secondstar_red's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-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
agxxo's review against another edition
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
finalgirlfall's review against another edition
5.0
"parents, police, reporters, they won't help you. you'll be on your own. and it probably won't work. you'll get stuck too. she'll have you. and if you get out, you won't remember enough to tell anyone, and even if you do end up remembering, you won't want to, and you won't want to say anything. you'll be too afraid. like me. and if you don't get out, you'll never, ever leave."
this book... good lord. anything i could possibly say about it wouldn't be enough to encompass just how good it was, or how life-changing. also, this book and [b:The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires|44074800|The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires|Grady Hendrix|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1584222716l/44074800._SY75_.jpg|68534292] are holding hands, because they're both about how society refuses to believe women (and/or children) when they say they're being abused, and about how communities are frequently complicit in abuse through inaction.
also having some other, less cohesive thoughts that i may add later.
catherinefenquist's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
sanmeow's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
victoria and lawrence are best friends, but one day, lawrence disappears mysteriously. victoria must then uncover the secrets of the cavendish home for boys and girls, where children disappear and everyone seems to forget they existed in the first place.
the creepy elements of this story were pretty well done. that's mostly because i really really liked the writing style and it's super descriptive. great atmosphere as well. it was also interesting as a commentary on societal norms and expectations. victoria isn't the most likable character right away, she's very uptight and wants everything to be 'perfect'. lawrence isn't quite like that, he's actually the opposite - i do think that the novel could've been just a bit more emotional, but that's okay, i still enjoyed it. the illustrations and overall design are really nice as well.
the creepy elements of this story were pretty well done. that's mostly because i really really liked the writing style and it's super descriptive. great atmosphere as well. it was also interesting as a commentary on societal norms and expectations. victoria isn't the most likable character right away, she's very uptight and wants everything to be 'perfect'. lawrence isn't quite like that, he's actually the opposite -
Spoiler
which is why he goes missing. and victoria has to fight against her own dislike for 'imperfect' things in order to save him.heatherinjapan's review against another edition
No clue why I was forcing myself to continue with this book. It really wasn't for me
mehsi's review against another edition
5.0
Wow, this was a great, fun, marvelous book. :)
It had a bit of horror, magic and a school were scary stuff happen. Kids who disappear and come back (if they come back) totally changed.
I loved our main lead girl, she was spunky, and although I didn't like her in the beginning (she was a tad bit too much), I loved her at the end, how she just pushed through, how she never stops. And she learned a few wise lessons. :)
I hope for more books by this author. :)
It had a bit of horror, magic and a school were scary stuff happen. Kids who disappear and come back (if they come back) totally changed.
I loved our main lead girl, she was spunky, and although I didn't like her in the beginning (she was a tad bit too much), I loved her at the end, how she just pushed through, how she never stops. And she learned a few wise lessons. :)
I hope for more books by this author. :)
eileenofearth's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
cheyenne_wue's review against another edition
2.0
Mich wundert es tatsächlich ein wenig wie viele diesem Buch 4-5 Sterne gaben. Mir persönlich hat es leider nicht gefallen. Das liegt hauptsächlich daran dass ich mich nicht einmal ansatzweise mit den Charakteren identifizieren konnte (vor allem Victoria ist absolut unsympathisch und verhält sich meiner Meinung nach nicht wie ein Kind) und daran, dass einiges am Ende noch ungeklärt bleibt. Außerdem erinnert mich das ganze Buch an einen Tim Burton Film, was gut sein mag für Leute, die dessen Filme mögen-ich zähle leider nicht zu diesen. Zudem war die Altersempfehlung ab 12, was ich absolut nicht unterstützen kann, da es doch stellenweise sehr gruselig und enorm grotesk war.
Allerdings ist das Cover wirklich traumhaft schön und neben kleinen gedruckten Käfern auf manchen Seiten, gibt es auch ab und zu Bilder, was mir gut gefallen hat. Am Schreibstil gibt es auch nichts auszusetzen.
Insgesamt aber leider nicht mein Fall, deshalb 2/5 Sternen
Allerdings ist das Cover wirklich traumhaft schön und neben kleinen gedruckten Käfern auf manchen Seiten, gibt es auch ab und zu Bilder, was mir gut gefallen hat. Am Schreibstil gibt es auch nichts auszusetzen.
Insgesamt aber leider nicht mein Fall, deshalb 2/5 Sternen