Reviews

Maybe my favorite of the series so far, I think it handled the length a lot better than the other ones did, with things both wrapping up and not wrapping up as necessary. For sure my favorite re: character development.

destdest's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional lighthearted tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I liked this one a bit less than others due to Noelle’s attitude. But as you continue reading, it makes sense why she lashes out like that. I also liked learning a bit more about Noelle’s fam. I love, love that line “Lux was not the one.”

I’m not sure where Noelle and Tobyn’s story ends, but I’m glad Tobyn didn’t just drop everything because Noelle discovered she had feelings for her. You can’t talk to someone like dirt then confess to them and expect to be booed up in minutes. It don’t work like that.

Noelle has a lot muddled feelings and insecurities that feel true to a high schooler. I heard someone say anger is really a secondary emotion. Whenever you’re getting angry, it’s because you’re already scared. Very true.

bookishends's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.5

Micah is still my favorite of the Flyy Girls, but I really enjoyed Noelle's book. This series is just amazing in general as it feels so relatable, and I think it's really a gift to young people and the girls who will be able to see themselves in these characters.

I definitely can snap at my friends like Noelle, so I liked seeing how the people in her life held her accountable for her actions and didn't keep letting her behavior slide. Noelle was dealing with a lot between her family, her job, and her feelings for Tobyn, so her misplaced anger and frustration made a lot of sense. I think it's really beneficial to read about mean Black girls, especially when their meanness is a cover up for their actual feelings.

The resolutions in these books always feel realistic and not like tidy fairytale endings. I'm gonna miss the Flyy Girls after Tobyn's book.

yuna's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This is probably my least favorite of the three so far, but that's not to say it's bad or I didn't enjoy it. Just not as much as the others? I wish Noelle's friends had called out her meanness more specifically as to why/how it hurt them. Also seemed like the "reasons" behind her meanness were all things specific to this book (working through her feelings about Tobyn, worrying about her little brother, worrying about her family), but Noelle's been the mean one since before the series started.

I love the sibling relationship between her and Pierre. When he runs over and tells her that he'll be the one to watch her concert? omggggg. And I liked seeing the complicated but still loving family dynamics in this book. Even though there's a lot of family drama going on, I appreciated that in this book I wasn't wanting to hit the parents with the clue brick--unlike how I was when reading the previous two books in this series. Noelle's parents are flawed, but it felt very relatable/understandable.

Content Warnings

bookishrealm's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I've been keeping up with the Flyy Girls series as they come out and overall it's been an enjoyable series. This third installment specifically focuses on Noelle. From the first book where readers meet Lux, there is a clear indication that Noelle is the mean girl and not always the most fun individual to be around. At the beginning of the story, Noelle breaks up with her boyfriend as she attempts to navigate her sexual identity. It's something that she clearly struggles to understand and it unfolds in not so great ways for herself and her friends. Noelle is also bi-racial. She's Black and Chinese and the cultural aspects of her heritage are seamlessly woven into the narrative. This book is definitely about character growth and family dynamics.

Ashley Woodfolk really shines through in all of these books with her writing. In all of my reviews I find it necessary to let people know that the simplicity of the writing is intentional. These are Hi/Lo books where the interest level for reluctant or struggling readers is high, but the difficulty is low. Regardless, Woodfolk writes in such a unique and impactful manner that is engaging and really allows readers to connect with the characters. This is particularly important in the case of Noelle who struggles so much with her anger. There are parts that can be relatively difficult for readers to get through, but because Woodfolk allows for those connections to the characters, readers end up empathizing with Noelle rather than disliking her for her behavior. In terms of characterization, Noelle is allowed to make mistakes, but at the same time she has to grow. It takes a gifted writer to make that magic work on page. Overall, I thought that this was a great addition to the series and I'm looking forward to reading the final book.

Content Warnings

lormurenzi's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional lighthearted reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

decklededgess's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

trigger warnings: parents arguing, hurricane damage mention, bullying and physical fights

Love this series. These relatively short stories about a group of girls living through high school and growing into themselves is so wholesome. They girls are all upper high school age but the writing caters to younger kids I think in a “here’s what you can look forward to” way while folding in realistic struggles that all kids go through no matter the age. Enjoyed this very much!! Noelle is a wonderful main character. After reading about Lux and Micah, Noelle seemed really compelling and this really gave a lot of wonderful context to her!

Content Warnings

More...