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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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:
Yes
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A very enjoyable start to the series
2.5
I was a bit underwhelmed by this book, sadly. It wasn't nearly as charming as I expected it to be.
One of the main characters was an annoying bossypants, and the other one has low self-esteem issues and sort of glosses over the casual racism thrown in her direction.
It's set in the 1930s and the narrator is from Hong Kong and I guess the racism is realistic for the time, but it's like it's mentioned and Hazel is annoyed by it, but then it just keeps happening and nothing's really ever done about it.
The narrator also talks about how Daisy, the annoying bossy-boots, is this perfect, beautiful English rose. Blech.
Also Daisy was supposed to be Sherlock-esque, and comes across as pretty much a sociopath. No empathy, no care about other people's feelings, etc... which for some reason seems so much more disturbing in an 11-year-old-girl.
The mystery itself was interesting enough and kept me guessing, but the denouement was really long and, like, everything got explained twice? I started to lose interest by the end, to be honest.
That said - I do plan on reading the next in the series, and I will get my hands on a UK edition. I'm not sure how much of the needless explanation of words in this book is from the Americanization of it, and I am curious to see if the voice in general changes in the UK edition, or just some phrases.
I was a bit underwhelmed by this book, sadly. It wasn't nearly as charming as I expected it to be.
One of the main characters was an annoying bossypants, and the other one has low self-esteem issues and sort of glosses over the casual racism thrown in her direction.
It's set in the 1930s and the narrator is from Hong Kong and I guess the racism is realistic for the time, but it's like it's mentioned and Hazel is annoyed by it, but then it just keeps happening and nothing's really ever done about it.
The narrator also talks about how Daisy, the annoying bossy-boots, is this perfect, beautiful English rose. Blech.
Also Daisy was supposed to be Sherlock-esque, and comes across as pretty much a sociopath. No empathy, no care about other people's feelings, etc... which for some reason seems so much more disturbing in an 11-year-old-girl.
The mystery itself was interesting enough and kept me guessing, but the denouement was really long and, like, everything got explained twice? I started to lose interest by the end, to be honest.
That said - I do plan on reading the next in the series, and I will get my hands on a UK edition. I'm not sure how much of the needless explanation of words in this book is from the Americanization of it, and I am curious to see if the voice in general changes in the UK edition, or just some phrases.
Wells and Wong is an entertaining and witty detective series.
I really enjoy the logical methods they employ and the oodles of trouble they risk for the sake of their case. I also enjoy Daisy's extreme focus on the case and Hazel's empathetic nature which complement each other really well. And of course, they're both brilliant detectives๐
I really enjoy the logical methods they employ and the oodles of trouble they risk for the sake of their case. I also enjoy Daisy's extreme focus on the case and Hazel's empathetic nature which complement each other really well. And of course, they're both brilliant detectives๐
4.5
What can I say? It was way better than I thought it would be. It was mysterious and scarier than you would expect from a middle grade book. I loved the two main characters so much! And I totally never saw the ending coming which is good.
What can I say? It was way better than I thought it would be. It was mysterious and scarier than you would expect from a middle grade book. I loved the two main characters so much! And I totally never saw the ending coming which is good.
Such a delightful story set against the backdrop of a British boarding school, but with a Asian heroine who stumbles upon a body in the gymnasium. Since no one believes her, Hazel Wong and Daisy Wells decide to investigate on their own they set up a detective society and try to write down suspects, motives and opportunity quite methodically. There is an interesting dynamic between the two girls, Daisy is outgoing, confident and more than a little domineering, Hazel who is keenly aware of her un-Britishness is more subdued and withdrawn. The diversity gives the story a more modern edge to what is otherwise a rather old fashioned cozy period piece, and leaves room for character development. I hope that Hazel will grow to assert herself more in future books. I would certainly love to read more of her adventures.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The book is really good and makes u with u are there when reading it. i have read it 10 times already and cant stop. Love it so much.
Read- January 2020
- Oh My Christ! I freaking adored this book. I've been meaning to read this book for a while but just never picked it up and I have no clue why. I figured that I would enjoy this book but I didn't think I would enjoy it this month. However, I think this book is marketed slightly wrong. It's marketed as a middle grade but I just don't think it is, I think it falls between middle grade and YA. It follows slightly younger characters but there's quite a few heavy topics involved so I would say its for younger YA readers. This is my first new favourite of the year.
1st Re-Read- July 2020
- I think it's very obvious how much I love this book/series because I'm already re-reading and it's only been half a year since I first read it. I think this is probably the weakest in the series overall but don't let that put you off reading these books because each one is insanely brilliant. The first time I read this book but main issue was Daisy, I just thought she was so obnoxious and a horrible friend to Hazel but I really didn't notice it as much this time around.
- Oh My Christ! I freaking adored this book. I've been meaning to read this book for a while but just never picked it up and I have no clue why. I figured that I would enjoy this book but I didn't think I would enjoy it this month. However, I think this book is marketed slightly wrong. It's marketed as a middle grade but I just don't think it is, I think it falls between middle grade and YA. It follows slightly younger characters but there's quite a few heavy topics involved so I would say its for younger YA readers. This is my first new favourite of the year.
1st Re-Read- July 2020
- I think it's very obvious how much I love this book/series because I'm already re-reading and it's only been half a year since I first read it. I think this is probably the weakest in the series overall but don't let that put you off reading these books because each one is insanely brilliant. The first time I read this book but main issue was Daisy, I just thought she was so obnoxious and a horrible friend to Hazel but I really didn't notice it as much this time around.