Scan barcode
mariel's review against another edition
5.0
What the frig?!?!?
The School for Good and Evil was one heck of a ride.
It's full of adventure, action, magic, wonderful and complex relationships and character development, as well as it shares a really meaningful message.
This series may come to be one of my favourite middle grade novels. It was spectacular.
P.S. Literally, the last 40 pages just left me exhausted from feeling so much emotions.
The School for Good and Evil was one heck of a ride.
It's full of adventure, action, magic, wonderful and complex relationships and character development, as well as it shares a really meaningful message.
This series may come to be one of my favourite middle grade novels. It was spectacular.
P.S. Literally, the last 40 pages just left me exhausted from feeling so much emotions.
solorepira's review against another edition
2.0
While this was a re-read, I have to say I was pleasantly surprised.
I read this book a few years back, the whole three books really (when I first read them, only the first three books were out.) I remember (not hating them) disliking them.
While the first book wasn’t the best, it still isn’t as bad as I remember.
And that’s really all I have to say for now.
I read this book a few years back, the whole three books really (when I first read them, only the first three books were out.) I remember (not hating them) disliking them.
While the first book wasn’t the best, it still isn’t as bad as I remember.
And that’s really all I have to say for now.
gargamela's review against another edition
1.0
This book is problematic on so many levels that I can't even wrap my head around the fact that it was nominated for some awards today, not a hundred years ago. The whole story hinges on the premise that the two main female characters, Agatha and Sophie are friends, but we only get a glimpse of what their interactions were before ending up at the school, and let me tell you, that did not sound like any type of friendship that I would want to invest in. Both Agatha and Sophie grow throughout the story, sometimes out of the blue, and they are indeed morally grey (especially Sophie) which could serve as a way to teach young children that there is no clear division between good/pretty and evil/ugly, but that is all turned to shit by several events including the ending. If this was supposed to be some sort of feminist reinterpretation of fairy tales, than why, for the love of literature, did I only appreciate the male character (Tedros) who was actually a decent guy with an interesting back story trying to find an actual connection with another human being while also fearing that he will end up heartbroken as his father? I should also mention the superior fat shaming that has been taken to new heights by Chainani through his portrayal of Dot. So the underlying message of the book failed to satisfy me on all accounts and I only managed to finish the book because I was hoping that, in the end, the unhealthy tropes from fairy tales would be reversed (leave all hope you who enter!). But I still would have given the book 2 stars if the writing was any good, but it's not. It is very matter of factly (bland, it is fucking bland which is extremely weird since this is a book about a magical school), the world building is simply something that did not interested me (I skipped parts which described the world cause there was nothing interesting for me there) and there are serious plot holes and overly caricatured characters (just watch the teachers). I think that if I were a middle grader, reading this book would only make me think that yes pretty people must be good and looks matter because they are related connected to morality.
jardeen's review against another edition
3.0
The last third was kind of meh, with Agatha suddenly becoming a 'real' princess and falling in love with Tedros, but the ending totally made up for it. I loved how Agatha and Sophie both ditched him and just flew off together. I didn't really like Tedros that much by the way, not sure if you noticed.
Another thing that bothered me was Sophie suddenly becoming all-powerful, what was up with that? First she's the worst of the school and can't get good grades without Agatha helping her, and suddenly she's the most fearsome villain of all?
Anyway, loved the rest of the book, especially the fact that it revolved around a friendship between two girls. Definitely reading the next one!
Another thing that bothered me was Sophie suddenly becoming all-powerful, what was up with that? First she's the worst of the school and can't get good grades without Agatha helping her, and suddenly she's the most fearsome villain of all?
Anyway, loved the rest of the book, especially the fact that it revolved around a friendship between two girls. Definitely reading the next one!
spellbindingstories's review against another edition
4.0
Stop whatever you're doing and do yourself a favor by looking up the book trailer for this gem. Even if you decide not to read the book afterward, or hate the concept, the book trailer is one of the best that I've seen in awhile. I didn't end up seeing it until I had already finished the book, but it blew me away regardless.
There is so much to love about this book: the concept, the characters, the message, etc. I've always been a lover of fairytales so I was aware going in that I would enjoy this book. However, I wasn't prepared for some of the twist and turns it threw at me. Though its a middle grade book, it did not shy away from violence in the least. I was actually a bit shocked, at some points, but nevertheless could not turn away. That ending had me reeling. I'm really looking forward to the next book in the series!
There is so much to love about this book: the concept, the characters, the message, etc. I've always been a lover of fairytales so I was aware going in that I would enjoy this book. However, I wasn't prepared for some of the twist and turns it threw at me. Though its a middle grade book, it did not shy away from violence in the least. I was actually a bit shocked, at some points, but nevertheless could not turn away. That ending had me reeling. I'm really looking forward to the next book in the series!
tomeswithtea's review against another edition
4.0
This review can also be found on my blog: www.tomeswithtea.blog
This is one I'd been seeing for a number of years and as someone that is huge fan of fairytales and Disney, I knew I had to pick it up. I was a little reluctant only due to its size (488 pages) and so I decided to listen to this one on Audible. I am so glad that I did. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It is the story of a school in which princes, princesses and villains are trained to be just that. Sophie is a princess, she wholeheartedly believes this. Agatha is a villain. Everything is turned upside down when both girls are put in the wrong schools. On their journey to get to their proper place, the discover more about themselves that they ever bargained for. While this books is nothing mind-blowing, I will definitely be reading the other books in this series in the coming year. 3/5 stars.
