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mehsi's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. Wow. Wow, this even better than I had hoped, and I already had high hopes for this book.
Sure, there were elements I didn't expect, the magical part especially, and I was worried for a bit it might turn out to be not fitting, but oh no, the contrary happened, the magic fitted like a pair of shiny red sneakers. :P
It all starts as Fairday T Morrow (yes, that is her name, and boy I wish I had such an awesome name) moves with her parents to a new home, not that far from where she used to live, but still far enough that she can't see her friends and needs to go to a new school. Her parents are planning on making a Bed & Breakfast in the old Begonia house (I would so visit, it sounds awesome already), and thus the adventure starts right away as there is music to be heard behind a locked door. Then there is a mirror that shows another side, and boy, I just wanted to know more and more. I dove into the book, and while I could only read a bit yesterday I had some time to read it today.
I just couldn't stop reading, the book pulled me in, never releasing me until I found out what was going on in Begonia House, until I found out what happened to Ruby, to her dad, to what was in the mirror, and to find out what was going on with all the other events that seemed to happen in the house.
There is a lot of things happening, and if you thought you were done with a, b came along to drag you along with a new twist that lead to c, and then back to a again, and so we came along twists and turns and events that will make earlier events make sense.
I was a bit worried that the book would take place over a big time, as the first part of the book (up until Lizzy comes for a sleepover, no not a spoiler, she is even listed on the cover) takes about a week or so. But then the rest of the book just flies by and just a day and a night passes. I loved that, it made the book even better and I was so delighted that everything was solved in a day and a night. And no, it didn't feel hurried, not at all. It was all handled perfectly fine.
Fairday was a wonderful character, and I loved that she was so in love with books, words, mysteries. I could connect with her a lot. She was a good sister to her little sister even though at times she didn't want to have a sister. I also loved her kick-ass attitude towards bullies and how she reacted to them. I loved how determined she was, and even though she was also afraid, she kept going, not giving up.
Lizzy, my second favourite character. She was sweet, kind, and super smart. I loved how well she complimented Fairday. Whereas Fairday was good at x and y, Lizzy was good with a and b. They really made a terrific team, and I was also happy that even though the move happened they still were great friends, and still could talk so happily. Often what I see in books with characters moving is that the friendship gets damaged. But not in this one.
We also have Marcus, and I loved the guy, he was oh so fun, I was also glad that my first impression of him was, as also was proven to Fairday, a good one and it turns out that he really was a nice person.
We also have parts about the school, and it was definitely a fun addition, not only do we meet with Marcus, but we also come across some other characters that we meet again later with Lizzy (and I loved how she reacted to them).
The mystery? OMG it was just perfection, I won't spoil anything, it is quite easy to spoil things, so I will keep it to that, and also say that I was definitely creeped out by the events that happened in the house. I am already a girl who doesn't like mirrors, so imagine that someone is able to do x and y with them. NOPE.
The other characters, Dad, Mom, Margo, Larry, were all fun characters. I loved the dad how he said difficult words to expand Fairday's vocabulary and also was promoting books, and how sweet and caring and understanding he was.
Margo, I was a bit worried about her, especially when we learn of her tantrums, but in the end she was a pretty cute and friendly character.
The Mom was really sweet and I liked her for most of the book. Of course I can understand why she reacted the way she did, but then again, would she have believed her daughter?
Larry, at first he seems grumpy, but in the end he turned out to be quite a good character that also had a connection with everything.
There are also illustrations spread throughout the book, and I wouldn't have minded seeing more of them. The style fits perfect with the book, and the characters were pretty much as I expected them to be.
All in all, a perfect book with a wonderful, creepy, spooky, magical mystery that will make you look at mirrors differently, and it is a mystery that one just wants to solve. It has likeable, kind characters, beautiful illustrations. What more could one want. Highly recommended, and as for me? I am hoping that Fairday will solve more mysteries and we will be able to read all about them.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com
Sure, there were elements I didn't expect, the magical part especially, and I was worried for a bit it might turn out to be not fitting, but oh no, the contrary happened, the magic fitted like a pair of shiny red sneakers. :P
It all starts as Fairday T Morrow (yes, that is her name, and boy I wish I had such an awesome name) moves with her parents to a new home, not that far from where she used to live, but still far enough that she can't see her friends and needs to go to a new school. Her parents are planning on making a Bed & Breakfast in the old Begonia house (I would so visit, it sounds awesome already), and thus the adventure starts right away as there is music to be heard behind a locked door. Then there is a mirror that shows another side, and boy, I just wanted to know more and more. I dove into the book, and while I could only read a bit yesterday I had some time to read it today.
I just couldn't stop reading, the book pulled me in, never releasing me until I found out what was going on in Begonia House, until I found out what happened to Ruby, to her dad, to what was in the mirror, and to find out what was going on with all the other events that seemed to happen in the house.
