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aprildiamond's review against another edition
5.0
I love the first book. But this one surpasses it.
Everything that I put in my review for the first book still applies, so I'm not gonna repeat everything I said. I'll just list the new stuff.
The additional emotional depth:
The first book never lacked in this. But new levels were reached here. Jaime is dealing with some pretty heavy stuff like discrimination/racism, Theo is having a growing crisis as he finds out that everything he thought he knew isn't so black and white, and Tess. I get so sad (sometimes I cry ok) whenNine gets taken away. :((( But her emotional journey is so important because of it. Everyone is just in that perpetual state of self-doubt, which is only increased by the crazy things happening around them.
The extra POV's:
There weren't too many that it made it confusing, and instead added to the overall story. Very tastefully done (Karl's were great lmao).
Characters!
Apart from the main three (who are incredible obviously), there are more scenes with the best of the supporting cast (Cricket, Aunt Esther, the Cipherists, and Ono (HE IS SO CUTE I LOVE HIM)). And I'm definitely not forgetting about out resident mystery woman and iconic queen (yes, we know who she is but no spoilers).
The plot thickens...
I am so, so invested in this plot. I mean, there are more questions and virtually no answers and I love it. What's with the 'wiggle worms'? What's happening on that island? What about the scientist? Jaime's drawings? The eagles? And most importantly, DEFINITELY most importantly,
THE ENDING:
Every other review is talking about this and rightfully so. WHAT? WAS?? THAT??? ENDING????
Even the buildup is great:
The Junk Trunk is just a complete surprise. Slaps you right in the face. THEN, the 'mystery woman'???? MA'AM HOW?? And right when you think things are slowing down, BAM! The real ending, the photo, the entire thing crashes down on your head. And to top it off, the epilogue clears up absolutely nothing (even the dates??), is super emotional, and somehow manages to increase the suspense. Suspense that doesn't get resolved until A YEAR LATER.
I've been waiting a year for book 3. Can't believe the wait is almost over.
~Could not recommend this series more.~
Everything that I put in my review for the first book still applies, so I'm not gonna repeat everything I said. I'll just list the new stuff.
The additional emotional depth:
The first book never lacked in this. But new levels were reached here. Jaime is dealing with some pretty heavy stuff like discrimination/racism, Theo is having a growing crisis as he finds out that everything he thought he knew isn't so black and white, and Tess. I get so sad (sometimes I cry ok) when
The extra POV's:
There weren't too many that it made it confusing, and instead added to the overall story. Very tastefully done (Karl's were great lmao).
Characters!
Apart from the main three (who are incredible obviously), there are more scenes with the best of the supporting cast (Cricket, Aunt Esther, the Cipherists, and Ono (HE IS SO CUTE I LOVE HIM)). And I'm definitely not forgetting about out resident mystery woman and iconic queen (yes, we know who she is but no spoilers).
The plot thickens...
I am so, so invested in this plot. I mean, there are more questions and virtually no answers and I love it. What's with the 'wiggle worms'? What's happening on that island? What about the scientist? Jaime's drawings? The eagles? And most importantly, DEFINITELY most importantly,
THE ENDING:
Every other review is talking about this and rightfully so. WHAT? WAS?? THAT??? ENDING????
Even the buildup is great:
The Junk Trunk is just a complete surprise. Slaps you right in the face. THEN, the 'mystery woman'???? MA'AM HOW?? And right when you think things are slowing down, BAM! The real ending, the photo, the entire thing crashes down on your head. And to top it off, the epilogue clears up absolutely nothing (even the dates??), is super emotional, and somehow manages to increase the suspense. Suspense that doesn't get resolved until A YEAR LATER.
I've been waiting a year for book 3. Can't believe the wait is almost over.
~Could not recommend this series more.~
nerdyperfect's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
shoshin's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
guardianofthebookshelf's review against another edition
4.0
Grade: B+
An ARC was provided by HarperCollins in exchange for an honest review.
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: The York series is like The Mysterious Benedict Society for a modern audience, but I love it way more than I ever liked TMBS.
With their apartment building demolished, the lead trio are separated by the entire island of Manhattan (the twins live in Queens now, and Jaime in New Jersey) but they're determined to spend time together and continue to solve the cipher.
There are themes of trying to find your spot in a new place and standing up for what's right and not remaking everything. There are multiple plot threads to follow, but none of them get too confusing. I will say that the pacing is a little off for most of the book but that can be looked past.
Also there are fun references to and appearances by real historical figures.
I think a little disbelief has to be suspended with the stuff the trio do, especially without an adult present (reading middle grade books makes me feel so old sometimes), but most of it is par for the course for adventure stories.
Content warnings: some tense moments in a graveyard, threats of violence
The Verdict: A fun continuation of the series.
An ARC was provided by HarperCollins in exchange for an honest review.
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: The York series is like The Mysterious Benedict Society for a modern audience, but I love it way more than I ever liked TMBS.
With their apartment building demolished, the lead trio are separated by the entire island of Manhattan (the twins live in Queens now, and Jaime in New Jersey) but they're determined to spend time together and continue to solve the cipher.
There are themes of trying to find your spot in a new place and standing up for what's right and not remaking everything. There are multiple plot threads to follow, but none of them get too confusing. I will say that the pacing is a little off for most of the book but that can be looked past.
Also there are fun references to and appearances by real historical figures.
I think a little disbelief has to be suspended with the stuff the trio do, especially without an adult present (reading middle grade books makes me feel so old sometimes), but most of it is par for the course for adventure stories.
Content warnings: some tense moments in a graveyard, threats of violence
The Verdict: A fun continuation of the series.
pussreboots's review against another edition
5.0
OK.... the last 10% took a fascinating tangent.
This book doesn't need any time to establish the validity of the cipher. That question has been blown wide open and now it's clear that the twins and their former neighbors are attuned to it in ways that no one previous has been.
http://pussreboots.com/blog/2019/comments_06/clockwork_ghost.html
66CC99 - marginalized uhoria labyrinth
This book doesn't need any time to establish the validity of the cipher. That question has been blown wide open and now it's clear that the twins and their former neighbors are attuned to it in ways that no one previous has been.
http://pussreboots.com/blog/2019/comments_06/clockwork_ghost.html
66CC99 - marginalized uhoria labyrinth
skittles0313's review against another edition
5.0
the parrot is my spirit animal
quotes edgar allan poe and sings hamilton
wait now i have to wait another year for the next book....
quotes edgar allan poe and sings hamilton
wait now i have to wait another year for the next book....
ardenruth's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
akossket's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
dreximgirl's review against another edition
4.0
I listened to this one on audiobook and really enjoyed it. It wasn't quite as good as book one and I felt it didn't answer as many questions as I was hoping it would. But I still love the characters and some new mystery elements are added in which make it even more intriguing. The ending though! I need the next book now! What a reveal cliffhanger!
smotherlady's review against another edition
4.0
This is a great series! I love how it brings hidden people from history to the forefront while presenting an alternate history. I had a few eye-roll moments when it felt a little preachy in an environmentalist and feminist way, but otherwise I really enjoyed it!