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bibliophilicjester's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A great ending to a really fun series!! I was SO excited for the reveal of the big bad that I think the final showdown was sort of anticlimactic for me. I loved all the discussion about keeping secrets and...how it came up later on? Not sure how to say it haha 😅
There were some really serious and grown-up things in here (especially toward the end) but the whole series has had a bit of that. I mean, we start with Carter basically living on the street, so harsh truths have always been around.
Speaking of harsh truths, ridley is...very much not my favorite, which is disappointing. I was hoping to come out of her pov book liking her more, but meh. I usually enjoy characters who are angry and speak their minds and get in trouble for honesty, because that's 100% me. But sometimes ridley just came off as flat out mean. And though I'm blunt and honest, I always try to see things from other perspectives, and ridley def doesn't. Idk, she just bothered me sometimes. But it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book! At least, I don't think it did.
I really liked the writing style too, especially how things were interjected, like after a particularly tense moment it was "whew that was emotional! How about another magic trick?" 😂 Just overall an incredibly entertaining series. I know magic is NPH's thing, but damn I wish he'd write some other middle grade books!! So good.
There were some really serious and grown-up things in here (especially toward the end) but the whole series has had a bit of that. I mean, we start with Carter basically living on the street, so harsh truths have always been around.
Speaking of harsh truths, ridley is...very much not my favorite, which is disappointing. I was hoping to come out of her pov book liking her more, but meh. I usually enjoy characters who are angry and speak their minds and get in trouble for honesty, because that's 100% me. But sometimes ridley just came off as flat out mean. And though I'm blunt and honest, I always try to see things from other perspectives, and ridley def doesn't. Idk, she just bothered me sometimes. But it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book! At least, I don't think it did.
I really liked the writing style too, especially how things were interjected, like after a particularly tense moment it was "whew that was emotional! How about another magic trick?" 😂 Just overall an incredibly entertaining series. I know magic is NPH's thing, but damn I wish he'd write some other middle grade books!! So good.
live_love_books's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.0
votedmothman's review against another edition
3.0
This was an excellent ending to the series!!! And I really enjoyed following Ripley's perspective!
samiamstew's review against another edition
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
This was pretty enjoyable, a twisty but good conclusion to the series.
libraryjen's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
3.0
A fitting end to the series, this book had one twist I didn't see coming. It was a fun ride with lots of great messages about friendship, family, forgiveness, and magic for the adventurous middle grade reader. Definitely recommended!
ilikecows321's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
1toughgfcookie's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.0
gr8reader's review against another edition
4.0
Well written series. Good suspense, good resolution of different issues (in families as well as the town). Would be a good series to read as a family. Good sense of humor throughout, including when NPH interjects as the author. I think kids would really enjoy trying all of the magic tricks that are included between chapters throughout the 4 books.