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livres_et_sortileges's review against another edition
4.0
I like this series because it's so full of hope that things can get better even when it feels like they can't. I need this kind of stories right now.
justmeandmybooks_'s review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars? (more well thought out rating to come when I'm less sleep deprived)
This was so much fun! Not quite as good as book one, but enjoyable nonetheless. RTC.
This was so much fun! Not quite as good as book one, but enjoyable nonetheless. RTC.
kba76's review against another edition
4.0
On this occasion, Aria has two girls to help - Caroline and Lily. The girls used to be best friends, but in her quest to become popular, Lily has become a bully and she is making Caroline's life pretty miserable.
Aria is kind of kooky, and in reality her optimism would be wearing but in this context she's positive and offers a different perspective on looking at the problem.
This handles the topic of bullying well; going beyond the cliché and showing us some slightly more nuanced characters.
Definitely a series that I'd recommend to 10-13 year olds.
Aria is kind of kooky, and in reality her optimism would be wearing but in this context she's positive and offers a different perspective on looking at the problem.
This handles the topic of bullying well; going beyond the cliché and showing us some slightly more nuanced characters.
Definitely a series that I'd recommend to 10-13 year olds.
musingsofazebra's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
missathebookworm's review against another edition
4.0
I actually really liked this, even though it's a middle grade book. I kept wishing I'd read this when I was in middle school because I think it could've helped me. Needless to say, I loved this, I love Victoria's writing and I can't wait to dive into more of her stuff
mbs76's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
re_leyendo's review against another edition
3.0
I’m making a shorter review for this book, because it’s the second one in the trilogy. I like that Second Chances still follows the same pattern that New Beginnings does, but differently. It’s like the same song in a different tempo. It’s familiar, but new. I didn’t enjoy it as much as the first book, I think the ending was a bit rushed. Still, it was amazing. From this book I learned to keep looking forward even if it’s scary. And that’s something I needed to hear. I think that even though it’s meant for children this is a great read that, like all books written by Victoria, makes you look at life in a different way. I actually read this in an afternoon, I was that invested in the story.
The pacing was okay, if a bit quick at the end. The writing was as marvelous as always and the story really shone through this time. It was so interesting to see these girls find themselves. That’s a constant theme with V. Finding your voice and finding your self. And it shows in this book too.
I had a harder time with these characters, there being bullies all around. But it reminded me that the world isn’t so black and white. Like the book says, you’re not either a bully or a nobody, there’s a whole spectrum of things you can be in between (and outside them too). That being said, I like that Aria’s character gets a bit more fleshed out, and that she genuinely struggled to help the girls this time around. She also lived and learned so much, which was nice to see.
I did enjoy this book, and even more so the themes and lessons it left me with. But I did enjoy the first one a bit more.
3.5/5 stars
The pacing was okay, if a bit quick at the end. The writing was as marvelous as always and the story really shone through this time. It was so interesting to see these girls find themselves. That’s a constant theme with V. Finding your voice and finding your self. And it shows in this book too.
I had a harder time with these characters, there being bullies all around. But it reminded me that the world isn’t so black and white. Like the book says, you’re not either a bully or a nobody, there’s a whole spectrum of things you can be in between (and outside them too). That being said, I like that Aria’s character gets a bit more fleshed out, and that she genuinely struggled to help the girls this time around. She also lived and learned so much, which was nice to see.
I did enjoy this book, and even more so the themes and lessons it left me with. But I did enjoy the first one a bit more.
3.5/5 stars
the_reader_adventure's review against another edition
4.0
Second book and still love it.
The story was intense and I think very important for young readers to read it. It's about bullying and we all know how it can destroy lives.
I loved to read about and how Aria managed to help Caroline. Aria was a bit lost in this story because she knew there were just mean people and you couldn't do anything about it. You can't fix everybody and sometimes getting better involves standing up for yourselves.
I also loved that it's not always about forgiveness. Yes it's good to forgive people if they apologize but sometimes people go to far and it's okay to move forward and accept that you'll never be able to completely trust someone again.
This one was less emotional but I still enjoyed it very much.
Can't wait to read the third book.
The story was intense and I think very important for young readers to read it. It's about bullying and we all know how it can destroy lives.
I loved to read about and how Aria managed to help Caroline. Aria was a bit lost in this story because she knew there were just mean people and you couldn't do anything about it. You can't fix everybody and sometimes getting better involves standing up for yourselves.
