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littlewhiterabbitreads's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
whiskers_and_lipstick's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
As a 90’s-Stan, I was so excited to jump into this series. The overarching story is fun and engaging, but the characters (especially Cassandra) are juvenile to a fault. Understandably, it’s a YA series, but Esme and Cassandra seeming lack the emotional depth and maturity that most supernatural heroines (even YA) typically have or develop in their journeys.
That said, Cassandra’s is in her best form in Spells Like Teen Spirit. She’s still quirky and tone deaf, but not completely clueless, reckless, or irritating. That said, her personality shift seems to come out of nowhere. The presence of the other sitters lends so much to grounding Esme’s and advancing her skills and knowledge as a sitter. They also break up the sometime grating monotony of Esme’s and Cassandra’s maddening dynamic and offer intention to the duo’s typically accidental victories. I also loved Brian having a larger presence in the story. He’s a much needed tameness to the snowballing antics of the teen group.
I found SLTS to be the most entertaining story in the series. While the pacing mimics the previous books, it doesn’t feel as slow as it moves. It also MUST be experienced in audiobook format. Ch 17 was a straight hour of laughing until I cried and I will be randomly singing “I hope you brought a taaaaarrrrrrrrppppp!” then immediately bursting into a fit of giggles for the foreseeable future.
What diminishes the successes of this book is that it’s a finale without any resolution. The girls may have defeated the villain of the week, but the larger story of the sitters and their history with red magic, Esme’s mother’s curse, and the fate of Cassandra’s parents remains untold. The book leaves so many questions unanswered and doors wide open, offering only hope that Esme is heading in the right direction.
That said, Cassandra’s is in her best form in Spells Like Teen Spirit. She’s still quirky and tone deaf, but not completely clueless, reckless, or irritating. That said, her personality shift seems to come out of nowhere. The presence of the other sitters lends so much to grounding Esme’s and advancing her skills and knowledge as a sitter. They also break up the sometime grating monotony of Esme’s and Cassandra’s maddening dynamic and offer intention to the duo’s typically accidental victories. I also loved Brian having a larger presence in the story. He’s a much needed tameness to the snowballing antics of the teen group.
I found SLTS to be the most entertaining story in the series. While the pacing mimics the previous books, it doesn’t feel as slow as it moves. It also MUST be experienced in audiobook format. Ch 17 was a straight hour of laughing until I cried and I will be randomly singing “I hope you brought a taaaaarrrrrrrrppppp!” then immediately bursting into a fit of giggles for the foreseeable future.
What diminishes the successes of this book is that it’s a finale without any resolution. The girls may have defeated the villain of the week, but the larger story of the sitters and their history with red magic, Esme’s mother’s curse, and the fate of Cassandra’s parents remains untold. The book leaves so many questions unanswered and doors wide open, offering only hope that Esme is heading in the right direction.
darquedreamer's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
magnetgrrl's review against another edition
4.0
I have enjoyed every book in this series so far! I will definitely read more whenever they come out!
ajneumann9's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
morchels's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
A super campy read. It felt like a silly paranormal version of babysitters club. I wouldn't necessarily recommend it unless it was to someone younger.
tiffani_reads's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
reading_under_covers's review against another edition
4.0
While I didn’t love the whole concept and execution of Superfüd in this one, the emotion and sense of family and friendship really pulled through!