Reviews

Quests for Glory by Soman Chainani

krystyne88's review against another edition

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adventurous dark funny 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? Yes

3.75

sarahwlft's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

starp0tt3r's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious tense 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

5.0

grandmaslibrary's review

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adventurous dark funny hopeful medium-paced
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

amycoles's review against another edition

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Before I get into my feelings about the content of this book, I'd like to address where it is situated within The School for Good and Evil series. I found it very strange that this book is technically classified as the first book in the The School for Good and Evil: The Camelot Years, because it's not something you can just pick up if you haven't read the first three books. In fact, it pretty much continues not too long after the third book leaves off and makes references to the past books. I get that this is the first book that is largely situated outside of the school, but it should still be considered the fourth book in The School for Good and Evil series so as not to confuse others who aren't familiar with the series.

NOW. I ended up loving this book, which was really surprising because after a few chapters, I was convinced this was just going to be a three star read. To be honest, this book started out fine, but it didn't completely grip me right from the beginning. The prelude to the main quest seemed to drag on for too long, with an extensive pity party for Agatha and Tedros for the first several chapters of the book.

BUT, once the main quest plot began to unravel, I got completely sucked in. There was a great balance of plot action and character/relationship development. I especially loved watching Hort and Dot in this book and actually found it great that they got so much 'screen' time! I was really afraid I would get bored of Sophie, Agatha, and Tedros because, let's be honest, they have pretty strong personalities. But lots of side characters were really featured here and it worked out really well to balance out Sophie's... Sophieness! A new character, was also introduced to this book, and while I loved her, she was said to be really important to the quest, but I feel like she should have been featured more!!!

Another thing I loved was how much more of this fantasy world we got to see! Agatha and the crew end up travelling to lots of the regions within Camelot's rule as we get to see the different landscapes, rulers, and citizens - including Dot's dad and Robin Hood! It also really helped that (at least in my hardcover edition) this book had a map at the beginning with all the kingdoms under Camelot's rule.

One of my favourite things about all of The School for Good and Evil books are the strong fairy-tale/fantasy elements that add a special pop of whimsy to the stories. In this one, especially, there are so many whimsical elements that just warmed my heart: from a beaver tour guide, to Robin Hood's enchanted forest, to Jaunt Jolie's pastel castle. The main antagonist of this story was also really imaginative and pretty cool (I'll give no spoilers though).

As far as the plot goes, I was afraid that I had everything figured out really early on because of the obvious ( - obvious to me who's quite a bit older than the ideal middlegrade audience) hints dropped at a potential plot twist. But when it came to that plot twist I was actually caught off guard and i began to enjoy the book so much more knowing that even though I'm an adult, the story can still surprise me. I have to admit that there was ONE thing that I anticipated. I just wish the story ended with more answers, but instead it left off with QUITE the cliff hanger.

Just be prepared for all of the feels...

I can't wait for the next book that's anticipated to come out in the Fall of 2018!

amycoles's review against another edition

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4.0

Before I get into my feelings about the content of this book, I’d like to address where it is situated within The School for Good and Evil series. I found it very strange that this book is technically classified as the first book in the The School for Good and Evil: The Camelot Years, because it’s not something you can just pick up if you haven’t read the first three books. In fact, it pretty much continues not too long after the third book leaves off and makes references to the past books. I get that this is the first book that is largely situated outside of the school, but it should still be considered the fourth book in The School for Good and Evil series so as not to confuse others who aren’t familiar with the series.

NOW. I ended up loving this book, which was really surprising because after a few chapters, I was convinced this was just going to be a three star read. To be honest, this book started out fine, but it didn’t completely grip me right from the beginning. The prelude to the main quest seemed to drag on for too long, with an extensive pity party for Agatha and Tedros for the first several chapters of the book.

BUT, once the main quest plot began to unravel, I got completely sucked in. There was a great balance of plot action and character/relationship development. I especially loved watching Hort and Dot in this book and actually found it great that they got so much ‘screen’ time! I was really afraid I would get bored of Sophie, Agatha, and Tedros because, let’s be honest, they have pretty strong personalities. But lots of side characters were really featured here and it worked out really well to balance out Sophie’s… Sophieness! A new character, was also introduced to this book, and while I loved her, she was said to be really important to the quest, but I feel like she should have been featured more!!!

Another thing I loved was how much more of this fantasy world we got to see! Agatha and the crew end up travelling to lots of the regions within Camelot’s rule as we get to see the different landscapes, rulers, and citizens – including Dot’s dad and Robin Hood! It also really helped that (at least in my hardcover edition) this book had a map at the beginning with all the kingdoms under Camelot’s rule.

One of my favourite things about all of The School for Good and Evil books are the strong fairy-tale/fantasy elements that add a special pop of whimsy to the stories. In this one, especially, there are so many whimsical elements that just warmed my heart: from a beaver tour guide, to Robin Hood’s enchanted forest, to Jaunt Jolie’s pastel castle. The main antagonist of this story was also really imaginative and pretty cool (I’ll give no spoilers though).

As far as the plot goes, I was afraid that I had everything figured out really early on because of the obvious ( – obvious to me who’s quite a bit older than the ideal middlegrade audience) hints dropped at a potential plot twist. But when it came to that plot twist I was actually caught off guard and i began to enjoy the book so much more knowing that even though I’m an adult, the story can still surprise me. I have to admit that there was ONE thing that I anticipated. I just wish the story ended with more answers, but instead it left off with QUITE the cliff hanger.

Just be prepared for all of the feels…

I can’t wait for the next book that’s anticipated to come out in the Fall of 2018!

gmurphy26's review against another edition

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4.0

This one dragged on a bit too long and was a bit predictable. However, all in all, it was pretty good and has left me eagerly awaiting the next one.

reneeereads's review against another edition

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4.0

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! WHAT WAS THAT ENDING?!!!! IM SO MAD AND I STILL CANT TELL IF I HATE OR LOVE THIS SERIES

austkaine's review against another edition

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3.0

This second break of the series found me refreshed into this series. I would turn each page wondering how we were to be entrapped with the new characters. Each second I found my self more and more wrapped up in the mystery and the story.

drowned_leviathan's review against another edition

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5.0

This book continues my favouritism of this series. However I do not recommend reading until the next book is out as the cliff-hanger at the end is to brutal to live with for the next couple months until the next book is released.
This is definitely my favourite series and I can't wait to see where the author takes it next - a must read for anyone into twisted fairy tales or even those not (I'm forcing my friend to read it because I love it so much).
Wouldn't recommend for younger readers because there is some violence however I'd say 12+ should be fine. I'd recommend it to anyone that asks.