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z_thatsit's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Gun violence, Grief, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcohol, Toxic relationship, and Mental illness
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Cursing, and Fire/Fire injury
anonymous_biblioholic's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Kidnapping, Death, Murder, Gore, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Alcohol
bookishgoob's review against another edition
dark
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
the beginning half was incredibly slow and i hated it until i realized that there was several books in this series and then it made sense. the atmosphere was being built. this book is a nice dark academia read. i’m starting the second book now. the main character stevie is a little annoying and a little “not like other girls” which annoys me in books. also her obsession with true crime makes me gag. i hope she learns soon that true crime involves real people and that even though she knows a lot about police proceedings doesn’t mean it’s going to be like her podcasts. i like the building relationship between her and david.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Child death, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic friendship, and Violence
jillkaarlela's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
A thrilling boarding school murder mystery about a school that is famous for a murder that happened in the 1930s. I really liked this! It was super exciting and page turning, and even as I reread this, I still really enjoyed it! There are some pretty unexpected plot twists.
The protagonist, Stevie, is such a complex, yet relatable character, who, as the book goes along, I really feel that I am getting to know. The author pulled back the curtain to show every part of this character, which so many books lack. The reader gets a front-row seat to exactly how she processes the world and how the gears turn to figure out the giant twists. That is really what makes these books so special for me. We see this complex, fascinating, ambitious female character, yet she is also completely human and flawed. We get to see her struggle with her mental health and her battle to stay alive in a school full of secrets and mysteries. I love how accurately and candidly Johnson portrayed Stevie’s mental health. It was so real/honest and raw. I think many people could benefit from reading these even just to see the struggles that those with anxiety face on a daily basis. It was very comforting to see someone else going through similar mental battles to know that it’s not just me. I think many others who struggle from mental health issues will find comfort in reading this accurate depiction of anxiety and panic attacks. I would recommend this series for those who love YA mysteries! I like how it’s told in a dual perspective of back in the 1930s and now. Also, there’s romance and you know I had to pick taylor songs for this book, and they are “the way I loved you (TV)” and “the other side of the door (TV)”.
Age rating: 13+
The protagonist, Stevie, is such a complex, yet relatable character, who, as the book goes along, I really feel that I am getting to know. The author pulled back the curtain to show every part of this character, which so many books lack. The reader gets a front-row seat to exactly how she processes the world and how the gears turn to figure out the giant twists. That is really what makes these books so special for me. We see this complex, fascinating, ambitious female character, yet she is also completely human and flawed. We get to see her struggle with her mental health and her battle to stay alive in a school full of secrets and mysteries. I love how accurately and candidly Johnson portrayed Stevie’s mental health. It was so real/honest and raw. I think many people could benefit from reading these even just to see the struggles that those with anxiety face on a daily basis. It was very comforting to see someone else going through similar mental battles to know that it’s not just me. I think many others who struggle from mental health issues will find comfort in reading this accurate depiction of anxiety and panic attacks. I would recommend this series for those who love YA mysteries! I like how it’s told in a dual perspective of back in the 1930s and now. Also, there’s romance and you know I had to pick taylor songs for this book, and they are “the way I loved you (TV)” and “the other side of the door (TV)”.
Age rating: 13+
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Cursing and Death
Brief cursing, but not very much. Since this is a murder mystery, it focuses on the murder mystery, and it discusses dead bodies. It isn’t gory or graphic, as it is YAkalynwebb's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Mental illness, Murder, Cursing, and Child death
Minor: Gun violence
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