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forsidious's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This was so cute - there are moments of convoluted convenience (namely people being knocked out at inconvenient times) but overall a well put together mystery where everyone has secrets to hide. Things wrap up in a fun way there's a fun false ending to throw you off - I was disappointed in the fake ending so was happy to see it wasn't the true one A cute message at the end and I love that all the ladies are throwing away convention for their benefit. I enjoyed the narrator and funny bits throughout. They're silly, and it lightens up an otherwise quite dark story for middle grade. The twist of their family being bakers and the house just breaking to look spooky genuinely had me laughing
Props to the author for writing some pretty badass female characters without any of them being "not like other girls" or similar toxic tropes, or being perfect. Just different girls/women doing their thing and feeling freer to be themselves at the end of the book by empowering themselves and each other. it was nice to see.
C- 10, A - 10, W - 9, P - 9, I - 9, L - 8, E - 9
Props to the author for writing some pretty badass female characters without any of them being "not like other girls" or similar toxic tropes, or being perfect. Just different girls/women doing their thing and feeling freer to be themselves at the end of the book by empowering themselves and each other. it was nice to see.
C- 10, A - 10, W - 9, P - 9, I - 9, L - 8, E - 9
leandrathetbrzero's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A wizard, a bounty hunter, and a bard enter the castle....one of them is murdered!
Thank you Christopher Healy, HarperCollins, and NetGalley for the gifted e-copy of No One Leave the Castle in exchange for this honest review.
What a creative middlegrade genre blend!! A well-balanced mix of fantasy and mystery elements. Hands down, this was my favorite MG read of 2023, and I am just itching for another mystery--if there ever will be one--that follows the Lilac and her loyal bard companion, Dulcinetta.
This duo is adventurous and clever, hilarious, and wonderfully supportive (sometimes in ways that gets them more in trouble). I loved that the aspiring bounty hunter had to turn sleuth as her bard sang her praises, some truths and some lies mixed together. And, on that note, the entire cast is incredibly fresh and dynamic. I thoroughly enjoyed switching POVs among the characters, all as we try to discover everyone's secrets before the bubble surrounding the castle crushed them. And I was thoroughly satisfied with the ending, turning a few mystery tropes on their heads!
This is a mystery I will be recommending to all ages, and it is one I now own my own copy of. Already excited for the eventual reread!!
Thank you Christopher Healy, HarperCollins, and NetGalley for the gifted e-copy of No One Leave the Castle in exchange for this honest review.
What a creative middlegrade genre blend!! A well-balanced mix of fantasy and mystery elements. Hands down, this was my favorite MG read of 2023, and I am just itching for another mystery--if there ever will be one--that follows the Lilac and her loyal bard companion, Dulcinetta.
This duo is adventurous and clever, hilarious, and wonderfully supportive (sometimes in ways that gets them more in trouble). I loved that the aspiring bounty hunter had to turn sleuth as her bard sang her praises, some truths and some lies mixed together. And, on that note, the entire cast is incredibly fresh and dynamic. I thoroughly enjoyed switching POVs among the characters, all as we try to discover everyone's secrets before the bubble surrounding the castle crushed them. And I was thoroughly satisfied with the ending, turning a few mystery tropes on their heads!
This is a mystery I will be recommending to all ages, and it is one I now own my own copy of. Already excited for the eventual reread!!
christajls's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
This is a really fun fantasy-mystery and an absolutely delightful audiobook. Would be a good recommendation for fans of Discworld.
jadeyrae's review against another edition
4.0
8.29 on CAWPILE.
I was so pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this one. Such a fun time with so many twists and turns. Got me excited to pick up more middle grade again, so I am very thankful to have read this one!
I was so pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this one. Such a fun time with so many twists and turns. Got me excited to pick up more middle grade again, so I am very thankful to have read this one!
cathy_acasefullofbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
4.5
I loved this! It was so fun and silly and clever. I was chuckling throughout.
The audiobook was exceptionally well done. It really added to the story!
The audiobook was exceptionally well done. It really added to the story!
thorium0232's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
sleepylittlebrain's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
4.5
petitefrog's review against another edition
4.0
Thanks to the publishers for sending me a copy through Netgalley. Opinions are my own.
What an adorable book. As an adult reading middle grade stuff, I know I’m not the intended market for this book. However I believe adults benefit from being immersed in such worlds sometimes too! What a lovely story, I would definitely put this book into the hands of any child or my younger self. The story is heartwarming, the characters are strong and empowered, the girls are beautifully represented. There is a lot of humour in the book, specifically through the character of Netta, she was precious! I would read more in the series if there were more to be written!
What an adorable book. As an adult reading middle grade stuff, I know I’m not the intended market for this book. However I believe adults benefit from being immersed in such worlds sometimes too! What a lovely story, I would definitely put this book into the hands of any child or my younger self. The story is heartwarming, the characters are strong and empowered, the girls are beautifully represented. There is a lot of humour in the book, specifically through the character of Netta, she was precious! I would read more in the series if there were more to be written!
tinitalorene's review
3.0
I enjoyed this mystery. This is a great YA read. I found that the narration was unnecessary and redundant at times, which detracted from the story, but I did appreciate that the story wasn’t predictable with its many plot twists.
einnymydog's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5