Reviews

There was so much I wanted to love about this book: I mean, look at the cover?! It is all fashion and (to me) all fun. I love the 1920s references (didn't expect a Gary Cooper one--my mother would geek out).

However, this book ended up as a did not finish even though I was over halfway through. Why?

I felt like the book dragged. There were opportunities to really expand on the fashion side of things....that didn't happen. There were moments where I also felt like the storyline could have been sped up....that didn't happen. I felt like it was not the most well written. And for some reason, neither of the girls resonated with me =/

Due to all of the other books on my floor....and in my basket....and in my room....I decided that since I wasn't feeling it. Putting it aside sucks but I cannot love every middle grade book I attempt.

rousah's review

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3.0

Tarina ei ole häikäisevän originelli, mutta kerrankin kirja, jossa kaavoitetaan, leikataan kankaita ja ommellaan!

xbrechiex's review against another edition

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lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

jilljemmett's review against another edition

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5.0

1920s, London: When Myrtle’s mother has to sell their tailoring shop, Myrtle is sent to be a lady’s maid at the home of the Cartwright family. There, she meets Sylvia, the young daughter of the house. Sylvia’s older sister is supposed to make her debut to society but she hates the dress that was made for her. Sylvia enlists Myrtle’s help to remake the dress so her sister likes it. When that dress is a hit in society, others want the be dressed by the same designer. Sylvia’s friend Lady Agapantha hires them to create a special look for her debut and to help her form a new identity to follow her dream. This project is almost too big for Sylvia and Myrtle, and can either make or break their designing partnership.

This story reminded me of Downton Abbey, but for a middle grade audience. Myrtle worked as a lady’s maid but she became friends with Lady Sylvia. The other workers in the palace had to remind Myrtle that she shouldn’t be too friendly with the family of the house because she was there to work for them. However, Sylvia was able to persuade Myrtle to help her with designing clothes. I kept imagining Sylvia and Myrtle as Lady Mary and Anna from Downton Abbey, if they were young girls who became friends in unlikely circumstances.

One of my favourite parts of this book was the sketches of the outfits. Since this story had so many descriptive outfits created by Myrtle and Sylvia, it was nice to see what they would have looked like. This was a great addition to this fashion themed story.

The House of Serendipity is a fun middle grade novel!

Thank you Razorbill for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

savannahmonet's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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

gropius's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful 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? It's complicated

4.75

I liked that the Characters came from very different family’s sometimes they thought the other didn’t understand. One rich one the made.

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