I also loved that it's not always about forgiveness. Yes it's good to forgive people if they apologize but sometimes people go to far and it's okay to move forward and accept that you'll never be able to completely trust someone again.
This one was less emotional but I still enjoyed it very much.
Can't wait to read the third book.
whitney_hutchings's review against another edition
4.0
~3.8~
book 6 of schwab-athon done!
sorry ms schwab. this book was worse than the first one. I LOVE the first one and got super emotionally attached to it. But it wasn't the case for that one.
the preppy school story was kind of annoying, coming from a private school with 60 people per class. People aren't that clicky and mean and I want people to know that! However, this made for a pretty good story.
Those girls were so mean and i was just like "I wIsH i WAs thErE." I would put them in their place haha.
7th graders are mean and I know from first hand. It sucks but luckily Aria was there to help Caroline.
I am excited to finish the final chapter in Aria's adventures and hope she gets her wings!
PEACE
book 6 of schwab-athon done!
sorry ms schwab. this book was worse than the first one. I LOVE the first one and got super emotionally attached to it. But it wasn't the case for that one.
the preppy school story was kind of annoying, coming from a private school with 60 people per class. People aren't that clicky and mean and I want people to know that! However, this made for a pretty good story.
Those girls were so mean and i was just like "I wIsH i WAs thErE." I would put them in their place haha.
7th graders are mean and I know from first hand. It sucks but luckily Aria was there to help Caroline.
I am excited to finish the final chapter in Aria's adventures and hope she gets her wings!
PEACE
lizziehutchings's review against another edition
3.0
~~edit 11/21/21~~
I pretty much feel the same way about this book now than I did like six months ago. I really liked the first book, and I think the next one is much better. But I did it! I re-read my least favorite V.E. Schwab book.
Have a wonderful morning :-)
~~original~~
3.5 stars
Aaaaalrighty, this book was certainly not as good as the first one, and this is for several reasons.
Characters. Aria, fantastic as always. Caroline, not as fantastic, but relatable in some way, form, and shape. I feel like I was a little salty because this took place at a private school and like all the kids were jerks. Like, come on. That stereotype is getting old, especially for me--who is, in fact, not a jerk (at least I don't think so). I was super super excited when I figured out that Aria had two cases to solve. I was like...yessssssss dOuBlE aGeNt bAbYyYyY! But then she didn't even interact with her other girl, and I was, like, really sad, because how cool would it be for her to discover how insecure Lily actually was by like--you know--trying to be her friend, which is what she needed.
Plot. I feel like I should have related to the plot points in this story more than I was, given that I had a falling-out with a best friend of mine in middle school. But I really loved that the book focused on the importance of separating yourself from a toxic friendship, but it also covered how bad burning bridges is. Honestly, it made me want to call up my old friends and be like: "I just appreciate you and how you made a mark in my life and personality."
Writing. I mean, it's our Queen Victoria Schwab. So, how can she go wrong? This book fell short compared to the first one, but the writing was there and shining brightly. We love V.E. Schwab, you have written something with so much significance and wisdom woven into the text.
Have a fantastic morning
I pretty much feel the same way about this book now than I did like six months ago. I really liked the first book, and I think the next one is much better. But I did it! I re-read my least favorite V.E. Schwab book.
Have a wonderful morning :-)
~~original~~
3.5 stars
Aaaaalrighty, this book was certainly not as good as the first one, and this is for several reasons.
Characters. Aria, fantastic as always. Caroline, not as fantastic, but relatable in some way, form, and shape. I feel like I was a little salty because this took place at a private school and like all the kids were jerks. Like, come on. That stereotype is getting old, especially for me--who is, in fact, not a jerk (at least I don't think so). I was super super excited when I figured out that Aria had two cases to solve. I was like...yessssssss dOuBlE aGeNt bAbYyYyY! But then she didn't even interact with her other girl, and I was, like, really sad, because how cool would it be for her to discover how insecure Lily actually was by like--you know--trying to be her friend, which is what she needed.
Plot. I feel like I should have related to the plot points in this story more than I was, given that I had a falling-out with a best friend of mine in middle school. But I really loved that the book focused on the importance of separating yourself from a toxic friendship, but it also covered how bad burning bridges is. Honestly, it made me want to call up my old friends and be like: "I just appreciate you and how you made a mark in my life and personality."
Writing. I mean, it's our Queen Victoria Schwab. So, how can she go wrong? This book fell short compared to the first one, but the writing was there and shining brightly. We love V.E. Schwab, you have written something with so much significance and wisdom woven into the text.
Have a fantastic morning