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ineslts's review
5.0
Alright, first of all I have to admit that there was a second there, near the end, when I thought this was a great book that was going to leave me lacking in the end. I was thankfully wrong.
Seems pretty simple at the start and it gives you clues all the way through if you're paying attention! Wonderful and intriguing read, I already have the next one on the way.
I really don't think there's anything I can say that won't be even a bit of a spoiler, so...
Remember now... Don't cross the magpies.
Seems pretty simple at the start and it gives you clues all the way through if you're paying attention! Wonderful and intriguing read, I already have the next one on the way.
I really don't think there's anything I can say that won't be even a bit of a spoiler, so...
Remember now... Don't cross the magpies.
michellepage92's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
It’s a good YA mystery. A teenage would definitely enjoy this story. The book was engaging and the plot is nicely thought through.
teeny_reads's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This has been on my TBR for the longestttttt time, so I'm glad I finally got round to it!
I really enjoyed the vibe of this book it felt very, teenage detective drama, sort of Good Girls Guide To Murder type style. It made me think teen drama and mystery in a magicless hogwarts with secret societies.
Really enjoyed the writing style of the book and the lay out, it was super easy to read and good enough that you kept reading.
My only issue was that it felt like it kept building building building but didn't really go anywhere, so I'm glad there's a 2nd book to read and hopefully I'll get the answers I need!
I really enjoyed the vibe of this book it felt very, teenage detective drama, sort of Good Girls Guide To Murder type style. It made me think teen drama and mystery in a magicless hogwarts with secret societies.
Really enjoyed the writing style of the book and the lay out, it was super easy to read and good enough that you kept reading.
My only issue was that it felt like it kept building building building but didn't really go anywhere, so I'm glad there's a 2nd book to read and hopefully I'll get the answers I need!
yazpike's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review
4.0
It's quite a miracle that I didn't end up reading this book BEFORE the buddy read with the Book Box Club girls started. The moment I unwrapped the book I already felt the need to read it, especially since every Amy McCulloch book I've read so far has been quite entertaining and enjoyable. However, I tested my patience and like a good girl I waited for this week to start reading. But once one member of the club raced ahead and finished today, I knew I wanted to follow.
I'm in my thirties right now, but I've grown up with the boarding school books my mom gave me. And this book totally reminded me what I enjoyed so much about them. It already started with the school itself and the atmosphere. It was quite clear that this boarding school is for the elite, for the rich and wealthy. We get detailed, and yet never boring, descriptions of what sounds like a huge castle, with all the secret nooks and hiding places I'd dreamed would be there.
On top of that the book finds a really nice balance between the murder mystery, the who's behind the podcast mystery and the day-to-day drama so typical for teenage girls. Through the eyes of Audrey, the new American girl, and Ivy, the perfect scholarship student, we not only experience the search for answers, but we also see their personalities clash, with each other and with others. Although, the book never just pits girls against girls. At some really crucial moments, the book picks girl-bonding over fights and bullying. It made the story both realistic and inspiring.
It also helps that Audrey and Ivy are two really different girls. Audrey is in every way the typical rich American girl and therefore always feels a little out of a place. Ivy however is a total overachiever, determined to protect the school and everything she has worked for. Both are far from perfect. They have their flaws, they make mistakes and therefore they also feel quite realistic. Maybe they're not the easiest to really like, but especially once they find each other I couldn't help rooting for them.
But, after that finale and after that cliffhanger? I need the second book like...NOW!
I'm in my thirties right now, but I've grown up with the boarding school books my mom gave me. And this book totally reminded me what I enjoyed so much about them. It already started with the school itself and the atmosphere. It was quite clear that this boarding school is for the elite, for the rich and wealthy. We get detailed, and yet never boring, descriptions of what sounds like a huge castle, with all the secret nooks and hiding places I'd dreamed would be there.
On top of that the book finds a really nice balance between the murder mystery, the who's behind the podcast mystery and the day-to-day drama so typical for teenage girls. Through the eyes of Audrey, the new American girl, and Ivy, the perfect scholarship student, we not only experience the search for answers, but we also see their personalities clash, with each other and with others. Although, the book never just pits girls against girls. At some really crucial moments, the book picks girl-bonding over fights and bullying. It made the story both realistic and inspiring.
It also helps that Audrey and Ivy are two really different girls. Audrey is in every way the typical rich American girl and therefore always feels a little out of a place. Ivy however is a total overachiever, determined to protect the school and everything she has worked for. Both are far from perfect. They have their flaws, they make mistakes and therefore they also feel quite realistic. Maybe they're not the easiest to really like, but especially once they find each other I couldn't help rooting for them.
But, after that finale and after that cliffhanger? I need the second book like...NOW!
cladis's review
5.0
I can’t believe I’ll have to wait until the writer release the second book. I’d like to kill her and kiss her at the same time!!!
healinglola's review
4.0
I've had this book for a while now, but it hasn't been one that I've got round to reading yet. The reads I tend to pick are you all pretty intense and I wanted something a little less intense this time. Although this still has it's emotions and mystery, from what I normally read it was a bit more calmer. I thought it was a better option for me at this moment in time. I generally wasn't expecting to enjoy it as much as I did.
This book is based around two point of views. A girl called Audrey who has just joined Illumen Hall and Ivy, who shared her room with a girl called Lola who tragically died. Audrey and Ivy get off to a rocky start, but they both end up teaming up to get to the bottom of the mystery of Lola's death. It's down to them to discover what happened to Lola the night she died and discover the secrets of the history of the school and The Magpie Society.
This book is based around two point of views. A girl called Audrey who has just joined Illumen Hall and Ivy, who shared her room with a girl called Lola who tragically died. Audrey and Ivy get off to a rocky start, but they both end up teaming up to get to the bottom of the mystery of Lola's death. It's down to them to discover what happened to Lola the night she died and discover the secrets of the history of the school and The Magpie Society.
sarahs_booklove's review against another edition
5.0
Okay - dieses Buch hat mich sowas von gefesselt! Es war von Anfang an richtig spannend, super geschrieben, dass man direkt in einen Lesefluss gekommen ist, und immer wissen wollte wie es weitergeht. Also, so ging es zumindest mir! Ich kann absolut nichts schlechtes über dieses Buch sagen, außer das es jetzt noch knapp einen Monat bis zur Veröffentlichung des zweiten Bandes dauert, und ich einfach unbedingt wissen muss, wie die Geschichte fortgesetzt wird. War schon als Teenager ein Riesen großer „Zoella“ Fan, und verfolge Zoe Sugg immer noch super gerne, daher finde ich es umso toller, dieses Buch von ihr gelesen zu haben. Sie hat hier wirklich etwas großartiges geschaffen! (Und ein kleiner Reminder an mich selbst, dass ich wirklich mehr Thriller lesen sollte - es lohnt sich einfach jedes Mal so sehr!)
liv_72's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
isabelle_mary's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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? No
5.0
When going into this book I had no idea what to expect, but I left with it definitely being one of my all time favorite books. The mystery is soooo addictive and I want to know what really happened to Lola! The two perspectives of Audrey and Ivy work perfectly with how the book was written and I thought the podcast episodes were such a nice touch. I read half of this book in one day because I could not put it down! I am so excited to read the second book and have already told so many to read this book! I will definitely read again and it is definitely in my top five!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Suicide, Cursing, and Bullying