Scan barcode
pagesofnay's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
_kayreads_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-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? Yes
4.0
First, Thank you so for the chance to read the story.
I love a dark academic ya story. It was a secret society.
I felt like it did fall flat in the end and was a slower pace than I expected but I really did enjoy the book.
I love a dark academic ya story. It was a secret society.
I felt like it did fall flat in the end and was a slower pace than I expected but I really did enjoy the book.
brightbelladonna22's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-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? It's complicated
3.0
I am so conflicted about A Darker Mischief, because there are so many things to love about it, and yet it just didn't click for me.
What I loved:
-the dark academia setting is beautifully done. I found myself lost in the world that Milman created. It felt both realistically drawn and eerie, and I think this balance works very well
-the queer rep. I appreciated that Cal and Luke's relationship was not all sunshine and roses, and it felt very realistic for two queer sophomores struggling with their budding sexuality. I also liked how their relationship dynamics play out across the hyper-masculinity of Luke's world (high school sports + secret societies) in particular. Again, not something I've seen in dark academia and really well done
-the twists and turns were great! While I did see some of them coming, there were many that I didn't. The villain is not who you expect, and I liked the mystery of it all
-"compulsively readable" would aptly describe A Darker Mischief
What I didn't:
-The Secret History comp led me to expect dense, meaty prose alongside the atmosphere, but the prose here was...very light? It definitely feeds into that page turner feel, and I think many teens will be drawn to Milman's accessible writing, but it didn't grab me
-I struggled to connect with Cal's motives. While they feel realistic for a teen--fitting in especially--the people he wants to fit in with don't feel particularly decent or cool? I really struggled with why in particular Cal would be drawn to the society
-no spoilers here, but Gretchen, who ends up being a major part of the plot, felt like more of an afterthought at times. She was very present in the beginning of the book and the end, but gets lost somewhere in the middle, to the point that I almost forgot about her
Again, this is definitely a personal taste thing! I really appreciate that Milman's characters are sophomores, and I think it'll capture that age group very well (a lot of YA that I've read lately has 18 year old MCs, so I definitely love seeing more of a true YA feel).
Many thanks to NetGalley, Scholastic, and Derek Milman for gifting me this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review!
What I loved:
-the dark academia setting is beautifully done. I found myself lost in the world that Milman created. It felt both realistically drawn and eerie, and I think this balance works very well
-the queer rep. I appreciated that Cal and Luke's relationship was not all sunshine and roses, and it felt very realistic for two queer sophomores struggling with their budding sexuality. I also liked how their relationship dynamics play out across the hyper-masculinity of Luke's world (high school sports + secret societies) in particular. Again, not something I've seen in dark academia and really well done
-the twists and turns were great! While I did see some of them coming, there were many that I didn't. The villain is not who you expect, and I liked the mystery of it all
-"compulsively readable" would aptly describe A Darker Mischief
What I didn't:
-The Secret History comp led me to expect dense, meaty prose alongside the atmosphere, but the prose here was...very light? It definitely feeds into that page turner feel, and I think many teens will be drawn to Milman's accessible writing, but it didn't grab me
-I struggled to connect with Cal's motives. While they feel realistic for a teen--fitting in especially--the people he wants to fit in with don't feel particularly decent or cool? I really struggled with why in particular Cal would be drawn to the society
-no spoilers here, but Gretchen, who ends up being a major part of the plot, felt like more of an afterthought at times. She was very present in the beginning of the book and the end, but gets lost somewhere in the middle, to the point that I almost forgot about her
Again, this is definitely a personal taste thing! I really appreciate that Milman's characters are sophomores, and I think it'll capture that age group very well (a lot of YA that I've read lately has 18 year old MCs, so I definitely love seeing more of a true YA feel).
Many thanks to NetGalley, Scholastic, and Derek Milman for gifting me this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review!
serinwalker's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
haliespages's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-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? N/A
3.5
wilsinia's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
librarygirlreads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
poojbooj's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book is about a kid who goes to a boarding school and learns about a secret society dedicated to the school's history. Nothing out of the ordinary, until he gets roped into a plot to kidnap the daughter of the VP.
This book was so good and built so many layers of lore. I truly enjoyed every twist and turn that Cal and Luke took me on. 10/10 would read again.
This book was so good and built so many layers of lore. I truly enjoyed every twist and turn that Cal and Luke took me on. 10/10 would read again.
stfucatalina's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
a thank you to netgalley for the opportunity to read the eARC.
although i enjoyed this read and wished i liked it more, there was a lot regarding the story that bothered me.
the dialogue and the relationships were so awkward at the beginning and i often wasn’t sure who was speaking. it did get better as the book progressed, but there was still that awkwardness from time to time.
the transitions between scenes were done poorly in my opinion. it often jumped from one scene to another then to another very quickly to the point where i was wondering when the scene even changed and when i went back, it had changed three times.
there were many instances of info dumps which i’m not a fan of especially when it’s going to be significant within the next few sentences.
the ending was definitely something. i wish i liked this book more. the premise was so intriguing to me, but it didn’t land the way i wish it did.
although i enjoyed this read and wished i liked it more, there was a lot regarding the story that bothered me.
the dialogue and the relationships were so awkward at the beginning and i often wasn’t sure who was speaking. it did get better as the book progressed, but there was still that awkwardness from time to time.
the transitions between scenes were done poorly in my opinion. it often jumped from one scene to another then to another very quickly to the point where i was wondering when the scene even changed and when i went back, it had changed three times.
there were many instances of info dumps which i’m not a fan of especially when it’s going to be significant within the next few sentences.
the ending was definitely something. i wish i liked this book more. the premise was so intriguing to me, but it didn’t land the way i wish it did.
lberestecki's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0