This is one I'd been seeing for a number of years and as someone that is huge fan of fairytales and Disney, I knew I had to pick it up. I was a little reluctant only due to its size (488 pages) and so I decided to listen to this one on Audible. I am so glad that I did. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It is the story of a school in which princes, princesses and villains are trained to be just that. Sophie is a princess, she wholeheartedly believes this. Agatha is a villain. Everything is turned upside down when both girls are put in the wrong schools. On their journey to get to their proper place, the discover more about themselves that they ever bargained for. While this books is nothing mind-blowing, I will definitely be reading the other books in this series in the coming year. 3/5 stars.
gretafaith's review against another edition
4.0
4.75/5
I'M SO OVERWHELMED. I HAVE SO MANY FEELINGS. WHAT A WAY TO START 2018.
I'M SO OVERWHELMED. I HAVE SO MANY FEELINGS. WHAT A WAY TO START 2018.
booksaremyparadise's review against another edition
3.0
Okay, this book left me so confused. I am not sure how I feel, I just know it was not what I expected. It's a long book and I took my time finishing it and there was so much going on and it kinda was all over the place and then it got really gay and I screamed and it ended. Yeah. I don't know what else to say, this is a bad review.
pierre_the_reader's review against another edition
4.0
It took awhile for me to actually buy this series because I was wondering if this was meant for just kids or was it intended for all audiences and I must say I'm blow away by how good the book is although small things made me a bit uncomfortable. Maybe later in the series it'll be explained or maybe even better something against the grain will happen in character development, but I was wondering why there's a slight hint of misogyny and homophobia in the first book.
There were thing said like, "Two princes made a pact to go to the ball together instead of with you" and something like, "Imagine of princes could marry each other, where would princesses go?" (I'm paraphrasing but that's the gist of it). Then there's the more obvious problems like ugly means you're evil and beautiful means you're a princess and honestly, I stuck around because I figured the author would do something to pivot that initial idea and he did so I stuck around and I'm just gonna say this and I have no regrets about my feelings towards this; Sophie is a bad friend. Period.
There are moments where you begin to feel bad for her, but that chick belonged in The School for Evil since the beginning of the book. I wish Agatha got more time to develop as a character in this book and perhaps she will in the sequel, but I must say seeing Sophie turn from lightweight evil to like...a young but potent Queen of Evil was one of the main reasons I stuck around however, I really despise both Agatha and Sophie thus far. On one hand, Agatha is clearly a potential victim of bullying and has low self esteem so it's also not surprising that towards the end, she wins the heart of the Prince but at the same time it begs me to question her true motives. And Sophie, like I said before, is quite an evil young woman for the very start but she constantly and consistently betrays Agatha long before she was a Queen of Evil and I'm sure she's probably going to continue.
I'm very much a big fan of this novel despite potential problems but I'm having hope that this won't be a problem in the future books. Hopefully you bought the whole set like I did because I'm about to devour this trilogy within the week.
There were thing said like, "Two princes made a pact to go to the ball together instead of with you" and something like, "Imagine of princes could marry each other, where would princesses go?" (I'm paraphrasing but that's the gist of it). Then there's the more obvious problems like ugly means you're evil and beautiful means you're a princess and honestly, I stuck around because I figured the author would do something to pivot that initial idea and he did so I stuck around and I'm just gonna say this and I have no regrets about my feelings towards this; Sophie is a bad friend. Period.
There are moments where you begin to feel bad for her, but that chick belonged in The School for Evil since the beginning of the book. I wish Agatha got more time to develop as a character in this book and perhaps she will in the sequel, but I must say seeing Sophie turn from lightweight evil to like...a young but potent Queen of Evil was one of the main reasons I stuck around however, I really despise both Agatha and Sophie thus far. On one hand, Agatha is clearly a potential victim of bullying and has low self esteem so it's also not surprising that towards the end, she wins the heart of the Prince but at the same time it begs me to question her true motives. And Sophie, like I said before, is quite an evil young woman for the very start but she constantly and consistently betrays Agatha long before she was a Queen of Evil and I'm sure she's probably going to continue.
I'm very much a big fan of this novel despite potential problems but I'm having hope that this won't be a problem in the future books. Hopefully you bought the whole set like I did because I'm about to devour this trilogy within the week.
scientess's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this book and will probably continue with the series but there were some faults that lowered the overall enjoyment.
Agatha was great, but I kind of felt like the more “good” she became the more helpless she got, which was frustrating for me. Especially considering how awesome she was during the trials in the woods. Sophie sucks and is the absolute worst, which is why I like her as a character. She’s interesting.
The gender stereotypes and whole “princes not marrying princes” rubbed me the wrong way a bit but I understand that this story is modeled off of fairytales that aren’t the most progressive things. My hope is that further in the series Sophie and Agatha break the mold this school is trying to shape them into.
That’s my take. Still recommend!
Agatha was great, but I kind of felt like the more “good” she became the more helpless she got, which was frustrating for me. Especially considering how awesome she was during the trials in the woods. Sophie sucks and is the absolute worst, which is why I like her as a character. She’s interesting.
The gender stereotypes and whole “princes not marrying princes” rubbed me the wrong way a bit but I understand that this story is modeled off of fairytales that aren’t the most progressive things. My hope is that further in the series Sophie and Agatha break the mold this school is trying to shape them into.
That’s my take. Still recommend!