It was a good book. I like this series because all of the books (including this one) are a quick, cute read. But the only thing is certain details didn't stay true to the series. Like the fact that Massie got the "color of royalty" from a psychic and not a magazine like it said in the first book. There were a few more but other than that I thought it was really good. ( )

I don’t want to sound like the sort of bunhead shusher who thinks that all books should have Redeeming Social Value. I do understand why girls think these books are fun: they’re wish fulfillment and escapist fluff. We all need that every so often, and most kids are smart enough to recognize, at least consciously, that there’s more to life than the way Massie lives it. But if you read a steady enough diet of anything, it can’t help but seep into your subconscious, especially for kids as young as 4th-6th grade. (Full review at http://www.parenthetical.net/2011/12/29/review-charmed-and-dangerous-by-lisi-har... ( )

I enjoyed this book, apart from the fact that Lisi changed some stuff halfway through the book. On the inside flap, it says that the clique Massie is the beta of at PMS is the top clique. Later, when they are driving to Merri-Lee's televised New Year Yves party, Massie says that LMNOP is the top clique at PMS and the clique she is in is the next best thing. I like how the prequel explained many of the things that weren't explained in the books, like Dylan's obsession with her weight, Hermia, etc. I read the last book in the clique series before reading this one and I was somewhat confused by the Hermia part of it, but now it makes much more sense. Also, PMS is Presbyterian Middle School, but Massie and the rest of the girls are in 4th grade??? Anyways. The charms part was really cute. It was cute how Alicia found the shoe, Dylan found the pig, and Kristen found the dollar sign. Dylan finds the pig after she discovers that she's not as thin as she thinks she is and says that the pig seems to be "oinking at her". Kristen finds the dollar sign after being forced to babysit on New Year's Eve with her cousin for money. Alicia finds the shoe after she slips on it during her dance routine. The microphone charm is gifted to Claire by ThRob and the last line in the book says that maybe someday she'd regift it. In the first book, she gives it to Massie, but she lies and says that her parents chose it and she tried to persuade them to buy the "M" charm or the crown. I loved how Kristen actually saw Claire when she was watching the New Year's Yves party on TV. Claire was at the satellite party in Orlando. Kristen remarks that even freaks were having fun on New Year's Eve. Kristen probably called Claire a freak because Claire was dressed in a Scarlett O'Hara costume from Gone With the Wind and one of her friends was dressed in a bumblebee costume. And, at the end, after Claire's parents make her leave the satellite party and she gets grounded, she hears about an exchange to Westchester. The Clique books start in Westchester about three years later after Claire moves into Massie's guesthouse. Dylan meets Cam and Derrick, and she says that she was more attracted to Derrick based on his sense of humor and it foreshadows her relationship with him in the 10th book. It was a quick and easy read. The name brands that Lisi attached to everything were a little annoying, but I enjoyed it nevertheless. The beginning was a tad bit slow, but it picked up speed. Some things Lisi mentions are a little...unnecessary, like the whole chapter she spends on Massie thinking of how to wear silver with gold. Also, the front flap didn't make too much sense when it says that in Dylan's description how she can stand up to someone so "Marvil-ous" (her mother, Merri-Lee Marvil who hosts a talk show and is hosting the New Years Yves party). It wasn't a focus in the book. Dylan's focus was more on her weight issues. The girls (except Claire) acted much older than 4th graders. The girls were very insecure. Especially Massie, who was worrying about what the people in Cairo/India would think of her mixed metal outfit if they saw her on the televised party. The writing was good, and there was a lot of foreshadowing in this book (i.e., Dylan and Derrick's future relationship, Claire regifting the charm, Claire moving to Westchester, etc). But, overall, it was a good book and I enjoyed it. ( )

Reviewed by Jennifer Rummel for TeensReadToo.com

In the days before the Pretty Committee, life wasn't good for its members, but one New Year's Eve everything came together:

Massie Block was stuck in a clique whose leader had no interest in her ideas and she was getting mighty tired of being shot down all the time. Massie knew she's make a great alpha, if only someone gave her the chance. At a rocking party, she meets with a psychic who mentions, "When all five pieces are together, you will reach your full potential as a leader." All she has to do is wait for it to happen.

Alicia can't wait to dance in front of millions at the biggest New Year's Eve party, but she might not get the chance. First, her co-dancer becomes ill. Second, she might be able to convince someone to take her place, but will it mean giving up something she truly loves? Will the spotlight be hers to claim or will she go down in shame?

Dylan isn't interested in being part of the New Year's Eve show, but on her mother's orders gets ready. She meets this girl who tells Dylan her outfit is all wrong. Then she meets these two cute boys who teach her how to burp. But then when it's her turn on TV, something goes drastically wrong. Can she save face?

Kristen's stuck babysitting with her horrific cousin. She can't seem to do anything right at all. She's tired of spending all her time studying. Yes, she goes to school on a scholarship, but that doesn't mean she doesn't deserve to have fun. When the parents come home early, she has one chance to make her dreams come true.

Meanwhile in Orlando ...Claire's having a sleepover with her best friends when they hear a radio contest. To her good fortune, she wins a limo ride to a party and to be kissed by rock stars. She can't wait for her first kiss, but first she and her friends have to sneak past her babysitter and into the limo.

I really liked seeing how the CLIQUE came to be and each girl's life before the Pretty Committee. I adored the charm aspect and how the girls came together. I wish the cover showed them in their previous lives and not as they are now. CHARMED AND DANGEROUS is a quick and satisfying read for fans of the series. ( )