There is a lot of things happening, and if you thought you were done with a, b came along to drag you along with a new twist that lead to c, and then back to a again, and so we came along twists and turns and events that will make earlier events make sense.
I was a bit worried that the book would take place over a big time, as the first part of the book (up until Lizzy comes for a sleepover, no not a spoiler, she is even listed on the cover) takes about a week or so. But then the rest of the book just flies by and just a day and a night passes. I loved that, it made the book even better and I was so delighted that everything was solved in a day and a night. And no, it didn't feel hurried, not at all. It was all handled perfectly fine.
Fairday was a wonderful character, and I loved that she was so in love with books, words, mysteries. I could connect with her a lot. She was a good sister to her little sister even though at times she didn't want to have a sister. I also loved her kick-ass attitude towards bullies and how she reacted to them. I loved how determined she was, and even though she was also afraid, she kept going, not giving up.
Lizzy, my second favourite character. She was sweet, kind, and super smart. I loved how well she complimented Fairday. Whereas Fairday was good at x and y, Lizzy was good with a and b. They really made a terrific team, and I was also happy that even though the move happened they still were great friends, and still could talk so happily. Often what I see in books with characters moving is that the friendship gets damaged. But not in this one.
We also have Marcus, and I loved the guy, he was oh so fun, I was also glad that my first impression of him was, as also was proven to Fairday, a good one and it turns out that he really was a nice person.
We also have parts about the school, and it was definitely a fun addition, not only do we meet with Marcus, but we also come across some other characters that we meet again later with Lizzy (and I loved how she reacted to them).
The mystery? OMG it was just perfection, I won't spoil anything, it is quite easy to spoil things, so I will keep it to that, and also say that I was definitely creeped out by the events that happened in the house. I am already a girl who doesn't like mirrors, so imagine that someone is able to do x and y with them. NOPE.
The other characters, Dad, Mom, Margo, Larry, were all fun characters. I loved the dad how he said difficult words to expand Fairday's vocabulary and also was promoting books, and how sweet and caring and understanding he was.
Margo, I was a bit worried about her, especially when we learn of her tantrums, but in the end she was a pretty cute and friendly character.
The Mom was really sweet and I liked her for most of the book. Of course I can understand why she reacted the way she did, but then again, would she have believed her daughter?
Larry, at first he seems grumpy, but in the end he turned out to be quite a good character that also had a connection with everything.
There are also illustrations spread throughout the book, and I wouldn't have minded seeing more of them. The style fits perfect with the book, and the characters were pretty much as I expected them to be.
All in all, a perfect book with a wonderful, creepy, spooky, magical mystery that will make you look at mirrors differently, and it is a mystery that one just wants to solve. It has likeable, kind characters, beautiful illustrations. What more could one want. Highly recommended, and as for me? I am hoping that Fairday will solve more mysteries and we will be able to read all about them.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com
carolynaugustyn's review against another edition
3.0
This was cute and fun but not exactly what I had expected. I went into reading this thinking it was a middle grade mystery novel, which it was, but it also had lots of supernatural/paranormal/fantasy elements. So I liked the mystery elements but I wasn't crazy about the fantasy side (but that's just a personal taste thing, I'm more of a mystery fan than fantasy fan). I liked the characters and the plot was interesting but I did think the ending wrapped itself up a little too quickly for my tastes. Overall, cute but not my cup of tea.
theowlhouse's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
singerji's review
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
rayene_ziadi's review
4.0
I got this book in a goodreads giveaway for my honest opinion. so here it goes:
At first, I (regrettably) judged this book for being middlegrade and thought i'd catch up to the mystery in no time, making the rest dull BUT i couldn't be more wrong!
The first few chapters were enticing but no sooner than Margo went into -You know what- that i was hooked; my mind was buzzing the whole time with possible outcomes to the story and i was guessing left and right!
It was such and intriguing book; a tad bit spooky and downright awesome; the plot was creative, the characters were vibrant and it was so fun to read from Fairday's POV.
It was a short but amazing read and i would definitely recommend it to anyone looking something light and fun ♥
At first, I (regrettably) judged this book for being middlegrade and thought i'd catch up to the mystery in no time, making the rest dull BUT i couldn't be more wrong!
The first few chapters were enticing but no sooner than Margo went into -You know what- that i was hooked; my mind was buzzing the whole time with possible outcomes to the story and i was guessing left and right!
It was such and intriguing book; a tad bit spooky and downright awesome; the plot was creative, the characters were vibrant and it was so fun to read from Fairday's POV.
It was a short but amazing read and i would definitely recommend it to anyone looking something light and fun ♥
booksonhermind's review
4.0
I am so happy I enjoyed this! Wonderful mystery and friendships to be had when reading this book.
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