Scan barcode
mybluebookshelf's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
summary:
Stevie Bell has somehow, against all odds, managed to secure herself admission at the exclusive and mysterious Ellingham Academy. While other students at the school are attracted by the freedom to pursue their own academic interests, Stevie has applied for a different reason: to solve the murders that have clung to the school since its founding. As she tries to unravel the mystery, though, she only finds more questions to ask, and it seems like time is running out.
review:
I loved A Good Girl's Guide to Murder and I knew I'd enjoy Truly Devious. I was drawn-in from the beginning and never felt bored - although there are some slow parts, those include necessary character tidbits for the plot. I also enjoyed the mysterious, isolated private school setting - very dark academia.
Unfortunately, I feel like the pacing was off in this one - lots of lead-up but a sort of anti-climactic big reveal, then some other stuff happens, then there's sort of another big reveal but then the book just ends?? None of the many mysteries set up are actually solved in book 1, and I think the ending should have come after the first climax. The writing and the first 3/4 of the book were 5 star-worthy, but the last 1/4 dropped the overall book down to 4.5 stars.
Stevie Bell has somehow, against all odds, managed to secure herself admission at the exclusive and mysterious Ellingham Academy. While other students at the school are attracted by the freedom to pursue their own academic interests, Stevie has applied for a different reason: to solve the murders that have clung to the school since its founding. As she tries to unravel the mystery, though, she only finds more questions to ask, and it seems like time is running out.
review:
I loved A Good Girl's Guide to Murder and I knew I'd enjoy Truly Devious. I was drawn-in from the beginning and never felt bored - although there are some slow parts, those include necessary character tidbits for the plot. I also enjoyed the mysterious, isolated private school setting - very dark academia.
Unfortunately, I feel like the pacing was off in this one - lots of lead-up but a sort of anti-climactic big reveal, then some other stuff happens, then there's sort of another big reveal but then the book just ends?? None of the many mysteries set up are actually solved in book 1, and I think the ending should have come after the first climax. The writing and the first 3/4 of the book were 5 star-worthy, but the last 1/4 dropped the overall book down to 4.5 stars.
smokedsamon's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
beewitch's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
olwyn88's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
3.0
emmajh91's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, Alcohol, Mental illness, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Child death, Kidnapping, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
hannahbanana0909's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
vidalikestoread's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
laraamtk's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0