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lost_in_novels's review against another edition
3.0
This is a YA book about a rivalry between two boarding schools. One is a all boys school and the other is a all girls school. Everything changes when there is an announcement that the schools will merge. Our FMC, Doe, is completely against the merge because she thinks the girls will loose a lot of opportunities when the schools becomes co-ed. However, her boarding school is in a difficult financial situation and the merge will help with that.
This was a very well rounded YA book with a lot of interesting themes that were discussed throughout the story. There is a conversation about gender identities, sexuality, sexual abuse (and even a me-too movement). The romance is pretty much close-door, nothing explicit but I liked to see the characters developing and working together to solve some of their issues.
The main character is very head strong and sometimes does some bad decisions because of pride and her narrow minded convictions, and even though that could be annoying, I could see myself at that age doing something similar, so maybe I'm not the main target audience for this book hehe
anyway... it was fine. Maybe someone younger would enjoy a lot this book :)
This was a very well rounded YA book with a lot of interesting themes that were discussed throughout the story. There is a conversation about gender identities, sexuality, sexual abuse (and even a me-too movement). The romance is pretty much close-door, nothing explicit but I liked to see the characters developing and working together to solve some of their issues.
The main character is very head strong and sometimes does some bad decisions because of pride and her narrow minded convictions, and even though that could be annoying, I could see myself at that age doing something similar, so maybe I'm not the main target audience for this book hehe
anyway... it was fine. Maybe someone younger would enjoy a lot this book :)
cjmiller's review against another edition
hopeful
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? Yes
4.25
at first I struggled getting through the first half of the book but once I hit the second half I couldn't put it down
Kinda worth the struggle in the beginning
Kinda worth the struggle in the beginning
rnewk's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
4.25
gabizago's review against another edition
3.0
Honestly? This is a YA book and the main character (Doe) is a spoiled girl that wants what she wants regardless of it making sense or not. But she kind of gets it at some point and (surprisingly) it doesn't end so bad for her. But what the title / the book is about is a possible merger between a school for girls (where Doe studies) with a school for boys (their rival school). That is what might end badly. It was a just okay book. I didn't like the narrator / main character, or even the main story, but you might find it interesting.
ameserole's review against another edition
4.0
I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This May End Badly was so much fun to dive into. I think I might just be a sucker for all kinds of chaos when it comes to rivalries. Plus, a school one where they are right across the street from each other sounds like a lot of fun. Or maybe it's just me?
After meeting the mastermind of almost all the great pranks, it didn't take me long to actually like Doe. The girl had so many secrets throughout the book that I just kept waiting for them to come out to play. Which, yes, they did in a very chaotic way but I was glad that everything was out in the open. It just sucks that all the drama unfolded into her group of friends.
Besides her, I also really liked getting to know Wells. Yeah, he was from the all boys school but together they just made me smile. He definitely helped her out of her revenge shell and I just think they were becoming true friends. Even though they were fake dating and that actually never ends up being fake.
Other than that, I hate the creepy ass teacher and I was so proud of everyone standing up. It honestly went on for way too long and I'm still suspicious of the girls headmaster. Ugh. Then there's the way this book freaking ended and I'm just dying. I can definitely see the rivalry between two schools going on forever and ever.
May their college days never be boring.
This May End Badly was so much fun to dive into. I think I might just be a sucker for all kinds of chaos when it comes to rivalries. Plus, a school one where they are right across the street from each other sounds like a lot of fun. Or maybe it's just me?
After meeting the mastermind of almost all the great pranks, it didn't take me long to actually like Doe. The girl had so many secrets throughout the book that I just kept waiting for them to come out to play. Which, yes, they did in a very chaotic way but I was glad that everything was out in the open. It just sucks that all the drama unfolded into her group of friends.
Besides her, I also really liked getting to know Wells. Yeah, he was from the all boys school but together they just made me smile. He definitely helped her out of her revenge shell and I just think they were becoming true friends. Even though they were fake dating and that actually never ends up being fake.
Other than that, I hate the creepy ass teacher and I was so proud of everyone standing up. It honestly went on for way too long and I'm still suspicious of the girls headmaster. Ugh. Then there's the way this book freaking ended and I'm just dying. I can definitely see the rivalry between two schools going on forever and ever.
May their college days never be boring.
nberglu's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
4.0
justiner16's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
4.25
lauren_soderberg's review against another edition
5.0
This May End Badly by Samantha Markum is the kind of novel you end up devouring because you just can’t put it down. It’s full of humor, mischief, and character growth. And I could see this being turned into a movie so easily because its pacing is so on-point.
Doe Saltpeter is kind of a legend The Weston School. She’s fiercely protective of the place where she’s felt at home the past three years, and fully engaged in continuing the century-long war against rival Winfield Academy. She even has a nemesis, Three, who she loves to one-up any chance she gets. When the announcement is made that the schools will be merging, Doe recruits her friends to ramp up the feud. And when Three’s cousin, Wells, suggests they fake date in order to get under Three’s skin, Doe agrees. But, when other more pressing matters are uncovered, and Doe’s feelings towards Wells turn more real, she’ll have to examine what’s really important and if being a diehard “Weston girl” is worth it.
One of the things that Markum does so deftly in this novel is to show genuine character growth. Initially, Doe is very single-minded in her endeavors, and when her worldview is challenged, she behaves in an authentically adolescent way. It’s kind of frustrating to read, but feels so real. Then, she evolves throughout the story. She recognizes her faults and begins to work through them. It’s wholly satisfying to navigate through that process with her.
Doe’s friends are also a compelling part of the narrative, as each challenge her in differing ways. Doe’s relationship with Wells also feels so achingly uncertain and real as they both work through the conflicting feelings they’re experiencing. This book took me back to the time when I was the characters’ age, but also engaged me as an adult. Also, the way that the girls (and the boys) band together when a teacher goes too far is powerful to read.
This is the kind of book that is so witty, engaging, and just plain fun, that you wouldn’t mind seeing it adapted. Do yourselves a favor and add it to your TBR.
Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Doe Saltpeter is kind of a legend The Weston School. She’s fiercely protective of the place where she’s felt at home the past three years, and fully engaged in continuing the century-long war against rival Winfield Academy. She even has a nemesis, Three, who she loves to one-up any chance she gets. When the announcement is made that the schools will be merging, Doe recruits her friends to ramp up the feud. And when Three’s cousin, Wells, suggests they fake date in order to get under Three’s skin, Doe agrees. But, when other more pressing matters are uncovered, and Doe’s feelings towards Wells turn more real, she’ll have to examine what’s really important and if being a diehard “Weston girl” is worth it.
One of the things that Markum does so deftly in this novel is to show genuine character growth. Initially, Doe is very single-minded in her endeavors, and when her worldview is challenged, she behaves in an authentically adolescent way. It’s kind of frustrating to read, but feels so real. Then, she evolves throughout the story. She recognizes her faults and begins to work through them. It’s wholly satisfying to navigate through that process with her.
Doe’s friends are also a compelling part of the narrative, as each challenge her in differing ways. Doe’s relationship with Wells also feels so achingly uncertain and real as they both work through the conflicting feelings they’re experiencing. This book took me back to the time when I was the characters’ age, but also engaged me as an adult. Also, the way that the girls (and the boys) band together when a teacher goes too far is powerful to read.
This is the kind of book that is so witty, engaging, and just plain fun, that you wouldn’t mind seeing it adapted. Do yourselves a favor and add it to your TBR.
Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.