Backstage Pass

by Gaby Triana

Gaby Triana's first novel about Desert McGraw, a famous rock star's daughter who wants nothing more than to lead a perfectly annonymous life. In this hip debut novel, rising star Gaby Triana uses her immensely accessible voice and humor to paint a mesmerizing picture of a life not quite in the spotlight–but not quite out of it, either. As the daughter of a famous rock star, Desert McGraw has led a glamorous existence. But now that she's sixteen and living in yet another new town, she just wants to call one place home. In fact, Desert will do nearly anything to lead a normal life–even if it means breaking up the band.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Romance, Chick Lit, Teen, High School, Music

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

GABY TRIANA is the Cuban-American author of 25 books for adults and teens, including Moon Child, Island of Bones, River of Ghosts, City of Spells, Wake the Hollow, Cubanita, and Summer of Yesterday. Her short stories have appeared in Classic Monsters Unleashed, A Tribute to Alvin Schwartz's Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, A Conjuring for All Seasons, Novus Monstrum, and Weird Tales Magazine. She has co-authored ghosthunters Sam & Colby’s horror novel, Paradise Island, and edited the ghost anthology series, Literally Dead (Tales of Halloween Hauntings; Tales of Holiday Hauntings).
As a ghostwriter, Gaby has penned 50+ novels for bestselling authors in every genre. Her own books have won the IRA Teen Choice Award, ALA Best Paperback, and Hispanic Magazine's Good Reads Awards, and she writes under several pen names, including Gabrielle Keyes for her paranormal women’s fiction. She lives in Miami with her family and the four-legged creatures they serve.

FB: @GabyTriana.author
IG: @GabyTriana
YT: The Witch Haunt

Reviews

[Audrey · Rating 1 out of 5]

Meh.

Things I disliked:
1. Liam and Desert's relationship- it moved too fast
2. How cheesy it was-there was a lot of unnecessary crying
3. The drama(which I guess is kind of the same as cheesiness but oh well)-one minute, desert would be laughing and talking with liam or becca and all the sudden! Crying and yelling. Seriously people.
4. The writing-some of it was humorous, which I liked, but the rest was bland
5. How things changed-it was all cheerful and fluffy and then halfway through the author was like, let's make this more mature. So then Becca had issues and almost committed suicide. And Flesh cheated on his wife. And Desert cried a lot. It was irritating.
6. Bri. She didn't add to the story at all, really.

Things I liked:
1. Desert-she was funny

If I were you, I'd pass on this one. Unless you've got time to waste.

[Adrienne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Desert McGraw is the daughter of a rock star, and that makes life difficult for her, since "friends" always want to meet her dad and score back stage passes to his concerts. So when the band decides to relocate to Florida and Desert starts at a new school, she is desperate to keep her dad's identity a secret in order to forge some semblance of a normal life. Things start off okay; Desert makes friends with Becca pretty quickly and Liam Blanco seems to be returning her interest, but pretty soon, the whole school knows who she is, and Desert is pretty miserable.

A fun book about taking a fresh look at life, it has some romance mixed with friendship, mixed with family troubles, so most teens will find something to connect to.

[Vee · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5 Stars Boring, weird, and a waste of valuable resources that could be otherwise used for worthwhile books.

The .5 is only because I own this book. That alone should signify my feelings about it.

[Mary Bronson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember reading this book in high school. I enjoyed reading it. I personally thought it had a good plot and I liked the characters. I might reread the book someday

[Shelley · Rating 1 out of 5]

Words cannot accurately describe how much I hate my book club members sometimes. Someone chose this thinking that I could add insight to the conversation because a lot of my friends are touring musicians. The writing is saccharine and cheesy and books like this are why kids eat Tide pods and snort and reuse condoms.

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I cracked a few smiles every now and then, I’m not exactly crazy over this one. It was set up nicely and had the premise for so many other enjoyable directions, but unfortunately, it didn’t go anywhere in my eyes. If somebody asked me to summarize -in my own words- what this story was about, I wouldn’t be able to answer them. It starts off strong, but the main idea of the story is constantly interrupted with major, unnecessary plot twists.

When you read the summary above, you think of a cute, light-hearted story about a musician’s daughter struggling to fit in somewhere. This novel was anything but. So many curveball issues were crammed into a plot meant to be so simple and complex - such as sexual orientation, suicide references and cheating spouses. Everything got so jumbled and confusing that I eventually lost concentration on what the story was really about.

The characters weren’t very enjoyable either. Desert, the narrator, was realistic but incredibly annoying. She had her moments where I felt for her, but most of the time I just wanted to reach through the book and smack her. Her newfound friend, whose name has slipped my memory at the moment, was equally if not more frustrating to read about. And every time I begun to find myself liking a character for a steady period of time, something obnoxious would happen and ruin it.

