and_cats's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
delaneyb82's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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? Yes
4.0
bookcraft's review against another edition
2.0
Very few threads are tied up at the end of the first installment, which I find frustrating. I don't mind an overarching plot for a mystery series, as long as each book also has its own plot that's wrapped up by the end, but this...does not do that.
The historical mystery was far more interesting to me than the present-day narrative, which was filled with token diverse characters, a MC who got on my nerves, and a budding romance that's straight out of 1980s Harlequins and, as such, should raise ALL the red flags ever for a modern teen. When the characters are first discussing their dating history and Stevie has none, nor has she ever had any interest in her peers, I had a few moments of hope that she was going to be ace, but alas, her complete lack of previous sexual attraction is just there to highlight how SPECIAL and PERFECT the toxic romance is. I mean, I loathe the whole "one true love" trope to begin with, but I especially loathe it when it's coupled with a relationship that's obviously incredibly unhealthy.
Still, I wanted to know the answer to the various mysteries, so I continued on with the next book in the series.
The historical mystery was far more interesting to me than the present-day narrative, which was filled with token diverse characters, a MC who got on my nerves, and a budding romance that's straight out of 1980s Harlequins and, as such, should raise ALL the red flags ever for a modern teen. When the characters are first discussing their dating history and Stevie has none, nor has she ever had any interest in her peers, I had a few moments of hope that she was going to be ace, but alas, her complete lack of previous sexual attraction is just there to highlight how SPECIAL and PERFECT the toxic romance is. I mean, I loathe the whole "one true love" trope to begin with, but I especially loathe it when it's coupled with a relationship that's obviously incredibly unhealthy.
Still, I wanted to know the answer to the various mysteries, so I continued on with the next book in the series.
emilyjadereads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
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
4.25
jbojkov's review against another edition
5.0
This one hit right in my favorite zone- some mystery, a spunky main character, creepy setting, and an old, unsolved mystery. Add to that a new murder- and you’ve got yourself an unputdownable read. Can’t wait to read book two!!
klichtle's review against another edition
4.0
Finally a YA book I enjoyed as an adult! Although I’m super annoyed that it’s a trilogy and leaves on a cliffhanger with no real answers in the story.
ellainalisa's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
krystynakrez's review against another edition
3.0
This will probably be the last book I pick up off of a Tik Tok recommendation. I thought the concept of a school for gifted children in the mountains of Vermont was pretty interesting, and the underlying murder mystery definitely provided some interesting plot points but I don't think this needed to be drug out as long as it was. I skimmed through a lot, and found the romance woven in to be unnecessary. Also not a fan of it ending on a cliffhanger to segue into another book, which I won't be picking up. Guess I'll just read other reviews to find out the resolution. This would probably be fine for much younger readers on the YA scale, but it didn't do a lot for me.
filipaverse's review against another edition
3.0
This was quite an enjoyable read for me. I really liked how in the beginning there were chapters alternating between the present and the past, which created a great dynamic and got me interested to read more.
There was a point, however, where the story didn’t seem to be going anywhere and I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to feel – I wasn’t that curious or excited to see how the Ellingham case would play out because I didn’t care for the characters that were kidnapped, and I also didn’t really care for the present day shenanigans, mainly because nothing was happening.
But then(!) the second death occurred, and it got so much better from then on – I finally had something to look forward to and I was pretty much hooked until the end.
I have to say, the writing wasn’t always the best, and even plot and characters-wise I had some issues, but in the great scheme of things it didn’t bother me that much, specially because the second half of the book was really good and that’s what’s stuck with me the most.
There was a point, however, where the story didn’t seem to be going anywhere and I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to feel – I wasn’t that curious or excited to see how the Ellingham case would play out because I didn’t care for the characters that were kidnapped, and I also didn’t really care for the present day shenanigans, mainly because nothing was happening.
But then(!) the second death occurred, and it got so much better from then on – I finally had something to look forward to and I was pretty much hooked until the end.
I have to say, the writing wasn’t always the best, and even plot and characters-wise I had some issues, but in the great scheme of things it didn’t bother me that much, specially because the second half of the book was really good and that’s what’s stuck with me the most.
vventi's review against another edition
2.0
honestly so disappointed because nothing actually happens in this book and i had high expectations because i love mystery and boarding schools but this just did not deliver