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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
I think this might be my least favorite installment from the recent releases. I adored the past few books, but this one fell a bit flat for me. It felt like filler setting up for the premise of the next book, and in the end the character's seemed to be right back where they were at the beginning of the story. The "villainy" was blown up to comic proportions. I know this is a series for middle schoolers, so the drama is a bit ridiculous, but the new characters in this book were hardly developed and were all extremely one dimensional despite their main roles. The main reason for this is that the entire book felt rushed, and no wonder since the plot with NHH takes place in only one week. Overall I think this is my least favorite book in the Dork Diaries series because the plot felt so insubstantial and I feel like this installment was basically meant to set up the plot for the next book. More of my thoughts that include spoilers are mentioned below.
Spoiler
I loved the development that was happening with MacKenzie in the last two novels, but all of that was completely negated in this book. We finally got to see a vulnerable side of her, and despite the lies she told in order to make friends at NHH she seemed like she was starting to change. I was hoping that this side of her would shine through stronger and she could possibly even make up with Nikki. After all, she spilled everything to Nikki in a moment of weakness. I didn't expect them to become best friends, but putting MacKenzie back into the same position she was before the previous two books made it feel like everything we learned about her was cancelled out. This vulnerable side that we got to see in her made her a much better character. It showed that even the bullies have private lives, and while it doesn't excuse what they do to others, it makes them more human and relatable. In my creative writing class we're learning how to write good characters and the tip we got for writing villains would be to give them the possibility of change even if they don't end up taking that chance. MacKenzie was given the opportunity to change, but instead of making it clear that she wouldn't by taking that chance away from her, she would have been a much better character if that chance still existed for her. That brings me to the other 'villain,' Tiffany. She was ridiculously overdone. I know she's supposed to be relatable because the popular kids are usually obsessed with social media, but her character was so ridiculous that even when it was meant to be humorous it was just aggravating. Every character from NHH was glossed over and reduced to one or two traits or even just a name and one line of dialogue. The whole gig with the science club was extremely rushed. I highly doubt if the kids from the club thought Nikki was such a bully and did all of the things that MacKenzie said she did then they wouldn't go after her for help, especially since they were victimized by Tiffany. That whole plot was so quickly resolved and brushed aside that I kind of wondered why it was there besides to conveniently make sure Nikki wasn't alone at NHH. Honestly the plot that received the most thought and was written the best with the most humor was the subplot of Brianna trying to get her cooking badge. All of the other humor felt really juvenile (especially the storyline with Buddy the pony. It was mentioned twice but didn't really bear any significance on the plot besides a few cheap fart jokes). Also it might just be me, but Nikki seemed really conceited this book. Normally she is confident but still somewhat self-conscious and definitely a lot less confrontational than she was in this book. I kept noticing where she commented that she's so cute, smart, a great big sister, an awesome person, a good friend, and someone that everybody (minus MacKenzie) loves. Maybe the plot felt rushed because I read this book in one day without taking any significant breaks, but then again I strongly feel like this book was just written to bridge the gap and fill in a few plot holes before the next publication, which I'm assuming will have to do with Nikki's trip to Paris.
This was such a quick book! Literally took me an hour to read and it was fun nonetheless! A perfect blend of humor and drama, lots of drama actually. I've always loved Dork Diaries and seriously Nicky's adventures just keep coming!
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Amelie
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It is a book you read before you go to bed after an exhausting day of school or work. This book helps you to calm down and distract yourself from a bad mood because it is very lighthearted. After reading this book you feel less like a dork
This was again a pretty good book, but I wish that we saw more progress in Mackenzie and Nikki’s relationship. Considering their history I know they can’t be good friends, but I was hoping that they would understand each other and Mackenzie apologizes, instead of returning to normal. Otherwise it’s a good book. I was also sad there wasn’t much Brandon Nikki stuff.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I actually once more just bought this because of three things:
1. The illustrations (high effort once more, reminiscent of the second book)
2. The preppy boarding school premise.
Other than that, I'd say that this is certainly an improvement over the other books. For once, we actually see girl rep in STEM fields and the science club idea was super cute. Nikki and Mackenzie are still just as irredeemable as ever but at least we get a new setting with interesting events happening this time! Also, the cover is really cute.
1. The illustrations (high effort once more, reminiscent of the second book)
2. The preppy boarding school premise.
Other than that, I'd say that this is certainly an improvement over the other books. For once, we actually see girl rep in STEM fields and the science club idea was super cute. Nikki and Mackenzie are still just as irredeemable as ever but at least we get a new setting with interesting events happening this time! Also, the cover is really cute.
I get it u get nowhere being a dork a nerd is at least a smart outcast that will get somewhere in life...