Unfortunately, I didn’t find it worth the check-out at the library. I’ve seen a bunch of positive reviews, so I might be a loner on this one, but overall- I wasn’t impressed.

[Mojo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Pop-star teen girl, seeking out normal life, but that might be impossible for her. As she stepped into her new school, with her unfathomable name, Desert McGraw, has caught Liam's, a cute guy, attention. They came intimate afterwards. While reading this book, you can feel hot and cold, all over. You'll cry when Becca wanted to suicide, when Becca was dumped, and when Flesh cheated on his wife. You'll also cry when Marie lied to Desert, and cheated on her best friend with Flesh.
Even though there are parts when tear comes, you'll also find happiness throughout this book. You'll blush when Liam confessed to Desert, shouted with glee when Desert kissed Liam, and heart warming when Jessie started going out with Becca.
Additionally, there are many conflicts in this story, as well as lover's quarrel. You can find themselves fighting over the stupidest think on earth, and not making up until the end. But, you'll get to experienced a hot flush anger, a hear-warming and teary-eyed novel when you read: "The backstage pass"

[Gracie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Backstage Pass is a book like no other. Most books, when you put fame and fortune in it, is always about the said famous person. No one says anything about the regular people around them. Until now. Desert is the daughter of rock-god 'Flesh', front-man of epic band Crossfire. This is her story of growing up all over the place. How her fathers fame affects her, and how much she doesn't want it. People are jealous of her, but the never know how hard it really is. In Backstage Pass, Gaby Triana gives us an inside view of what it's really like, and how hard it really is to deal with it. Especially when majority of the people who want to be friends with you want something in return.

Give a chance on this book. It really is great. Desert learns so many things here. Including the hardships that her family, the band, and everyone around her goes through. Trust me, this barely has anything to do with a backstage pass; it's a backstage pass on its own.

[Karol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Backstage Pass was a good story overall. When Desert starts a new school she struggles with being the daughter of a major rock star. She just wants to be anonymous as long as she can and have a normal life with real friends.

Desert connects with Becca and Liam. Becca is struggling with her own life issues and Liam wants to get close with Desert as he struggles to keep his stepmom, a tabloid reporter, from invading her privacy.

Desert grew up on the road and wanted to embrace a normal life and she got a piece of it as she struggled with trust issues with her new friends and women in her father's life. In the end Desert made two great friends and joined her family on the road in the life she came to appreciate.

[Sandralk · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like to incorporate a couple of quick reads after finishing a sad or depressing book (even if it is really good) or after reading a long book with many details. Or just dealing with a lot of personal baggage.

This was the perfect time for me to read this book. This YA book was a great quick read and includes my favorite subjects, music, musicians, and friendship.

Desert McGraw had basically been on the road traveling with her dad's band since she was a baby, and now the family has actually bought a home where they will live for more than just a couple months.

Desert has concerns about meeting friends under false pretenses and tries to keep who she is under wraps.

Of course, that doesn't last for long. Read this to find out what happens.

PS: She meets a pretty great guy, too.

[Medeia Sharif · Rating 4 out of 5]

Desert McGraw is the daughter of a rock star. Her father, aka Flesh, is in Miami creating new songs and she just wants to fit in as a normal student in a regular high school. She keeps her identity a secret hoping that no one recognizes her name from the dedication on album covers or her image from tabloid news stories. It’s hard keeping a secret, plus there’s plenty of family, band, and friend drama. A new friend helps Desert realize what’s important and that everything’s not as bad as she thinks. This is a fast read with great pacing and fluid action. I enjoyed reading about the life of a rock star’s daughter.

[maitreyee · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first bit of the book was amateurish. Desert came across as a brat; a spoilt, selfish brat. It had no depth. I thought, just some teen fluff. Let me just finish it. A new book will be added to my read shelf. The rating then was around two stars.
But, towards the end, it had some turmoil and some angst. She wasn't just going on and on about how her life sucks when actually it didn't. The plot evolved and the depth increased. The story was no longer a teenage fluff. this teenager had problems. Real ones.
Readable if you have the time.
Ps. The poems in the book are really good!

[Artep · Rating 1 out of 5]

I haven't read every book in the universe, but I'm pretty Desert McGraw is the most overprivileged, self-centered and obnoxious main character that ever existed, a fact that's made all the worse by the 1st person narrative that doesn't let the reader escape her bitchy whining for a second.

I swear I only finished this because I'm a) procrastinating, and b) a masochist. Maybe I should go for Twilight next. -.-

[Christian Singer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really thought Backstage Pass would be goofy, but it was so down-to-earth and a really good read.

