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edshara's review against another edition
3.0
This was decent. The mystery was interesting and I like the diverse group of friends. I did find some parts overly descriptive. It felt like more was being told at times than shown. Also their was a disagreement between two of the friends, that felt unnecessary and out of place. Just because you have girl characters doesn’t mean their has to be some dysfunction. Still, the characters and plot, were done well enough, that I would be interested in continuing the series.
mehsi's review against another edition
5.0
The first book in a wonderful series combining babysitting with magic and creepy things going bump in the night.
I have had my eyes on this book for a long time, and finally I was able to buy it. Finally I could read it. And boy, I had so much fun reading this one that I couldn't stop reading until the story was over. I just had to know what would happen to Kyle, who the Nightmare Queen was, and if the girls would get Kyle back safely.
The book begins with a fun movie marathon and we meet our girls. Rebecca is our MC, and her friends are Tanya and Clio. Oh, and there is also Maggie. It all seems quite cute, but as soon as Rebecca heads to her babysitting job things go south. It was all quite exciting, and I couldn't wait to see how long it would take Rebecca to notice that something was up with Kyle. Because a sudden storm? An earthy scent? Creepy shadows? Handprints on the sill? Something is wrong, and thanks mainly due to the blurb I knew what had happened.
I loved that she didn't find out immediately, though she did notice something was off. But then when her one of her best friends gets bitten by Kyle, then she truly knows something is off with the cuddly baby she is babysitting. And from that moment on she is dedicating all she can to find out what has happened and what she can do about it. And not just her, but her friends are there to help her. I loved that her friends helped her out, poring over books, making plans. That is friendship right there, helping your friend when she needs you.
I just loved Clio's aunt, how she believed the girls, was open to supernatural stuff, and even helped out the girls. Plus, she was just so fun to be around. I had quite a giggle when she did that when the girls first visited the store. So mean, but so so brilliant. I would have done the same to my niece and her friends. :P
It was no surprise that the parents didn't notice anything. I have read enough books about changelings to know that this is generally the way it goes. It still made me sad though, as everyone could see that Kyle clearly wasn't Kyle. With each day passing the changeling was changing, getting more aggressive.
The plan the girls created was absolutely brilliant. Though I do feel they could have prepared themselves better. For instance they almost ate the food, it was thanks to Maggie (for once I am grudgingly saying that she was good for something) that they didn't. But shouldn't everyone know that eating food from fairyfolk/supernatural folks is a no-no. OH, and I definitely would love to try out that egg in cake recipe. I guess I will be looking around to see if I can find any information, and otherwise I will just try a basic cake recipe, and what information the book gives me.
The challenges they had to fulfil were quite interesting. A riddle, food, and then something else. I was kind of shocked that the girls were even considering doing it. I mean, I get that the changeling is probably icky, but he doesn't deserve that.
The ending was really good and set the mood/tone for the next book.
And I can't forget the delightful/fun illustrations. They really added to the story/book.
Maggie was the only thing I disliked oh so much in this book. She was a total mean girl for the parts we saw her. I believe there may have been just one scene with her being kind and that was in the beginning. Then I could indeed see their friendship. However, for the rest of the book? I couldn't see it and I wanted Maggie to go away. She made constant mean comments, mostly directed at Rebecca and I just couldn't think of the why. Rebecca does tell us, the reader, that she and Maggie apparently have arguments at times and that everything is hunkydory afterwards, but I am sorry, this isn't an argument. This is just constant degrading comments. :| How are you friends with her?
Other than that? I loved the book. It was fun, exciting, it had magic and mystery, it had friendship (well between Clio, Tanya, and Rebecca), it was filled with courage. I just can't wait until the next book in the series. Hopefully I can buy it soon.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I have had my eyes on this book for a long time, and finally I was able to buy it. Finally I could read it. And boy, I had so much fun reading this one that I couldn't stop reading until the story was over. I just had to know what would happen to Kyle, who the Nightmare Queen was, and if the girls would get Kyle back safely.
The book begins with a fun movie marathon and we meet our girls. Rebecca is our MC, and her friends are Tanya and Clio. Oh, and there is also Maggie. It all seems quite cute, but as soon as Rebecca heads to her babysitting job things go south. It was all quite exciting, and I couldn't wait to see how long it would take Rebecca to notice that something was up with Kyle. Because a sudden storm? An earthy scent? Creepy shadows? Handprints on the sill? Something is wrong, and thanks mainly due to the blurb I knew what had happened.
I loved that she didn't find out immediately, though she did notice something was off. But then when her one of her best friends gets bitten by Kyle, then she truly knows something is off with the cuddly baby she is babysitting. And from that moment on she is dedicating all she can to find out what has happened and what she can do about it. And not just her, but her friends are there to help her. I loved that her friends helped her out, poring over books, making plans. That is friendship right there, helping your friend when she needs you.
