then there is Sofie Tsai, another Asian model who is younger than Estelle but has had more success. They are extremely competitive.

Top Model gives us an inside picture of the modeling industry, which may exist to showcase beauty but is often ugly at its core. The novel is captivating. If you pick it up, you’ll have problems putting it down. ( )