If you know someone who struggles with depression, especially one who makes suicidal comments, care enough to listen and encourage that person to stay alive.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Trying to keep secrets from friends is difficult.

[Molly K · Rating 2 out of 5]

good deals

[Meaghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

for a first book it is pretty good. others by gaby triana are better.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

as a 'teen' novel it was better than most

[Iyanna Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Desert McGraw is the daughter of a rock star , and that makes life difficult for her since her "friends" always want to meet her dad and score backstage passes to his concerts. When Crossfire decides to move to Flordia because of people threatening them, Desert is desperate to keep her dad's identity a secret in order to want a normal life. At the beginning , things started to go downhill when people found out that one of the band members was her dad, and now its making Desert's life miserable. My reaction to the book is why does people want to be around "famous" people just because their famous or their parents are famous. You should want to be friends with them for their personality not because their famous. My favorite part was when Liam and Desert went to check because she went to the hospital. He's my favorite part because because it shows they care even after she did some wrong stuff to them. I gave it a five star because i really liked this book, this book is people that have went through the same predicament.

[Frivolous Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly, exactly the sort of book for which a 3 1/2 rating is needed, but since that will never happen on GoodReads, eh, I'll round up.

Somebody needs to a catchy name for the "children of famous [movie stars/musicians/artists/authors] and their trials and travails" subgenre, I'm thinking, as I can never seem to get enough of this sort of thing. And this was a shining example of the (as of now) unnamed subgenre. Given that the book was published in 2004 might be a bit dated at points, but for what I read this kind of thing, I honestly liked it.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun YA story about a rock legend’s daughter trying to go undercover in Miami and finding some true friends along the way.
Gaby Triana’s (later) supernatural stories are what put her on my auto-buy list but her early novels all have fun premises and really get to the heart of teenage friendships.

[*Weebles* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! I'm looking forward to reading more by her.

[Frezanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is OK but..somehow it did not really catch my thought. The story is fine, it is written well. I borrowed this book because the story seems interesting. The life of a child of a rock star. When I started reading it, I quite like Desert. She is confident and so self assured. She doesn't care for other's opinion. But somehow through out the book I began to hate her. Why is she become whiny??? And so obnoxious and arrogant also. I agree with what her friend said when she (this friend) at last explode. I also can not stand her whine. Ohhh poor me...I have such a big house...my parent is too famous...my parents brought me along tours coz they don't want to separate with me...I want a stable home...I want a normal life. Does this suppose to portray teenage's angst..?? I don;t feel any sympathy at all.
I guess this is just one of the books that goes to my shelf of 'I like the story but I hate the character'

[Huiling_mei · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a girl name Desert McGraw. She's got a fantastic new house and she is the lead singer's daughter of the Crossfire band her father "Flesh". Now she is at Miami because of her father's job.And she is getting the eye from a hottie in her English class.Like all teenagers they would want to be famous and rich, but for Desert it is different. She wish she had a normal life like everyone else. She dislike moving around so much and having to get use to the new places and have to hide her identity from all the people "fan" of Crossfire and her new friends.The sad thing is how some people would try to use her so they can get a backstage pass to Crossfire.So she is not able to really trust. But in the end she makes a good friend and a boyfriend. They even got a backstage pass from Desert.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

One minor character is Becca. This character is Desert's best friend. The reason/purpose for her in this story is to be there for Desert when she needs her. She helps desert when she is feeling lonely, and Desert is there for Becca when she needs it. She is a good influence on Desert and everyone else because, even though she is poor she is still happy. She doesn't need riches to buy her happiness. She is loyal to Desert because she is always looking out for her, and not telling her biggest secret to the school, just because desert asked her not to. I read the whole book (218 pages) this week

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Desert McGraw longs for a normal existance. She is the daughter of Flesh, the lead singer for the band Crossfire. Her mother is the band's manager. Desert was raised on the road in tour buses and hotel rooms. Now her dad is recording a new album and Desert is starting a new school where no one knows who she is. Now if she can just keep her secret, she might have a chance at a best friend and a boyfriend.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the idea that fame isn't very fun, but besides that, it was meh. I sorta thought that Becca's grandma would die and she would get adopted by Desert's family.

I remember checking this book out a few years ago and not reading it. I really felt it had a Hannah Montana vibe to it back then.

The last page was a huge eye roll.

[Brooklyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book I read it in like a day

[Akilah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't really remember anything about this book, but it was fun while I was reading it. Total popcorn fluff.

[Anna Gibson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the beginning but then when Gaby twisted the story and had all those conflicts come up I didn't like it. I especially didn't like that Desert had a hispanic boyfriend.