I just loved Clio's aunt, how she believed the girls, was open to supernatural stuff, and even helped out the girls. Plus, she was just so fun to be around. I had quite a giggle when she did that when the girls first visited the store. So mean, but so so brilliant. I would have done the same to my niece and her friends. :P
It was no surprise that the parents didn't notice anything. I have read enough books about changelings to know that this is generally the way it goes. It still made me sad though, as everyone could see that Kyle clearly wasn't Kyle. With each day passing the changeling was changing, getting more aggressive.
The plan the girls created was absolutely brilliant. Though I do feel they could have prepared themselves better. For instance they almost ate the food, it was thanks to Maggie (for once I am grudgingly saying that she was good for something) that they didn't. But shouldn't everyone know that eating food from fairyfolk/supernatural folks is a no-no. OH, and I definitely would love to try out that egg in cake recipe. I guess I will be looking around to see if I can find any information, and otherwise I will just try a basic cake recipe, and what information the book gives me.
The challenges they had to fulfil were quite interesting. A riddle, food, and then something else. I was kind of shocked that the girls were even considering doing it. I mean, I get that the changeling is probably icky, but he doesn't deserve that.
The ending was really good and set the mood/tone for the next book.
And I can't forget the delightful/fun illustrations. They really added to the story/book.
Maggie was the only thing I disliked oh so much in this book. She was a total mean girl for the parts we saw her. I believe there may have been just one scene with her being kind and that was in the beginning. Then I could indeed see their friendship. However, for the rest of the book? I couldn't see it and I wanted Maggie to go away. She made constant mean comments, mostly directed at Rebecca and I just couldn't think of the why. Rebecca does tell us, the reader, that she and Maggie apparently have arguments at times and that everything is hunkydory afterwards, but I am sorry, this isn't an argument. This is just constant degrading comments. :| How are you friends with her?
Other than that? I loved the book. It was fun, exciting, it had magic and mystery, it had friendship (well between Clio, Tanya, and Rebecca), it was filled with courage. I just can't wait until the next book in the series. Hopefully I can buy it soon.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
ttreadsya's review against another edition
mysterious
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
3.0
A pretty fun, slightly spooky younger middle grade read!
This book is definitely something i would recommend to my nephews around Halloween if they wanted a spooky read thats not too scary! It was fast-paced and had pretty well developed characters even for such a fast short form story!
This book is definitely something i would recommend to my nephews around Halloween if they wanted a spooky read thats not too scary! It was fast-paced and had pretty well developed characters even for such a fast short form story!
readingthroughtheages's review against another edition
4.0
A scary babysitting series... this one will fly off the shelves! It's fun, it's suspenseful, it's hard to put down. Looking forward to sharing this series with readers.
flaviaaalouise's review
4.0
This was a cute, diverse Middle Grade story. I am definitely not the intended audience and to be honest the only reason I ended up reading this is to fulfil a prompt for the Magical Readathon. But I don't regret reading it. :)
stormingbananas's review against another edition
3.0
I love and agree with the idea that it is Babysitters Club meets Goosebumps and I enjoyed that.
It was a good and fast read with a good storyline. I feel the rest of the series will be good as well.
The only downside that made this 3 stars vs. 5 stars was the detailing in the wrong areas.
The group of friends did work together and get things done but it was more pep talks or supporting statements, other than that I didn't really feel the bond of friendship especially when one stopped talking to her and there didn't seem to be any real reason or resolve, just that they decided to get over whatever it was and work together. There was extreme detail about the surrounding areas to help me visualize the atmosphere but because there was such detail there and lacked in other places I didn't feel it was a good balance and the story felt lacking. But there's definite potential for this author.
Also, I do love the stories/reasons/information on the creature it was done well.
It was a good and fast read with a good storyline. I feel the rest of the series will be good as well.
The only downside that made this 3 stars vs. 5 stars was the detailing in the wrong areas.
The group of friends did work together and get things done but it was more pep talks or supporting statements, other than that I didn't really feel the bond of friendship especially when one stopped talking to her and there didn't seem to be any real reason or resolve, just that they decided to get over whatever it was and work together. There was extreme detail about the surrounding areas to help me visualize the atmosphere but because there was such detail there and lacked in other places I didn't feel it was a good balance and the story felt lacking. But there's definite potential for this author.
Also, I do love the stories/reasons/information on the creature it was done well.
take_me_awayyy's review against another edition
4.0
Super cute! I can see why I've been on hold for this for so long! Also, I really liked that the e-audio included the pictures from the book. It was a nice touch to go back and look at them.
wordnerd153's review against another edition
5.0
A perfect middle grade story to read at night and have your pajamas scared off of you. The plot moved quickly but still managed to be suspenseful. Hand this to kids who love books by Mary Downing Hahn.
take_me_awayyy's review
4.0
Super cute! I can see why I've been on hold for this for so long! Also, I really liked that the e-audio included the pictures from the book. It was a nice touch to go back and look at them.
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