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rjdenney's review against another edition
4.0
4 STARS!!
This was a fun and thrilling read! I loved that the main character Hazel Wong is diverse in that she's Asian and that she's overweight and I think we need more characters like that, especially in Middle-Grade fiction. There was also some incidents where Hazel being Asian was used to hurt her by the other students at this boarding school and I liked how that stayed true, also because this takes place in the 30s it's extremely faithful that this is how POC were treated back then and still today.
Now to the mystery! I did not see the ending coming and I sure as heck didn't see that reveal coming and I really enjoyed that as a mystery lover. This is also very dark for MG and you all know I love dark MG so I loved that so much. I'd say if you're looking for something fun, full of mystery and drama then this one is for you and that U.S cover edition is to die for! I've already ordered book 2 today on Amazon. :)
- Richard
This was a fun and thrilling read! I loved that the main character Hazel Wong is diverse in that she's Asian and that she's overweight and I think we need more characters like that, especially in Middle-Grade fiction. There was also some incidents where Hazel being Asian was used to hurt her by the other students at this boarding school and I liked how that stayed true, also because this takes place in the 30s it's extremely faithful that this is how POC were treated back then and still today.
Now to the mystery! I did not see the ending coming and I sure as heck didn't see that reveal coming and I really enjoyed that as a mystery lover. This is also very dark for MG and you all know I love dark MG so I loved that so much. I'd say if you're looking for something fun, full of mystery and drama then this one is for you and that U.S cover edition is to die for! I've already ordered book 2 today on Amazon. :)
- Richard
amelia19's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
isabelgrace18's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
clovewinter's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
cleo_tv's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism and Xenophobia
mehsi's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars.
I found myself a new series that I will enjoy reading, and I hope there will be many books coming out. :)
As you all know I love Boarding School stories, add to that a whiff of mystery and you got a perfect mix for me.
Though that is not all this book is about, we also got friendship, teasing, and much more.
I loved the main characters, well correction, I mostly liked Hazel. She was smart, nice, though she could use a bit more self-confidence in regards to her body and how she looks. I loved that she was really smart and did her best in school. Though she had her problems. Her being Chinese/from Hong Kong wasn't easy, during the investigation many people were looking at her wary/or accusing her.
Daisy, ah Daisy. At times I really liked her, at other times I just thought she should stop being such a bossy bitch. Thinking she is always right, while quite often, she is not. However it takes quite a while before she notices it. She is quite mean towards Hazel at times, and I hated her attitude, that is not how you treat your friends.
The mystery? It was absolutely lovely, I had a lot of fun of figuring things out together with Hazel and Daisy. There are a lot of twists and turns in the book, suspects who turn out to be innocent, suspicions on others are raised. And I loved the ending, it was perfect.
I cannot wait for the next book to come out, I immediately pre-ordered it when I saw it was coming out. :)
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I found myself a new series that I will enjoy reading, and I hope there will be many books coming out. :)
As you all know I love Boarding School stories, add to that a whiff of mystery and you got a perfect mix for me.
Though that is not all this book is about, we also got friendship, teasing, and much more.
I loved the main characters, well correction, I mostly liked Hazel. She was smart, nice, though she could use a bit more self-confidence in regards to her body and how she looks. I loved that she was really smart and did her best in school. Though she had her problems. Her being Chinese/from Hong Kong wasn't easy, during the investigation many people were looking at her wary/or accusing her.
Daisy, ah Daisy. At times I really liked her, at other times I just thought she should stop being such a bossy bitch. Thinking she is always right, while quite often, she is not. However it takes quite a while before she notices it. She is quite mean towards Hazel at times, and I hated her attitude, that is not how you treat your friends.
The mystery? It was absolutely lovely, I had a lot of fun of figuring things out together with Hazel and Daisy. There are a lot of twists and turns in the book, suspects who turn out to be innocent, suspicions on others are raised. And I loved the ending, it was perfect.
I cannot wait for the next book to come out, I immediately pre-ordered it when I saw it was coming out. :)
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
coffeeandcatnaps's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.0
ellafireheart's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
nordicat's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25